Bydar moves behind Christian and takes a jab with his glaive and it's reach at the plant life, trying to rise to the challenge given!
Christian's swing hacks away sizeable portions of the predatory plant.
Bydar's own swing is only a few hairs' breadth away from being perfect, and potentially eliminating the threat. Nevertheless, he does make progress towards freeing Brandt from the vines' grasp.
Brandt wrestles with the vine for a moment, drawing his handaxe and chopping twice at it.
Assassin vines, I forgot, they are oddly resistant to fire and cold damage....
Fenrir closes with the vine, snapping his jaws upon it, seeking to sever it from his master
Brandt hacks at the assassin vine's roots with his handaxe, cutting deeply through the stems and almost entirely severing them. If the predatory plant wasn't already expired, it certainly was when Fenrir uses his raw strength to rip the vines free.
The way is clear, and you are now free to enter the tower. Pushing open the unlocked wooden door that was hidden behind the vines, you find that the ground floor of the tower is occupied by a very cluttered, unkempt bedroom.
The most noticeable furnishing is the locked chest tucked between the ratty bed and the wall.
That was annoying, glad we're over it now. I imagine this must be the home of the other Fey creature they were talking about, what was his name again? Brandt says, poking his head into the small chamber and crossing to the locked chest, testing the lock with the point of his ranseur.
Teo something was his or its name. Careful, we do not know what is here.
Christain looks around the room for any occupants.
"I've flattered that you know my name," comes a voice from above.
You spot the owner clinging to the inner walls of the tower, looking down upon you. This creature looks like a hairless elf, slender and graceful, with long arms that end in sharp claws. Its skin is brown and woody and resembles tree bark. It wears clothes made of leaves and vines.
"I watched you tear apart my guard plant. I also saw you end Rigg, but I'm not as upset about that. All the same, I'd rather avoid the same fate, so how about we make a deal?"
Teo crawls like an insect along the wall towards one of the arrow slits, then perches upon the narrow ledge jutting from the stone.
"I will toss down my key for that chest, and you can have its contents. In exchange, you will let me go. I will leap down beyond these walls and run into the forest, and with any fortune, we will never see each other again."
"This sounds like a classic trick where one finds out they've gotten an empty box" The priest says almost to himself, "Then again, we aren't here for wealth."
A look to the others
Christian looks up and smile at the elf.
His voice remains pleasant, but his message is cold. His smile hides his seriousness.
Well met. Your offer is intriguing and a good one. Here is my counter. Leave the stolen lands and never return. We meet again and there will be no time for pleasantries. I do not want that and I imagine that you do not want that as well. So leave now and remove yourself from all of the stolen lands. Without the key...Understood?
Christian looks up and smile at the elf.
His voice remains pleasant, but his message is cold. His smile hides his seriousness.
Well met. Your offer is intriguing and a good one. Here is my counter. Leave the stolen lands and never return. We meet again and there will be no time for pleasantries. I do not want that and I imagine that you do not want that as well. So leave now and remove yourself from all of the stolen lands. Without the key...Understood?
"So your counteroffer...is exactly what I offered? Is this some sluggish mortal joke that I'm too clever to understand."
Teo retrieves a tarnished silver key from a bark pouch at his hip.
"Regardless, we have a deal. I will travel west and never return to the Stolen Lands."
He drops the key down to you, but scarcely has it left his clawed hand but he leaps out from the narrow window.
You can hear a faint rustle of leaves then the parting of bushes as Teo escapes to parts unknown.
Inside the chest are a fine velvet cloak (worth 10 gp), a gold necklace (worth 100 gp), a silver ring set with an emerald (worth 300 gp), a bejeweled masterwork short sword (worth 510 gp), a moonstone (worth 50 gp), and coins worth 76 sp and 31 gp.
Brandt relaxes as the creature flees the inevitable, looking long into the woods, and sighing, I'm sure that will return to be a pain in our backsides, but I'm for giving the chance. We see Teo again, we split him in twain for his troubles. Opening the chest, he says, At least he had excellent taste, Lady Syretia, Masters Orlogg and Bydar - any of this beyond the normal ken?
