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The party secures the remaining gnolls, and returns to Hommlett, where they are turned over to the authorities and jailed. The party then resumes its journey to Nulb, and arrives in the late afternoon.
The village of Nulb is filthy, ramshackle, and still fairly active despite the destruction of the Temple. The buildings are of turf, mud brick, crudely hewn logs, and old timbers from boats. One or two have stone foundations and proper boards, but even these are in need of repair.
The inhabitants of the village are boatmen, fishers, herdsmen, farmers, and the like. It is apparent that no one manages to make much of a living in Nulb, and as it is such a poor place, it is generally ignored by lords and bandits alike.
A small amount of commerce moves along the Low Road, as well as into Nulb from the Velverdyva, as Imeryds Run is wide and deep enough for the small river vessels to use for offloading cargo and likewise embarking it from Nulb, north of the ford there.
Elmo guides the wagon through the village, and stops in front of what appears to be a smithy and stable. I'm going to introduce you to Otis. He is a friend to my family, and I trust him to give us a square deal.
As the party dismounts from the wagon, a very powerful man, with a bushy beard and large hands, comes out of the smithy: Elmo! How are you? It's been awhile since you have paid us a visit!
Elmo introduces the man as Otis, the smith, who welcomes you all to Nulb and invites you to enter his shop. The party sits with Otis around a table, and he says, Well, what brings you to Nulb, and how can I help you today?
Trane smiles at their host.
"Trane the lion-friend. Glad to meet you. We are here to help out."
Trane extends a calloused and tanned hand.
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Otis: I am pleased to meet you all! Any friend of Elmo must be a friend of mine!
Elmo relates to Otis what has been happening in Hommlett, and the suspicion that the troubles may emanate from the old Temple of Elemental Evil.
Otis gets up from the table, closes and locks the door to his shop, and then returns. Best we have this conversation without others overhearing what you have to say. The upper works of the Temple were thrown down and destroyed in the final siege of the war against its hordes. Because of its great power and evil, however, the conquerors did not actually raze the Temple proper, instead sealing its great doors and placing mighty wards of all sorts upon the place and the black labyrinth beneath. Even as great a force as overthrew the Temple could not cleanly deal with what lurked below.
Since that great battle, the Temple area has been shunned, its ruins deserted. Nulb has returned to a semblance of normal activity, questionable at best, for the place has always been rumored to house thieves, brigands, smugglers and pirates. But as Nulb stinks of garbage and filth, the Temple area reeks of the foul corruption and pervading Evil from whence it was spawned. There are whispers of occult places beneath the interdicted Temple, where mighty Evil is yet wrought and noble folk are imprisoned.
Trane seems to take the words seriously.
"We need to shut this temple down like we did the moat house. And we should tread carefully in Nulb."
Having listened intently to everything Otis has said and in light of the events at the moat house,
I agree with Trane. And we should be very careful when we venture into the Temple area.
Otis, can you tell us how long ago this battle was and more details about the events leading up to it? Who were the conquerors and what happened to them after the battle?
I would like to continue. I want to see where the story goes from here.
Well met, friend Otis. I am Garm Stoutsole, of the Stoutsole Stoutsoles. Perhaps you've heard of me?
Once the introductions are out of the way...
Yes Otis, do tell us everything you know of that battle at the Temple.
Count me in--I'd love to continue. And with the quality of this campaign and reputation of our DM, recruiting would be easy.
"If you are really to enter that creepy old temple you will need some master trapfinder in order to keep you safe."
You suddenly realise about the figure of a halfling concealed in the shadows of the shops' back office. He then stands up and approaches the group.
"Hi. My name is Uldar Aren and I have come to Nulb from far lands on search of true challenges for my nimble hands." The halfling rests his two hands over his belt, where you spot a cold iron dagger. "I finally convinced old Otis to explain me his adventures and the story of the region when you came. After hearing your plans, I have decided this is the kind of enterprise I was looking for. Can I join?" The overconfident halfling moves his hand towards the newcomers.
