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"Let's freaking roll it! This time let me give the directions, useless piece of dead meat."
... Dot
"By all means, lead the way!"
After your successful job at the watchtower, and the boat trip with Tiadora, the Cardinal gives your next mission:
The Cardinal, a devilishly handsome man clad in black and burgundy robes. He wears black gloves and openly displays his silver unholy symbol of the Lord of Hell. He sports a wicked and knowing grin.
He greets his knot and is quickly to business: “You have served me faithfully, my ninth knot, and I have rewarded you both in treasure and vengeance. Thanks to your efforts, the Fire-Axe has been unleashed. Even now he writes his name in blood across the Borderlands."
“Three battles have been fought and three victories won. The villages of Ambryl and Tarrington Fields lie sacked. The fortress of Lorringsgate is in ruins. Each of you did your part in seeing these triumphs come to fruition. Do not think I have forgotten that."
“But our work is not yet done. Talingarde has not yet acquiesced to our unholy master nor tasted the full measure of our vengeance. So I have another mission for you. Tomorrow this barge will dock in Farholde, the northernmost town in the entire realm. Farholde is a backwater of no real significance. Its lord has already left the place hoping for glory in the war. But it does border the Caer Bryr, the largest unmapped forest on the entire island."
“Hidden within the Caer Bryr is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a particularly loathsome death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman’. Almost eighty years ago the first Darian king, Markadian I called the Victorious overthrew the Horn and destroyed the Sons. No great loss, honestly."
“But what the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the king, that he had the priests of Mitra craft a great silver seal to forever forbid the daemon from returning to our plane of existence. The seal remains to this day."
“I have learned the truth about this daemon prince. I have learned what the Victor feared. Vetra-Kali is an archdeacon in service to the lord of pestilence. This immortal monster could create a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees."
“When the Victor attacked, the Daemon Prince was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world -- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys . I am uncertain of the specifics of this plague but if anything could terror in the heart of the Victor, then I want it. The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger into the heart of Talingarde."
“I already have agents in the great cities of this kingdom. With this pestilence, they could deliver blight and death to the very center of the realm. Caught between the twin storms of the Fire-Axe and Vetra-Kali’s gift, we shall bring ruin to Talingarde. This gift you shall bring to me."
“It will not be easy. I have already lost one band of followers on this errand. I sent the fourth knot to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded at that at least – revealing to me that it was concealed within a great spire of stone less than a day’s ride from Farholde."
“But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Caer Bryr well so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn of Abaddon is guarded. I cannot say. But it matters not! The Tears of Achlys must be mine!"
“I am undeterred by this setback. Where one knot failed, two will succeed. I will also send my seventh knot – the Knot Hibernal led by Elise Zadaria. I task you with finding the Horn and calling forth Vetra-Kali. Elise and her knot will aid you. Elise proved herself a capable assassin in our last venture. The seventh knot will remain in Farholde and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with your work meets an unhappy end. Thus, you will have time to do what must be done."
“There is another who may be able to aid you. Once a thriving cult of Asmodeus existed in Farholde. It was led by a half-elvish noble – the Baron Arkov Vandermir. He is treacherous and decadent, but wealthy and well-connected. Tiadora will introduce you before she departs."
“I know not what aid the Baron can provide, but his family is old and long has dwelt in Farholde. Never trust him but know this – he’s afraid of me and with good reason. If he does try anything remind him that you are in Farholde on my behalf. That should keep him in line."
“Find the Horn. Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to our world. Bind him to your will and force service from the monster. And then bring his gift to me. Can you do this, my knot? Have I found servants with might and will enough to see this task done?”
You ask any question you see fit, and lastly the master gives you one last reminder.
"The seal is a powerful Mitran artifact. The Victor himself consecrated the blasted thing by praying and fasting for seven days over it, or so the story goes. Whatever the truth, it is certainly a powerful artifact of Asmodeus’ most bitter enemy. Find a way to shatter it! I care not what it involves or how long it takes! Break the seal!"
