Djack was staring off at one or two of the tribal girls, wondering if he would ever settle down. It was a strange thought.
Without turning to his companions, he answers with an almost far away voice. Maybe we've done what we can or were meant to. We can't do everything.
We have warned these folks, they will spread word and warn others. Pious, Elias and the Knight... others still.
Maybe we go back to Albarra? That's where you were coming from, neh? We find the ones that went in that direction and warn those folks, there.
"Spizz volunteer to travel on to the Keep. Meet up with Pious and work together with him. Will send word to let you know progress."
"If you wish to return home, we can make sure the little golden one reaches the land of the Knights in the north. They will surely be patrolling the road between now," says your contact among the Guapichi.
The party says their goodbyes to the might sorcerer Spizz, who, with an escort of 4 Guapichi tribesman, heads north to work with Pious on the Entropoid issue. Rocko is particularly sad; about a month ago, he and several adventurers had teamed up for the first time to investigate stolen cows from a ranch near Albarra. Seems more like a year, he ponders.
Novum 10 - The easiest way back to Albarra is a rough reversal of your trip here. You backtrack about half a day and catch the main trail back toward the mountains. By afternoon, the temperature has gotten above freezing, which is quite welcome. The rest of that day you travel along the forest path.
Novum 11 - The next day starts off a little warmer, with a moderate wind. Even in the lower steps of the mountain path, the day feels unseasonable warm as you begin to climb into Wings-of-Thunder's realm. There is no sign of the eagles, save this: several of the Entropoids are found dashed upon the rocks as if dropped from great height. You traded the wagon to the Guapichi (no longer needed considering you did not find the great treasure Quince had hoped to attain), so the mountain is somewhat easier until the angle of ascent starts to get steeper. Here, the snow comes into play, and makes going slower.
Novum 12 - You continue to climb until late in the afternoon, at which point the mountain trail begins its descent. Yoltzin and the pack horse almost slip off a ledge at one point, but manage to be saved from an almost certainly fatal drop. By the end of day 3 of your return, you're back on lower ground. There's little snow on this side of the mountains. You set camp on the outskirts of the witches' bog.
Novum 13 - Though the wind is quite high this day, the temperature continues to be above freezing, and the snow continues to melt. Soon, you are in the grasslands where exist Gnoll and human villages.
Novum 14 - Temperatures are slightly lower this day, and the sky is overcast. A cold rain falls much of the day across the grasslands, and your boots are soggy by day's end. You manage to reach the Gnoll village, and they allow you a cottage in which to stay and food to eat for 1 gp.
Novum 15 - As you near home, you come across a group of migrating humans heading north. Evidently there was flooding in the valley in which they'd been staying, and they're grateful for the company as they travel toward inhabited land.
Novum 16 - By day's end, you've reached Albarra. Though the temperature has remained comparably warm to what you faced in the Guapichi village, the rain here has been consistent for two days. You are quite happy to reach a warm, dry bed at The Friendly Mesa (though of course, Rocko is free to sleep in his cottage).
This is only Djack's second time in Albarra, and he takes it all in once more.
Looks like we made it. I'm going to need to speak with the store keeper... change my order.
Are we splitting up, staying together, meeting up someplace at some time?
Djack makes sure Djill is well taken care of - water, food and grooming.
"I once more am without an idea for lodgings. While we have no need to continue our journeys together, I have found you two to be interesting companions for now. If you take no insult to my presence, I'll accompany you to wherever you might stay for our time here." The elf proposes in innocent fashion.
What... what? No, no... I didn't mean we part ways, I only meant if you two have personal matters to attend to.
Your company, Yoltzin... would be greatly appreciated. You have a wonderful, refreshing perspective.
Downtime
For most of the rest of Novum, the weather is cool but pleasant, with little rain and moderate wind. The remaining three party members spend their days relaxing, caring for their equipment, and considering the events of the previous weeks and their futures. At the very end of Novum, however, there is a cold snap where temperatures drop well below freezing, and a small snowcover blankets the streets of Albarra for a few days.
