A few months have passed since the events of the fateful Swallowtail Festival—winter is here, and with it comes the seasonal rains. But as the days wear on, it soon becomes obvious that this is no typical rainy season. Not a day passes without a downpour in Central Varisia, and the rivers swell against their banks, threatening early floods. Tempers flare and relationships fray as the constant dreary weather wears at the soul, yet there are more sinister things in Hook Mountain’s shadow than the constant rain.
17th day of Kuthona 4707 AR
Magnimar
You find yourselves in the Defiant's Garden, the name given to the mayoral residence of the city of Magnimar, located in the Vista district directly next to the Seacleft itself. The Lord-Mayor of Magnimar, Haldmeer Grobaras, personally requested your presence today for an "urgent matter" (per his letter), as your exploits and adventures have distinguished your prowess and skill in the region. The home is quite opulent, as the largest and most impressive home in all the city. You sit on the finest sofas you have seen in your life, outside of royalty, outside the Lord-Mayor's office, waiting to be summoned. 4 other respected warriors wait alongside of you.
.
,
One hand stroking the back of the couch he is perched in, the Varisian looks at his compatriots, apparently trying to take their measure. His smile looks genuine enough, but he seems a bit uncomfortable. "I assume we all were invited to the same meeting? Strange timing otherwise. I am an entertainer at heart, juggling, legerdemain, acrobatics (including slack rope), and a variety of other feats of agility and expertise. I even play the fiddle, some. I am Gudada. You are . . .?" He seems to be focused on the woman as he lets the question trail off.
Vetros looks at the others carefully. He remembers one of them, a dwarf, from the Alchemist shop back in Sandpoint - he actually bought his liquid ice bottle there. Other one was the tattooer girl - Vetros was very interested in perfecting his knowledge, but didn't have time. He feels glad the girl is here, as the chance to see some of her sketches might arise.
Then there's the mottled guy that Vetrus saw once. He's not sure what he does for a living but he can tell he's an archetypical Varisian. Finally, the last one is another girl, this one he even remembers the name - Galessa. She works for Hemlock, with Hemlock, or whatever.
It's Hemlock himself that sent Vetros here. Always glad to help, he now awaits the mayor and decides some introductions might be in order.
"I'm Vetros" he answers. "any idea what the heck is going on here?" Vetros seems very proud of his "Shoanti charm".
His smile looks genuine enough, but he seems a bit uncomfortable. "I am an entertainer at heart, juggling, legerdemain, acrobatics (including slack rope), and a variety of other feats of agility and expertise. I even play the fiddle, some. I am Gudada. You are . . .?" He seems to be focused on the woman as he lets the question trail off.
One of Udaya’s eyebrows perks up skeptically when the colorful Varisian describes himself as an ‘entertainer’ and the laugh lines around her eyes crease when he qualifies the statement with ‘at heart’. Being Varisian herself and accustomed to the caravan life, she had a pretty good idea of his possible skillsets. It made no difference, she wasn’t one to judge but, if he wants to fence with words…
She smiles and taps the small tattoo of Shelyn’s holy symbol set between her brows, ”I’m a tattooist, and a singer. Possibly our host is putting together a small concert?” She looks to the half-orc, as if appraising his role in a band. ”Drums and delicate melodies on the harp, right?”
Udaya lets the words hang for a long moment before amending them. ”Oh, wait, I’m a lousy singer… one of Shelyn’s worst. So, I suspect I’m here for my other skillset… putting boot-to-ass for the Eternal Maid and keeping my comrades alive.” She offers her hand in greeting to each of them, ”I’m Udaya Udas but you can call me UU, everyone does.”
Vetros smiles when told about the drums. It's not actually the first time he surprises someone with his artistic skills - even though he's far from fully proficient, most folks don't expect it.
When Udaya introduces herself, Vetros adds to get curriculum. "I know you. You do beautiful tattoos. I like them."
His shirtless chest full of ink speaks for itself. Some of the tattoos he made them himself, but the most important ones and those in difficult to reach areas are the works of different experts across Varisia.
