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[5E] The Age of Worms - Solid Snake's Campaign
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<blockquote data-quote="SolidSnake_01" data-source="post: 7172937" data-attributes="member: 63254"><p><strong><u>Journal of Egan: Entry I</u></strong></p><p></p><p>To be familiar with birds is to be familiar with deception, and these birdmen creatures, called Kenku, are no different. A volley crossbow bolts from the shadows rendered Smenk unconscious, and a second volley took down Rey but not before she could weaken one of the beasts enough for me to put it down with a blast of Infernal magic. A crossbow bolt affected Melinde, but she was able to shake off the poison with some divine power, and one took me in the shoulder, leaving me somewhat disoriented as well. The poison makes your muscles burn and head spin, like a few pints of bad cider. </p><p></p><p>Melinde truly enjoyed the bit of battle. She gravely wounded one of the creatures with her longsword, and it surrendered. Since my aim was a bit distraught by the poison, I decided to stumble over to the side of the roof and expel the intruders from that side with a gout of flame from my <em>burning hands</em> spell. Unfortunately, though I badly burned the birdmen, I also ignited the shingle roof. Now, I think the burning Kenku really ignited the roof, but I did hit the eaves. I chose the former story for when the constable showed up. </p><p></p><p>Just as if to call a Devil, the constable showed up. As the roof burned, I tried to encourage some locals to help and put out the flame, but none would heed my call. Etona managed to talk some sense into them and a water line began to form. Etona also talked the constable into leading the fire line and leaving us alone. </p><p></p><p>A short moment later, Smenk began to awake from the magical sleep, but Etona and Rey had been hard at work while he snoozed, as had I. I managed to get the kenku prisoner to tell me that his master was the Faceless One, and that they came to send Smenk a message, likely for some trespass from Smenk against them. Rey liberated Smenk’s two silverback gorillas, and they began to follower her away from the scene. Etona busied herself with escorting servants out of the house. I stayed only long enough to be sure the constable was occupied and to be sure Smenk was breathing a living breath. </p><p></p><p>The mine owner stared at his home, stunned. The flames chewed at the rooftop and seemed to delight in the course of their aged wooden meal. The home was historically not Smenk’s. He purchased it just before I left for Greyhawk two years ago, after my sister went missing. It was a conquest over another mine owner in town. I can’t recall the details, but Smenk lusted after the other mine owner’s wife, and the fellow turned up dead one night under mysterious circumstances. No one could ever pin it on Smenk’s goons, but there were rumors. Shortly thereafter Smenk bought out their mansion, and the widow moved into a smaller place. As far as I know, he still pursues her to this day, but she has never returned the affection. I suppose the mansion represents the only part of her that he could take with his money and power. Clearly the flames burned more than the man’s shingles. When he spoke, he had only vengeance in his eyes. “I have a job for you: 500 crowns for the cult leader.”</p><p></p><p>I took note and said I would have to discuss with the ladies. Etona did manage a bit of courtesy on Smenk, trying to extract the crossbow bolt, but I only heard his yelp in pain as I strode away. Clearly the kenku prisoner was our priority now. Melinde had snarled at some of the local deputies when they suggested that she hand over the birdman, and they backed down. She was already twenty paces beyond the gate when I caught up to her. With a few arcane words, I send a magical message to Etona and Rey, telling them to meet us at the Garrison with the prisoner.</p><p></p><p>The evening was beginning to accrue its smoky haze as the fireplaces filled the low area in the square between Smenk’s home and the Garrison on the hill. I could hear the shouts from the water line and smell the acrid scent of burnt plaster mixed with the wood stoves. The quiet rustle of large bird feathers seemed unreal in contrast to Mel’s chain shirt, squeaking at times. </p><p></p><p>A short distance to the Garrison gate, Rey returned with the apes following. She seemed to be communicating with them in some guttural pantomime. I honestly would have fled if they had not been peaceful. We convened for a moment outside the garrison, drawing the usual sidelong glances from the guards, but Etona was quick to return. Mel led the kenku to a holding cell while she had a guard fetch Captain Trask and Valkus Dun.</p><p></p><p>A moment later we were all standing around the small cell asking the Kenku questions. Etona was the most curious as usual. I can’t read people well, so reading a birdman was somewhat pointless. He seemed to be telling the truth, but I don’t trust birds. </p><p></p><p>Etona started with an introduction of sorts, but the Kenku cut her short.