The party passes through the gates of Eburacum. Talorc and Keridwynne spot the library immediately and turn towards it. Nightshade says she is going to find the inn in Keridwynne’s vision. She turns down a bustling street and is gone. Tieron says he has some business and will be back shortly.
Talorc and Keridwynne approach the Great library of Eburacum. The wooden doors open with ease. The librarian sitting behind the desk located just off to your right, looks up at you but then returns to his reading. Talorc goes off in search of books relating to magic. Keridwynne goes looking for information on both Ashler’s sword and Bladifors.
Bladifors seems easier to find than information on Ashlers sword but it doesn’t reveal much that you don’t already know. The Lady of the Lake took Talorian from this world and placed him inside the sword where he would do the least amount of harm or so she thought. Under normal conditions, the soul placed into the sword accepts the transition and thinks of themselves as a sword. Talorian did not. He start striving to become human again. The strain on his mind snapped it and he started searching for a way to escape. Not finding one apparent he fell into possession of Altira, an Elven bard of some renown. He formed into a being one night when she was wounded from a previous battle. He killed her and pulled her soul into the sword with him. They battled each other in there but Talorian was the stronger at the time. He pushed her mind back and subjugated her to his will. His power increases with sound waves. Given time he will be able to manifest himself again. His primary purpose was to kill goblins. He had a secondary power of being able to contain energy and store it for later use. In a confrontation with Ashlers sword, Bladifors proved to be the victor as he was able to contain the killing wave of energy that Ashlers sword. That energy also may have caused the problems with Talorian. Absorbing more energy that he could really handle, his mind may have snapped.
Ashlers sword- A weapon of great power. Capable of discharging a sound energy wave that kill all enemies within hearing distance. It is a weapon that could be extremely deadly if placed in the God Ashler’s hands. That particular function seems only to work for Ashler himself. The history of the sword is sketchy, but it was believed that Ashler was not a weaponsmith and so forced the Dwarves to build him a sword, capable of withstanding any impact. Ashler then imbued the sword with its powers. It is believed that the only way to destroy the sword is to throw it back into the volcano from which it was forged. This is only speculation. The sword itself is not evil and contains no soul that could cause a bearer to change sides or act in any way different from their original beliefs.
Nightshade returned saying that she had found the inn. So you all pack up your things and go in search of the last place that Corliss was alive. The three of you start to wander down the streets toward the Spinning Web inn. Passing down one street called the Avenue of Heroes, you stare at all the statues of now dead members of the Table of one hundred Knights. Their bases stating all the deeds of valor they did and how they died in the service of their King. They are all dressed in full armor with the weapon of choice in their hands. An interesting avenue. You turn the corner and onto the next street when all of you notice a stranger watching you. Keridwynne turns and walks over to him knowing that it is the same guy from the vision that killed Corliss.
“No, not really, just curious.” he says.
“Curious about what?” Talorc asks.
“Well I have been carrying around a drawing since I performed a job. It is curious to see someone in the drawing come to life. So I was a bit taken a back by seeing him up close and personal.” He hands the drawing over to Talorc.
It is indeed a drawing of Talorc.
Talorc on a hunch, says,”Nightshade, here take Bladifors.”
Nightshade backs off and says, “No way. I’m not touching that sword for anything.”
“Fine, here Keridwynne.”
Keridwynne reaches out and takes the sword from Talorc.
The drawing on the paper sweeps itself away and is replaced by a likeness of Keridwynne.
“So it is centered on the sword.” Talorc states.
The Ivy Rose member turns and says, “You can keep it if you wish, I have no use for it. Nothing personal, I was just curious.”
He starts off down the street, leaving you with the paper.
The party arrives at the Spinning web inn. The lady with the tattoo of the Spider in the web is at the front desk. She looks up at you.
“Can I help you?”
Talorc steps forward and says, “I have a relative that died here some time ago, I was wondering if he left anything behind that I could have, or maybe even see the room that he died in. His name was Corliss. Do you remember him?”
“Yes, I do. He did have a few belongings that he left behind. I have them in storage. I will retrieve them. I will show you to the room if you so wish. No one is currently occupying them.” she says.
“Maybe I could rent it for the night, if I may?” Talorc asks.
“Certainly. 1 gold coin. I am sorry you had to lose a member of your family in this way.”
Talorc passes over the gold and she starts up the stairs with the key in hand.
“I will show you to the room and then I will bring up the items that Corliss left behind, It wasn’t very much. Just a journal and a few traveling items. By the way, my name is Damara.”
Damara opens the door and lets you in the room. It is a sparse room. Its furniture is a bed and a night table and chair. I has two windows one facing the north and another facing the west. Damara leaves, closing the door behind her.
Keridwynne starts chanting immediately. She finishes and says”There is magic on the wall just above the headboard on the bed. It seems to be some sort of script that I can’t make out.”
“Probably written in magic, I will have to read it tomorrow.” Talorc states.
Nightshade is walking around the room looking for anything suspicious. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.” she reports.
Damara returns bearing a load of stuff. She lays it down on the bed.
“That’s all of it. Nothing of great interest but it maybe of sentimental value.”
Damara leaves again.
“The journal is glowing as well.” Keridwynne says.
“Well not a lot I can do today except read this journal. In the morning, I will cast read magic and see what these things say.” Talorc says.
The evening passes and morning arrives as it usually does. Talorc studies for a bit and then turns his attention to the wall. He makes strange gestures at the wall and then says “Plain sight. Just those two words is all the wall says.”
“What about that avenue of heroes we passed yesterday. Could Corliss have hidden the sword on one of the statues. That would be in plain sight. Nightshade and I could check that out while you read the journal.” Keridwynne says.
Talorc and Nightshade nod in agreement and then Nightshade and Keridwynne depart the room. They return in about an hour.
