Bharak shifted uncomfortably. This Vhane had an air about him. A grudgesettler. Was his first thought. Someone dangerous that you hired when gold wasn't enough to settle an issue. Unconsciously he raised a hand to the tattoo on his face that marked him as Slagsun. When Axton asked him if they knew each other, he just shook his head. He truly wished that Umazura wasn't leaving. He would miss her tales, and her replacement left an ominous feeling inside of him...
Elena stands back at the unexpected interplay between the dwarf and her friend, growing increasingly worried as their talk went on. ”’Alorel’? Who is she? Is everything all right?” She asks Umazura. ”Uma…? Can we help in some way?” She offers, though the point is soon moot as the skald insists on departing on her own.
"She is my mother. And I hope so, Elena. I truly hope so," she responds, but the concern upon her face is obvious.
”You’re… leaving? I- but- I don’t know what to say. This is so sudden. Will we… ever see you again? I-” she manages, looking quite crestfallen. Tears begin to form and she quickly wipes them away – teams changed all the time among Pathfinders, she told herself. This was normal. But this was her first real team on a real mission. That made it special – like losing something special. More specifically -one of her best friends, which the half-orc was.
As her eyes well up, she brushes off a lone tear that manages to escape and find its way down her cheek. "I would be angry if you didn't, Elena," she says softly, grinning .
”Keep them alive.”
She envelops the other woman in a fierce hug. ”I will. Please take care of yourself! And don’t be a stranger. When all this is done, we’ll celebrate together, all right? And you can write down the entire story yourself!”
Returning her hug with equal fervor, "It's a deal," she states assuredly, nodding emphatically.
”Uma, can I ask you something before you go? If this next piece is somewhere below this city, there will likely be a lot of undead and golems on the way. Can I… borrow Silverfang in case we need it?”
Retrieving the blade, she offers it to her in a horizontal fashion, the hilt laying upon one hand and the blade upon the other. "Of course, Elena dear. Use it well," she says, smiling.
Seeing the dwarf approach from the corner of his eye, Elathras turns and watched the interaction. Realizing Umazura had been 'called home' he wonders how he'd respond if his aunt or the 'hellknights' sent word for him to return. He realizes he'd be required to do so, but as he watched his friend say goodbye, he knew he'd not want to leave. As she nod's, bidding them goodbye, not really sure what possessed him, the usually stoic Elathras steps forwards and hugs the half orc, telling her, "Fair thee well Umazura Fallensong."
Realizing he'd just hugged her Elathras steps back and nods to the woman.
Smiling softly, Umazura returns the stoic knight's hug with her own. She gives him a pleasant nod in return.
Later, when Umazura is saying her goodbyes...
"And Axton dear, never remove the creature that resides above that top lip of yours. I think it gives you special powers." She winks, grinning wryly.Axton gives his mustache a few exaggerated twitches for Umazura's benefit before grinning and offering his hand to shake.
"Goodbye, Umazura. I hope all is well with your family."
Raising an eyebrow at the offered hand, "A 'handshake'? Really?" Umazura grins, shaking her head. She then leans in and gives him a soft kiss on the cheek before leaning back out. Placing a hand on the side of his face and smiling, "You are a funny man, Axton dear."
And with that, Umazura turns and takes her leave, taking one more last look back as she walks away, a sad grin upon her face before vanishing out of sight.
As the half-orc walks away, he breathes a sigh of relief and mutters under his breath, "Glad that's over. Thought all this 'goodbye' business was gonna take the rest of the day. Sheesh."
Realizing he'd just hugged her Elathras steps back and nods to the woman. Trying to not look embarrassed, he turns to the dwarf, "So sir dwarf, did the Pathfinders send you as her replacement in our endeavors?"
Chewing on his cigar, he ponders that a moment. "Well, the Pathfinders gave me the option of joinin' up with ya and seein' how you lot are down one, I guess I could travel with ye if you be needin' me."
"We already have a dwarf in our group! Do you two know each other?" Axton indicates Bharak.
Vhane just stares at the mustachioed man blankly before finally responding with, "You're weird. Don't make me change me mind before we've even started, m-kay?"
"Okay... well, thank you, ser Vhane was it? Do you have further business with us? As we have an important meeting soon which would benefit from some privacy." Elena says, trying hard to not project any remorse over Uma's departure into dislike of the dwarf on account of him being the bearer of bad news. Still, the location of the next Sihedron piece was definitely something they shouldn't discuss with a stranger like him, she figured.
"Lieutenant Vhane. And the only business I have with ya is if you be needin' me to replace the gal ya just lost. Up to you all. Let me know. If not, I need to be gettin' back home meself." He leans back against a wall and crosses his arms, the cigar traveling to the other side of his mouth.
As Umazura leaves, Elathras watches and listens as the dwarf speak. The fellows rank and gruff exterior would certainly infer military expience. So he should have some knowledge of tactics and strategy. Noting the dwarfs gear, Elathras raises an eyebrow at the repeating crossbow, made from darkwood, no less. The light chain shirt, the dwarven waraxe, the fancy quiver and rucksack. This dwarf had clearly come prepaired.
Smiling at Vhane's comment about Axton, Elathras chimes in, "Don't worry about Axton, the weirdest part about him is the mustache, and he's handy in a fight." He nods towards the dwarfs crossbow, "And it looks like you would be too. No one can 'replace' Umazura, but we can use a shooter of some skill." He nods towards the group of trolls, "We've still got a task and I've a feeling you'll be handy to have around."
