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"I am glad you are so enthusiastic to begin! Now that you have all said the oath and agreed, we will make arrangements to pay off your masters for those that have them and get official documents drawn up for passage out of the city. It will take a few days. Until then you may all sleep here we have beds for all of you. We also have provisions and equipment available for your journey, take what you need and don't be shy we need you well prepared for this outing. Who knows when you will return. "
"I believe he is trying to sow descent so that in the wake of a rebellion he could again vy for a position, but others believe he could be working for someone else. I do not understand it fully myself to which is why you must tread carefully.
"Excellent. I knew I could count on you, and I second master Theodemar's statement, you are a great group of companions having proven it already surviving one attempt on your life already." Auramesties says, then looks at Elinides, "No repetition will not be required, at this time. I know the questions that must be on your minds in general, but I will start with the specific ones you asked. " "We have been instructed that our best bet would be an ancient city called Jolz-Or. It was a Lamashtu stronghold that was wiped out, the survivors are still living here in El. It is only a three day journey outside the wall. There were other settlements, but they are further. If you spot something before that, meeting the criteria you mentioned: Defensive, water ect, then bring back that information. I do not know all the hardships you will face outside the wall, but creatures such as Drazhar's companion are very common here. Master Verleer will expand on this." Master Verleer stands up again and lays out some maps. " This is where we are. Jolz-Or is three days west of the great forest wall which itself is half a day thick. This is an estimate since no one has traveled there since the great forest wall was erected and there is no longer any road leading there. The vegepygmies have a loose bond with the Sovyrians that I do not understand, but they seem to be able to tell the difference between us and the Sovyrians and I would wager they could be hostile. I hear they are fiercely territorial. Sovyrian druids are also in the forest tending it, they answer to Maedon only and could be a handful if irritated." He looks at Drazhar and gives a grin. Then flips out another map. "This is a known Formian Hive that is believed to have gathered in strength. It is a day south of Jolz-Or. Avoid it all costs. As to the assassins and their motives, Maedon is doing his investigation, and we are doing ours. My spies have found an encampment not far from outcast town just outside the wall that was abandoned. This could be the area they were training. I do not know for what purpose they were trained originally, but they now seem fixated on this team. Luckily for the most part they seem more young and desperate rather than expert killers, but as you can attest they are dangerous. I believe we know one who might be behind this. Seregruthon. We do not know how he arrived here, but he has been spotted. We fear he may have had something to do with the late King's passing, though that information should not leave these walls." Knowledge Local DC 15/or Veteran of Barbarian War trait:
Seregruthon was part of a specialized assassin's guild formed by the late king to take out leaders on the battlefield. They had more martial skill than subterfuge, yet they were highly effective and capable at taking out leaders of the barbarian hordes. Their technique is a bit more direct than most assassins and prefers attacking during distractions rather than hiding in shadows. His people will likely attack you during combat or some other time when you are at a disadvantage. Knowledge Arcane DC 15/or Use Magical Device DC 15: The Sovyrian Stone is one of the most highly guarded, and regulated piece of elven relics. If Seregruthon is behind this, he had help from high up.
"It is ok to enjoy your duty Ayodhan, but we need to be sure you are not seeking to use this mission as a means to get out of servitude or out of the city on our expense is what that part of the oath is referring to. I can appreciate how you feel, but we have to be careful when assassins are trying to tear down what we are building here. Please say the oath if what you say is true."
"All good questions Master Elrinides. More details to the mission and those answers will come. First, the oath. " Auramesties waves his hand at a few servants and they move to collect something. While they work Rotellia speaks. "Let is be known that our late King was compassionate, but the scars of the blight wounded his family line deeply. I fear his loss guided his decisions. Master Auramesties gave a very quick synopsis of events, but as with all things in life it is complicated and there are many views. During his dieing days it was his wish that we could become one people again. If you succeed and we can start anew, we might be able to heal the bonds that separated us before. I am very hopeful."
Sense Motive DC 25:
There is a lack of sincerity to her words. At first it did not phase you as royals have a tendency to put on a "face" for court, but when she spoke of the King dieing, you can tell there was no love lost there and she is hiding a deep disdain for the late King. Servants come back. One is carrying a case, while two others are spreading incense and holy water around the room with aspergillums. Auramesties speaks as the Mistress of Twilight removes a large gauntlet from the box. "You shall place your hand in the gauntlet as you say this oath. Should you lie or harbor any ill intent the gauntlet will know and the pain will be intense." Knowledge Religion/or Arcane DC 35:
This is a holy relic of Yuelral, believed to be a gauntlet worn by the great ancestor herself. It is believed its power only works on Elves.