“Nope not there. Plain sight, he said. I wonder what you can see out the windows of this place.” Nightshade states.
Nightshade moves over to the west window. Looking out it she sees the street below and several buildings. Nothing of any great importance and certainly nothing that would house a sword. She moves to the north window. Out this one in the distance across several houses the north castle is resting on the valley rim. It is highly decorated with gargoyles on the walls and it has several sword shaped objects hanging from the tower walls.
“I bet that is where it is at. The north castle of King Barant. So what does that book say Talorc.”
“It is perhaps the most boring journal writing I have ever read, until you cast read magic on it. In brief, Corliss hired a bunch of assassins to kill Narkess, he then found out that the Ivy Rose group actually was being run by Narkess’s boyfriend. He quickly ran out and hired another group of assassins, but they were unable to arrive until yesterday. He was changing inns and locations waiting for the group to arrive but he didn’t make it. He was killed by the Ivy rose boys. Another interesting point is that he sent a courier letter to Queen Margawse. He doesn’t say what was in it or why he did it. But why would you send a letter to someone you know is your enemy? Doesn’t make a lot of sense now but maybe we will find out.” Talorc says.
The door to your room bursts open and in through the door file three Knights.
“By order of King Barant du Apres, you are under arrest for the death of the Yellow Knight. Surrender and we will see that you get a fair trial.” The lead knight says.
Things happen quickly from here. Nightshade standing near the north window launches herself out of it, ignoring the fact that it is closed. The glass shatters and tinkles to the street below. Talorc following the example of his party member takes to the window as well. His landing is far less graceful than Nightshade’s. Landing hard he rolls up and starts racing down the street. Keridwynne raises her hands and says “I have done nothing wrong. So I surrender to you.”
Nightshade races down the street and turns down an alley. She sees knights on horseback racing up behind her. Quickly scaling the building she leaps from one building to the next and racing across rooftops she loses them. Taking time to hide for a moment she removes her disguise kit and starts working to change her appearance.
Talorc races down the street and is cut off by a calvery unit pulling up in front of him. He spins around to see another moving up from behind. Looking for an alley to dart down, he doesn’t see one that he could get to before they have him. He surrenders. He withdraws Bladifors and turning it hilt first to the captain, attempts to give it to him as a sign of surrender.
The captain states,”You may keep it.” He backs a bit away from it.
Talorc moves forward and smiles a broad smile, “But I insist, Captain.”
With a great reluctance, the captain straps the sword to the back of his horse and leads Talorc toward the north castle. Keridwynne is soon brought with.
They are taken to the throne room of King Barant. The room is not what you expect in a King. It is small with a few tasteful tapestries draped across the walls. A fireplace burns in the north wall. A small table seating about ten is in the center of the room. King Barant is standing in the room. He is dressed in black pants and a red shirt. No crown adorns his graying head. His eyes are black and set in stone. They don’t seem to blink for a long time. The guards have come into the room. Urr the captain of the Guard that captured you lays Bladifors on the table. Barant nods and the guards file out of the room.
“You are not being charged with anything as you may have guessed. I have brought you here to answer a few questions, I have. There is an assassination guild called the Ivy Rose, they seem to want you dead badly. Why? What is it that they are so afraid of you doing?” Barant asks.
Talorc answers, “I don’t really know, why they would be interested in killing us exactly. They seem to think that we have information concerning a sword that they want. We may know a bit more than they but we don’t know for certain where it is.”
Barant says, “A sword, not the one that you carry but another? They are that upset over a sword. Well let me tell you what upsets me. That the Ivy rose has a plant in my organization. I don’t like moles. Do you know anything of this, such as who it could be?”
Keridwynne answers, “No but we could narrow it down a little. Who in your Knights travels near the Yorkshire Moors frequently? Narkess of the Moors who we killed had frequent contact with someone here. Even going so far as to be their lover.”
“That would be Urr, Lavain, and Peletam. They are 3 of my five best captains. If you killed Narkess, that would be reason enough to send out the assassins after you. Someone had to pay a pretty penny for that.”
Talorc chimes in, “Who would have that much cash to do that? Maybe they are stealing from the royal treasury or maybe they run the guild on the side.”
Meanwhile at the Kitchen entrance to the castle. Nightshade, now disguised as a cleaning wench slowly makes her way through the kitchen and out the door looking for a way down to the dungeon area. She came here searching for her friends and assumes to find them in the dungeon. She moves across the serving hall and toward a set of stair leading down. She move down them silently and comes to the bottom. Looking down the hallway she sees a single guard standing a silent vigilance. She moves down the hallway, imitating as best she can a servant of the castle. The guard pays her no more attention than that of a bug. She stops by the door and say meekly, “open the door please, so I can clean the prisoners water bowls.”
The guard looks down and slowly opens the door. It seems kind of strange that one so highly decorated as this one seems to be is standing guard. Nightshade enters the row of prison cells. Now searching for any sign of her party members, she stops by one cell and stares into it for awhile. His head is hanging down and he seems tired and dirty but that could be Talorc.
The figure looks up and croaks out a sound “Nightshade?”
The voice is hoarse and bad but it could be Talorc. The figure stands and moves into the light. It is not Talorc but the man who killed Corliss. He walks to the bars and opens them.
“Guard, you have prisoner loose down here. Hurry he is coming out.”
The guard looks down the hall at you and closes the gate locking you in the prison hallway with him.