"I am good spotting danger and manipulating mechanical and magical devices. Plus there are few foes able to resist the precision of my arrows. I Hope you can appreciate skills like those in your group."
So, Otis, back to my previous question. When was this battle and what were the events leading up to it? Who won and where are they now? We need more information and more adventurers in our group to help us if we are to shut this temple down.
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Otis: For many years, a cult of Chaotic Evil flourished somewhere on the shores of the Nyr Dyv. Although the location of their Temple is lost, these facts regarding it and its followers are known. The cult was based on the premise that the elemental forces of the universe are Chaotic and opposed to mankind, and are thus Evil.
The Temple of the cult sought to destroy all works of Good and to disrupt order. Its members were thieves, assassins, brigands, and the like. Fire was regarded as the first elemental evil, and its penchant for Chaos fitted the premise of the cult. Water was likewise worshipped as an even more powerful force of Chaotic Evil, in the form of floods, storms, and raging seas beating upon the land and ocean vessels. The epitome of Chaotic Evil, however, was regarded as a combination of air and earth, represented by blackness and corresponding with the demonic Abyss. This combination was regarded as a complete negation of matter.
The cult grew powerful and rich, attracting followers of the worst sort and offering them safety within the walls of the Temple stronghold. From this fortress would the followers ride to rob, pillage, and lay waste the lands about, tithing the cult from the spoils of the carnage. Captives from those raids were brought back to the Temple to serve as human sacrifices (children to the fire, men to the water, and women to the blackest Evil) or to slave their lives away in bondage. Besides the extensive upper works of the Temple, a deep labyrinth beneath the place was constructed, but virtually nothing is known about these dungeons except that they were inhabited by a plethora of creatures serving Chaos and Evil. It is rumored that a demon took up abode in the deepest level, to better receive the sacrifices to it.
Eventually the neighbors of the Temple grew tired of these depredations. All Good, both Lawful and Chaotic, banded together to form a mighty host. Their army marched to the Temple, fighting two battles along the way. The first was conclusive, thought the forces of Good who held the field afterward, so they gained the reputation of victory, and their ranks swelled with local men. The second battle saw a great slaughter of kobolds, goblins, ores, hobgoblins, evil men, and the like.
The Temple was thereafter besieged, fell, and its inhabitants put to the sword. It is reported by some sources that the Temple and its precincts resisted complete destruction, but the majority state that the whole was razed so that the cult could never emerge again nor could any find where it once flourished.
Uldar listens attentive to Otis explanation. Sit close to the fireplace the light of the flames dance on his face. Or perhaps those ones dancing are the shadows.
As the experienced man finishes his tale, Uldar looks deep inside the fire. After a minute or so, he breaks the prevailing silence in the room. "So you think this evil has returned to the Temple? You think it is behind the recent events around Nulb?"
While the others think their answer, he adds "I think those cults were totally mislead. I can't think this fire here as any source of evil. It is instead providing us with heat and light. That seems caring to me." While the fire crackles in its place he ends his questions asking "What those precincts consist of? I guess if we are to find the truth we will need to visit that place."
Why Otis, you have the mark of a true storyteller about you. Twas a tale most foul but told with such zeal it was like I was there!
Sensing the somber mood around the table, Garm checks his natural enthusiasm. Their belief that the elements are evil is preposterous. As Uldar has pointed out, fire can be a boon if used correctly. They are tools and environment, nothing more.
Otis, are there any surviving members of the forces of good left alive from that original raid? They might be able to tell us more specifics about the layout of the Temple and it's grounds.
Trane smiles at the talkative outburst.
"Otis, what a tale. But I have seen animals lick their wounds after receiving what was thought to be lethal damage and return to hunt again. OFF TO THE TEMPLE!!"
Brandor nods his head at what the others have to say.
