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JollyDoc's Serpent's Skull-updated 11/6/2011
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<blockquote data-quote="JollyDoc" data-source="post: 5667950" data-attributes="member: 9546"><p><strong>Rescue</strong></p><p></p><p>“Now where do you suppose she was going?” Agnar said as he looked towards the ceiling.</p><p>“There’s a hole up there,” Jack said, “but it’s too small for anything to fit through.”</p><p>“Unless they were made of vapor,” Arioch mused.</p><p>Agnar looked at the bloody handprint Yarzoth had left on the statue of the bat-demon.</p><p>“I wonder…,” he said, tapping his chin.</p><p>The priest then dipped his hand in the blood smeared on the altar, and placed it next to Yarzoth’s print. Instantly, his body turned to mist. He smiled broadly at his dumbstruck companions, and then began floating up towards the ceiling.</p><p>“Not so fast!” Zavasta snapped as he plunged his own hand into the blood. “You’re not going without me!”</p><p>The alchemist touched the statue, and joined Agnar on his misty flight. Together, the two of them vanished through the hole.</p><p></p><p>The pair found themselves in an x-shaped room with a low ceiling and walls dense with ancient carvings and bas-reliefs of the same bat-winged demonic woman below, including a particularly large one on one wall whose lips were smeared with dried blood. A number of supplies…food, discarded clothes, a few waterskins, and a well-used bedroll…lay in the center of the room. Agnar recognized the clothing as having belonged to Ieana/Yarzoth, and the supplies as having come from the Jenivere. It appeared that the serpent-woman had been using the hidden chamber as a safe room. Judging by the blood on the bas relief, the same magic that could render her gaseous was present upon it as well, allowing her to come and go as she pleased. Satisfied that the priestess had not hidden anything of value in the room, Agnar and Zavasta returned to their friends below.</p><p>_________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>It became slowly more apparent that what Yarzoth had been looking for in the ancient temple was hidden in the complex prayers and parables that had been carved into the walls in the large alcoves of the cathedral. They were inscribed in the dead language of the Azlanti, but among Yarzoth’s belongings were reams of parchment with translations of the inscriptions. The histories began with a cult devoted to a vampiric demon called Zura. Apparently, this cult had been exiled from their home city of Saventh-Yi, an Azlanti metropolis located somewhere in central Garund, for their vile beliefs. The cult had been forced to make a dangerous overland journey that ended on the shores of a remote island far from their homeland. During their exploration of this island, which obviously was Smuggler’s Shiv, the cult had discovered and defeated a large group of serpentfolk who had built the temple to worship their “headless god,” Ydersius. The cultists had created and enslaved many undead from their defeated foes, and then set about making plans to earn the “gift” of vampirism from Zura so that they might one day return to Saventh-Yi and pass on their “gift” to their hated countrymen. </p><p></p><p>“Saventh-Yi?” Lyrissa asked. “I’ve heard of that!”</p><p>“Really?” Arioch asked. “What is it?”</p><p>“What WAS it, you mean,” the bardess said. “It’s really only a legend, perhaps a myth. It is one of the so-called lost cities of Garund. The tales say that it was built by the Azlanti, and historians have argued about the authenticity of its existence for centuries. If it really did exist, and these writings can provide some clue to its location, then…,” </p><p>“Then what?” the summoner prodded.</p><p>“Then that information would be worth a fortune,” Lyrissa finished.</p><p>The castaways looked at one another, understanding dawning upon them all. Perhaps the circumstances and events leading to their being marooned on the gods-forsaken island would have a silver lining after all…</p><p>__________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Several days later, the group rejoined their fellow survivors at the Thrunefang encampment. The others were amazed to hear of what had been discovered at the ancient temple, especially the news of the possible existence of Saventh-Yi. Arioch then announced that they would be firing up the lighthouse immediately in hopes of signaling a passing ship.</p><p>“What?” Gelik asked, his mouth agape. “What about me?”</p><p>“What about you?” Zavasta snapped. “You can come with us. Who’s stopping you?”</p><p>“What about the ship all of you said you’d help me find?” the gnome sputtered. “What about the Night Voice?”</p><p>“As I recall,” Agnar replied, “we said that if we discovered the wreck, which was unlikely to begin with, then we would assist you in searching it for the documentation you needed. We’ve been all over this island, and haven’t found it. Face it. It’s not here.”</p><p>“That can’t be!” Gelik shouted. “It has to be here! We have to keep searching!”</p><p>“No,” Arioch said simply. “What we have to do is get off this rock. I, for one, am not planning on staying one moment longer than I have to. If you choose otherwise, we can always send another ship back for you. It’s your choice.”</p><p>Gelik just glared at him, at all of them in turn. His face burned as he turned away and stormed off.</p><p>____________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>INTERLUDE</p><p></p><p>"Jack, I think I know what you were trying to do the other night,” Arioch said. The two stood atop the lighthouse, staring out into the darkness of the sea. “You were looking ahead to the point when we get off of this island and back to civilization. I will be honest, Jack...for a time I was not terribly impressed by you and believed that you were going to be running headfirst into the maw of Death. You're brash, impatient, and impetuous...but for some reason Fate seems to be smiling upon you for the time being. When you dove into the brine to fight a shark on its terms, and to save that damned necromancer no less, you showed me that you aren't all talk. So if you are looking to put together a team, or a ‘crew’ as you’ve put it, once we out of here, then, to use your terms, I've 'got your back'. Now...as to the others:</p><p></p><p>Gorak has a skill-at-arms that any good team needs, and he seems to comport himself with a sort of primitive, barbaric sense of honor. We need him, if for no other reason than I would hate to see him turn his fury against us. </p><p></p><p>Nessalin is an interesting subject. For these several weeks, he has been nothing more than a simple crewman aboard a third-rate sea vessel...now we see that he controls some fairly potent magics. There is more to him than meets the eye, and I wouldn't mind being there when the secret is revealed. </p><p></p><p>I am very uncertain about Zavasta. His skill with alchemy and his bomb-throwing has been useful at times, but he seems to carry some ill-informed grudge against me and my Order, and he listens to no reason or plain evidence to the contrary, such as the fact that I was not sacrificed on some dark altar and I, to, am an arcanist of orcish blood. Perhaps his mindset will change towards me with time and experience, but I am not convinced that I want to be traveling with him in the future, and if I do it will be at arm’s-length. </p><p></p><p>Lyrissa thus far seems to have her place, and her abilities are useful, but she keeps to herself too much for me to get a good read on her and her motivations. </p><p></p><p>Now Agnar...frankly to this point I have had no use for him. He seems to bring little but trouble, and his dark powers sow nothing short of dissension in the ranks and have not been put to any use that I would judge beneficial. Simply put, I am going to have to be convinced that we should not simply part ways with him once we get off this damned rock, whether it is by someone else's words or his actions. </p><p></p><p>The other wreck survivors would seem to already have plans once we escape this place, but they may have their uses in the future as contacts.</p><p></p><p>As to your belief that we need a leader, I would agree, but I will also withdraw my name from any consideration. For one, while I enjoy controlling a given battlefield like any good dragonchess player moving pieces into position, I am not the big-picture strategist required for that position. Secondly, I am interested in staying incognito and out of the range of vision of my Order for a while, and positioning myself as a figurehead leader of an adventuring company is not the best way to maintain that. What are your thoughts?"</p><p></p><p></p><p>"I'm glad you have come to me about this," Jack replied.</p><p>He reached out and shook Arioch’s hand as he leaned in and spoke in a low whisper.</p><p> "Look, between us, I don't really care if we have a "leader" or not. However, there are a few reasons I feel the crew needs some sort of leadership. Honestly, most important to me is that I want some way of making sure that I don't wake up with a knife in my back over a few shiny coins or coconuts or whatever we find on this island. Hells, we have already seen encampments of others who have been stranded, with a lighthouse no less, and it has done them no good. Why die over a coconut? If we do get off this island, I would like a group of people that we could use to gain wealth and power. We have made more coins on this island than I made in a year working as a messenger for the Council. We have shown that under duress we can work together and that,, in my eyes is the making of a decent crew. IF, and that is a big IF, we get off this rock then we could become rich and powerful beyond our wildest dreams as long as fate continues to smile on us. We need some level of trust in our group, because if we are always looking out for our own blades, then we will not be able to take the heads of those that stand against us on this island and beyond. I agree with most of your thoughts on the rest of the crew with a few exceptions:</p><p></p><p>Gorak, I feel, will follow whatever group will lead him off this island, and I hope we will be able to keep him with us. That blade of his is too important in a fighting situation. He does need to learn to swim, however.</p><p>Nessalin seems to be all about himself, and I think he will be one of the more difficult members to convince to go with us. I to am curious about his magical background, since I never once saw him toss a spell while on the ship for all those months. There seems to more to him than he is showing.</p><p>Zavasta I like. His bombs tend to have a mind of their own, but I think if he can get some time he will be able to provide very usual alchemical potions. Keep an open mind about him and remember time heals all wounds.</p><p>Lyrissa I also like at the moment. You are not the only one who is unsure of what motivates her. But I would like her on my side in a battle.</p><p>Agnar has not really done it for me either, even though I do not want to see him perish just yet. So far he has ‘controlled’ some of these undead that have tried to attack us. I am just not comfortable with him keeping these grotesque creatures in tow. As long as we keep finding these abominations on the island I say he is useful. However, after that I think that living sailors are smelly enough. I wouldn’t want those things kept in close confines on a ship. Plagues start that way.</p><p>As for myself, why not? As for you Arioch, I think you underestimate your ability to think long-term. By just starting this conversation you are assuming we make it off this island. It seems you already have plans to grow your powers and to find and kill this mark that you failed to take out the first time. And that to me is long term thinking. I for one can completely understand hiding in the shadow for an opportunity to surprise you next target. Thank you again, my friend, for starting this conversation and helping form this crew for the future. I am assuming I can call you that now?”</p><p></p><p>“Let's just say that you and a couple of the others are the closest thing that I have to friends,” the summoner replied, “outside of Minion, of course. I think at this point we should speak privately to some of the others, and see if we can't firm up some alliances here. We may be on this island for an extended period, and if we can form a close cadre of willing blades, I think that we might be able to keep some of the wild cards in check. I will speak to Nessalin and feel him out...his interests in the arcane mirror mine and I can use that common ground to initiate discussion. Following that, I will try to make sure that Jask if firmly with us...I already have some sway with both Aerys and Ishirou, so I will speak with them as well. It might be good for you to find an opportunity to sway Gorak to our side...you and he share the front lines frequently, and I think that your personality will be suited better to bring him over to our way of thinking. No pressure, but Gorak is the key. I have seen you in quiet discussion with Sasha as well...perhaps you could work on her to. If we can establish that core group...no mean feat I am sure...we should be able to somewhat keep the others under control, at least until we get back to civilization...IF we get back to civilization."</p><p>____________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>As it turned out, it was only a matter of days before a passing ship did see the light from the north shore of Smuggler’s Shiv. It was the Red Gull, captained by one Aulek Tegerten. Needless to say, he and his crew were shocked to find anyone actually alive on the island, and though they were willing to take the castaways aboard, they were not willing to lay off shore of the Shiv for a moment longer than necessary. The Red Gull was bound for Eleder. The survivors of the Jenivere were finally on their way home.</p><p></p><p>“So that’s our plan,” Arioch announced. “Who’s in?”</p><p>The castaways were seated in the ship’s galley on their second night off the Shiv, and the summoner had just outlined his idea for how to cash in on the information they’d discovered about Saventh-Yi: by looking for it themselves.</p><p>“Huh,” Ishirou grunted. “Not sure. I finally free of Consortium after many years. Might want time to see how freedom taste.”</p><p>“Yeah, and I’ve still got some ‘Red Mantis’ issues to clear up before I end up dead in an alley,” Sasha added.</p><p>“Not to mention the outstanding warrant for my arrest,” Jask said.</p><p>“Yeah, and I still have to find some way to get back into the good graces of the Pathfinders,” Gelik said bitterly.</p><p>“As stupid as this sounds, seeing as how we just got off an island,” Aerys said, “I feel like I’ve been away from the sea too long. The only thing I want to do is find the first ship out of Eleder.”</p><p>“Well,” Arioch shrugged, “if that’s all of your decisions, then so be it. Who knows? This is probably all going to be a wild goose chase anyway.”</p><p>_________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Sargava’s capital was a city of contrasts. Though second in size to Kalabuto, Eleder remained a stronghold for the nation’s political structure. This was due in large part to two facts: first, the city’s harbor was one of the biggest along the southeastern coast of Garund, allowing it to handle the deep drafts of massive merchant vessels and similar ships too large to travel up the Korir River; and second, Eleder had an enormous workforce to draw on in the form of the large Mwangi population that, though they outnumbered the Chelaxian colonials by nearly two to one, remained an impoverished underclass. “Chelaxian,” was actually a misnomer. It had been many decades since the elite of Eleder had been a part of the empire of Cheliax, yet their descendents still clung to that ancestry like a security blanket. They still dressed in styles a hundred years out of date, and clung to outmoded customs that modern-day Chelaxians would have considered quaint at best. And they had no love for so-called “adventurers.” The nobility considered such low-lifes rabble-rousers, spreading their tales of glory and freedom, upsetting the status-quo, and causing the Mwangi to question their place. Welcome home indeed for the twelve castaways.</p><p></p><p>Captain Tegerten’s unexpected passengers disembarked and thanked their host before pausing to gather together one last time. The goodbyes were awkward and perfunctory. Hands were shaken and empty promises were made to see one another again. Then, just as they’d been unceremoniously thrown together, they went their separate ways. Agnar was the last to depart the docks. As he watched Jask disappear into the crowd, the priest grabbed a passing beggar by the arm. He whispered into the man’s ear, and then pressed a coin into his hand. The vagrant nodded eagerly and vanished like a flash into the throngs.</p><p>____________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Arioch, Jack and Nessalin found lodging at the Sargava Club, a two-story mud-brick building covered in plain whitewash that was set back from the Portside docks in a narrow alley facing the harbor. The bottom floor was split between a shop and a tavern, while the top floor served as an inn. The proprietor was a feisty, outspoken half-orc named Briga. She and Arioch hit if off immediately. In the days following their arrival in port, the trio frequented the Colonial Archives, researching the information laid out in Yarzoth’s notes, and trying to authenticate the information. What they found served to convince them completely that the serpentfolk priestess had been onto something. It seemed that the Zura cult could not simply return to Saventh-Yi once they’d left, for the city was hidden behind powerful magical wards. Instead, they had planned to journey to a smaller outpost called Tazion, wherein they hoped to used something called “the pillars of light” to finally make their way back home. Frustratingly, the notes did not reveal the location of Saventh-Yi itself, but with the aid of one of the librarians, the trio was able to place Tazion in the southernmost reaches of the Mwangi Jungle, north of the Bandu Hills, between the Upper Korir and Ocota Rivers. </p><p></p><p>Lyrissa found different diversions for herself in the city. With Gorak following her around like a loyal puppy, she visited some of the more upscale entertainment establishments in Eleder, looking for work. Ultimately, she found steady income dancing for the patrons of the Adventurer’s Club, an ironically named gathering place for the city’s more influential aristocrats. They considered the pretty half-orc bardess something of a curiosity, and word of her talent spread quickly. Before long, she was playing to packed houses three nights a week. Gorak waited in the wings, serving as her self-appointed body guard.</p><p></p><p>That left Agnar and Zavasta. The alchemist set up shop in a stall located in the barter markets of Lower Harbor, hocking potions and minor pyrotechnics at bargain prices. The business allowed him the freedom to ply his trade, and still earn coin enough to pursue his own private experimentations. As for the dark priest, he bided his time. He made several contacts among some of Eleder’s less savory elements, putting out feelers and cautious inquiries. He began to feel the city’s pulse, and felt that, given time, he might grow to like the cesspool. </p><p></p><p>_____________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>“There’s someone here asking for you,” Briga said as she stood over the table Arioch shared with Jack and Nessalin. “Over by the door.”</p><p>She jerked her head towards the entrance. The summoner glanced over her shoulder and saw Aerys standing near the bar, her tricorn perched jauntily on her head.</p><p>“It’s ok,” Arioch told the proprietress. “Send her over.”</p><p>Aerys nodded in greeting as she pulled a chair out from under the table, turned it backwards and straddled it.</p><p>“Thought you’d be back at sea by now,” Nessalin said.</p><p>“I did to,” she shrugged, “but something’s come up. Something that involves you all as well.”</p><p>“We’re all ears,” Arioch said.</p><p>“As you may recall,” Aerys began, “I was originally bound for Eleder aboard the Jenivere to meet with one of the captain’s of the Shackles. Well, I kept that appointment when we finally reached port, but I had some explaining to do about my tardiness. As it turns out, my captain was sympathetic…especially when he learned about what we discovered in that old temple on the Shiv.”</p><p>“What ‘we’ discovered?” Arioch raised one eyebrow.</p><p>“Semantics,” Aerys replied. “Anyway, it seems that my captain is now putting together an expedition to find Saventh-Yi, and he’d like to have you and the rest of the crew along.”</p><p>Arioch stared at her, unblinking.</p><p>“And just what makes you think we would be interested in sharing our discovery with anyone?” he finally asked. “In fact, I should kill you where you sit for not keeping your mouth shut.”</p><p>“You didn’t really think you could keep something like this a secret, did you?” Aerys asked. “This might be the greatest discovery in an age! The way I hear it, I’m not the only one that’s been telling tales either. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from more of our fellow castaways before long. As far as the reason you should consider my proposal, it’s this: my captain is very well connected and funded. He is willing to outfit and organize the expedition, paying all costs involving food, water, supplies, porters, guards, et cetera. He also offers each of you a signing bonus of 500 gold crowns in advance. When and if we find the city, he offers and additional thousand. Finally, since we are old friends now, the captain also offers each of you an additional 500 coins, or command of a small crew of able-bodied buccaneers to aid you in the journey. Your choice.”</p><p>Arioch paused again, then glanced at each of his compatriots.</p><p>“I suppose you haven’t left us much choice, have you?” he said to Aerys. “Tell your captain we’ll consider his proposal. You said we might have other offers. Who knows? They might be more lucrative.”</p><p>“I understand,” Aerys said as she rose from her chair. “Here’s one more thing to take into consideration: Jack… my captain? He only has one eye…”</p><p>___________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>Aerys had been right. As the day progressed, the three companions entertained a series of guests at their corner table. Ishirou, though his debt to the Aspis Consortium had finally been paid off, had been returned to active service when they’d learned about Saventh-Yi. Gelik, despite not having been able to discover the fate of the Night Voice, found that the Pathfinders were quite eager to reinstate him in good standing if his information about Saventh-Yi proved true. Jask had managed to clear his name with the Sargavan government, and when the Baron heard the details of his shipwreck and rescue, he went one step further: he offered the priest a prestigious position within the city council…provided that Jask would be willing to join an expedition to Saventh-Yi first. Sasha Nevah was the last to pay a social call. It seemed that the Red Mantis was more than willing take her back into their fold when they found out what she’d discovered. It seemed also that their ancient texts hinted at the existence of a temple to their demonic god Achaekek within the legendary city. </p><p></p><p>Each of their former castaway companions offered a similar to arrangement to that proposed by Aerys, but each faction also offered its own unique advantage. One thing was universally clear, however. With or without them, the five factions were going to seek out Saventh-Yi one way or another. If Arioch and his companions wanted to be able to claim any part of the legendary city’s storied wealth, they would have to choose a side.</p><p>“Well boys,” the summoner said to Jack and Nessalin once Sasha had departed, “it looks like it’s time to get that crew together that we talked about.”</p><p>___________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>“So here we are again,” Arioch said to those assembled, “and this is our dilemma. We now have a very important choice to make.”</p><p>“I choose to set this whole gods-damn town on fire!” Zavasta snarled as he pounded his fist on the table. </p><p>“We risked our lives finding that snake-headed bitch, and our reward was the secret she was looking for. Why should we have to share it with anyone??”</p><p>“Because we really don’t have many other options,” Nessalin answered. “Each of the factions organizing an expedition are very wealthy, and very powerful. We can’t hope to compete against them, and if we don’t go along, then this valuable secret we discovered is going to be worth exactly nothing to us. Once we’ve found Saventh-Yi, if it even exists, then we can decide what our next move will be. Until then, we need to weigh the pros and cons of each offer.”</p><p>“Which are as follows,” Arioch joined in. “The Aspis Consortium is an open book. They want what they always want: profit. I must say, I admire the eloquence of their simplicity. The Free Captain’s motive is more personal: he wants to make a name for himself to improve his standing among the Pirate Lords. I don’t see him sharing that glory to any great extent.”</p><p>Jack glowered at this.</p><p>“The Pathfinders,” Arioch continued, a tone of mockery in his voice, “do-gooders as always. They’ll want to take whatever we find there and preserve it for historical posterity. Bah! The Red Mantis can be ruled out immediately. Once they’ve gotten what they want, they’ll eliminate us. Then there’s the Sargavans. They want to extend their influence and hope that by claiming Saventh-Yi’s treasures they can finally free themselves from the Free Captains. Again, not likely to be exactly equitable in their dealings with us.”</p><p></p><p>The issue was discussed and discussed again for hours. The Pathfinders and the Red Mantis were eliminated out of hand. Jack argued vehemently in favor of the Free Captains, but Arioch’s contention was that the rogue’s personal feelings were clouding his judgment. Ultimately, it was a majority decision that the Aspis Consortium was the least of all evils, and Arioch volunteered to notify Ishirou the next morning. Jack stormed out of the room without a word.</p><p>_________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p>“So that’s where it stands,” Jack said.</p><p>He and Aerys Mavato stood in the shadows of a secluded alley.</p><p>“Your father will be disappointed,” the half-elf said. </p><p>“Tell him I’m sorry,” Jack bowed his head. “I promise you, though. I’ll do what I can to help you. I’ll leave signs along the way. Look for them. Besmara willing, we’ll meet again in Saventh-Yi.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JollyDoc, post: 5667950, member: 9546"] [b]Rescue[/b] “Now where do you suppose she was going?” Agnar said as he looked towards the ceiling. “There’s a hole up there,” Jack said, “but it’s too small for anything to fit through.” “Unless they were made of vapor,” Arioch mused. Agnar looked at the bloody handprint Yarzoth had left on the statue of the bat-demon. “I wonder…,” he said, tapping his chin. The priest then dipped his hand in the blood smeared on the altar, and placed it next to Yarzoth’s print. Instantly, his body turned to mist. He smiled broadly at his dumbstruck companions, and then began floating up towards the ceiling. “Not so fast!” Zavasta snapped as he plunged his own hand into the blood. “You’re not going without me!” The alchemist touched the statue, and joined Agnar on his misty flight. Together, the two of them vanished through the hole. The pair found themselves in an x-shaped room with a low ceiling and walls dense with ancient carvings and bas-reliefs of the same bat-winged demonic woman below, including a particularly large one on one wall whose lips were smeared with dried blood. A number of supplies…food, discarded clothes, a few waterskins, and a well-used bedroll…lay in the center of the room. Agnar recognized the clothing as having belonged to Ieana/Yarzoth, and the supplies as having come from the Jenivere. It appeared that the serpent-woman had been using the hidden chamber as a safe room. Judging by the blood on the bas relief, the same magic that could render her gaseous was present upon it as well, allowing her to come and go as she pleased. Satisfied that the priestess had not hidden anything of value in the room, Agnar and Zavasta returned to their friends below. _________________________________________________________ It became slowly more apparent that what Yarzoth had been looking for in the ancient temple was hidden in the complex prayers and parables that had been carved into the walls in the large alcoves of the cathedral. They were inscribed in the dead language of the Azlanti, but among Yarzoth’s belongings were reams of parchment with translations of the inscriptions. The histories began with a cult devoted to a vampiric demon called Zura. Apparently, this cult had been exiled from their home city of Saventh-Yi, an Azlanti metropolis located somewhere in central Garund, for their vile beliefs. The cult had been forced to make a dangerous overland journey that ended on the shores of a remote island far from their homeland. During their exploration of this island, which obviously was Smuggler’s Shiv, the cult had discovered and defeated a large group of serpentfolk who had built the temple to worship their “headless god,” Ydersius. The cultists had created and enslaved many undead from their defeated foes, and then set about making plans to earn the “gift” of vampirism from Zura so that they might one day return to Saventh-Yi and pass on their “gift” to their hated countrymen. “Saventh-Yi?” Lyrissa asked. “I’ve heard of that!” “Really?” Arioch asked. “What is it?” “What WAS it, you mean,” the bardess said. “It’s really only a legend, perhaps a myth. It is one of the so-called lost cities of Garund. The tales say that it was built by the Azlanti, and historians have argued about the authenticity of its existence for centuries. If it really did exist, and these writings can provide some clue to its location, then…,” “Then what?” the summoner prodded. “Then that information would be worth a fortune,” Lyrissa finished. The castaways looked at one another, understanding dawning upon them all. Perhaps the circumstances and events leading to their being marooned on the gods-forsaken island would have a silver lining after all… __________________________________________________________ Several days later, the group rejoined their fellow survivors at the Thrunefang encampment. The others were amazed to hear of what had been discovered at the ancient temple, especially the news of the possible existence of Saventh-Yi. Arioch then announced that they would be firing up the lighthouse immediately in hopes of signaling a passing ship. “What?” Gelik asked, his mouth agape. “What about me?” “What about you?” Zavasta snapped. “You can come with us. Who’s stopping you?” “What about the ship all of you said you’d help me find?” the gnome sputtered. “What about the Night Voice?” “As I recall,” Agnar replied, “we said that if we discovered the wreck, which was unlikely to begin with, then we would assist you in searching it for the documentation you needed. We’ve been all over this island, and haven’t found it. Face it. It’s not here.” “That can’t be!” Gelik shouted. “It has to be here! We have to keep searching!” “No,” Arioch said simply. “What we have to do is get off this rock. I, for one, am not planning on staying one moment longer than I have to. If you choose otherwise, we can always send another ship back for you. It’s your choice.” Gelik just glared at him, at all of them in turn. His face burned as he turned away and stormed off. ____________________________________________________________ INTERLUDE "Jack, I think I know what you were trying to do the other night,” Arioch said. The two stood atop the lighthouse, staring out into the darkness of the sea. “You were looking ahead to the point when we get off of this island and back to civilization. I will be honest, Jack...for a time I was not terribly impressed by you and believed that you were going to be running headfirst into the maw of Death. You're brash, impatient, and impetuous...but for some reason Fate seems to be smiling upon you for the time being. When you dove into the brine to fight a shark on its terms, and to save that damned necromancer no less, you showed me that you aren't all talk. So if you are looking to put together a team, or a ‘crew’ as you’ve put it, once we out of here, then, to use your terms, I've 'got your back'. Now...as to the others: Gorak has a skill-at-arms that any good team needs, and he seems to comport himself with a sort of primitive, barbaric sense of honor. We need him, if for no other reason than I would hate to see him turn his fury against us. Nessalin is an interesting subject. For these several weeks, he has been nothing more than a simple crewman aboard a third-rate sea vessel...now we see that he controls some fairly potent magics. There is more to him than meets the eye, and I wouldn't mind being there when the secret is revealed. I am very uncertain about Zavasta. His skill with alchemy and his bomb-throwing has been useful at times, but he seems to carry some ill-informed grudge against me and my Order, and he listens to no reason or plain evidence to the contrary, such as the fact that I was not sacrificed on some dark altar and I, to, am an arcanist of orcish blood. Perhaps his mindset will change towards me with time and experience, but I am not convinced that I want to be traveling with him in the future, and if I do it will be at arm’s-length. Lyrissa thus far seems to have her place, and her abilities are useful, but she keeps to herself too much for me to get a good read on her and her motivations. Now Agnar...frankly to this point I have had no use for him. He seems to bring little but trouble, and his dark powers sow nothing short of dissension in the ranks and have not been put to any use that I would judge beneficial. Simply put, I am going to have to be convinced that we should not simply part ways with him once we get off this damned rock, whether it is by someone else's words or his actions. The other wreck survivors would seem to already have plans once we escape this place, but they may have their uses in the future as contacts. As to your belief that we need a leader, I would agree, but I will also withdraw my name from any consideration. For one, while I enjoy controlling a given battlefield like any good dragonchess player moving pieces into position, I am not the big-picture strategist required for that position. Secondly, I am interested in staying incognito and out of the range of vision of my Order for a while, and positioning myself as a figurehead leader of an adventuring company is not the best way to maintain that. What are your thoughts?" "I'm glad you have come to me about this," Jack replied. He reached out and shook Arioch’s hand as he leaned in and spoke in a low whisper. "Look, between us, I don't really care if we have a "leader" or not. However, there are a few reasons I feel the crew needs some sort of leadership. Honestly, most important to me is that I want some way of making sure that I don't wake up with a knife in my back over a few shiny coins or coconuts or whatever we find on this island. Hells, we have already seen encampments of others who have been stranded, with a lighthouse no less, and it has done them no good. Why die over a coconut? If we do get off this island, I would like a group of people that we could use to gain wealth and power. We have made more coins on this island than I made in a year working as a messenger for the Council. We have shown that under duress we can work together and that,, in my eyes is the making of a decent crew. IF, and that is a big IF, we get off this rock then we could become rich and powerful beyond our wildest dreams as long as fate continues to smile on us. We need some level of trust in our group, because if we are always looking out for our own blades, then we will not be able to take the heads of those that stand against us on this island and beyond. I agree with most of your thoughts on the rest of the crew with a few exceptions: Gorak, I feel, will follow whatever group will lead him off this island, and I hope we will be able to keep him with us. That blade of his is too important in a fighting situation. He does need to learn to swim, however. Nessalin seems to be all about himself, and I think he will be one of the more difficult members to convince to go with us. I to am curious about his magical background, since I never once saw him toss a spell while on the ship for all those months. There seems to more to him than he is showing. Zavasta I like. His bombs tend to have a mind of their own, but I think if he can get some time he will be able to provide very usual alchemical potions. Keep an open mind about him and remember time heals all wounds. Lyrissa I also like at the moment. You are not the only one who is unsure of what motivates her. But I would like her on my side in a battle. Agnar has not really done it for me either, even though I do not want to see him perish just yet. So far he has ‘controlled’ some of these undead that have tried to attack us. I am just not comfortable with him keeping these grotesque creatures in tow. As long as we keep finding these abominations on the island I say he is useful. However, after that I think that living sailors are smelly enough. I wouldn’t want those things kept in close confines on a ship. Plagues start that way. As for myself, why not? As for you Arioch, I think you underestimate your ability to think long-term. By just starting this conversation you are assuming we make it off this island. It seems you already have plans to grow your powers and to find and kill this mark that you failed to take out the first time. And that to me is long term thinking. I for one can completely understand hiding in the shadow for an opportunity to surprise you next target. Thank you again, my friend, for starting this conversation and helping form this crew for the future. I am assuming I can call you that now?” “Let's just say that you and a couple of the others are the closest thing that I have to friends,” the summoner replied, “outside of Minion, of course. I think at this point we should speak privately to some of the others, and see if we can't firm up some alliances here. We may be on this island for an extended period, and if we can form a close cadre of willing blades, I think that we might be able to keep some of the wild cards in check. I will speak to Nessalin and feel him out...his interests in the arcane mirror mine and I can use that common ground to initiate discussion. Following that, I will try to make sure that Jask if firmly with us...I already have some sway with both Aerys and Ishirou, so I will speak with them as well. It might be good for you to find an opportunity to sway Gorak to our side...you and he share the front lines frequently, and I think that your personality will be suited better to bring him over to our way of thinking. No pressure, but Gorak is the key. I have seen you in quiet discussion with Sasha as well...perhaps you could work on her to. If we can establish that core group...no mean feat I am sure...we should be able to somewhat keep the others under control, at least until we get back to civilization...IF we get back to civilization." ____________________________________________________________ As it turned out, it was only a matter of days before a passing ship did see the light from the north shore of Smuggler’s Shiv. It was the Red Gull, captained by one Aulek Tegerten. Needless to say, he and his crew were shocked to find anyone actually alive on the island, and though they were willing to take the castaways aboard, they were not willing to lay off shore of the Shiv for a moment longer than necessary. The Red Gull was bound for Eleder. The survivors of the Jenivere were finally on their way home. “So that’s our plan,” Arioch announced. “Who’s in?” The castaways were seated in the ship’s galley on their second night off the Shiv, and the summoner had just outlined his idea for how to cash in on the information they’d discovered about Saventh-Yi: by looking for it themselves. “Huh,” Ishirou grunted. “Not sure. I finally free of Consortium after many years. Might want time to see how freedom taste.” “Yeah, and I’ve still got some ‘Red Mantis’ issues to clear up before I end up dead in an alley,” Sasha added. “Not to mention the outstanding warrant for my arrest,” Jask said. “Yeah, and I still have to find some way to get back into the good graces of the Pathfinders,” Gelik said bitterly. “As stupid as this sounds, seeing as how we just got off an island,” Aerys said, “I feel like I’ve been away from the sea too long. The only thing I want to do is find the first ship out of Eleder.” “Well,” Arioch shrugged, “if that’s all of your decisions, then so be it. Who knows? This is probably all going to be a wild goose chase anyway.” _________________________________________________________ Sargava’s capital was a city of contrasts. Though second in size to Kalabuto, Eleder remained a stronghold for the nation’s political structure. This was due in large part to two facts: first, the city’s harbor was one of the biggest along the southeastern coast of Garund, allowing it to handle the deep drafts of massive merchant vessels and similar ships too large to travel up the Korir River; and second, Eleder had an enormous workforce to draw on in the form of the large Mwangi population that, though they outnumbered the Chelaxian colonials by nearly two to one, remained an impoverished underclass. “Chelaxian,” was actually a misnomer. It had been many decades since the elite of Eleder had been a part of the empire of Cheliax, yet their descendents still clung to that ancestry like a security blanket. They still dressed in styles a hundred years out of date, and clung to outmoded customs that modern-day Chelaxians would have considered quaint at best. And they had no love for so-called “adventurers.” The nobility considered such low-lifes rabble-rousers, spreading their tales of glory and freedom, upsetting the status-quo, and causing the Mwangi to question their place. Welcome home indeed for the twelve castaways. Captain Tegerten’s unexpected passengers disembarked and thanked their host before pausing to gather together one last time. The goodbyes were awkward and perfunctory. Hands were shaken and empty promises were made to see one another again. Then, just as they’d been unceremoniously thrown together, they went their separate ways. Agnar was the last to depart the docks. As he watched Jask disappear into the crowd, the priest grabbed a passing beggar by the arm. He whispered into the man’s ear, and then pressed a coin into his hand. The vagrant nodded eagerly and vanished like a flash into the throngs. ____________________________________________________________ Arioch, Jack and Nessalin found lodging at the Sargava Club, a two-story mud-brick building covered in plain whitewash that was set back from the Portside docks in a narrow alley facing the harbor. The bottom floor was split between a shop and a tavern, while the top floor served as an inn. The proprietor was a feisty, outspoken half-orc named Briga. She and Arioch hit if off immediately. In the days following their arrival in port, the trio frequented the Colonial Archives, researching the information laid out in Yarzoth’s notes, and trying to authenticate the information. What they found served to convince them completely that the serpentfolk priestess had been onto something. It seemed that the Zura cult could not simply return to Saventh-Yi once they’d left, for the city was hidden behind powerful magical wards. Instead, they had planned to journey to a smaller outpost called Tazion, wherein they hoped to used something called “the pillars of light” to finally make their way back home. Frustratingly, the notes did not reveal the location of Saventh-Yi itself, but with the aid of one of the librarians, the trio was able to place Tazion in the southernmost reaches of the Mwangi Jungle, north of the Bandu Hills, between the Upper Korir and Ocota Rivers. Lyrissa found different diversions for herself in the city. With Gorak following her around like a loyal puppy, she visited some of the more upscale entertainment establishments in Eleder, looking for work. Ultimately, she found steady income dancing for the patrons of the Adventurer’s Club, an ironically named gathering place for the city’s more influential aristocrats. They considered the pretty half-orc bardess something of a curiosity, and word of her talent spread quickly. Before long, she was playing to packed houses three nights a week. Gorak waited in the wings, serving as her self-appointed body guard. That left Agnar and Zavasta. The alchemist set up shop in a stall located in the barter markets of Lower Harbor, hocking potions and minor pyrotechnics at bargain prices. The business allowed him the freedom to ply his trade, and still earn coin enough to pursue his own private experimentations. As for the dark priest, he bided his time. He made several contacts among some of Eleder’s less savory elements, putting out feelers and cautious inquiries. He began to feel the city’s pulse, and felt that, given time, he might grow to like the cesspool. _____________________________________________________________ “There’s someone here asking for you,” Briga said as she stood over the table Arioch shared with Jack and Nessalin. “Over by the door.” She jerked her head towards the entrance. The summoner glanced over her shoulder and saw Aerys standing near the bar, her tricorn perched jauntily on her head. “It’s ok,” Arioch told the proprietress. “Send her over.” Aerys nodded in greeting as she pulled a chair out from under the table, turned it backwards and straddled it. “Thought you’d be back at sea by now,” Nessalin said. “I did to,” she shrugged, “but something’s come up. Something that involves you all as well.” “We’re all ears,” Arioch said. “As you may recall,” Aerys began, “I was originally bound for Eleder aboard the Jenivere to meet with one of the captain’s of the Shackles. Well, I kept that appointment when we finally reached port, but I had some explaining to do about my tardiness. As it turns out, my captain was sympathetic…especially when he learned about what we discovered in that old temple on the Shiv.” “What ‘we’ discovered?” Arioch raised one eyebrow. “Semantics,” Aerys replied. “Anyway, it seems that my captain is now putting together an expedition to find Saventh-Yi, and he’d like to have you and the rest of the crew along.” Arioch stared at her, unblinking. “And just what makes you think we would be interested in sharing our discovery with anyone?” he finally asked. “In fact, I should kill you where you sit for not keeping your mouth shut.” “You didn’t really think you could keep something like this a secret, did you?” Aerys asked. “This might be the greatest discovery in an age! The way I hear it, I’m not the only one that’s been telling tales either. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from more of our fellow castaways before long. As far as the reason you should consider my proposal, it’s this: my captain is very well connected and funded. He is willing to outfit and organize the expedition, paying all costs involving food, water, supplies, porters, guards, et cetera. He also offers each of you a signing bonus of 500 gold crowns in advance. When and if we find the city, he offers and additional thousand. Finally, since we are old friends now, the captain also offers each of you an additional 500 coins, or command of a small crew of able-bodied buccaneers to aid you in the journey. Your choice.” Arioch paused again, then glanced at each of his compatriots. “I suppose you haven’t left us much choice, have you?” he said to Aerys. “Tell your captain we’ll consider his proposal. You said we might have other offers. Who knows? They might be more lucrative.” “I understand,” Aerys said as she rose from her chair. “Here’s one more thing to take into consideration: Jack… my captain? He only has one eye…” ___________________________________________________________ Aerys had been right. As the day progressed, the three companions entertained a series of guests at their corner table. Ishirou, though his debt to the Aspis Consortium had finally been paid off, had been returned to active service when they’d learned about Saventh-Yi. Gelik, despite not having been able to discover the fate of the Night Voice, found that the Pathfinders were quite eager to reinstate him in good standing if his information about Saventh-Yi proved true. Jask had managed to clear his name with the Sargavan government, and when the Baron heard the details of his shipwreck and rescue, he went one step further: he offered the priest a prestigious position within the city council…provided that Jask would be willing to join an expedition to Saventh-Yi first. Sasha Nevah was the last to pay a social call. It seemed that the Red Mantis was more than willing take her back into their fold when they found out what she’d discovered. It seemed also that their ancient texts hinted at the existence of a temple to their demonic god Achaekek within the legendary city. Each of their former castaway companions offered a similar to arrangement to that proposed by Aerys, but each faction also offered its own unique advantage. One thing was universally clear, however. With or without them, the five factions were going to seek out Saventh-Yi one way or another. If Arioch and his companions wanted to be able to claim any part of the legendary city’s storied wealth, they would have to choose a side. “Well boys,” the summoner said to Jack and Nessalin once Sasha had departed, “it looks like it’s time to get that crew together that we talked about.” ___________________________________________________________ “So here we are again,” Arioch said to those assembled, “and this is our dilemma. We now have a very important choice to make.” “I choose to set this whole gods-damn town on fire!” Zavasta snarled as he pounded his fist on the table. “We risked our lives finding that snake-headed bitch, and our reward was the secret she was looking for. Why should we have to share it with anyone??” “Because we really don’t have many other options,” Nessalin answered. “Each of the factions organizing an expedition are very wealthy, and very powerful. We can’t hope to compete against them, and if we don’t go along, then this valuable secret we discovered is going to be worth exactly nothing to us. Once we’ve found Saventh-Yi, if it even exists, then we can decide what our next move will be. Until then, we need to weigh the pros and cons of each offer.” “Which are as follows,” Arioch joined in. “The Aspis Consortium is an open book. They want what they always want: profit. I must say, I admire the eloquence of their simplicity. The Free Captain’s motive is more personal: he wants to make a name for himself to improve his standing among the Pirate Lords. I don’t see him sharing that glory to any great extent.” Jack glowered at this. “The Pathfinders,” Arioch continued, a tone of mockery in his voice, “do-gooders as always. They’ll want to take whatever we find there and preserve it for historical posterity. Bah! The Red Mantis can be ruled out immediately. Once they’ve gotten what they want, they’ll eliminate us. Then there’s the Sargavans. They want to extend their influence and hope that by claiming Saventh-Yi’s treasures they can finally free themselves from the Free Captains. Again, not likely to be exactly equitable in their dealings with us.” The issue was discussed and discussed again for hours. The Pathfinders and the Red Mantis were eliminated out of hand. Jack argued vehemently in favor of the Free Captains, but Arioch’s contention was that the rogue’s personal feelings were clouding his judgment. Ultimately, it was a majority decision that the Aspis Consortium was the least of all evils, and Arioch volunteered to notify Ishirou the next morning. Jack stormed out of the room without a word. _________________________________________________________ “So that’s where it stands,” Jack said. He and Aerys Mavato stood in the shadows of a secluded alley. “Your father will be disappointed,” the half-elf said. “Tell him I’m sorry,” Jack bowed his head. “I promise you, though. I’ll do what I can to help you. I’ll leave signs along the way. Look for them. Besmara willing, we’ll meet again in Saventh-Yi.” [/QUOTE]
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JollyDoc's Serpent's Skull-updated 11/6/2011
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