The Talorc look a like pulls a dagger and move forward at you. Nightshade pulls her sword and a battle is joined. They thrust and scurry about each other. Each drawing a bit of blood from the other. Nightshade moves about in the tight hallway and stabs him deeply in the leg. He starts to back toward the door. Nightshade lets him go. He soon starts at a dead run for the prison gate. Nightshade switches to her bow and fires four arrow into him before he makes it to the gate. The guard opens the door and he rushes out. The guard closes and shuts the door behind him. In a minute, they are gone. Nightshade almost dances from joy about forcing an opponent to flee the battle especially one that is supposed to be an assassin. The only thing stopping her is the fact that she has no way out of here. She begins the search.
Barant looks up at Talorc for that last statement, “That could be true.They could have stolen from the treasury. I will look into it at once. “
Talorc unwraps the drawing of himself and passed it to Barant, “Have any idea what this is?”
Barant looks at it for a moment and then tosses it into the fire, where it pops and spits and then explodes in a small black cloud of smoke. “That was the Ivy Rose’s way of tracking you. They pass them off on person they are trying to follow and then track you. They have some way of telling where they are in the city. “
Nightshade searches for an exit and finds that the only way out was the way in. She starts to hear a strange music. Looking around, she can find no trace of the source, but with her elven ears she finds it to be louder from the wall at the end of the hallway. She approaches it. The sound is now definitely coming from the other side of the wall. She reaches out to touch the wall and her hand passes through it. She doesn’t hesitate and steps through the wall. Finding herself now outside the wall, she looks around for the source of the sound. It now seems to be coming from a window about a floor up from here. She looks up and then around to see if anyone is watching and then starts the climb. She quickly scuttles to the window. The music is now very loud here. She climbs in the window. It is some sort of storage room. The door to the room is open and she sees Talorc and Keridwynne talking to some guy she doesn’t recognize. Suddenly her vision is obscured by a form. It seemed to coalesce in front of her eyes. A human male about 30 years of age, its hand outstretched toward Nightshade.
“I am Talorian, Nightshade.” He starts to hum the music that she followed up to this room.
“You see,” he says, “I have many talents as well. I only wish for us to be happy, Nightshade. Here I have grown more powerful than they can imagine. I am close to my goal. Join me, Nightshade. We could be so good together.”
Nightshade doesn’t look back as she barrels out into the room with Talorc and Keridwynne in it.
“Bladifors is awakened. He just formed a real body back there. He said he was close to his goal. That has to mean that we are close to Ashler’s sword.” Nightshade blurts rapidly.
Keridwynne says,” Nightshade, this is King Barant. So where do you think the sword is?”
“It has to be here somewhere. King Barant do you have any sculptures of swords on the outsides of the wall.” Nightshade asks.
“The towers all have sword in scabbard depiction.” he answers.
“That has to be it. The tower I could see from the room is the southeast one. Can we go to it?”
Barant starts out the door. Talorc picks up Bladifors and puts it in its scabbard. Nightshade is keeping quite some distance from the sword. They race up the stairs to the southeast tower. Her they look out over the edge of the tower. There sitting in the scabbard is the Sword of Ashler. Keridwynne reaches down and plucks it from its resting place. Its power is almost overwhelming. The magic that flows through it is throbbing in her hands. Bladifors alights from its scabbard and comes to rest in Talorc’s hands.
“What happens if we touch the blades together? What I read said that Bladifors can contain the power of Ashlers sword. Can it?” Keridwynne asks.
Talorc answers, “I don't know what will happen.”
Nightshade says, “ I don’t think that is the wisest solution to the problem. They could kill you both.”
Keridwynne looks down to the water in the pond below the southeast tower. Calming her mind, she reaches out to her goddess, “Lady of the Lake, hear me. I have need of an answer. Should we touch the swords together?”
The answer is heard in Keridwynne’s mind. A single “Yes.”
Keridwynne steps forward, “The lady says to touch them together.”
Nightshade steps back and says, “You go ahead. I am going to sit on the stairs over there and watch from there.”
Barant on hearing this leaves down the stairs in a hurry. Talorc and Keridwynne step together and touch blades. Their bodies go rigid and cease to move.
Talorc and Keridwynne appear on a white plain. Nothing is visible in the distance just more white stretching on and on. A mist starts to arise in front of them. It forms into Talorian. He wields Bladifors and starts to sprint toward Talorc. Talorc pulls another Bladifors from its scabbard and rushes to the attack. Keridwynne pulls her lightning staff from her pack. “Expand and Energize.” she says.
Thinking that the sword once protected Talorc from the effects of this blast she fires. The bolt of lightning stretches out across the void and impacts into Talorian. His skin burns some but Talorc seems unaffected. Talorc feints to the right, but Talorian reacts swiftly. He slides his sword into his side. He follows with another blow to the arm. Talorc connects with a shot to the side. Keridwynne releases another lightning bolt. The battle continues for some time. Talorian has superior skill with a sword but the lightning bolts seem to making it fairly even as to who will fall first in this contest.
Outside this mental battle, Nightshade sees the still standing forms of Talorc and Keridwynne. She comes over to look at them and sees that blood is pouring from wounds now opened on Talorc. In a panic, she steps back to the stairs and pulls her rope from her pack. She loops it around the blade in Keridwynne’s hand and pulls it from her.
Keridwynne just about to release another bolt from her staff suddenly disappears. Talorc tries to press his attack but in his haste falters and the sword slips from his grasp to slide across the plain. Talorc reacts quickly and pulls a dagger from his side. He rushes to attack Talorian but Talorian has gone to the sword that Talorc has dropped. He lifts Bladifors above his head and cleaves the other Bladifors. Both swords break cleanly.
Keridwynne now back in the tower, rushes to Ashler’s sword. Grabbing in her hand she runs back to the still form of Talorc.
“What’s happening?!” Nightshade yells.
Keridwynne steps up to Talorc and touches the sword against Bladifors again. She reappears on the white plain. Talorian is standing over two broken Bladifors.