Then he continues to the rest to the knot “There is one more thing you need to know. A gnome and a tiefling, are waiting for you at Farhold. They’ll stay at The Auld Briarhall inn. I've instructed them to keep their Iron Circlet in its original form, so you can recognize them. I know not what alias they’ll be using. Argan, it's your task to observe them, and test them. See if they have the right set of mind to join us!" he get up and walks over to Argan and hands him another clay seal marked with the unholy symbol of Asmodeus."If you recover the Tears or need to report anything to me, break this seal. I will send Tiadora to wherever you break it within an hour or two. Now go with the blessings of the Prince of Hell and see this mission done!"
Sometime later, after briefly exploring the city, you join Tiadora to meet with the Baron.
As far the conversation goes, you are able to secure his support in the city, a place to stay and a safe house, if there’s ever need of one.
First, he can provide the party with accomodations and a safe house. His manor is not only opulently appointed with every amenity known to man, it also has a secret tunnel that runs from Calliver Green to a small nondescript hovel at the base of the hill. You can come and go at will without anyone observing yours movements.
Second, he can grant you almost total legal immunity in Farholde. As long as you are not caught redhanded doing some henious deed his word that you were with him excuses every suspicion of your involvement in a crime. He is loathe to use this influence too much. After all, while the local magistrates are easy to deal with, blatant crimes may eventually draw Mitran inquisitors to Farholde.
Third, he has contacts among the shadier merchants who operate in and around Farholde. He can give you access to poisons (though none more expensive than 1100 gp a dose) and more sinister magic items (though this still has the usual cost limits here in Farholde). He can also fence any items they’ve recovered that may be difficult to otherwise sell (for example -- he could have helped you to sell Lord Havelyn’s Bible from Book One).
Fourth, the Baron is a competent sorcerer specialized in the enchantment school. He is also a negotiator without peer. If you need someone charmed, bribed or persuaded there are few more qualified people in all of Talingarde to aid you than the Baron.
What the Baron will not do is aid you in finding the Horn of Abaddon. He has volunteered to help you, not fight yours battles. He also has no desire to die in some cursed daemonic temple.
In general, with the Baron as your ally, Farholde becomes a non-challenging environment for you. Almost anything you want within reason is within your grasp. Without him, you are unconnected outsiders lost in an unfamiliar port city.
With the introduction to the Baron accomplished, Tiadora’s mission in Farholde is complete. She reminds you of the small clay tablet given to you by Cardinal Thorn. “Break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh Knot is already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named ‘The Lucky Lady’. You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master’s will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearest, and good luck.” And with that, she teleports away to her next assignment. A devil’s work is never done.
Argan waits until Tiadora is out of earshot to discuss the plan with the others. "So, unless someone has any bright ideas, the regular plan should work. We should meet the newcomers and find out what are they capable of..."
"If Thorn sent them here im sure their capable.. Lets get moving.." He shifts his appearence into that of a knightly looking fellow before heading over to the Inn..
Kharn follows more concerned with his owl than the mission they have just been given.
Seth's smile was mostly hidden by the cowl, but the light of the flickering hearth nearby gave some hints to it. The Iron circlet hung on his head, as he had been instructed to wear it, but unbeknownst to most who looked upon it, it was doing more then simply sitting atop his cowl. Its magic and his preparations had let him taken on quite the convincing guise. An old, nearly decrepit tiefling with Ashen grey skin, many scars and wrinkles, and eyes that seemed to be dimming to the point where there was hardly any light at all in them. "Perhaps... later though. Remember that spell I used at our village? Knowing I would be working with you, I have taken the effort to prepare it. We can make some friends that will last much longer. But we'd need a bit of privacy or the guards might take them away again."