"Bah! There is good to be found in the earth and fire, but there is evil that lurks there too. It is a constant struggle, since the beginning of time, to keep evil at bay, in all of the many forms. If evil is again trying to make a stronghold in this temple, we should battle it now, before it gets a strong foothold, or many others will die in the inevitable struggle that is to come."
Brandor, while he may be a priest, seems eager for battle.
Garm looks to the newcomers. Well met fellow travelers. I see Otis has been busy recruiting for this mission. I am Garm Stoutsole of the Shoutshine Stoutsoles. Adventurer Extroidinaire and Weaver of Tales, at your service. Garm finishes his introduction with a sweeping bow, the colorful baubles on his hat waving precariously from the swift motion.
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Otis looks at each one of you, then speaks:
There are few agents of Good in Nulb. I count myself as one of those few. I have survived here by doing nothing foolish, nor do I offer aid to unproven groups. We will not risk losing our cover, let alone our lives, for no purpose. The fact that Elmo has brought you here weighs heavily in your favor, so I will assist you as best as I can. Kenz, Brandor and Uldar have agreed to join the group, for which I am thankful. I can understand that several members have departed for safer territory.
You should probably stay at The Waterside Hostel while in Nulb. But be careful how you deal with anyone in this area. You may also want to pay a visit to Mother Screng's Herb Shop, run by Mother Screng and her daughter Hruda. They have lived in Nulb for a long time, and can provide much information about the Temple. Finally, you may run into Y'day and Murfles, members of a good faith, who have been covertly operating in this area for some time. They both came from Hommlett several months ago.
A tall young man, heavily armored, ducks under the door frame and saunters in from rear of the shop, his shoulders the breadth of an axe handle, his face hashed and pocked with scars. Accompanying him are the strong scents of forge smoke and coffee, the later coming from a large, chipped and steaming earthenware mug in his left hand. Criss-crossed across his back are strapped a two handed sword and a heavy flail.
I see I'm late... I should say, Mr Otis, that if you wish to keep out eaves droppers you may wish to lock both the front AND the back doors. I've heard enough while making me hot beverage, here, to know two things: that you've asked me to swim in potentially shark infested waters and that Mr Elmo here has brought you a fine and fitting company who seem to appreciate your particular sense of melodrama... he looks at said company, flashing a wide smile full of clean but crooked teeth Kenz is my name, and I'm pleased to join your little crusade, just please don't call it a crusade; upholding virtue and protecting the innocent I do on my days off. This sounds like hard work and hard work I do for my cut of the spoils. He sips his coffee with surprising delicacy, obviously relishing the taste. A bit more quietly he addresses the smith Oh, one more thing, Mr Otis, that goat's gonna dry up soon if you don't get her with a kid and tend her properly his smile this time is a bit more modest hinting at embarrassment.
"I suggest we get rooms at the Waterside, and see if we can make it secure. Then let's start figuring out where to start. This Mother Screng sounds promising...."
"I will follow you on this idea. Seems like good places where to start. Have you heard about any place of unusual evil activity in the area that Otis? That might be a good clue that the temple is being reorganised again."
Thank you, Otis, for your thorough answer to my question, and for recruiting these new members to help our group. I am Kalizama, a wizard hoping to use my skills to help eradicate evil and darkness in the world. Shall we head to The Waterside Hostel and secure our lodgings?
Trane points to his lioness.
"Hopefully Chaandra won't be a problem. Can anyone make scrolls of enlarge? I was hoping we would use that tactic more."
Brandor replies to Trane.
"Unfortunately, crafting scrolls is not one of my skills, but something perhaps I should consider in the future. In any case, I stay away from dabbling in the arcane myself. Kalizama, perhaps? I am not sure if this town is large enough, but perhaps we can buy a few of these scrolls, potions or even a wand? I would be willing to contribute a few coins if it would help."