"So your counteroffer...is exactly what I offered? Is this some sluggish mortal joke that I'm too clever to understand."
"Regardless, we have a deal. I will travel west and never return to the Stolen Lands."Christian maintains his smile and the same tone as before.
My good...Teo is it? Well, it is a good practice to be certain that those you are negotiating with understand the deal that they have struct. While you may look at my offer as the same...it is not. You now understand what awaits you if you should cross my path again. I wish you a speedy and safe journey.Christian steps back to give the creature space to flee.
Christian looks from Brand to the others.
"It's quite the trove" He admires the items in question, "I did not pray for the gift of sensing dweomers." That said, he tries to appraise as best he can if there is something magical about them.
Orlog inspects the new found treasure, trying to see if there is anything magical. "So, anything else we want to do here?"
None of the treasures that Teo has hoarded prove to be enchanted. Perhaps every magical trinket was claimed by the Dancing Lady, further explaining the dispute she had with Rigg when you arrived. Nevertheless, the items appear to be quite valuable nonetheless.
Brandt steps out from the courtyard to look for tracks left by Princess Eutropia's dog.
Your attention is also drawn beyond the keep walls when you hear your Ulfen companion shouting in surprise, followed by cautionary barks from Fenrir.
Responding to investigate, you find the wolfdog and another, brown and white dog leaping around Brandt. They growl and nip without actually making contact.
"Taldogis!" Eutropia commands. Pausing to stiffen and heed his master's words, the dog dashes over and sits loyally beside the princess.
Sappy as it maybe, Bydar swells at the sign of the deep love between a princess and her dog rejoined.
"Ah, there he is. Blessings he's found."
Brandt laughs heartily, Who is a good boy! while settling a calming hand on Fenrir, See, he just needed a moment with all these Fey creatures around - a smart one, smarter than we are indeed!
Let us collect what is here and move onward. The dog was located which leaves only one task to do yet.
Christian looks to Syretia with a smile.
You ready to firebomb that tower. Those creatures inside can still be a menace to others.
The rats in the tower are no supernatural monsters, just ordinary vermin drawn to the feast provided by the now-slain fey's cast-off victims. Thus, it does not take much fire at all to drive them out of their lair. The combined barking of Fenrir and Taldogis then further herds them out of the courtyard and out into the wilds to eke out a new living.
The ancient keep is now clear. It's sturdy construction, having survived the passing of ages, could serve as the foundations for a new stronghold to guard the western edge of Charis.
"I think this place has potential" He ponders "Orlog, it's got good bones, does it not?"
Christian looks the structure up and down as he assesses it.
It has stood up to the test of time. It does have potential.
He runs his hand over the stones.
It deserves to be restored to its original beauty. Respect its history.
We need someone with an eye for architecture...and beauty.
The young noble turned king looks to Bydar.
Think you can head such a task?
***After some talks and the group is getting ready to move along***
Now that we have secured this place, would you allow us to escort you to Charis? It is not Oppara but it has its own charm.
"Well, you know I'm not going to say no when you put it like THAT" A grin "But I would still want Orlog's help and advice if he'll give it." He does not doubt Orlog's engineering skills are superior to his own "Yes, I think I can restore it."
After about a day-and-a-half trek eastward through the forest and back into the Kamelands, you return to Charis - and upon your return home, you find a surprise waiting for you.
Lira Landusk seeks you out upon your arrival with a sizeable bottle of wine cradled in her arms.
"The odd folks running the inn asked me to deliver this to Lord D'Elagante," she explains, handing the bottle to Christian. Up close, you can see that Lira wears a bemused smile, looking like she can scarcely restrain the chuckles threatening to break out.
"Apparently it's a gift that was left behind by a secret admirer."
On the way home Christian divulges that there is a Taldorian noble woman who has taken refuge in the capital.
The young lord takes the gift and smiles brightly. He does a quick examination of the bottle.
I am by no means an expert on wines, but I know a thing or two. This one I will greatly enjoy.
He turns to Lira.
