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Company of Chaos - All Around Golarion
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<blockquote data-quote="Lwaxy" data-source="post: 5956950" data-attributes="member: 53286"><p>Summer, vacations and archeological digs slow this campaign down a bit, but I was at least able to get the notes from the last session, which happened without me. </p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p></p><p>Mook had been in a bad mood since the early afternoon, from the moment on the Pathfinder emissary had shown up in their inn. As it sometimes happened, the gnome knew immediately what this man wanted and didn't like it, despite the offer in gold they got in advance for "just checking out the sewers." </p><p></p><p>It was a bit more complicated than that, of course. An older man with an obvious mental deficit had shown up at the Pathfinder lodge a few days ago, calling himself the Prince of Augustana, which was nonsense as the city never had had any prince. What was even weirder was that the unknown man, calling himself Gandros, had a wayfinder, one of those compasses Pathfinders got, and he considered the Pathfinder symbol the sign of his father's empire. Supposedly, he had been attacked by some sort of otherworldy killer when he was gathering "his army" and barely made it to the surface for the first years in what must be decades judging from the look of him. At least that was what the emissary said. </p><p></p><p>It was clear to all of them that the Pathfinder Lodge considered this more of a nuisance than anything else. Except that the self styled prince also went on about a supposed gateway to "the otherworld." To make it nor their business while still getting the info, they just wanted to hire someone to check into it. And the 3 of them had been picked because of a certain elf who happened to know the Venture Captain had casually mentioned how helpful they had been in eradicating "some evil in a hill cave." </p><p></p><p>Going into the sewers didn't sound appealing, but the pay was. After all, Zayel's father had kept most of their valuables in the inn with him when he didn't accompany them to the island – that seemed a long time ago all of a sudden, even when it was just a few weeks – and their friends had kept most of the treasure from the island in a bag of holding Majek or Zaza usually carried. Their new friend Tiva had little money to begin with. Somehow, they would need to feed themselves, as Mook's divinations wouldn't raise enough, and work for the exhibition was scarce in winter. </p><p></p><p>After Zayel had accepted the mission for them, Mook had been withdrawn and silent. Since she was using the magic ring most of the time, she usually talked a lot, just like most gnomes. Very unlike the time when she was stuttering. The oracle insisted she knew there was no portal and that it would be a waste of time and energy, not to talk of putting themselves into harms and filth's way. But she was coming along, of course, if just to make sure nothing happened to her friends. But Zayel thought he had heard her muttering about "not our destiny" and "too much to do to waste time like that" under her breath while they had made their way to the sewer entrance later the afternoon. He would have to inquire about the meaning of that later. </p><p></p><p>They had been warned about a gang called Steel Wyverns, a once mighty group now fallen into disarray who had taken to the sewers. Supposedly, that was the only real concern, and they had been assured that "with a bit of magic and show" those elements could be chased off. </p><p></p><p>"So this is where we go in?" Tiva asked confidently. Ever since she had reunited with her eidolon, she was different, more outgoing and curious. </p><p></p><p>The three-quarter-elf stared at the door leading down to the setting pools and took a deep breath, knowing it would be the only clean air he would get for a while. "Yeah, let's just get it over with, Maybe it won't take too long."</p><p></p><p>Mook was already slipping through the door she had pushed open a bit. As most entries, it wasn't locked. Still not talking, the gnome's eyes stared at them from the shadows, and so the others followed with silent sighs. It was not pleasant when their friend was in such a mood. Even her wolf had refused to go with her. </p><p></p><p>Slippery stairs were leading down only a short way, and then they were already at the settling pools. The smell of waste and rot was strong in the large chamber where filthy water flowed in a series of cascades between tiered stone tanks. A raised platform along the east wall was connected to the passage’s walkways by several thick wooden planks creating a makeshift bridge. On that platform was what looked to be a makeshift alchemy lab on a rough-hewn table. Beakers, glass vials, dirty bottles, and moldy buckets covered the entire surface of the table.</p><p></p><p>And they were not alone. Immediately as they entered, heads turned towards them from where 2 rugged humans were sitting on a wooden bridge; a tall human with greasy brown hair in tattered robes was bent over the table, slowly pouring two mixtures together. "Firedrake," one of the men in rugs alerted what seemed to be their leader. "We got some rats visiting us. Let's get their stuff and chase them out."</p><p></p><p>This wasn't starting too well. "You are some of those Steel Wyverns, right?" Zayel asked in an attempt to ease the situation. "We have no issues with you, we just need to pass through."