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While this discussion was ongoing a member of the watch entered the room and caught Councillor Eberhard's attention. The councillor beckoned the man over and they had a whispered conversation which ended with Eberhard saying, "Tell them."

Smiling sadly Eberhard nodded to Azarra, "I've had a long life Azarra. I'm afraid time is catching up with me as does it all..."

Re slaves - watch this space.

Looking and sounding tired, Eberhard reminded Braccio, "At times we have to choose the lesser of two evils. By ridding ourselves of the occupation we now become an attractive proposition for annexation by any one of a dozen powers. We need to raise a self defence force but as we know that takes time and money... Let's not rehash the vote, we made a decision. It's time we followed through.". The old man started coughing and waved away assistance from Braccio.

The head of the council Eberhard greeted them warmly, although he looked older and decidedly unsteady. "Friends you have done Phlan a great service, we have now secured everything bar the castle and surely its capture is now but a matter of time. I'm particularly pleased that you managed to recover that orb even if it did mean spending thousands on it. Considering the damage a flight of dragons might cause we should count ourselves lucky. Naturally it needs to be destroyed if possible or placed beyond harm if not."

A coughing fit struck the old man and it took him a while to master himself before he continued, "We spent most of our treasury on the orb but fear not your efforts will not go unrewarded. Should you wish to claim it we have resolved to grant land and title elevating you and your descendants as nobility. This is in addition to your pick of villa from the newly reclaimed north bank. Also we understand there were items of power at the auction that have left the city headed west in the clutches of a group of orcs, we believe we know where they are headed..."

Eberhard nodded at Azarra's question, "Yes as it happens we do..."

He clicked his fingers and an aid brought forth a velvet lined wooden box within which where five normal looking top hats.

Sounding old and tried he told you, "We'd appreciate if you where to return these afterward, they where rather difficult to obtain."

Earhart nodded along with Cardona but Eberhard seemed irritated by this, snapping, "Yes yes, your foreign policy position is well known councillor. We need to consider the question at hand, should we really send half our treasury into enemy territory to purchase a bauble? Money that we may never see again..."

Quarter of an hour later you find yourself in a back room of the council building inside Councillor Eberhard's study. The old man limped in and looked like he'd been trampled by a horse but was moving under his own power at least.

He nodded to you and the other councillors filed in behind him and took seats around Eberhard's large desk. Giving Braccio a steady gaze he barked, "Well? What does your goddess have to say? If real that orb is going to be ruinously expensive."

After a few moments Zane heard Eberhard's voice across the connection, "Excellent! Notable improvement in river color overnight. Situation tense here, assassins failed to kill von Urslingen, have lead, arrests expected. Will send delegation to lizardfolk."

Eberhard lets out a low whistle, "Something tells me our dear Councillor Cardona is keen for you to be elsewhere... Hmmm. Well so now that you're talking about a loan against a tangible asset, we'll lend you up to 75% of the fair market value in the form of promissory notes. I hope you didn't expect coin, honestly nobody has that amount of loose coin in a town this small and as you'll find all the local merchants are happy to exchange them. Can't promise they'll fetch face value elsewhere in the Moonsea region of course."

But he was cut off by Ebverhard who asked flatly, "Exactly how much silk did our little dandy lumber you with?"

Counting them off on his fingers Councillor Eberhard replied, "Well first there was the three rangers Mikka, Urial and Thiol who set off to track down the source of the pollution, we don't think they even reached the Sorcerer's Isle.

Six months later the final expedition, a group of five Tormtar Paladins set off to purge the slumbering evil within The Sorcerer's Isle. We have no idea what happened to them, and that was ten years ago."

As you approach the table, chairs are drawn out for you and the ageing head of the council Eberhard addresses you sounding even more tired than usual, "Thank you for coming. I'm afraid Councillor Cardona had a more pressing engagement, presumably with his mistress." This raised a few titters. Eberhard pressed on without acknowledging this, "I think that says all you need to know about the man. We've had a spate of horrible accidents of late with the Stojanow river, it's banks are swept with contagion and death. Once it flowed pure and its water was sweet and full of fish but now to touch that water is to die. Seven times we have sent brave men and women to find the source of this most foul pollution. Seven times we have waited in vain for word of their success. If you are willing we'd like to try one last time..."

Eberhard nods in appreciation as he says "Very well. We appreciate your willingness to take this on, the council will ensure you are adequately compensated. And yes this can wait until you are rested."

Everhard's eyebrows rose, "Well I'm not entirely sure if they'd accept such a commission, although the council would indeed be grateful to reclaim such a strategic part of Phlan. Apart from that there's the matter of civic pride, The Textile House used to be world famous quite literally putting Phlan on the fashion map."

He looks towards the Watchers of Dawn, curious to see what you have to say about the idea.

Looking every part of his seventy odd years, Eberhard sighed deeply, "Oh very well, I suppose. But I want the pyramid dealt with right after. Oh and who did you want to do the dirty work for you? The black hand? The thousand head coster?"