UU's blush suggests she is genuinely touched by the compliment to her skills. "Thanks! I do the best I can." With a critical eye, she looks over Ventros' visible tattoos. "That looks like one of Floristan's tribal pattern tats... or maybe one of his apprentices'. Good line work, that." She starts opening her gi to show Ventros her less visible tattoos, and then thinks better of it. "We should compare ink at some point. If you ever want one of mine, I'd be honored to lay ink on the same canvas as Floristan."
His smile looks genuine enough, but he seems a bit uncomfortable. "I am an entertainer at heart, juggling, legerdemain, acrobatics (including slack rope), and a variety of other feats of agility and expertise. I even play the fiddle, some. I am Gudada. You are . . .?" He seems to be focused on the woman as he lets the question trail off.One of Udaya’s eyebrows perks up skeptically when the colorful Varisian describes himself as an ‘entertainer’ and the laugh lines around her eyes crease when he qualifies the statement with ‘at heart’. Being Varisian herself and accustomed to the caravan life, she had a pretty good idea of his possible skillsets. It made no difference, she wasn’t one to judge but, if he wants to fence with words…
She smiles and taps the small tattoo of Shelyn’s holy symbol set between her brows, ”I’m a tattooist, and a singer. Possibly our host is putting together a small concert?” She looks to the half-orc, as if appraising his role in a band. ”Drums and delicate melodies on the harp, right?”
The rather stoic dwarf leaning against the wall clad in full plate armor snickers at the Varisian woman's comment. "A concert?! Yes, and they need my brewery skills for the after party!" Grymm bellows out a laugh. "Sorry for interrupting, but no, my dear. I'm an axe for hire. If they've called me in, things have gone to hell and they needs fixin'! I'm Grymm, pleased to meet all of ya. Clan Bloodstone." He nods his head toward the shield on his forearm that depicts a red-gem encrusted tankard frothing with ale. The dwarf stands at attention, as if he were enlisted in the military, his trusty waraxe dangling from his belt.
The artiste shakes his head. "Of COURSE I have other skills, ones likely to complement the ass-kickery discussed, even. I don't advertise that set except for specific sorts of efforts. I assume this will be related, somehow, but I don't know how, yet. Do you?"
Galessa listened to the other talk. She was a large woman, being both muscular and standing over six feet tall. What stood out most, though, was the scales that were visible on the outside of her arms and hands. To a casual observer they appeared to be but intricate tattoos. It was only on closer inspection that their true nature would be seen. It would have been possible to call her beautiful, given her features…if it was not for how intimidating her stature was.
”I was worried that we were being called here because imminent violence was required.” She said, her voice was warm and jovial. When she talked it became clear that her teeth were all sharp. Any beauty she had was a savage one. ”But I do hope that the mayor requires singing, tattooing and brewing. As for myself? My name is Galessa. I am an amateur historian.” She let it hang there for a moment, knowing how she didn’t look the part. As much as she would have loved to publish a book, she knew how little respect the academic community had for people like her. In truth, her studies and wandering mostly had to do with her own passion for the subject. ”Though I am better known as a Paladin of Iomodae, and her servant Peace Through Vigilance. I fear that our Dwarven friend is right.” She nodded at him with familiarity, as she had spent more than her fair share of gold at Bottled Solutions. Her drinks were a vice of hers which she reasoned that her goddess would understand, so long as it was not done to excess. ”Our gathering here most likely means that there is a problem that the local forces cannot address, due to either practical or political concerns.”
UU replies lightly, "Well, the Lord-Mayor has assembled a 'band' of one sort or another. Now, we just need to know what sort of tune we are being asked to play." She smooths the skirt of her hakama then sinks into the plush couch, enjoying the luxury of it.
Curious about the motive why they're here and knowing a bit more about his potential companions, Vetros decides to not add anything else for now. It's time to hear what the major has to say.
