Greythorne:
“Greythorne, I have a task for you,” he begins with a grin. “The warlord is worried about a new mine. Deliveries of mithril have stopped with no explanation. The owners are sending someone to investigate but he wants one of our agents there too. I want you to meet with a man named Dellish – he’s sending one of his agents, but the warlord wants it clear that we are also looking after our interests.”
“You will be accompanied by a cleric of Hextor,” he announces with a slight grimace of disgust. “Like we need them to look to our affairs... She will no doubt have her own agenda. Keep an eye on her for me as well.”
“Anything else you need to know?” he asks you. “If not you should make your way to Dellish’s manor, he’s expecting you shortly.”
Isila:
“Ah, Isila,” he greets you with a smile as you enter his study. “The church has a new duty for you to perform. I have no doubt you will perform it as admirably as ever. A few months ago, a consortium of businessmen discovered a new deposit of mithril a few days outside of the city. Such a find is, of course, of great interest to the church and we have been instrumental in providing them with support and guidance in bringing the mine to a productive state.”
“Unfortunately, the last few deliveries have not eventuated,” he continues. “The owners have been unable to satisfactorily explain why. They are sending an agent to investigate and I would like you to accompany them. The church is concerned that the supply of such a valuable resource can so easily be disrupted. Perhaps it will transpire that this consortium need our protection in an ongoing arrangement.”
“Make your way to Dellish’s manor, he’s expecting you shortly,” he continues. “There will be a few others you will meet there. Needless to say, there are many with an interest in this venture – each will have sent their own agents, I think it will do them well to remember exactly who runs this city.”
“I will organise someone to show you the way,” he concludes. “Do you have any questions?”
Elsebeth:
“Ah, Elsebeth,” says your father looking over to you. “Excellent, I have a task for you.” Turning back to Vionelle, he ushers her towards another door. “Off you go, Sweetheart. I’ll come and look in on you in a little while.” He kisses her on the cheek as she gathers up her puzzlebox and skips out of the room, hardly glancing at you as she goes. Once she has left he turns to face you.
“We have a problem we need you to look into,” Cambria announces, coming directly to the mission he has for you. “The family has recently discovered a rich mine of mithril, just outside of Bastion. Deliveries had begun, however they suddenly ceased without warning or explanation a few weeks ago. The man responsible for the mine is Dellish – he has assured the council that he will investigate and resolve this problem quickly.” He pauses for a moment, before continuing.
“The council is not completely sure of Dellish’s motives,” he says. “Although you are being sent to assist Dellish and his agents with their enquiries, I also need you to keep an eye out for any irregularities or indications that he may have redirected the mithril for his own purposes. You must be discrete – Dellish is a high ranking member of the family, the Nightmaster of the Royal Quarter. We can’t move against him unless we are very sure he is guilty.”
“So you understand, Elsebeth?” he asks brusquely. “Your main priority is to discover what’s holding up the shipments and to put that right. However, the council is also concerned about this Dellish and his agents – keep your eye out for any clue that he has not been completely honest in his accounting of this endeavour. Any questions?”
Werdred:
“We have a problem,” he begins. “Recently a rich vein of mithril was discovered a couple of days travel from Bastion. The family has been developing the sight, together with agents of the warlord, and a couple of months ago the first deliveries began to arrive.” He pauses to sip from his own glass.
“Unfortunately, the last two shipments have not arrived as expected,” he continues. “I need you to discover exactly what’s holding them up. Then you need to fix the problem. The warlord will also be sending some agents, plus I’m afraid there is a slight complication. The council are concerned that the mine is perhaps not producing the profit they were expecting. They’ve sent one of their spies, a woman called Elsebeth, to ‘assist us in our enquiries’.”
“Needless to say, there may well be one or two accounting glitches which would be troublesome to explain,” he says. “The manager of the mine is a man named Peron. Some of what he might reveal may not reflect so well on me and, by extension, on you either. He’s caused enough trouble with these delays – as punishment, I think his employment should be terminated...in the usual way. Needless to say, if he were to meet his untimely end before this Elsebeth were able to interrogate him, I think it would be good for both of us.”
