The One True Game: According to Hoyle, and Others

[howandwhy99]

Once they were outside again Dram shook off the enchantment. He realized none of the team had come back for them. He helped Grog and Dalin walk back up to the main road. Both sobered as they moved along. Plenty of people still coursed through the streets with lanterns and torches in the night. It was almost as busy as during the day. The three found the row of inns relatively easily, but were not sure which to choose. Dalin spotted the large stable down the road and they turned to go ask about their friends. “There you are!” shouted Darius as he ran across the street to them. Dram told everyone the story of what had happened back at the tavern leaving out the coin he had collected. “Dram,” said Darius patting him on the back. “No more drinking for you.” The others laughed.

Darius showed them back to The Wyvern and up the stairs. Grog barely fit in the door and collapsed on one of the couches in the common room. Pax was alone and awake in their room. He was first on watch duty for the men’s side. The other three went straight to bed. All through the night footsteps could be heard coming and going past the bedrooms’ doors. Plenty of activity went on in the common room too, but Grog snored so loud he never noticed. In the other bedroom Rose was tossing and turning. Finally, she got up and checked under the mattress. Metal held the wooden slates together. She sighed and told Diedre who was on watch that she was going to join Ormand in the stables. Diedre informed Pax and the two of them escorted her to the stables just three blocks down. They were taking no chances.

Ormand was having a rather dull night. He had helped the stableboys brush down and feed their horses. He had also found a truly noble steed, an exquisite white horse stabled on the other side near the doors. It was strong, lean, and was obviously bred for speed. It had a Margrave branding on its flank too. When Rose came in during the middle of the night and lay down next to him his heart pounded in his chest. He furtively looked at her flaming red hair. “I-I found a beautiful horse below,” he stuttered. Rose asked to see it. He led her to its stall and she went and walked right in.

Rose put her hand lightly on the horse’s neck. It neighed as it awoke. Slowly she started neighing back. “My aren’t you a beautiful horse. You must be very special.” The horse agreed. Rose complimented the mare gaining its trust before beginning her questions. “Who rides you?” she asked.
“Lady rides me.”
“She must use a special harness or saddle.”
The horse sniffed. “No metal rides on me.”
“Are you alone here?” asked Rose.
“No… with other horses here.”
”But you must receive special treatment.”
The horse shook its head up and down. “I carry lady, treated better.”
“What does the lady look like?”
”She has short hair.” It thought for a second, “like straw. Pale skin like the sky. She puts things on me.”
“Interesting,” said Rose. “How long have been with the lady?”
“Two moons”
”All here?”
The horse neighed. “This similar to nine sleeps ago. Traveled with sun, over mountains. And before that plains. Before that fields. Then home.”
“What is home like?”
”Home has fighting going on, blood smells.”
Rose thought perhaps the horse had come over the mountains from the Front Lines. “You said the lady’s skin was the color of the sky. Like my skin?”
“Lighter.”
Rose pointed her over to Ormand who stood outside the stall. “Like his skin?”
“Darker.”
Rose had a feeling Lavinia might be closer than they expected. She hazarded a guess. Pointing to the grey stone floor outside the stall she asked again.
“Yes” nodded the horse.
“At last some success,” she thought. Dram had said Lavinia had gray skin. “What about the other horses? Who rides on them?” she asked the horse.
“Little one who can talk to horses. Gives gifts.”
Alarm bells went off in Rose’s head. “Do not tell the little one of this talk alright? In the morning I will bring you some fresh fruit to eat. Would you like that?”
“Sugar”, said the horse.
Rose smiled. “Of course. And what should I call you? What’s your name?”
“Lady calls me Sprite.”
Rose cooed and complimented the horse again. She promised to bring it fruit and sugar in the morning. And reminded the horse to not tell the little one of their talk.