Her quick change in subject didn't surprise him. Ontop of meeting her before, he had been waiting with her for a while here, and he was presently quite certain she was incapable of focusing on one thing for more then a few seconds. It was a wonder she was so skilled in magic. "Soon. The fool Baron probably kept them late. You know how stuffy people like him are. Always have to say so much."
Lil perks up immediately at the thought of that spell again, giving a wide smile to Seth. "Ooh yeah! I can't wait! I wonder if the Baron would want to be my friend..."
Seth let out a raspy chuckle that hurt his throat only a little. He had been practicing it after all. It sounded like that of a true elderly person. "Perhaps we can ask for one of his guards though. They've got shiny armor and those big pointy helmets with the odd feathers on them. You could probably stick a lot more feathers to their armor if you make any bird friends, too. Not to mention the armor might let them hide. Imagine a friend you can take with you through the city."
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Another chuckle escaped his throat, followed by a convincing, if underplayed, cough. "That sounds like a good idea, if we're careful about it. A bunch of nice friends in this new city we're in would be most welcome so long as they don't get you thrown in jail again. If that happens they won't let you make any more friends, that's for certain. And neither of us want that."
On the way to the Inn..
Interesting town.. Should be fun about if we have any down time from this whole mess. These new fellas better be up to snuff.. Tired of working with incompetents.
"Oh yeah, you should join us for tea time! My friends are always so nice, especially after I make them better." She shakes her head. "Right, don't want that!"
"They would have to be if they were your friends, of course. You're so nice yourself after all." Seth offered her what he hoped was a kind smile, and his eyes turned toward the door as well. If she was of the mind to she might notice that even he was getting a little impatient. "That spell I have that you like so much is one of my more potent magics. It might be best if we might start purchasing some scrolls rather then continue to use my own energy on it. That way, if we come across anyone special you want to make your friend, we don't need to worry about my not having it. I imagine with our new line of work that might be a common occurrence, as we'll meet so many interesting people, no doubt."
After meeting with the Baron, you decide to meet your new fellows at the inn mentioned by the Cardinal.
It is a short walk from Calliver Green to the largest hill of Farhold, also known as Auld’Irey. It does not take learn where the Inn is located.
Conveniently situated just inside the district gates is the not‐so‐cheap but cheerful Auld Briarhall inn, an establishment built to cater for adventurers and liberate them from as much of their ill-gotten gains as possible.
The inn is a large, ramshackle building with many wings, roofs, towers and balconies, added on as its popularity grew over the years. In addition to food, drink, accommodation and stabling, the Head also has its own adventurers’ store, which sells a variety of useful gear at standard prices.
The main barroom is capable of seating a couple of hundred hungry heroes at rough wooden benches and tables. The floor is covered in straw to mop up frequent drink spills, and the walls are hung with faded maps and rusty old weapons and shields.
Dominating the room is an impressive stuffed wyvern’s head. Nicknamed Grimjaws, the head is enchanted – at irregular times during the evening, it speaks in a low rumbling voice of legendary dungeons and ruined towers. Several adventuring bands have become rich from Grimjaw’s ruminations over the years.
The Inn-keeper is a stunning woman, in her forties, that appears to be an retired adventure, thing really easy to notice by her strong body and many scars over arms.
As Argan, Vlad and Kharn enters, they are greeted by a smiling tavern girl that says simply ”Welco..” she trails off as her eyes fall on Vlad but is quickly to recover ”Welcome to Auld Briarhall!”
Lilpinny is a gaunt, pale gnome with wild black hair and slightly sharp teeth. Her lips are a very dark red that always have various splits along them. She typically wears ragged and torn layers of clothing that are mismatched and have a faint smell of death, and on her head is an oversized lopsided top hot that bounces when she walks. The end of her cuffs appear stained with blood both fresh and old, and if they are ever pulled up they reveal scars up and down her arms. Today her circlet is still in it's original form as Thorn commanded.