At the beginning of Decum, Djack meets an middle-aged woman of mixed ancestry at the bar of the Friendly Mesa by the name of Fernanda Espindola. Striking up friendly conversation, Djack finds out she's only recently moved to town, a wizard of some experience. Djack mentions the group's adventuring, but she laughs that idea off as being "too old and comfortable." Over the next few days, Djack mentions his interest in magic, and the woman agrees to tutor him in the basics of arcane magic.
Meanwhile, Rocko and Yoltzin help Jules the shopkeep investigate a strange stone door she found in the basement of her General Store that she'd never before noticed. The door leads into some old tunnels, and the duo defeat some minor undead waiting there. In the end it turns out the tunnels are made by a Espan Necromancer named Gavalde, who died sometime during the great migration. Yoltzin frees the souls of his former undead servants.
Weather in Decum is a mixed bag; The month starts off cold and snowy, gets warmer, then colder once again with high wind and drifting snow. Little travel happens from outside the area, but on one snowy night in The Friendly Mesa, the three partners are greeted by a messenger who carries word from Keep Mesa Norte. Themessage is from Spizz: he says that he and Pious have been leading the knights of the keep on expeditions to hunt and destroy the unnatural mutants created by the Wellspring. So far they've killed over a dozen. Spizz says he misses you all, but is having a great time with Pious and is learning a lot.
Rocko spends much of his free time in the Friendly Mesa, and becomes quite well known for his lively stories of events they've taken part in over the previous months. He picks up a local friend named José Olmos, who is on Albarra's town council. The bond between José and Rocko continues to grow, and Rocko feels he can rely on the man in times of need.
Toward the end of Decum, the weather levels out, neither so unseasonably warm nor unusually cold at night. It remains dry for the rest of the month. Yoltzin assists the migrants they met earlier in traveling on to Santa Merceda, where she trades in some of their larger gems that had no takers in Albarra. She also foils a small gang of slave smugglers here using her summoned spirits and talent with a bow.
By the beginning of Janum of the Ricoan year 1054, Djack is beginning to grasp some of the very basics of arcane magic. During a particularly long cold snap, he spends most of his time in Mestra Espindola's lab, sleeping in his cot in an adjoining closet and occasionally venturing forth to purchase provisions while the wizard conducts her research.
A long cold snap with heavy snow in mid Janum is followed by warming trend, with temperatures getting into the mid 60s (18+ c). Despite this, the old roof on the mill along the river collapses from the weight of the snow not yet melted, and the town comes together to assist in its repair.
Rewards:
Rocko has a Follower, town councilman José Olmos. Due to this and his growing popularity, he gains +1 on social interactions with anyone from Albarra or the nearby ranches. He also earns 115 xp for his minor adventures (I'm tracking this), and 99 gp for hunting and escorting people in the lands near Albarra.
Yoltzin gains 231 xp for her minor adventures, and an additional 130 gp, mostly for healing and for defeating the slavers in Santa Merceda.
Djack gains a mentor in his magical studies (Mestra Fernanda Espindola the non-adventuring wizard) and grasps some of the basics of magic. He gains a +1 insight bonus on Use Magic Device and gains the Rogue talent Minor Magic.
Djack gets to know some of the youths around town and casually has them run errands for pay. I'm this instance, they get the old wizard woman what she might need delivered.
Nothing dangerous, just groceries/food ingredients or supplies from a store, fresh water, etc...
He pays them a little in advance, promising then a little later to help pay for food for their own families. This is all legit, nothing unlawful and no "gang" activity.
Hearing about the others' exploits, he congratulates and celebrated then... he's a however little sad and wished he could have been there.
News from Spizz is most welcome and warms his heart.
Coming down with a case of cabin-fever, he thanks the wizard and it's most grateful. He takes up residence at the Friendly Mesa.
Februm 24, 1054
It has been a couple weeks since any snow or severe cold has hit the region around Albarra, and team is set to gather at the Friendly Mesa yet again, to discuss any opporunities posted on the community board. Lately, however, most of them have been simple tasks; retrieve a lost dog (found two days later in the woods behind the house, stuck in a bramble); cult worshipping demons (was actually a troupe of traveling bards making a play); help transport provisions purchased at a store (some older village kids handled this one).