 

[howandwhy99]

“Stay here”, Rose told Ormand. “I must go back and tell the others what I’ve found out. Make sure you hide and tell me if anything happens. Okay?” Ormond nodded dumbly. Rose flitted out the stable door and out into the street. As she skipped along a sharp point poked into her back. “Your money or your life!” growled a voice behind her. She could feel the metal of the blade irritating her skin already. As she stood there the voice behind her started snigering as if it was some kind of joke. Feeling desperate Rose bolted forward hoping to catch the man off guard. It did not work. The blade slid under her jerkin and into her back. Purple blood spurted out of the wound and the horses inside the stable whinnied. Rose ran as fast as she could. Heavy footsteps followed her, but she quickly outpaced them. She had learned to outrun many an animal in the woods with the Elves. She did not dare turn back until she reached The Wyvern’s entrance.

It was unlocked. Inside the common room Grog was snoring. Several people were milling about as Rose swooned in place. Purple blood had fully drenched the backside of her clothes. She could feel the metal poisoning burn as it ran through her veins. “Help!” she gasped feebly. No one even gave her a second glance. Blindly she stumbled to the stairs and crawled upwards. “Help!” Darius came out from his room seconds later.

Back in the stables Ormond listened to the horses kicking and neighing. From his hiding spot up above he saw a short, enshrouded figure enter through the main door. It moved slowly over to the stall of the horse Rose had called ‘Pixie’. By its size and shape he guessed it was one of Grog’s blue friends. The figure bent over and examined the footprints inside the stall. Then it began neighing to the horse like Rose had. Ormand suddenly felt emboldened to help her. Staying as silent as possible he let the horse noises cover his movement. Carefully he stepped off the loft built above the rear half of the stables and inched his way atop the front stall walls using the rafters for support. When he made it to Pixie’s stall Ormand could see the small figure inside at least ten feet below.

Darius lifted Rose up like a leaf and brought her into his room. He kicked the three sleepers inside awake and deposited Rose in a bed. She protested. “The floor,” she said faintly. He decided to do as she asked. He picked her up again and called upon the power of Thor to heal her weakened body. As Rose’s wounds healed, a torrent of words gushed forth. She rapidly explained what she had learned from the horse in the stable. “I believed it is Livinia’s. She is with several others. We must buy fruit and sugar tomorrow. Ormand the Redd watches the white horse. The blue man group is here. Svarf Svarf!” Rose passed out. Darius started barking commands. “Wake the others! Get your weapons, then follow me!” He set Rose down on the floor.

Ormond watched patiently. While perched above, the little cloaked man continued to neigh at the horse. Several minutes went by and he could feel his legs cramping. The figure looked angry. It gesticulated with its arms and grunted loudly. The horse barely answered. When the man started to leave Ormand put his plan into action. In his mind he had already determined out how to stop him. He would bend down, grab the bar above the stall door, and swing down on top of the little man. Only it when he tried it Ormond’s fingers slipped. FLOP! He landed face first on the stone floor. The blue man darted forward and stabbed him with its dagger. Ormand groaned in pain. Shaking himself he got up and swung wildly with his sword. The man stabbed again and tried to slip past, but Ormond kicked him back in into the horse’s stall. Pixie began to rear. The other horses started neighing again. Feinting to one side the blue man rolled forward between Ormand’s legs. Ormand tried to grab him but missed. The blue man ran out the door and Ormand took off after him.

Darius and Pax ran down to the street as the others were putting on their armor. They hurried towards the stables and Darius saw a small figure run out into the darkness. A few seconds later, Ormand ran out after it. “Follow me,” he told Pax. The chase progressed into an alley. Ormond ran for all he was worth, but the little blue man was faster than he appeared. They turned left and right zigzagging through small, darkened alleyways. The passersby paid them little attention. As Ormond turned another corner, he saw the Xvart duck under a cloak and slip into a hole in the street. The cloak dropped back covering the hole. It was hard to tell, but it was almost as if it was torn from the creature’s back. Ormand ran forward and pulled back the cloak. Pax and Darius caught up and saw him crouched over the hole. It was barely a foot across.

“What is a hole doing in the middle of the street?” howled Darius angrily. Pax observed that he had seen several of them since entering the city. Only this one had no grating like the others. Darius tried to enter, but he was far too thick. The Xvarts had ridiculously thin bodies with large, bulbous heads planted atop. The creature had simply dropped inside. They dropped a lit torch down the hole, but it went out after a few feet. “I’m sorry Darius,” said Ormond. “I’m always in the right place at the right time, but I can never seem to help out.” Darius remembered the thin man back in Custler and reassured him. “You’re a good man, Ormand the Redd.” Pax pointed out that Urkwin might somehow be related to the Xvarts. The four tall blue men who were dead in Orlaine had bluish-grey skin too. “Perhaps he was a half-breed like so many are around here?” said Pax. Darius nodded. Kayla had been calling Urkwin a skulk in private with him.

