The orcs stand have nearly a coniption at the thought of going to a Hell Knight Stronghold.
"I volunteer. I am sure we can collect the information needed. So I am assuming you want information on the barbarian tribe movements, who controls the mountain, location of undead nests or at least ruins, and anything else?!"
"I shall go as well", Cyril volunteers. The young noble looks like he could say more but doesn't.
"It is decided then, now if you think you can accomplish the mission without Saffire that would be ideal. We land at midnight and your group will take a life boat to the river's side. Disembark and travel by foot for six hours North by NorthWest and you should see the fort. Leaving roughly another hour of marching. Do not speak of our ship, mission, or parties upon board. Yes Arthur those are the basic information we are looking for. TaLia Moorgrave is a pricey information broker but reliable for our folk. She moved here with the knights among others. She and only she tell her Mary Moon has need of her aid and give her this bag of bones. If nothing else then metting is adjorned. Arthur and Cyril come with me to my quarters."
"Well, definitely one of the most unique mission preparations." Cyril leans down and kisses Saffire. The young noble begins to take off both the first mate's clothes, then his own. Cyril then carries Saffire to the bed as well.
Looking over to Arthur, Cyril gives a small nod of recognition. This is not the first time both men have enjoyed the company of women together.
The hours pass by quickly as your four bodies intermingle in charnel pleasure. The two women are quickly outpaced by the sublime specimens though their moans continue as the boys take charge.
As the ship begins to descend Saffire quickly dresses before leaving the group, double checking that the amulet was on her neck. She quickly takes over the helm to land the ship. Mary had thoughts about the two studs with her but then she just rolled over. Falling asleep.
"Well, I suppose we should let her sleep", Cyril said with an immense sh|t-eating grin on his face as he got dressed.
"Our Captain had a very [u]hard[/u] day."
After the three hour orgy, Saffire leaving, he looks over at Cyril and states, "It sure is nice to have an exhaustive constitution. We likely need to dress to be ready to disembark."
He stares as her as if he has a fire burning in his eyes, but quickly let's loose the thought. "Yes we should let her sleep, the day was just pounded out of her." He works on clothing himself again but after the essentials he asks, "How will we be entering the fort? The fool and the noble, partner nobles in echelon business, adventurers, or something else? I need to dress the part which helps me get into character too. Probably 'adventurers' as we should be prepared and Saronis is coming along with us."
☆☆☆
As we get into the lifeboat prepared for the mission, he has a big grin on his face.
Once they were well out of listening distance from the boat he looks over at Cyril and asks, "You want to tell him or shall I?"
She looks over at the two of you, as your words keep her awake. She grips the sheets and bites down on a fold before purring out, "If you didn't have a mission, I wouldn't let you leave. Be safe and remember to tell TaLia, Mary Moon sends her regards."
Saronis waits at the railing and once one of you exits he climbs down to the lifeboat. Ed is waiting patiently in the boat as well wagging his tail.
He prepares the oars and holds them as you enter the boat. After a shove off he rows for the boat and asks, "You have to tell me, what were you doing in there for three hours?"
"How will we be entering the fort? The fool and the noble, partner nobles in echelon business, adventurers, or something else? I need to dress the part which helps me get into character too. Probably 'adventurers' as we should be prepared and Saronis is coming along with us."
Cyril thinks. "What if we come as two foppish noble going to The Verge on a hunting exposition. We see knowledge of it's dangers. Which is the reason why we're here."
He replies heading for their room to equip gear, "Excellent idea Cyril, best of the last two ideas!"
When Arthur and Cyril get to the lifeboats, Ed starts sniffing them profusely, "Not a word, Ed. Not one word."
He begins to say, "I..." but suddenly stops at the look from Cyril and simply barks. Then goes back to sniffing. Not stopping the sniffing until the boat is on dry ground, he walks around a bit woozy.
☆☆☆
As we get into the lifeboat prepared for the mission, he has a big grin on his face.
Once they were well out of listening distance from the boat he looks over at Cyril and asks, "You want to tell him or shall I?"
Saronis rows with a response or not, soon enough you are on dry land. Saronis pulls out a torch, unwrapping it to reveal it is everburning.
He marches forward and asks, "So what is the plan we have a few hours to talk about it as we briskly walk to the fort. Anything else you want to share? Thank you for allowing me to be a full fledged member of your group, its nice to have power house friends."
He shares of himself, "I was born under a sign by the gods. The gods have a plan for me and I have accepted it, but it always catches up to me. Strange things happen around me and I was always affected one way or another. I am a two handed fighter, specializing in frontal assaults."
Saronis is an imposing figure with a 6 foot tall body, lithe and strong, but a bit bulkier than that of his kin, of 160 pounds. He has a proud air about him whenever he talks about his craft, he would appear to be in his prime. His coppery red hair is kept short for practical matters and his hazel eyes seem to glow at times. He wears what colors would be practical for where he is, green and browns for the forest, but their are hints of blood red scarlet as the tunic and breeches are not fully covered. A simple silver band around his neck is his only adornment, kept out of sight with his cloak.