Listening as Vargun explains to Elena that Augustille is a true prophet and that what we heard was an actual prophecy, Elathras was pleased that they had written down the words in common so they all could understand. Trying to keep up as the conversation turns to local politics, Elathras ears perked up when the conversation turns to the undercity and retrieving the artifact called 'The Runelord's Shard.' Having a gift for stating the obvious Elathras chimes in, "That sounds like what we are after."
Not relishing the idea of entering the undercity illegally he asks the troll, "Might the Duskwardens give a permit to go after the shard ourselves, or possibly to hunt down these 'criminals'?"
Stonefaced, Bharak approached Vhane. He nodded, curtly. "Welcome." He said. Then, to the group he added "Can't see why the Duskwardens would say no. If anything, I'd wager they'd see a group of fools going into their territory and dying being an overall positive. If we succeed, then we remove some dangers for them. And if they fail, then our gear is a payday."
Smiling at Vhane's comment about Axton, Elathras chimes in, "Don't worry about Axton, the weirdest part about him is the mustache, and he's handy in a fight." He nods towards the dwarfs crossbow, "And it looks like you would be too. No one can 'replace' Umazura, but we can use a shooter of some skill." He nods towards the group of trolls, "We've still got a task and I've a feeling you'll be handy to have around."
Cutting his eyes toward Axton before returning his focus back to Elathras, the dwarf nods sharply. "Alright, fair enough."
Stonefaced, Bharak approached Vhane. He nodded, curtly. "Welcome." He said.[/b]
Vhane simply nods in response.
|
"So... now, aside from all the doom and gloom in the prophecy, we also have multiple other mystery figures and/or organisations after the shards. Goddess, this is a mess."
"I'd imagine that's how they think about it too, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. We know a few duskwardens who owe us a favor, too." Elena chimes in on the topic of a potential permit, putting her worries aside for now. "We have some of the day left, and personally I need to sleep and pray to regain my spells before I'd venture into a dungeon complex."
"Well, the Pathfinders gave me the option of joinin' up with ya and seein' how you lot are down one, I guess I could travel with ye if you be needin' me."
She looks at Vhane when the prohpecy business is concluded. "You say the Pathfinder gave you the 'option' to stay and travel with us? What does that mean, exactly? Are you a mercenary? Were you hired by a lodge? Are we supposed to hire you? If not, what's in this for you?" She wonders.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
She looks at Vhane when the prohpecy business is concluded. "You say the Pathfinder gave you the 'option' to stay and travel with us? What does that mean, exactly? Are you a mercenary? Were you hired by a lodge? Are we supposed to hire you? If not, what's in this for you?" She wonders.
Narrowing his eyes as the unlit cigar finds its way over to the other side of his mouth, "Ya know, lass, you ask a lot o' questions."
Crossing his arms as he stares at her stoically - for what probably feels like forever to the cleric - he leans in and says under his breath, "Okay, lass, how about this? You don't ask me questions and I won't give you answers ya don't like, m-kay? But I will give ya this: I'll hold up me end and do me part ta keep you and your lot alive. THAT I can guarantee as long as I live and breathe."
Leaning back out, "Hopefully, that's good enough for ya because it's all I have ta offer," he states matter-of-factly.
|
|
"Okay, lass, how about this? You don't ask me questions and I won't give you answers ya don't like, m-kay? ... Hopefully, that's good enough for ya because it's all I have ta offer."
Elena takes a step back from the acrid smoke of the gunslinger's cigar.
"...Look, Vhane. I don't know what you know about us - us or the Pathfinders in general. We explore forgotten, dangerous areas of the world and we're often up against lethal enemies and horrible monsters. And now rival groups of explorers too. We trust eachother with our lives by necessity. And when I ask something basic like you why you want to join us, you say I wouldn't like the answer and refuse to elaborate on, well, anything. As far as I can tell, you're an outsider. We know exactly nothing about you." She shakes her head and sighs. "I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt on account of you having Uma's letter, even if that doesn't really prove anything. But know that it doesn't mean that I trust you in any shape or form until you've shown that you deserve it."With that, she walks away.
Raising an eyebrow as Elena and Lt. Vhane come to a working relationship, Elathras decides to stay out of the conversation. As a Hellknight he'd seen a lot of unlikable people figure out how to work together. Not that he thought either unlikable. Elena was one of his favorite people on the planet and Vhane seemed to be ok, if somewhat curmudgeonly. If something unfortunate came about, Elathras knew which side he'd be on. But they were all pathfinders, and he didn't expect any disagreements to come to blows, so no reason for him to be unfriendly.
As Elena begins to walk away, Elathras hefts his polearm to follow, nodding to Vhane's unlit cigar he adds, "Axton's really good with fire, he could light that for you."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Elena takes a step back from the acrid smoke of the gunslinger's cigar.
"...Look, Vhane. I don't know what you know about us - us or the Pathfinders in general. We explore forgotten, dangerous areas of the world and we're often up against lethal enemies and horrible monsters. And now rival groups of explorers too. We trust eachother with our lives by necessity. And when I ask something basic like you why you want to join us, you say I wouldn't like the answer and refuse to elaborate on, well, anything. As far as I can tell, you're an outsider. We know exactly nothing about you." She shakes her head and sighs. "I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt on account of you having Uma's letter, even if that doesn't really prove anything. But know that it doesn't mean that I trust you in any shape or form until you've shown that you deserve it."With that, she walks away.