Darius picked up the cloak and examined it. It felt strange in his hands and was hard to look at. He had always seen through shadows, but this cloak’s blackness had a depth he could not focus on. They made their way back to the Wyvern. Everyone was gathered in one room. Kayla was given the cloak to inspect, while Darius, Rose, and Ormand told everyone what transpired. Afterwards, Kayla told the team the cloak was a fine, oiled, animal’s fur and very well made. She had tested it for magic. And while it was not magical in itself, it could be used for magics. However the only person it fit was little Rose, so it was given into her care..

It was very late, so the whole team went to the stable to inspect it. All the horses were still there, even Pixie. Rose spoke with the horse and confirmed it said nothing to the little blue man. Pax was left with Ormond and Rose to keep watch. His sheer size would likely scare away any other attackers. As he nursed his bruised and battered body, Ormond lamented the fact that all his heroic actions had done were to bring a massive he-man between he and Rose. “Perhaps it’s not meant to be?” he thought before drifting to sleep.

 

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 100 – Weddingday, Sceptre 4th, CY 81]

Rose was the first to awake. Outside the stable she saw a beautiful sunrise come up over the eastern mountains. When she entered The Wyvern she found a large, gourmet breakfast set up on the tables in the common room. Grog was already eating everything in sight. Rose took a few nice, red apples and walked upstairs to wake the others. They were all still asleep, exhausted from the struggles of the night before. Their feather beds looked exceedingly comfortable and she wished she was able to enjoy one too. Back downstairs she asked the innkeeper for a block of sugar. He handed her a small cup of white cubes. Rose tested one just to be sure. When she arrived at the stables again a number of stablehands were already busy with customers. Surreptitiously, she walked over to Pixie’s stall and dropped the apples and sugar cubes inside.

Later, the rest of the team upstairs slowly woke up and dressed. Father Ben hid under the covers until Kayla and Diedre left. Then he untied his ropes and began his morning prayers. “Ooohh, my head,” moaned Dalin as he walked downstairs with the others. Surprisingly, Dram had no ill effects from the ale at all. Everyone partook of the wonderful breakfast laid out. There were many juices, fruits, roast pheasant, (nearly) poached eggs, and a number of dishes Grog had already finished. The innkeeper pulled Darius aside when he saw the paladin speaking to Grog. Another five gold was needed to keep the half ogre inside.

Without much of a plan, the team split up to explore different parts of the city. Darius and Pax walked down the thoroughfare towards a small castle in the center. “Do you think Lavinia was sent by your enemies in Harling to kill you?” asked Pax. He was worried about his mentor.
“Doubtful,” replied Darius. “Unless she somehow knew we were turning east to Kera and moved to cut us off. But that wasn’t decided until we reached Kustler. In truth, I don’t think she knows who we are.” The pair stopped at a local store and Darius chatted up the owner to learn more about the city. Many guilds operated throughout: the lost key guild, the wheat and flour guild, the guild of the locked box. The storeowner listed quite a few, but there were more than he could remember. “Ahhh,” nodded Darius. “But what I really need is some help around the home.” He paused. “If you know what I mean?” The storeowner held his hands behind his back. Pax saw his palm was open. He fed it. “I will give you some directions to a small building. When you reach it, knock on the window and ask for Bob. Tell him, ‘Zonter sent you’”.

Dram walked off alone. He was looking for local smiths and metalworkers. The side streets were confusing, but he eventually found his way to a district in the city where many craftsmen plied their trade. Dram walked around looking at the shops and inspected their conditions. As he explored he scanned faces looking for his brother Tankurd. The journeymen smiths only complained about long hours and being overworked. Dram asked the headsmith about smiths passing through the city or possibly looking for work. “None,” the headsmith snapped back brushing him off. Dram looked through the swords checking their quality when the headsmith walked up to him again. “Where did you get that sword, might I ask?” He was pointing at the blade he found in Quesquaton. The dwarven mark was showing on its pommel. “Family heirloom,” lied Dram as he pulled his cloak tighter to cover the Elven chain beneath.