</p><p></p><p>He stated calmly, “We know who you are. You are Etona, and you live in a shack with another human named Phreet. You associate with two other people: a human named Egan and an elf named Rey.” He went on to describe our activities, “You have interacted with Smenk’s organization many times, but seem to disrupt it.” He seemed unfazed by the details, “We were concerned that you might be forming an alliance with Smenk, which is why we attacked when we did, to send Smenk a message and dissuade your group.”</p><p></p><p>Etona replied, equally unfazed by the details, “What did Smenk do?”</p><p></p><p>A quick response, “He did not deliver what was promised.” The group shared knowing looks as if to suggest that such behavior was typical of Smenk. That story seemed quite likely.</p><p></p><p>Etona continued, “How do you get into the Dourstone mine and would you take us there?”</p><p></p><p>The birdman’s voice was level, “We have a secret way to enter, and I will take you there.”</p><p></p><p>Etona was quick, “And will you allow us to leave?”</p><p></p><p>Another bland reply from the Kenku, “You will be allowed to leave in peace.” The finality of the statement did not invoke confidence from me, but again, I don’t trust birds. The ease with which the prisoner shared information makes me nervous. For someone who belongs to a cult of secrecy, I did not expect such answers. Of course, they could all be lies. If they are not, however, he must have supreme confidence in his leader.</p><p></p><p>Etona continued her questioning, “What is in Dourstone’s mine?”</p><p></p><p>The throaty voice responded, “A powerful place of worship.”</p><p></p><p>Another question from the elf, “What are you doing with the worm creatures there? Smenk had said he encountered one that was in the mine.”</p><p></p><p>The birdman seemed ready for any question, “We are experimenting.”</p><p></p><p>Etona perked up, “Experiments on whom?”</p><p></p><p>The black raven eyes did not blink, “On volunteers to see the power of the worms.”</p><p></p><p>Undeterred, Etona pushed further, “What have you found?”</p><p></p><p>The raven man shrugged, “They are powerful.” This statement was followed </p><p>by a pause.</p><p></p><p>I wanted a few questions as well, so I took the opportunity, “How many followers are in the </p><p>mines?”</p><p></p><p>Without moving his fixed gaze, the Kenku spoke, “A great many.”</p><p></p><p>And so went the conversation for a few minutes more, a question and a deadpan response. It seemed we had the information that we needed. After Etona’s curiosity waned, we left the bird in his cage.</p><p></p><p>He confirmed that he belonged to a cult of Vecna that was in Dourstone’s mine, doing experiments with the mysterious undead worm and worshipping Vecna in vague ways. A powerful priest of Vecna, The Faceless One, runs the operation, and he ordered the attack on Smenk in retaliation for Smenk’s double-cross. The kenku offered to take us to the hidden cult sanctuary in the mine to speak with The Faceless One. However, he wouldn’t elaborate, saying that we would be allowed to ‘leave in peace.’ Whether that meant eternal peace or peacefully was left unclear. It did implicate Smenk as being part of the conspiracy to hire Filge, but no one wanted to push that point.</p><p></p><p>Without wasting any time, we convened with Captain Trask. The veteran soldier agreed that the reports from Blackwall Keep were most likely to give leads on this worm creature. Since there did not appear to be a reason to believe that the worm or the cult were actively threatening the town or garrison, the party decided to plan for a trip to the remote outpost. The captain offered to send some men, provide horses and give us a writ of authority to enter. We agreed to meet back at the Garrison the next day to head out.</p><p></p><p>In the meantime, Etona and Rey had plans for the silverback apes that were liberated from Smenk’s house. There were few options. Back at the Emporium, Zalamandra had a menagerie of animals already and means to support them at the Emporium, so we decided to talk to her. The apes apparently were not trained to be in the wild and needed shelter and food to survive, but they could not stay in town or Smenk would find them.</p><p></p><p>After the usual introductions at the door to the busy Emporium, we arranged a meeting with Zalamandra. An upstairs meeting room afforded the group a brief discussion with Lady Z. She explained the options: keeping the apes hidden in the emporium, smuggling them to the jungles far south via caravan to a reputable animal handler, or sending them to the Twilight Monastery for the monks to care for until Rey could devote some time to their care. </p><p></p><p>After weighing the options, and expenses, the group agreed to an offer of an open favor to Lady Z to smuggle the apes to the Twilight Monastery. The plan would require Rey to eventually train them to return to the wild. Somehow, I have a feeling that our favor will likely be an costly one. However, we all agreed. What few treasures we possessed were hidden in the dry well by the abandoned mine office, near the Whispering Cairn, and we had no idea their value nor had we discussed their use for purposes such as gorilla transport.</p><p></p><p>As we left the Emporium and paid our tab for the pricey red wine that made Etona giggle at Rey burp, we decided to gather some gear before the hour became late. Shortly thereafter we regrouped at the Etona abode. Phreet was there, still thinking of sneaky ways to get ahead in life. Etona demurred and made her usual reassurances to Phreet about a better, less-risky path. Rey and Egan set about the shack to get some sleep, introspectively lost in their own thoughts, or perhaps digesting the day’s events. We tried to rest beneath the hazy sky, enjoying the hint of acrid house fire on the night air.