He is wearing his bandedmail armor which covers most of his clothing. It has a crest of a bird upon the chest and the edges have small sparks that flame out infrequently. On his right shoulder is a glamored dragon skull with flowing red flames highlighting it.
As he walks with one torch in hand his other hand is infrequently snapping producing a spark of fire. He likely realizes that everyone can see in the dark and puts the torch away. He puts some cloth on the dragon skull to douse the light. He stops after a while and pulls off his armor, then puts on a more stealthy outfit of lamellar with covered plate of steel.
He offers up a few items that might be helpful:
Belt of tumbling: The belt’s wearer gains a +4 competence bonus on Acrobatics checks made to move through a threatened square or through an enemy’s space.
Gloves, Assisting
Cape, Catching
Robe of Infinite Twine
Sleeves of Many Garments
Stubborn Nail
Elixir of Love
He goes on, "I was born, under the sign of the maker, with a strange tattoo pattern over my entire body. It had space for each dragonmark house symbol. As a prince of Areneal he was a perfect emissary to the Twelve. Otherwise this discovery could be worse for their relations.
After coming to adulthood I learned of my responsibilities to my family and country. Over the past 300 years I have served the Tweleve and each house individually for 25 years. At the beginning of each service I had the tattoo of the house printed on the appropriate spot on my body. He was to learn as much as he could about each House and report his findings by sending journals back to Areneal every month. He always did his best but it still felt that this was not his real calling. I am sure you have no clue of these places, I was affected by sands of time and was displaced. I can inprint a dragonmark upon each of you the next down time we have."
He offered his story as well, "I have always been the odd man out. It started when I was born. As a blessed angel kin aasimar I was different from everybody else. My parents took it as a blessing. As a child I took it in stride and liked all the attention. I was bullied by a few for my differences but that didn’t matter to me. It even made Carrius that much better of a friend to me. We were cousins and got along well enough, but with the right cause he stood like a shining beacon of justice. The bullies thought they could take him, well they soon learned the wrath of an angel.
From that day Carrius and I were inseparable. We both had our roles to play. He still stood out like the beacon of good and I was his right hand man. I took up the way of the bard so that I could keep the histories and stories straight and my mentor made me into a proper fool. He said I had the best demeanor for it. Little did anyone see the wrathful side of me, and the few that did saw the burning rage and felt it for weeks. Of course this is Prince Carrius the 2nd, I am speaking about and he tragically died 20 years ago; one of those days I was not with him.
I blame myself for his death but there was always a place for a proper fool. I don't play the part with my immediate family and find work with cousins or other nobles. For the last 20 years I have played the part of the fool, the playboy, the drunk. There are enough parties and social gatherings for any minor noble to practically live off of. Also I show how most people the best way to party!
Though my frivolous life has begun to slow down. My eye was caught by a beauty, one Ismene Albus. The drinking slowed to enjoyment rather than to dull my senses and memory. I took more pride in being a bard and did my best to be the fool he was meant to be. Whenever possible I would find her at the party and find time to talk and drink.
Yeah, I know secrets and such but my past was behind me and now it feels in front of me. The time to strike is when the metal is hot. I am likely in my 50s, yeah the celestial bloodline apparently keeps me looking young. My royal family has kept their knowledge of me a secret. I wonder if I could swoop in and steal the crown. But that is another adventure. Look we can see the fort."
The dog quickly lets out when the silence continued on, "Don't look at me I am just an Awakened talking dog. Well with some other shapes I can turn into. Thank the master. Rest his soul."
Once they were well out of listening distance from the boat he looks over at Cyril and asks, "You want to tell him or shall I?"
"No." Cyril replies flatly.
"So what is the plan we have a few hours to talk about it as we briskly walk to the fort. Anything else you want to share? Thank you for allowing me to be a full fledged member of your group, its nice to have power house friends."
"Well. Arthur, Ed, and I are just happy you decided to join our troupe, Saronis. I hope that the others feel the same, and this mission will enrich us monetarily and emotionally", Cyril states.
He nods at that but reverts back to his quiet self.
He seems a bit put off as he revealed his story but not getting much from Cyril.
Getting to the keep it is still dark. The large drawbridge is up and you can see a 40 foot wide and 20 to 30 deep moat.
"Oh Hey! Anyone on duty? Any chance that you will let us in?" He states loudly hoping someone will hear, at least to start some dialogue.
He nods at that but reverts back to his quiet self.
Cyril's deductive skills tell him that Saronis was hoping for more sharing.
After a few moments, the young noble clears his throat."You must excuse me, Saronis. I do not normally open myself to others, unless I know then quite a while. But in truth, you have been extremely helpful and generous this trip. So, I apologize."
"I am the second son of the Lucan family. One of the oldest families in Camelot. My forefather and founder of my line was one of the founding Knight of the Round Table. And fought alongside King Arthur until he was removed to Avalon."