Lil's disguise is that of a pretty teenage halfling with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a colorful pointy hat.
Lil continues to nurse her tea; with all of the traffic going in and out of the large inn she hardly turns to see who's new at this point.
Seth normally has a very diametrically opposed appearance. On the one hand, he is shorter then the average male at 5'7 and carries little to no muscle. What is there is lean and hard, but mostly undefined. On the other hand his skin is a solid crimson throughout, his eyes glow a brilliant red, his soot black hair hangs to his back and is framed by long red horns sticking out of his forhead. All of that is touched off by a slowly swaying tail, thin and narrow that ends in a point much like an arrow head.
Normally. Today his disguise is that of an aged and wizened tiefling. His skin is ashen grey, as if it had been something else over time and faded over the years. While not quite as dark he had grey hair as well hanging from and framing his face beneath the hood he wears, which has deep shadows hiding much of his features. His eyes, a once luminescent white reminiscent of the moon (or so he claims) barely hold a glow now, having slowly faded over decades to a hint of their former beauty. He coughed again, causing his hood to shift only slightly thanks to the Iron crown wrapped around his forehead, just above to horns the same color as his skin (or his disguise).
The tiefling was quiet for the most part, only glancing up and around every once in a while, and only speaking when spoken to by the teenage halfling.
A tall, stout looking Human wearing highly polished fullplate enters into the Inn.. His hair is dark and his features are sharp. Currently he is sporting a well manicured full beard. He is very handsome which explains the waitress almost passing out. He looks around the room with bright green eyes before smiling at the waitress.. "Good morning love.. Adamar's the name. Would you please show me and my companions to a table?"
Normally Vlad dresses in dark attire to match his smouldering armor. his skin is pale and his eyes dark. He has an aura of intense evil about him. He stands 6'2" and is very muscular. He normally carries a determined look on his face and comes off as a bit arrogant. WHen he smile a paid a elongated canines give a clue as to his true heritage.
@Vlad and party
The bar girl blushes furiously at Vladamir words, but she does not look down or break eye contact, instead she smiles and says ”Of course sir. Should I arrange room as well?” she says as she guides you to one of the many empty tables in the place. ”It’s a gold piece for clean twin bed room.” after everyone is seated she continues ”If you are hungry, I recommend the house especial, chicken with buttered carrots and mashed herby potatoes with a pint of Derring Do dark ale.”
Now that you are inside, you see that despite of the inn size, it does not appear to have a huge clientele. Several tables are empty; a bard is playing a happy and nice song in one of the corners, with few drunken locals joining the in chorus to sing the well know music.
Other than the locals, no one else strikes you as adventurer party, which seems to be the point of this place. In one of the tables a pretty teenage halfling with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a colorful pointy hat and an aged and wizened tiefling, his skin ashen grey, as if it had been something else over time and faded over the years and while not quite as dark he has grey hair as well hanging from and framing his face beneath the hood he wears, which has deep shadows hiding much of his features.
Both using the well-know Iron Circlet, that you are so familiar with.
@Lil and Seth
The calm night is disturbed by some adventures entering the place. The trio briefly talks with one of the comely serving wenches as she guides then to one of the empty tables. Nothing strikes you as remarkable, except the fact they are in the same number you have been told to wait here in the Inn.
"Not sure about the room at the moment my dear. I'll let you know before long." giving her a slight grin at the last statement. "The food sounds nice, we'll take 3 of those.." As they are seated he notices the halfling and her ashy companion. He nods to them as they appear to notice them as well. In a firm but not raised voice he speaks to them. "Nice day out eh? To nice in my opinion."
Lost in her own world, contemplating the idea of a skeletal horse, Lil does not even notice the group walk in. But when the stout, bearded human addresses her she jumps to attention. "Hello! Yes I prefer a nice cloudy day, some drizzling rain to go with it. Or a pretty moonstruck night..." She drifts off, already losing focus on him.