"I'm told a tribe of giants was pressed into service by the inhuman army, curious they ended here, they where supposed to have been interned in the pyramid up stream..." replied Eberhard.

Visibly ageing before your eyes Eberhard shook his head before replying glumly, "They would have washed over us like a dark tide, perhaps snuffing out all life in a single night..."

He points his staff towards the long tunnel leading back to the ruined temple beneath the graveyard, "That leads towards the Vaults right? I wonder if it's possible to have a mage view the past history and learn if this was how the unhuman forces infiltrated Phalan ahead of the invasion..."

Pretty sure there is a spell which does that, can't find it right now.

Eyes raised slightly Councillor Eberhard replied, "Err yes, that does seem prudent. I'd like a full report on this Draegor'thak. Are you certain he won't trouble us anymore?"

Councillor Eberhard glances at Azarra then nods to Ishta and Zane. Firmly he replies, "OK then we have a deal. About four hundred and sixty years ago there was a private bank on the mainland just north of the canal called Vallingen and Co. Quite why it was built outside of the town walls is a mystery lost to history but it was and the inevitable orc horde happened. Actually it was the second one that cracked it open, a powerful shaman called Grqkka summoned a monstrously large earth elemental which brought down the walls. The place was thoroughly pillaged and burned with the still living bankers trapped inside some of the magically protected vaults the orcs couldn't crack open. There's little left now and the ruin serves as the town graveyard. This is all public record although I dare say mostly forgotten public record. Anyway there are two vaults left unopened and we have the combination for both of them. Vault #3 shall remain unopened it is the last resting place of a good number of innocent citizens and it our wish that their rest be forever peaceful. Vault #5 however as far as we're aware doesn't have any unburied citizens in it although there may be the remains some orcs who where trapped in there... According to records it contains a large shipment of silver trade bars and semi-precious stones. If you slay the necromancer you may open it with our blessing. Here is the combination."

He passes you a note with a eight numbers on it. Apparently its a combination lock.

A bit gruffly Eberhard tells you, "We're rather hoping you can help us out again. To make it worth your while I'm prepared to tell you something that needs to remain strictly secret... Are you interested?"

"Its... it's of orcish design... and has a powerful enchantment against humans."

The Councillor nodded his approval.

"Where was this found?"

Deadpan Eberhard replied, "About two inches from my head and three from von Urslinghen's. No we didn't see who shot it, they where apparently invisible. And no we don't know if they missed on purpose or by accident. Yes we tried divination but they where warded and no we didn't set the watch after them, who ever did this is is dangerous."

Braccio was about to say more when the council Leader Eberhard spoke over him, "More than one problem! Do you know what this is?"

He shows you an arrow made of a black wood inlaid with strange red glyphs and red fetching. The bodkin arrowhead appears to be made of a dark metal reddish-black metal. Behind him Councillor von Urslinghen massaged his temple as if he had a headache.

Eberhard then tottered over to the podium and announced, "It is decided. The Ravens will investigate Kuto's well, and The Watchers of Dawn will escort Delenn into Mantors Library and make it and the archives safe for civilians."

He banged his staff against the podium, and cried "Meeting adjourned!"

With that everyone began filing out, with a hubbub of excitement in the air.

Eberhard seemed pleased by the enthusiastic response, "OK The Watchers of Dawn are interested, who else? The Ravens, The Thousand Swords and The Mailed Fist. Anyone else? Right OK then, four Mercenary companies, very good. Well you can't all go..." He glanced at the other Councillors who nodded. Turning back to the crowd he shouted, "OK show of hands for whose interested in the Kuto's well mission?"

Representatives for The Ravens, The Thousand Swords, The Mailed Fist and several other companies raised their hands.

Do you also raise your hand or are you going to try and stick to the library mission?

Once more Eberhard leaned on his staff to rise and hobbled over to the podium as Zolonsho sat down. Eberhard took three attempts to bring the meeting to order before saying "Very good Sargent, the city is offering the same sum to any mercenary company willing to escort Delenn. So who is interested?"

Once more the audience explodes with everyone shouting at once in their excitement.

Eberehard gingerly got up and tottered arthritically over to the podium, paused there for a moment to catch his breath and said "Thank you Delenn, the City of Phlan is eternally grateful to have you back once again!" He then glanced to a member of the guard who was also sitting on another stool, and motioned him over, "And now may I introduce Sergeant Zolonsho. Ah I can see some of you know him already! Zolonsho is of course a long standing and highly decorated member of the guard. So Zolonsho tell us, what's up with Kuto's well?"

Yeah that's right Ishata!
"SILENCE!" thundered council leader Eberhard. He was so red in the face nobody would have been surprised if he'd died right then and there of apoplexy. He smacked his staff off office into the floor three times to underscore his words. A hush descended upon the unusually packed town hall. It was just as well that Ser Armithia came early for the crowd extended well beyond the hall, and those outside where desperately trying to hear the proceedings.

