Dragons Demand - LJM table 2

Game Master Liam Mooney

"If needs be the guards can sort it, although I doubt they'll be much help until the Sheriff returns. For now however it's a moot point anyway as the Baroness has forbidden anyone from entering the Manor." She thinks for a monent, "if I do need to go in though I'll bear you in mind."

Gwibble nods, Very well, my colleague does make a good point, we should make sure his home is secure, wizards have a tendency to leave dangerous experiments lying around or there may be traps or guardian creatues. We wiill discuss with the Baroness and let you know.

He looks up the street, We should probably be getting along to her now.

"Um, yes, we should," Tsukiko says as she looks away, hoping that no one notices her blushing after Corin calls her Tsukiko-chan.

Kage moves up and shoulder checks the door, clearly trying to open it.

As you arrive at the manor one of the Baronesses servants leads you into a sitting room where Baroness Origena Devy arrives soon after.

"I hear you've managed to solve the mystery of what happened last night" she says. Her servant asks you if anyone would like any refreshments before Lady Devy continues.

"So, what happened to our Witches Tower? Was Hunclay involved?"

Tsukiko politely requests some tea, but otherwise keeps quiet while she holds Kage in her lap. Mainly to keep him out of trouble, but also to give her hands something to do with the nervous energy she is feeling with the lady of the town.

Corin tries to sit quietly to let the wiser members of the group explain. His fingers twitch nervously as everyone exchanges pleasantries and request refreshments. His foot begins to tap. The need to tell the story is visible in his demeanour. He leans forward. He tries to hold back, but before he knows what he's doing he's already on his feet in front of the Baroness.

KOBOLDS!

Even Corin looks shocked by his outburst. But he had the floor. He was telling the tale.

I mean it was Kobolds. Who collapsed the tower. And Hunclay. Becasue of the veiw. He paid them. The Kobolds. To dig a hole. Under the tower. He couldn't see the Sky. Hunclay not the Kobolds. But the tower collapsed too soon. He died. Hunclay. And some of the Kobolds, but not all. We talked to them. They told us, so we wouldn't fight them. We didn't want to fight them. Not after the Ghoul. Oh, There was a Ghoul. And a Raven. Only he wasn't a raven. Almost killed me. He was a demon. Belonged to the old owner of the tower. He had set lots of traps. The owner, not the raven. Though I guess the raven set a trap too. That's how he almost killed me. But Mister Gwibble and Mister Merr saved me. And Vultha and Nerack. But then they left. But then Tsukiko and Kage came. And she not a witch. and Kage is really smart. Like the raven. But the raven was a familiar. And he was only pretending to be a raven. His mistress made him. She was a member of the Canteclure family, we think. Harzogopas, his name was Harzogopas. The not really a raven Imp, not the Mistress. She served the Baron. Not your Baron. We couldn't find him, sorry. Baron Sarvo. But they hadn't been around in a long time. That's what the ghost said. But anyway it was Hunclay and the Kobolds that had collapsed the tower.

Corin stops for a moment, his eyes flick back and forth as he thinks. Did he remember everything.

And that's what happened. He says as he sits down.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Oratory: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 To see if the Baroness liked the story.

Kage just laughs at Corin's outburst.

Kage isn't the only one laughing, though Tsukiko is at least trying to suppress hers.

Gwibble gives a wide grin and slurps his tea. Corin has the gist of it, yes. What would you like us to do about this Baroness? You appear to have a kobold problem but it appears they may be able to be negotiated wit, if they are still in the area that is. We also have the keys to Hunclays house if you would like us to check that out.

The Baroness looks thoughtful as she makes sense of whats been said in her mind, after a moment she signals to one of her servants to go and fetch the promised reward.

"Thank you, the Witches Tower is still clearly a dangerous place even when knocked down. It is good to know what happened to the tower though, even if it cost Hunclay his life."

The servant brings in a pouch containing 500gp in coins.

"If you'd like to earn a fair bit more I have another opportunity for you." the Baroness says, "I've been suspicious of the kobolds living near the town for a while now but they've never done anything to harm us until now. It seems that times have changed, I'd like you to drive the kobolds out of the region, killing their chief would be one way but I'll leave the specifics up to you. If you can drive the pests off I can offer you a dozen amethysts that I have."

She turns grim, "as for Hunclay, it's clear the towers collapse was his fault but he's also died for his troubles and so not a threat to the town. He was an eccentric and misanthropic loner and so his manor is no doubt full of dangers. Calladastina will need to sort out the issues of inheritance and I've placed orders that no one enters until that is resolved. I'll take the key and pass it onto the guards."

Gwibble grins, Well, as I said, we were able to negotiate with some fo he kobolds we met, maybe we can talk them around. Is there no other option? What if we were able to arrange some sort of alliance or deal between your town and them? the mae good miners I understand.

Corin looks at Gwibble. Sorry, I gave the keys to Calladastina when she asked for them.

He turns back to the Baroness. We'll deal with the Kobolds, and make sure they are no longer troubling the town. As Mr Gwibble says, I'm sure they will be open to some kind of deal.

Oh, do you know of anything east of the Witches Tower that might have interested the old wizard? Apparently the tower being in the way is what started this whole series of events. Are there any libraries in town that might have a history of the town? Or old maps maybe? It's all very interesting.