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SolidSnake_01, post: 7172937, member: 63254"] [B][U]Journal of Egan: Entry I[/U][/B] To be familiar with birds is to be familiar with deception, and these birdmen creatures, called Kenku, are no different. A volley crossbow bolts from the shadows rendered Smenk unconscious, and a second volley took down Rey but not before she could weaken one of the beasts enough for me to put it down with a blast of Infernal magic. A crossbow bolt affected Melinde, but she was able to shake off the poison with some divine power, and one took me in the shoulder, leaving me somewhat disoriented as well. The poison makes your muscles burn and head spin, like a few pints of bad cider. Melinde truly enjoyed the bit of battle. She gravely wounded one of the creatures with her longsword, and it surrendered. Since my aim was a bit distraught by the poison, I decided to stumble over to the side of the roof and expel the intruders from that side with a gout of flame from my [I]burning hands[/I] spell. Unfortunately, though I badly burned the birdmen, I also ignited the shingle roof. Now, I think the burning Kenku really ignited the roof, but I did hit the eaves. I chose the former story for when the constable showed up. Just as if to call a Devil, the constable showed up. As the roof burned, I tried to encourage some locals to help and put out the flame, but none would heed my call. Etona managed to talk some sense into them and a water line began to form. Etona also talked the constable into leading the fire line and leaving us alone. A short moment later, Smenk began to awake from the magical sleep, but Etona and Rey had been hard at work while he snoozed, as had I. I managed to get the kenku prisoner to tell me that his master was the Faceless One, and that they came to send Smenk a message, likely for some trespass from Smenk against them. Rey liberated Smenk’s two silverback gorillas, and they began to follower her away from the scene. Etona busied herself with escorting servants out of the house. I stayed only long enough to be sure the constable was occupied and to be sure Smenk was breathing a living breath. The mine owner stared at his home, stunned. The flames chewed at the rooftop and seemed to delight in the course of their aged wooden meal. The home was historically not Smenk’s. He purchased it just before I left for Greyhawk two years ago, after my sister went missing. It was a conquest over another mine owner in town. I can’t recall the details, but Smenk lusted after the other mine owner’s wife, and the fellow turned up dead one night under mysterious circumstances. No one could ever pin it on Smenk’s goons, but there were rumors. Shortly thereafter Smenk bought out their mansion, and the widow moved into a smaller place. As far as I know, he still pursues her to this day, but she has never returned the affection. I suppose the mansion represents the only part of her that he could take with his money and power. Clearly the flames burned more than the man’s shingles. When he spoke, he had only vengeance in his eyes. “I have a job for you: 500 crowns for the cult leader.” I took note and said I would have to discuss with the ladies. Etona did manage a bit of courtesy on Smenk, trying to extract the crossbow bolt, but I only heard his yelp in pain as I strode away. Clearly the kenku prisoner was our priority now. Melinde had snarled at some of the local deputies when they suggested that she hand over the birdman, and they backed down. She was already twenty paces beyond the gate when I caught up to her. With a few arcane words, I send a magical message to Etona and Rey, telling them to meet us at the Garrison with the prisoner. The evening was beginning to accrue its smoky haze as the fireplaces filled the low area in the square between Smenk’s home and the Garrison on the hill. I could hear the shouts from the water line and smell the acrid scent of burnt plaster mixed with the wood stoves. The quiet rustle of large bird feathers seemed unreal in contrast to Mel’s chain shirt, squeaking at times. A short distance to the Garrison gate, Rey returned with the apes following. She seemed to be communicating with them in some guttural pantomime. I honestly would have fled if they had not been peaceful. We convened for a moment outside the garrison, drawing the usual sidelong glances from the guards, but Etona was quick to return. Mel led the kenku to a holding cell while she had a guard fetch Captain Trask and Valkus Dun. A moment later we were all standing around the small cell asking the Kenku questions. Etona was the most curious as usual. I can’t read people well, so reading a birdman was somewhat pointless. He seemed to be telling the truth, but I don’t trust birds. Etona started with an introduction of sorts, but the Kenku cut her short. He stated calmly, “We know who you are. You are Etona, and you live in a shack with another human named Phreet. You associate with two other people: a human named Egan and an elf named Rey.” He went on to describe our activities, “You