"Indeed.. Excuse me if I'm interupting but I must say that is a lovely Circlet you are wearing.. If I wanted to buy one for my friend here where could I find one?" He slaps Argan across the back indicating him as the friend for the would be purchase..
Lil looks confused for a moment, then glances between the group gathered. "Oh!" She jabs Seth in the ribs, pointing to the newcomers with an excited smile.
Vlad smiles at the pretty halfing and says. "Care to join us?" as he pulls 2 more chairs over to their table..
Seth was amused by the way Lil jabbed at him. She was such a curious creature, sometimes. At the offer, the tiefling stood slowly, leaning on the table as he did. "Such manners in one so young. Lil, shall we be polite and accept their offer?" He was hunched over only a little. His already short height served to help the older disguise, making him seem frail.
"I think it would be very nice of us." She bats her eyes like a polite little girl.
As the two sit down.. Almost a whisper.. "My name is Vlad and this is Argan and Kharn. I can only assume since Thorn sent you here you are capable allies. I myself have tough skin and im good with a blade.. These other two aren't so bad with steel either.. Tell us about your abilities please so we can become more oriented with one another."
Seth eyed the three curiously. Three warriors of a sort. But good ones, from what he had heard. That they hadn't been told about Lil or Vlad said a lot. It was quite curious. Thorn, games within games. This would be fun. The brief flash of yellow and white as fangs appeared was Seth's answer for the first few seconds. The invisible weight on his shoulder, hidden and silent, shifted ever so slightly. "Seth la Kor is my... title. I am a priest of our wondrous god, and a skilled one at that."
Lil looks around the mostly empty building for a moment. "I'm a wizard and I'm guessing you know enough that I can use magic. Well, as far as my skills, I've read more books than an ancient elf, speak seventeen languages, can identify most spells, and have a great alchemy lab that I know how to use!" She pauses, listening to the chorus from the bard before continuing. "I can make lots of magical items too, and I've found a way to make them cheaper. Made these items myself." She shows her cloak of resistance, handy haversack, headband of vast intelligence, and deathwatch eyes.
Then she smiles, leaning in as if telling a secret. "But what I'm best at is dead things." She takes out a fairly impressive collection of onyx gems. "I can use these and some magic to animate corpses, and I've gotten really good at it. I can control more than other people, and I can make them stronger too. A little trick I invented..." Lil makes sure nobody is close to them, then she rolls up one of her sleeves, revealing a mat of scars up and down her wrists. In there are bite marks as well, and judging from the size of them they were also self inflicted. Some are older than others and they vary in size and shape. The newer ones look neater, as if she started learning how to cut herself better. She gives them a smile, and this time it lacks all of the sweetness that her face normally holds. "My blood has been touched by powerful necromancy. If you know how you can use it to help power spells." She rolls her sleeve back down and rocks her feet like a small child again, entirely giving off the impression that a ten year old just claimed she can go toe to toe with an old withered wizard.
"Her name is Lilpinny, by the way. And sometimes she gets so excited she makes other peoples introductions seem insufficient by comparison. She's very sweet though." Seth chuckled a little, then coughed a little, then chuckled a little. It was a harsh series of sounds. When his throat settled he spoke again. "I am quite able with debilitating enemies and healing... allies. I am also skilled in the arts of deception, stealth and subterfuge. And of course my god grants me power, spells, magic, however you want to call them."
"But just call me Lil, cus I'm little!" She giggles, sipping at her tea. "So what are the plans? I've been wanting to make some new friends...I recently lost all of my old ones..." She suddenly gets a very sad, pouty face on.
Kharn sits down and nods to the two new members. "Well it's nice to meet you Seth and Lil. As Vlad said I'm Kharn, Argan's the other one, and while Vlad might be the best of us with a blade he never shows it since he's always trying to get into someone else's bed. It's nice to meet some people who can actually use magic."