“Freedom at long last.” he is saying. Talorc is circling for the attack and does. The dagger in his hand pierces into the chest of Talorian. He looks down in fury and then attacks. Keridwynne pulls her lightning staff and almost fires another bolt. But with Bladifors broken, Talorc has no protection. She grabs the staff and jabs the end of it into the back of Talorian’s head. He collapses in a heap.
“Freedom, though short. It was worth it.” Talorian’s last breath eeks from his body.
Talorc and Keridwynne return to the tower. Talorian’s body appears beside them. The two broken swords of Bladifors appears as well.
Keridwynne lifts both broken swords of Bladifors up and starts down the stairs. She follows the route that she took up here. Winding down through the castle. She exits from the front gates. The rest of you follow.
Nightshades asks, “Is she alright or do you think she is possessed by Ashlers sword?”
Talorc shrugs.
Keridwynne rounds the backside of the castle and stands before the small pond.
Tieron and a drow female come to stand beside you. Tieron is covered in blood. Some his own, but most not. He has seen better days. The Drow is leaning heavily on Tieron, mostly from lack of strength but from something else as well. Seems Tieron may have found a new friend.
Keridwynne throws the twin broken swords of Bladifors into the pond. A hand extends from the water and catches them both. They slide beneath the water. Keridwynne pulls forth the sword of Ashler and flings it into the water as well. It hits the water with a loud kerplunk. A hand rises from the water extending a sword. This sword looks quite like the sword Bladifors, but with a few differences. Most notable the blade now has a curve to it, shaped much like a small version of scimitar. A red hand grip is now sported instead of its normal blue. Its final deviation from the original is the now slightly reddish tint to the metal.
“Talorc, its your sword. Go out and get it.” Keridwynne says.
Talorc starts to wade into the water and floats to the top and continues to walk across the water. He reaches the hand of the Lady of the Lake. He grasps the sword. The hand starts to slip beneath the water. Talorc reaches out to grasp for the hand. It disappears into the water and is gone. His hand plunges deep into the water and comes up with the sword of Ashler. Suddenly realizing that his water walk is gone. Talorc takes a cold dip into a nearly frozen pond. He struggles his way out, shivering.
(Well now that is it. A full synopsis of what happened. You are all reunited. What do you wish to do from here? Let me run a few options. I know Talorc wanted a week to copy stuff into his spellbook. Most of you need some healing. Someone suggested finding a dwarven dignitary and picking his brain for what to do with the sword of Ashler. Tieron has a bit of explaining to do about what happened to him as well. So until I hear from you. Later)
Tieron and Jeron leave the room that was Jeron’s prison for so long. The others stay behind for a time to investigate.
“Tieron,” Jeron says, “I will be staying with Doniel for a time, but there is something that you can do for me in Eburacum beside searching for Ashler’s sword. I have traveled extensively and have left a key at the Kicking Bird inn there. It opens a lock box that is being held there for me. It holds a great many things of a personal nature, I would ask that you recover it for me and take it with you on your travels. If you pass by our parents home or come back here for some reason, you can drop it off but until then just keep it. Some of the stuff may even help you. Can you do this for me, brother?”
You help him out of the black fortress of the Yorkshire Moors and into the sunlight such as it is this grey November morning.
"Certainly, Jeron. Obviously I will do anything for you. Especially after this one." smiles Tieron.
Hugging each other outside, looking very ragged at this moment, Tieron says, "I am sorry about your teacher dying. I know that must be hard."
"Have you ever heard of a lady named Heather Blackthorn? I am very concerned for her safety lately."
Tieron whistles for Gates, looking at the bushes. Finally Gates comes bursting out from the side and rushes up to Tieron and Jeron. Tieron is relieved that Gates was smart enough to not get hurt but wonders if he really should be taking him on these type of trips.
"So tell me, what have you learned lately? I have not seen you in a while. And I seemed to have gotten better with my magical studies."
"Also would you have any idea on what to do with a 2-handed Bastard sword?" laughs Tieron.
Tieron -
So Tieron will travel to the Kicking Bird Inn to find and get the lock
box. And open it to see what is inside it. But not in front of everyone,
A corner booth at the Inn would do fine.
Tieron wants to do a detect magic some night as we travel to see about
Tieron wants to ask what happened to the vials of enhancement? " Wasn't there extras? Like 6 of them to be exact." ,looking at the others with a smile. "I'll make you a deal...."
After all that, Tieron wants to see this great library. Tieron will have a ball in it.
I am kinda waiting on the other letter reply to see if we do anything else on the way to Eburacum.
"Have you ever heard of a lady named Heather Blackthorn? I am very concerned for her safety lately." Tieron asks.
Jeron stops for a moment and thinks.
“Blackthorn, I heard mention of a person named Blackthorn, when Narkess held me prisoner, but I am afraid that I don’t remember in what context it was.”
Jeron falls into silence for a moment as if trying to recall the event. Then he shakes his head.
“Blackthorn sounds so familiar but I can’t recall it. I’m sorry Brother. A friend of yours?”
Tieron just answers, “Sort of. So tell me, what have you learned lately? I have not seen you in a while. And I seemed to have gotten better with my magical studies."
“I have learned a great many things from my experiences. One, never get caught when infiltrating an enemy stronghold. Beside that I have learned a great deal under the tutelage of Corliss. Maybe when this is all over, I will return to his home in Blyth and pick up where he left off, teaching little bards to be better bards.”
"Also would you have any idea on what to do with a 2-handed Bastard sword?" laughs Tieron.
“I would either practice with it if you are thinking of using it as a weapon or sell it if not. But I suppose, the effect of seeing you with a large sword strapped to your back may be impressive. On second thought, maybe you should sell it.” Jeron smirks.