So, as Djack finishes up his work, Mestra Espindola pulls him aside.
"I've been reviewing a book I acquired recently. An old journal found by Jules the shopkeep. The journal recounts the activities of a man named Gavalde in his own words."
"The book tells of Gavalde's mental unraveling over the course of the successive two decades as he delved further and further into necromancy and dark magics. Eventually, the diary tells, Gavalde rules 'benevolently over all the lands nearby' having betrayed the local Keep's guardians to rival Espans, who he then betrayed in turn. However, eventually 'the ungrateful wretches under his care saw fit to oust him from his home', burning it to the ground. "
"At this point Gavalde hid in some caverns in the buttes and mesas to the south until eventually he re-established a seat of power in a cave system below a large mesa. There are several more pages of maniacal rambling, but he very clearly speaks of a source of ancient power, a 'pure light' in the form of an ancient lantern that Gavalde sought to 'bend to his will.'"
"I suspect this lantern is somehow the lost Lanterna Venerata of Galloan lore. It is a powerful holy artifact. I wonder, my apprentice, giving your unique abilities and your particular friends, if you might attempt to seek out these caves, and return this Lantern, whatever it may be, to me?"
In Scene: Chinuye Tamakuda, Chaucair, Rocko, Yoltzin
Meanwhile, Chinuye Tamakuda and Chaucair sit separately at tables in the restaurant of the Friendly Mesa, just off the main lodge area. For each, it is a quaint little place with rustic architecture. But the food was pleasant.
At the bar, a very loud Gnoll is recounting some events to a well-dressed man (one José Olmos) while an odd looking and very tall elf occasionally corroborates.
Djack listens, nearly mesmerized. Snapping out of it, with the request.
Of course, Mestra Espindola. I'm happy to help. The others, they might need some incentive.
Taking a breath, his tone is curious. Where did you find such a journal?
"...It was not ten men high and covered in 'magnificent luminous plumage'. The bird creature was at most the height of five men, and it was only the snow that made its color seem so stark in comparison." The elf spoke out in objection to a 'historical recounting' of their fight near the start of the cold season. Though her dark lips were pulled into a frown accross a face of light olive-green skin, there was some hidden mirth held within her almond shaped amethyst eyes.
Taking a breath, his tone is curious. Where did you find such a journal?
"Jules the shopkeeper found it, in a hidden room below her shop. I believe your friends were instrumental in helping her explore it, relatively recently."
Chaucair makes jokes to the waitress.
The golden-brown skinned waitress giggles. "Well, aren't you the comedian today! Thanks, I needed a good laugh." she says, and takes his mug to refill it.
A few of the men from the table behind Chaucair also seemed to get a good laugh out of the joke.
Oh... you'd said Jules. Story was so interesting, I forgot.
I wasn't with them, then. I'll ask them. Politely, he takes his leave and goes to find his Yoltzin and Rocko.
As Djack enters Friendly Mesa, he notes an arrival of some import, seemingly. He is an armored warrior bearing a crest he is unfamiliar with. The man is allowed entry, and pointed down a the same road. Heading inside, Djack sees his friends Rocko and Yoltzin at the bar.
Amideo Caluzzo di Solva has arrived in Albarra. It is a small settlement, which sprung up as Amideo learned around Keep dela Lanoras sometime in the early 600's (Ricoan Calendar). The Keep is still visible on the river bank in the distance.
Seeing Djack enter the inn, Rocko will vigorously wave him over.
"Djack, our good friend! Come join us! Share with us in good food, strong drink, and more or less true storytelling!"
A soft breath escaped her lips, but she pressed not further. Instead shooting the familiar human a small smile while inclining her head. "Hello, Djack."
Djack was happy to see his friend, truth be told... he's been wanting to get out, bring unused to staying in one place for very long.
Hello there. He approaches and sits down. How is everyone? I saw some mucky-muck fancy pants.
He smiles.
You guys now I've been spending a lot of time with Mestra Espindola and, guess what?
