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Memoirs of a Lawyer turned Dungeoncrawler (Updated May 13, 2008)
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<blockquote data-quote="Altalazar" data-source="post: 3520368" data-attributes="member: 939"><p>Wow, it is hard to believe it has been six months since I last played Cordozo... and so now finally, another update... and it is a long one. </p><p></p><p>Book XIII</p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Seven – The World is Safe – Time to Shop</p><p></p><p> I spent lots of time and money over the next few weeks. My most important acquisition, however, was not purchased with money and was not found in any store. As befitting my noble station, I acquired what no self-respecting noble would be without. A manservant. Higgins. We are a perfect match. The interview was short and to the point. </p><p> “I require a manservant, Higgins,” I asked, my mind probing his.</p><p> “Very good, sir,” he said in an accent that must have been perfected by manservants across the planes to sound something known as “brit-tish” making the “sir” sound like “suh.” </p><p> And that was that. </p><p> It also helped that Higgins was a master at his craft of serving, and could assist one with matters both magical and mundane, both arcane and divine. And despite his lack of any psionic potential he appeared to be able to read my mind, bringing me what I needed without asking. </p><p> Higgins has a remarkable mind that is found underneath his balding, somewhat shiny head. He always dresses impeccably, yet somehow always manages to never outshine whatever I might be wearing at the time. Truly, he is a cohort among manservants. </p><p> Such a person is very valuable, so I spent nearly 50,000 coins on helping outfit him with further magic for his spellbook and with a few choice items to protect his person. After all, one needs to protect one’s own. The rest of my gold I saved for what I may need later. </p><p> My final purchase was one for my mind. I found someone with powers like my own who could actually teach me powers, though at considerable cost. I learned a particularly interesting power that I look forward to trying when the moment is right. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Eight – An invitation</p><p></p><p> Early one morning, when the sun’s rays woke me before the sounds of Kyrnyn’s temple construction could, I dressed (with Higgin’s assistance) and then, with a thought, I was sitting at my reserved table at the Cusp of the Sunrise for breakfast. I waved hello to several of the regular noble patrons and they waved back, warm, practiced smiles hiding the usual jealousies, though occasionally one would represent genuine warmth. Either that or nobles were particularly practiced at fakery that was deeper than most. </p><p> I was enjoying the lovely view of the garden while I ate when a small elf came over and introduced himself as Vidry. He invited me, on behalf of Poseidon, to come see a play at Poseidon’s Palace followed by a dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m., please arrive 15 minutes early to be seated, semi-formal attire required. A royal invitation to dine with an epic master of the mind. How could I refuse? </p><p> “I accept,” I said, and then with a flick of the wrist to from my right toward the elf, “Higgins, pay the elf for his trouble.” Higgins immediately produced a small bag of platinum and offered it to the elf. </p><p> As he did so, I idly wondered if this would include an offer for employment, and so I asked Vidry, “What kind of Demon are you, then?” He looked surprised for a moment, then I explained, “Whenever someone offers I or my companions employment, they invariably turn out to be an evil demon, or at the very least a part demon (as was the case with the tiefling Tuvstarr), so I figured I might as well get that out in the open up front.”</p><p> “Nobody said anything about hiring you,” he replied, still somewhat surprised. “Poseidon said nothing to me.” </p><p> “Oh, so what kind of Demon is Poseidon?” </p><p> “He is no demon at all,” Vidry exclaimed.</p><p> “Ah, well, perhaps this really is just a social call then.” </p><p> “Yes, it is,” said the elf, “and no need to pay me, I am well compensated already for my work for Poseidon. I see no reason why you should feel inclined to give me money.” </p><p> “You obviously have no idea who I am, then,” I said, musing on my recent twenty thousand gold piece extravaganza for the city. “Perhaps Poseidon has a favorite charity we could donate it to in his name then?”</p><p> “I’m sure he would appreciate a donation to the Temple of Pelor,” Vidry replied. </p><p> “Done!” I said. “Now, what sort of play is this?” I inquired. I was particularly curious since it was my understanding that to put on a play requires payment of various permits and fees, and yet I had heard of no such legal applications being made of late, and in fact, could not recall ever seeing one for any of the plays put on by Poseidon’s followers. But then Poseidon was held in high regard as one of the “Noble 5” who saved Cauldron, so perhaps that was the reason for the courtesy. </p><p> Vidry interrupted my thoughts with his answer: “It’s a surprise.” He then took his leave and I finished my breakfast. </p><p> During the course of the day, after some light shopping, I ran into Kyrnyn and discovered that he had not been invited to see any play. When I later crossed paths with Morwen, she likewise had no invitation, but she was very curious.</p><p> “What play? Why wasn’t I invited?” she asked me.</p><p> “The invitation was delivered at the Cusp of the Sunrise, so perhaps that explains it.” I replied. “And the play itself – that is a surprise.” My information on the matter exhausted, Morwen went on about her business and I returned home to change into less formal attire to match the stated dress code. I never did run into Ee that afternoon. I found out later why. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Nine – The Play’s the Thing – It’s Good to be the Noble</p><p> </p><p> At the appointed minute, I thought about going to Poseidon’s tower, and found myself at its base. The tower was over two hundred feet high and was made entirely of ectoplasm. It was on a small island out in the midst of the newly made river that ran from the center of the crater to the rim. I walked in the entrance and found myself in a marble hall filled with statues to the noble five. </p><p> The reception specialist greeting us and then took us to a teleporter that we used to ascend to the top level of the tower. Again, marble filled my vision. There was a beautiful vista of the city laid out to the rear of the theater. My seat was between Poseidon and Vidry. Higgins took his seat somewhere several rows back. </p><p> “What play is this,” I asked Poseidon. </p><p> “This play tells the story of how I and the other members of the Noble Five traveled to the plane of Occipitus to defeat an imprisoned demonlord that was the head of the Cagewrights that infested our city. One of my followers is a playwright of some repute. Ah, here it begins.”</p><p> The curtain raised, and thus began the play. It was a good performance, though I could not help but note that the character of Poseidon in the play was really heroic. He single-handedly bribed and persuaded a demon to locate where the planar prison was and then he jumped back in time with the information, back three seconds, to avoid having to give the informant any of the money. What a wonderful loophole, I thought. I made a mental note to do legal research on contract clause enforceability when time travel is involved. I asked Poseidon for his opinion on the matter. “Is that legal?”</p><p> “It is if you can jump backwards in time three seconds,” he replied. </p><p> I somehow thought that such an argument might not impress a judge. Not unless the bribe was then transferred to him, rather mooting the whole point of the time jump in the first place. Best to settle out of court, I imagine. </p><p> The details I gleaned from the play were that the demon lord of occipitus, Adimarchus, was the one they defeated. Sounds rather familiar, I thought. </p><p> By the time the curtain fell, the applause was thunderous. I looked back and noted that every single mind here was totally devoted to Poseidon, save my own and Higgins’s. In my row alone there was a pixie named TeoBryn, as well as Vidry and several others. The director of the play, Gwaegwyn, came out and took a bow. </p><p> Gwaegwyn then came and said hello. I shook his hand, then asked him if he had made any licensing agreements for others to perform his play, and offered to help with the paperwork if he had not. He replied that he had no need. </p><p>Poseidon interjected. “If someone could put them on better than me, they are welcome to share my triumphs with others.” It was then that I noticed all of the tattoos covering Poseidon’s body, including his feet, which were bare. One tattoo seemed to cover his entire body, from what I could tell from what flesh was exposed. It did not make sense that one tattoo of power could be so large, so I asked him about it. </p><p>“Oh, I specialize in tattoos,” he said, “I can exceed the normal limits on such things. And the large tattoo, well, that’s really three large tattoos. It is very extensive.” He smiled, but said no more. </p><p>I then gave him my best, most diplomatic accolades on the play and on his role in it, both as portrayed and in actual existence. He appeared appropriately flattered, and gave gracious thanks of his own. The air was latterly dripping with sweetness by the time our exchange of flattery was complete. </p><p>After the accolades, a group of us retired to a side room where there was a feast laid out before us. I sat with about a dozen others at the meal, all of them psionically active. It was a pleasant meal. Most of them had some control over what leaked out of their minds, so for once I could enjoy the conversation without all of the usually, nasty, contrary undercurrents. </p><p> Unknown to me at the time, while I was watching a private showing as the only special guest of a premiere play and then feasting on a meal fit for a king, Ee was in the process of drowning and Morwen was facing a mortal fight of her own as well. It’s good to be the noble. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy – Fine Dining and Gifts</p><p></p><p> As I was sitting at the table, Poseidon offered me a gift. It was a fist-sized crystal that seemed to have an inner warmth. My mind touched it and it enveloped it and I determined that it gave me a slight boost to any power I manifested while holding it. </p><p> “Thank you for the gift,” I offered, my mouth full.</p><p> “You are welcome. You are my guest,” was his gracious reply. </p><p> During the course of the meal, I again complimented him on the play. I also offered him my diary notes if he wished to put on other plays about my exploits. </p><p> “Well, there’s always the off-season for a new play,” he said. Switching topics, he asked me, “where are you staying? I understand you are living in a tent while Kyrnyn’s temple complex is completed. Would you like to stay here instead?” </p><p> “Yes, that is right,” I said, “I’m staying in my noble tent until my own palace can be constructed.”</p><p> “What are you going to build,” he asked, his lips wet from sour cream on his potato. </p><p> “Oh, do you know the supreme judicial building for the kingdom?” I asked. “Something along those lines, only nicer and bigger.” </p><p> “That will require a lot of real estate in Cauldron,” he said as he finished off a succulent piece of ribs. </p><p> “Yes, and thus the delay,” I replied, wiping my mouth after downing a tasty slice of steak. </p><p> We continued eating and then Poseidon got to the part where we are usually hired by demons. “Want to help the King?” </p><p> I nodded politely.</p><p> “The King has a possible traitor in his midst. Baron Damon Domino is suspected of treason.” </p><p> My first thought was that there will soon be a Barony open, and I knew just the noble to fill the position. “When do you want me to mind probe him?” I asked. </p><p> “He will not likely sit still for a mind probe. But the King has been offered his customary invitation to stay with the Baron for an annual celebration. The King himself usually does not to himself, but gives the invitation to one of his nobles and his entourage. So the Baron will not be surprised if you are sent in his place.” </p><p> “When is the celebration?”</p><p> “It is in one month. The barony is about a month’s travel from here. I assume you have suitable transportation? One of my followers is about a week’s travel away. Once he arrives, he will give me a sufficiently detailed description for teleportation.”</p><p> “Perfect, and you will pass it on to me,” I asked, sipping some very expensive brandy. </p><p> “Of course,” Poseidon responded, as he finished a particularly delicious-looking bowl of soup. </p><p> Poseidon handed me the invitation with the royal seal on it. “So, are you ready to be shown to your room,” he asked me.</p><p> “Yes, just let me contact my companions,” I said as I reached my mind out to Kyrnyn. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-One – Companions in their usual trouble</p><p></p><p> After explaining the situation to Kyrnyn, I asked him if he had seen Ee. He told me that he had not seen him today. He saw his empty sleeping mat in the morning. </p><p> “He was probably kidnapped by demons,” I said. “But then it is unclear who just hired us. Was it Poseidon or the King?” </p><p> I contacted Morwen next. At first I could just hear lots of screaming in her mind. And cursing. Words not befitting a noble, but entirely appropriate for her. </p><p> “What’s going on Morwen,” I asked, curious at the colorful tirade. </p><p> All she would say was “it’s personal” before the tirade continued. </p><p> “You were kidnapped by a demon?” I asked. </p><p> “Me? No.” Colorful language followed. “Well, that happened to a … well, not technically a demon.”</p><p> “What are you talking about?” I asked. </p><p> I then got a few more words from her mind. “Revenge. Mom and dad. Fix this.” </p><p> “Are you going to tell me what you are talking about?”</p><p> “It’s… personal,” she said, though she need not have. “Something caught up to me that I did not anticipate. Many years. Opportunity for revenge. I’m going to kill someone.” </p><p> “Well, will it take more than a month,” I asked, “We have a job.” </p><p> Next I got from her, “bad thing, very bad thing.” </p><p> “Ok then,” I asked her, trying a different approach. “Who are we killing?” </p><p> “The man who made my face the way it is today,” Morwen replied, referring to her deep scar across her face. “And what is the job about?”</p><p> “Ok then, and our job, well, there’s a Baron, who’s a traitor. So there might be an opening. Do you need my help right now?” </p><p> “Yes,” Morwen said, and she then described her current location. Then I got an idea, but first I had to contact Ee. </p><p> Unfortunately, I was unable to contact Ee. And usually he was the clearest mind out there, at least in terms of ease of use. I asked Morwen if she had seen him and she had not. Then I turned to Poseidon. </p><p> “Do you have any way to scry?” </p><p> “Well, I do have a research lab that does have a scrying circle. Here, let me take you.” </p><p> Poseidon then led me to the teleportation circle that led to his lab. There, one of his followers handed me a large gem. “This is a scrying crystal. It will allow you to scry. We’d rather you did it because you know your friends best.” </p><p> That made sense, and so I held the gem and scried upon Ee. The circle of black fluid changed to show a view of, well, black fluid. The fluid then cleared enough to show that Ee was in the fluid, in a what looked like a leaky casket, slowly filling with water. Ee was trying to push his way out, but he had very little space to move. And Bertha II was nowhere in sight. My viewing was interrupted by a thought from Morwen.</p><p> “Uh, if you could prepare for battle, we need to go back fairly soon. There are 30 zombies and one live body to kill.” Morwen said insistently. </p><p> “Why so urgent?” I asked.</p><p> “Zombies should not exist,” she said. “They need to be destroyed.” </p><p> “I’ll meet you soon,” I said and returned my attention to Ee. </p><p> Ee was freed from his coffin by a large half-orc. At that point I suddenly was able to contact him. Ee was, as usual, eloquent. </p><p> “Thief take Bertha II.” </p><p> “Why did you get wet, Ee?”</p><p> “Me got stuck in cage. Me find thief and kill him. Me don’t have him yet but he dead.” </p><p> “Ok, Ee,” I said, “but for now, want to kill some zombies?” </p><p> Ee did not respond immediately. I saw why. He had reached the temple of Cord with his new friends. They were all chanting how they kicked butt and “Cord rules, rah rah.” Apparently they have the same sort of mentality as Ee. He finally found a deity worthy of him. I watched the High Priest of Cord offer Ee a shiny new adamantine axe. That was all Ee needed to pledge his life to Cord. And to brawling. Which was really the same thing. “Cord will guide your life from this point on,” they told him. Ee nodded and smiled as he swung the axe around his head. </p><p>“Bertha III!” Ee shouted.</p><p>“Ok Ee, if you want to help us kill zombies, go meet Morwen at the Temple of Pelor. I will join you shortly.” I then turned my mind to Morwen and told her Ee was on his way, along with a dozen friends, priests of Cord. </p><p>Morwen responded, “I do not know if the criminal mastermind with the zombies has any extra means of escape. He’ll look good with a blade in his belly.” I then heard her tell someone to stay behind at the temple, but I did not inquire why. </p><p>As I readied to leave, to teleport to Morwen’s location as indicated from scrying her, Roy, a powerful cleric of Pelor in his own right, another follower of Poseidon, offered to come along. So I grabbed his shoulder and Higgins as well and then we were standing with Morwen. </p><p>By the time we arrived at the stable where Morwen told me there were zombies, we had three extremely powerful High Priests, two of whom specialized in destroying undead, and about two dozen acolyte clerics from Cord and Pelor. Needless to say, the interior of the barn was covered with zombie dust (and not much else) by the time I got in the door. Not much else of interest as found in the barn itself, but Morwen found a trapdoor leading down. That’s usually where the trouble begins. </p><p></p><p>Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-Two – The Trouble Begins</p><p></p><p>Before Morwen went down into the darkness, I asked her to wait. </p><p>“Higgins, magic,” I said, and then Higgins weaved several protective spells around her, hardening her skin to stone, protecting her with a floating shield, and making her vanish from sight. “He’s helpful,” I said, referring to Higgins. </p><p>Down below, we discovered a bunch of cages leading to an arena. In one cage we found six orcs, who were happy to be freed by the orcish followers of Cord. We also found a unicorn, a hill giant, two winter wolves, and an unconscious woman. </p><p>I spoke to each in their minds, and then teleported the Unicorn to his forest, the hill giant to his village, and the unconscious woman to hers (after she was conscious). </p><p>It turned out the woman was from the village of Twin Oaks, the lovely little hamlet run by a vampire not too long ago. She did not know me, but I knew the place well, and she was suitably grateful when I sent her back. Before she left, she warned us that the person who ran this awful place was tough. “She’s powerful,” she said. </p><p>“You mean he?” asked Morwen.</p><p>“No, she,” said the commoner. </p><p>After we freed the would-be gladiators, we found a room filled with crude necromantic experiments. Higgins informed me that the practitioner was but an amateur. Morwen seemed anxious. She asked me, “can you touch this objects and tell me where their owner went?” </p><p>“Well, some with my talents can do that, but I am not a specialist in that area, I’m sorry,” I replied, and it did not take a mind-reader to know that she was terribly disappointed. </p><p>Finally, we got a peek at the arena itself, and found it had large pools of blood. But we had not yet found the audience. We returned to the entry room and headed north, where we found a small tavern well-stocked with liquor, but empty of patrons. What a huge underground complex this was. </p><p>Looking over all the fine spirits, I asked Morwen if she would like a drink.</p><p>“I don’t drink,” she told me, somewhat haughtily. </p><p>Adjacent to the bar we found the seating for the audience. And there we found trouble. </p><p>Morwen went in first. As she parlayed later, she saw what looked like Tuvstarr standing in the bleachers, wearing strange clothing. Then she was covered by a prismatic sphere and then the entire complex was filled with flying teeth, cutting into us all. We had no way to penetrate the sphere, so I gathered up as many of us as I could and we teleported to the surface. Morwen grabbed Ee and one of the priests who remained and used her bracers to similar effect. </p><p>“Well, that could have gone better,” I said. “You want that drink now?” I asked Morwen. </p><p></p><p>Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-Three – Tuvstarr Confusion</p><p></p><p>My first thought was to contact Tuvstarr and see if she was she or if she had any twins. Since her mind was presumably still shielded, I contacted one of her “children.” I informed the child about what had happened. Her first response was, “Tuvstarr doesn’t do prismatic spheres.” I wondered if that was an artistic choice or an actual limitation on her power. </p><p>Tuvstarr then soon appeared before us. </p><p>“Do you have any twins?” I asked her.</p><p>“Well actually, yes,” she said. </p><p>“Explain,” I asked. “Is your twin evil?”</p><p>“No, she’s a gentle and kind person,” Tuvstarr told me. </p><p>“Well… apparently not,” I said. “Could you get in touch with your twin to see if she’s cast any prismatic spheres lately?” </p><p>Tuvstarr then did a sending to her twin Sigrid. Apparently whatever she said satisfied Tuvstarr. It did not satisfy me. But I played along. </p><p>“I wonder who has been impersonating us?” Tuvstarr said. </p><p>“Let’s go have a look,” I said, and we all returned to the scene below. </p><p>We saw the teeth flying and so we waited until they expired, and then returned to the bleachers for the underground arena. There was no sign of either sphere nor Tuvstarr twin (triplet?). </p><p>This will bear further investigation. </p><p>I spent the remainder of the evening plying the taverns for information. I discovered that there had been rumors of an underground organization that has had gladiatorial combat, a group known as the Brawlers. I spread the word that the rumors were true and detailed where the events were held, in hopes that this would shut down any further contests. The barbarity of it all, holding such things without even inviting nobles, much less obtaining the proper legal permits nor retaining legal counsel. Such a thing simply cannot stand. </p><p>Morwen returned to the temple of Pelor to sleep. Ee drank and then went to his temple of Cord. Me, I returned to Poseidon’s offered bed. I had much to sleep on. </p><p>In the morning, a hawk flew into my bedroom, a noble bird. Attached to its leg, tied with a golden ribbon, was a beautifully illustrated color invitation. (I discovered later that my companions had received similar invitations, but theirs had all been in black and white. It’s good to be the noble). The invitation stated:</p><p></p><p>The honor of your presence is requested at the annual Demonskar Ball. </p><p>Hosted by Lord Zachary Aslaxin I</p><p>At the Coy Nixie.</p><p>Costume Required. </p><p></p><p>Looks like it was time to go shopping.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Altalazar, post: 3520368, member: 939"] Wow, it is hard to believe it has been six months since I last played Cordozo... and so now finally, another update... and it is a long one. Book XIII Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Seven – The World is Safe – Time to Shop I spent lots of time and money over the next few weeks. My most important acquisition, however, was not purchased with money and was not found in any store. As befitting my noble station, I acquired what no self-respecting noble would be without. A manservant. Higgins. We are a perfect match. The interview was short and to the point. “I require a manservant, Higgins,” I asked, my mind probing his. “Very good, sir,” he said in an accent that must have been perfected by manservants across the planes to sound something known as “brit-tish” making the “sir” sound like “suh.” And that was that. It also helped that Higgins was a master at his craft of serving, and could assist one with matters both magical and mundane, both arcane and divine. And despite his lack of any psionic potential he appeared to be able to read my mind, bringing me what I needed without asking. Higgins has a remarkable mind that is found underneath his balding, somewhat shiny head. He always dresses impeccably, yet somehow always manages to never outshine whatever I might be wearing at the time. Truly, he is a cohort among manservants. Such a person is very valuable, so I spent nearly 50,000 coins on helping outfit him with further magic for his spellbook and with a few choice items to protect his person. After all, one needs to protect one’s own. The rest of my gold I saved for what I may need later. My final purchase was one for my mind. I found someone with powers like my own who could actually teach me powers, though at considerable cost. I learned a particularly interesting power that I look forward to trying when the moment is right. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Eight – An invitation Early one morning, when the sun’s rays woke me before the sounds of Kyrnyn’s temple construction could, I dressed (with Higgin’s assistance) and then, with a thought, I was sitting at my reserved table at the Cusp of the Sunrise for breakfast. I waved hello to several of the regular noble patrons and they waved back, warm, practiced smiles hiding the usual jealousies, though occasionally one would represent genuine warmth. Either that or nobles were particularly practiced at fakery that was deeper than most. I was enjoying the lovely view of the garden while I ate when a small elf came over and introduced himself as Vidry. He invited me, on behalf of Poseidon, to come see a play at Poseidon’s Palace followed by a dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m., please arrive 15 minutes early to be seated, semi-formal attire required. A royal invitation to dine with an epic master of the mind. How could I refuse? “I accept,” I said, and then with a flick of the wrist to from my right toward the elf, “Higgins, pay the elf for his trouble.” Higgins immediately produced a small bag of platinum and offered it to the elf. As he did so, I idly wondered if this would include an offer for employment, and so I asked Vidry, “What kind of Demon are you, then?” He looked surprised for a moment, then I explained, “Whenever someone offers I or my companions employment, they invariably turn out to be an evil demon, or at the very least a part demon (as was the case with the tiefling Tuvstarr), so I figured I might as well get that out in the open up front.” “Nobody said anything about hiring you,” he replied, still somewhat surprised. “Poseidon said nothing to me.” “Oh, so what kind of Demon is Poseidon?” “He is no demon at all,” Vidry exclaimed. “Ah, well, perhaps this really is just a social call then.” “Yes, it is,” said the elf, “and no need to pay me, I am well compensated already for my work for Poseidon. I see no reason why you should feel inclined to give me money.” “You obviously have no idea who I am, then,” I said, musing on my recent twenty thousand gold piece extravaganza for the city. “Perhaps Poseidon has a favorite charity we could donate it to in his name then?” “I’m sure he would appreciate a donation to the Temple of Pelor,” Vidry replied. “Done!” I said. “Now, what sort of play is this?” I inquired. I was particularly curious since it was my understanding that to put on a play requires payment of various permits and fees, and yet I had heard of no such legal applications being made of late, and in fact, could not recall ever seeing one for any of the plays put on by Poseidon’s followers. But then Poseidon was held in high regard as one of the “Noble 5” who saved Cauldron, so perhaps that was the reason for the courtesy. Vidry interrupted my thoughts with his answer: “It’s a surprise.” He then took his leave and I finished my breakfast. During the course of the day, after some light shopping, I ran into Kyrnyn and discovered that he had not been invited to see any play. When I later crossed paths with Morwen, she likewise had no invitation, but she was very curious. “What play? Why wasn’t I invited?” she asked me. “The invitation was delivered at the Cusp of the Sunrise, so perhaps that explains it.” I replied. “And the play itself – that is a surprise.” My information on the matter exhausted, Morwen went on about her business and I returned home to change into less formal attire to match the stated dress code. I never did run into Ee that afternoon. I found out later why. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Nine – The Play’s the Thing – It’s Good to be the Noble At the appointed minute, I thought about going to Poseidon’s tower, and found myself at its base. The tower was over two hundred feet high and was made entirely of ectoplasm. It was on a small island out in the midst of the newly made river that ran from the center of the crater to the rim. I walked in the entrance and found myself in a marble hall filled with statues to the noble five. The reception specialist greeting us and then took us to a teleporter that we used to ascend to the top level of the tower. Again, marble filled my vision. There was a beautiful vista of the city laid out to the rear of the theater. My seat was between Poseidon and Vidry. Higgins took his seat somewhere several rows back. “What play is this,” I asked Poseidon. “This play tells the story of how I and the other members of the Noble Five traveled to the plane of Occipitus to defeat an imprisoned demonlord that was the head of the Cagewrights that infested our city. One of my followers is a playwright of some repute. Ah, here it begins.” The curtain raised, and thus began the play. It was a good performance, though I could not help but note that the character of Poseidon in the play was really heroic. He single-handedly bribed and persuaded a demon to locate where the planar prison was and then he jumped back in time with the information, back three seconds, to avoid having to give the informant any of the money. What a wonderful loophole, I thought. I made a mental note to do legal research on contract clause enforceability when time travel is involved. I asked Poseidon for his opinion on the matter. “Is that legal?” “It is if you can jump backwards in time three seconds,” he replied. I somehow thought that such an argument might not impress a judge. Not unless the bribe was then transferred to him, rather mooting the whole point of the time jump in the first place. Best to settle out of court, I imagine. The details I gleaned from the play were that the demon lord of occipitus, Adimarchus, was the one they defeated. Sounds rather familiar, I thought. By the time the curtain fell, the applause was thunderous. I looked back and noted that every single mind here was totally devoted to Poseidon, save my own and Higgins’s. In my row alone there was a pixie named TeoBryn, as well as Vidry and several others. The director of the play, Gwaegwyn, came out and took a bow. Gwaegwyn then came and said hello. I shook his hand, then asked him if he had made any licensing agreements for others to perform his play, and offered to help with the paperwork if he had not. He replied that he had no need. Poseidon interjected. “If someone could put them on better than me, they are welcome to share my triumphs with others.” It was then that I noticed all of the tattoos covering Poseidon’s body, including his feet, which were bare. One tattoo seemed to cover his entire body, from what I could tell from what flesh was exposed. It did not make sense that one tattoo of power could be so large, so I asked him about it. “Oh, I specialize in tattoos,” he said, “I can exceed the normal limits on such things. And the large tattoo, well, that’s really three large tattoos. It is very extensive.” He smiled, but said no more. I then gave him my best, most diplomatic accolades on the play and on his role in it, both as portrayed and in actual existence. He appeared appropriately flattered, and gave gracious thanks of his own. The air was latterly dripping with sweetness by the time our exchange of flattery was complete. After the accolades, a group of us retired to a side room where there was a feast laid out before us. I sat with about a dozen others at the meal, all of them psionically active. It was a pleasant meal. Most of them had some control over what leaked out of their minds, so for once I could enjoy the conversation without all of the usually, nasty, contrary undercurrents. Unknown to me at the time, while I was watching a private showing as the only special guest of a premiere play and then feasting on a meal fit for a king, Ee was in the process of drowning and Morwen was facing a mortal fight of her own as well. It’s good to be the noble. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy – Fine Dining and Gifts As I was sitting at the table, Poseidon offered me a gift. It was a fist-sized crystal that seemed to have an inner warmth. My mind touched it and it enveloped it and I determined that it gave me a slight boost to any power I manifested while holding it. “Thank you for the gift,” I offered, my mouth full. “You are welcome. You are my guest,” was his gracious reply. During the course of the meal, I again complimented him on the play. I also offered him my diary notes if he wished to put on other plays about my exploits. “Well, there’s always the off-season for a new play,” he said. Switching topics, he asked me, “where are you staying? I understand you are living in a tent while Kyrnyn’s temple complex is completed. Would you like to stay here instead?” “Yes, that is right,” I said, “I’m staying in my noble tent until my own palace can be constructed.” “What are you going to build,” he asked, his lips wet from sour cream on his potato. “Oh, do you know the supreme judicial building for the kingdom?” I asked. “Something along those lines, only nicer and bigger.” “That will require a lot of real estate in Cauldron,” he said as he finished off a succulent piece of ribs. “Yes, and thus the delay,” I replied, wiping my mouth after downing a tasty slice of steak. We continued eating and then Poseidon got to the part where we are usually hired by demons. “Want to help the King?” I nodded politely. “The King has a possible traitor in his midst. Baron Damon Domino is suspected of treason.” My first thought was that there will soon be a Barony open, and I knew just the noble to fill the position. “When do you want me to mind probe him?” I asked. “He will not likely sit still for a mind probe. But the King has been offered his customary invitation to stay with the Baron for an annual celebration. The King himself usually does not to himself, but gives the invitation to one of his nobles and his entourage. So the Baron will not be surprised if you are sent in his place.” “When is the celebration?” “It is in one month. The barony is about a month’s travel from here. I assume you have suitable transportation? One of my followers is about a week’s travel away. Once he arrives, he will give me a sufficiently detailed description for teleportation.” “Perfect, and you will pass it on to me,” I asked, sipping some very expensive brandy. “Of course,” Poseidon responded, as he finished a particularly delicious-looking bowl of soup. Poseidon handed me the invitation with the royal seal on it. “So, are you ready to be shown to your room,” he asked me. “Yes, just let me contact my companions,” I said as I reached my mind out to Kyrnyn. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-One – Companions in their usual trouble After explaining the situation to Kyrnyn, I asked him if he had seen Ee. He told me that he had not seen him today. He saw his empty sleeping mat in the morning. “He was probably kidnapped by demons,” I said. “But then it is unclear who just hired us. Was it Poseidon or the King?” I contacted Morwen next. At first I could just hear lots of screaming in her mind. And cursing. Words not befitting a noble, but entirely appropriate for her. “What’s going on Morwen,” I asked, curious at the colorful tirade. All she would say was “it’s personal” before the tirade continued. “You were kidnapped by a demon?” I asked. “Me? No.” Colorful language followed. “Well, that happened to a … well, not technically a demon.” “What are you talking about?” I asked. I then got a few more words from her mind. “Revenge. Mom and dad. Fix this.” “Are you going to tell me what you are talking about?” “It’s… personal,” she said, though she need not have. “Something caught up to me that I did not anticipate. Many years. Opportunity for revenge. I’m going to kill someone.” “Well, will it take more than a month,” I asked, “We have a job.” Next I got from her, “bad thing, very bad thing.” “Ok then,” I asked her, trying a different approach. “Who are we killing?” “The man who made my face the way it is today,” Morwen replied, referring to her deep scar across her face. “And what is the job about?” “Ok then, and our job, well, there’s a Baron, who’s a traitor. So there might be an opening. Do you need my help right now?” “Yes,” Morwen said, and she then described her current location. Then I got an idea, but first I had to contact Ee. Unfortunately, I was unable to contact Ee. And usually he was the clearest mind out there, at least in terms of ease of use. I asked Morwen if she had seen him and she had not. Then I turned to Poseidon. “Do you have any way to scry?” “Well, I do have a research lab that does have a scrying circle. Here, let me take you.” Poseidon then led me to the teleportation circle that led to his lab. There, one of his followers handed me a large gem. “This is a scrying crystal. It will allow you to scry. We’d rather you did it because you know your friends best.” That made sense, and so I held the gem and scried upon Ee. The circle of black fluid changed to show a view of, well, black fluid. The fluid then cleared enough to show that Ee was in the fluid, in a what looked like a leaky casket, slowly filling with water. Ee was trying to push his way out, but he had very little space to move. And Bertha II was nowhere in sight. My viewing was interrupted by a thought from Morwen. “Uh, if you could prepare for battle, we need to go back fairly soon. There are 30 zombies and one live body to kill.” Morwen said insistently. “Why so urgent?” I asked. “Zombies should not exist,” she said. “They need to be destroyed.” “I’ll meet you soon,” I said and returned my attention to Ee. Ee was freed from his coffin by a large half-orc. At that point I suddenly was able to contact him. Ee was, as usual, eloquent. “Thief take Bertha II.” “Why did you get wet, Ee?” “Me got stuck in cage. Me find thief and kill him. Me don’t have him yet but he dead.” “Ok, Ee,” I said, “but for now, want to kill some zombies?” Ee did not respond immediately. I saw why. He had reached the temple of Cord with his new friends. They were all chanting how they kicked butt and “Cord rules, rah rah.” Apparently they have the same sort of mentality as Ee. He finally found a deity worthy of him. I watched the High Priest of Cord offer Ee a shiny new adamantine axe. That was all Ee needed to pledge his life to Cord. And to brawling. Which was really the same thing. “Cord will guide your life from this point on,” they told him. Ee nodded and smiled as he swung the axe around his head. “Bertha III!” Ee shouted. “Ok Ee, if you want to help us kill zombies, go meet Morwen at the Temple of Pelor. I will join you shortly.” I then turned my mind to Morwen and told her Ee was on his way, along with a dozen friends, priests of Cord. Morwen responded, “I do not know if the criminal mastermind with the zombies has any extra means of escape. He’ll look good with a blade in his belly.” I then heard her tell someone to stay behind at the temple, but I did not inquire why. As I readied to leave, to teleport to Morwen’s location as indicated from scrying her, Roy, a powerful cleric of Pelor in his own right, another follower of Poseidon, offered to come along. So I grabbed his shoulder and Higgins as well and then we were standing with Morwen. By the time we arrived at the stable where Morwen told me there were zombies, we had three extremely powerful High Priests, two of whom specialized in destroying undead, and about two dozen acolyte clerics from Cord and Pelor. Needless to say, the interior of the barn was covered with zombie dust (and not much else) by the time I got in the door. Not much else of interest as found in the barn itself, but Morwen found a trapdoor leading down. That’s usually where the trouble begins. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-Two – The Trouble Begins Before Morwen went down into the darkness, I asked her to wait. “Higgins, magic,” I said, and then Higgins weaved several protective spells around her, hardening her skin to stone, protecting her with a floating shield, and making her vanish from sight. “He’s helpful,” I said, referring to Higgins. Down below, we discovered a bunch of cages leading to an arena. In one cage we found six orcs, who were happy to be freed by the orcish followers of Cord. We also found a unicorn, a hill giant, two winter wolves, and an unconscious woman. I spoke to each in their minds, and then teleported the Unicorn to his forest, the hill giant to his village, and the unconscious woman to hers (after she was conscious). It turned out the woman was from the village of Twin Oaks, the lovely little hamlet run by a vampire not too long ago. She did not know me, but I knew the place well, and she was suitably grateful when I sent her back. Before she left, she warned us that the person who ran this awful place was tough. “She’s powerful,” she said. “You mean he?” asked Morwen. “No, she,” said the commoner. After we freed the would-be gladiators, we found a room filled with crude necromantic experiments. Higgins informed me that the practitioner was but an amateur. Morwen seemed anxious. She asked me, “can you touch this objects and tell me where their owner went?” “Well, some with my talents can do that, but I am not a specialist in that area, I’m sorry,” I replied, and it did not take a mind-reader to know that she was terribly disappointed. Finally, we got a peek at the arena itself, and found it had large pools of blood. But we had not yet found the audience. We returned to the entry room and headed north, where we found a small tavern well-stocked with liquor, but empty of patrons. What a huge underground complex this was. Looking over all the fine spirits, I asked Morwen if she would like a drink. “I don’t drink,” she told me, somewhat haughtily. Adjacent to the bar we found the seating for the audience. And there we found trouble. Morwen went in first. As she parlayed later, she saw what looked like Tuvstarr standing in the bleachers, wearing strange clothing. Then she was covered by a prismatic sphere and then the entire complex was filled with flying teeth, cutting into us all. We had no way to penetrate the sphere, so I gathered up as many of us as I could and we teleported to the surface. Morwen grabbed Ee and one of the priests who remained and used her bracers to similar effect. “Well, that could have gone better,” I said. “You want that drink now?” I asked Morwen. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-Three – Tuvstarr Confusion My first thought was to contact Tuvstarr and see if she was she or if she had any twins. Since her mind was presumably still shielded, I contacted one of her “children.” I informed the child about what had happened. Her first response was, “Tuvstarr doesn’t do prismatic spheres.” I wondered if that was an artistic choice or an actual limitation on her power. Tuvstarr then soon appeared before us. “Do you have any twins?” I asked her. “Well actually, yes,” she said. “Explain,” I asked. “Is your twin evil?” “No, she’s a gentle and kind person,” Tuvstarr told me. “Well… apparently not,” I said. “Could you get in touch with your twin to see if she’s cast any prismatic spheres lately?” Tuvstarr then did a sending to her twin Sigrid. Apparently whatever she said satisfied Tuvstarr. It did not satisfy me. But I played along. “I wonder who has been impersonating us?” Tuvstarr said. “Let’s go have a look,” I said, and we all returned to the scene below. We saw the teeth flying and so we waited until they expired, and then returned to the bleachers for the underground arena. There was no sign of either sphere nor Tuvstarr twin (triplet?). This will bear further investigation. I spent the remainder of the evening plying the taverns for information. I discovered that there had been rumors of an underground organization that has had gladiatorial combat, a group known as the Brawlers. I spread the word that the rumors were true and detailed where the events were held, in hopes that this would shut down any further contests. The barbarity of it all, holding such things without even inviting nobles, much less obtaining the proper legal permits nor retaining legal counsel. Such a thing simply cannot stand. Morwen returned to the temple of Pelor to sleep. Ee drank and then went to his temple of Cord. Me, I returned to Poseidon’s offered bed. I had much to sleep on. In the morning, a hawk flew into my bedroom, a noble bird. Attached to its leg, tied with a golden ribbon, was a beautifully illustrated color invitation. (I discovered later that my companions had received similar invitations, but theirs had all been in black and white. It’s good to be the noble). The invitation stated: The honor of your presence is requested at the annual Demonskar Ball. Hosted by Lord Zachary Aslaxin I At the Coy Nixie. Costume Required. Looks like it was time to go shopping. [/QUOTE]
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Memoirs of a Lawyer turned Dungeoncrawler (Updated May 13, 2008)
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