</p><p></p><p>"No one passes our territory. Hand over your stuff and run, or else." The two had gotten up from the bridge and were going around the pools towards them. Their leader had finished with his work and slowly turned, grabbing hold of a bottle. It looked like he had the means of alchemical attacks. </p><p></p><p>"Or else what?" Tvia's eidolon, who was accompanying them, asked innocently. "You will fall into the sewers to never been seen again?" As they had already noticed in the past few days, Onu had a way to express its thoughts that could infuriate anyone. Especially thugs. </p><p></p><p>"Get them," Firedrake said with a grating voice. </p><p></p><p>But Zayel had already readied a sleep spell. When the two thugs noticed the glittering air in front of them, it was already too late. Tumbling over one another, they came to rest at the foot of the wooden stairs. One of them almost fell into the dirty water and would surely have drowned. </p><p></p><p>Unfortunately, their alchemist didn't look like he'd be so easy to take. He frowned in disgust and then a small bag was flying through the air, right at Zayel. "Watch it," Mook growled, but Zayel was already jumping back. The bag burst open, revealing a sticky mass which would have surely glued him to the ground. </p><p></p><p>"Oooh, it's throwing toys," the eidolon squealed in its weird voice. Sometimes Zayel wondered if the magical being was voicing the secret thoughts of its mistress. "Lookit lookit, it throws another!"</p><p></p><p>The alchemist hesitated, noticing the eidolon for the first time. He frowned, then he quickly grabbed a bag´of old stained leather with his free hand, the alchemist's fire – for that was what Zayel took the liquid in the flask to be, having seen his friend making it several times – outstretched in the other. Quickly, he stowed a book and several flasks and ingredients into it, which was difficult to do. Mook used the opportunity to jump over the sleeping figures and limping towards him. She pointed the brand new cane-like staff at him she had acquired earlier today from a magic shop downtown. </p><p></p><p>The nerves of the gang member were already tight, with knowing that there was an arcane caster of some kind and a definite summoner in front of him; he recognized the oracle for what she was and threw the flask at her. Then he threw another flask down right in front of him and seemed to be caching away more of his things. </p><p></p><p>Smoke was rising around him as Mook deflected the alchemist's fire with his staff back at him. Right when they saw him running over the bridge, which creaked in a worrisome way, the flask turned the makeshift table into a mass of flames. Whatever had been left on there was now lost. </p><p></p><p>"To think they'd only have to let us pass," the eidolon squeaked again. "What a silly bunch."</p><p></p><p>"Onu has a point," Zayel grinned to overplay his nervousness. "Now, if those were all we had to worry about we should be fine."</p><p></p><p>"There'll probably be more of them," Mook mumbled, more to herself, before moving on deeper into the sewers. Rolling his eyes, Zayel grinned at Tiva, and they followed. </p><p></p><p>A bit ahead was a junction where a smaller sewer line once joined the main passage. The ceiling of the smaller passage had partially collapsed, filling most of that tunnel with rubble. The surface of the rubble pile seemed to shift strangely and closer examination revealed thousands of tiny vermin fleeing into cracks and shadows.</p><p></p><p>"Not that way, for sure, this has been caved in for a long time," Zayel pointed out. "Let's move on ahead."</p><p></p><p>Tiva shivered. "I don't like creeping things too much, so we better move quickly lest they come after us."</p><p></p><p>Soon they reached another intersection. Graffiti covered the walls here. Some of it was a repeating picture of a badly drawn wyvern in grey paint, probably the symbol of the gang they had encountered. There was also a skull with insects warning of the cave in place. The last one remarkable was the image of a bowl with a coin in it, with a key painted under it. The arrow drawn on the key pointed south. </p><p></p><p>"A beggar's sanctuary, I guess." They had heard of those existing in almost every larger town. "What if that wannabe prince came from there? Or maybe they would at least know them?"</p><p></p><p>Tivva frowned at the idea of encountering smelly beggars but she didn't say anything. Her dislike was visible on her face as she held their glow rod up to see better. "As you said, let's get this over with." Holding her nose, she moved into the direction of the arrow. </p><p></p><p>Slowly, they got somewhat used to the terrible smell, as long as they didn't look to closely at what was drifting in the water. Eventually, taking some turns and twists, a faint light was starting to grow in the dark. Slowly it resolved into a crude lantern held by a toothless old beggar who held a chair leg in his other hand. Beside him stood a scrawny youth, similarly armed but obviously terrified. Behind the two derelicts was an open door bearing the symbol of the beggar’s bowl, coin, and key. The old man eyed them warily as they approached.</p><p></p><p>"Hi, there," Tiva smiled while trying to ignore her own worries. "We are looking for some information, maybe you could help?"</p><p></p><p>“If yer intentions be peaceful, Abadar makes you welcome.” The old guy squinted at them and pointed inside. Looking at each other and shrugging, the 4 of them entered. </p><p></p><p>Beyond the door, a short flight of steps led up into what appeared to be the basement crypt of a church of Abadar. Perhaps two dozen beggars huddled among sarcophagi, some sleeping, some haggling over bits of junk or scraps of food laid out on blankets. Tiva's face fell. For all her dislike of unclean people, she also pitied them. </p><p></p><p>A tall man in clean robes wearing a plain copper mask walked among the desolate group. He turned as he heard them and regarded them coolly. “If you respect this sanctuary, I offer you what sanctuary I can. Otherwise, begone!”