“Do you have any questions?” asks Dellish as he prepares to stand. “You need to investigate the cause of these delays and rectify the problem. Along the way, make sure Peron gets what he deserves for his failure – and make sure you get it done before Elsebeth gets wind that he has anything valuable to say.”
Cyphitisis:
When you reach his manor in the upper city, you are shown into a well-appointed sitting room and asked to wait. You are the first to arrive, served refreshments as you wish and waited on by a slave standing obediently to one side. “Lord Dellish will only be a moment,” remarks his butler deferentially after showing you to the meeting room. “The other guests will also be arriving shortly.”
DM:
Werdred:
Head to meet with Dellish.
Off to start mission
Following Delish out to the meeting.
Cyphitisis is waiting in a sitting room in Dellish's manor when the door is opened and two new visitors are ushered in. First Isila, then Greythorne are shown in and offered refreshments as you wait for the remaining members of the group to assemble. A moment later, the man you are here to meet enters together with his associate, Werdred.
"Ah good morning to you, my apologies for keeping you waiting," Dellish begins as he inclines his head respectfully to each of you in turn. "I trust you have been provided with what you require." A pained expression flickers across his face, swiftly replaced with his usual urbane smile. "There is one more due to join us," he continues. "I'm sure she won't keep us waiting for long."
Resentment boiling she smiles "And I have no questions. I will attend to this at once, father." She adds, sure that if she mentions their relationship enough that one day he'll remember how close they once were. And with that she turns to leave, resuming her plots to engineer an 'accident' for little Vionelle in the back of her mind, sure that one day she'll think up something flawless.
A short while later, a beautiful young woman is shown in to the room where the rest of you wait. Dellish stands respectfully and welcomes her.
"Elsebeth, it's good to see you," he says. "I trust your father is well?"
Elsebeth:
Elsebeth gives a polite smile and a small respectful bow of her head to Dellish "It's good to see you too, I hope this day finds you well" She greets him warmly, a small purr in her tone "And father is as well as ever. I'll be sure to let him know you asked after him"
"Salutations [insert title here] Dellish."
"Salutations [insert title here] Dellish."
"Welcome all and thank you for your assistance in this matter," begins Dellish by way of introduction. "As you know, deliveries from our latest mining venture have recently ceased without explanation. I am sending Werdred here," he indicates the man who entered with him,"to investigate the reasons behind this interruption and to ensure that the smooth operations of the mine are restored. As always, we are privileged to enjoy the strong support of the churches and the warlord and gratefully accept their added protection and counsel."
"The mine is two days ride south of Bastion, through the Western gate and along the southerly road," he continues. "I would previously have said that it was too close to Bastion for there to be any serious risk along the way, at least to such a competent party as yours. Nonetheless, something is preventing delivery - bandits or other miscreants cannot be ruled out. The mine itself is up in the hills, just over the peak and in the entrance to the Wasteland. Obviously, that brings its own risks, however the mine was securely guarded at all times. I find it inconceivable that its defences would have been breached without them being able to send word."
"My household will provide horses and supplies for a week's journey. Given the difficulty with security on the road, I would suggest you not take any slaves, unless you know they can be trusted not to try and escape. Those hills are riddled with those who have fled their proper station for a life of banditry and crime."
Cy had declined all drinks as she waited.
Very well my lord Delish, When do we leave?
"I think I can handle things without my slaves for a week, and perhaps I'll bring some extras home" he states with a roar of laughter! his booming laugh echoing through the room...
(He is 6'8" afterall...
Dellish leaves you shortly thereafter and your group prepares to leave. Slaves escort you to the stables attached to the manor, where five fine riding horses are saddled and ready for you to begin your journey. The saddlebags are well stocked with the supplies you will need for up to a week. Mounting up, you head out of the manicured grounds of Dellish’s manor and begin to make your way through the city.
Riding down from the bluff overlooking the rest of the city and then your party is given right of way by the common residents of Bastion. You ride along the main road through the city, past the grand cathedral of Hextor and towards the western gate. As you draw closer, you see the long, winding line of lowlifes and residents queuing to leave to work outside the city for the day. You don’t need to queue, nonetheless you will need to present your identification papers to the guards at the gate and receive a pass allowing you to remain outside Bastion for the next week. You are watched closely by the guards at the checkpoint as you approach. A cleric of Hextor in polished, black full plate walks into your path, indicating you should halt.
