You all move out of the Tavern and find yourselves on the cobblestone streets of Beliai. The road that Marava's is located on runs north and south. The Sea Queen lies north towards the bay, while the town's only road leading to the northern interior is south.
Nearby people come out from their cover, just now realizing that the threat of bombs and guns has passed. They return to their daily business now that the threat has passed.
The little shops running along the streets, likewise return to their normalcy.
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As they leave the tavern Faylon slips a flask out of his jackt and takes a long swig.
"Can't ever be to careful these days"
Faylon sees one of his old friends, a Galadanian agent likewise operating in the North, waving him over!
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"As I live and breathe, is that Faylon I spy stumbling forth from a drinking hole? Hmm.. I detect a scent of flaming whiskey and burned barstools. Did I miss some excitement?"
There are many kinds of agents in the Order of the Moon. Some slip among the shadows in alleys and dockyards unseen. Others loiter among inns and taverns like fishermen, using their keen ears like nets. A few use magic to glean truth or scry from afar. The man swaggering down the street is none of these.
He is a swarthy man in fine studded leather with a blue half-cloak trailing off his left shoulder. His hair is dark and well-oiled, as is his curled mustache. His jaw bears a five o'clock shadow at ten in the morning. A fine rapier hangs at his side, held like one ready to offer a challenge of steel. He calls himself the Amazing Brando, and he prefers to draw so much attention to himself that no one would ever think him a Galadan spy.
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"I certainly have no idea what your talking about. Besides your always late for a fight and early to run out on a bar tab.
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"I agree! My timing is excellent!" Brando gives Faylon's arm and friendly smack. "And right now it's time for another drink. I'm staying at an inn just up the road. Come along and bring your friends. Share another cup with and tell me what you've been up to."
Brando turns on his heel and swaggers off, doffing his hat at other folks in the street. As he does a whisper comes to Faylon's ear by magic.
"High Lord Athlan awaits."
Just then, Leoran Athlan snd Bad Bartigan come out from Marava's Tavern.
"Where are we off to now? I'd like to track down the High Lord, especially now that we've faced someone who was once dead", Leoran says, nodding back toward the tavern.
Bart stays close to Leoran, prepared to defend the young Lord. "Who the hell are you?" Bart points at the newcomer.
The man shoots a sharp glance at Leondro's very public mention of the High Lord, but Bart is the one who earns his attention.
Hand on the hilt of his sword, he sets a challenging stance and arches an eyebrow.
"I am the Amazing Brando." He says, as if you should already know.
"I am Bartigan. Bad Bartigan to some. A very great pleasure to meet you Amazing," he says noting the newcomers hand on his sword. "Though a duel would be intriguing, I believe our departure from these premises is the priority. Our ship, the Sea Queen of Galadan, awaits us." He likewise taps the hilt of his own sword, subtly promising a duel with Brando down the road.
Bart regards Leoran, "How do we find your father?"
Leoran looks at Bart and says, "If I knew, I would already be on my way. All I know is he was supposed to meet us at the tavern."
Leoran then turns his attention to Brando, matching his stance as he calmly rests his hand on the hilt of his long blade."I am Leoran Athlan. What business do you have with these men?" Leoran's armor, with visible crests of the Order of the Moon, is still spattered with dark blood and and bits of viscera from the wounds he inflicted on Keldo.
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"Aside from Faylon and yourself, I have no business whatsoever with any of the others." Brando grins and flashes a small patch bearing the symbol of the Order of the Moon. "Come with me and you will find what you are looking for."
An hour later, the newcomer has led you all to Darren Athlan. You enter the small and modest apartment.
The High Lord of the secretive Order of the Moon sits at a table penning a scroll. As you all walk into Brando's small apartment, Lord Athlan looks up and sees Leoran. He rises from his work and embraces his son in a desperate embrace.
All of you notice the High Lord is pensive and nervous.
"Leoran. Thank Paladine that you're safe!"
"Likewise Father," Leoran says with a great sigh of relief, as he embraces Darren. "I worried when you did not meet us, although it was for the best that you didn't."
Leoran is visibly concerned for his father, as he is not used to seeing him so worried. "How much do you know so far? We have much to discuss."
"We do indeed my son," Darren Athlan says as he looks to all of you. "My friends. As you all know I am Darren Athlan, High Lord of the Order of the Moon. It has ever been my duty to ensure that our Homeland of Galadan survive, through any means necessary. The Order of the Moon has always relied on subterfuge, guile, and the gathering of information to combat the enemies of our people that would see us destroyed."