I swear by the Ancestor's and the God's that I take this oath freely and truly. That I will work for the betterment of my people, and all elvenkind. I am loyal to the Winter Council and agree to take this journey not for my own personal gain, but to ensure a better life for my people.
Auramesties sits down and looks at Drahzar and the others for a moment before speaking. He seems to be thinking about his words carefully. "The blight is a hard subject with most of the natives and anyone old enough to remember it. It was a fool hardy attempt on our ancient kin's part to rid the planet of Formians, a giant ant-like species that had all but ravaged the planet. Elves and Lamashtu cities fell one by one to this terrible threat. Our ancestors came up with a solution, a very potent poison. At first it seemed to work, entire hives were destroyed, the only thing left in their wake were rotting corpses." He pauses and looks at everyone for a moment and takes a sip from some tea in front of him before he continues. "The poison did something to the Formians though, it changed their bodies somehow, and the dust from their corpses became a toxic miasma that lingers still to this day with no known cure or treatment. A strong wind carried this diseased dust to a village of lamashtu and it wiped them out. Soon it spread to Elven cities, even El. The sick elves died at such a rate the corpses pilled the streets. Some elves, those with certain physical attributes, seemed immune to this miasma, but it wasn't so. They began to morph slowly into a hybrid of Formian and elf. Tapped into the hive mind of the Formians these elves became unwittingly traitors to their kind and helped coordinate massive attacks from the remaining formians. Strict quarantine measures were taken, and draconian rules were placed upon the populace. Those of our ancestors that disproved of such measures traveled to become the first Kyonins, those that became the Sovyrians stayed. " Auramesties stands and turns and lets out a heavy sigh. "The poison recipe was destroyed along with any remaining unused portions. For a long time travel even through the Sovyrian Stone was forbidden. Eventually their measures worked, and they began to rebuild. They sent emissaries to Kyonin, but our late King refused them several times. Only recently, after learning of our own demise, did we finally offer supplies. Too little too late, and a bit of poetic justice I am afraid." Auramesties sits down again. "I do not know what dangers you face outside the wall, and when I say wall I do not mean the one around El. There is a wall of thick forest created and maintained by Maedon and his druids that house a species similar to our Vegepygmies of Golarion. These Vegepygmies are immune to the blight and can produce molds that actually feed on it and dispose of it naturally, but these molds are also dangerous to elves, but not nearly as dangerous as the blight. Beyond that thick wall of forest is the real Sovyrian. An untamed primal wild. "
Maedon looks at Elinides. "I remember you. That was a very impassioned speech you gave at Auramesties' rally. You seem fairly pragmatic. I must keep the details of my investigation secret, but I will share this with you. We know that the elves used were outcasts, those shunned from our city because of the high possibility that they may have the blight. So not only is all the things you said true, they somehow got into the city past our security. We believe this plan had been a long time coming, our prisoner suggested he was trained for a month outside the city before being called to act. There is a newly formed league of assassins and they are targeting you, I suggest you tread carefully. " Maedon looks at Drahzar and says "You are called Drahzar are you not? Please come speak with me in private after your meeting with Auramesties. You will need to bear my seal to be allowed past security I am in the grove in the center spire. " He gives Drahzar a stone with a rune on it. Drahzar:
It is a druidic rune that means balance. You notice that Reya, the archery winner and one that Elinides saved from assassination though she was wounded, is not here today. Maedon leaves satisfied with the information. Auramesties beckons you to enter the Winter Council's chambers. When you enter you are instantly homesick. The decorations are all from your Kyonin and for a moment you feel as if you have entered a large room in Kyonin. There is a table with 6 chairs around it, 5 of them are filled. "Allow me introduce you. This is Arlindil, master of druids" An older elf stands and bows "Verleer, master of weapons" A large elf armed with an Elven curved blade and a bandolier of daggers stands and bows. "Ynile Sol'Thane, master of metal, and grandfather to the late Nim Sol'Thane." A very large elf with the arms of a blacksmith stands and bows. He looks at Vesyrn "That is a fine weapon you carry. Took me the better part of a month to make. New ones will take half as long now that I know the secrets of this star metal." You can tell he quickly changed the subject to deflect his pain as he sits back down "Rotellia Edasseril, royal liason to late king, may he his spirit find peace" A regal looking elven woman stands and gives a slight nod before sitting down. "Madame Gzola, mistress of twilight and master of the arcane. " None of you would need introduced to the Mistress of Twilight, she was well known among your people. A witch of immense power that once cursed an entire barbarian horde to sleep. She stands slowly, aged and white haired she smiles. "Six of you. Good. It is as the portents foretold. Come in young ones, you are safe here. " An assistant rushes to her when she goes to sit again, but she refuses the help and falls into her chair. "I am Auramesties, chosen to be the liason to our host as you know. I feel I have failed in many ways, but I seek to remedy that. Having won your contests have earned you a right to meet us, but before we go any further I need to know that you have chosen to embark on this dangerous journey. As you might have suspected and so that there is no pretense, you are not our first choice even though you won the contests. There are several elves more qualified, but to be truthful we need them here during these trying times to keep the peace. You have been chosen because you are capable and young. If you chose to do this, you will be required to swear a magically bound oath as you will be privy to secrets known only to the council."
