"Time to pack up before returning up top. If the weather is favorable, we may be able to return to town."
Luther starts filling his pack.
"Symon, a lock."
"I see it!", the fetchling says, smiling as he removes his picks.
Disable Device:
Perception:
Drusellia begins perusing the books and scrolls on the shelves, looking for anything of interest.
Symon easily picks the lock of the black ledger and, opening it carefully, discovers pages and pages of meticulously copied text...there are family trees (with multiple interconnected dotted lines suggesting convoluted relationships), records of the news within Fort Inevitable – trade in / trade out with a number of items being highlighted as ‘interesting?’, rumours about certain Hellknights and, finally, lists of arrest warrants and executions…
Beyond this treatise of life in Fort Inevitable, there is another text…written on charcoal black paper, it is described as ‘Words Behind the Mask’…
Looking at other books, scrolls and parchments on the shelves reveals little beyond the fact that, whoever was transcribing information into the black ledger was using the records on the shelves as source material…
So, with the ledger and fancy book secured, the group sees if travel back to town would be feasible or if weather has made travel difficult.
If not, it is time for another guarded rest up top.
Luther points out Dars was worth a thousand gold. "Let us bring her corpse."
Luther looks little at the written religious text, and packs it away to take to the church of Abadar, little does he know it is profanely evil. Never much for studying, he hope he would not be queried of its contents.
With Dezco picking put the corpse, Luther gives him a quick smile. "I think she is lighter than the one thousand gold coins she will fetch. At least that is if they take her dead. Remember, she put up a big fight and we had to hit her--it was her or us."
Luther hopes to order a suit of full plate and put a payment on it. He will buy an armored kilt for now. Maybe the hellknights would be so grateful, he could get a suit of their armor.
Your journey back to the surface is unimpeded - an almost supernatural quiet seems to have fallen on the spire...as you pas through the Cellars, you don't even see any of the small spiders that had infested Gorloth's level.
The sun is high in the sky as you step out into the fresh air - a cold breeze gently blows across the ruins at the top of the escarpment and the weather looks agreeable to a safe journey back to Fort Inevitable...
...the trail back, still shrouded in snow, makes your progress slow - especially with the dead weight of the bandit leader carried between you - yet you still make it back to the Fort before dusk. Seeing you approach from afar, two of the Hellknights guarding the north gate move out into the road ahead of you - they demand you halt some distance away from the gates and state your business...
Luther makes no threatening moves and holds his hands high. "We are on the business of the Lady Commander herself. Please schedule an appointment with her for us at the first opportunity. We have the corpse of the Outlaw Dars for her inspection."
Symon stays back with Dru and lets the others deal with the guards.
"A corpse you say? The Lady Commander won't be so pleased by that...best you make your way to the Citadel and give your account of things"
The gates creak open granting you access to the snow-covered fort. The streets are near-deserted so the fact that you are carrying a corpse through the settlement doesn't raise as much of a stir as it might otherwise have. The Citadel is, much as your first visit, an imposing structure both due to its architecture and the Hellknights that dwell within it...
When you announce your presence and your achievement, you are waved through to the central atrium of the building and asked to wait on the Lady Commander's leisure. After half an hour of cooling your heels, you still haven't been seen...
Luther is so bored, he actually begins to read the books they brought back. Although not the brightest, the religious text somehow seems quite bad. He thinks it may actually be evil!!!
Drusellia seems a bit taken aback by the dwarf's forwardness, but accepts the libation.
In time, a studded door to your left swings open - stepping through and nodding in your direction is the Lady Commander. Dressed in midnight black robes, she has a deeply troubled look on her face...quite far from the austere demeanour she has presented in your previous encounters. She is accompanied by someone that you haven't seen in the Citadel before.
The woman, who acknowledges Luther with a bow of her head, is whispering into the Lady Commander's ear as they walk. Whatever it is that they are discussing is both bad tidings and not something that they wish you to be privy to.
Seeing the still form of Tarrin Dars on the floor before you, a thin smile curls on the Hellknight's lips - clearly the capture of the leader of the Splinters is some respite from her current troubles. Until she realises that Tarrin Dars is many hours dead, "So, she fought for her life then? I would have had her to answer her many crimes against our lives...and for the crimes of her band of outlaws". She calls to two Hellknights, both of the Order of the Nail, and instructs them to take Tarrin to the holding cells; instructing that "No-one is to touch the body until I give them permission".
