Search Posts
For some reason, Tiadora don’t display her usual not-friendly-persona, instead she listens, and when Mysty tells about the possible recruit she simple says ”I’ll inform the cardinal.” After the doesn’t lingers, pressing Rose and Kitara to pack her things, couple of hours later, farewells are said and Tiadora teleport away with Rose, Pyre and Kitara.
@Everyone, except Bizan
After receiving Tiadora, she is quickly to business.
Valence: The woman doesn’t seem shy to exposing her option about things, as she says: ”It’s one-quarter of your short life. Why would it be important to you?”
After leaving you to your own designs, and free to explore and investigate your mysterious patron. Reaseheath Old Hall on Old commerce road is easy to get information about: It belonged to one of the families purged during the reign of the Zealot. This one manor escaped the witch hunt and was left abandoned, with nothing but some servants to care for the place. A closer inspection of the place however shows sign of habitation that contradicts the rumors. Your agents reports that couriers were seen delivering their charge and from time to time, an ginger woman could be seen walking around the place. Of A.T. you find everything and nothing at the same time. The initials could mean countless other things, and everyone you talked to or no matter where you investigated, you always raised more questions than answers. In the end, it’s clear that only A.T isn’t enough to discover who you are dealing with. Finally, the day comes you with Hask following along; you set up early in the morning to your destination: Reaseheath Old Hall, Old commerce road. The trip is uneventful and when you arrive, you find the same thing had have been described by your agents several times: The front yard of the old three-storey manor, promotes the appearance of place where someone lives, but no one cares for it. At the door of the manor house, you are met by the same woman. The only difference is her dress. Instead she wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic. When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled. “Dearest, we’ve been waiting for you.” she says coldly. Opening the door and showing you inside. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “These people are our guests,” she commands imperiously. “See them to the guest rooms. I want them accommodated and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties. Before you are lead away, she gives you one last piece of information. ”The banquet will start in two bells; make yourself comfortable.” You are led up to guest rooms. The accommodations are comfortable and the slaves are silent and efficient. There’s wine and food if you are feeling hungry, there’s also the opportunity for a bath to clean yourself of the dirt of the road. There’s a decanter full of velvety red wine. The wine is mixed with healing herbs and holds six glasses of wine each equivalent to a potion of cure light wounds. The eclectic, rustic three-storey manor house has two main stairways, and steps hither and thither inside. Original slate floors run throughout the ground floor basement entrance; to the right is a dining-room and a games-room, on the left is a fabulous kitchen/diner with a double sized and huge farmhouse table with plenty of space for many a convivial gathering. Head through there, passing the pantry, utility-room and the enclosed covered and cobbled backyard and you come to the fantastic indoor heated bathing pool; the first floor is home to a huge sitting-room, study-area, and a sun-room. There’s also a huge library, where you can find any manner of knowledge, from Mitra to obscure and long forgotten gods, dark rituals, black magic, healing and caring. Everything is sorted by topic and there’s no distinction about the subject it portraits. There’s almost no locked door for you in the house, except for the master Study, his bedroom and a room the servants called the Lady’s room, and here, not even your superb skills availed you entrance in those rooms. The servants seem more terrified of green-eyed woman than you could ever make them yourself. The green-eyed silver haired woman, you see her here and there, ordering the frantic mass of servants to prepare things.