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The party makes its way to the Waterside Hostel, a place that appears to be one of the more substantial buildings in Nulb. It has a foundation of
field stone and walls of sawn timber, but nonetheless looks aged and run down. Its main trade appears to be in its tavern room, which is occupied by four villagers, though occasional travelers stop to spend the night. The hostler is a burly fellow with a scarred, pockmarked visage, one eye covered by a patch. The barkeep is lanky and of greasy appearance, but quite tall. Two slovenly waitresses and two manservants of surly mein hover about the place.
The one-eyed man approaches you, wiping his hands upon a coarse towel...Welcome to the Waterside! If ye fancy a drink, the tavern room is right over there. If ye want's a room, the price varies from 5 cp to 1 gold piece, depending on yer needs and desires. How may I help ye?
six rooms... with locks... looks askance at the servers fresh linens... he puts six gold pieces in the man's hand and we'll take our meals in a private room he adds a seventh
turns away but has an afterthought oh, and if any one of us wakes up to a single flea, louse or rat, be they vermin or otherwise, you won't be pleased to find out
Brandor thanks Kenz for securing the rooms, then adds, "Perhaps a drink or two is called for. Perhaps we will even hear a story or two while we quench our thirst?"
You can thank me by buying me a drink, Mr Brandor, but not yet. Let's stow our gear and find Screng and Hruda. If we're lucky they'll have absynthe at this herb shop of theirs and you can repay your debt that way and have an interesting experience besides... he offers a smile that from anyone else would surely be friendly; on Kenz it seems predatory.
Before leaving, Ulfar asks Otis "Is there any more help you can provide us with Sir Otis? If we are to finish this evil weapons, magic or even extra hands or animals to carry equipment can come handy."
Once in the hostel he approaches one of the wenchs and told her "pardon my mate wench, I just met him but he seems a harsh one. I guess it is because of the tougth roads around you know? How is the life here? It seems like a very poor people here, what do they live of? Do you like life in Nulb?"
He looks around trying to get a glimpse on others reactions, proffesions and true intentions.
Shaking his head at the sorry state of the hostel they now found themselves in, Garm decides not to leave his alchemy lab upstairs unattended. It would be a minor burden while walking the city streets in search of the herbalist but it was better than being relieved of it altogether by some sneaky cur.
While the others stow their gear, Garm approaches the bartender. Would you know the way to Mother Screng's Herb Shop? I recall being told she runs a fine establishment.
To get directions to the herb shop and any gossip about Mother Screng.
"Fair 'nuf, Kenz. Drinks are on me. Let me dump my less essential gear, and then let's fine these folks."
Brandor hastily drops his bedroll, rations, and waterskin off in the room, and is ready to go.
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Otis (to Uldar): My assistance right now is knowledge. Scout out the source of the Temple, and then decide if you need additional help.
At the Hostel:
Hostler (to Kenz): Now, kind sir, we run a clean establishment here. If ye have any complaint at all, we'll make it right for ye. He hands Kenz keys to the rooms.
Wench (to Uldar): I dasn't have time for chit-chattin' wid ye sir. Does ye need food or drink? And, me name is Dala. The other servin' woman is Pearl. If ye wants to talk a bit, talk to Dick the hostler or Wat the barman.
Wat (to Garm): Aye, mother Screng is well known in these here parts...she is always brewin' up a nostrum fer what ails ya. Her place is just down da street aways...look fer a frame house wid a sign sayin' "Herbs" on it.
@ hostler yes, I know accepts keys with what is rapidly becoming his trademark predacious grin before doling them out to the rest of the party
Trane explains:
"Keep a low profile. Do not call attention to yourselves. We head to the temple early tomorrow."
raises an eyebrow at Trane I would generally agree, but I'm afraid we're a large, heavily armed party including a particularly conspicuous gnome whose hat jingles when he walks in a backwater town... someone's likely to notice no matter what we do.
"There is some character there, I like that... Dala. Just bring me some drink..." and whispering "...and there are more like these ones for good information about town gossips and unattended loot." he places a couple of silver coins into the wench pockets.
After the wench brings him his drink, Uldar asks Hostler "I hope people do not get surprised about the presence of some foreigners like us. This town seems as if it has known better days, isn't it? What happened?"