Not long after Lil and Seth joined, the bar-girls return bringing the food and drink as requested. Upon seeing the other two, one of the girls says smiling ”It’ll take just a bit, but I’ll bring two more servings for you.” she says to Seth and Lil.
The beer has a sweet, rich, chocolately aroma. Lots of toasted, malty characters on the palate. Dry, smokey, crisp and bracing, nutty and enjoyable. Bitterness in the finish. The meal, there’s no comparison with the one you eat at the baron house, but even then, it is well prepared and has a rich taste.
Vlad raises an eye to Kharn's statement.. "It's not me trying.. They beg me to join them in thier beds. I sumply cannot say no! I shall also have to get the recipe for this beer before this town is razed.. Most delicious.. I agree with Kharn though. It will be nice to have spells in the group again." He pauses to take a deep drink before continueing. "It seems we need to meet with this other knot before we set out for the horn. Hopefully they'll be here soon."
"We have a bit of mundane stuff to offload as well before setting out not to mention Kharn and Argan probably wish to do shop magical shopping.. That is if this town has anything to offer."
Lil curiously sniffs at the amber drink before her, and after tasting it smiles and takes a few big gulps. "I like this stuff!" It occurs to the rest of the party that Lil might not have ever drank before.
Lil bobs her head at Vlad. "Remem I can make a lot of stuff for you for cheaper, only buy stuff that you have to!"
Seth looks at Lilpinny and thinks briefly about taking the drink from her. Instead he leans down and says in a low voice, "Try not to have too much, my friend, or it will make our plans for later, for making you some new friends, quite difficult." Seth himself had had a literal sip so far and seemed to be going for his second. He had enjoyed the drink but he was careful not to let it fog his mind, not quite having the constitutional fortitude that his other companions seemed to have.
Kharn nods to Lilpenny.
"I shall keep that in mind Lil."
Kharn then goes back to throwing back as much ale as he can stomach.
Argan passed up as a common guy. His face was ok, not pretty but also not ugly, and he seemed shorter and thinner than his companions. He was in his 20s, seemed healthy enough and his brown hair and eyes completed his build. You realize he is wearing regular clothes, with a dusty and battered cloak over it, and one weapon of some kind on his hips, that looked like a sword. Looking at him and comparing the man to his companions you may notice that he is really unremarkable, a normal man with nothing spectacular about him.
His demeanor was usually calm, but there was more to it. A perceptive watcher would notice that he is bored. Well, of course he had reasons for that, slowly rotting in this city after such a grand event they had, but there's something else. From time to time he seems to pay too much attention on Lil, trying to figure out something unspoken. "Well met. Your skills will be very useful, if you can really craft some neat things. We had a companion like that but... well, she made a fatal mistake." He looked around, seemingly for nothing in particular, but he was watching if were there people too quiet, that might be using some magic to overhear them. His gaze went back to Lil. "Seventeen languages, hun? I can certainly use seventeen weapons or tools, but never that many languages. And you, sir, are you really that old? One of our past companions was as old as you seem to be, and I asked her if she can keep up the pace. Can you?"
"I have many guises." Seth replies, grinning some more, "And since being gifted this crown they are quite effective. Age is a very useful tool. That is all I'll say for now on that. As far as keeping up, I am far more nimble then I look, though I am certainly not a combatant in the physical sense. My spells are my greatest strength."
It was already night when you decided to look for your new companions after the dinner with the baron. The Seventh will not arrive until the next day at evening, which gives you some time to go shopping and spend your ill-gotten earnings.
Seth will gesture toward Lil and lean down if she listened. "Shall we find another inn to make our accommodations? A place more... private for what we talked about earlier?"
"Im personally fond of staying here since I have my company for the evening lined up already.. But if you insist we can stay at the Baron's place and have no prying ears whatsoever.." He eyes the waitress a bit after speaking such..
"Let's stay together for now, it's hard to make friends in town."