Cecelia:
The woman replays incite no particular emotion on the man’s face, yet Cecelia knows that was the answer he wanted to hear. Breakfast continues and instead of pushing the subject, you end up talking about several unrelated topics: Food, wine, choice of music, what one likes and dislikes. Old histories and old wounds are rarely approached by Andrastus, but if and when Cecelia mentions, he is always attentive and understanding of her needs and worries. The manor where you are currently living is an old one by a once well-traveled road. Despite of the obvious age, the place is well maintained and welcoming. The front yard however, promotes the appearance of place where someone lives, but no one cares for it. The eclectic, rustic three-storey manor house has two main stairways, and steps hither and thither inside. Original slate floors run throughout the ground floor basement entrance; to the right is a dining-room and a games-room, on the left is a fabulous kitchen/diner with a double sized and huge farmhouse table with plenty of space for many a convivial gathering. Head through there, passing the pantry, utility-room and the enclosed covered and cobbled backyard and you come to the fantastic indoor heated bathing pool; the first floor is home to a huge sitting-room, study-area, and a sun-room. There’s also a huge library, where you can find any manner of knowledge, from Mitra to obscure and long forgotten gods, dark rituals, black magic, healing and caring. Everything is sorted by topic and there’s no distinction about the subject it portraits. There’s no locked door for you in the house, except for the master Study and his bedroom. The green-eyed silver haired woman, you learnt later, is named Tiadora, and she is the one you see the most in the house, except when you are with the Master. No one also is keeping tabs of what you are doing. You are free to leave whenever you want, and you noticed there’s always a carriage ready. You learnt as well you are shy of a day’s ride to Talingard Capital and when you inquired if you could leave; the only thing the master asked of you is if you needed gold to pay your expenses. There’s rarely a visitor to the manor, sometimes they receive a courier and he delivers something and is always quick to leave. The place has a horde of servants; beautiful young ladies and lads, tending to all your needs all the time, they didn’t said openly but you know that if you want company for the night, you need just to choose. The servants, always smiling and doing their best to serve have all one common trait: They are terrified of Tiadora. Every of her words of is law and a command to be obeyed by the letter. After the first days, you come to understand that the woman has some kind of hold on them, and possible magic by nature. And Talking about Tiadora, she is an enigma by herself. She walks in the place as if anyone and everyone is beneath her, but she is always gently when dealing with you. She tends to your needs and listens if you need someone to talk to. The master, although not always present, makes a point of be in your company whenever he is in the house. After the first day, he never intruded in your quarters again and you always receive an invitation in advance asking to lunch, dinner or breakfast. There’s also study sessions, when he takes time to teach you about Asmodeus, magic and dealing with possible enemies. His teachings makes you realize you can suppress part of your fears be better at what you do, even when there’s someone nearby to disrupt your magic. In all, the man seems to be a caring father, always attentive of your needs and feelings. There are days, when there’s no study, no learning at all, you just sit and chat, about several things of no consequence, and you have the impression that he might have come to enjoy your presence more than anticipated.
One particular day, Tiadora approaches you and conveys a surprising notice.
===//=== Valence: Once both surprising guests are comfortable in the own table, conversation resumes albeit in a lower tone. One might imagine the conversation is only a pretense to distract the duo, and what they are really interested is who, and what the woman wants with the court prosecutor. Despite of the growing tension, the bard and his band start playing a soft ballad, a music describing the fate of the last members of a druid circle. A It’s words if someone would pay attention to it would be something similar to this: The moon sheds no light on Salisbury plain
The druids gather round and the chants fill the air
The magic words are spoken
The dawn shines its light on Salisbury plain
The magic words were spoken
The rising sun is dancing on the edges of the stones
I marvel at this mystery, beholder of the stars
- by the bard: Arjen Anthony Lucassen Drinks are served, and soon after food. The woman doesn’t touch the food, but enjoy the drinks. ”My master has a job proposal for you in exchange of your talents. Something you’ll find on par with your skills and that will allow you to finally achieve what you could not, for the past twenty eight years.” she says simply and you know she is talking about the Stone Golem, not the royal prosecutor. With that, she passes another pristine white envelope, but fortunately this one has inverted red pentagram. You reckon the emblem in the letter is just a facade this time. When and if you open the envelop: Inside, another slip of white paper with the following written: Reaseheath Old Hall, Old commerce road. Oathday, Desnus 15.
Signed: A.T
With her piece delivered, the woman waits some moments for any forthcoming questions and if none is presented, she raises and leaves.
