Professor Rokannon says "First, let us assemble at the Safe House."
He proceeds to lead the members, old and new, to it at the Shrine of Aroden. He tries to make sure they aren't followed as well.
There, he lays out the map of the city, what they have deduced so far.
Are 'Shadow Beasts' real, or is it an urban myth? The common folk now fear going out at night, for everyone in the city has heard the strange cries of — or lost a pet or loved one to — the creatures of pure darkness that hunt the streets after sundown... or such is the common gossip.Here's the low-down, as best as a competent scholar like the Professor has managed to determine.
It all began in Rova of 4676 ar. What started as stories of strange creatures slinking through the shadows became a citywide panic as Wiscrani began disappearing off the darkened streets. Rumours spread quickly of a return of the White Plague or a resurrection of the infamous Council of Thieves, but these tales were soon replaced by reports of a shadowy calamity at Delvehaven, the local Pathfinder lodge, and sightings of dark and insubstantial beings hunting the streets. After months of ignoring or dismissing the problem, the government eventually launched a campaign to seek out and put an end to what they downplayed as an infestation of giant rats, goblins, and goblin dogs.
Yet the dottari proved ill equipped for these midnight hunts, and the office of the mayor offered only empty promises. Growing fear and anger led to scapegoating and suspicions of insurrectionists from Nidal, which culminated in a mob’s daylight burning of twin Nidalese coasters. Finally, for the populace’s protection, a curfew was enacted throughout the city while a small army of dottari and experienced mercenaries were commissioned to deal with the shadowy curse that had afflicted the Wiscrani night. Numerous raids and hunts were conducted in the Dospera and ancient city sewers, only to result in the loss of many hunters with little apparent gain. Thus, the nightly curfew remained in effect for more than 30 years, with the unwary risking their very lives.Today, with the dying of every day’s light, businesses hurriedly close and respectable homes light lanterns outside their doors. Members of the dotarri light pyrahjes, man-sized torches, throughout the Parego Regicona and in the major plazas of the Parego Spera, patrolling between such islands of light in groups of seven. Taverns, festhalls, and similar establishments maintain sleeping rolls for those who stay after dark, collecting a customary 2 sp fee for boarders soon after twilight. Those forced onto the street after dark typically carry halorans, 7-foot-tall hooked staves hung with bright lanterns, made publicly available along the city’s most traveled avenues.
Despite the city’s adaptation to the nightly scourge, specifics of what the creatures are, where they came from, and their intentions remain the stuff of rumours, with every Wiscrani having his own wildly varying theory. Most residents have accepted and adapted to the deadly curfew, which is frequently broken in the Spera and even more often on Westcrown Island, where few attacks take place. Dottari who catch residents out after curfew can enforce up to a 5 gp fine, but more commonly hurry such scofflaws along their way.
Weekly, though, new tales arise of deadly attacks on curfew breakers, assuring that the nightly ban is widely maintained. Several times a year the lord mayor makes a show of decrying the plague of mysterious hunters stalking the city’s streets, promising renewed efforts to put an end to the menace, but little has changed in the three decades since the creatures’ mysterious appearance.
Professor Rokannon leans back in his chair, softly blowing smoke rings.
"Delvehaven. Some of the first reports mention a 'shadowy calamity at Delvehaven'. I have resolved an investigation during daylight hours may reveal more."
He looks at the rest of you.
"You have heard the story of Delvehaven, have you not?
It was the local chapter house of the Society of Pathfinders.
It was forcibly closed by the order of the city’s diabolical rulers, and they were exiled, forcing them to leave behind untold knowledge and the treasures of countless expeditions."
His eyes gleam as he tells the story, smoking more rapidly.
"Today, Delvehaven lies under the pale of fearful rumors and dark magic, and bureaucratic red tape has prevented trespass on the lodge’s well-protected grounds. A perfect base for an unseen enemy, is it not?"
"Let us rest tonight and begin the expedition tomorrow morning."
Gerinelle smiles thoughtfully, "Hmmm. Fearful rumors, beauracratic red tape, and dark magic. It sounds like Westcrown itself."
There was a charm to Westcrown. Ever since he arrived, nobody had bothered him - this is good. Distractions were ripe in Riddleport, with petty thieves at every corner trying to snatch his coin. He had little enjoyment in killing without cause, but there was always the twitch that made the cut just deep enough to be fatal. He never thought it through - if it was intentional or just a fluke. But he told himself it was only the gold that was enjoyable.
Yet Westcrown had made him uneasy - this is not good. It almost felt good to not have shed blood here. Yet. The people of the streets have noticed the giant of a man, with the scythe on his back - it was visible, and always will be. It's only been three days, yet he has walked the streets well enough for a rough draft of where everything is.
The contract had several names. Words and rumours. He had already found the key to his mission - the Children of Westcrown, they were called.