Tieron wants to do a detect magic some night as we travel to see about
Warm Traveling Cloak ( from Sir Doherty was red, now white) in saddle bags Yes the white one is glowing with detect magic. The school is abjuration for your info. The red doesnt glow.
3 very good cloaks from Duke Geoffrey ( green, blue, black ) wearing blue, rest in saddle bags Nope, nope and nope. No glow.
Black diamond-like jewel in red velvet bag (walnut sized ) from Duke Geoffrey Yes, faintly with the elemental school.
small emerald from Gorath nope,but definately worth something.
2-handed Bastard sword with crest of Redlan ( crest is covered by blue ribbon) Yes, and quite strongly with the enchantment/charm school as well as the necromantic school. and look at the others to see if there is anything different about them regarding magic items. I dont remember what you saw the last time but I will list the obvious things that you can see. Nightshade is wearing Narkess’s leather armor which is glowing with enchantment school. She also has a ring on that is glowing with alteration. Keridwynne is now carrying that lightning staff from Narkess but that is it. Talorc has Bladifors, now glowing with extreme light.
Tieron wants to ask what happened to the vials of enhancement? " Wasn't there extras? Like 6 of them to be exact." ,looking at the others with a smile. "I'll make you a deal...." Well lets account for them all. Nightshade, Keridwynne, Talorc, Tieron and Carlin all grabbed one. Thats five of six. The last was suggested by Keridwynne that you should keep it and give to Jeron. I assume that is where it went unless you never gave it to Jeron or drank on some night when nobody was looking. :) Should you have done the later, tell me so I can adjust your character sheet.
Nothing else happens on the way to Eburacum. The party splits up as you pass through the gates. It is mid morning, the sun glinting off the new fallen snow. Tieron travels down the streets of Eburacum, taking in all the scents and sounds of the city. You see a bard busking on the street, gaining a little money here and there from a passing stranger. A bakery shop catches your attention and a little of your money as you stop for fruit filled pastry or two. Finding the Kicking Bird inn seems to be a bit more difficult than you realize in a town this size. But by early afternoon, you have found its location. It is kind of a seedy looking place. Its sign is hanging from just one chain and therefore at an odd angle because the other chain that held it is rusted through. The sign itself is a little odd. Having heard the title of the inn, you had assumed that it was a bird kicking in the dust or something, but the picture that is displayed is that of a human foot kicking a bird. Nice place you think.
You step through the door which looks like it has just been replaced. The first thing to assault you is the smell. Rancid beer, vomit, and the smell of very sweaty bodies. Why in the hell would Jeron leave stuff here, you seriously doubt that it is still here anyway, but you decide to ask. You step up to the bartender, a human male a bit overweight but not too bad. He hasn’t shaved in about a week. His clothing was probably clean this morning but not at the moment. It is filled with grease stains and spilled ale.
“Hey bartender,” you call.
He turns to look at you, “Be with you in a moment,” he answers.
You sit down on a barstool. While the bartender is pouring a beer for some other customer, you have a chance to look around. It is kind of busy in here, about 20 or so people. You notice that have a large party of humans and some others that are about your height but they are carefully concealing their appearance. One of this race seems to be shaking quite hard, like he or she is sick with a fever. The humans are having a good time, laughing and whooping it up.
“Can I help you?” the bartender asks.
“I am here to pick up some things my brother left behind. His name is Jeron Highstep. He had a lockbox that you are supposed to be holding for him.”
“Jeron Highstep you say? I’ll look.” He turns and starts shuffling things around under the bar. A minute or two later. He lifts up a metal box with a padlock on it.
“Bet you that’s it. It’s been here quite awhile.” He sets it on the bar along with a beer.
“One drink minimum.” He smiles.
You plunk down a copper piece and gather up the box. Finding a spot at the back of the bar with a table to spread things out on. You unlock the box. On top is a note, which you lay aside to read later. A book, looks like Jeron’s spellbook. A flute made of ivory with a note attached that says “TO: Tieron Happy Birthday. From: Jeron” and that is it. You pick up the note that you laid aside and unfold it.
Jeron,
I knew that you had left some items here for storage. I hope that you are reading this. As I write this, you would still be captured by Narkess in the Yorkshire Moors. I have set some plans in motion to free you. I hope that you survive long enough for you to reap the benefits of what I’m about to do. I have hired a group of assassins to travel to you and rescue you. I have paid them to kill Narkess. It cost me about everything that I have but it will be worth it. They are supposed to arrive in Eburacum on the 28th of November where I will meet them. They have traveled a long distance from the Orkney Islands in the North. I have hidden the sword, Jeron in plain sight. I hope that no one finds it before I have found out how to destroy it. I feel like I am being followed, but maybe I’m being paranoid. I hope to see you soon, Jeron.
Corliss
You look up to see a human male standing over you. It only takes a moment to see the hydra symbol etched into the hilt of a dagger. In a second it is in his hand and then next it is whirling and thunking deeply into your chest.
(4 points of damage Doug and your move is?)
Tieron leaps from his chair, muttering the magic missile spell that he knows so well. You feel the energy leap from your fingers and watch as the impacts drive your attacker back. He falls back a bit, but recovers quickly. Unsheathing another dagger he approaches. You end the casting of a scare spell and it washes over him. He shudders visibly then straightens and attacks. His dagger biting deep into your shoulder. You draw the bastard sword and swing it. It is a clear miss. The humans have gathered around you. You have a glimmer of hope but then notice that almost all of them are adorned with either a symbol of a hydra or that of a rose surrounded by ivy. They start cheering on their companion who has engaged in battle with you.
