"I know what you guys are up to. I like it and I want to part of it". Returning a small nod to Talon, Letho continues "Consider the fact you only have to deal with the backup boys my welcoming gift".
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However, the suggested treatment for arsenic poisoning (=give the patient an antidote, the sooner the better) is very different from the treatment of cholera (=isolate patients to prevent infection, and get them to drink, drink, drink!).
After about three days, someone poisoned by arsenic will die with blackened tongues and fingernails. Only then the evidence of the arsenic will become visible.
interesting article about arsenic murders in the early 1900's
Int
Timaeus flips a page in his book, continuing to read nearby.
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If any of you are close, it'd make a lot of sense for you to raise an eyebrow -at least- after Letho's last remark, saying he wants to be part of your team.
I like to think that in character, it's quite a villainous move Letho just pulled on you: He showed you how ambitious he is, by executing your own plan to perfection; without you getting so much as a hint that he was behind it until he told you. The sort of skill required for that must count for something :)
It could be a fun opportunity to show off your characters to each other. But if you're not too interested, that's fine :) We could just as easily move forward to the next event (tuesday morning)
After finishing the last page, Caladwhen closes up the Magister's book and tucks it away out of sight. Leaning back in her chair, Caladwhen allows herself a slight yawn "Well, that's enough of that. Best find out what the others are up too."
Heading downstairs disguised as Lisandra, Caladwhen finds Aerent conversing with a familiar face. Passing by the table, Lisandra casually parts a knowing glance to Aerent before taking a seat with Talon.
Though appearing happy and at ease, her words are quiet and to the contrary "I know that man; he was nearby the grove where the Captains met their... fate."
Listening into the conversation, Caladwhen raises an eyebrow at the revelations. Leaning in to quickly explain, Cala whispers "Gastrointestinal disease; hard to trace. It's clever."
Leaning back, Caladwhen begins to consider the risks of taking Letho on to the company. Friend or foe, I wonder? Well I suppose we amend the contract; if he's a foe, he'll balk at bargaining away his soul and we end him right then and there. Otherwise...
Talon grunts "Seems to be just what we need in the current situation"
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An hour later, Alice brings another bottle, and your new colleague turns out to have a fine taste in wines and spirits. You quietly chat, and as a token of goodwill, Letho provides you a key to the backdoor of his alchemy shop; you're welcome to come in if you should ever need a safehouse, or a laboratory.
The following morning, exhausted acolytes can again be seen running around town, gathering yet more ingredients. This time, they are wearing rags around their mouths and noses, to prevent infection. And, to their credit, it's proven to be very effective: no one else has fallen ill since they implemented the preventative measures(!)
Unfortunately, these measures cannot help the 31 dead nor the sick and dying soldiers.
earlier
As the morning progresses, most citizens crossing the market square have sad faces or shake their heads in disbelief. The community grieves about their lost sons and brothers and fathers and friends.
A handful of tired -but otherwise healthy- soldiers pay a visit to mama Guiseppe's kitchen. "Madame Guiseppe! Open up, in the name of Andoran!" They seem quite serious.
When they're not shown inside, the soldiers force the door with a portable ram and storm the place, only to find mama G lying in her bed, staring them in the face with dead eyes. She seems to have perished from the same affliction as the gluttonous soldiers.
at noon, Father Donnagin comes to the market square, and holds an impromptu service to Sarenrae in the open air, hoping to lift the citizens' spirits somewhat - but the singing isn't joyful, as the loss is still too fresh...
Talon waits until he has a moment alone with Letho, then walks up and puts a hand on his throat. Instead of his normal display of strength (since Letho is rather large) he has his hand grow tiny barbs and heat up so Letho can feel the hot pricks on his neck "You do not walk into our operation and simply kill off who you want to. This is a delicate matter, it's not just storming the fort and forcing what we can" he keeps eye contact for another moment before sighing and releasing him "I know what you did was intended to help our cause though" he looks back at Letho "Next time you intend to do something, run it by us first. We're villains, not thugs" and with that he slams the door on his way out
With a dry smile, Caladwhen shrugs and makes her way over to Aerent and Letho's table. Well, no need to be so inconspicuous now.
Ordering a glass of wine, the woman known as Lisandra appears in good spirits "Gentlemen, good evening. You'll have to excuse our friend, he is quite cautious, but not unjustly so."
Leaning in, and propping her head in her left hand "In any event, it appears we share a similar cause sir. With that in mind, I'd like to make a proposition."