Vesyrn:
"A bodyguard might be needed after tonight" Auramesties responds. The next day. Your homeworld was hit by something called the starstone yesterday and assassins tried to kill you after you were declared a winner in a festival contest. You are sure it is no coincidence all the winners were hit. It seems someone is trying to halt Auramesties plans to send out a group to find a new place to live outside the city of El. Your masters and bosses all allow you to see Aurmesties and wish you luck. As you go to tell Auramesties what you have decided, you notice patrols are heavy. Anyone not a native and not being productive is shown just how hard the iron hand of Sovyrian justice can be. A stark contrast to last night. Outside the chambers of the Winter Council are several Sovyrians, one you have seen before a very old man that entangled an entire assembly with his staff. The others seem to be his guard. "Welcome kin, before we can talk our business, allow me to introduce you to Maedon, Master of the Woods. He is leading the investigation into the murder and attempts on your lives that occurred." Auramesties says in his usual calm and measured voice. "Thank you Master Auramesties. As the young one said I am Maedon. This sort of lawlessness will not be tolerated. What can you tell me about your attacks? It seemed very well coordinated. Thankfully there was one among you with the foresight to capture one. Though his story is a sad one it seems. I know our ways are foreign to you, and I wish...I wish there was another way, but I think you will have to leave these walls to truly understand. Hopefully we can get through this quickly so you can do just that. "
Elrinides hits his assassin, but it does not slow down his escape. Everyone finds Ayodhan caring for Theodemar as Sovyrians begin to clamp down the area. The body of the one that Vesyrn killed is missing. Drahzar has captured one, who is not anxious to talk, but apparently fears fiery death more than imprisonment or being found out. Auramesties sends out his own people to find you. For those of you that did not know, he tells you Nim the strength competition contestant was killed. After the all clear is given you are allowed to go back to your beds. Vesyrn:
"I have made arrangements, you may live with me if you would like. Your official title is my servant, but I will not debase you will menial tasks, you will just have to take care of yourself and seek employment. If that is agreeable here is a writ of passage through the gates." ***********************************************************************************
Auramesties announces the winners •Archery Reya Fyrewind, young ranger from north Kyonin
As you come up when your name is called he gives you each an item and a piece of parchment. The parchment reads Congratulations on your win. I am sure you understand what this means. We area in need of your assistance in securing a land for our people outside of Sovyrian. This is not to be an easy task so I want you to sleep on it for a day. Come see me at the base of the north east spire and present this parchment with my seal on it and you will be allowed to enter my chambers. Sincerely, The Winter Council Drahzar:
For your win in tracking you are given a Lens of Starlight Ayodhan:
For you win in Speed you are given a scroll of Expeditious Retreat and Touch of the Sea for your win in healing you are given a wand of cure light wounds with full 50 charges. Elinides:
For your win at Athletics you are given a Rope of Climbing Raina:
For your knowledge win Auramesties whispers to you "I know you had a little bit of help, but it was from the best source so who am I to judge." and gives you a Book of Elven Lore. Vesyrn:
Auramesties embraces you when you step on stage and whispers [smaller]I did not know of your situation, I am sorry my kin. I will do what I can to remedy it and ensure you can join our expedition. " He gives you a very nice Elven Curved blade that has the runes of Kyonin on it. "It is a blade of a council guard. We have just began constructing them, this is the first made. It is made from a steel found here that is very strong. " Theodemar:
For your win in the Arcane you are given a compact spellbook with the Elven Spell blend and 3 more of your choice. After you are all given your items you hear the Sovyrians rejoicing. You know that the starstone must have impacted, but see no sign of it in the stars yourself. Auramesties addresses the crowd for one last time. "In this most somber time, let us remember where we came from. The events of today can not erase our memories of our homeland, its gentle breeze, bright green trees, or bird songs in the morning sun. No, our memories remain with us just as we remain. We shall prevail in this new land. Enjoy the feast and rest well." He bows his head and gives a blessing from Desna and whispers a prayer asking for guidance on this new world.