</p><p></p><p>"Not the friendliest chap," Zayel mumbled so that only they could hear. Tiva was not frazed, playing on her natural ability to make people feel at ease and not threatened. "Hello," she smiled again. "We aren't here for sanctuary, just for information about someone who was wandering the streets of Augustana."</p><p></p><p>"A lost soul? Some confused member of this flock, maybe?" With a bit more interest, the masked man came closer. </p><p></p><p>Taking over from Tiva, Zayel began to retell the story of Gandros and his royal attitude. Recognition seemed to appear in the man's eyes, but with the mask it was hard to tell. "Gandros," he said. "Know him, have helped him. Unfortunate, sad story, all of it. I could tell you all about it if we had time."</p><p></p><p>"See, that was not so hard," Tiva turned to the still sour Mook. </p><p></p><p>"If we had the time," the masked man repeated. "Which we don't. Unless you could help us, maybe? You have an eidolon, so you must be a magic type, and that gnome is an oracle if I have ever seen one. The Steel Wyverns will be here in under 2 hrs to ask for more protection bribe than we could ever afford." He basically spat the words. "They would destroy all we build, and us on top of it."</p><p></p><p>"They didn't seem so tough back at the setting pools," the eidolon squeaked up. "But then, you are a ragtag bunch, not like us!"</p><p></p><p>"Sorry about his rudeness," Tiva blushed. "Onu hasn't learned about when to shut up yet."</p><p></p><p>"Those people, they are sick." The oracle was standing at the blankets in one of the corners where 3 men were shivering from fever. </p><p></p><p>The masked man nodded briskly. "Filth fever. I can't bring a healer here, and I'm not good at it, unfortunately."</p><p></p><p>Mook sat next to one of the men and grabbed her staff. A mild yellow light was flowing around her, the staff and the sick man. "What is she doing?" the masked man asked. </p><p></p><p>"I am not sure," Zayel admitted, as Mook was keeping a lot of secrets lately. "But usually, when there is this golden light, it turns out alright." He grinned at the thought of what had happened on the island with the undead dragon. </p><p></p><p>"So, this gang who bullies you," Tiva interrupted. "They will be here soon, yes?" Her eyes danced around the room. "We might want to make a nice little surprise for them. Do you still have some of the paint you used to paint your signs in the tunnels? And are the covers of the sarcophagi removable?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but what...?"</p><p></p><p>"Show me the paint," the girl grinned. "You'll see."</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Some time later, laughter and footsteps could be heard approaching from the west. A voice called out. “Almsman! What say you? Are you resisting or giving us what we want? I hope you’re resisting!”</p><p></p><p>"That's dumb," Onu whispered to its mistress. "If he wants them to resist, they already give him what he wants, and that.. that... that's confusing!"</p><p></p><p>They were mostly huddled together with some of the beggars and the masked man – who was, as they knew by now, known as the Almsman – behind the last sarcophagi in the room. Everything smelled awfully of blood, thanks to a whole lot of dead rats who had donated their innards to decorate the room with. Leftover red paint made it appear as if there was a lot more blood. </p><p></p><p>"Hey, boss? Where are they? What's that smell? "Randalan? What happened here?" The thugs hesitated, not seeing any light and entering a scene that looked highly suspicious. </p><p></p><p>"I don't know," the voice they heard first answered them. "But I detect no magic. Wait, let me cast some light..."</p><p></p><p>That had to be avoided, so Tiva and Zayel gave the agreed on signal to the others. With a high pitched sigh, Tiva got up, exposing her body and especially her heavily make up covered face – it pays when a girl has all her utensils with her, as she always said – to the meager light coming from one cast aside glow rod. Zayel, equally masked, stood up from behind a pile of rugs, waving a red painted arm around. And a moment later, the lids of the sarcophagi shifted, revealing paint covered beggars also dressed up like zombies. </p><p></p><p>Randalan, the leader of the Steel Wyverns, heard his people cry in panic and found himself alone, the echoes of running feet still in the tunnel, before he could do anything with his bardic abilities. For a moment longer, he seemed to be ready to face the supposed undead alone, but then he forgot about casting light or doing anything else but following the rest of his gang, cursing loudly after banging the door shut. </p><p></p><p>Silence fell as the people inside listened for any sign of them returning. Then they broke out in cheers and laughter. The Almsman lit the light again, staying rather calm. "I guess that worked for now," he stated the obvious. "But the clean up will be annoying."</p><p></p><p>"Not so much," Zayel grinned. "I have a few spells for that." </p><p></p><p>"We will have to face them again, though."</p><p></p><p>"Yes," Mook said, still frowning. "But by then,you can summon up a better defense, maybe some real spells and bells."