Thorne shakes his head, "Don't worry Letho, he's just angry that you've accomplished more than he has... and we're not villains. We're liberators. The fact that he doesn't understand that is... well, he is a strix. Feel free to poison him whenever he gets too annoying." Aerent says with a smile and wink.
He reaches out and stops Cala before she gets too far in explaining the situation. "Perhaps we should retire to our room to discuss business? I wouldn't want anybody overhearing the details of our next treasure hunt."
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Once in the room and after Caladwhen explains everything, Aerent gives Letho the iron circlet. "This will allow you to change your appearance." Aerent shifts back to his true form, gives a small bow, then shifts back into Thorne.
"Given the diligence of the soldiers in Balantyne, I would highly suggest you come up with a disguise. I believe they are going to be searching for Letho the Alchemist very soon. "
He looks at the others. "This outbreak could actually work in our favor. If our mutual friend is ready to proceed, we might be able to finish our commission ahead of schedule. At the least, I was thinking we should hit the scouts on their next outing, but now I'm wondering if we shouldn't go ahead and deal with them now. I think we have a day before they return."
Briefly firing an almost imperceptible look of annoyance at Thorne that suggests I tire of your rivalry between you and Talon, Lisandra quickly returns to her previously merry facade. Nodding agreeably, Lisandra admits "Yes of course, let's retire upstairs."
After explaining the contract in full with Letho and Thorne, Lisandra retrieves a quill from her backpack. As Aerent hands over the iron circlet, Lisandra holds up her hand and quickly interjects. "Hold on just a moment Thorne; he signs first, and then gets the circlet."
Drawing a dagger from its sheath at her waist, Lisandra scrutinizes Letho a moment. With a slight, ever so sardonic smile she quietly adds "My apologies, but it's a blood contract, so I'll have to draw some from you. I promise Letho, I have a surgical touch; it won't leave so much as a scar."
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The original contract looks like this.
Now, your blood stains are on it, almost but not entirely covered by runes. Dessiter (your Cardinal's favorite Contract Devil) has cast the seemingly endless formal runes that mark the contract as valid, official, and binding in various mind-boggling bureaucratic methods.
Letho nods and looks at the circlet. " any special command required ?". Then he smiles. "Well looks like I'll finally will leave this god forsaken town".
He stands up amd looks at Caladwhen "Thank you for the clean cut, I didn't feel a thing". Puts the circlet in his pocket and walks to the door. "Will get my stuff, trap my store and think of an disguise.". While opening the door "Torne I see you as the leader of the pack and I expect you have a grip on that Talon guy."
shaking his head and grinning when he walks out. "he he ... Grip .. he he".
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No worries.
Cala skillfully applies her knife to Letho's off-hand, drawing blood from our resident alchemist. Event though it is only a droplet, the blood is oddly strong of colour, consistency and scent for a human. Some sort of dark magic must have augmented his human form.
Our ambitious Letho signs his name next to Oret's, and you guide his hand, with dripping wound, so that the next drop will cover his name on the contract - but, before you can finalize the process, a darkness creeps over the room.
You notice a distinct smell of sulphur, the temperature in the room rises by a good 5 degrees. A circular cloud of black smoke puffs into existence. As it clears, it reveals a round, 2ft diameter window into what can only be Hell. A familiar yet condescending* voice speaks quickly, in a mind-numbing, near constant drone of syllables:
Dessiter (you may recall his rather unique appearance from when you first signed your contract with the Cardinal) extends one of his arms and another document unfolds from a sleeve. Just, but only just, in time to catch Letho's drop in an obnoxiously lazy manner on an entirely different document.
In an instant, Dessiter withdraws his document and arm, while the window is already closing.
There isn't much time to recover from your surprise, as Letho's name on your copy of the contract bursts in flame, and runes crawl over it to seal it in place.
* condescending would be an understatement. Then again, most of the time spent learning Infernal goes into understanding the vocative cases, in other words, the endless forms of referring to others.
Protocol is everything, but practically every other word is condescending. Think of devils as the worst bunch of lawyers, being allowed to construct a bureaucracy for themselves, which has only one purpose namely to ensure that the lawyers who made the laws can remain in place. There's no logic, there's no understanding, there's just cold hard knowledge, and lots of opportunities to fail.
For example, there's no such thing as "he" in Infernal; there are at least a thousand forms of "other-who-is-superior", and probably several thousands that suggest "other-who-is-lesser". And then there's all the variations of "other who is not present but superior" et cetera, ad infinitum.
Calling a barbed devil "Most Vile Specialist" instead of "Utmost Vile Specialist" would be a seen as a grievous insult, punishable by being fed to Lemure Devils.