Kayla and Diedre found Rose outside studying the street around the stables. She had left Ormand inside to keep watch. “Do you want to come shopping with us?” they asked. Rose was delighted to go. Kayla headed back down towards the citygate where she had seen the store with the boiling cauldron sign. Through a large display window to the street, they saw a perfect crystal ball. A clawed hand grasped the ball holding it up like a stand. The dried up, thin hand was severed at its wrist. They asked about it inside. “Yes. I have received many inquiries about that piece,” said the owner. She was finely dressed and had a unique aura of intelligence about her. “It is one of my favorites.”
“Diedre can tell fortunes,” blurted out Rose. “Maybe she can look at it and tell you about where it’s from?” The owner smiled politely.
”How much?” asked Diedre.
“The crystal ball is six hundred gold.” She said nothing about the hand. Diedre stayed calm and said she would keep it in mind. The rest of the shop held an assortment of goods, exotic powders, bizarre liquids, paper, parchment, ink, glassware, cauldrons, mortar and pestles, and more. Most of the items appeared to have little purpose whatsoever, but Kayla cleaned up on components for her spells.

 

[howandwhy99]

Upstairs in The Wyvern, Ben prayed. It had been some time since he had the chance to kneel in private for several hours. He prayed for the village of Orlaine. And the city of Kera. And all the slaves he saw in the streets, though no one called them that. Ben prayed for the capture of Lavinia. For the safety of his teammates and their followers. He prayed for the souls of all the people in Kera who had no temple. And he prayed that somehow a temple might be built within. Afterwards he began to meditate on the abbey he had left only a few short months ago. He thought about his family back home as well. This reminded him of the family his parents had run from so long ago. The ones he was not allowed to talk about. He reflected on what he knew of them.

Benedict’s family in Kera consisted of his father's much older sister... Celestia Wainwright (formerly Szelskin) and her husband Sebastian Wainwright. And their 14 children.

The horsetraining part of the Szelskin family in Margrave had dealings with the Wainwrights of Kera. And the union was a good match.

Kera was the fiefdom of the 5th Earl Barthol Kera. He owed allegiance to Count Margrave. Kera's main resources included wood obtained from the Greenwillow. Which was in turn manufactured into lumber and wagons. This accounted for 40% of the Gross National Product. Another 40% came from mining and smelting. However, the ore from Kera was very poor. And as such was usually made into cookware or flatware or as decoration. The remaining 20% came from various ‘other’ services and/or natural resources. The land there was less fertile than in Margrave.

There is a reason Kera was away from County Margrave and not right next to it. The land was poor. The resources were poor. And yet Kera still seemed to keep up its regular taxes...

After a few hours it occurred to Ben that no one had stopped him to let him know what was going on for the day. Stretching his cramped legs he got dressed to go find out.

Darius and Pax arrived back at the inn. Inside the common room Grog was napping and Dalin sat well fed, but bored. “Pax, you’re on guard duty. Make sure the rooms upstairs are safe,” ordered Darius. Then he woke Grog. “The three of us are going on a special mission,” he whispered. As he, Dalin, and Grog were about to leave Father Ben came down the stairs.
“Where’s all the food?” he asked. The waitstaff was busy clearing dishes. Darius told him to stay inside and help Pax. Ben agreed and they left. He picked up some spare food off a platter and called the innkeeper over. “Are you the concierge? I seemed to have missed breakfast. Perhaps you have something in the kitchen?” The innkeeper grimaced and held out his hand. Ben handed over a gold. Then another. And another. Eventually he paid to lodge the team and Grog for a second night. Before the innkeeper could get away Ben asked another question. “Are there any shrines in town?”
”Yeah, the jakes around back.”
”No, no,” laughed Ben. “Places of worship?”
”Yeah. That’d be the plopboxes round back!”
Ben considered. “But where do people go to pray in this city?” Sadly, this exchange went on for several more minutes.