Shrugging and looking completely unconcerned as she walks away, "Well, lass, that's somethin' you'll just have ta work out for yerself because I don't really care. I'm just here ta do a job, do it well, and move on."
As Elena begins to walk away, Elathras hefts his polearm to follow, nodding to Vhane's unlit cigar he adds, "Axton's really good with fire, he could light that for you."
Cutting his attention to the knight, he pulls out the cigar, looks at it, takes a deep breath and then looks back to the warrior. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, lad. But typically, I don't usually light 'em. Ya know, smokin's bad for ya," he states matter-of-factly as the cigar finds its way back to the corner of his mouth.
.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Kaer Maga: It was certainly a city that one could get lost in, and at the moment that suited Bharak just fine. Having taken his leave from his comrades he went out to do just that, to lose himself. The arrival of Vhane had left him feeling somewhat shaken. He had gotten used to the idea of having a new family, of sorts. Everything had been so different from Dongun's Hold that he was able to, more or less, put it behind him. But Vhane? He reminded him so much of the people he had left behind. The uncompromising attitude, the intransigence...he looked just like the people who had banished him. The dwarf's very presence was a reminder of his shame and how, just as it was tattooed on his face, he would never really escape it. For what felt like hours he wandered around, taking in the sights and smells, until he found himself before the Twisted Door. It was mostly due to him walking the streets that seemed familiar, and thus finding himself near the Halflight Path. Staring at the huge bronze doors, he felt his mood darken. Even that was too close to home.
It was little surprise then that he found himself at the Sorry Excuse. Attracted by the rowdy crowds and the ale, he hoped that it would lighten his mood. Instead, the more he drank the more alone he felt, as he watched the humans go about their merry making, brawling, drinking and the like. He was lost in his cup when someone sat down next to him. He looked over and saw an old dwarf. The white bearded elder had a sun-marked face and an eye patch, which spoke clearly of the experiences of his long life. "This seat taken?" The dwarf asked. Bharak grunted an acknowledgement and waved to the empty seat. The elder, halfway into sitting down, stopped and stared. Feeling his annoyance grow, Bharak looked to him. "Aye. I'm tattooed. What of it?" He growled, upset that even in Kaer Maga it was an issue. The dwarf held up a hand in a placating manner. Slipping into dwarven he said "Hey now. No need to be angry." He pulled his collar down, showing a tattoo. "The Clan was much kinder in choosing my placement." There was a long silence, as Bharak didn't know how to process the development. He had never met anyone so tattooed except for his father. Even sitting there in Kaer Maga he had an instincual revulsion towards any marked as he was. "Name's Thorgrim. Tell you what. I buy you a drink and you tell your story, and you buy me one and I'll tell mine." The dwarf said with a wan smile. A smile which Bharak reluctantly shared.
With drink in hand, Bharak hesitatingly went into his tale. Of how his father became mixed in with smugglers and how he fell into it and fell along with it. When he was done, the old dwarf asked "You're not the first, and won't be the last. So, who do you run with. Ardoc muscle?" Bharak shook his head and pulled out his wayfinder. "Ah. Well. I'm from Janderhoff. Used to be part of the Darklands patrol. Got caught trading with Deugar." He said. Then with a grin he added "Don't give me that look! They're a bad sort, no question. But no worse than a good number of humans. And they've got resources that are hard for us to reach, and they pay good coin for what we can get from the surface. Better to trade than to fight, no?" Bharak gave it some of thought, raised his drink, and said replied "Who am I to judge?" The tankard clasped together and the two began to trade stories.
Many hours passed, as the two racked up quite a tab. Before long Bharak found himself sitting at a table, with his new friend, along with a trio of humans who worked with the old dwarf. They were all ne'er do wells, that was clear, but given Bharak's size, his hammer, and an introduction from his friend, he felt somewhat safe. Finally, when the two were well into it, Thorgrim excused himself, and asked Bharak to stay where he was. When he returned, he brought with him a sack. Sitting down, he opened it up, and reverently brought out a helmet.
"I want you to have this." Thorgrim said. "I wore this, back in Janderhoff. It was a mark of honor." Looking at the helmet lovingly, he added "Stole it when I was banished. Took it out of spite. Haven't worn it, not even once. Never quite felt right. And I couldn't give it back, nor could I sell it. So, for the last five decades I've just been keeping it safe. But you're a pathfinder. So, you should wear it. Cover up that tattoo with something more honorable." Gingerly Bharak reached out and picked up the helmet, feeling its weight. He recognized it immediately. It was a Commander's Helm. Runically inscribed armor used by dwarven warriors that helped them work together as a team. "I can't accept this. It is far too valuable" Bharak said. Thorgrim shook his head and insisted. What went by was a back and forth between the two, until at the end Bharak insisted that he pay for it. Only upon swearing that he would only feel comfortable wearing it if he provided a fair price for it, and that anything else would be a betrayal of their friendship, did Thorgrim accept. With the two being well past the point of tipsiness and veering into being drunk, it did not take long for gold to change hands. When all was said and done, Bharak was down ten thousand gold! Building a fine home from scratch would cost six thousand, meaning that he had handed over enough to not only buy a house, but to furnish it and have enough left over to ensure that an easy life could be lived. It was, Bharak felt, only fair. In that he could contribute to an old dwarf's retirement, and in return would receive a magical artifact that held more than just a little emotional value. In a way, it felt like a link to his past, and a reminder of the standards that he was supposed to strive for.