As Tarrin Dars is carried away, the Lady Commander invites you to her chambers, "We have much to discuss...tell me of Tarrin Dars' end, tell me the state of the Splinters, tell me of their hideaway and also, I would know more of the ruins...is there any sign of anyone else residing there?". It is this question, and your answer to it, that most interests the matronly lady who has accompanied you to Lady Commander Druvost's offices
Luther explains: "We have more Splinters to take care of. But you need to see what may be a more dangerous evil influence. Some Norburger influence may be there in the Spire too."
Luther hands the religious text to his high priestess and the log on the hell knights to the lady commander.
The Lady Commander takes the text wordlessly and leafs through it...abruptly she stops, opens a drawer, deposits it within and, very pointedly, locks it closed. Fixing Luther with a emotionless stare, "How much of this have you read?"
Meanwhile Luther's high priestess has placed the religious text on a table next to her chair and is donning a pair of leather gloves...
Symon is looking around for maybe an escape route...this does not look good!
perception:
Luther responds, "Just enough to know it was private business and discretion was indicated."
Through narrowed eyes, the Lady Commander agrees that it is indeed private business and that no word of what is within the book is to be shared with another soul. From the look on her face, it is clear the topic is closed.
With gloved hands, the High Mother leafs through the religious text that Luther has recovered, "Aaah....okay....hmmm....Luther? This is a profane document indeed - I would know more of what you found...please drop by the Temple of the Golden Key tomorrow....we need to talk"
The Lady Commander interjects, ”Aaah yes…I apologise, please allow me to introduce High Mother Sarise Dremagne of the Temple of the Golden Key. She has troubling reports from the trade routes to the north”
The lady smiles, and with a soft voice, addresses all of you, ”You have done well to apprehend Tarrin Dars and to arrest the growing threat and influence of Norgorber in the woods – I pray that the outlaws will disperse and stop troubling those who are making an honest living here. But it seems that the Spire may well be home to a darker threat than the Splinters…we have had three separate reports of the dead rising and attacking travellers on the trade route. The increase in such attacks would normally be a cause for concern yet there is something else…the armour worn by these undead bears a symbol…a skull wearing a majestic crown…you say you defeated some undead in the Spire, did you see anything like this?”
Luther laughs and says, "Yes, I need more lessons on religion!!"
Luther looks to the others for confirmation about the symbols, but does not remember seeing any.
"We will resume our assault on the Spire Lady Commander. I am sure more foul evil is to be uncovered. I have learned how to fight in heavy armor, could you help me procure some plate armor. It does not have to be the special kind some of your knights wear."
Drusellia remains quiet during the exchange, having little to add to the conversation and not wanting to reveal her true nature to the Lady Commander. She keeps her cowl pulled over her head and her hair tucked inside. Delicate gloves hide her inky flesh.
How would she feel about leaving her fate to the hands of a drow? Not well, I expect.
At Luther's observation that he needs further tuition in religious matters, the High Mother looks quite downcast - as if she has been through this many times before; putting the matter to one side, she continues, ”Then it seems these attacks are destined to continue…the last attack was chased back into the woods with the remnants of a troop of skeletons apparently headed for the Spire. Is it possible that there are things inhabiting lower levels than you have explored? If the Spire is found to be the origin of these attacks then the church of Abadar would repay you handsomely for ending this menace.”
Toying with the oversized golden key that represents her holy symbol, High Mother Dremagne continues, "I must warn you though…the skeletons that attacked the last caravan were well armed – and supported by some form of skeletal wizard – almost by the week, the threat is growing in strength”.
Lady Commander Druvost's eyebrows arch when Luther suggests that he would even have considered the armour of the Hellknight, "Ah, the matter of your bounty - for the return of Tarrin Dars' corpse...I think five hundred gold would be a fair reward?". The Lady Commander's words sound like a question...her demeanour and tone suggests that it is anything but a question...
With no one protesting the severe reduction in the bounty, the Lady Commander reaches into the drawers of her desk and brings forth a large cloth bag. Placing it on her desk with a satisfyingly metallic sound, she thanks you once more, ”For ending Tarrin Dars' reign of terror upon our trade routes, I pay you five hundred gold. I will be interested to hear of your further exploration into the Spire however, please note that as you are no longer acting as an agent of the Hellknights, the levy on treasures looted from the Spire and sold within Fort Inevitable shall be payable”
With gold on the table, the High Mother proposes that, ”As the threat is swiftly growing and threatens the trade within this town, the Temple of Abadar are willing to pay a reward of 2,500 gold if you find and destroy the source of these 'Crowned Skull' undead. I trust this meets your approval?”