</p><p></p><p>Not too much later, the cleaned up group had gotten directions to where the so-called prince's place was. Apparently, they had known the mad man for decades down here, and many beggars and other mad men believed his nobility story. The Almsman’s directions led to a heavy wooden door. A sign </p><p>on the door was partially obscured by grime and moss, and the word “Skytower” was still barely legible. Zayel pushed the door slightly and found it unlocked. "Shall we?" he asked, sounding a bit worried this time. </p><p></p><p>They now entered a room which was once clearly the basement of a building above, but the stairs in the far corner were now choked with charred rubble and seemed to lead to a new stone foundation of the new building above. Odd furniture and knick-knacks of all description filled the remaining space, and strange winged effigies made of wood and broken pottery were arrayed in a bizarre diorama. The focal point of this display were a pair of chairs standing on different-sized piles of old crates like thrones on a dais. A charred and shriveled corpse dressed in rotting and burnt finery and wearing a tin crown was propped up in one of the chairs while the other, lower chair, sat vacant.</p><p></p><p>"Now that is strange," Tiva mumbled, barely able to not show her disgust at the corpse. The eidolon had no such reservations and went right over, reading what was written on the tin crown. "Emperor Relios." It grinned. "Hey, maybe this was some ruler after all."</p><p></p><p>"With a tin crown? Unlikely." Zayel refused to come nearer but instead checked out a desk with partially rotten logs and journals. "Seems this was once some sorts of trading place called Emporium. My guess is the so-called prince got a lot of things wrong. If he's been down here for decades, then he must have been a child when this happened." He pointed to the corpse.</p><p></p><p>"Probably the old building burned down?" Tiva suggested. </p><p></p><p>"Yes," Mook agreed. "So much confusion here. So much..." She grabbed her head for a moment and shook it. "Not our destiny," she repeated almost inaudible. </p><p></p><p>"I think this is a diary of sorts," Zayel said, holding up a tattered volume. "From the dead guy, it looks like."</p><p></p><p>They were able to pinch the story together. Wealthy businessman and former Pathfinder, who doubled as drug dealer supplying something called yellowcap dust produced from mushrooms to nobles. Eventually, his past caught up with him and his enemies burned everything down, with him and his young son still inside. So here they came, and the father, as obvious with the corpse, died an unpleasant death leaving his son all alone and too scared to go topside ever again. </p><p></p><p>"What a sad story." Tiva looked around a bit more. "Look, the other rooms are full of those mushrooms."</p><p></p><p>"And I bet the boy ate some of them, causing delusions and his eventual madness. We should burn them," Mook decided. "Even if they are out of fashion they might still harm someone."</p><p></p><p>"And I can't detect any magic here, except for those few items," he pointed at a assorted mix of debris and some stuff that looked useful, "so just let's take the journal and this stuff and go," Zayel agreed. </p><p></p><p>"Did you hear that?" Mook pointed to the rooms with the mushrooms. </p><p></p><p>Now Zayel could hear it, too. Some sort of growling. As he stepped closer to see what it was while securing everything he thought could be of value, he nearly slipped on an empty piece of paper looking surprisingly like a used scroll. "Uh... someone cast something, and not too long ago as there is no dirt on the paper," he said, pointing to the now useless scroll. </p><p></p><p>"You don't think this prince guy..." Tiva started, but right then the growling turned into a howl.</p><p></p><p>"Out!" Mook ordered. She had absolutely no idea to wait for what was coming – from the heavy steps more than one being – when they didn't have a single real fighter among them. The eidolon stared for a while longer, then it followed its master. </p><p></p><p>Large , pale shapes clearly looking like monsters not from this world came out of the back rooms. The only thing Tiva, who was looking back for Onu, could really make out in the mushroom dust now coming out of the rooms, were large red eyes and a whole lot more teeth than a decent being should have. She banged the door close and leaned against it for a moment. "Will they follow us?"</p><p></p><p>"Don't ask, just let's go!" Zayel was already on the way back where they had come from. </p><p></p><p>"We can't leave those things down here!" Tiva and Onu were bringing up the rear. </p><p></p><p>"Normally," Mook gasped, trying to keep up with the larger folk, "I'd agree with you. However, we don't even know what those are, and it is not our problem! Let someone else handle this!" </p><p></p><p>Noticing the things didn't follow, Zayel slowed down. He could barely breathe anymore in the stink down here, and he felt dizzy. "I agree. No telling what spells would work on them and which wouldn't, and if I'd have anything ready to deal with them anyway."</p><p></p><p>"Look at the bright side," Mook told Tiva, who looked somewhat defeated. "Maybe they'll eat the rest of the Steel Wyverns."</p><p></p><p>"It is just..." Tiva hesitated, feeling silly. </p><p></p><p>"I know,'" Mook said. "You were made to run back up the hill with the drow, and you certainly didn't want to come over like a coward again."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, somewhat." The human girl was surprised the gnome understood her so well. "I'm supposed to do better than this."</p><p></p><p>"No, you are not." Mook, still at the rear, kept looking back as they walked on. "Not everyone can do everything perfect. By the gods, I can't even talk straight without magic help! You did just fine, sister, and Onu, too. Look at it this way .- drow supposedly do not exist, so there was no one you could have ran from."</p><p></p><p>"At least, there is no portal down here anywhere, I'd have felt that." They passed the beggar's area and went back towards the setting pools. "Maybe you were right, Mook, and we shouldn't have done this to begin with. I hate sewers." </p><p></p><p>Mook shook her head. "No, you were right, Zayel. We need to get money from somewhere until we meet up with the others. But let's stick with stuff we can definitely handle. And maybe, you could stock up on some spells usable in fights. Or scrolls with them."