After Letho leaves the room, Caladwhen leans back in her chair folding clasping her hands behind her head. Musing aloud, Caladwhen flippantly addresses Aerent rather dryly "Gee, you hear that Aerent? Apparently you're in charge now."
Gathering the contract, Caladwhen gently rolls it up and places it back into her scroll case. Sealing it up, she looks again towards Aerent "In any event, that's done. Let's hope Letho measures up. Shall we get a drink before retiring?"
After Dessiter leaves, Caladwhen scowls and shakes her head. Remember to enslave that Demon for his impudence.
"Alright, now it's over. Let's go."
Aerent stares at the door after Letho leaves. He bows his head slightly as Caladwhen mentions Letho's words. "Delusions of grandeur are what got my family killed and saw The First and his rule usurped in this land."
He turns his head to look at the elf:
Elven:
"Rest assured that I have studied my history well, and I don't intend to repeat their mistakes. I'll leave the hubris of leadership to others - I seek only to serve. As for the drink, I accept - thank you for the invitation. I believe I noticed some very fine elven wine downstairs. Would that suit your palette?"
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There you have it! The infamous Courier's Lane.
In the past, this passage was used often by smugglers ('couriers'), to transport their -usually stolen, but most likely illegal- wares in secret. Now that Varning's patrol frequents this route, smuggling has become a very risky trade indeed.
It's Tuesday morning. The patrol will come in from the west soon; if Talon were here he could fly and spot them, but I'm not sure if he's with you. (Are you, Talon??)
Where and how would the rest of you like to setup an ambush?
Once we've got your preparations and positions settled, we'll also start with Cala's trip into the tower. (unless Cala decides to come with the ambush instead? it's your choice, what do you think would fit your character best? :)
Aerent hides around A/B 1, in the tree and/or foliage. His intent is to let the men pass him, then he'll charge in behind the last scout to try and prevent any from escaping that way.
When they arrive at the ambush spot, Oret plants himself in the middle of the path.
Meeting secretly with her allies before they head off to ambush Varning, Cala appears as herself, though without her minions. "Letho, I trust you have the poison prepared?
Smiling uncharacteristically, Cala addresses the entire ensemble "Well gentlemen, wish me luck. I can't help but feel this kind of task was something Arryn should've handled," pausing a moment, her smile and tone turns ever so slightly malicious "but I've learned a few tricks since she departed."
Slowly and gracefully making towards the exit, Caladwhen suddenly stops at the door placing one hand gently on the door frame. Looking back over her shoulder, the elven woman sardonically adds "Oh and boys, try not to butcher Varning's body will you? His corpse is off questionable value to me if you hack it apart."
Listening to the strategies and knowing that the end and the middle of the line is taken care of. Letho suggests he searches for a location on higher ground and throws a few "frost bombs" to the head of the line.
"Invoking mayhem on all sides will surely create some panic"
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Caladwhen The Servant approaches the fortress. It's clear that the fortress is in commotion, and some measures are enforced, to prevent spreading the disease any further. ()
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updated the map. please CTRL-F5 to reload.
You prepare for the arrival of captain Varning's patrol. But, waiting takes time. Ages, in fact. At some point, you even think you've missed the opportunity and the patrol has gone another route.
But then, a rider approaches...
A man enters the passage from the west. He's wearing a camouflaged outfit, armed with a bow, a shortsword, and a stern face.
He gently moves his mount ahead, taking four turns to move from B8 towards AF, making perception checks each turn. (I've marked his position at the *beginning* of each of his turns)
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You see no guards in the first levels. The blood residue from your previous presence have been cleaned away. However, at the the magister's laboratory, two guards stand before a barricaded door. The place is also quite chilly, probably because of the gaping holes in the western wall of the tower, clearly visible through several gaps in the masonry of the wall that separates the laboratory from the hallway. The bricks must have been dislodged when the Ice Golem let loose its powers upon its previous master.
"Stop. No one enters, by order of Lord Havelyn!"
Talon will fly in, using the building to help hide his ascent
Oret sees the scout approach, then, realizing that if the he dies the patrol may not come this way, leaves the path and hides.
Sindran watches the scout with apprehension. The possibility existed that the patrol took its job seriously and it annoyed him that this was the case. He considers letting Letho handle it, but decides against it with so much left to do.
He doesn't think highly of his own stealth, even with the cover of the trees, but he's never needed to be stealthy when there's a sufficient enough distraction.
Well, I'll just have to ask them come to us, the half-orc thinks, and then brings his hands high up, chanting a spell to light up the trees he's in.
