Vendrick watches the battle unfold and raises his cedarleaf staff in the air causing the undergrowth to grow and entangle the Lizardfolk units.
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"Right, let's form them up in a reverse wedge formation. Draw the enemy in and then encircle. Once battle is given, I'll split their forces with Walls of Fire."
"I cannot fight and fly effectively so I will remain with the army. The spells I prepared today are more well-suited to mass combat than greater foes as well."
I would think a dragon would be more discerning of it's partners. Vendrick flies back down to his allies and reverts back to humanoid form. "There appears to be a half-dragon crocodile flying in this direction along with a warband moving along the water. Their lair is also ahead, a half-sunken complex of caves."
"Sven, master of diplomacy. I'll fly overhead and see if I can spot their tribal grounds." Vendrick then clicks his staff against the ground and pulls his cloak around him. It covers him completely and then pulls inward until there is a quiet rustle and feathered wings emerge. A small owl takes his place and flies off into the sky.
"Lizardfolk are generally xenophobic and insular so the likelihood of any one lizardfolk knowing the Common tongue is unlikely." "In any event, that tribe appears to be followers of a long dead black dragon. I do not think it will be willing to chat."
Vendrick prods at Desmond with his staff and looks at him skeptically. He detects magic on the water and takes a small sample of the water in a vial. "I'm fairly certain you may have hit your head on a rock under the water but you appear to be okay so we can table a more thorough physical until time allows."
"We should stick together from now on. I suggest we set up a rearguard and move deeper into the swamp. Demons being called without abandon pose a serious problem. These goblins likely do not fathom the long-term repercussions that it could have for decades or centuries unchecked."
"So...demons. That is rather peculiar."
Vendrick thrusts a hand out and a burst of sparkling light pops around the Bar-Lgura that is still visible.
"Retreat! That is not something easily killed!" Vendrick calls out the order for a retreat before drawing a circle in the air before it disappears.
"I think we probably need to step in, Moryn."
Vendrick is content to let the goblins fight it out. "Bombers, focus your fire to destroy their cover and flush them out. Use the resources you have to shape the battlefield to be more favorable for your own purposes."
"Alright...let's get a bit organized." Vendrick divides up the goblins into squads of eleven strong. Ten regular goblins lead by a trained warrior goblin. The fire bombers he has formed as it's own squad. "As easy as it would be for Moryn & I to eliminate the opposition, the goal of this expedition is for you all to gain some experience and to see which of you has the mettle to lead others. Follow your squad leader's order precisely or you will be dealt with harshly. If you distinguish yourself in battle or contribute a clever plan, you will receive a larger cut of the spoils. This is another reason why Moryn & I will await on the sidelines unless necessary. If we do everything for you, then we'll be taking all the treasure." Vendrick lectures the ten squad leaders whilst pacing back and forth. "This group is small so if we want to make sure they aren't alerted unduly, Squad 1 & 2 will approach from both sides and flank the goblins between them. 3 & 4 will wait and back them up. Everyone else will wait further back in case something happens that 3 & 4 can't deal with."
"I wouldn't be so hasty. Tuskkeep goblins have managed to make it thus far..." Vendrick looks over his shoulder at the arrayed goblin forces. "Their cohesion is better than the tribal goblins. It should make them a bit more stout when it comes to holding their ground. But I digress, we should talk strategy Moryn." The elf grabs the slowly orbiting Kiira crystal around him and focuses on it as he sifts through his spells. "If we lure the monkey goblin tribe out, I can divide their forces with walls of fire. We could also try to assassinate their leadership by locating their dens and bombarding it. Atleast, that is what it suggests in the Manual of War by Warmage Xi."
"What do you two think?" Vendrick looks at Desmond & Moryn.
Vendrick holds a hand over his nose. "This place is disgusting. Why would anything want to live here?"
Vendrick spends a bit of time scoping out goblins for magical talent and teaching them a healthy appreciation of Siege Weaponry. Aside from that, he crafts a few scrolls for the upcoming challenges and has a few spells added to the Lesser Kiira. Scrolls & Spells Added: Scrolls: Dominate Animal CL5 Good Hope CL5 Wind Wall CL5 Jester's Jaunt CL5 Spells Added:
Vendrick gives a small smile to the stressed goblin.