</p><p></p><p>"You know what happens when I try to make scrolls or potions," Zayel mumbled. </p><p></p><p>"I don't." Tiva looked curious. "What happens?" </p><p></p><p>"You see, he wanted to be such a great wizard right when we were very young, so scrolls and potions was something he tried right away. It all started on a rainy afternoon in autumn, when..."</p><p></p><p>Zayel sighed inwardly, wishing that Mook's ring would somehow fail, but of course it did not and the gnome was able to relay the whole of the embarrassing story.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lwaxy, post: 5956950, member: 53286"] Summer, vacations and archeological digs slow this campaign down a bit, but I was at least able to get the notes from the last session, which happened without me. -------------------------------------------------------------- Mook had been in a bad mood since the early afternoon, from the moment on the Pathfinder emissary had shown up in their inn. As it sometimes happened, the gnome knew immediately what this man wanted and didn't like it, despite the offer in gold they got in advance for "just checking out the sewers." It was a bit more complicated than that, of course. An older man with an obvious mental deficit had shown up at the Pathfinder lodge a few days ago, calling himself the Prince of Augustana, which was nonsense as the city never had had any prince. What was even weirder was that the unknown man, calling himself Gandros, had a wayfinder, one of those compasses Pathfinders got, and he considered the Pathfinder symbol the sign of his father's empire. Supposedly, he had been attacked by some sort of otherworldy killer when he was gathering "his army" and barely made it to the surface for the first years in what must be decades judging from the look of him. At least that was what the emissary said. It was clear to all of them that the Pathfinder Lodge considered this more of a nuisance than anything else. Except that the self styled prince also went on about a supposed gateway to "the otherworld." To make it nor their business while still getting the info, they just wanted to hire someone to check into it. And the 3 of them had been picked because of a certain elf who happened to know the Venture Captain had casually mentioned how helpful they had been in eradicating "some evil in a hill cave." Going into the sewers didn't sound appealing, but the pay was. After all, Zayel's father had kept most of their valuables in the inn with him when he didn't accompany them to the island – that seemed a long time ago all of a sudden, even when it was just a few weeks – and their friends had kept most of the treasure from the island in a bag of holding Majek or Zaza usually carried. Their new friend Tiva had little money to begin with. Somehow, they would need to feed themselves, as Mook's divinations wouldn't raise enough, and work for the exhibition was scarce in winter. After Zayel had accepted the mission for them, Mook had been withdrawn and silent. Since she was using the magic ring most of the time, she usually talked a lot, just like most gnomes. Very unlike the time when she was stuttering. The oracle insisted she knew there was no portal and that it would be a waste of time and energy, not to talk of putting themselves into harms and filth's way. But she was coming along, of course, if just to make sure nothing happened to her friends. But Zayel thought he had heard her muttering about "not our destiny" and "too much to do to waste time like that" under her breath while they had made their way to the sewer entrance later the afternoon. He would have to inquire about the meaning of that later. They had been warned about a gang called Steel Wyverns, a once mighty group now fallen into disarray who had taken to the sewers. Supposedly, that was the only real concern, and they had been assured that "with a bit of magic and show" those elements could be chased off. "So this is where we go in?" Tiva asked confidently. Ever since she had reunited with her eidolon, she was different, more outgoing and curious. The three-quarter-elf stared at the door leading down to the setting pools and took a deep breath, knowing it would be the only clean air he would get for a while. "Yeah, let's just get it over with, Maybe it won't take too long." Mook was already slipping through the door she had pushed open a bit. As most entries, it wasn't locked. Still not talking, the gnome's eyes stared at them from the shadows, and so the others followed with silent sighs. It was not pleasant when their friend was in such a mood. Even her wolf had refused to go with her. Slippery stairs were leading down only a short way, and then they were already at the settling pools. The smell of waste and rot was strong in the large chamber where filthy water flowed in a series of cascades between tiered stone tanks. A raised platform along the east wall was connected to the passage’s walkways by several thick wooden planks creating a makeshift bridge. On that platform was what looked to be a makeshift alchemy lab on a rough-hewn table. Beakers, glass vials, dirty bottles, and moldy buckets covered the entire surface of the table. And they were not alone. Immediately as they entered, heads turned towards them from where 2 rugged humans were sitting on a wooden bridge; a tall human with greasy brown hair in tattered robes was bent over the table, slowly pouring two mixtures together. "Firedrake," one of the men in rugs alerted what seemed to be their leader. "We got some rats visiting us. Let's get their stuff and chase them out." This wasn't starting too well. "You are some of