Following their helpful local guide Gav Nahli, Elathras stops along with Elana, at the market. As they parouse several shops, Elathras shows Elena a pair of gloves he liked, but they were a little rich for his blood. Finally he finds a poofy white unfettered shirt holding it against his chest, he asks, "So will this make me look like a Pirate?" Smiling at this own joke he decides to purchase the shirt so he can wear it when they head into the underground labyrinth in the morning.
|
|
"So will this make me look like a Pirate?" Smiling at this own joke he decides to purchase the shirt so he can wear it when they head into the underground labyrinth in the morning.
Elena looks at what was propbably the single most puffy outfit she'd ever seen and tries her best to hold it in, only to fail hopeless and she ends in a fit of giggles. "So *that* is your real goal in life - a career scoundrel always sailing into the sunset? I suppose I should have known! You do seem like the type who's into that sort of thing. Don't worry though, I won't tell your order. " She grins and takes a slightly more serious look at the outfit. "Hm... well, I suppose you could pull off the look. Just add a fake wooden leg, an eyepatch and a rogueish grin. Maybe I should make a drawing of it and add it to my chronicle." A pause follows the offer-in-jest as she seems to remember something. "Oh... um, I mean, maybe I shouldn't with how you didn't seem to like the last one..." She seems unsure what to say next as she finishes her purchases almost absently, not making eye contact and settling on a shield and a more powerful cloak of her own.
.
Chuckling at Elena's teasing as he paid for the fancy shirt. Stopping long enough to tuck it into his ruck sack, he answers, "I don't know about a wooden leg or an eyepatch, but I'd have to get better with a cutlass. No room for a pike on a ship." As he thought about the only time he'd been on a ship, he'd enjoyed it. The motion hadn't made him seasick like it had a lot of the other people.
Realizing Elena's tone had taken a serious turn, he smiles. He'd not meant to hurt her feelings about the other picture. How do you describe to someone what you think of yourself. For years, hearing the person you respect most other than your parents putting you down because you had the 'worst parts of both parents.' Hearing constantly that you'd have to prove yourself by your actions instead of getting by on her bootheels. He still struggled with how much of what she said had been directed at herself instead of him. His aunt was starkly and intentionally plain, and he'd taken that on himself, to the point he didn't even like mirrors.
Looking at his beautiful talented friend he wonders if someone as confident as herself could even begin to understand. Breathing a deep sigh, he attempts, "Elena, you are the most talented artist I know, your drawings of the antiquities we find have more feeling than the original pieces themselves. If you want to draw pictures of me for your chronicles, in armor in a shirt, whatever, I will happily let you do that. If I disliked the image of me you've drawn, it was only because it was accurate."
He tries to smile, having no way of explaining his own insecurities. "I'll make you a deal. If you want me to cherish a drawing of myself you'd give me, make it small enough that I can carry in a locket on a chain. I will never look at it, but I will keep it close to my heart, so I can think of you when I feel it against my chest." He smiles, "But if I carry an image in a locket, I'd rather it be one of you than me. You've been a true friend, and when we go our separate ways, I will always cherish our time together with the pathfinders."
As they follow Gav to their Inn, his thoughts returned to the idea of being a pirate. "I don't think I could be a pirate, raiding, looting and pillaging." Pausing again, "But I've heard a rumor that Andoran has a secret navy that fights pirates, especially slavers. I wonder what that would be like."
THE THERASSlC SPIRE
Often called simply the Great Library, the Therassic Spire is believed by many to be the oldest repository of written knowledge in Varisia. A circular tower eight stories tall, the structure is rumored to extend an equal number of stories belowground.
The librarians who run it are a reclusive sect that live within its walls , and part of the library's fame comes from the fact that all knowledge is welcome, no matter how trivial, dangerous, or profane though
finding it in the twisting, bizarrely organized stacks is another matter entirely.
When Vargun and the party approach, the huge ironbound doors of the library are shut tight, a small, meticulously lettered sign announcing that the library is closed until further notice.
Vargun ignores it and pounds on the door with a meaty fist, keeping it up for a full minute. At last, a panel in the doors slides open, and a pair of beady eyes stare out through ornate metal grillwork.
"If you can't read the sign," a prim voice says, "then there's nothing in here for you anyway."
Vargun steps aside and lets you take the lead in the conversation.
What are you saying to the Librarian?
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Hello! And greetings! We can absolutely read the sign, but it is other more ominous and metaphorical signs that we have read that leads us to disregard your fine and beautifully succinct placard to discuss matters of the highest importance with you!
"We understand that certain parties have come together to acquire a certain S-H-A-R-D," Axton spells out the word, "and we have information that is vital to its recovery. Your current plan to recover the object in question is unfortunately flawed and is likely to lead to dire and problematic consequences. We absolutely want to avoid that, and we can best do so by exchanging our knowledge gained from our own, shall we say, runic experiences, but also from this city's most respected Augers organization!
"Bharak, please put your boot in the doorway! And you sir should invite us in to discuss these matters post haste!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Staying back out of the way, Elathras doesn't want the library to think they were armed insurgents trying to break their way into the library. He listened as Axton politely asks the librarian to let them in and discuss acquisition of the shard. As his friend talked, Elathras smiles to himself, wondering if he could stick the butt of his polearm through the ornate metal grillwork before the 'librarian' closes the sliding panel.
Leaving his fantastical thoughts behind, he asks, "Should we show them the shards we've already acquired?"
|
|
Looking at his beautiful talented friend he wonders if someone as confident as herself could even begin to understand. Breathing a deep sigh, he attempts, "Elena, you are the most talented artist I know, your drawings of the antiquities we find have more feeling than the original pieces themselves. If you want to draw pictures of me for your chronicles, in armor in a shirt, whatever, I will happily let you do that. If I disliked the image of me you've drawn, it was only because it was accurate."
