Dr. Runemace busied himself examining the Skyseer, listening to heart and lungs, peering the eyes ears and throat with various lenses and tubes.
"Comrade, you are afflicted by time, and the road before you is shorter than the road behind." He said, in his professional voice.
He will go off and take 15 minutes, sacrifice Enlarge Person to create an Extract of PolyPurpose Panacea:Analgesic.
He will offer this potion to the Skyseer.
"Comrade Skyseer, vhen the aches and pains grow too much, take this; it will help." He said, offering the small glass vial.
"May you end well, and in your own time." He said solemnly, bowing deeply.
While the others spoke, Adam considered. The notion of finding a way to the people to coexist was one viewed favourably, but would there be consequences if they ignored Reed Macbannin's ban...
Millicent smiles and gives a nod to both of the Skyseeerers, "Of course I am game on both accounts. Finding out who this common enemy might be. No promises but we can speak with with Reed Macbannin and hopefully get you up Cauldron Hill. Anything to help with those on all sides go forward together is good for everyone."
That sounds best.
"I think we can make it work. After all, any clearer vision might help us in the long run."
The ancient skyseer thanks Dr. Runemace for the tonic. To you all he says, "All that I ask is that you try. I expect that the Mayor wont put up to much of a fuss if the request comes through official channels."
He pauses to take a sip of water before continuing. [b]"I have one more request for our excursion. I would ask that on the day we are to climb, you participate in a simple ritual that would bind your lifeforce to mine. Being able to draw upon your strength will help me endure the trek. I would little serve our goals to have me die of exertion before we reach the top.
If there are no further questions, Nevard wishes you safe travel back to the city.
Preach tells the others, "I've recalled a few things about Reed Macbannin. As you probably know he's the mayor of the Nettles district, he's also a mage of some renouwn. If we ask, there's a possibility he may help us in our endeavour, I'd suggest setting up a meeting."
We have several missions, but I feel that contacting Reed MacBannin is a higher priority. If we do that, it may lead to us talking to Gale at some point, which would give us more answers
"Skyseeer Nevard, thank you for you time here today. We will be in touch regarding Mayor Macbannin's response. Should you be able to arrange a meeting with Gale, please send word." She gives a nod of her head and moves to join the others.
She gives a nod to Alsah, "Sounds like a good place to start. I am sure Mayor Macbannin will hear our request."
Taking your leave, the team makes their way out of the Cloudwood and back to town. Returning to the office, you make arrangements to meet Mayor Macbannin the following day.
The next day following the morning scrum, the team assembles and heads out. The one quality road in The Nettles curves around Cauldron Hill, heading up to the manor of the Mayor, located a thousand feet up the twenty-three hundred foot high mountain. Here the gentle slope of the lower mountain turns to a steeper and rockier rise of stone, making Macbannin’s rich manor the gatekeeper between the slum homes of thousands and the cursed mountaintop. Unlike the Mayors of the other districts, the Mayor of the Nettles in not an elected position. They are selected by the previous mayor and the city governor. A lattice of wards, assembled over centuries, protects the rest of the city from the dangers of old witchcraft, and whoever oversees these wards must be skilled in defensive magic and be trusted not to be corrupted by undead spirits of the witches who once ruled there.
The compound’s high iron fence surrounds a manor house, servant houses, a stable and a track for horses, a carriage house, a red-brick gardener’s building, and overall beautiful landscaping with myriad flowers. You are met by the manor's butler who welcomes you and bids you to take a seat in the garden, while to goes to announce your presence.
As you wait, a travel-stained courier exits into the garden. He lights a cigarette and nods to you all in greeting. His gaze is drawn to the slums stretching out across the nearby hillsides, and he shakes his head as he exhales a huff of smoke.
“Can you imagine what it’s like to live down there?” he asks, almost rhetorically.
“Chaos, that’s what it is. The mayor,” he nods his head back toward the house, “he could come up with the most brilliant plan to help those people. He could get all the money in the city’s coffers. He could do everything right, but he’s just one man. Not a cog in a machine, but a pebble on a beach. Chaos.”
He takes another draw on the cigarette, then smiles. “It’s beautiful, what people can create out of chaos. But I’d gladly give it up to stop their suffering.”
I have always thought that Chaos overlays hidden laws. You just cannot see it in the she smiles chaos of the moment
I think that we need chaos, change, to have meaning. But I take your meaning. Suffering is bad.
I am Alsah Brightmoon. You are?
Millicent considers what has been said by the courier and Aslah for a minute before replying, ”While it may seem chaotic, each likely has some semblance of order. Most find some sort of pattern to at least make it appear they have some sort of control of what happens to them.”
As to their suffering, it would be something to alleviate it for those in the most dire of circumstances. I do not know how to help, but hope I can do more with time.” the young woman says as she looks out over the slums.
Being ushered into the garden, Dr. Runemace primly brushed off a classical marble bench before seating himself in a stiff backed position.