"I am an intellectual; a product of a noble education. I enjoyed learning through practical methods and through the various tutors throughout my life. I was also born into a family of paladins. My brother is one, my father was one. I will likely not get any of the family lands and titles my father passed on to my brother. Until very recently, being able to cast arcane spells was a skill I could not merely learn. It is my hope to use my intellect and newfound arcane ability to carve my own path in this world."
A guard comes up to the watch tower with a torch in hand, a javelin in the other. After a sigh and a yawn he hollars down, "What business do you have to come at such ungodly time? No matter what the drawbridge doesnt come down until daybreak."
"Thank you, I was just asking! We will see you in the morning!" He replies before walking over to the nearest tree to sit and strum on his lute.
He follows Athur and pulls out a whetstone and one of his daggers, once that one is sharp he continues to sharpen his other daggers.
He states flatly, "I do not normally open myself to others either. I felt a connection and as we have bound to each other... I thought it was rather in line."
With a bit of curiosity he asks, "So how is your relationship with your brother? Also before the undead raid, you have not seen any action?"
He continues to hound you both with sniffs. If asked about it he says, "I dunno, it just smells so good! Just gotta sniff!"
The elf states flatly, "I do not normally open myself to others either. I felt a connection and as we have bound to each other... I thought it was rather in line."
With a bit of curiosity he asks, "So how is your relationship with your brother? Also before the undead raid, you have not seen any action?"
Cyril chuckles slightly. "Sibling are different, I think, within nobility. I imagine all first borns feel their younger siblings are there to take from the parent's wills. When my brother realized I didn't bug him, instead reading all the time, we found our niche. As we matured, we started treating each other better; utilizing each other's strengths for mutual gain. Now, I got to say I've always loved my brother, but I don't necessarily like him."
Ed looks from one of you to the others and asks, "Biscuit please!"
As he likely finds out you don't have many he begins to whine. Then he has a thought, "What if I go open the drawbridge? I could fly up, make myself big and..."
"No, Ed. Patience", Cyril chided.
He quiets down from Cyril's scolding but then comes up with another idea, "How about I go hunt some?"
It takes a few hours before the drawbridge slowly is let down. A chain gang and a few guards slip out of the doors followed closely by four hell knights.
"Pleasant morning, gentlemen", Cyril says, making sure than the noble does not use the term 'good' in the presence of Hellknights. "We are three hunters from Avalon, who have come to hunt The Verge. We also wish to speak with Talia Moorgrave, whom we are told resides in this fortress."
The hellknight lowers its helm by an inch, in recognition you believe. Then he states, "15 silver pieces for the three of you for the day. Unless you want to petition for work or residence. Then you may enter and begin the process which will cost you at least 200 gold each."
"I do believe, due to the circumstances, we shall pay the 15 silver fee, thank you", Lord Lucan bowed.
With the payment paid, the hell knights let you into the fort. The original hellknight continues, "Talia Moorgrave runs the Black Crow Inn. You can see the sign right there." He then points up at a tall building down the street with a big circular sign chained to a post of a black crow.
Entering into the inn it seems there isn't many that live around here as there are nearly no patrons. A whisp of a halfling walks into your path and asks, "What are you looking for?"
Entering into the inn it seems there isn't many that live around here as there are nearly no patrons. A whisp of a halfling walks into your path and asks, "What are you looking for?"
"Good morning", Cyril addressed the halfing. "Is Miss Talia Moorgrave available? And do you serve any food or drink here?"
The halfling nods with a big yawn, then says, "Yes we here at the Black Crow pride ourselves on our food and drinks. Once you are done with breakfast I am sure Talia will make an appearance."
She would let you sit where you want, at the bar, at a table, whatever you like. Then she asks if you want something specific or just the special?
He watches and let's Cyril do the talking. He goes and sits at a table with his back to the wall and a good view of both doors.
"I will have the special and a plate of bacon for my little friend here." He states as he pats Ed.
"I, too, will have a special. With some type of local juice, please?" Cyril requests.
The halfling takes your orders and states, "Please have a seat and I will go talk to the cook." She comes back with a pitcher in one hand and a tray in the other with a few mugs and a loaf of fresh bread. She states, "Apple juice!"
Within 10 minutes she comes out with two large skillets which look huge in her hands. They are filled with diced potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausage links and bacon.
Halfway through your meal a woman walks up the stairs and sits at the bar, she has a cloak of black raven feathers and has a dolled up beautiful face.
"That must be her", Cyril whispers to the table. "Let's introduce ourselves after breakfast."
The young noble heartily enjoys the big breakfast, giving a few links to Ed.
He takes the bowl of bacon and puts it on the edge of the table for Ed to munch on it. Then he nods his head to Cyril's words as he begins to dig in as well. He makes several positive sounds as the whole dish is wonderful. After a mouthful of meat, he looks up and adds, "You want me to approach her first or do you want the pleasure?"
He heartily and carefully eats the bacon one strip at a time. Then seeing the sausage being held by Cyril he goes over and carefully takes them.
Cyril nods. "Yes. Here's the bag of bones", the young noble sets the bag beside Arthur.