•Archery-Vesryn, Ayrodhan,
Drahzar:
"Maedon visits me most days, but he has been busy lately. I will tell him you want to talk to him. I am sure he will find you. I need to rest now. " The Vegepygmy stops speaking abruptly and enters the grove. It assumes a pose and freezes as if a plant, completely blending in. You all sign up at your appropriate booths. The contest will have several rounds, each more difficult than the last. The first round is worth one point. The second round two, ect... •Archery- A few others have the skill to challenge you, one in particular you recognize as the first ranger of his majesty's royal guard.
•Tracking A very old female elf seems to be very good at these.
•Strength Two elves that look related are doing well in this contest.
•Speed A tall female is beating most of the competition •Athletics Three other contestants are matching your abilities. Two female, one male, all of prestigious houses of Kyonin descent.
•Knowledge
•Martial Skill It seems the Kyonin elves are itching for a fight and this contest has drawn the most people. Many get eliminated quickly, but the ones that remain are competent.
•Arcane Several casters have come out today. One witch is particularly good at casting under pressure.
•Healing
The day of the festival you are again given your "freedom" for the day. It is tradition to hold contests during such festivals, and the Sovyrians have allowed Auramesties to hold specific contests to help him choose a capable team to scout beyond the walls for a suitable settlement. The contests are as follows
"Enough of this lawlessness! Auramesties you swore this would be a peaceful gathering. If you are wondering why you are treated the way you are it is because we fear this very thing. In ancient times our people split as you do now. Some went through the stone vowing never to return, some stayed and faced the hardships. It is no surprise that the descendants of those very people chose again to flee instead of face the hardships, now returning to us. We call you the returned, and it is no compliment I assure you. Disperse now or I will exile you all outside these walls, and you will face true hardship!" "Please my kin, do not make matters worse. I will be making rounds to each of you, by Callistra I swear it or may she have vengeance on my soul!" Auramesties pleas with all his heart. It saddens you, but gives you hope because he seems very sincere.
...At the meeting. Auramesties, the young, but powerful member of the Winter Council is addressing the people gathered in a square in the shadow of two massive spires in the center of the city. "My people. I know it has been sometime since you have been given answers, and for that I am sorry. There was many issues to be addressed with our arrival and we were not sure how long we had. I know some of you do not live in the most desirable conditions, and we will work to improve them, but first I have an announcement. Our King is dead. The trip through the gate was too much for him and he became very ill. The other council members and I tried all we could to save him. Tomorrow is to be a day of rest and mourning for all Kyonins." A resounding silence remains in the crowd before Auramesties speaks again. "Do not fear, until the Viridian Crown can be claimed by a rightful heir, the Winter Council will be your ruling body and sanctioned by our hosts, the Elders of Sovyrian. There is much to discuss regarding this I know and the future of our people. Understand this, the world outside the city of El is wild and vicious and holds many perils. If we are to survive we must remain strong. First order of business is to locate a suitable location for those who wish it to relocate. For this task I will recruit any volunteers I deem suitable. The vetting process will begin soon after we mourn our loss and the Sovyrians are allowed their celebration of the stars." An old elf yells from the crowd "This is all wrong Auramesties! You know it to be true! We are slaves here! What is this madness!" Sovyrian guards circle the people and casters on the stage ready spells. The agitator is frozen in place with a hold spell and removed from the crowd. "Please, we must compromise. Our presence here is trying for our hosts as well. Be patient I promise the council is working diligently to improve conditions, but it takes time." Auramesties looks desperate and tired. |