Valence: The uncomfortable silence last only a few moments as the nobility demonstrates its amazing ability to deal with the unknown: Pretend that nothing has ever happened. Drinks are served, conversation resumes, the soft music starts to play again and no one would ever believe they were judging and planning or even plotting against the upstart lowly peasant that believe himself to be part of the noble and grand society. Of course they knew who Valence was, and they were well aware that crossing the man was something they absolutely couldn’t afford. But the world inside their own heads was theirs to command and shape as they saw fit, and there, the prosecutor was worse than the peasant and the common rabble. Such was the power of the nobles to lie to their own selves. Barely five minutes passes when she enters the place. The green-eyed hauntingly beautiful woman bedecked brilliantly in all white, looking like a travelling noble on the way to her wedding. Her hair is so platinum as to almost be white and her eyes are a vibrant almost unearthly green. She walks inside demanding the attention of everyone present. She walks proudly and one can only think she owns the place. Her gaze barely meet the ones inside before she turns her face away with disgust and disdain: Even the nobles were not fit to be on her presence. The turve of employees scurry around the woman, trying desperately to do something, anything to appease her and maybe redirect her to her table. That’s however a vain effort, as she scans the place and then locks her dazzling green eyes on you. It hits you like thunder, the immediate sense of danger. Skilled as you are in the art of intimidation, you knew the woman wasn’t even trying to impose on you, but all her body, poise, and manner screamed of a predator, a dangerous monster. She is not human. The thought assaults your mind and as soon it does, the woman smiles and walks towards you, sitting on your table without waiting to be invited. The poor barmaid that went to get your order was the target of the woman. Without even breaking eye contact with you she commands ”Fetch us drink, and we don’t want to be disturbed.” the girl flees, to do as commanded. Then she smiles broadly and asks you: ”Are you ready to discuss business?”
Bull heading all the others into accepting his choice, Johan breaks the clay seal, and waits.
The hell dogs starts to bark, but that’s the extent of their defiance, which Tiadora pointedly ignores. With the commotion in the sanctum, the knot gathers to investigate and upon arriving, are greeted by the silvered haired woman.
Dearest, The master saw fit to give you a short break, to enjoy the coming festivities.
Don’t let him waiting Dearest. The master can be most unforgiving if you waste his time!
Dearest, The master saw fit to give you a short break, to enjoy the coming festivities.
Don’t let him waiting Dearest. The master can be most unforgiving if you waste his time!
Dearest, The master saw fit to give you a short break, to enjoy the coming festivities.
Don’t let him waiting Dearest. The master can be most unforgiving if you waste his time!
"Ask Rose or Nahia. They both have a copy themselves." Tiadora says before walking away the horn.
Tiadora returns the following day.
Tiadora looks at Kitara for a moment, and finally says.
"I'll notify the Cardinal."If no one offer no other reason/news she walks outside the Horn, before finally teleporting away.
Tiadora walks inside the place, using a black long dress. Heir platinum hair almost sparkling in the semi darkness of the place.
Tiadora seems impatient as she says ”It matters not to me. Give this to Seth. The master has others plans to him.” she handles you a sealed envelope, most likely with new orders to the unholyman.
After taking care of their business, the group decides to return to the horn, to meet the lonely vampire.
@Zoé "Dear Baron, this is Zoé Harman, and she is here to help the others in their task." Tiadora says simply
@Zoé In a particular bleak evening, Tiadora arrives on the manor. It does not take long as the slave tells you to pack you things.
Once you go into the private room, Tiadora is quick to return to business. ”The Cardinal received word from Elise about your task and the time it’ll take to accomplish it. Given the current situation, word already reached the major cities about that pillar of green light. The master saw fit to send help to the Ninth, Sebastian and Cedric. His instructions are the same as before. Let nothing and no one stands in your way. Break the clay seal if you need to contact him.” only them, she turns to Agrippa ”I haven’t forgot about you, dearest.” and it sounds like a threat. With that, she simply vanishes, leaving you alone to your business.
@Cedric/Sebastian In a particular damp evening, Tiadora arrives on the manor. It does not take long as the slave tells you to pack you things.