He tries to smile, having no way of explaining his own insecurities. "I'll make you a deal. If you want me to cherish a drawing of myself you'd give me, make it small enough that I can carry in a locket on a chain. I will never look at it, but I will keep it close to my heart, so I can think of you when I feel it against my chest." He smiles, "But if I carry an image in a locket, I'd rather it be one of you than me. You've been a true friend. I will always cherish our time together with the pathfinders. I will always cherish our time together with the pathfinders."
Elena's insecurity fades as she listens, at first curious, then touched, then... she wasn't sure. The offer was flattering, heart-warming even. But the underlying reason was implied to be incredibly sad."Elathras, I'm... happy that you think so highly of me. Really. That was touching. It is probably one of the most earnestly kind compliments I've ever received." She smiles warmly. "But... it's because I am a friend that I can't do as you ask. So my answer is 'no'. Not until you at least explain to me what is going on. Why are you so upset of how you look? That... something bothers me much more than whether you liked my drawing. So please," she says, hesitantly reaching out to gently touch his gauntlet. "Tell me what's troubling you."
"We know there are other groups searching for the shards, that we have to start searching *here*, and now, conveniently, the spire is suddenly closed for undisclosed reasons?" Elena mutters back to Elathras and for Bharak and Vhane to hear. She stood back a respectable distance as Axton's mustache brought the full force of its human's logic upon the poor doorkeeper. "Be very careful. Just stating the obvious, but that might not be a real librarian. Expect an ambush. Don't mention we have the shards unless we have to, I'd say."
The moment Axton mentions the word Shard the eyes behind the grating go wide, and then the door cracks open. A hunched human woman in red robes ushers you inside quickly, closing and barring the doors behind you.
The librarian's name is Koifa and she immediately demands to see proof that you do indeed have knowledge regarding the Shards.
What are you doing?
Bharak shrugged as he lifted up his wayfinder. He opened it, showing the shard inside, before clasping it shut again. "How about ye just let us in?" He said.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Once they'd started moving again he tries to explain. "When I was young, my aunt would make fun of the way I looked." Blowing on the hot coffee, he continues, "It took me years to realize she and I had a lot of the same features. I think when she saw me, she saw herself. she must have hated herself." He sips the coffee, keeping focused on the drink, "It certainly made me hate the way I looked. She pushed me, focusing on accomplishments not appearances." He shrugs "It probably helped make me the HellKnight I am today."
Taking another sip of the coffee he continues. "I want to be known for what I accomplish, not how I look." He pauses, remembering the previous conversation. "Honestly a little of it was how it started. You said you wanted a 'memento,' which I was fine with. But then you told me you did the drawing for me and wanted me to have it." He furrows his brow a little. "Sometimes I'm too literal. I didn't know if you'd changed your mind, or if... I don't know. I see things as black and white, it was a drawing you did for yourself. The whole conversation brought up feelings of control. I intentionally travel light, Only the gear I feel I need, few luxuries, and fewer mementoes."
He shrugs, "I can't believe were still talking about it. This is the most I've talked about my feelings, well since." He pauses for a moment "Well, ever." He smiles a halfhearted smile, "We HellKnights aren't known for being chatty about our feelings, especially the old ones we keep bottled up." As he finishes the cup of coffee, he shakes the few drop out into the street and returns his mug to it's place in his pack.
Having moved into the Library, Elathras quickly glances about the room taking in exits and places folks could be hiding. When his friend opens the wayfinder and shows it to the woman, Elathras shifts his grasp on the Guisarme watching to see her reaction.
|
|
"You want some coffee?"
"I'd love to! ...As long as the blend isn't Osirian red. Anything but that. I'm still not convinced it isn't leftover cement recolored and masquerading as coffee. My brother used to say the same thing. One of the few things we still agreed upon in the end..." She takes a careful sip followed by a contented hum. "I can get used to this one, however."
When the subject of his aunt is breached, Elena wonders what to say. There seemed to be some ambivalence. "I see... thank you for telling me. I do feel I understand a bit better. As I'm not a hellknight, obviously," She briefly smiles, "I might not be qualified to judge. However, your aunt sounds... mean to me. Perhaps that is a childish description and I'm sure she is impressive in her own way. But I don't see the value in belitteling others, most of all family. Especially if you're right and she is projecting something she dislikes about herself onto you. To say nothing about how if you keep focussing on your negatives, you will never know how to use your strengths."
"You said you wanted a 'memento,' which I was fine with. But then you told me you did the drawing for me and wanted me to have it. Sometimes I'm too literal. I didn't know if you'd changed your mind, or if... I don't know. I see things as black and white, it was a drawing you did for yourself. The whole conversation brought up feelings of control. I intentionally travel light, Only the gear I feel I need, few luxuries, and fewer mementoes."
"Honestly, I don't remember exactly what I said back then," She admits, looking away and peering over the business of the port. "Did I change my mind? I can't discount it. Sometimes it happens. There's this... impulsiveness at the back of my mind. At best, it pushes me out of my shell when I need it. At worst, I end up saying or doing something inappropriate at the worst of times merely in the name of 'fun'. I asked the other priests about it once. Apparently there is Fae blood somewhere in my ancestry. There are nights upon which that knowledge keeps me awake. So far, I've kept it mostly under control. But what If I can't at a critical moment, like in a fight? What if others look to me for guidance and rather than do what is right, I do what is fun without a second thought?"