have interacted with Smenk’s organization many times, but seem to disrupt it.” He seemed unfazed by the details, “We were concerned that you might be forming an alliance with Smenk, which is why we attacked when we did, to send Smenk a message and dissuade your group.” Etona replied, equally unfazed by the details, “What did Smenk do?” A quick response, “He did not deliver what was promised.” The group shared knowing looks as if to suggest that such behavior was typical of Smenk. That story seemed quite likely. Etona continued, “How do you get into the Dourstone mine and would you take us there?” The birdman’s voice was level, “We have a secret way to enter, and I will take you there.” Etona was quick, “And will you allow us to leave?” Another bland reply from the Kenku, “You will be allowed to leave in peace.” The finality of the statement did not invoke confidence from me, but again, I don’t trust birds. The ease with which the prisoner shared information makes me nervous. For someone who belongs to a cult of secrecy, I did not expect such answers. Of course, they could all be lies. If they are not, however, he must have supreme confidence in his leader. Etona continued her questioning, “What is in Dourstone’s mine?” The throaty voice responded, “A powerful place of worship.” Another question from the elf, “What are you doing with the worm creatures there? Smenk had said he encountered one that was in the mine.” The birdman seemed ready for any question, “We are experimenting.” Etona perked up, “Experiments on whom?” The black raven eyes did not blink, “On volunteers to see the power of the worms.” Undeterred, Etona pushed further, “What have you found?” The raven man shrugged, “They are powerful.” This statement was followed by a pause. I wanted a few questions as well, so I took the opportunity, “How many followers are in the mines?” Without moving his fixed gaze, the Kenku spoke, “A great many.” And so went the conversation for a few minutes more, a question and a deadpan response. It seemed we had the information that we needed. After Etona’s curiosity waned, we left the bird in his cage. He confirmed that he belonged to a cult of Vecna that was in Dourstone’s mine, doing experiments with the mysterious undead worm and worshipping Vecna in vague ways. A powerful priest of Vecna, The Faceless One, runs the operation, and he ordered the attack on Smenk in retaliation for Smenk’s double-cross. The kenku offered to take us to the hidden cult sanctuary in the mine to speak with The Faceless One. However, he wouldn’t elaborate, saying that we would be allowed to ‘leave in peace.’ Whether that meant eternal peace or peacefully was left unclear. It did implicate Smenk as being part of the conspiracy to hire Filge, but no one wanted to push that point. Without wasting any time, we convened with Captain Trask. The veteran soldier agreed that the reports from Blackwall Keep were most likely to give leads on this worm creature. Since there did not appear to be a reason to believe that the worm or the cult were actively threatening the town or garrison, the party decided to plan for a trip to the remote outpost. The captain offered to send some men, provide horses and give us a writ of authority to enter. We agreed to meet back at the Garrison the next day to head out. In the meantime, Etona and Rey had plans for the silverback apes that were liberated from Smenk’s house. There were few options. Back at the Emporium, Zalamandra had a menagerie of animals already and means to support them at the Emporium, so we decided to talk to her. The apes apparently were not trained to be in the wild and needed shelter and food to survive, but they could not stay in town or Smenk would find them. After the usual introductions at the door to the busy Emporium, we arranged a meeting with Zalamandra. An upstairs meeting room afforded the group a brief discussion with Lady Z. She explained the options: keeping the apes hidden in the emporium, smuggling them to the jungles far south via caravan to a reputable animal handler, or sending them to the Twilight Monastery for the monks to care for until Rey could devote some time to their care. After weighing the options, and expenses, the group agreed to an offer of an open favor to Lady Z to smuggle the apes to the Twilight Monastery. The plan would require Rey to eventually train them to return to the wild. Somehow, I have a feeling that our favor will likely be an costly one. However, we all agreed. What few treasures we possessed were hidden in the dry well by the abandoned mine office, near the Whispering Cairn, and we had no idea their value nor had we discussed their use for purposes such as gorilla transport. As we left the Emporium and paid our tab for the pricey red wine that made Etona giggle at Rey burp, we decided to gather some gear before the hour became late. Shortly thereafter we regrouped at the Etona abode. Phreet was there, still thinking of sneaky ways to get ahead in life. Etona demurred and made her usual reassurances to Phreet about a better, less-risky path. Rey and Egan set about the shack to get some sleep, introspectively lost in their own thoughts, or perhaps digesting the day’s events. We tried to rest beneath the hazy sky, enjoying the hint of acrid house fire on the night air. [/QUOTE]
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