@All Eldred just finished fending off Elise attempts when there’s a sudden silence as all the eyes turns to the stairs, where Tiadora walks as if she owned the place. Once again, she is bedecked brilliantly in all white, looking like a travelling noble on the way to her wedding. Following just behind, two others The woman walks to your table and sits down ”Dearest, what took you so long?” and somehow, a wild, almost savage fear creeps down your spine.
Cedric: Ever since you remember, some way or another you had to hide. Sometimes yourself, other your faith, or your heritage from Barca house. You’d been traveling for some weeks now, the unused roads, the places where no one goes. You reach a small town, eat, sleep and continues your travel the next day. However, you is not but ten minutes out of town when a mounted warrior pass near you, the horse steaming with sweat from the long run. The man exchange looks with you and suddenly he is out of his horse, sword in hand. A huge, armored man stops mere feet from you. He says nothing, for a moment and then pronounces. "Know this: Sir Richard Thomasson Havelyn shall be your undoing," the man said simply, and with a graceful movement, indicates you should draw your weapon.
”Hello Dearest,” says the woman. ”Pack your things,” she says, pointing to the gear that is laying just beside where the you were sleeping. ”Someone wishes to meet you, however, due to your shabby accommodations, he refuses to come. So it seems you must escape,” she says. ”Outside of this city, following the old Moors road, there is a manor, in its second story, a lamp. You have three days, Dearest, don’t make me wait,” she says as she disappears.
Sometime later, after briefly exploring the city, you join Tiadora to meet with the Baron.
What can the Baron do for you?:
Having the Baron Arkov Vandermir as an ally in Farholde is incredibly useful. The Baron Vandermir is the richest, most well connected man in town since the Duke departed for the war. That said, his generosity does have limits. After all, he has agreed to help you, not give you the full run of his family fortune.
First, he can provide the party with accomodations and a safe house. His manor is not only opulently appointed with every amenity known to man, it also has a secret tunnel that runs from Calliver Green to a small nondescript hovel at the base of the hill. You can come and go at will without anyone observing yours movements. Second, he can grant you almost total legal immunity in Farholde. As long as you are not caught redhanded doing some henious deed his word that you were with him excuses every suspicion of your involvement in a crime. He is loathe to use this influence too much. After all, while the local magistrates are easy to deal with, blatant crimes may eventually draw Mitran inquisitors to Farholde. Third, he has contacts among the shadier merchants who operate in and around Farholde. He can give you access to poisons (though none more expensive than 1100 gp a dose) and more sinister magic items (though this still has the usual cost limits here in Farholde). He can also fence any items they’ve recovered that may be difficult to otherwise sell (for example -- he could have helped you to sell Lord Havelyn’s Bible from Book One). Fourth, the Baron is a competent sorcerer specialized in the enchantment school. He is also a negotiator without peer. If you need someone charmed, bribed or persuaded there are few more qualified people in all of Talingarde to aid you than the Baron. What the Baron will not do is aid you in finding the Horn of Abaddon. He has volunteered to help you, not fight yours battles. He also has no desire to die in some cursed daemonic temple. In general, with the Baron as your ally, Farholde becomes a non-challenging environment for you. Almost anything you want within reason is within your grasp. Without him, you are unconnected outsiders lost in an unfamiliar port city.
With the introduction to the Baron accomplished, Tiadora’s mission in Farholde is complete. She reminds you of the small clay tablet given to you by Cardinal Thorn. “Break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh Knot is already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named ‘The Lucky Lady’. You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master’s will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearest, and good luck.” And with that, she teleports away to her next assignment. A devil’s work is never done.
With the introduction to the Baron accomplished, Tiadora’s mission in Farholde is complete. She reminds you of the small clay tablet given to you by Cardinal Thorn. “Break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh Knot is already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named ‘The Lucky Lady’. You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master’s will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearest, and good luck.” And with that, she teleports away to her next assignment. A devil’s work is never done.
Your attempt to get any response from Tiadora, using sarcasm or irony is met with indifference. It seems to her, as long you are not presenting yourself as beggars, it does not really matters what disguise you are using.