Lady Landusk, I thank you for this, but do you know anything at all about the previous owner?
He says with a nervous smile.
Bydar is torn between curioisity, and a desire to ease back away Sometimes folks blame the Shelynites. So unfair.
Before leaving, Orlog inspect the tower properly. "It will need some love, but we can make something out of this."
When Christian gets the gift from a secret admirer, Orlog looks at Bydar with suspiscion. Before the priest can affirme of denied anything, Orlog just walks away towards his quarters. "Got to checks on the books. Need to know where we stand on the finances."
At the dwarf’s look, Bydar gets ready to defend himself so to speak, but Orlog walks off Well, no one can stop me from PRAYING for everyone to find their true loves. Yeah, that’s right. I’m praying for you all to find your true love. So there. He’s pretty sure Shelyn would forgive him for the benevolent petty thought
But that aside, he has matters he should attend to. A flock to care for, spiritual services to perform, stone work for the purpose of beauty, healing… a lot of these overlap. And, there is the matter of religious community period. He’s had time to talk to Orlog during travels. But he should check with Nanya again as well as Kara of Pharasma.
And maybe let Cavan know Syretia’s back in town too! There maybe a spark there yet!
Ah, but manners
To Eutropa and Martella, ”Ladies, Charis is in a state of growth admidst the wilds, but we should be able to make you comfortable. Let’s get you some at least some shelter.” If they are amendable, he’ll take them to either the best rooms he can get at the inn for them, or one of the newer houses yet unclaimed.
Lady Landusk, I thank you for this, but do you know anything at all about the previous owner?
He says with a nervous smile.
"Um, I didn't actually see the person who left it behind," Lira says uncertainly, turning to watch as Eutropia and Martella walk towards the inn.
"Miss Sapphira - who I'm guessing will be questioning those two women quite soon - she's the one who saw the 'admirer' and accepted the bottle. Asking her would be your best bet."
Brandt recognizes the bottle as being a rather old vintage of Frostwine, a drink highly sought by sailors plying the Lake of Mists and Veils. If you're not of a mind to enjoy it yourselves, this bottle could easily fetch two hundred gold.
That's quite the gift there Christian, fetch a few hundred gold in the right hands - or else would be quite the experience for it. I'd say whomever is leaving this for you is well connected, or well endowed - financially of course... the ulfen jests lightly.
I felt it was pricey but did not have a clue as to how much.
Perhaps a visit to Lady Sapphira is in order...besides it would be best for us to make a private introduction.
Christian tries his best to catch up to the noblewoman.
Sapphira sighs when she sees you enter her inn soon after the Taldan noblewomen.
"As soon as I saw them, I was looking forward to questioning those two newcomers," your medusa spymaster says after joining you at a table, nodding towards the exiled princess. "Obviously I'll give you priority, but I hope we can finish this before the birdman jumps on the chance to chat up those noblewomen before I can."
She spots the bottle of wine you carry.
"The hunter woman found you quickly? Good."
You can practically hear her smiling under her hood.
"I've been laughing about this off and on all day. I've had to step into the back just to keep from making a foolish spectacle of myself.
"The one who dropped off that bottle - your 'secret admirer' - she took the form of a tall, muscular Ulfen or Iobarian woman. Sandy hair. Small but sharp nose. Now, I say she took this form because I know it was all an illusion. She wasn't fooling me with her disguise.
"That copper dragon you helped seems to have developed a fondness for our lordship," she nods at Christian, her cutting smile finally peeking out from beneath her heavy hood.
I am flattered, really, I am...and here I thought navigating the nuances of the nobility and politics was bad. I may have to weight my actions against the anger of a dragon. No one will ever say my life was boring.
Christian keeps his genuine smile on his face as he looks to the noblewomen.
Take good care of those two as they very well may be what is needed to stop a war from coming to our doorsteps. Please keep an ey...ear out for who comes to see them and who they see.
"Ooo, I'm going to have fun with these two," Sapphira coos.
She rises to go introduce herself to the noblewomen and learn about them, but she pauses and tarries to mention one last piece of information.