The Mayor's clerk comes out of the office and ushers you in, "The Honorable Lord Mayor, Haldmeer Grobaras, welcomes you to Magnimar." Inside the office is a corpulent human male, bald with sideburns, in an ostentatious noble outfit, awaits you. Pic The Lord Mayor smiles and pleads for you to take the chairs arranged before his desk. "Please sit, please sit. Thank you all for responding to my summons. My clerk, Tildan, can take your drink orders. In the meantime, I will get to the gist of why I asked for you to come." The Lord Mayor circles his oak desk, sits, and pauses to take a drink of the goblet resting on his desk.
"I recently received a message from Turtleback Ferry. It appears that they have lost contact with Fort Rannick, one of our distant holdings. The fort is home to the Black Arrows. They're an organization of giant hunters in Varisia, located in the shadow of Hook Mountain. The organization was created decades ago to patrol the Storval Rise and prevent any giant incursions from spreading beyond the Storval Plateau. At first, I viewed this as a pointless and silly trip to talk to those foul-tempered Black Arrows. But it's been three weeks since then and they've still not reported in. I have to act and send someone to investigate. I would like the five of you to act as my emissaries and check in on Turtleback Ferry and the Fort and resolve any issues. The trek on foot takes about 3 weeks. Questions?"
As the servant asks about a drink, Gudada gets an evil grin. "Kyonin Gold if you have it. I'll go without if not."
"If the trip takes 3 weeks on foot, and it has only been 3 weeks since you were told they dropped communications, well, how fast do you expect to hear if they come back? I mean, by the time we get there, they will have been gone for close to two months, yes?" He waits for an answer before continuing.
"It had never occurred to me before, but suddenly I'm curious what the going rate is for rescuing a military organization and securing a fort. Just not something I had considered doing, previously, you understand."
UU chimes in, "I'll have whatever the Lord-Mayor is drinking, thank you." She wasn't really interested in drinking but she was curious about what the mayor's drink might reveal about him.
"I like walking, but I confess I know very little about Hook Mountain. Is there a reason we shouldn't take a faster method of travel? Or is time not a concern?"
"Yes, questions." Vetros rejects the drink with a slight gesture of his hand. "What's the payment?"
Galessa shook her head at the talk of payment. They were missing the important questions. Such as when they could leave. She felt excitement bubble up inside of her. ”This is odd, is it not?” She said, unable to hold back. ”These are experienced giant hunters. No ordinary militia. One would expect their troubles to be related to giants, but giants are not known for their stealth. I can’t help but wonder what could have happened over there, or what we will find.” She said, a smile creeping onto her face.
"We will find when we get there" Vetros agrees.
"It could have been anything" he can't help but elaborate. "They're giant hunters, but that doesn't mean they can hunt just any giant. Maybe they found something which is not a giant. Maybe they didn't even have any problem - they could have defected, or who knows. Many different possibilities and such few information to start forming an idea."
Even though that's what he says, he understands it's difficult not to let your mind fly.
Grymm does not sit, preferring to remain standing. When offered a drink by the clerk, he whispers, "Do ye have some dwarven ale on tap? No? Then never mind. That's all ma belly can take." Grymm snickers as he has a little fun at the clerk's expense. Upon hearing the reason for the group's gathering, Grymm frowns. Giants? That means trouble. But then again, he loved going after giants. He owed them a blood debt. "Sounds doable, what's the pay?"
The Black Arrows often recruit criminals who are given the choice between serving in the Black Arrows and harsh punishment. In any case the constant training and the dangers they face have made the Black Arrows loyal to their order. The commanding officer at Fort Rannick is a human male named Jakardros Sovark.
Hook Mountain is the southern-most peak of central Varisia's Iron Peaks, located just south of the Storval Deep and north of the expansive Sanos Forest. It is said to home of many ogre clans.
The clerk looks oddly at Gudada and Grymm for their weird drink orders. He smiles at UU for going along and pours her wine.
