narayan
Explorer
Aletia said:Then she looked to Jabbar once more, and inquired as to the names he had spoken. "What do we know of this Ozzen and Houlgrim? At worst, I'd like to understand a little about these key guests, so I can know perhaps what to look out for."
Jabbar: Shakes his head slowly. "Between Ozzen and Houlgrim, it's difficult to say which is more dangerous. The gnome is a most wicked wizard. His shop up in Tachir is known to sell the largest variety of cursed magic items found anywhere in Vulkh. Ozzen is also rumored to conduct vile magical experiments, consulting with demons, devils, and beholders. Many call him a 'collector of secrets', which serves to be his most lucrative trade. Divination spells, torture, and the use of dominated creatures (or persons) who spy for him are just some of the tools at his disposal."
"Houlgrim is no better. The 'Bone-Breaker' they call him. An infamous hill dwarf of exceptional strength, cunning and cruelty who mutilates his enemies. Most of eastern-Vulkh's black-market goods; entering or leaving through the south, is controlled through him. Strangely, Houlgrim has no qualms associating with Orcs or other evil humanoids and often employs them as scouts and assassins. Some say he even took the half-orc lover of a powerful Orcish chieften as his bride after slaying him in single combat, making twisted half-dwarf; half-orc children with her. A rumor other dwarves find most revolting..." He says with a look towards Burrai and Elloral.
Elloral: Grasps one of the silver beads on her long braids bearing the holy symbol of Valkauna and appears visibly sickened. "How in the nine hells do these villains enjoy such freedom in this land? Is there no one here in Vulkh capable of stopping them?!"
Jabbar: Sighs. "It is true they are both known criminals and dangerous degenerates. The Vulfear keep accounts of their activities and known associates, but so long as they operate away from cities and larger towns like this their offenses are largely ignored. Local sheriffs or town guards are too weak to intervene. Only the Vulkyrie are strong enough to apprehend or kill them, and it's anyone's guess why they don't?"
"There must be some kind of relationship between the Black Network and the Vul hierarchy we aren't aware of? Vulkyrie aren't the decision makers after all. They obey and protect the the Vul-Kings royal family, who himself takes orders from the Vul Elder Council. As always, the Vul Elder Council occupies the Vulmek Rookery on Mt. Sumeru, neighboring Skull Mountain. This adjacency must have lead to an arrangement of necessity between these evil powers, who otherwise should have long since been at war by now, given the frequency of raids and attacks in these lands that have brought us all such suffering."
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