Your opponent's dagger flashes out leaving a long streak of blood flowing down your arm as he continues to wound that right arm. Redlans sword is awkward for you and it seems to be throwing you off balance. Your last ferocious swing nearly spinning you around. He seems to be playing a game of cat and mouse with you. Wounding you here and there, just to annoy you. The sound of a bowstring catches your attention. One of the humans gathered around, pitches forward and knocks into the back of your attacker. He loses his balance and stumbles forward at you. You sense an opening and thrust the sword deep into his stomach. It parts the flesh smoothly and silently. He tries to step back, but his friend is in the way. The friend that fell forward is covered in a volley of arrows protruding from his back. A second volley of bowstrings is loosed and another human pitches forward onto the floor. Your opponent tries to scuttle back and out of the way, but you push your advantage. You know the wound that you have given him is probably fatal but now you just wish to kill him. He staggers back and pushes a nearby chair in front of you. You step up onto the seat of the chair and place one of your feet on the top of the chair. Forcing your weight over, you tip the chair in the direction of your attacker. Riding the chair down with your sword held in both hands, you drive it into his chest. The chair and your weight lands on his legs and you feel the sword tip hit the floor and imbed into the wood there. Your attacker clutches at the sword blade that is penetrating his chest, he tugs at it slightly. You hear the outrush of air as the body convulses and dies. Around you a battle rages, humans fighting the others. Clearly the other race of people is much better than they. A human launches himself at you. He is stopped cold by an arrow in his groin area. You pull back on the sword and withdraw it from the body. The battle continues but most are engaged with others and seem to be ignoring you. You think that this is a good time to retreat. You step back over to the table and gather up Jeron’s things. You shove them into your pockets and start for the door, careful to avoid the battle. You get to the door and step out into the light. A hand reaches out and grabs your wrist. The hand is black as coal with inch long fingernails painted a deep blue. She withdraws her hand slowly allowing her index fingernail to drag across the veins in your wrist.
“I’m afraid that I don’t know your name, but you know something of a Jeron Highstep and therefore we need to talk. But not in public, please allow me to escort you to our place.” Her voice is smooth and even a bit sultry when she speaks. You get the impression that this is not a request as two more of her race appear from the shadows and stand directly behind you. Wounded and outmatched you step in behind her and follow. She marches you down the street for several blocks. She turns just before a sign that proclaims the building to be The Spinning Web inn. Down this alley you follow, to a set of stairs that leads down into the cellar of the inn. She looks around and nods to the two guards that have followed you. They melt into the shadows as if they had never been there. She turns a key into the lock and motions you inside. The only light in the room is a lantern sitting on top of a wood table. A few sleeping mats line the rest of the walls. She closes the door behind you. Reaching up, she hooks her fingers in the hood of her cloak and with a flick of her wrists, lets it fall back about her shoulders. Her shocking white long hair falls about her shoulders. She looks up at you with deep purple eyes, set into a black-skinned face. You feel a chill run up your spine as you look at the drow female that stands before you. She steps closer to you and then reaches around you. Gripping your butt in her fingernails she pulls you close for a long soul probing kiss.
(Hey Doug, thought I would make Tieron’s life more complex that it already is. So what do you do after she removes her tongue?)
You linger in the kiss with the drow for a long time. Finally she pulls away and puts a hand up to touch your face. Her hand lingers there for a moment or two as she looks intensely at you, then she lets her finger slide across your cheek and down the side of your neck.
Tieron thanks her, "I also don't know who you are but I want to thank you for saving my life in the Inn. I am in your debt. What do you need to know regarding Jeron?"
“Shateera is what I go by now.” She saunters over to the table and sits down on it. Crossing her legs slowly, she continues. “I was hired by Corliss to rescue a Jeron Highstep, but my daughter Damara, the innkeeper of this fine establishment, found Corliss’s body several days ago. Seems the hunter got captured by the game. I was curious, when I heard you ask for Jeron Highstep’s things and say that you were his brother. “
She gets up and wanders around behind you slowly rubbing herself up against your back.
“We, um, that is my friends and I rescued Jeron. My name is Tieron Highstep by the way. We killed Narkess and freed him from the fortress of the Yorkshire Moors. We came down here in search of his friend, Corliss. We didn’t bring Jeron. He was wounded.”
Shateera puts her hands underneath your white cloak. Her fingers trace lines down your back.
“Narkess, you say. Oooooo. Montossey is going to be a little miffed at that one. He kind of liked her. Do you know Montossey? He’s the one that ordered Corliss’s death. He also is the leader of the Ivy Rose assassin guild. Those are the boys that just tried to kill you off along with the hydra symbol boys. Those are new to me. Seems Corliss hired them first to kill off Narkess, not knowing that Montossey and Narkess were an item. He turned them on Corliss. He was lucky they just killed him outright. Oops.”
The oops is in reference to the fact that her nails on your back have just torn a hole in your shirt. Her hands probe into the hole and wrap themselves around the bare flesh of your midsection. Her hands start probing your chest. She is becoming more and more distracting.
“After Corliss discovered that he just hired Narkess’s boyfriend to kill her and rescue Jeron. He started asking around for other assassin guilds in the area. He found my daughter upstairs and he hired us for the job. But we were out of town on a mission and we just got back today. He already paid us well for something that you did. I always like to give something in return for what I get.” Her hands race down your chest.
“Its a bit nippy in here, I feel. So what would you like in return?” Shateera’s removes her hands slowly from around your waist and slides her body around you, feeling over every inch as she comes to face you.
"Why did you kiss me?" Tieron asks Shateera.
“Because I wanted to and you remind me of Damara’s father.” She states backing away from you.
She reaches into down between her breasts and withdraws a locket of gold on a simple gold chain. She opens it and an image of man appears in front of you. The mage in you thinks, programmed illusion. She motions you to walk around and look at the image whose back is displayed to you. You step around the image to see a perfect likeness of you standing there. Only the clothing is different. The style of dress is probably about 50 years old or more, but it is you. Creepy feeling. You stare at it for awhile, then she closes the locket. The image fades away. She is now standing behind you again. You turn to face her.