"People need a vent for their frustrations. The same is true for all races. Do we have a particular target?" "Also Pepperclamp...have you considered taking the crown? You have been acting Steward for some time...I think after these raids, you should have the popularity to do so. Pardon me for asking."
"The Fangwood sounds interesting, but as far as goblins go, I quite like Pepperclamp personally and helping solidify his position helps solidify the precarious alliance we have between Aldwall and Tuskkeep. What do you all think? If he loses favor, Aldwall could find itself without allies in Ambervale."
Vendrick spends the first initial month getting the materials and funds necessary for Sven's revival. He purchases a large number of ingredients from a recently arrived merchant peddling exotic goods and offering spiritual magical assistance to Aldwall. Through an ad hoc ritual, the elf reaches into The Green to pull the Skinwalker back, but what arrives is not quite what left. "That's not right, I was sure I followed the formula precisely...Sven, I-" When the man lets out a bestial laugh, Vendrick's tension eases and he is simply happy to have his friend back in the land of the living. ======================================================================== In the rest of year that passes, Vendrick keeps busy. He studies the rudiments of High Magic with Elder Evergreen, analyzes the pocket dimension within the mirror to change the destination points, and looks for ways to reduce the corruption within Nyth Enalaen. A gateway to a safe place and a convenient method of travel all wrapped in one. If possible, he tries to set the destination to the now vacate advisor's room, the unused library within Tuskkeep and the last connecting to the temple of Yuelral within Nyth Enalaen. In addition, he makes the platform a bit more homey with a few cots, a writing desk, a few shelves and keeps his obsolete spellbook here. An accident whilst studying High Magic shaves a decades off Vendrick's life, but it is a small price to pay for an elf. As for the corruption, he starts a small project of cultivating a fruit tree inside various abjurative effects. Occasionally Vendrick makes a short jaunt to Aldwall to keep tabs on it, purchase supplies and chat about magic with Moryn whom the elf finds an interesting conversation partner in magic theory. ======================================================================
Vendrick drinks deep from a wine glass and exhales a sigh of appreciation. "The Mistpines frankly cannot compare to the outside world...so it appears those troublemakers are starting to show up again. I was hoping they would have learned better as time passed. Thank you, Vraljyiya. I know someone within the city that may be interested in work." And promptly introduces Moryn whom they may already know.
Vendrick is grimly quiet at the sight of Sven's corpse and quietly incants a spell to preserve the body until the next day. The elf then usurps a library for his own use and refuses to speak to anyone until the next day upon which he emerges from the library with tired eyes. "He would prefer rum I think." The words are only just above a whisper audibly. Before the three judges, the elf snaps. "By the Heavens above and the Hells below, do your own damned jobs. Without the Blackguard, we'd have never known Frederich was compromised and we all could have been mourning Mithakilis' death today. Instead, another close friend of mine threw himself into harms way to save your hides." Vendrick stares hard at each of the Judges in turn. You all were in the room with him, three esteemed priests in service to the heavens, and he still died under your watch. Vendrick opens his mouth to speak again, but does not trust himself any further and storms out.
Vendrick clenches his amulet in one hand to fling another fireball at B & C's rooftop before his disembodied voice hollers down at Mithakilis. "Whats going on Mithakilis?!"
Vendrick huffs a bit of air through his nose at Desmond's remark and flicks a bead of fire in the golem's direction and the rest of the criminals. Which promptly explodes.
Vendrick is invisible and makes hand gestures nobody can see. What people CAN see is the rooftop, where B & C are, is suddenly transmuted into molten glass that quickly cools.
Vendrick staggers back a little and winks out of sight.
Vendrick runs over to Desmond and grabs his arm. "Sven! I'll come back for you in a moment!" "Fennas!" And with a puff of smoke, Desmond and Vendrick reappear behind the crossbowman.