those Steel Wyverns, right?" Zayel asked in an attempt to ease the situation. "We have no issues with you, we just need to pass through." "No one passes our territory. Hand over your stuff and run, or else." The two had gotten up from the bridge and were going around the pools towards them. Their leader had finished with his work and slowly turned, grabbing hold of a bottle. It looked like he had the means of alchemical attacks. "Or else what?" Tvia's eidolon, who was accompanying them, asked innocently. "You will fall into the sewers to never been seen again?" As they had already noticed in the past few days, Onu had a way to express its thoughts that could infuriate anyone. Especially thugs. "Get them," Firedrake said with a grating voice. But Zayel had already readied a sleep spell. When the two thugs noticed the glittering air in front of them, it was already too late. Tumbling over one another, they came to rest at the foot of the wooden stairs. One of them almost fell into the dirty water and would surely have drowned. Unfortunately, their alchemist didn't look like he'd be so easy to take. He frowned in disgust and then a small bag was flying through the air, right at Zayel. "Watch it," Mook growled, but Zayel was already jumping back. The bag burst open, revealing a sticky mass which would have surely glued him to the ground. "Oooh, it's throwing toys," the eidolon squealed in its weird voice. Sometimes Zayel wondered if the magical being was voicing the secret thoughts of its mistress. "Lookit lookit, it throws another!" The alchemist hesitated, noticing the eidolon for the first time. He frowned, then he quickly grabbed a bag´of old stained leather with his free hand, the alchemist's fire – for that was what Zayel took the liquid in the flask to be, having seen his friend making it several times – outstretched in the other. Quickly, he stowed a book and several flasks and ingredients into it, which was difficult to do. Mook used the opportunity to jump over the sleeping figures and limping towards him. She pointed the brand new cane-like staff at him she had acquired earlier today from a magic shop downtown. The nerves of the gang member were already tight, with knowing that there was an arcane caster of some kind and a definite summoner in front of him; he recognized the oracle for what she was and threw the flask at her. Then he threw another flask down right in front of him and seemed to be caching away more of his things. Smoke was rising around him as Mook deflected the alchemist's fire with his staff back at him. Right when they saw him running over the bridge, which creaked in a worrisome way, the flask turned the makeshift table into a mass of flames. Whatever had been left on there was now lost. "To think they'd only have to let us pass," the eidolon squeaked again. "What a silly bunch." "Onu has a point," Zayel grinned to overplay his nervousness. "Now, if those were all we had to worry about we should be fine." "There'll probably be more of them," Mook mumbled, more to herself, before moving on deeper into the sewers. Rolling his eyes, Zayel grinned at Tiva, and they followed. A bit ahead was a junction where a smaller sewer line once joined the main passage. The ceiling of the smaller passage had partially collapsed, filling most of that tunnel with rubble. The surface of the rubble pile seemed to shift strangely and closer examination revealed thousands of tiny vermin fleeing into cracks and shadows. "Not that way, for sure, this has been caved in for a long time," Zayel pointed out. "Let's move on ahead." Tiva shivered. "I don't like creeping things too much, so we better move quickly lest they come after us." Soon they reached another intersection. Graffiti covered the walls here. Some of it was a repeating picture of a badly drawn wyvern in grey paint, probably the symbol of the gang they had encountered. There was also a skull with insects warning of the cave in place. The last one remarkable was the image of a bowl with a coin in it, with a key painted under it. The arrow drawn on the key pointed south. "A beggar's sanctuary, I guess." They had heard of those existing in almost every larger town. "What if that wannabe prince came from there? Or maybe they would at least know them?" Tivva frowned at the idea of encountering smelly beggars but she didn't say anything. Her dislike was visible on her face as she held their glow rod up to see better. "As you said, let's get this over with." Holding her nose, she moved into the direction of the arrow. Slowly, they got somewhat used to the terrible smell, as long as they didn't look to closely at what was drifting in the water. Eventually, taking some turns and twists, a faint light was starting to grow in the dark. Slowly it resolved into a crude lantern held by a toothless old beggar who held a chair leg in his other hand. Beside him stood a scrawny youth, similarly armed but obviously terrified. Behind the two derelicts was an open door bearing the symbol of the beggar’s bowl, coin, and key. The old man eyed them warily as they approached. "Hi, there," Tiva smiled while trying to ignore her own worries. "We are looking for some information, maybe you could help?" “If yer intentions be peaceful, Abadar makes you welcome.” The old guy squinted at them and pointed inside. Looking at each other and shrugging, the 4 of them entered. Beyond the door, a short flight of steps led up into what appeared to be the basement crypt of a church of Abadar. Perhaps two dozen beggars huddled among sarcophagi, some sleeping, some haggling over bits of junk or scraps of food laid out on blankets. Tiva's face fell. For all her dislike of unclean people, she also pitied them. A tall man in clean robes wearing a plain copper mask walked among the desolate group. He turned as he