He looks to make he has your undivided attention.
"Now it would seem, an enemy we thought vanquished long ago has arisen once again..."
High Lord Athlan pulls a scroll from his pouch, opens it, and lays it across the table. You all look and see a magical Map of Tharin on the table before you.
"This map is the most complete map of Tharin that we have. It shows the locations of every major city, keep, and gathering place for every race in Tharin. There might be more places that we are unaware of, but this is the most updated."
The map glows with a low blue light in the darkness of Brando's apartment.
He points to Galadan on the southern part of the map. A small image of the center of the mighty city, magically conjures up for all of you to see. "I have received word that King Evrin Bloodstone has died of natural causes. This was obviously expected as we all know that the King was old. We mourn his passing, and honor the peace that he kept," the High Lord says as he says a silent prayer of farewell and thank you to his Lord and mentor.
High Lord Athlan continues. "His Daughter, Princess Gwyneth Bloodstone is now Queen of Galadan. The Queen and her betrothed Orion Vorenius, High Lord of the Sun, were visiting the Queen's sister in Hurc. He moves his finger and points to the Half Orc Homeland, likewise producing an image of the land.
"We have just learned that Hurc has been attacked by an unknown Army, and has been burned to the ground. There is no word on whether Orion, Gwyneth, or any of their entourage has survived." High Lord Athlan seems to think for a moment.
"That would make Elena Brightblade, the Queen's eldest daughter, Queen Regent until we discover what happened to her mother. Elena stayed in Galadan when her mother went north to Hurc."
Once again, the High Lord seems to lose his train of thought.
He refocuses and says, "We have also received word that the Underdark is in turmoil, and that Thax is under siege." He points to the Map of Thax bringing up it's image. "As you can see, the northwestern lands are under siege. Thax and Hurc were the only potential allies we had in that region. If the Dwarves are unable to stop that Army, I have no doubt that it will make it's way south along the Lord's Road until they get to Galadan itself!"
He turns to Leoran, but still speaks to all of you.
"My son and I were able to escape the lost city of Hadorak a week ago. Since our departure from there, Hadorak was claimed by what I believe is the true enemy. This enemy is known as the Rising Darkness."
"The Rising Darkness was thought to have been defeated 30 years ago, when King Evrin sent the seven on a quest to find the ancient sword of Galadan's Kings, 'Justice.' King Evrin decided that the sword would one day go to his rightful heir. Galadan is in turmoil. The Lords and Ladies will war over who will rule, and Princess Elena will be pulled by all sides that will stand to gain. Because of the turmoil we find Galadan in, I will send the lot of you to gather the sword. Leoran, you will protect it, until the true King or Queen has been named. The rest of you will be needed to help my son on this quest."
He looks to all of you. "Do any of you have any objections to this charge I will place on all of you?"
"I have no objections milord," says Bartigan. "So long as we leave by way of the Sea Queen, and Flint and I have a sealed scroll dismissing us from our duties aboard ship. The Captain can get a little tempermental about her senior officers having other priorities."
"Done," says High Lord Athlan to Bartigan promptly. He turns to regard you remaining three. "This is a mission of utmost importance for Galadan. I will guarantee a Knighthood to all of you upon the successful completion of this quest. What say the rest of you?"
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"I say call me Sir Brando the Amazing!"
"Of course father. I will do what must be done," Leoran says with steadfast conviction, giving the customary salute of the Order. "Can you tell us any more about our enemy? How was the Rising Darkness defeated before? Surely, if they were able to bring Keldo back from the dead, I worry what else they will send against us."
Your father looks away solemnly for a moment.
"There are some things that you must learn in your own time son, and in your own way. I believe that this enemy, this Rising Darkness, was delayed by the Fellowship, and not defeated. Know this, this Darkness seeks nothing but the absolute obliteration of Galadan and all of it's people."
The High Lord looks to Faylon and Flint and says, "What say the both of you? Can I trust you both in this endeavor."
A tremor shakes the building suddenly, interrupting Faylon and Flint’s responses!
The windows violently explode inwards, showering everyone within in glass!
”Gods! They’ve found us! Run Leoran!”
The High Lord of the Moon scoops up both the Map and his Amulet and pushes it into Leoran’s hands.
The room is suddenly and completely corrupted in an inky blackness!
“Get my Son out! I’ll hold them here! Go! Go no*!”
Lord Athlan’s voice is suddenly cut off as the Darkness Rises...