Darius, Dalin, and Grog went down an alleyway near the inn. After a short walk Darius stopped, knocked on a window, and asked for Bobb. “Zontor sent me.” Further down the alley a nondescript doorway opened. Inside they found a small room with stairs descending off to one side. A strong, surly man sat behind a desk in the center. “Hand over yer weapons,” he said. Many were already in weapons racks alongside the walls of the room. Dalin offered to stay behind and keep watch. Darius agreed. He and Grog placed their weapons in the racks, then handed their sheathed swords over to Dalin. With Grog bent over, the two descended down the long stairway.

Kayla, Diedra, and Rose left the alchemist's shop. Rose suggested they go looking for her husband’s contact the wainwright. “That is the smart way of doing things,” said Kayla. After asking for directions they found the local wagon maker close to the entrance of the city. A salesman came right up to them and started his spiel. The three women listened graciously as he tried to impress them with all the newest deals on wagons. It was obvious he was very eager for a sale on what he called “your standard, four wheeled, covered wagon”.

“What about places to hide things?” asked Kayla.
“Coin? Oh sure, under a panel in this model.” The salesman opened a secret compartment.
“What if we wanted to hide larger fair, like people?” asked Diedre giving the man a stare.
“Okay. Okay. Over here this larger model’s seat opens up. See? Whaddya think? I can sell it to ya today!” The compartment could hold one full sized person.
“Hmm…What if we wanted to hide LOTS of people?” asked Kayla. The salesman squinted at her for a second and asked to see some gold. Kayla obliged pulling out a large pouch and removing a few coins. The salesman led them around to the back of the lot to a very large wagon. A full team of horses would be needed to pull it anywhere. Removing a detachable lever he inserted it into a secret hole and began to winch. The entire covered bed tilted backwards revealing a compartment in the chassis underneath. Two people could fit comfortably lying down inside.

“Okay…”said Kayla. She decided to be direct. “We were told to come to Kera seeking the wainwright and to ask about sneaking people out. But this is obviously wrong.” The salesman went stark white. Rose giggled. “He’s at a loss for words!”
“Oh,” said the salesman. “You want the OTHER wainwrights in town. They are close to the center of the city.” He was slowly backing away from them. Kayla pulled out a gold piece.
“You never saw us. Understand?”
The sales man nodded. “Perhaps another gold for my time?”
Kayla handed over another.
“Perhaps one for my silence?” pressed the salesman.
Rose howled like a wolf and barked at the man. He took off running from his own lot. The three ladies left. They decided to find out where the other wainwrights lived.

The stairs were dark, but Darius could see them descend deeper and deeper under the city. When he and Grog reached the bottom a narrow passage continued forward for a distance. Then space opened up to either side. A massive room held dozens of living men stacked and stored like cordwood waiting for the forges. Other men with whips and torches moved amongst the chained bodies. A clear path led forward from the passageway across the space and into another room. It’s interior was lit by flame and a crowd of figures huddled around a man shouting numbers like an auctioneer. “We need to get Dram down here”, growled Darius.

 

[howandwhy99]

From the Referee:

Races:

Goblins come in many different sizes. They are typically yellow, dull orange, to brick red in skin color. with red to yellow eyes. and hair typically a darker shade of their skin tone, thin and wispy. They stand 4' tall. roughly 50-60lbs. they prefer dark color armor.

Larger goblins come in a red-orange to deep red skin color. with blue noses. yellow to dark brown eyes. and red-brown to gray-black hair, long and straight. They stand 6-6.5' tall. roughly 150-200lbs. They prefer browns or reds for their armor.

Even larger, hairier goblins have yellow to yellow-brown skin color. gray-black eyes. and tan to brick red hair, full coat/ all over. They stand 7' tall. roughly 200-250lbs. they prefer orange to red color armor. or so you have been told.

Orcs are brown to green in skin color. with a bluish sheen. Pink snouts and ears. dark brown to black, bristly hair. and black eyes. 6'tall. 180-300lbs. they prefer black and red for armor.

Kobolds are small dog faced scaly creatures. they have rusty brown to black scales. or if in the sunlight tan to green scales. no hair. small ivory to tan horns on their foreheads. 3' tall. about 25-30lbs.