There is a moment where the silence hangs, then she shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm going off-track. I do remember feeling indebted to you for showing me some of the spear forms and stances and that a drawing was one of the few things I really had to offer in return. And in the process of capturing your likeness, I went through multiple sketches, two of which ended up good. So I had at least one spare and it felt... wrong not to offer it to you as well. It was meant as a simple gift, given from kindness. If that action offended you in some way, I'm sorry." She does seem earnest, at that.
"This is the most I've talked about my feelings, well since." He pauses for a moment "Well, ever." He smiles a halfhearted smile, "We HellKnights aren't known for being chatty about our feelings, especially the old ones we keep bottled up."
The priestess chuckles at the attempt at humor. "Say... Elathas? Perhaps it is wrong of me to ask, but does it make you happy , being a hellknight? I understand that you were seemingly born into it. But this... stoic way of living, the 'hide your wounds from your healer' mentality, the abuse from your aunt... I don't think I remember you saying anything truly positive about what it's like. It feels like you just accept it for what it is and that life can't be any different. But it is different with us, isn't it? So is going back to that life really what you want, when we are done here?"
"Well, so much for hiding we have at least one shard," Elena thinks as Bharak shows his one to the overly eager doorkeeper. Here was to hoping she was wrong about her gut-feeling...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Koifa sighs irritably and explains the library's situation.
Unbeknownst to most people, the librarians of the Therassic Spire are not the first scholars to take up residence in Kaer Maga, nor are they the best.
Far below them, in a subterranean realm called Xavorax, dwells a race of extraplanar researchers and historians known as the caulborn. Much like the giant monument- city itself, the caulborn predate the empire of Thassilon, and even served the runelords for generations before finally being driven below the surface by the calamities of Earthfall.
In recent years, the librarians of the Therassic Spire have occasionally made telepathic contact with the caulborn in order to answer specific esoteric questions, though always at a price.
(Koifa attempts to brush past the matter, but if pressed, she reveals that the caulborn consume thoughts and memories, and that their payments always take this form.)
Weeks ago, however, the caulborn contacted the librarians directly, offering to help the surface-dwellers recover an artifact of great power-a shard of Xin's great Sihedron-from another legendary realm below the city called the Dark Forest.
In doing so, the caulborn revealed to the librarians something none of the scholars knew: that their own tower contained a secret door, hidden for thousands of years, which leads down into a hitherto undiscovered portion of the Undercity that contained one of Karzoug's many workshops .
The caulborn informed the librarians that if they could send a band of adventurers or mercenaries to meet emissaries from Xavorax in"the
chamber of the black menhir, beyond the River of Memory," the caulborn would aid that band, using the black menhir to transport the adventurers to the heart of the Dark Forest, where the blind creatures' research has indicated the Shattered Star fragment rests.
Ever enigmatic in their ways, the caulborn had little more to say on the topic, but what they had said was enough. Greedy for the chance to study the item and chronicle its recovery, the scholars agreed, and under the
pretense of resurrecting the great Council of Truth, the librarians recruited an adventuring party to travel into the hidden dungeon below to meet the caulborn emissaries.
The entire endeavor-to send the recovery team down through the lost workshop to the meeting point with the caulborn, then into the Dark Forest for a quick snatch and grab-was supposed to take only a few days at most.
Yet something has gone wrong, and the team hasn't returned, nor has it apparently reached the rendezvous with the caulborn. Fearful of what they may have awoken in the city's depths, the librarians set up a constant guard around the secret door, and dare not let anyone into the
library for fear that visitors might notice something amiss and contact the Duskwardens. (The whole operation is highly taboo, as unauthorized expeditions into the city's depths put the whole populace at risk of increased monster activity, and the library wants to avoid responsibility for any death or damage their hubris may cause.)
.
At this point, Koifa really just wants the whole problem to go away. She fears a possible scandal, and is desperate for someone competent to fix whatever's gone wrong.
You give her hope-if you can delve into the chambers beyond the secret door, find out what happened to the team the librarians sent down there, ensure that the caulborn emissaries haven't been harmed or otherwise betrayed, and then continue the mission to retrieve the fragment from the Dark Forest, she agrees to let you keep whatever treasures they find in the chambers below, including the so-called Runelord's Shard.
in return for your aid and silence on the matter she's willing and able to offer you a reward of 4,000 gp if you can handle the problem with stealth and speed.
Koifa gives you a list of the adventurers that comprised the first, and now missing, expedition: a female human monk named Hasari, a male halfling rogue named Perotus, a male gnome bloatmage named Luonim the Vast, and a female dark naga named Silasni.
Koifa would like to learn what happened to all four of these mercenaries, and would like to have their bodies returned to her care so she can at least see that they're returned to their people for burial.
Koifa knows the ways of adventuring and does not press the matter if some of these bodies return missing pieces of their equipment. :)
For each body returned to Koifa (provided the body is recognizable as the missing adventurer in question), the librarian promises to pay 1000gp. For each living mercenary returned safe and sound, this reward doubles to 2000gp per rescue.
Big dump of information. What are you doing now?
Axton's mustache bristles in excitement at the thought of visiting a Runelord's workshop, but even then he shows a healthy pessimism about these caulborn.