He gauges them carefully from the shadows as they leave the Broad Face Inn, fastening his black leather gloves. How to approach...
Excuse me! Did you say something about hunting...her voice lowers to a whisper shadow beasts?!? The person that approached your group is a half-orc female with singed hair and eyebrows and a smell of sulfur surrounding her. She has slightly wild eyes when she talks, almost as if permanently surprised that people are listening to her. She greets those that have worked with the acting troupe in the past as she has been with the group as their master of special effects for the past several months.
You know that they are really just a cover for the illicit activities of the city rulers right? That they use the story just to make the populace fear to go out at night so that they can conduct their evil business dealings with demonic entities in the open. She looks around at the group expectantly.
Gerinelle shakes her head with a laugh, the soft glow from the halo around her head glistening through her hair.
"Not entirely true. There are shadowy creatures that plague the town, as well as those that are not afraid to bring light into the darkness."
Excuse me! Did you say something about hunting...her voice lowers to a whisper shadow beasts?!? The person that approached your group is a half-orc female with singed hair and eyebrows and a smell of sulfur surrounding her. She has slightly wild eyes when she talks, almost as if permanently surprised that people are listening to her. She greets those that have worked with the acting troupe in the past as she has been with the group as their master of special effects for the past several months.
You know that they are really just a cover for the illicit activities of the city rulers right? That they use the story just to make the populace fear to go out at night so that they can conduct their evil business dealings with demonic entities in the open. She looks around at the group expectantly.
Kara raises an eyebrow at the Half-Orc's assumptions and says
Oh, is that what is going on? How do you know?
Gerinelle grins again, though she shakes her head.
"Greetings, Mathur. I welcome you to this conversation, at least. Who knows what beyond that."
Gerinelle smiles.
"Usually I fill the area with a heavenly bright light so I can see it more clearly and make it less comfortable, and then fill the beast with arrows."
Gerinelle smiles.
"Usually I fill the area with a heavenly bright light so I can see it more clearly and make it less comfortable, and then fill the beast with arrows."
Right then, I'll be keeping close to you.
Grixie raises her hand a bit sheepishly and says "I have some explosive compounds that I have been working on that should help destroy whatever comes our way. Though again these shadow beasts are merely men in costumes designed to scare the public. A very reputable homeless man told me that several years ago, in between wailing about the devious purple elephant chasing him. Some people believe the strangest things.
Professor Rokannon thinks carefully on Safrac's question.
"What I have laid out is the sum total of what is known about the shadowbeasts that my scholarship has been able to obtain and analyse. As you can see, very little is known about the beasts themselves. Even the expedition to Delvehaven is something of a theory on my part. Still this is my best reccommendation on a course of action."
"Now, do we need anything before we depart? And could someone please shut the door before someone else wanders into our top secret base?"
That sounds interesting, I look forward to seeing you use this tactic sometime. Can anyone inform me as to what manner of beast these shadow things are, what do they look like? Do they show any knowledge of superior tactics or are they mindless horde?Gerinelle smiles.
"Usually I fill the area with a heavenly bright light so I can see it more clearly and make it less comfortable, and then fill the beast with arrows."
Gerinelle ceases her smile as she thinks about the questions.
"I have seen only a few shadowbeasts, but they are there. They are not a construction of the elite to control us."
She thinks about how to respond.
"I have fought two different shadow creatures. One seemed to be a shadow of a human being, but with glowing red eyes. These are somewhat resistant to everything but magic, and fairly dangerous. And then there are the shadow slimes that have a black oily substance. These don't seem to think at all."
"Well then; we should all pack two torches, a crowbar, a coil of rope and two days food and water. Go to bed now and we start in the morning."
Next day, we travel to Delvehaven.
"You speak wisely Professor". "I have learned to trust your judgement". "Though I chafe for action, and rue the thought that another innocent life may be taken this evening, your advise is sound". "Tomorrow then".
Gerinelle nods her approval. "I agree. This seems like a wise plan. Perhaps we will find more of these shadowbeasts at Delvehaven"
Yes, eat and sleep. Start fresh the next day.
Which Monday?
Professor Rokannon thinks about Master Wilk's offer, smoking his pipe thoughtfully.
"Your reasoning seems sound to me. I agree."
"As for the plan, well you all know my desire to explore Delvehaven. But to receive the reward offered, all we actually need is one of the Shadowbeasts. Something that has to my knowledge never been achieved. My personal vote is to explore Delvehaven."
Gerinelle slightly nods her head, the barest movement altering the low light that shines from around it.
"Defeating a shadowbeast would be a great victory. I am sure that you will also earn enough to help support your other pursuits."
Sir Winston would certainly attend fully armored and weaponed.
Professor Rokannon will set forth with his pack, cloak and staff; clearly an elderly man with his family and bodyguards.
Gerinelle stops to purchase some bread and cheese before joining the others. "This should be entertaining, and enlightening." She says, smiling at the others.