heard them and regarded them coolly. “If you respect this sanctuary, I offer you what sanctuary I can. Otherwise, begone!” "Not the friendliest chap," Zayel mumbled so that only they could hear. Tiva was not frazed, playing on her natural ability to make people feel at ease and not threatened. "Hello," she smiled again. "We aren't here for sanctuary, just for information about someone who was wandering the streets of Augustana." "A lost soul? Some confused member of this flock, maybe?" With a bit more interest, the masked man came closer. Taking over from Tiva, Zayel began to retell the story of Gandros and his royal attitude. Recognition seemed to appear in the man's eyes, but with the mask it was hard to tell. "Gandros," he said. "Know him, have helped him. Unfortunate, sad story, all of it. I could tell you all about it if we had time." "See, that was not so hard," Tiva turned to the still sour Mook. "If we had the time," the masked man repeated. "Which we don't. Unless you could help us, maybe? You have an eidolon, so you must be a magic type, and that gnome is an oracle if I have ever seen one. The Steel Wyverns will be here in under 2 hrs to ask for more protection bribe than we could ever afford." He basically spat the words. "They would destroy all we build, and us on top of it." "They didn't seem so tough back at the setting pools," the eidolon squeaked up. "But then, you are a ragtag bunch, not like us!" "Sorry about his rudeness," Tiva blushed. "Onu hasn't learned about when to shut up yet." "Those people, they are sick." The oracle was standing at the blankets in one of the corners where 3 men were shivering from fever. The masked man nodded briskly. "Filth fever. I can't bring a healer here, and I'm not good at it, unfortunately." Mook sat next to one of the men and grabbed her staff. A mild yellow light was flowing around her, the staff and the sick man. "What is she doing?" the masked man asked. "I am not sure," Zayel admitted, as Mook was keeping a lot of secrets lately. "But usually, when there is this golden light, it turns out alright." He grinned at the thought of what had happened on the island with the undead dragon. "So, this gang who bullies you," Tiva interrupted. "They will be here soon, yes?" Her eyes danced around the room. "We might want to make a nice little surprise for them. Do you still have some of the paint you used to paint your signs in the tunnels? And are the covers of the sarcophagi removable?" "Yes, but what...?" "Show me the paint," the girl grinned. "You'll see." Some time later, laughter and footsteps could be heard approaching from the west. A voice called out. “Almsman! What say you? Are you resisting or giving us what we want? I hope you’re resisting!” "That's dumb," Onu whispered to its mistress. "If he wants them to resist, they already give him what he wants, and that.. that... that's confusing!" They were mostly huddled together with some of the beggars and the masked man – who was, as they knew by now, known as the Almsman – behind the last sarcophagi in the room. Everything smelled awfully of blood, thanks to a whole lot of dead rats who had donated their innards to decorate the room with. Leftover red paint made it appear as if there was a lot more blood. "Hey, boss? Where are they? What's that smell? "Randalan? What happened here?" The thugs hesitated, not seeing any light and entering a scene that looked highly suspicious. "I don't know," the voice they heard first answered them. "But I detect no magic. Wait, let me cast some light..." That had to be avoided, so Tiva and Zayel gave the agreed on signal to the others. With a high pitched sigh, Tiva got up, exposing her body and especially her heavily make up covered face – it pays when a girl has all her utensils with her, as she always said – to the meager light coming from one cast aside glow rod. Zayel, equally masked, stood up from behind a pile of rugs, waving a red painted arm around. And a moment later, the lids of the sarcophagi shifted, revealing paint covered beggars also dressed up like zombies. Randalan, the leader of the Steel Wyverns, heard his people cry in panic and found himself alone, the echoes of running feet still in the tunnel, before he could do anything with his bardic abilities. For a moment longer, he seemed to be ready to face the supposed undead alone, but then he forgot about casting light or doing anything else but following the rest of his gang, cursing loudly after banging the door shut. Silence fell as the people inside listened for any sign of them returning. Then they broke out in cheers and laughter. The Almsman lit the light again, staying rather calm. "I guess that worked for now," he stated the obvious. "But the clean up will be annoying." "Not so much," Zayel grinned. "I have a few spells for that." "We will have to face them again, though." "Yes," Mook said, still frowning. "But by then,you can summon up a better defense, maybe some real spells and bells." Not too much later, the cleaned up group had gotten directions to where the so-called prince's place was. Apparently, they had known the mad man for decades down here, and many beggars and other mad men believed his nobility story. The Almsman’s directions led to a heavy wooden door. A sign on the door was partially obscured by grime and moss, and the word “Skytower” was still barely legible. Zayel pushed the door slightly and found it unlocked. "Shall we?" he asked, sounding a bit worried this time. They now entered a room which was once clearly the basement of a building above, but the stairs in the far corner were now choked with charred rubble and seemed to lead to a new stone foundation of the new building above. Odd furniture and knick-knacks of all description filled the remaining space, and strange winged effigies made of wood