“Papers please,” demands the priest of as you ride past the line of dirty and poverty stricken lowlifes waiting for permission to leave for the day. “State your business and how long you expect to remain outside of the city.”
"Greetings Priest, I am Citizen Greythorne, I expect to be out of the city for one week, on an inspection tour." Hand him my papers
Islia says a silient prayer as they pass the grand Catherdral. to the man in polished black she smiles wickedly, brandishing her papers and offers "Greetings brother of the six arms, servant of the herald, His grey embrace be upon you, may you enter not thunderstorms"
Does Isila know the man or of him, is his station above her own?
Islia says a silient prayer as they pass the grand Catherdral. to the man in polished black she smiles wickedly, brandishing her papers and offers "Greetings brother of the six arms, servant of the herald, His grey embrace be upon you, may you enter not thunderstorms"
Does Isila know the man or of him, is his station above her own?
You don't know him specifically. He would probably be of similar rank to Isila - the guards at the gates are more senior than those on patrol through the city, considered a lowly appointment.
"May your friends show respect and your enemies tremble with fear," he returns the greeting as he takes your papers and glances over them. "What business do you have in the Wasteland, Sister?"
"Greetings Priest, I am Citizen Greythorne, I expect to be out of the city for one week, on an inspection tour." Hand him my papers
Seeing you are travelling with a priestess of Hextor, he gives your paperwork no more than a cursory glance before handing them back.
"Citizen Greythorne, may your clan prosper," he smiles. "There's not a lot to inspect out there, citizen. Still, you may run across the odd desperate group of bandits or escaped slaves. Cut one down for me if you do, won't you?"
"Werdred Blakely. I'll be out of town about a week.", he says as he passes his papers to
"Greetings Priest, I am Citizen Greythorne, I expect to be out of the city for one week, on an inspection tour." Hand him my papersSeeing you are travelling with a priestess of Hextor, he gives your paperwork no more than a cursory glance before handing them back.
"Citizen Greythorne, may your clan prosper," he smiles. "There's not a lot to inspect out there, citizen. Still, you may run across the odd desperate group of bandits or escaped slaves. Cut one down for me if you do, won't you?"
"Hah! I'll even try to bring them back if they run into me..." As he shakes the manacles at his belt.
"The weak need law and order brought to them, a minor holding that the church is charged to protect, has had recent bandit activity, we shall quell this uprising under the heel of my boot!"
After your papers have been gone over, the priest waves you through and you proceed through the gate. Crossing the river which runs past the city, you follow the road into the foothills to the west, turning gradually south as you ride. The terrain is rugged and unforgiving, the hills gradually growing more inhospitable as they merge with the Wasteland - a magical, barren expanse which extends as far as anyone has travelled to the west.
The traffic on the road is predominantly lowlifes who live in the city but work in the mines throughout the hills. There are occasional patrols of city guards, interrogating the workers in their search for subversive elements as they keep alert for possible bandit attacks. You travel through the day, the mine you are heading towards is nearly two days travel from Bastion and will necessitate camping out. As night falls, you find a suitable place a short distance from the road.
You have been well supplied with bedrolls, thick blankets and small tents - a necessity in this region as on this side of the hills, rain is extremely common and the night temperatures can get close to freezing. Although you are now more senior and used to being waited on, nonetheless most of you have had some experience camping outdoors in your various roles.
Elsebeth:
Greythorne is constantly on the lookout for escaped slaves who might prey upon those leaving the city...
Cyphitisis Rides slightly ahead of all the others constantly gazing into the horizon as if looking for something,
She spends her nights writing in a small black book and once or twice you notice her head off at around midnight but returning before they set of again, She rides a black horse she has named Silence a very strange name for a a horse but she is a strange woman, her familiar a small green viper remains slid up one of her robes sleeves most of the time but pokes it's head out occasionally.