The Lady Commander stands and, making clear that the meeting is at an end, ”Now, if you will excuse me? I intend to learn a little more about this Dars character…”, the cold smile on the Lady Commander’s face draws a worried look from the High Mother.
Symon keeps to the back of the group, with Dru. When the talk of their reward comes up, he almost says something, but the cold look in the Commander's eyes keeps him quiet.
Luther tries to hide his disappointment, but seems to fail a bit. Or perhaps it is a skilled negotiating technique.
"I can understand the 500 gold reward, as Tarrin Dars is dead. Information will be harder to get now. But I was hoping we had shown we were your agents, and being taxed may be something you can waive for us. We have shown to be acting in your interest."
Luther makes a subtle glance at the drawer with the ledger in it.
"I must speak with my High Mother, but let us know if we are still your agents."
Luther would have only tried such a bold ploy with his high mother around. And he quickly moves behind the High Mother to follow her as a dutiful son would follow his mother when the meeting is obviously concluded.
Luther makes it a point to see if he could secure some plate armor before departing.
Drusellia holds her tongue when the subject of the bounty comes up. No, it is not your place. You are the stranger here.
”If you had been acting in my full interests, I’d have a live captive…that would have been a far more valuable asset than a corpse that will yield limited answers. The law stands Luther – you are no long contracted to my order and must pay the levy as any other explorer would. If we have need of your services again, we will discuss further – in the meantime, your church would have you further explore the Spire…I suggest you discuss further with your High Mother if you have need of anything”
Dismissing you, she adds that there is a perfectly adequate armoury and weapon smith in the Fort if you have need of better armour.
Luther regrets handing over the journal. His tendency to follow the rules and succumb to authority without thought had him under what was probably an evil agenda. But, if his high mother had to work with the hellknights, he could keep a civil tongue.
Luther motions for his companions to follow him and the High Mother as they retreat from the Lady Commander. There was little doubt who had gotten the better of that encounter.
Luther steps into protective proximity of the High Mother and smiles as he seems to be able to sense her power. He mumbles:
"That didn't go well." And follows her out.
Conner remained quiet through the meetings with authority types, sighing as they leave.
" well that definitely could have gone better. Sure coulda used more of reward..Ah well. A pint is calling me. Anyone else?"
"I would like to join you as well. These hellknights sure are a tough lot! I thought the commander was going to take away the whole reward, and still charge us for the 'privilege' of defeating those bandits."
"Unfair, to say the least," is all that Drusellia says. She follows the others, but declines a drink. "I have some other business to take care of. I will rejoin you later."
When free, Luther looks at the High Mother in frustration and impatience.
"Mother, I do not know what I could have done better. I think I let the Lady Commander get the better of me. I think my friends expected more, and now we are short and taxed on everything. But, I think your offer is just the boon we needed! We will not let you down. That Spire is a nest of evil, and the goblins were the first layer of the onion and the bandits the second. The skeletal mage is probably in there somewhere. We did kill a bad skeleton and some metal creatures too."
"No, thank you," the drow replies, politely, but succinctly. "I must do this for myself."
As Luther hurries after High Mother Dremagne, she reassures him that, despite the Lady Commander's demeanour and arbitrary reduction of the bounty, they've done well - not only in securing the reward but also in terms of reducing the barriers to trade in the area and, from a less selfless perspective, increasing their reputation, "Come by the temple tomorrow Luther...we have much to discuss"
Back at the Julliver Arms, the welcome you receive is immeasurably warmer than that which you received at the Citadel..."Friends...a drink on the house and free board for the night...we hear you have killed the scourge Dars...more than those Hellknights ever did for us. Even now, Egelbert is composing a song to celebrate your story - I dare say he'll be looking to you for some inspiration - how long will you stay with us?"
"Say, now I think about it...those folks from the Goldenfire were looking for you yesterday...I'll leave a message, they ain't left town yet, let them know you're staying with us"
The evening passes in the Inn with tedious stories of who might be marrying who, rumours of trade caravans working their way north and a few salacious comments about the Hellknight guards. It would seem that not much happens in Fort Inevitable during the snowbound months...
The following morning brings an unseasonably warm sun - the dripping of water is everywhere as ice gently melts...
Luther heads to the church and invites everyone to go along. He insists his high mother is good for the 2500gp.
After buying his plate armor, he feels eager to get back to the spire. He wants his companions to have a chance to ask questions. He knew he was considered slow by most people.