You prepare yourself with any disguise you may find fitting for the occasion. In the agreed time, you go meet Tiadora. She is bedecked brilliantly in all white, looking like a travelling noble on the way to her wedding. She lock arms with Hound, as if they were a couple, and then touch his Iron Circlet, forcing this bodyguard disguise to change to a noble attire. "Dearest, I told you to be presentable, not to disguise as beggars, slaves and peasants." She says to Hound, but somehow, fear and a cold sweat begin to creep in the others mind. "What are you waiting for, dearest? Or I'll have to compel you in other ways?" she says now, looking to Nahia and Mysty.
Cardinal Thorn does not linger long aboard the craft, save for some private interview. He is quickly gone, teleported away. The next day the barge docks in Farholde. Tiadora has already contacted Baron Vandermir and arranged for you to have dinner with him tomorrow night. “Best to find something presentable to wear,” she sneers. This gives you some time to investigate Farholde, buy supplies, and so forth.
Earlier - Nahia: "Hello again dearest." she says "I can't teach you to become what you aren't. This is what I am. This is what I do."
"Don't you worry about it." says Tiadora ”You’ve done admirably. Now off you pop, we don’t want any hard feeling between the Knot for any special treatment. You may be the cardinal daughter, but that lost its meaning when you joined the Ninth Knot. They are your brothers now.” she says sweetly kissing your forehead.
The cold, indifferent attitude from Tiadora drops as Rose hugs her. "There, there Rosie." she says sweetly "I think you should keep that question for him. He'll be here in some days." she answer.
Balentyne falls with barely a bugbear slain. The hairy beasts immediately attack Aldencross and feast on human flesh in an orgy of death and slaughter. There are few survivors and little warning as the Fire-Axe’s horde sweeps down into the Heartland of Talingarde. The war has begun with a crushing defeat for Talingarde. Once the deed is done. You break the clay seal.
"Our lord smiles upon your success. Here is a token of my esteem. Use it to rest, recover and strengthen yourselves. Other commands will come when the Knot is needed. Your work has just begun. – A." From a promontory, you can see the great bugbear horde camped south of the Watch Wall. Balentyne yet burns behind you. Tiadora remarks, "I have seen no evidence of any army gathering to meet the horde. It seems Zadaria has also succeeded at her mission and has assassinated the commanders. Truly, a great achievement." “Making matters worse for poor Talingarde, small bands of creatures unaligned with Sakkarot approach the breach, eager to take advantage of the chaos. Probably best to leave. This region is about to become very dangerous." “Still, this will not be enough. Balentyne may be broken but Talingarde is yet strong. Soon word will reach the south. The Heartland and the great cities of the Cambrian Bay will marshal their armies. They will meet Sakkarot on the field and it will be far too close to a fair fight. We must do something about that." “Come, my lords, your ship awaits. Try not to burn this one.”
Tiadora contacted you when you broke the clay seal. She has been commanded by her master to escort our band of villains to their next mission. She leads you to a ramshackle river barge “Halstyn’s Folly” tied to Lake Tarik’s bank. The captain and three man crew of this shallow-bottomed barge are all thoroughly under Tiadora’s control. They are certainly no threat. Tiadora will tolerate no delay. “The master commands you board. You will learn more later.” Accommodations are crude. There is only one cabin and Tiadora has already evicted the so-called captain and made that her own personal domain. The she is not particularly adept at sharing. That means that the rest of you must sleep with the crew on the deck of the barge. There is a roof but no walls and at night on the lake and rivers, it can be bitterly cold. “The Folly” in a journey through the great scar that almost cuts the isle of Talingarde in twain. The barge is sluggish making less than twenty four miles a day. Tiadora herself is not idle. Though “The Folly” is adequately provisioned and never docks, every night the barge anchors within sight of a village or keep. During the night, fire, screams fills the air. Every morning, at the barge resumes its journey, Tiadora watches from afar as another settlement wails and mourns.