and broken pottery were arrayed in a bizarre diorama. The focal point of this display were a pair of chairs standing on different-sized piles of old crates like thrones on a dais. A charred and shriveled corpse dressed in rotting and burnt finery and wearing a tin crown was propped up in one of the chairs while the other, lower chair, sat vacant. "Now that is strange," Tiva mumbled, barely able to not show her disgust at the corpse. The eidolon had no such reservations and went right over, reading what was written on the tin crown. "Emperor Relios." It grinned. "Hey, maybe this was some ruler after all." "With a tin crown? Unlikely." Zayel refused to come nearer but instead checked out a desk with partially rotten logs and journals. "Seems this was once some sorts of trading place called Emporium. My guess is the so-called prince got a lot of things wrong. If he's been down here for decades, then he must have been a child when this happened." He pointed to the corpse. "Probably the old building burned down?" Tiva suggested. "Yes," Mook agreed. "So much confusion here. So much..." She grabbed her head for a moment and shook it. "Not our destiny," she repeated almost inaudible. "I think this is a diary of sorts," Zayel said, holding up a tattered volume. "From the dead guy, it looks like." They were able to pinch the story together. Wealthy businessman and former Pathfinder, who doubled as drug dealer supplying something called yellowcap dust produced from mushrooms to nobles. Eventually, his past caught up with him and his enemies burned everything down, with him and his young son still inside. So here they came, and the father, as obvious with the corpse, died an unpleasant death leaving his son all alone and too scared to go topside ever again. "What a sad story." Tiva looked around a bit more. "Look, the other rooms are full of those mushrooms." "And I bet the boy ate some of them, causing delusions and his eventual madness. We should burn them," Mook decided. "Even if they are out of fashion they might still harm someone." "And I can't detect any magic here, except for those few items," he pointed at a assorted mix of debris and some stuff that looked useful, "so just let's take the journal and this stuff and go," Zayel agreed. "Did you hear that?" Mook pointed to the rooms with the mushrooms. Now Zayel could hear it, too. Some sort of growling. As he stepped closer to see what it was while securing everything he thought could be of value, he nearly slipped on an empty piece of paper looking surprisingly like a used scroll. "Uh... someone cast something, and not too long ago as there is no dirt on the paper," he said, pointing to the now useless scroll. "You don't think this prince guy..." Tiva started, but right then the growling turned into a howl. "Out!" Mook ordered. She had absolutely no idea to wait for what was coming – from the heavy steps more than one being – when they didn't have a single real fighter among them. The eidolon stared for a while longer, then it followed its master. Large , pale shapes clearly looking like monsters not from this world came out of the back rooms. The only thing Tiva, who was looking back for Onu, could really make out in the mushroom dust now coming out of the rooms, were large red eyes and a whole lot more teeth than a decent being should have. She banged the door close and leaned against it for a moment. "Will they follow us?" "Don't ask, just let's go!" Zayel was already on the way back where they had come from. "We can't leave those things down here!" Tiva and Onu were bringing up the rear. "Normally," Mook gasped, trying to keep up with the larger folk, "I'd agree with you. However, we don't even know what those are, and it is not our problem! Let someone else handle this!" Noticing the things didn't follow, Zayel slowed down. He could barely breathe anymore in the stink down here, and he felt dizzy. "I agree. No telling what spells would work on them and which wouldn't, and if I'd have anything ready to deal with them anyway." "Look at the bright side," Mook told Tiva, who looked somewhat defeated. "Maybe they'll eat the rest of the Steel Wyverns." "It is just..." Tiva hesitated, feeling silly. "I know,'" Mook said. "You were made to run back up the hill with the drow, and you certainly didn't want to come over like a coward again." "Yes, somewhat." The human girl was surprised the gnome understood her so well. "I'm supposed to do better than this." "No, you are not." Mook, still at the rear, kept looking back as they walked on. "Not everyone can do everything perfect. By the gods, I can't even talk straight without magic help! You did just fine, sister, and Onu, too. Look at it this way .- drow supposedly do not exist, so there was no one you could have ran from." "At least, there is no portal down here anywhere, I'd have felt that." They passed the beggar's area and went back towards the setting pools. "Maybe you were right, Mook, and we shouldn't have done this to begin with. I hate sewers." Mook shook her head. "No, you were right, Zayel. We need to get money from somewhere until we meet up with the others. But let's stick with stuff we can definitely handle. And maybe, you could stock up on some spells usable in fights. Or scrolls with them." "You know what happens when I try to make scrolls or potions," Zayel mumbled. "I don't." Tiva looked curious. "What happens?" "You see, he wanted to be such a great wizard right when we were very young, so scrolls and potions was something he tried right away. It all started on a rainy afternoon in autumn, when..." Zayel sighed inwardly, wishing that Mook's ring would somehow fail, but of course it did not and the gnome was able to relay the whole of the embarrassing story. [/QUOTE]
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