Well, today she mentioned she needed some help finding something, a lantern. She thought we were just the lot to accomplish the task.
I was starting to get bored truth be told, a good walkabout might be just what I need. I'm sure Djill it tired of being in town, too.
Djack shares what he knows.
"A lantern?" She questioned, curious. As Djack continued along to unveil the basics of what he knew, her interest only grew stronger. "How interesting. A few months ago Rocko and I investigated one of these old tunnels created by this man. We might be able to re-explore this passage and uncover secrets we might have missed."
Observing the way Djack and by extention his master referred to the necromatic practices certainly painted a picture of what to expect. Yet she already knew that quicklings tended to have a differential view on death than her own culture, and as seen with the witch of the swamp, even their necromancers had ethics which differed from her people's own. It was all very intriguing to her, leaving Yoltzin wishing more of her peopled shared a similar interest in quickling cultures.
As is often the case of tavern-speak, the conversation is easily overheard by those nearby. Indeed the trio made little effort to hide it, as they were after all famous local "adventurers".
As such, both Chaucair and Chinuye Tamakuda are made aware of the venture. Indeed, Chaucair was distracted from his magical tomfoolery by the idea.
You did? He looks from one to the other. You have? It's thought she meant a while back before I arrived to Albarra.
After hearing the story, Rocko nods and looks over at Yoltzin,
"I reckon you were right about them rocks coverin' more tunnels and not dead ends like I were sayin'. Guess that means I owe you that 'favor' you were wagerin' for."
He takes another swig at his drink and grins.
"Guess I don't know rocks and tunnels as good as I know grass and trees. Ah well, 'Ko ta ko' - 'it is what it is'."
He sets down his mug and scratches at his ale-soaked jaw thoughtfully.
"We might be needin' some more help to move them bigger stones. A keen eye on whether them tunnels are sound or not wouldn't hurt neither. Don't want them rocks comin' down on our heads and leavin' us there to turn into dry bones with them other Dead Ones."
Who's going to be dumb enough to join the likes of us... I mean, have you seen and newcomers in town. He grins and looks around.
What about those folks? Haven't seen them around
Rocko considers the situation. Given his knowledge of dungeons and of local geography, it is unlikely the tunnels underneath Jules' place and the caverns in the mesas are connected. That would be a LONG way to dig a tunnel to get to caverns, not mention the difficulties of digging upwards through a mesa once you were under it.
He grins; maybe he wouldn't be owing Yoltzin that money after all.
Having briefly overheard Djack's mention of a "mucky-muck in fancy pants," Amideo decides that he should do his best to enlighten the man. He was, after all, to be the long arm of the law around here. The people he was to watch over should learn he was anything but, that their best interests were his.
He strides in, the well regimented tap-tap-tap of his riding boots holding a rhythm of military precision. Approaching the table he nods to Djack and then the rest of the group.
Amideo speaks with a noted Espanian accent, though his diction is precise suggesting rigorous attention to his cadence, "Good day. I must say, I was not expecting attention called to the fanciness of my pants today, covered in the dust of the road as they are."
He gives the group a good look, studying them, "Ah, a gnoll and an unmistakable elf. I had heard some tales of your deeds as I traveled here. It seems I have found myself in the company of some of Albarra's finest. I am Amideo Caluzzo di Solva, appointed by the Marques as the circuit judge of these lands. My own calling is that of peace and order, of lands where it's people need not fear beasts or tyrants. Call me old fashioned, a romantic fool dreaming of the caballeros of old Espa, but it seems you all hold similar ideals."
She tilted her head, the golden dangles of her ears clinking softly in her mute confusion over some of this humans more obscure choice of words. Evidently, there was still much about the local human speech she needed to pick up on. What she knew was enough to understand the gist however, which was all that was important as of now.
"Yoltzin Beneath Dark Canopies, in your language." Nodding toward Amideo. "We are at this time, in hope of seeking out an item of interest. If you're offering to assist, than perhaps we can... Parley?" She glanced to Djack, hoping the other human would give her a sign that her word choice was correct.
As Yoltzin speaks, Djack discretely nods giving her a reassuring glance.