With the introduction to the Baron accomplished, Tiadora’s mission in Farholde is complete. She reminds you of the small clay tablet given to you by Cardinal Thorn. “Break it when you need to speak with the Master. Be sure not to waste his time. He can be most unforgiving about that. The Seventh Knot is already close at hand. They arrive tomorrow on a river barge named ‘The Lucky Lady’. You should probably meet them and come up with a plan for seeing our master’s will done. It matters not to me of course. Not my problem. Goodbye, dearest, and good luck.” And with that, she teleports away to her next assignment. A devil’s work is never done.
Tiadora, as always in indifferent to everything that's being said.
The next evening, you again rendezvous with Tiadora. She is bedecked brilliantly in all white, looking like a travelling noble on the way to her wedding. She looks at your clothes with a sneer in her face ”Dearest, I told you to be presentable.” she says as she touches Johan circlet, forcing his clothes assume a formal noble attire appearance. Lacing her arms in Johan’s as if they were a couple. She escorts you through the bustling dock city of Farholde. She takes you to the nicest part of town, a gently sloping hill called Calliver’s Green This is a gated community and she approaches the guard confidently. “Baron Vandermir is expecting us,” is all she says. “Of course, my lady. This way,” the somewhat nervous guard answers after consulting a list. Perception DC 15:
If anyone manages to sneak a peak, the list reads, “Expect a lady in white and her retinue. Be polite. She has powerful friends. --V.” There are only six manors in this neighborhood and Tiadora leads you to what is arguably the most impressive and opulent of them. The front door is secured by two guards wearing armor and livery. The guards are polite but firmly insistent that weapons are collected. “No stranger may go before the Baron so armed.” Tiadora is indifferent from the guard request, carrying no weapon herself.
Wodin: After escaping the prison, you go searching for this manor the woman spoke of. Without a map, and everyone you meet fleeing from you, made it difficult to find the place, but at the end of the second day, you are just near it’s gates. As promised, a lonely lantern burns in the upper story. The place otherwise shows little sign of habitation. Old but well-appointed, the house is large, imposing and alone on its hill. Painted a dark green and surrounded by barbed wrought iron fencing, nothing about this place seems inviting or a sanctuary. Still, it is your destination. Where will you go if not here? You have an appointment to keep. Best not to keep your nameless benefactor waiting…
At the door of the manor house, you are met by the same green-eyed woman. The only difference is her dress. She no longer looks using a black. Instead she wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic. When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled. “Dearest, you took long enough,” she says pitilessly. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. The master commands you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “This dwarf is our guest,” she commands imperiously. “See him to his room. I want him cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.
Agrippa: Agrippa approach Tiadora and demand a service from her.
Johan: You walk near Tiadora, and ask ” What are you doing at night? Why are we stopping so close to the villages?” To that, she smiles and says ” I am reminding the poor souls of Talingarde what hell is like. Do you want to accompany me?” As she sees the look in your eyes she says ”Be warned, Dearest, If you get in my way, I’ll leave you behind.” Since she can’t teleport alone anymore, under the guise of the night, she fly you out of the barge, into a settlement and commit unimaginable atrocities to each in turn. These atrocities she performs, she does so in the form of a Knight of the Alerion, one of Talingarde’s sacred defenders. These are not random acts of cruelty (though Tiadora does relish them). Tiadora takes the form of a knight and for one night murders and tortures helpless, innocent villagers claiming all the while to be searching for gremlin-like followers of Asmodeus. She kills loved ones, pillars of the communities and those who are obviously incapable of being guilty. She perpetrates these massacres and leaves lots of witnesses. Every morning, at the barge resumes its journey, Tiadora watches from afar as another settlement wails and mourns the results of her brutal visitation.