"Why would the caulborn offer to help you retrieve this Shard? Did they ask a price?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As Elena tries to wrap her brain around being born into a family whose matriarch was a Paralictor of a hellknight order, then being page and squire to said hellknight, Elathras chuckles. His friend was right, his aunt was impressive in many ways, and had taught Elathras how to be strong in all the ways that mattered to his hellknight order. He resisted the urge to respond that the only time he focused on his dislike for his looks was when she was talking about them. He had to admit sharing his feelings about it somehow made him feel better, but it wasn't something he focused on.
As she talked about not being sure what she had said, he nodded, that didn't surprise him. So many folks don't understand the importance of the words they speak. He'd not know she had Fae blood, but the thought made him smile. Nor had he seen her say or do anything he thought was 'inappropriate.' But maybe she had a different perspective than him, he just assumed all Shelynite were that way. As for the 'spear forms, that's what people in the same unit do, they help each other get better.
Pleased that she responded with a chuckle, Elathras was surprised she asked him about being 'happy.' He'd not really thought about his life that way, happiness was moments you share with those you care about. Being a Hellknight was about duty and honor believing in something and committing one's life to it. His order was about killing monsters that threaten people. Yes it was focused on Cheliax, but even here, he saw what he did as an extension of that. He was killing monsters that clearly threatened the pathfinders he traveled with, people who'd become his friends. He shrugs, "The Hellknight orders have constraints you learn to live with. I was pleased when they permitted me to be a liaison with the pathfinders. I find the people here more," He shrugs considering the right word, "relaxed? Maybe? If I'd been sent here as a squire maybe my life would take a different path, but as an armiger and now a full knight? It is not unheard of for a Knight to retire after twenty or twenty-five years. Not common, but not unheard of." He gives a melancholy smile, "I'm sure my aunt would not be surprised if I asked to retire after twenty years. But I am no longer under her command so she would have no say." He gestures toward the city around them. "Traveling with the pathfinders has clearly expanded my 'world view' and given me much to consider."
As Koifa explains the situation, Elathras carefully listens, trying to retain as much information as he could. The idea of a civilization that predated the Thassilon empire but served it for generations was almost more than he could fathom. His ears perked up when she mentions the shard, the caulborn, and another legendary realm. shaking his head as she explains how they put together a rag-tag group of adventurers, Elathras knew that sort of thing never went well. Hire a bunch of murder-hobo's to do a snatch and grab. No wonder they failed, and the library was now doing damage control. As the librarian offers to pay them to fix 'the mess' Elathras considers the options.
Still having a desire to find the shard he asks, "Our interest is in finding the shard, once we secure your people and return them, will you allow us to go back for the shard?" The second half of his question, left unsaid, but obvious to the pathfinders, having to do with recovering the shard before they return.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Koifa shrugs, "The Caulborn were as always alien in their ways. They simply stated they would aid the adventurers we sent to retrieve this 'Shard'. They said nothing more on the topic and we were blinded by the chance to study such an artifact we didn't ask more."
To Elathras' question she simply nods. We would of course like some time to study it, and any others you have if you would permit. But they are your property. You would naturally be compensated for your time spent waiting while we study the shards."
Looks like they are very eager to get this matter sorted before something bad comes up from below and gets them into trouble. :)
|
|
"Traveling with the pathfinders has clearly expanded my 'world view' and given me much to consider."
"All right. So long as you know there's always another path. I'm sure the Pathfinder would be happy to take you on fully should you wish it. Or at the very least, they will should we succeed at this." The priestess nods thoughtfully and finishes her drink. "Well, thanks for the beverage. Lunch is on me next time. I suppose that with how much gold we seem to be making, the difference between that and a single coffee is neglible." She chuckles and prepares to leave. "I'm off to visit the local temple dstrict, or whatever passes for that in this city. I still need to do my devotion for the day. It'll probably come down to making another drawing for a stranger, though if I'm lucky, perhaps there is a performance by a local Bard college or fellow Shelynites I can join. It feels like t's been ages since I was actually able to dance. Hmm speaking of... I wonder if there exists dances among troll culture?"
"That seems like a very generous offer. Given that this pessage was only just revealed, I assume you cannot teach of anything of what dangers we can expect to find?" She waits for confirmation. "In that case, can you tell us anything about these other adventurers? If something has taken hold of them and we need to fight them? What were their weapons, for one?"
Taking the librarians 'nod' as an agreement to let enter and exit the subterranean levels as needed until the shard was recovered, Elathras nods in agreement with Elena, "That does sound like a generous offer." he Gestures towards the others, "Though the decision is up to those who possess a shard, which I do not."
As the conversation continues, Elathras considers the ear he has on hand. His hellknight training had taught him to be ready at all times and not to rely on others for survival. Smiling to himself, he realized he felt more comfortable 'relying' on his fellow pathfinders than he ever had any of the hellknights.
Realizing the conversation was coming to a close, Elathras hefts his Guisarme asking, "So where is this entrance to the subterranean levels?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Koifa blinks in confusion at Elena. " They were adventurers. They had weapons I guess?" She's a Librarian. The fine points of weapons are not something she can help you with. :)
She leads you to the entrance to the lower levels.
B1 BARRICADE
The maze of cluttered bookshelves has been cleared away from the wall in this deep storeroom far under the Spire's ground floor. In its place, several wooden reading tables have been overturned and stacked to create a curved barricade surrounding a portion of the stone wall. A lighter patch shows where a tapestry once hung-now crumpled and forgotten on a nearby shelf-and a stone door, so perfectly made that it would be almost invisible when shut, hangs slightly ajar.