Gnolls are greenish-gray skin color. with darker shades near face folds and mouth. black eyes and nails. coarse dark hair. 7-7.5'tall. 250-350lbs. they were bred from gnomes and trolls.

Trolls or so you have been told have moss green to mottled green and gray skin. the skin hangs on them and looks thin and rubbery. Black to iron gray hair, thick. dull black eyes. 7 to 10 ft tall. 500 to 1500lbs. fierce carnivores.

Humans range in skin tone, hair color and type, and eye color. typically 5-6' tall. 120 to 250lbs.

Ogres are similar to Grog. 7 to 10 ft tall. 600 to 1800lbs. dull dark green to blue black hair. heavy furrowed brow. coarse hair all over. purple eyes. very clumsy but strong.

Giants are even bigger. 15+ ft tall. 3000lbs+

Hobbits/Halflings look at Farned. 3-4' tall fair to ruddy skin. stocky. curly hair. 60-120lbs.

Dwarves/Gnomes. look at Darius. 3.5-4.5' tall 100-300lbs. ruddy, tan, brown, or gray skin. beards. brown, black, gray, red, white hair. brown, red, blue, gray eyes.

Elves look at Elian. 4.5-5' tall. 70-100lbs. tan to fair skin. Light colored hair.. gold, silver, green, white, blue. same with eyes.

Faeries look at Rose. vary wildly. 6" to 10' 1 lb to 2000lbs. shape, size, color, number of limbs, number of eyes, etc... all vary. another example Greenwillow the Dryad. dark, brown hard skin. 5' tall. 120 lbs. green hair. green eyes.

[sblock]From a couple of the players:

Race: Father Ben
Brown hair turning lighter from the summer sun. It's kept cut short and his face is always shaved. Pale yellowish/white skin has become tan over the past months. Brown eyes and ruddy complexion. He stands around 6' tall. About 180-190 lbs.

Race: Dalin Hoyle
Dark hair which used to be neatly cropped but has grown a little long of late. Wears a goatee or neatly trimmed beard, as it is easier to care for than a clean-shaved face. Dark green eyes, a little over 6' tall but only about 175 pounds, he is a little on the lanky side.

The part of Dalin Hoyle will be played by Dave Navarro[/sblock]

 

[howandwhy99]

[Session 14]

“We’ll be back,” Darius said to the large man at the desk as his friends retrieved their weapons. When he, Dalin, and Grog arrived at The Wyvern only Pax was upstairs. “Where is everybody?” asked Dalin.
“They all went off on their own shortly after you left,” reported Pax. “No one told me where they were going. I’ve only seen Father Benedict standing out by the privies through the window.”
“We need to find them. We might have found Tankurd,” said Dalin.
Dalin went on to explain to Pax about the slavepits under the city. Darius paced around the room silently. Pax was to inform anyone who came back how to enter the pits and to meet them there.
“Damn it all!” cursed Darius. “It doesn’t matter, if Dram isn’t with us.”
“What doesn’t matter?” asked Dram as he strolled into the bedroom.

Grog was left in the common room as he had already started on the complimentary lunch. Before going back to the secret entrance, Dalin asked to stop in and check on Ormand the Redd and the horses. Strangely the hireling was not in the stables, but they soon found him circling around the street outside. “They’re everywhere!” he exclaimed. Ormond had found sewer openings every one hundred feet down all the roads and alleyways surrounding the stables. Not a one had a cover or a grate.
“They probably go all over the city,” said Dram. “That Xvart fart could be anywhere by now.”
Darius ordered Ormond back into the stables and to be ready in case of another attack. Ormond shrugged bored and went inside.

The password worked again. Dalin stayed behind as before. And Darius and Dram went down the steps to the slavepits below. The smell was overpowering. Once they reached the large room of slaves Darius could see Dram losing his temper. The scene was one of nightmarish horror. Feces and urine caked bodies were stacked in long rows. There were over one hundred on each side of the room. Long iron chains threaded through wrist and ankle manacles forcing the prisoners into a prostrate position on top of one another. “Not now,” Darius whispered to Dram. “Let us see if we can find your brother Tankurd first.” When they stepped from the cleared walkway to search through the slaves one of the whip-holding, leather-masked slavers approached, but did he not move to intervene.