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Dala pockets the coins from Uldar, gives him a wink, and strolls off to serve other customers...
Hostler (to Uldar): Whatcha' mean, what happened? Dis town is what it is. Ferriners come and go here, and as long as dey pays in good coin, dat's all I cares about. Dis here town has always been rough and rowdy, and most folks don't mind.
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After obtaining your rooms in the Hostel, the group makes its way through town until spotting a house with the sign "Herbs" near its front door. This dilapidated frame building is well known in the village as the place to go for all sorts of herbs, medicines, and possibly even special draughts of one sort or another.
Inside, Mother Screng is old and bent, with scraggly gray locks sticking out from beneath the aged shawl she wears all year around. Her daughter Hruda appears quite old herself, so Mother Screng must be venerable.
Inside the shop are counters and shelves filled with jars, flasks, bottles, boxes, and small drawers. These are stuffed with herbs and like stuff, and various infusions and decoctions made from such. Bunches of vegetation of various sorts hang from the rafters or are tossed onto counter tops to dry.
Two other people are in the shop: one a female dressed in plate mail with a shield and mace, and a holy symbol hanging from her neck; and the second dressed in leather armor, sporting a longsword, dagger, longbow and quiver.
Hruda: Hush...we have visitors! Welcome to our humble abode and store. How may we help you?
Kenz tears his hungry gaze away from the (cleric?... paladin?...) and offers up his most dapper bow to Hruda m'lady, while my companions have much more pressing questions to ask you, my heart's desires are simple, a pound of the darkest coffee, a bottle of emerald absinthe and the name of yon steel bound angel that I might scream it as a victory cry as I ride into battle and take comfort in it on that black day which plagues every mortal life
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Hruda (to Kenz): Certainly my fine sir... and she fills and weighs a cloth bag with a pound of coffee, and selects a bottle of Absinthe from a cupboard. Here you are, sir, one pound of coffee is 5 copper pieces, and this rare bottle of Absinthe is 5 gold pieces. Ummm...the lady's name is Y'dey...and she is an angel, as you surmise.... Many of us who express a faith worship the old gods, but she and her companion Murfles are associated with the Goddess Serenrae, the Dawnflower.
shocked...
rolls with it...
he takes his goods and looks at Brandor, then cocks his head toward Hruda, well, pay the nice lady He pulls the the cork from the bottle and takes a healthy swig then re-stoppers it as he purposely walks toward the angel, kneels in front of her and without ever breaking eye contact offers up the absinthe to her a libation for the Dawnflower, they say wisdom and truth can be found in this bottle, if it's true then it is as the reflection of a spark on still water when compared to that of your Mistress, the blinding and ever burning sun and I should be ashamed to offer it but here it is. I give it to you, Y'dey, as beautiful a blaze as I shall ever likely be blessed to see in this life or after, to give to her. I ask for nothing in return, being in your presence is bargain enough for any man, should he live a thousand lifetimes...
Before the end of the herb shop encounter, whatever else happens, he'll buy another bottle of absinthe with his own money, assuming, of course, that he doesn't offend the proprietresses so much that they chase him out with a broom
Is this old woman saying truth? The Dawnflower here? Standing on the stepdoor with his arms crossed Uldar observes and analyses the scene for a long moment, then he decides to interrupt. "Do not get offense venerable women, but if you really serve whom you say you serve, I would not be saying it aloud to first comers in a town like this." Then looking around "We are told there are forces of evil around and we might be as well part of those or wanting to join them."
Opening his arms he says "Pardon us, my name is Uldar and this loyal fighter here is Kenz. We had been send here by Otis, as he thinks you might be able to help us in our quest." Hesitating one moment the halfling continues "--Given your age... it might be well possible that you know about the true story of the 'Temple' and its fate... please enlighten us if you feel as having the knowledge for it." and touching his coins bag "I might as well be interested in some of your remedies around and poison for my arrows".