"While on the subject of dragons, I also heard another interesting account. A gang of bandits, apparently made up of Galtans driven north by the Taldan invasion, attempted to set up shop south of the Kamelands, past the rivers feeding into the Candlemere.
"I say attempted because they were massacred before they could cause any damage - massacred by a dragon with coppery scales," she says, sounding amused. "While one dragon has decided to court Lord Christian, it seems the other has decided to become a vigilante and police our borders."
If there is a way to make contact with Mercifax, let me know.
"Unfortunate it came to such bloodshed, but I doubt they'd have offered us anything different," Syretia muses.
Guests comfortable...
When Bydar hears of the dragons, both a suitor and a guardian, he admits "'Never boring' is definitely one way to word it." The bandit talk has him consider "I'm a bit concerned he may get carried away." He does not say... 'again'.
As the great academy takes form, above and below, it must be said that Bydar did not slack.
Bydar suggests building on the natural Iobarian (Sp?) and cyclopean styles already a part of it be the main theme. A plaque thanking House Medyved for it’s kind support would be placed where it could be spotted by those approaching. Possible embossing over that house's symbol as well or at least the antler part of it.
Some of the great slabs to be were not merely stone work, but statues to add to the beauty of the grandeur to be.
If any should fail, or be rejected he’ll have them scrapped. And a ‘regular’ slab could go in instead.
He contemplated making one of a cyclops, for obvious reasons, but then he thought of Nanya, and how it might distress her to gaze at such a thing if she visited the school. If it reminded her of that cursed idol, it wouldn’t be fair or kind.
Then he got an idea. Carried by the muse, he tried to craft a statue resembling Nanya herself, dressed in scholarly robes, with a serpent gently draped about her shoulders. The statue is posed carrying an open tome, and blooming from the tome a flower to represent the bloom of knowledge.
The second attempted statue resembled Syretia, wearing scholar robes and a songbird amulet, holding a lantern in one hand, while she points with the other. To represent the way she helped bring discovery of hidden lore now recovered. Her expression is meant to capture the same wonder he saw in her when the group first found the trove of lore.
The last one resembles Lady Sapphira, dressed much as she was when they first met, hair and top of face hidden by the cowl. Her hands are empty, held open as if offering a grasp to those that come as friends. A sign of trust dared that leads to learning for all. Bydar wonders if she’ll be amused that SHE is a statue in this.
Each statue is nine feet tall, the size of the average cyclops as it is heard.
Before he has the statues slide into the architecture of the forming academy, he invites each lady to see the work and see what they think.
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Brandt passes through the construction site almost daily, inspecting the work being done and the expert stonemasons. He grumbles occasionally about how wallls or a tower would be better investments, and spends time gossiping with the guards on duty, ensuring their connections to the leaders, and making them feel as important as the craftsmen. When he see what Bydar has done, he lets out a low whistle, My friend, you truly honor your calling as Shelyns devoted. These are beyond compare, and would make the ancients tremble with their beauty. Your honor our friends and companions. Truly, this speaks as a work of art unparalleled in the stolen lands. May the skalds sing of your works as they do of any of our heroic deeds.
Brandt passes through the construction site almost daily, inspecting the work being done and the expert stonemasons. He grumbles occasionally about how wallls or a tower would be better investments, and spends time gossiping with the guards on duty, ensuring their connections to the leaders, and making them feel as important as the craftsmen. When he see what Bydar has done, he lets out a low whistle, My friend, you truly honor your calling as Shelyns devoted. These are beyond compare, and would make the ancients tremble with their beauty. Your honor our friends and companions. Truly, this speaks as a work of art unparalleled in the stolen lands. May the skalds sing of your works as they do of any of our heroic deeds.
"The ladies still haven't approved them," He says, though flattered, "And truth friend? I think they lack that certain...'something' but fortunately they're based on three fine women and the lessons they inspire which should suit the school's own message." A smile breaks out "I hope you don't mind, I left we fellows out, despite your own extraordinary contribution?"