"Unfortunately the mines around here flooded years ago and even then it would be foolish for us to trust the kobolds. I'm happy for you to remove the kobolds as you see fit though.
If Calladastina has the key then that is fine, she'll be dealing with the estate anyway for now on my behalf.
It was the sky that Hunclay was watching or more specifically the stars. Such a big tower blocked most of his view though, shadowing his house as it did. If he'd had the foresight to not build his house next to a tower that's stood in place for hundreds of years then maybe he wouldn't have had to die collapsing the damn thing.
If you're interested in the history of the town I'd suggest you talk to Bassy, she's the oldest resident in town and quite an accomplished historian.

Corin nods and smiles. Thank you Lady Devy, for the reward and your hospitality. We should hopefully return soon with with news of our next completed task.

He stands, bows low, then turns to leave.

C'mon guys, I want to talk to Bassy before we go sort things out with the Kobolds.

Corin heads off to see Bassy.

Tsukiko follows.

Sorry, Tsukiko's being quiet, but she's still there.

As Corin arrives at Bassy's house the gnome invites him and Tsukiko in. Rumours say that Bassy is the oldest resident in Belhaim but she looks young still, with streaks of green in her pink hair to match her colourful eyebrows.

"Ah, the new arrivals in town. The ones who travelled into the Witches Tower. Been in there myself I have, but a long, long time ago, back when we still called it Castle Tula. I guess you're here for stories? I'll make some tea while you tell me what you'd like to know."

Kage follows his sister in and curls up under her chair.

Tsukiko looks to Corin, not really sure what she should ask about, though she is sorely tempted to say "everything."

Corin is enthralled by all the nick-nacks in Bassy's home. He answers absent-mindedly.

Castle Tula? Was that before the Cantleclure Barons rebelled? Why did they rebel? What against? Who against? That must be over 2 hundred years ago. You look very good for your age, if you don't mind me saying so. My father is like you. Not that I remember much about him, but he is a full blood elf. They live a long time. He was older than my great-grandfather when he met my mum. Confession Cleanses the Soul. Pain Clarifies the Mind. That was there motto wasn't it? The Cantleclures? The crest was a rooster with spears. We found one down in the Witch Tower. Castle Tula. In the Dungeon. They had a ton of torture stuff. Did you know the overseer? She was dead when we met her. But her Raven was there. I didn't like him. It was the Devy family who put down the rebellion wasn't it? He's missing you know. Baron Devy. We tried to find him the the ruins but he wasn't there. We did find the wizard though. Hunclay. Did you know him? Odd man. He was trying to collapse the tower for a better view. Now he's dead. It wasn't us. Or the Kobolds, at least not really. He had them dig a tunnel but it fell through.

Corin smiles and sits down, still looking around.

You have a lovely home. I think we'd all like to hear about any stories you have about this town. I love stories.

His words are like a winding river. Meandering without apparent aim, but with much energy.

Tsukiko barely manages to keep from laughing as she listens to Corin ramble.

"Hmm, yes that would have been just over two hundred years ago, I'd have been half as old then as I am now you know.
Anything you find of the Canteclure's may be of interest to the Baronesses son Arnholde if you're looking to sell it. He likes to think of himself as a historian himself and is always trying to buy things for his collection.
I was lucky enough to never meet the Overseer, few could claim they did as her methods always got a confession and the cleansing part seemed to involve execution shortly afterwards.
The old Baron's been dead and buried a few years now, you're lucky to have not met the same fate as he did, cursed the place is said to be, if Hunclay's death has ended the place then maybe the old fool has managed to do one good deed for the town at least though."

Bassy thinks about the towns history a little. "The town here was founded by Lady Tula Belhaim over a thousand years ago"[b] she begins. "[b]My grandmother was a friend of hers you know. Lady Tula grew up in dark times known as the Dragon Plague, over 12 years more than 3 dozen dragons attacked Northern Taldor and Lady Tula was orphaned when a black dragon named Aeteperax destroyed her hometown of Nazilli.

"Lady Tula went on to become a great dragonslayer leading her own mercenary company the Slayers of Nazilli and killing more dragons than any other group. Her final triumph was near here where she killed Aeteperax himself in the Dragonfen for which the Emperor granted her a barony and she founded the town here. The town prospered and a group of Irori monks built a monastery nearby.

"Tula married Arturic Canteclure, one of her fellow mercenaries and they built a what is now known as the Witches Tower, but was originally Castle Tula. Even then the place seemed cursed as none of their children reached 9 years old. Then one night Baron Arturic was found dead on the road nearby with a broken neck from falling off his horse and in the castle Lady Tula was found impaled on the horns of a great dragon statue in the courtyard outside - no one ever found out what happened but it was a great tragedy.

"The barony passed onto the Canteclure's who ran the town for 800 years, most of which was peaceful until Baron Sarvo got plans to overthrow the whole of Taldor into his head. The army razed the castle and Sarvo was executed.It was around that time that all the monks in the monastery dissapeared as well, but I don't think Baron Sarvo was responsible. One of the officers who led the attack on Castle Tula, Arkold Devy, was named the new Baron and the Devy's have ruled here ever since, a boring two hundred years where the only real event of interest was an earthquake that flooded the mines."