Excited to see what could be in a ancient "workshop" possibly tied to the Thassolonians, Axton is impatient to enter.
,
Looking from the slightly ajar stone door to the Dwarven shooter, Elathras gestures towards Bharak, "Lt. Vane, previously when we were breaching doors, Bharak here would go in first, followed my myself and Elena with reach weapons." He gestures towards Axton, "Our spell caster would follow, with Umazura serving as rear guard."
He was going to add that everyone could hear her songs and poems from there, but the thought of talking about her more choked him up a little, so instead he asked. "Knowing a little about the range of a repeating crossbow, do you mind providing rear guard, or do you need to be closer to the front?"
Shrugging, "Works for me." With his crossbow in hand, and pointing it toward the ceiling, the dwarf chews on his cigar as he looks to be mentally preparing for what comes next.
A full dozen librarians-old and strangely stunted humanoids of various races, all in red robes-sit on cushions and chairs around the barricade, keeping watch against anything that might come through the door.
Several have wands or staves close at hand. No one makes any protests
when Koifa explains the situation, nor does anyone try to stop you from clambering over the barricade and passing through the door.
Vargun leaves you here, wishing you luck and telling you to send word to the Augur Temple if you survive. :)
B2. PASSAGE
This long stone hallway is only 5 feet wide, and curves frequently as it leads steadily downward, at times turning into a staircase. The passage extends for hundreds of feet before finally reaching a stone door similar to the one in the spire, hanging open and leading into area B3.
The secret door is very well hidden here. Koifa shows it to you. She goes no further.
B3. RESEARCH ASSISTANT
This chamber is bare save for a single ornate, high-backed wooden chair against the wall. In the room's center, a head sized blob of condensed purple fluid slowly pulses andwarps, like a drop of heavy oil suspended underwater.
When you first enter the chamber the Blob pulses and speaks in a pleasant female voice.
"Please state your query."
What are you doing?
"She wants to know our query!" Axton explains to the others in excitement.
"Shall we ask for directions to the chamber of the black menhir? Or perhaps the fate and whereabouts of the previous group to come through?"
As Vargun wished them luck, Elathras nods, he'd never realized trolls could be so civilized, "Thank you Vargun, we shall at least send word of our return." As they proceed down the long passage, he considers how many creatures he'd considered monsters, which in a different time or place could be as civilized as Vargun or himself.
Disturbed by his own thoughts, Elathras is relieved when they enter the bare chamber. Looking from the purple 'blob' to Axton, he wonders if the blob is a creature or just a speaking device and the speaker was elsewhere. Realizing it made no difference, as Axton posed the blobs question, Elathras shrugged, "I think the location of the other group, first. Once we bring them back we can as about the chamber."
"Unless we have a limited number of questions we can ask," Axton theorizes to Elathras. Even so, he turns and asks the lady blob.
|
|
Elena ponders what to ask before adding: "How to find the sihedron shard should probably be first. After that, if it still works... maybe how many queries we have, what it is instructed to tell us, a trick question to see if it's instructed to lie, and what dangers we will find on the way to the shard." She suggests.
The Blob pulses as Axton speaks and responds, "They failed to ask a correct question and triggered my defensive response. They are deeper in the complex and are now insane."
You can see marks of a scuffle and some blood stains on the floor, with marks indicating the previous group fought among themselves and headed further inwards.
Your best guess in this is a simple research assistant that is also a trap. Failing to use the correct protocol triggers its trap response. That being it turns into one of the magical symbols. The previous party seem to have triggered the Symbol of insanity. :)
You can thank Axton for both speaking in Thassilonian and making his will save. :)
What now?
|
|
Taking note of its workings, Elena recoils. "This is a trap! Even though it answered, it tried to attack Axton's mind with a powerful spell. It probably does so if we ask the wrong question. See the blood marks on the ground? That was the other group fighting themselves. If this thing is talking about true Insanity, as the spell, that is beyong my capacity to cure. If it gets to you, that is very, very bad. We should get out of here right now - it's not worth the risk," She says, and begins heading past the thing further into the complex.
Feeling 'in over his head' Elathras realizes he need to trust those 'magically attuned' to such things. But as Elana explains what the floating blob intended he realizes she was intent on passing the thing, heading towards the door. Speaking up, he asks, "Elena, should we wait and make sure Axton has gotten the information we need, so as not to trigger whatever the blobs trap is?"
Axton recoils in alarm at Elena's exclamation, but his excitement at working with the ancient artifact won't let him walk away just yet.
"Wait, wait! Just one more question! Let me see if I can get it to define the proper way to ask a question! If we understand that, perhaps we can safely get all of the information we want!
"I can be the only person in the room so that we're not all affected if this doesn't work. And perhaps someone has a little magic that can help bolster my willpower?"
"Afraid that I didn't bring anything strong for ye to drink." Bharak replied as he back out of the room. "But if anyone is smart enough to figure this out it's ye. I'm rooting for ya!"
|
|
"...Okay. I guess I can try helping Axton. Bharak and Elathras, please leave the room. You too, Vhane. If something goes wrong, you'll probably have to knock us out and take us to a healer, no matter what we say, and do it quickly. It's very difficult to remove Insanity. You'll probably need the highest ranking priest or cleric to cast Heal," Elena reluctantly agrees.
"Axton, I have no idea if this warding will work. But phrase your questions as quick as you can, in Thassilonean, and they might. At least, I hope they will." She continues to Axton before tapping him and herself with the protection from Evil wand and beginning to bend luck around him...