"We have reason to believe the possessor and the possessed are cooperating to avoid interrogation. Within this circle, the possessed shouldn't be able to exercise his portion of the act." "Tell us if you are an ally or enemy of Aldwall." "Are you currently affiliated with the Cult of Norgorber or any of his other aliases? Have you been coerced by the cult or any other foreign power to act against Aldwall or any of it's citizens?"
"That is sadly unsurprising at this point." Vendrick sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. "I think it is about time we stopped playing games with Frederich." With the Judge's help, Vendrick has him make an Inward Focused Magic Circle Against Evil that is then Dimensional Anchored. He has the advisor bound, gagged and brought to the room. Before stepping into the circle, he gives an order to Frederich. "Do not resist the magic of this room." Vendrick has the gag removed from the advisor before pacing about the room.
"Your Honor, I would like to offer a plea bargain for the accused. If he gives critical information toward the goal of dismantling the Cult of Norgorber, then he can continue work here under a Geas for the rest of his life. Should he not accept, I believe we have provided and seen sufficient evidence showing his allegiance with the Cult. Capital Punishment should be in order. If this possession is legitimate, he would still be a danger to society at large." "However, I question the legitimacy of the possession. There were several moments during the interrogation where Frederich was hesitant to answer or flustered. During these moments my associate Sir Desmond discovered the possession effect only taking hold when answering an incriminating question. This evidence alone should prove without a shadow of a doubt that Frederich is guilty!" Vendrick stops and snaps a pointed finger at the advisor. "In addition to that, I have also discovered a teleportation effect within his personal chambers. I don't believe Aldwall would permit such a security risk being installed in the heart of it's leadership." "What say you accused? Will you accept the plea or be judged in Abadar's eyes?"
"I don't know whether I should make a dry remark or have you shot with a crossbow."
Vendrick swears to himself and enters to sweep Detect Magic through the room.
"I'll be dozing intermittently. Wake me if there is any trouble." Vendrick nods in respect to the two guards.
"This mirror can see invisible reflections and there appears to be a teleportation spell in this room. Curiouser and curiouser." "In the morning we'll exorcise the advisor and further investigate this teleportation spell. Until then...we should to be on standby nearby where they are keeping the advisor just in case."
Vendrick nods slowly. "We should go search his room. Perhaps ask the servants if there is anywhere he frequents."
Vendrick goes to see the assassin and tells him what we learned from the interrogation. "So you would have killed an innocent man in your quest for vengeance. Do you know anything about the cult possessing people?"
"I lack the tools to perform an exorcism today. Judge, do you perhaps have something of that regard? Nonetheless, this is quite fascinating."
"Tell us what you know of why that assassin attacked you." "Are you familiar with the abandoned shrine down in the alleys? Tell us everything you know about it." "How long have you worked here in Aldwall?" Vendrick keeps rattling off questions at the man.
"Nod your head if you are an ally of Aldwall. Shake your head if you are not." "Write all the names and titles of everyone you report to on this parchment."
"I command you to cooperate with the investigation." "Let's start with something simple. Tell us who you are and what your purpose here in Aldwall is." "Are you currently affiliated with the Cult of Norgorber or any of his other aliases? Have you been coerced by the cult or any other foreign power to act against Aldwall or any of it's citizens? If so who are they and detail your relationship with them." Vendrick reads from a scroll of questions he had prepared the night before.
"You have a remarkably iron will for a bureaucrat Frederich. Did you know only five out of a hundred human commoners would resist that spell on average? Under duress even elves drop to that statistic. You are well acquainted with numbers, yes?" Vendrick narrows his eyes at the advisor. The elf weaves his magic once more, slightly irritated and surprised at his magic failing the first time.
Vendrick straightens his collar and begins the ritual. "Turvala Pantieae' Furion!"
"We can act with Mithakilis' authority. I don't think a distraction is necessary and doing something like that to fool the guards in his employ would strain our relationship. We can reassign the guards to watch our assassin friend here if we don't want their help in making sure the advisor does not try anything."
"The guards should be on our side...unless this cult goes deeper than we thought." |