“Reardon was his name, he was a bard and he meant a lot to me. He was killed a long time ago.”
Shateera starts to move around in back of you. You turn with her, keeping her facing you. She moves quickly and gives you a shove. You stumble back and into the table. You are a little off balance as she pushes you again. This time knocking you playfully onto your back on the table. She pounces on you, pinning you to the table. She grabs your wrists one in each hand and forces them above your head but still resting on the table. She lowers her head to yours. Well you get the picture. :)
Sometime later, Damara, Shateera’s daughter opens the door.
“Mother,” she starts, “Urr, the traitor to the King, has just rounded up the party that he” pointing to Tieron, “came in with. If Urr takes them to Montossey, they will not live long. I thought that you would like to know.”
You look up at Damara, white skinned but with the same white hair as her mother. Across her breasts the tattoo of a spider on a web. The same tattoo that Keridwynne described in her dreams.
“Your party,” Damara says, “came here looking for Corliss’ stuff and to look at his room. I let them look. Not long after that Urr showed up and forced a confrontation with them. The Elven female, jumped out the window followed by the Half-Elven man. The human lady surrendered immediately. They escorted her out and toward the North castle. The male was chased down by riders on horseback. They are searching the town for the Elven female. I bet they will be looking for him as well.” She nods at you.
“Well, Tieron,” Shateera starts lazily running a hand over your body, “Is there anything I can do for you now? Like help you rescue some friends of yours?”
(Having a good time yet Doug?)
Would you help me rescue them? I would appreciate the help. And besides, I would like to get to know you better." smiles Tieron with a wink.
“I can always be persuaded to help you, Tieron.” Shateera says.
Tieron asks, "Shateera, how good are the other guild members that work for Montossoy and how good are you? I have seen some of what you can do, like in the Inn, and that is very good, but how skilled are the Ivy Rose members?"
“Let’s put it this way. I have seven members including myself. They have at last count around fifty. Many of them are away on assignment. Leaving perhaps 25 still in town. We killed four back at the Kicking Bird. So they outnumber us at 3 to 1. I would say that I have better assassins, but numbers do count for something. The real problem is the leadership of the Ivy Rose. Montessoy is very rarely goes out on missions. Urr is a plant in the Kings court. So the actual assassinations are carried out by a guy that calls himself Thorn. Get it Ivy Rose, Thorn? Not very original, I don’t think. Anyway he is my equal if not my better. If he is there we could be in trouble.”
"Damara, how much time do you think we have? I am not in the greatest of shape but I will do what I can to rescue them. And do you know where Nightshade, the Elven female, is hiding?"
Damara looks at you and says, “Things happen pretty quick around here, so I wouldn’t say that you have a lot of time. Nightshade moved on to the roof tops and then disguised herself as kitchen staff. She was last seen entering the kitchen entrance of the north castle. I’m not sure what she is going to do alone.”
Shateera gets up from the sleeping mat that you were sharing with her. She repositions her clothing and comes to stand at the table.
“I’m not sure, what we can do, Tieron. We can’t assault the castle, we don’t have the people to do that. We can try to sneak in like Nightshade but I think that would have to be a two person job, we can’t try to hide six more drow in the kitchen staff. Far to dangerous. One of us would get caught. So I think it best for us to try alone. Don’t you? Maybe we can rescue your people and be out of there before Urr or anybody else sees us.”
(You can decide your course of action, Doug)
DM note- I would like to scan Jeron's book quickly to see if anything can help. Also I want to pack away the flute he gave in the backpack so it is safe.
Jeron’s spellbook is as follows.
1st levelAll the above spells were determined randomly. Don’t know if that helps you or not.
" Give me a few minutes to get ready and we will go. What I want to do is this - Cast Invisibility on myself and give you a potion of Polymorph self so you can enter the castle with no problems or enter and then change to something else. I don't know how easy it is to enter the castle. Or we can even take another with us."
"Damara, can I leave my equipment here? Like the bastard sword and Gates, my dog. ( I am going to find a good home for that dog, somewhere.)"
Damara nods, “Just leave your stuff here and if you aren’t going to be gone to long, your dog will be fine too. If you don’t make it back, I will look after your dog. Tieron, no offense but this is just something I have to ask mother.”
Damara turns to Shateera, “Mother, I know he looks like my father but how much do can you really tell about him. He could kill you, and be on his way. I am sorry to be blunt but...”
Shateera turns to Damara, “Daughter, Tieron looks like your father. I loved him very much and I would suppose that that was the first thing that drew me to him, but the two are very different. I believe that Tieron will do know harm to anyone that didn’t deserve it. Besides, Damara, I...”
Shateera moves around Tieron with hands rubbing across his body in a caress and then continues,“Personally think that I can take him.” She winks.
Tieron will sit and study Invisibility and Magic Missile. He also has Color Spray still memorized. And then let's go.
"You would know where to enter and where to go, so choose if you want another, Shateera."
“I think, Tieron, that you and I should go and no one else. Too dangerous.”
Before he casts Invis, Tieron slides next to Shateera and kisses her, "I want to see you again after this."
“Indeed you will, Tieron. You will see much more.”
Tieron disappears into his invisibility spell. Shateera quaffs her poly self potion and changes shape and color to a human female. Very plain and somewhat unkempt, disheveled look is the form that she assumes. She opens the door and out she goes into street. She makes for the north castle. It is now evening. Shateera approaches the kitchen entrance to the north castle. Tieron if he could be seen following close behind. She takes a deep breath and walks into the kitchen. The smells of cooking food are overpowering. Some good smells, some burnt smells but overall a pleasant enough aroma. She grabs a pot of potatoes on the counter and heads for the door across the room. As she approaches the door, she sets the pot down and steps through the door. Pausing long enough, to change her shape, she starts to to a that of a male guard in armor. She/he now heads down past the dining room table. Turning down a long hallway, she moves down it like she knows exactly where she is going. Midpoint in the hallway, she turns down a flight of steps. Descending quickly she comes down to a prison hallway. Turning to look down the corridor, she runs straight into two men coming her way. She has no way to avoid the confrontation, so she stands ramrod straight, like she is at attention. The first man is in armor, tall and lanky. His face is set into a scowl. He has a short cropped beard and very short cropped black hair. He seems angered by something. The other man, is dressed in prisoner clothing. At first glance it looks a lot like Talorc but the closer he gets the more he looks like someone that was disguised as Talorc. He is wounded, a great number of arrows seem to be sticking out of his body. Tieron, the arrow fletchings are familiar to you. Only Nightshade uses those types of arrows, with the red and white feathers. Seems that she has been this way and that he was a target.
“Guard,” Urr says, nodding at Shateera, “Get down to the prison gate. We have had a prison riot and this prisoner has been wounded.”
Shateera nods, “On the double, Captain Urr.”
She starts to move by them both and continue on down the hallway. Quickly she stops and removes her dagger. Dropping into shadows, she turns down the hallway and moving back places the dagger in the back of the wounded man. He collapses in a heap, but lives still as he struggles to get back to his feet. Urr turns around.
He shouts,” what the hell are you doing?!!!!”
Shateera shifts slowly back to her true form and waves to the man she just backstabbed,”Good to see you again, Thorn.”
Urr shouts, “I don’t know who you are Bitch but it is time to die.”
Urr pulls a bastard sword from across his back and turns to attack.
(All yours Doug.)
{Are you having fun yet, Storm?}
It is the Dm’s greatest pleasure to have his players call him a bastard. Between you and the other members of your party who have called me that recently. I would have to be the happiest man alive. :) Just for your info, your other members are having a fun time as well. You will have to ask them. They have been battered and bruised but not yet beaten and some creative escapes as well.
Tieron slowly fades into existence as he places a sword deep into the back of Urr. He retreats quickly up the stairs and waits for Urr to turn on him. Urr never moves toward Tieron. He attacks with two rapid strokes toward Shateera. They both connect. Blood starts to ooze from her side. Invisible missiles of force fly from Tieron’s fingertips and impact heavily on Thorn. He staggers under the blow and nearly collapses. He pulls a dagger from his boot and sends it end over end at Tieron. It penetrates deeply into the left thigh. Urr presses his attack on Shateera. Shateera was never meant to be in direct combat with a warrior of this caliber. He is pushing her back and hitting her with every blow. Tieron sensing her danger, moves to Thorn. Thorn is about to fall over due to blood loss. Placing a sword against the neck of Thorn, Tieron shouts "Surrender, Urr, or I will kill Thorn!"
Urr slows his attack and turns to look at Tieron. “He is expendable as are we all. Only the cause of Ashler is the true way. Those dying in the service of Ashler will know eternal life.”
The moment of distraction is the time that Shateera needed. Grabbing her dagger, she leaps onto the back of Urr, finding a joint in his armor and plunging it deep into his flesh. He whirls about in pain, throwing Shateera to the floor. Urr lunges forward and tries to cut her in two. He is now enraged and attacking with abandon. Tieron looks down at Thorn. He has passed out. Tieron rushes down the hallway as fast as his wounds will allow. He attacks Urr from behind. The battle continues for quite a few minutes. Urr attacking Shateera. Then suddenly it is over. Shateera knocked to the floor, rolled over to avoid a blow coming for her. Kicking out with her legs, she caught Urr in the knees. A bone shattering crack was heard. Urr staggered back and tried to regain his balance. His leg no longer able to support the armor and his weight. He topples. Tieron was behind him and not able to move out of the way in time. Urr falls upon him and knocks them both to the ground. The blade that Tieron was using ends up in Urr’s back. The force of the fall driving it up and through his chest. It takes a minute for Tieron to wriggle out from under the bulk of Urr. Leaping over Urr, Tieron rushes to Shateera’s side. She looks up from her prone position and smiles a weak smile.
“Is he dead yet?” she asks
“Yes, he is. Are you alright?”
“I am alive. That’s about all I can tell right now.”
Tieron is no healer, but just looking over her wounds. Though bad, not life threatening.
“Lie there for a moment. I am going to get the keys to the prison door and see if my friends are in there.”
Tieron rummages around Urr’s body and finds a set of keys. Quickly opening the door, he looks through the prisoners. None of them are his party members. A quick rummage through Urr’s clothing produces nothing of importance. The sword is nothing impressive but still a good sword. His armor is dented and way to big for you to use, even if you were able to wear armor. He has a few keys on the chain that he carried that are much smaller than the prison keys. Could be the keys to a lock box or even to a room or house. Tieron returns to Shateera’s side. She is now sitting up and attempting to stand. You put your arm around her for support and start back down the corridor. You notice that Thorn’s body is gone. Maybe he wasn’t so wounded after all. He has a least a 10 minute head start on you. He is long gone. You stagger up the stairs and look carefully around for people watching you. Taking the risk that someone could stop you, you head for the door out of here. You turn back into the kitchen and find that they are all staring out the window at something. You find this to your advantage and exit quietly from the castle. Stepping outside into the cool air, you stop for a deep breath of air. Out of the corner of your eye you catch the sight of Keridwynne carrying a pair of swords toward the small lake in the back of the castle. You follow.
(You are about to meet up with your party members again. Boy do they have a story to tell you and vice versa. I wrote a synopsis of what the rest of your party did. It is fairly long so I will be sending it to you in parts.)
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