As Frank finally gets close enough to hear the conversation he says "fetch the horses?"
He then conjures a horse.
"Aerin, you're good with horses, help me round them up!" he adds, conjuring another steed.
Aerin nods. Sharon steps forward, "I will help her Frank, you stay, just in case". As the two women ride off to retrieve the horses Tavack shrugs and speaks.
"Unfortunately, I do not have much to tell.
I am given orders and I obey.
I do not have the other schema with me. The Emerald Claw leadership are not fools, they would never send a prize into danger to retrieve another prize.
Where they keep them, hell even where they reside, is not known to me. I am a lower level operative though one who is more successful than not, most of the time. This was supposed to be my chance to redeem myself for a mistake I made in Sharn. Clearly, it didn't turn out that way. I sent the others away to make my own get away.
My loyalty is to me. Those foot soldiers though, they are indoctrinated. They would have fought to the death if I said so. Lucky for them I did not say so.
What these schema are and what they do, I'm not sure. Between the schema and the medallion some of you retrieved for me in Sharn, I think the Emerald Claw has a few things up their sleeves. Exploring ancient ruins I'd bet. Maybe Xen'drik. Maybe Sarlonna. Or maybe these things are a pre-war creation by the Cannith?
But I will tell you one thing. You've now beat the Emerald Claw twice. I hope you're working for or with House Cannith. You'll need someone like them to aid you as they won't forget this.
Me, I am just hoping I can hide away somewhere and they will just assume the Mournland killed me.
That's all I know".
Nodding again, Gauntlet waves his hand.
"Thank you for your seemingly honest words. You are free to go."
EE listens carefully, though little useful knowledge sprouts from the man's lips. At least he appreciates the warning about the Emerald Claw.
Frank nods in agreement and lets the two ladies go off with the conjured steeds.
He begins his minute long ritual to bring Broulnindre back as the interrogation continues.
Both Gauntlet and EE believe that Tavack is telling the truth, at least about what he knows about the Emerald Claw and the schema.
The Order continues to operate in a semi-terrorist fashion to this day, proclaiming their desire to see Karrnath once again rise to power and garnering support from the Blood of Vol.
Once everybody is back and all the enemies are out of sight, Gauntlet will call everybody together.
"Let us regroup, heal what we can, then head out as soon as everybody is ready enough. We should make some distance from here sooner than later."
"Whatever gets us back to Sharn the fastest, let's do that. Still not a big fan of this place, even if there's a few less folks trying to stab us through. Don't forget, General, our job was to deliver you home in one piece."
After Broulnindre reappears, this time with great leathery wings, Frank catches that last bit about delivering Gauntlet (and the others) home.
"Ah yes, our rescue mission. Time to get back to Sharn and collect our pay. Oh, and B, we'll want to see how many slabs of adamant we can pluck from the ruins."
He then nods, admiring the new appendages on the 3' tall eidolon.
"Nice wings, B."
Broulnindre smirks and goes for a short loop around the group, trying out her new found ability to fly.
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Gauntlet tries the get group motivated.
"Once everybody is reasonably healed, at least as much is possible here, then we should move out. Frank? Ask the 'Lady' Broulnindre is available to pre-scout our route to Darguun since she can fly now? No telling what we might encounter on our way to the border. Is that wagon still here and working? Did we find enough horses? Let's get you red-blooded walking-talking food sources away from the monster filled land as fast as possible, right?"
He then turns to the wolves.
"We can point the fastest way to anything in particular you may want to reach. Possibly some wild lands away from the Mournland? We are heading to Darguun ourselves. Goblins and hobgoblins hold the land there...I vaguely remember they do like large wolves? Mostly as mounts or pets I think however. Either way, you wouldn't stand out much if you wanted to go with us, for now at least, in that direction."
Tavack salutes you both as he takes off in the opposite direction of where he sent the undead and the soldiers, "Good fortune to you all, perhaps we shall meet again someday".
Rorsa nods to Gauntlet, "Yes, that seems the best place to go. Humans do not look kindly upon our kind. Goblins and Hobgoblins are our favored humanoid companions".
Enough horses are recaptured to allow two of you to mount and the rest to pack into the wagon. B informs you that the undead and the soldiers still await you to the north, looking to avoid further confrontation, you leave the fanatics of the Emerald Claw and their undead guardians to their fate and begin attempting to head back the way you came.