The Lord-Mayor arches his eyebrows, "I said the journey was 3 weeks by foot. Of course, I am sure you could hire river barges or the such and make the trip much shorter. I am not too familiar with those details." The Lord-Mayor clearly does not concern himself with details. "That's up to you. As for the pay, which I see motivates the majority of you, the city has authorized me to pay you 750 gp each to investigate the matter. 1/2 now and 1/2 when you come back with news. Obviously, if you need to do something else, I will take it into consideration upon your return. If you agree, Jeremiah, my clerk, has the paperwork for your signature. Anything else?"
To give you a rough visual depiction of the journey, you start at the far western edge of the Varisian Grasslands and you have to travel to the Shimmerglens on this: Map.
Galessa did not even bother to negotiate or to look at the map. With a grin she surged to her feet and said ”Yes!” While pumping her fist in the air. ”We are going to rescue the arrows, slay the giants, and then we will drink to our success!” She announced enthusiastically.
750 gp? Not bad, I would have probably done it for free, since it involved giants. The dwarf chimes in, "That payment works for me." At Galessa's reaction, he smiles and shakes his head, Oh, the exuberant youth of humans! "Aye, Galessa, we will drink to the giants' downfall, but with some properly brewed ale." Grymm mumbles under his breath something about not being served proper dwarven ale and steps back, waiting to see what the rest say.
UU raises an eyebrow at the assumptions about rescues, slain giants, success, and even properly brewed ale. For all we know, they could have been brought low by a fever or a really good drinking binge.
Knowing little about wine, she samples the vintage as she's seen high-borns do, and pretends to consider the offer for a long moment as she swirls the wine and watches its 'legs' run down the glass.
Her reply, when it comes, is an economy of words as she stands and places her glass down. "Agreed. Thank you for the excellent wine."
Vetros grumps almost imperceptibly at the amount of the payment, but then nods. It's not too much, but he's got the promise that it will be revised if they find harder tasks.
"Okay." he signs and starts thinking about loose ends he might have in town, for example, accommodation for his horse.
Vetros grumps almost imperceptibly at the amount of the payment, but then nods. It's not too much, but he's got the promise that it will be revised if they find harder tasks.
"Okay." he signs and starts thinking about loose ends he might have IV town, for example, accommodation for his horse.
The entertainer frowns. No negotiating angle left when everybody else has already agreed . . .. "It appears you have rented yourself an investigative team."
The Lord-Mayor smiles at your assent to the offer. "Great, great. My clerk here will deal with your signatures and initial payment. Please get to those hicks of Turtleback Ferry as quickly as possible and find out what happened to those convicts...er, I mean the good Black Arrow rangers. Magnimar thanks you for your service." The Lord Mayor bows, finishes his goblet of wine, and exits, unless you have more questions for him. The clerk has the contracts for you to sign and your gold. After that, you're on your own.
"Look, everyone. Let's not let something as mundane as details get in the way." Galessa said. "This isn't our first rodeo." "Let's buy a carriage." "It's just a hundred gold. It will fit all of us, and we can take turns to drive it." She looked around and said "Then we spend a hundred fifty gold on two horses to pull it." With a smile she added "We take turns sitting in comfort as we go. The carriage will carry any supplies we need. We get there, kill some giants, and use it to ride home. Easy, right? And it won't cost us too much either."
Vetrus shrugs. "Yes, yes, okay. Carriage is fine." He can then take his own horse and go totgether with it.
In any case, he starts thinking about the preparations. "Shall we go tomorrow early?"
"Sounds good!" Galessa said. "I'll go and get the carriage and horses. You figure out what to do with the supplies. We'll meet at sunrise at the front gate." Already on her feet she was walking towards the door before she even finished talking.
Before leaving, Vetros asks one last question.
"Is there a place here where we can buy magical supplies? Scrolls can be very useful for a trip like the one we are about to take."
UU considers it and realises that she has never ridden in a carriage before. "Sounds exciting! I'll see you all at dawn." She offers a polite nod in goodbye then turns and heads off to handle some arrangements.
"Better if you can find a good wagon at a reasonable price. Will allow more room each, unless we are fortunate enough to fill it with rewards the carriage wouldn't hold."