Artists often complain that their muse sleeps. In Bydar's case, it's a more accurate metaphor to say that his muse rises from bed groggy and reluctant. He completes his initial sketches quickly and selects acceptable slabs from the stone used for the work site below the town, but the creative process slows from there. Translating his mental images into reality becomes a painstaking effort.
Thus, the statues are not even close to finished when the academy functionally opens its does. Of course, much of the aesthetic and non-utilitarian aspects of the institution are yet unfinished, so there is still time enough to keep working.
Bydar faces the greatest enemy a creator of beauty can know... Artist's block! The statues are half done at best, and though his friend praises his efforts , he is sure he could do better. Best not to rush this.
Those that know him well may see that he's a melancholy about it, despite his best efforts to keep perspective about the grand design.And he does not neglect Shelyn's worshipers in the area.
Lady Sapphira, find out what our Taldorian ladies know of each other. We could soon be at war with Taldor and we have three women of the Taldorian Nobility in town. This makes me more nervous than a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Christian sits down next to Bydar as he reflects on his work.
It is a tremendous undertaking. Every day it progresses beyond what was only on paper and closer to what your imagination has seen. time is beyond our control, and we must learn patience. Kaer Maga was not built in a day...nor will Charis. Be proud of what you have created here. In time it will be what your heart sees it to be.
Christian smiles and pats him on the back.
See...even now it is closer to what you want it to be. Have faith in yourself and be patient. The results will come to the surface in time.
"It's kind of you to say, but I am a priest of Shelyn. Part of that is I'm supposed to try my hand at my art every day. I know the Eternal Rose understands the needs of others come before that, that I fight to preserve beauty or uncover it when it was buried or lost. But I have to try, or I am a religious hypocrite, and the world has enough of those." A smile "But thank you for trying to cheer me. It does help to know people care."
Continuing to smile.
Was it that obvious?
Christian looks to the ground and places his hand into one of his pockets.
He pulls forth a simple coin made of stone. No image resides on its smooth surface. Just a bluish green stone with strands of gray running through it.
He tosses it to Bydar.
If you can find some of this. You will be able to practice your art no matter where we go.
A merchant that requested an escort gave the to us as a bonus. It is called steatite. I have no clue where to find it, but it is light and soft. Very easy to work with from what the merchant told me. Take the coin and see if the quarry workers can help you.
Christian again smiles and removes himself from the area to leave Bydar in thought.
He takes it, "Mmm, not a bad idea." He calls out to Christian as he goes, "Thank you!"
Well we found the elven tower. Perhaps we take some time to make arrangements for it to be studied and repaired?
What else do the rumors say is going on around the area?
"I've been tapping those noblewomen for information," Sapphira informs Lord Christian and company upon their next meeting. "They've pretty much been debating whether or not they have any chance at retaking the Taldan throne. Frankly, it seems like quite the longshot to me. For now, they're trying to decide whether Charis is a safe long-term base of operations for them. The exiled princess of Taldor could be a very powerful political ally; granted, she'd also be a very dangerous one. I can try to persuade them to stay or leave at your discretion."
Sapphira reports that she has also done some digging into the Redshield merchant house, since they have been of interest to you.
"They don't have the reach or power of the Aspis Consortium, but they've quickly built up a lot of wealth and influence in just a couple decades," she begins. "They fill in the gaps between each of Brevoy's great houses, acting as middle men since the nobles usually can't play nicely with each other. They've also taken stakes in the houses' businesses in lieu of payment, especially in their early years. Now they've extended their range into Numeria, the River Kingdoms, Razmiran, and Mendev. They pulled out from Galt right before the Taldan invasion, so I think someone tipped them off.
"All in all, they're pretty good at maintaining a reputable front to disguise where they're really making their money."
"The current rulers of Taldor are already our enemies," Syretia says, her expression thoughtful. "I doubt they will give us any grace if we were to eject the two of them. I say we let them stay."
That's true, Taldor's done us no kindness, and sponsored the Whitehallows to turn on this land. Sanctuary to the ladies seems a small price to tweak the nose of Taldor. Brandt grins at the idea, in support of Syretiaa's opinion.