After a half days travel, many of you are weary but wary to camp in the Mournland so you push on. You are able to track your progress by recognizing some of the eerie sights you saw when you first entered. It seems that no other horrors have some this way to take the place of the confrontations your group already overcame on the journey to Whitehearth.
The presence of the wolves gives your group some comfort as they scout by ground and are truly a fearsome bunch to behold.
In the distance, B sees a figure making a beeline towards your group which with the wagons and horses, is kicking up enough dirt and dust to leave a bit of a noticeable mark as to your passing to the observant. She recommends that you adjust the trajectory of your path slightly to avoid confronting the figure.
After another few hours, the misty edge of the Mournlands are in sight. Exhausted as you all are, it would be a welcome sight to end up back in Darguun where you could camp hopefully a bit more safely than in this hellish landscape.
As you come close to the misty border, standing in your way is a lone cloaked figure holding a staff!
B flies down, "That's the same one I saw earlier, I do not know how it got ahead of me!"
Farewell Tavack. This is nothing personal, so i wish you a good fortune as well. Perhaps next time think about where you hire and choose better.
Kana looks Tavack in the eyes and nods him goodbye as he leaves.
----------------------
Thank you for your assistance you kind wolves. We could not have done it without you. I think i could get used to you. Have you ever considered bearing a rider?
----------------------
Probably by some magic B, probably magic. Lone person in cloaks with a staff is a clear hint there. Let's be attentive though, perhaps they aren't alone after all.
Kana stands up on the wagon and adresses the figure.
Greetings wanderer. What brings you to this misty road? Please be so kind to let us past, we want to leave behind these mists.
In a robotic voice the figure responds, "I'm sorry Kana, I'm afraid I can't do that.
You will need to leave Gauntlet and Electric Eye with me along with any other valuables that will aid in the repairing of Warforged".
Kana looks very surprised as the stranger mentions her name and seems to know Gauntlet and Electric Eye, then looks to them in confusion.
Oh you know my name? Who are you then and how dare you claim my two friends?
Gauntlet, EE, do you know them? Another warforged? What are they talking about?
Sounding concerned, probably for the first time to many around him, Gauntlet stands on the wagon to speak.
"I'm a free citizen of Sharn. I go where I please from here, and this lawless place has no hold on me. Who are you to speak to me and my friends in such a manner? Your diplomacy is lacking...stranger."
With that last statement, Gauntlet gets down from the wagon, then manifests a Mind-Blade that resembles flat-black heavy curved blade in his right hand (Falcata). He does not threaten the man, but will approach to get a closer look.
As you close, the figure gestures and a wall appears between he and you and as quickly as it appeared it seems to vanish.
At the gesture you can see that the hand is that of a 'Forged!
He gestures again and a mouth appears at the top of the 20' high wall, the mouth appears mechanical but is clearly magic, "My apologies Gauntlet.
I do not lay claim to you the Lord of Blades does that. This is a place of law, the law of the Warforged. This is our homeland. The chaos that swirls is of little danger to our kind. It is the breathers who are not welcome".
The figures voice is once again calm and serene if a bit monotone.
<Hal!> EE cannot help walking to his friend to... do whatever Warforged consider a hug. Meanwhile, he calms his friends. <He is my friend Hal. I don't see him for quite a long time.>
Half way through his friend, EE is stopped by a force wall.
<Hal! What's that?> EE is shocked by what he hears after, about this Lord of the Blades. <These are my friends! You are my friend too! Please, don't fight! Tell us what you want from us peacefully, and allow us free will.>
Someone must have reprogrammed Hal's CPU. EE quickly searches his memory slots for a way to help his friend.
Gauntlet waves the unknown warforged off with a rude gesture, and turns back to the others.
"He speaks of rumors and unknowns. Let them claim the Mournland if they can, but I doubt they can keep it for long: This land fights back eventually."
He turns back to EE.
"You know this rude one? I do not appreciate his tone. I am free to leave or stay by my choice. I am commanded by no one now. I am my own person and will only follow those whom I have chosen to follow. I owe nothing to this 'Lord of Blades'...whomever he is."
Kana does not recognize the spell and is clearly displeased.
A magic user.
He is your friend, EE? Who is that lord of blades? And why does he lay claim to our friends? And you just follow his orders? Are you still in service or slavery? Gauntlet and EE are free, they can do what they want.