Greythorne
Isila
Werdred
Elsebeth
Cyphistis/DM
Greythorne
The night passes uneventfully, there are no incursions of animals or beasts from the Wasteland over the hills. If there were any others who came across your band while it was camped, they left before you knew they were there. As morning dawns, thick clouds blanket the sky - the day dim and cold as you set out following Dellish's directions to the mine.
Around midmorning, you come to the turnoff you are looking for which leads up into the hills. As you begin to climb, the going is very rough for those who wish to remain on horseback. Those unfamiliar with horses will need to dismount and lead them along the rocky, winding trail. To make matters worse, the rain which has been threatening all morning finally arrives, the downpour rapidly building to a heavy, constant onslaught of water, making the rocks of the trail slippery with water and mud.
You press on for a few hours, eventually reaching the site where Dellish told you to expect the mine. You are near the crest of the hills - further west, the terrain slopes gently downward to the barren, magical desert known as the Wasteland. Looking behind you, you have a clear view of the plains on the other side of the river which winds it's way north to where you can just make out the dark stain of Bastion.
The mining site is a small single roomed cabin adjacent to the path and with a small yard for animals alongside. There is a small, half-open shed containing hay and a water trough, however no animals remain in the enclosure. Further along, there is a long, low wooden building with a chimney at each end and windows at regular intervals along its length. Behind that a pile of dark rock - waste product from the mine which beckons - a small hole gaping in the hillside. Looking down over the site, the rain pouring down, you see no signs of life or any movement.
Greythorne will survey the area looking for signs of an ambush.
When we go down to the camp, I will look for tracks.
Isila dismounts and walks her horse, she carries herself vainly and has no "guard up" she believes no one would ever dare attack a priestess of Hextor, if someone or something does, she is confident it will meet judgement at the spikey smash from Hextor's gavel. She is arrogant, and it shows.
Werdred dismounts and walks down towards the office. "Hey, Peron! You in there?", he yells as he readies his sword and shield.
Greythone bends to examine the ground while Werdred is calling for Peron
"What do you think Werdred?"
Cyphitisis Dismounts and strifes into the area looking around With a disgusted look on her face
"Damn, this doesn't look good. Peron should of expected us to be here eventually. Even he's courteous enough to tell someone to stay up here to greet us."
Werdred approaches the office, the door is unlocked and it is quickly apparent that it is deserted. It contains a desk with a few papers and an inkwell and quill, a couple of chairs and a cabinet - mostly containing reports and accounts, on a cursory inspection. As Werdred examines the office, Isila and Cyphitisis stand in the centre of the abandoned camp as Greythorne searches for tracks. The heavy rain is still pouring down and Greythorne is not surprised to find no traces of any tracks, humanoid or otherwise.
GM:
20
Werdred:
"Find anything of interest, Werdred?" she asks, her voice containing just the hint of a threat, though her face is an unreadable mask of polite enquiry.
When Werdred remains inside the office for a few moments, Elsebeth follows him in out of the rain.
"Damnable muck, I can't detect a fallen horse in all this mud"
Greythorne will cautiously approach the mine entrance and check for anything of interest there...
GM/Elsebeth:
DM/Werdred:
Isila stands in the rain eyeing the mine entrance, she lets the cool rain water run into her mouth, with her exhalations a bit of misty spray exits and steams from her armor, she states with annoyance, "we are going to have to go in there, aren't we..."
Elsebeth:
As Greythorne approaches the mine he discovers two bodies sprawled in the mud just outside the entrance. They are guards to judge by their armor and weapons and look to have lain here for several days. The mine shaft slopes gently downwards, meaning that water is running into the mouth of the artificial cave making the floor reasonably slippery in parts, although it is still relatively dry. A short distance in, through the gloom, you can see a third body lying on the stone floor.
DM:
Call for the others. "Hoi! Two guards over here, dead at least 2 days."
Mechanics:Heal Check: 1d20+2=15
GM/Elsebeth:
Standing at the entrance to the mine, Greythorne briefly looks over the bodies as he calls to you all. The door to the office opens once more, held by Werdred as he beckons Elsebeth out before him.
Greythorne:
DM/Wedred: