The Ingaran Adventures
Episode
29
“Lord Nadam – Part II”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexander: The Gauntlet of Athena
Zografos: An Ingaran painter going under the
name of Domnhall
Flower:
An Elven girl caring for a human child named Hannah.
Issic: Half Human, Half Gold Dragon Warrior
India: A gypsy girl
Phaidon: A local Tamer of the Beasts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Time:
Summer, Nemed 23
The Places: Alisander –
A very large city, the largest
in all of Inzeladun, Alisander has a population of 120,000 persons. Although
Lamapacher does not have a capital, this city is the definite hub of Lamapacher's
commerce and power. Situated on the shores of the Alisander River, this town
has a history that dates back to the Fourth Age. Founded by King Alisander,
a hero of the Fourth Age, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Alisander.
Alisander existed as a separate nation until it was conquered by Lord Komaaks
and absorbed into his fledging nation Lamapacher. The city is currently ruled
by Baron Nadam, Champion of Vale. It is rumored that the baron is older than
the city itself, and is none other than the original Champion of Vale from the
Second Age! Rumors persist that he is undead, or a Chronomancer.
Alisander is protected by the Guardian of Lamapacher, a terrible fiend
that arises when summoned by the baron of Alisander. Rumor states that the
Guardian was bound into service by High Lord Chamberlain Troonankhset of Itsitlawikanah
during the reign of Lord Komaaks. The city will well known for its cheese.
It also exports manufactured goods, weapons, armor, ancient artifacts looted
from the massive dungeons and tunnels that crisscross beneath the city to untold
depths. The city-state extends out 50 miles from the city center in all directions,
making Alisander one of the largest states in Lamapacher. Like much of Lamapacher,
slavery is illegal, and many escaped slaves from Drychtnoth and Ingara make
their way here.
Citizens tend to welcome foreigners with a friendly smile, and often
invite famous strangers in to dine with them. Most are very open with information,
usually without expectations of later rewards. As one moves toward the shipyards,
the citizens begin to expect others to obey their sense of decorum, and they
see all interactions as exchanges of favors, with all offers couched in veiled
language to preserve a sense of respectability. Toward the rich section of
town, the citizens judge people instinctively, and are outwardly emotional,
and they like to see people do impressive things to prove themselves. In the
poorer outskirts, one's threats should be couched in polite terms, and they
believe that everyone is out to harm everyone else. Relationships on the outskirts
of town are based on power, not trust.
The judge arrived, decked out resplendently
in blue silk robes, and a long sash that trailed five feet behind him. After
staring at Issic in some alarm, he bowed before Lord Nadam. The Lord of Alisander
nodded and said, "These men have questions to put to you. I charge you
to answer them."
The judge nodded and awaited his questioning.
Alexander Maximus, the Gauntlet of Athena, began. "Could you tell
us of the case you heard between Dr Richard Dalby and Absterator?" He
paid close attention to the judge's actions so that he could tell if he was
hiding something.
The judge answered simply, "Aye. Absterator wanted Dr. Dalby to
cease and desist his operations."
"What reason did he give as to why?"
"He felt that the amputations were unnecessarily administered to
those who did not need it, and given to those who could not afford it. He actually
staged assaults on Dalby's homes and offices," said the Judge. "He
claimed to have documents that linked Dalby with Khemt and with foul necromancies
from that darksome land, but he could not produce those documents.
"What kind of assaults?"
"Mob attacks."
"What kind of defense did Dalby put up?"
"To be honest, I don't remember. Which is odd, since I can't recall
ever forgetting a case before, especially one so recent. So I thought to bring
the transcript with me, but it has vanished. I apologize."
"How did you decide in the case?"
"I found in favor of Dr. Richard Dalby, of course. His argument
was quite correct, you know."
Nadam frowned and looked at the Judge with a curious expression.
Alexander continued his questioning. "Even though you do not remember
what it was?"
"Right. I guess. I seem to remember it was the best phrased argument
I had ever heard, but may Gayton Hob damn forever if I remember what it was!"
Issic whispered to Alexander, "Can you tell if he has been psychically
altered?"
"Lord Nadam, may I check to see if this man has had his mind altered?"
asked Alexander. Lord Nadam nodded. The judge backed up in fear. His hand went
to his collar.
Alexander sent a missive to Issic. <Issic, hold him, this might
be painful depending on what was done to him.> Issic grabbed the judge,
and the man wet his pants.
"What are you afraid of?" demanded Issic. The half-dragon was
tired and grumpy from lifting that damn capstone earlier.
"You."
"Just do as you are told and answer truthfully and you will be fine,"
growled the half-dragon.
Alexander cast calm emotions and the judge calmed down and smiled
a lazy smile. Alexander detected for psionic influence and began to look into
his mind. He detected that the judge was under the influence of a charm
effect. The priest cast dispel magic to remove it.
Issic said to Nadam, "What is the punishment for judge tampering
in these parts?"
"Imprisonment," said the baron of Alisander. "Who has tampered
with him? Dalby or the other party?"
"I guess that Dalby guy has some explaining to do or maybe some jail
time," said Issic.
"Do you remember what happened in the case now?" Alexander asked
the judge. He noticed the judge's hand had not left his throat.
"No, I remember nothing." He fainted. Alexander knelt down
and took his hand away, checking to see if the judge was still alive. He had
a judge's collar around his neck. Alexander removed the collar and found the
tell-tale bite marks of a vampire. "It was Dalby," said Alexander,
"unless flayers have grown teeth." He pointed out the marks to Lord
Nadam. "We have had some experience with Dalby before and believe he is
a vampire."
Lord Nadam went pale. "I am familiar with the sort. Can you deal
with Dalby and destroy him?"
"I am not sure. I believe so, but it would be bad enough if he was
just a vampire, but he also builds Flesh Golems and also we still have to deal
with the mindflayers in addition."
"What can I do to help?" asked Nadam.
"Well, Dalby, in our experience, still views himself as a doctor.
Someone who `helps` people by giving them what they want. I believe that someone
such as Dalby would be honored if he were summoned by the Great Lord Nadam to
help him with something."
"That is an idea. I will send for him."
"When he comes here and suspects nothing we will attack and destroy
him. Give us a day to prepare, I must pray for guidance on how to destroy him."
"Why not just arrest him for judge tampering?" asked Issic.
"Because he would just flee."
"But that will deplete him of his political power," said Issic.
"Very well," said Lord Nadam. "Is there anything else before
I dismiss you?"
"Well, there is still the issue of the mindflayers, but we will handle
Dalby first."
"Aye," said Lord Nadam. "I will have one of my girls lead
you to some rooms in the palace where you may remain for the night."
"What should we do with the judge?" asked Alexander.
"My leeches can take care of him."
"Fix him!" exclaimed Issic. Alexander touched the judge and
channeled the healing power of Athena into him. He woke up, quite refreshed,
and wanted to know where he was. Then he saw Issic and started screaming.
"You are in the presence of Lord Nadam," said Alexander. "Calm
Down! We are here to serve Lord Nadam!" Issic clamped his hand over the
judge's mouth because the judge's screams were irritating his already growing
headache. He calmed down… and then he saw Flower. Flower pursed her lips and
then said, "Boo." He screamed again. Lord Nadam rolled his eyes
in impatience.
Issic threw the judge aside roughly. "Do you REALLY think that this
sneak attack will be a surprise to Dalby?"
"I don't know if it will work but I do know that it is better to
try and attack him here then in his home. And if it works he is destroyed, if
it doesn't then the charges can be brought and he is still ruined and will no
long plague Lamapacher."
"This guy was under Dalby's influence. He at least knows that the
judge was here. He will suspect something when he loses contact with the judge."
"That is true. Flower if you would consult the light of the oracle
to see what it recommends."
Flower furrowed her brow in confusion. "What is it that you want
to know?"
Alexander was already thinking. "When the message is sent, it will
say that Lord Nadam needs Dalby's help with a threat from Mind Flayers. That
he recently found out one of his judges was being controlled by them."
Lord Nadam nodded.
Alexander continued. "This will make it even more likely that he
will show up because he will think that he can get rid of Absterator and be
a hero for it. Your thoughts Issic?"
"That makes no sense at all since Dalby knows that he is that one
that actually controlled the judge."
"He will just think Lord Nadam is, my apologies, a fool. As a man
like Dalby believes everyone else is."
"He also knows that the judge was cured, or at least the influence
broken, and that is most likely not going to happen unless someone knows the
true problem, a vampire bite. Besides, anyone that can survive a siege like
that," Issic said, pointing toward the edge of town, "would not be
perceived as a fool."
"Flower, ask if we will be victorious in this ambush," said
Alexander. "Personally, I am more worried about his ability to turn into
a bat or vapor and float off somewhere after we attack him. I don't believe
the way I stopped the demons from teleporting the other day would prevent that,"
said Alexander.
India said, "That could be problematic."
"Any endeavor beginning with a lie will never be victorious,"
said Flower, being obstinate about getting the Oracle out.
India said, "Just ask the Oracle what it recommends, then."
Phaidon said, "Even if we defeat Dalby, we still need to destroy
his coffin BEFORE he gets back to it in his vaporous form."
India said, "He owns several buildings; probably he has several coffins."
Flower asked the Oracle, "How should we best deal with Darby?"
The Oracle replied to Flower, "Be prepared to battle before your
trap is engaged. He knows about Flower. He wants elves."
"Do we know any true weaknesses of Darby?" asked Issic.
Alexander, ignoring Flower, said, "Athena has just inspired me, I
think I have a way of containing him. It isn't fool proof but nothing is."
"What is your plan?" asks India.
"Lord Nadam, can you send a runner to the Temple of Athena to gather
some supplies?" asked Alexander.
"I have things to attend to, so I will send my runner in here to
accept your instructions." Lord Nadam rose. He was afraid he would be
relegated to the status of a servant if he remained much longer.
"Thank you sir, will you have the message sent request Dalby to come
here tomorrow?"
"Yes." Lord Nadam left the room.
"So how do you propose to hurt him enough that he has to change into
vapor?" asked Issic.
"I believe the blessing Athena grants me to protect us from evil
may be turned inward to prevent evil from moving outward."
Flower mumbled over and over, "Be Prepared."
A runner entered the room and bowed. Flower glared at Alexander and said,
"Aren't you going to listen to the Oracle?"
"Yes," said Alexander. "I am. I am trying to prepare.
Everyone, what do we need? Stakes and water from the temple I know."
"We need to know a weakness," said Flower.
"How do you know that these things are going to hurt Dalby?"
asked Issic.
Suddenly Alexander stopped, just really understanding what the Oracle
had said for the first time. Then he said to Issic, "I will bless them."
"A blessed stake will weaken him enough to destroy him?" asked
Issic.
"Well, just a plain stake was enough to destroy his wife; that and
cutting her head off afterwards to keep her dead."
"Do we know how much Darbydoodlehead can really do?" asked Flower.
"Listen we need the stakes and water if for no other reason than
to protect our selves when he comes after Flower tonight."
"Who said he is coming after Flower tonight?" asked Issic.
"Oh, garlic also," said Alexander. He took out some wax, melted
some on a paper, and pressed his holy symbol into it. He handed that to the
runner. "Give the temple this and they will give you what you ask for."
The runner took it and left.
The female guards stepped forward and asked them all to follow them.
"Can you contain Dalby for more than two hours, Alexander?"
asked Phaidon as they were led through majestic corridor after majestic corridor.
They were led to a long, richly furnished corridor with many doors on either
side of the carpeted hall.
"I can only hold him for 80 minutes, but I can cast the spell a second
time when time is about to run out."
One of the guards paused at one door and opens it. She bows to Phaidon
and said, "This room is for you and your panthers. It has been arranged
so that your animals will be comfortable."
"I don't think we should split up," said Alexander.
"Me either," said Phaidon. "After we get our rooms, we
need to gather in one room and plan."
"Not split up?" the guard asked. "We went to a lot of
effort to make you all comfortable."
"Well, when we retire for the night I am sure we will split up, just
not right now. We recently got some bad news," said Alexander.
Phaidon whispered to Alexander, "Just go along with it. We'll be
back together in a few minutes." Alexander nodded.
The guard went to the next door and said to Alexander, "This room
is yours, O Gauntlet."
She stepped across the hall and opened a door for Flower. "This
room is yours, deary." Flower held onto Issic.
She led India to her room, and gave Issic his room last. The guard put
her hand on Issic's arm and asked if he would like company tonight.
While the guards were looking away Alexander took Flower into his room.
The room was richly appointed. Tapestries hung on the walls, and tall thin
windows opened out to a beautiful view of the city. The sun was setting. The
room had a canopy bed, and other costly furniture. Standard toilet items sat
on the dresser. A large mirror was mounted over the dresser, and the carpet
in the room was lush. A statue of Athena and Zeus stood in the room.
Alexander said, "Flower, keep close to someone at all times tonight."
Alexander shut the windows. Alexander silently cursed the son or Ares for defiling
his homeland and went over to the statues, pulled out the dark Athena and prayed
for victory.
Phaidon ushered the panthers into his private room and waited for the
guards to leave. He did not close the door. Phaidon's room was richly appointed
in green plants. Trees stood in large pots, giving the effect of being in the
woods even though he knew he stood in a palace. Large windows, wrapped in vines,
provided a splendid view of the setting sun over the vast city. He saw the
fires of Saud's army twinkling. Phaidon went back into the hallway to look
for one of the guards. He saw one talking to Issic outside his door.
Phaidon approached her. "Thank you for the splendid room, it must
have taken quite a long amount of time to prepare."
"It was our pleasure," she said.
"How long did it take?"
"I didn't personally do it, but I imagine it took an hour or so."
"Only an hour, mighty impressive... Must've been hard to get all
the trees and vines arranged..." He smiled. She smiled back. Phaidon
wandered down the hall and knocked on India's door. She opened it and said,
"Yes, Phaidon?"
"Is your room as nice as mine?"
"Yes. would you like to come in?"
"Sure..." He went in. The room was much like Alexander's,
except it had a statue of Eros and Aphrodite in it. Phaidon said, "You
should see the trees in MY room... Vines on the windows and everything. Guard
told me it only took them an hour to get it ready."
"Interesting," said India.
"You wanna see?"
Wolves started to howl around the city. India said, "Sure. Let's
check it out." She paused when she heard the wolves, and first he saw
anger cross her features, then she shivered. Phaidon said, "Wolves...
Lots of them... Let's go check out my room."
India walked across the plush hall to Phaidon's room. "What do you
think?"
"Nice."
"Think they did it in an hour." The wolves howled again. Phaidon
said, "Hmmmm... That's not normal." He estimated about forty wolves.
After talking to the guard some, Issic took her into the room for a quickie.
He does stay on the alert for psychic activity since there are supposed to be
doppelgangers around.
200 exp. for the night.
The Judge, male human Expert
2: CR 1; medium humanoid (5'9"); HD 1d6; hp 4; Initiative: +0;
Spd 30 ft; AC 10 (flatfooted 10, touch 10); Attack +1 (1d3 unarmed strike);
AL LG; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +6; Str 10, Dex 11, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 17,
Cha 14
Skills: Appraise +7, Bluff +7, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information
+7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Law) +9, Profession (Judge) +9, Sense Motive +9,
Spot +8
Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge), Skill Focus (Sense Motive)
Temple Runner, male human commoner 1: CR-; medium humanoid (4'10");
HD 1d4+3; hp 5; Initiative: +2; Spd 30 ft; AC 12 (flatfooted 10, touch 12);
Attack +1 (1d3+1 unarmed strike); AL LG; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +0; Str 12,
Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +5, Listen +4, Profession (messenger) +4
Feats: Endurance, Run
Jhillim, male human Rogue 5: CR 5; medium humanoid (5'8"); HD 5d6+5;
hp 25; Initiative: +7 (+3 Dex, +4 imp. Init.); Spd 30ft; AC 16 (flatfooted 16,
touch 13); Attack +5 (1d6+1 masterwork rapier) or +8 (1d6+1 mighty [str 12]
masterwork composite shortbow); Special Qualities: Sneak Attack +3d6, Uncanny
Dodge, Evasion; SV: Fort +11, Ref +15, Will 8; Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 14,
Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Hide +11, Move Silently +11, Tumble +11, Open Lock +13,
Listen +8, Spot +10, Search +10, Knowledge (religion) +6, Disable Device +12,
Use Magical Device +7
Feats: Improved Initiative, Alertness, Lightning Reflexes
Equipment: Masterwork rapier, masterwork mighty shortbow, 20 masterwork
arrows, Masterwork studded leather, potion of darkvision, 6 potions of cure
light wounds, 2 potions of neutralize poison, cloak of resistance +1, 50 ft.
silk rope, masterwork thieves' tools
Notes: Jhillim is a member of the Temple of Tenebrion. He also
works as part of Lord Nadam's security force. He works in the underground labyrinths
that honeycomb the entire city of Alisander, both as patrol and as an explorer.
Cthaat Angartha, the female human guard that talked with Issic, Warrior 1:
CR -; medium humanoid (5'2"); HD 1d8+4; hp 12; Initiative: +4 (Improved
Initiative); Spd 30 ft; AC 14 (flatfooted 14, touch 10); Attack +3 (1d8+2 longsword
or 1d10+2 halberd); AL NG; SV Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 15, Dex 11, Con
18, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 13
Skills: Sense Motive +2, Intimidate +5, Jump +2
Feats: Improved Initiative, Endurance
Equipment: Scale mail, Halberd, Longsword
The Ingaran Adventures 28 | The Ingaran Adventures - Episode 30
| Current Adventures in Inzeladun