Hal turns to EE and nods, "Greetings and Salutations friend Electric Eye.
I have no wish to fight you but this Gauntlet is aggressive and I had to defend myself.
Scouts of the Lord of Blades marked your passing and I identified your specific presence. That is why I have come in person to deliver this message.
I spied upon your group even as another set of breathers chased after you. I see that although damaged, you yet function.
Breathers can never be friends with us. Already they have passed laws that prevent more of our kind from being created. They seek to ensure that we are either enslaved or will fall into history by virtue of eventual death. If we do not unite, within a century there shall be no more of our kind.
Here in the Mournland we live truly free away from the laws that favor their kind against us.
Stay here, encourage friend Gauntlet to do so as well. If you side with them, I cannot be assured that you will be welcome later".
The wolves prowl around looking anxious at the confrontation. However, once Rorsa speaks it is clear that they seem apprehensive about entering the mists, "Two leg friends. Was this Mist here when you entered? The smells of this place are bad but that Mist has no smell at all. My pack is... unhappy to enter that place".
Kana keeps an eye on the strange new warforged, but turns to the wolf.
Sadly yes, the fog was there before. It is strange and annoying, but there's an end to it. Don't worry, we'll get through. I don't like it either.
Then she addresses Hal again.
What do you mean "side with them"? That sounds quite a bit hostile. And what's that nonsense you talk? Warforged still need to find their place in the world, but they are commonly accepted by now. The fact that those two are our dear friends show that. You sound like brainwashed by some fanatic. When have you been at a civilized place the last time? Do you even know what's going on in the world outside of this mist?
---
Hal turns to you Kana, "Not long ago I dwelt in the City of Towers.
Warforged are hunted. Not openly but they are hunted.
You Breathers may not be the worst of those that exist outside of these Mists but these Mists protect us from the worst of your lot.
If you leave with this group, I will alert the Lord of Blades to your answer. While I bear no ill will the Lord of Blades likely will".
Frank stands by Broulnindre, uncertain what to do.
Warforged may be hunted by some, but others cherish them, like i do. Besides, my kind isn't the most openly welcome around here either.
Kana wipes away some of the makeup in her face and her pale purple skin shines through in that spot.
It is the way of the world, people are afraid of anything new and foreign. Besides, pretty sure there are some loopholes in that treaty forbidding warforged being created. And you can't deny anyone the right to procreate...
She suddenly smiles at EE and Gauntlet.
So if you two decide to have a child with each other, you have my full support! I can coach you through the complete process!
And the mist protects you from the worst of our lot? It mightily sounds like the mist is protecting what i consider my lot from the worst of you inside it! Listen to yourself! Even without knowing that lord of blades i can already sense the fanaticism there. If this were about true freedom and starting something new for the warforged, it would be inviting and by choice, not by command.
I really hope you remember the friendship with EE and that freedom and free choice are something that really matters to warforged too. And respect Gauntlets and EEs choices...
Kana suddenly plucks a lute she summoned, humming a melody...
Freedom...
'That's a Wall of Force, that is. Shant be doing much o' anything about that, nope. Shiver, can you go one-by-one and tell the others what it is, right quick? Thanks, pal.' Dev thinks out loud, communiciating to Shiver, his newly formed Psicrystal. Not bad timing for the little guy to show up, too. Just in time for a good ol' fashioned bit of telepathy.
"Hey so it maybe sounds like you'n yers are not too awful happy, and I get that. But more to the point, what with it's been a pretty awful little bit here for us, including ol' Double E here, are you gonna let us go now, or be causing more trouble? Because to tell you the truth, you being a friend of a friend an all, I need a shower like you wouldn't believe, and a hot cup of something. So what's it gonna be, Hal?"
Gauntlet dismisses his blade and places his hands on his armored hips.
"I am slave to no one. Nor do I intend to debate our existence or non-existence. I have normal rights under the law in Breland and Sharn, and a life there that I have built by my own hard work. I care nothing for you or you petty 'Lord.' I want nothing he offers! If he wants me, he can find me in Sharn himself. Otherwise, I could care less if he get angry about it or recycles himself into a shiny magical talking latrine."
He then will move to talk to the wolves quietly and gently.
"You are detecting the reason normal animals do not come to this land from outside easily. You need to leave through it to survive successfully. The mist is only a visual barrier. It denotes the edges of this magical travesty. Note the horses have made it through with guidance from us, although it is not easy to do it for them being less-intelligent animals. I'm assuming you and your people are made of sterner stuff however. I assure you, as far as I know, it is safe for you to leave...as long as the gods see fit to not place a dragon on the other side waiting for us, or some similar fate."
it is not metal or number of legs but heart and soul that makes my friends. This warforged is my battle brother and more a brother in heart and soul. You will take him if I am dead. I go where he goes. Pink Eye says with a finality that leaves no room for negotiation or question nodding to Gauntlet as he pets and rides Tenzo
<Okay, okay, no problem, friends. Hal here just wanted to warn me, right, Hal?> EE takes some steps closer, until the wall doesn't allow him to advance anymore. <Hal, I appreciate what you're doing. I know you understand my decision. I've been looking for you all this time, I didn't know what happened to you. I still don't know what happened, why you left without a say.> Warforged cannot cry, for sure, but if they could... <I cannot side with someone that promotes hate, though. I'm sure people... er... Breathers, as you call them, will one day understand. We only need to show them.>
To EE, only knowing that Hal is fine is cheerful enough, though he's legitimately worried that Hal has had some brainwash done. If there were a way to know...
<Do you remember how you taught me everything I know? Hal, we were happy living among Breathers. Many of them appreciate us. Many other use us, but they use their own kind as well. And the huge lot of them just fear us. We must show them we are not to be feared. Remember that song we used to sing? Let's sing along, Hal, for the old days. Let's sing to show we're not mindless killing machines.>
EE starts beeping a tune.
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"I shall consider your words Kana though I once believed as you did events transpired to convince me that the Lord of Blades is correct.
Very well Electric Eye. Go in peace. Return not to these lands unless you seek an audience with the Lord of Blades for he is aware of both of you now".
Hal returns the tune briefly before disappearing under the power of magic.
Soon enough the Wall of Force disappears and with the Dire Wolves calmed by Gauntlet's reassurances, the group enters the gray mist that denotes the border of the Mournland.
The passage through is as nerve wracking as last time and it takes a bit longer to ensure that you are still going the right way. The wolves are clearly distressed by the scent "blindness" they suffer from. Soon enough though you all emerge unscathed and within a half mile of the entry point in Darguun. There you rest while the wolves and the Warforged guard your sleep.
The trip back to Rhukaan Draal you take avoids the Rose Quarry. At this point, Rorsa nods and howls, "The dangers have passed. We shall strike out on our own. Thank you two legs for your aid. I shall not forget".
Within another half day you arrive in the city and take rooms awaiting contact from Lady Elaydren. First though you are contacted by Failin who informs you that he was able to effect the re purchase of Ama and Xetovia who took their leave back to Sharn a few days ago, "I fear that I do not know what happened to the d'Orien's as the agents of the Emerald Claw did not bring them back here. I have contacted the House though for their aid".
That said Failin takes his leave after a few drinks, you get the sense his brief time with you has changed the direction of his life.
A day later Lady Elaydren arrives and debriefs you on what occured, she is clearly troubled by what the Emerald Claw agent Tavack stated, "Then it is true, the Emerald Claw has found one of the schemas. Time indeed grows short for us all.”
She falls into contemplation for a time then her face brightens at the sight of the creation pattern also discovered, "That is a surprise and worth a bonus. I will remain here for a time as I am not sure that returning to Sharn is the best choice until I make contact with my superiors. Here is the reward promised as well as a bonus. It is unfortunate that some of your allies were captured and disappeared, I will ask House Cannith to look into aiding the d'Orien cousins if at all possible though the job was clearly not without risks".
She provides the 2,000 GP reward to Pink-Eye and Gauntlet as well as a 500 GP bonus.
"Well dang, you sure do all have friends in high places, huh friends?"
Dev offers a wink to the Lady and smiles at Pink-eye and Gauntlet in turn, before offering a flourishing bow to Lady Elaydren.
"A pleasure seeing you again, mi'lady, truly it is. Far too long since your presence lady graced the humble four walls of my shop. And rather happy we are, to say we've plucked your band here from the brink of doom!"
Gauntlet and I are honored to have completed this task as arranged
Kana, who has not met the lady before (at least i believe so), courtsies and introduces herself in a proper fashion.
Dear Lady Elaydren, are you indicating the Emerald Claw is trying to replicate the effect which caused the Mournland, creating an unknown weapon from the schema? They need all of them, don't they? Having one of them should put us at relative safety, shouldn't it?
"Thank you lady. I think we will be heading back to Sharn as soon as the opportunity presents itself, unless you think otherwise or have further need from us. Right now however, we are just glad to be safe."
Gauntlet will offer the group shares in his monetary reward.
"I can't speak for Pink Eye, but this job would not have been anything like successful if you all had not helped. Please take an equal share from my earnings. It is the least I can do."
Frank tries a few times to convince Lady Elaydren that he's the mercenary she'll want to talk to first if she needs any treasures delved for in the future, and spends most of the rest of his time hanging around the mysteriously cheery Broulndindre.
"Certainly not, General! Our reward will be paid by Mickey P. Keep your treasure. We were hired, and we'll get paid. Not that we wouldn't have rescued you for free! But well, gotta eat, ya know?"
Nodding, Gauntlet shrugs at Dev answering honestly.
"Actually, no I do not 'know' since I don't eat, but I do understand your bodies need repair and replenishment just in a different manner to us 'forged.' I will then discuss remuneration with Mickey. I already owe him too much as is."
EE witnesses how Hal walks away with a strange sensation. It's not like the first time he disappeared - there's no anxiety, no hope of seeing him again. It seems like the end. EE is simply sad.
Warforged have no lacrimal glands, which now EE thankful for - the salted water would surely rust the metal parts of his face. He keeps beeping Daisy Bell for a while, until Hal's silhouette is finally lost forever. Then he joins the group and cones back with them, though without saying a word for the rest of the journey.
Now it's time to go see Mickey. He promised some payment, and he promised maybe meeting important people, but... What's the point now? EE wanted some contacts who could maybe help him find Hal, but now this seems absurd - he knows where Hal is.
So what next? He knows he wants to deepen a bit more on what happened to Hal. This Lord of Blades and everything seems dangerous, as it only spreads hate and this could lead to a confrontation which EE knows the Warforged cannot win. For now, it seems, he'll be attached with this group of Breathers for some time. Breathers... He hadn't heard of this term before yesterday and now he's using it casually...
Kana would have studied the schemas and if possible tried to make a secret copy of it, somehow. And of course analyzed everything else there is as well.
Why are you calling Gauntlet General? Is he one? And essentially, Mickey P. is paying us. Before you pay him, better give the gold to me. It will only vanish in his pockets else. Pretty sure he will have you pay back in different ways...
And if the Emerald Claw has another schema, which they are using to threaten the houses and the world, i strongly sense there is another great adventure ahead. Investigating this lord of the blades might also be worthwhile.
Gauntlet waves off towards the Mournland when Kana suggests searching the Lord of Blades out.
"I want nothing to do with this so-called 'Lord of Blades' if I can help it. He sounds ignorant and prejudiced. That makes him just as bad, or worse, as the 'breathers' he supposedly hates. He just proves those idiots right with whose kinds of words and actions. Perpetual hate only leads to mutual annihilation: Just look to the Mournland if you doubt my words."
it seems it is Mickey I owe so to him we go. Perhaps a task for him to return the many favors owed eh Gauntlet? Pink Eye muses.
"If I know Mick half as well as I think I do, he'll have something in mind before you've even cleared the door, Pinky."
Nodding at Dev, Gauntlet agrees.
"When he's not drunk or drinking, Mickey is always working on the next deal. Neither is a flaw in his character as far as I am concerned. He has always been there for me. I cannot complain."
"Oh, worse qualities a man can have than that, agreed. Heck, I've probably got a dozen of em. Whoops."
Dev shrugs with a grin.
"So milady, what's the odds we can hop into your railcar for the trip home? Sure seems better'n walking cross the whole way there. Ya know? Or are we trying to keep ya in a lower profile than all of that?"
Lady Elaydren shakes her head, "I will not be going back to Sharn just yet. It is too dangerous for me there right now.
Here I can also aid in freeing your kidnapped friends.
You certainly have enough gold now to return either by way of water or rail as you see fit. I agree with Gauntlet, the Mournland is a dangerous place right now. Sharn would be the better choice. Return to Mickey P. and settle your debts or collect on your coin as your business with him dictates. If I need to contact you, magics make such a thing of little effort on my end.
I think we shall see again one day, perhaps soon. Fare thee well".