He then stands, saluting... Fancy pants can withstand some travel dust, Sir. No disrespect, your... honor.
Pleasure to have made your acquaintance. May I offer you my seat?
Fresh from the road, you must be in need of some refreshment?
Amideo waves his hand, "No, no, keep your seat."
He finds an unoccupied chair and moves it over to the table before heading over to the bar. Reaching into his coin pouch, he places 3 gold pieces on the counter and says to the barkeep, "A round of drinks for everyone here. If this is enough for a second, give them a second."
Returning to the party, he takes a seat, "No need for such formalities. My duty is to serve the people, not the other way around. A parley presumes we are enemies, which I would hope we are not. But a partnership? I am amenable to that."
A short, very slight young human woman with a spritely face and long black hair approaches the table. She's wearing a simple dress the color of pale blueberries and a belt with several pouches and a dagger, and around her wrists are bracelets with dozens of small charms.
"Pardon, but did I overhear you are looking for more explorers to travel with you?"
Somewhat resigned to the situation, You might as well have a seat, the party's just... getting started.
He offers some bread and cheese, inviting her to partake of a platter.
Zia makes a surprised face followed by a playful grin and then grabs some of each.
"I'm Xiamara Nestrala; you can call me Zia. I'm kind of what you might call a witch..." she says, and then backs off the statement noticing Amideo's official appearance. "The good kind, not the killing livestock and cursing babies kind," she adds for emphasis.
The waitress in good time brings the round of drinks Amideo ordered at the bar, and gets a request from Zia for some red wine.
Djack's eyes narrow reflexively at the mention of 'witch' but he relaxed quickly enough.
I'm Djack, these are Yoltzin and Rocko.
This is his honor and eminence, Amideo Caluzzo di Solva... appointed by the Marques as the circuit judge of these lands.
Amideo gives an honest laugh at the title, "Ah, those damned formalities. I took this posting to escape them! Call me Amideo, Sir Amideo if you really must stand on ceremony."
A woman sits at a nearby table nursing a drink of wine. You recognize her as belonging to a people from the Far East. A rare sight even back in the Empire proper. She's slumped forward in her chair a bored expression on her face.
Great place to hide! Pah! If only it weren't so boring. Her eyes shift at the entrance of Amideo. He looks far too formal for this place, even with the grime of travel. And the way he walks... Military? When he announces himself as the circuit judge Chinuye has to catch a look of worry that almost crosses her face. Authority... I doubt he's here for me but still, best to keep a close eye on him. He'll likely be one of the first to be informed of my bounty.
Getting up Chinuye approaches the group. My my, a man of the law. And here I thought your kind didn't exist out here. I had hoped anyway. My name is Chinuye. She gives a slight curtsey. I am sorry... but I also overheard that you lot are going on some sort of adventure. I have many skills, including that of the arcane arts and would be more than happy to lend those talents. I have grown somewhat bored as of late. And it's best to keep your enemies close. Even if they're only the potential kind. She gives a bit of a side eye to Amideo.
A lady from across the world... you certainly are starting to attract the ladies, Amideo.
Djack's eyes narrow reflexively at the mention of such honeyed words but he relaxed quickly enough.
I'm Djack, and I don't mind being rabble so much. These are Yoltzin and Rocko.
This is his honor and eminence, Amideo Caluzzo di Solva... appointed by the Marques as the circuit judge of these lands.
If you're up to it and feel you can contribute, there is a task at hand... as it were. A journal has revealed some history and the possibility of recovering an lost item of local folklore.
He looks her up and down.
I'm not certain your fancy pants are properly dusted. But, it's all up to you. Happy to have a pair of extra hands and improve speed of our success.
The elf nods her head in acknowledgement of the trio of newcomers overall. It seems they've drawn quite the crowd. "It is as he says. If none of you humans mind the thought of digging through old tunnels of a historically known necromancer, than your company would be of good standing."
Tilting her head, "Who's hands would be the right ones?"
Rocko will stare thoughtfully into his mug as he forgets to use his 'to himself' voice, "Not old ladies living in bogs who seem nice until they go all funny colors and sic Raymundo on us."