Sounding tired Eberhard then announced, "Yes the rumors are true, we are opening up Manor's Library for reclamation and yes we're looking for a team to investigate what the heck is going on with Kuto's well. Now I've got two special guests here today who will explain. Firstly we are graced by the presence of Delenn Moonbean, a long time resident who arrived two nights ago from Cormanthor. An internationally respected authority on antiquities and one of the few living beings lucky enough to have studied at Mantor's library in it's heyday. She has volunteered to help the city reclaim it's heritage by opening the restricted archives!"

"Very well then, MEETING ADJOURNED!" cries Everhard as his staff slams into the floor. The councilors abruptly stand up and file out. With the excitement over, the crowd starts to dissipate soon after.

"ENOUGH!" shouts Eberhard, visibly angry. He glares at Councillor Cadorna and then Braccio. Calmly he carries on, "Von Urslingen proposes the Watchers of Dawn, Cadorna the Black Watch. I think we all know how Bishop Braccio will vote but what about you Earhart?"

Once more the Watchers of Dawn, along with half of Phlan shuffle into the town hall with a general hubbub of excitement. As before everyone is packed in there like sardines on a tin, a horrible thought strikes some of you: What if a madman was to cast a fireball in here?! The carnage would be almost as appalling as the bodily odors coming from the great unwashed masses.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a cry as several people notice you and point. An approving murmur of "The Watchers of Dawn are here!" ripples through the crowd. This is followed by a chant of "THE BLACK WATCH! THE BLACK WATCH!" There gasps and whispers as several members of the Black Watch barge their way in.

As often happens with large crowds everyone starts talking louder and louder to make them selves heard, till everyone is shouting. Acting on some unseen cue, the council file out and their leader Eberhard smashes his staff of office on the floor and screams impossibly loudly, "SILENCE!" It was as if everyone held their breath, for you could suddenly hear a pin drop.

In a normal voice Eberhard continues, "Yes. I know you're excited, the past two days have been most encouraging. But..." He draws the word out as peers out across the crowd, seeming to meet everyone's eye, "Progress won't always be so easy. For now the forces arranged against us are for the most part ill disciplined, but there are pockets of stiffer resistance. Von Urslingen will explain." Rather stiffly as if arthritic, Eberhard sinks down onto his chair and tries not to wince.

Bang. Bang. Bang goes Eberhard's staff. "SILENCE!" he screams, "The ayes have it, motion carried. Congratulations Watchers of Dawn, the first shot at this is yours."

Several groups storm out at this point.

Eberhard swivels round and gives Zane a piercing look, "Watchers of Dawn, who are they?"

Banging his staff once more to call the meeting to order, Eberhard screeches, "So who will do this? Which companies dare to take on the undead?" Locking eyes with a powerful looking half-elf in the back he cries, "You! Silver Ravens will you do this?" He them looks towards a most disreputable pair of half orcs, "What about the vaunted Red Hand, do you have the guts to cut an enemy that doesn't bleed?"

For a moment a pregnant pause as the crowd holds its breath.

As great mummer of excitement rises as the hall fills up, getting louder and louder. After some time all five councilors file in order of rank. The first is the wizened elder, Ulrich Eberhard who is said to be over eighty summers but still hale. He walks upright albeit painfully with the aid of a staff. Behind him comes Werner von Urslingen still wearing the same armor as before. After him comes Bishop Braccio, a middle aged man looking resplendent in his robes. he sports prominently the holy symbol of Tymora a special face-up coin. After him is Councillor Elbert Earhart the treasurer and finally Councillor Porphyrys Cadorna a young rakish dilletante looking rather bored.

Once the council was seated upon the in a semi-circle on the stage, Councillor Eberhard thumped his staff on the floor screeching for, "Silence! The council of Phlan would address you. Silence!"

Silence descends and then in a rather curt tone he addresses the crowd, "Good morning glory seekers. As I'm sure most of you are aware, the threat of sea borne attack on our harbor is significant. The Orcs want to do it. The Zhents want to do it, half the Moonsea wants to do it!" A thin sliver of spittle flies as he works himself up into a rage, "THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED!" Peering at the crowd he continues, "To prevent this, the Council wishes to reclaim and rebuild Sokol Keep! With this tower once again in operation, a garrison there could ensure that pirates were unable to intercept an arriving vessel. First however it must be cleansed. It is filled with undead creatures and slimy things that crawled up from the sea. A bounty of two thousand gold shall be granted to the company who does this!"

There are several gasps from the crowd at this revaluation.

Stomping his staff once, Eberhard screeches, "SILENCE!" Once again chastened the crowd falls silent. In a normal voice Eberhard continues, "Of course there is a complication. As part of its final defense, the cleric of Sokol Keep a man known as Ferran Martinez placed a mighty enchantment on the tower before he died. Ever since the tower has been defended by a corps of skeletons. Indeed, those who are slain within its walls and left there will join this undead watch, as skeletons, zombies or whatever. Bishop Braccio has divined a way of dealing with these which he will explain."