I trust that you can carry out this task? The air around Agrippa suddenly gets heavy, with unholy anger, she extends clawed hand at his neck, but them, she stops, her face contorted in anger as she says Okay…
@Sidious "The Dark prince is known for being calculating, cold and patient. Are you sure you are his follower? What are you expecting here? To be praised? Should the master, ignore his faithful an successful followers to honor you first?" she didn't moved from where she is a dreadful feeling gripped you "Are you, dearest, by any means, saying your will and whims are better than the Asmodeus Last High Priest in this dammed isle?" she demands. You know not what you did, but clearly you stepped in some toes. Abraxas is not saying anything, but whatever is happening, he is terrified of Tiadora.
As Sidious tries to enter the cabin with the knot, Tiadora steps into his path. "Are you in a hurry, dearest?" she asks, but then she drops her sarcastic manner and continues "The master did not called for you. You are not part of his Knot. After he has addressed his faithful servants, you may speak to him and pledge your cause." she don't appears to be threating you, but something in her voice makes you wary of confronting her.
On the twelfth night, Cardinal Adrastus Thorn finally shows himself. He teleports just some steps out of Tiadora’s cabin the spell don't even finished and he is already walking inside. He spends a few moments getting a complete report from Tiadora and then sends her to summon his ninth knot. “The master is here and commands you attend him,” Tiadora says grimly. “He’s in the cabin.”
Tiadora contacted you when you broke the clay seal. She has been commanded by her master to escort our band of villains to their next mission. She leads you to a ramshackle river barge “Halstyn’s Folly” tied to Lake Tarik’s bank. The captain and three man crew of this shallow-bottomed barge are all thoroughly under Tiadora’s control. They are certainly no threat. Tiadora will tolerate no delay. “The master commands you board. You will learn more later.”
@Eldred
@Sidious
Balentyne falls though there is still some resistance. The bugbears losses could have been much worse. Sakkarot is unwounded and much heartened by this success. Still, it takes a day to get the whole body of the horde moved up and through the Watchtower gates. The citizenry of Aldencross flee in terror spreading word of the invasion led by the monster who wields an axe of flame. The war has begun and Talingarde has lost the first battle. Once the deed is done. You break the clay seal. Some moments later, Tiadora appears, carrying a small but heavy wooden box. She spend some time, staring openly at Sidious, but says nothing as she hands the box to Johan. Inside it, platinum ingots worth 5000 gp and a a small hand written note. "Our lord smiles upon your success. Here is a token of my esteem. Use it to rest, recover and strengthen yourselves. Other commands will come when the Knot is needed. Your work has just begun. – A." From a promontory, you can see the great bugbear horde camped south of the Watch Wall. Balentyne yet burns behind you. Tiadora remarks, "I have seen no evidence of any army gathering to meet the horde. It seems Zadaria has also succeeded at her mission and has assassinated the commanders. Truly, a great achievement." “Making matters worse for poor Talingarde, small bands of creatures unaligned with Sakkarot approach the breach, eager to take advantage of the chaos. How could these beasts know already about this break in the Watch Wall? Someone must have told them. Probably best to leave. This region is about to become very dangerous." “Still, this will not be enough. Balentyne may be broken but Talingarde is yet strong. Soon word will reach the south. The Heartland and the great cities of the Cambrian Bay will marshal their armies. They will meet Sakkarot on the field and it will be far too close to a fair fight. We must do something about that." “Come, my lords, your ship awaits. Try not to burn this one.”
@Lady
@To all except Lady Rose After traveling, you reach the destination marked in the piece of paper. By all looks, it appears to be only an abandoned inn.
@Lady Tiadora is at the door, waiting for you. She waves in a friendly manner when you approach.
==//==
The woman smile at your comment, you know she is pleased by something, but you don’t know what ”Be sure to get there under one week time, Dearest. We will be waiting” she says and then grab the little one hand and disappears.
==//==
”Sure thing Dearest.” says Tiadora, holding your hand and in the next instant you are in a whole different place.
The woman how calls herself Tiadora look at you in a bemused way ”Well and here was I thinking you only looked like a child.” she smile at you like a caring mother ”Come now little pumpkin” she say extending her hand ”Dear mama will guide all the way…”
Tiadora wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic. When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled.
|