At the appearance of the chatty courier, he tipped his hat politely.
"Me? Just a simple messenger. Delivering messages for my betters. Gives a man too much time to think. If you ever come up with a way to allow chaos without the suffering that it brings, you should write a book. An idea like that could change the world."
At that point a groom comes up leading a horse and the man crushes out his cigarette and mounts up. He lights up another cigarette, before tipping his hat in farewell.
From the manor door, the butler calls out to you to say that the mayor is ready to meet, and gestures for you to follow him. He leads you to the mayoral office, where you are greeted by Mayor Reed Macbannin.
The mayor is a middle aged human male, with dark hair, greying at the temples. "Welcomes constables. Care for any refreshments?" He gestures to a well appointed sideboard, where the butler waits expectantly. "Why don't you have a seat and let me know what I can do for the RHC today."
She give a wave goodbye to the messenger before turning her attention to the Mayor.
As the young bard walks into the office she takes note of how and what is kept, it says something about a person. looking to the man, "Yes please," she turns to the waiting butler, "Tea, two suger's and just a tad of cream please. Or water, if it not too much trouble."
Turning back to their host, "Thank you for seeing us Mayor McBannin, to point, as we know you are a busty man. We have a request, and we are aware that it is an ask. We wish to visit the peek Cauldron hill. We would accompany, Skyseer Sechim to this place. We have some understanding of the dangers, but seek your wisdom in the matter and are making this request to further a case of some importance."
Addam requested a simple glass of water and he sipped it before adding a question of his own, "Sir if you grant us permission to venture there, do you know what we dangers might expect to encounter? I'm wondering what special precautions we might need to take."
Alsah sits quietly, waiting for the Mayor's answer. She hoped it was positive. She also wondered about the possible dangers. Surely it wasn't that bad
Dr. Runemace stood, tipped his hat politely and requested black coffee.
Refreshments are served, while the Mayor contemplates your request, with a grim expression. Eventually he nods and breaks into an enthusiastic smile. "It might be dangerous, but it would be worth the risk. If old Nevard is up to the challenge, his insights might be able to diffuse some of the tensions in the city. And besides, it couldn't hurt is people knew that I'd played a role in this little expedition."
"Still, it would be best to not tarry on the hill. Warm blood tends to still things up. I am willing to authorize a single night's vigil. I would ask that you check in at the manor on your way up and down. I will provide you with some amulets to protect you from being possessed by evil spirits and plenty of goat's blood. You must ascend during the day, and you must use the blood to paint a ring around wherever you make camp to distract the spirits. Your presence will surely draw them to you, but when they spot the blood they’ll believe they’ve found the trail of a wounded animal, after which they’ll mindlessly walk in circles since they’ll never find the end of the ring."
"It’s not flawless. If you don’t stay out of sight, the denizens of the Hill will pay more heed to a moving creature than a trail of blood. Also, while a small fire will be useful because of the supernatural chill on the mountaintop, I suggest that you surround the it with stones to hide its light."
"It usually takes a day to arrange for the blood delivery, so just let me know when I need to start the preparations."
”That sounds,” there is a pause in her remarks as the Mayor describes the spirits and how dangerous it is up on Cauldron Hill, ”Rather ominous.”
”Thank you Mayor McBannon, we will send word as soon as we know when Skyseer Sechim can make the journey.”. She says with a polite nod of respect.
“Unless my colleagues have queries, we should prepare.” Standing and looking to the others if they have anything further to add or ask.
"That sounds rather ominous."
"Indeed." remarked Preach dryly.
"It usually takes a day to arrange for the blood delivery, so just let me know when I need to start the preparations."
"Thank you Sir. I think we would prefer to get this over with as soon as is practical." Preach repl.
Thank you very much for this, Mayor McBannon. This is certain to be useful
"Not a problem constables. Always happy to lend a hand to the RHC."
Your business concluded, the butler escorts out back out to the courtyard.
The bard waits until the group has left Mayor McBannon's home. She looks to the others as she digs out her small book that she takes notes within. She takes up one of the back pages carefully, "I will send a message to Skyseer Sechim. I figure we have a day or two before the Skyseer will arrive and be ready to ascend to the top of Cauldron Hill. Perhaps we should look on that strange happenings at the Sechim alhahest factory as well as the details of Nilassais arrest in Partiy Lake?"
She takes the time to write out a simple note letting the elder Skyseer that he request was granted and make arrangements to come to the city and asks for a return message of expected arrival. As the group gets back to Flit proper, with flag a messenger and have them deliver the message. She adds a few gold coins for the trek and return message to the Royal Homeland Constabulary within the city.
"Parity Lake? Yeah that's a good idea. Nilasa is an enigma, perhaps the district police station can shed some light on her circumstances." replied Preach.
Let's check out the happenings at the Alhahest factory first. It will likely be the most involved.Then to Parity Lake