Nearing the Castle though the same entrance, Caladwhen observes the changes and the reduced guard contingent. It would appear the gastrointestinal poison has acceded expectations.
Heading cautiously up the stair, Caladwhen approaches the guards. Heeding their command, the maid simply bows her head "Of course sirs; beggin' yer pardon." Talking in such an uneducated tongue gave Cala a headache, but was necessary for the disguise.
Moving back the way she came, Caladwhen locates a quiet secluded area. Leaning up against the wall, the wizard turned stealthy operative considers her options. Charm them? Risky. Sleep? Even more so. Finally, Caladwhen touches her iron circlet, and smiles slowly. Of course...
Waiting for about twenty minutes while appearing to be cleaning the floors to any guards happening to pass by, Caladwhen finally moves into action. When the coast is clear, Cala moves into the shadows and uses the circlet, and re-emerges as none other than Havelyn himself.
Bounding up towards the Magister's room, Havelyn nods at the men at the door. "At ease soldiers. There is something I need to find amongst the Magister's things. Make sure I'm not disturbed; I might be awhile." Without waiting an answer, Cala opens the door with the confidence a commanding officer would have around their subordinates.
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The soldiers immediately stand to attention as soon as they see 'Havelyn'.
"My Lord!"
But they do not step aside. Although they're not quite as assertive as before, when Caladwhen the Yokel stood before them.
"You...You instructed us not to let anyone by, you specifically mentioned not even yourself...without the password. Please? Sir..? "
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Judging by the distance and urgency of the voice, the patrol will come rushing in and take 2, maybe 3 rounds to arrive.
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Without waiting an answer, Cala opens the door
The guards mumble on about a password - but Cala ignores their mutterings, and they're too scared to intervene.
The laboratory doesn't quite look as it has before. a 15 ft section of the west wall is gone, the remaining blackened stone evidence of the explosion you witnessed earlier. Lab equipment has been overturned by the blast, and most of the bookcases have been dislodged slightly, or a lot, depending how close they were to the explosion.
The Ice golem is lying on its stone slab, having completed all commands from its command queue.
Sindran waits under the burning trees, a grin forming on his face. He'll see how it goes from here.
Closing the door behind her, Caladwhen commands in a gruff though not unkind voice of Havelyn "Gentlemen, I'm not to be disturbed."
Taking a moment to observe the lab closely, Caladwhen takes stock of the destruction. Looking to the sky, Caladwhen communicates telepathically with her familiar. T'larryo, your assistance is required. I must find the Magister's arcane tomes on this monstrosity.
Grasping the tome in her hand, she gently places it on sturdy a table as she can find. Scanning over the documents, Caladwhen begins trying to decipher the ancient scripts.
This must be it... better hope this works.
Moving over towards the golem, Caladwhen quietly begins to whisper ancient arcane incantations. A pale blue glowing smoke like substance begins to emanate from her delicate hands hovering over the golem, and seem to wash over icy construct.
Aerent watches as the fire burns brightly in the trees.
Must be Sindran. Good idea. he thinks to himself as the scout yells about the fire.
Noticing the other riders heading into the ravine, Aerent calmly waits until the rest of the soldiers appear.
Oret sees the flames. I can't imagine it's wise to start an uncontrolled blaze here, but I suppose it's too late now. Hearing the scout call, he holds still, waiting for an ideal time to leap down and begin the slaughter.
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Lars casually flies in through the new 'window' of the laboratory.
After a quick assessment of the extensive damage to the room, he snickers "I like what you've done with the place, My Lord...(!)"
But, to his credit, he eagerly goes to work, nosing through the bookshelves.
"Hmm. This material is infinitely superior to the refuse next door", he says, hinting at the pulp fiction on the magister's bedstand.
Before long, the two find a couple of intact books related to constructs, and gather what remains of the magister's notes from the surrounding area.
Caladwhen spends an intense hour in preparation of taking control of the Golem, and making sure it is no longer a threat to our villains.
take 20 + 17 = 37
+2 bonus from Lars' assistance
+4 bonus reference
+2 bonus from (incomplete) notes, specific to this particular golem
...for a total of *45*.
That's quite enough to make an ice golem juggle fireballs - or give it 2 commands, whichever you prefer.
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The first scout is climbing up the slope at S7, where he knows is a path.
(I thought you might kill the single scout and take his place - but ambushing them all at once does indeed seem to be the more rewarding choice.)
From the west, a short whistle indicates the patrol's arrival. Indeed, 9 rangers with captain Varning in their middle run their mounts into the trench.