The search took a great deal of time. Some of the slaves had the same build and features as the friends in Hamfast Dram and grown up with. A few even held a distinct resemblance to him and his brother, but Tankurd was not among them. Once Dram was certain Darius took him into the auction room on the far side. The crowd of buyers was still gathered in a circle around a podium where a barker stood. “SOLD!” the man shouted. “For three silver!” A young adolescent boy was unshackled by guards from a large board against a wall. Then he was dragged off to one side by his new owner. Dram and Darius watched as an old woman was brought out and secured to the board. The guards were bringing new slaves from a cordoned off exit behind the podium. Darius studied the audience of buyers. It was made up of mostly humans and from every walk of life.

Dram watched in disgust as the woman was sold for a mere copper. He did not want to think about what happened to the slaves that did not sell. Darius strolled over to the guards, so he followed. “I’m only here to buy a smith. Do you have any?” asked Darius. One of the guards shook his head.
“A group came through here not long ago. They wanted to much for it.”
“Really? What did they look like? The owners,” said Dram. “We might be interested.”
The guard stuck out his hand. Six silver described Lavinia and four men. Dram and Darius presumed they were her sons. Four silver more and they learned she had brought twenty slaves with her. Dram continued with the silver one by one until he learned all he could. Lavinia was heading to Aldeweeg. She had sold the rest of the slaves, but had kept the smith. Dram gave the man a goldpiece and told him to say nothing of their conversation. “His word is worthless,” whispered Darius as they exited the auction room. Dram spit in response.

Upstairs Dalin was happily collecting Kayla, Rose, Diedre’s weapons. They had just arrived. “Pax told you the message then?” asked Darius.
“No,” replied Kayla. “We found it on our own. It was not that difficult.” Over in the corner Rose shivered from being so close to so much metal. Darius walked over and helped her to the exit.
“Let’s talk in private. They do not have what we are looking for below,” he said. Dram had already brushed by Kayla and Diedre and was out the door. The group walked back to The Wyvern. Once upstairs, Dram insisted on washing before anything further was discussed. Darius followed suit.

 

[howandwhy99]

“Are you a believer, fine sir? No? Are you interested in becoming one? Stop! Wait! You young man. Do you know of the heavens above? What of the world that comes after this one? Madam, madam, please stop. Listen to what I have to say. You too can be a believer in the Goodly Gods above. This world is not long for us all. We need something greater than ourselves! I am here to proclaim it!”

Father Benedict stood on a crate behind The Wyvern near a row of outhouses. He desperately hoped someone among the crowd of passersby knew of the Gods. Unfortunately, though the crowd was large, not a single person stopped to listen. He did not give up, however. Every town and village he had passed through on the trip south was yet another sign of the dire need for the Gods. The number of poor and oppressed even in Kera City was unlike anything the priest had ever seen. Coupled with the ever-growing temptation of his curse and the continuing nightmares, Ben was as fervent as ever to spread the tenants of his Faith. He stepped off his crate and circled around to the front of The Wyvern. With any luck he would bump into a friend, like Darius, who might help him.

“Are you a believer? Have you seen the glory of the Gods above? Have you felt the power divine Faith can bring to your own lives?” Ben saw a beggarman standing in a sewer trench along one side of the main thoroughfare. He was dirty, bald, and babbling to himself in a tongue Ben did not understand. Confident, Ben maneuvered across the heavy traffic over to him. “Are you a believer, fine sir? My priesthood heals and cares for those who are in need.” The beggar looked up at him with wild and crazy eyes. Ben was reminded of Igor. The old man paused and his voice dropped low and ominous.

"Though swords reap on the barren heath,
And scythes upon the fruitful field.
Though fire may bloom a funeral wreath,
The quill alone may make me yield."

“That’s interesting,” said Ben. “So, you are a believer then?” The beggarman began babbling to himself once more.

“All I am saying is,” said Darius, “if we purchase slaves, I am going to free them. They can go to the Front if they choose after that.” The team was in the common room of The Wyvern. Grog could not go upstairs and they wanted his input while they made strategy. The meeting was not going as Darius had planned, however. Kayla launched into her retort.
“The greatest threat to Margrave County lies at the Front. We all agree on that. Rose is here to find whatever aid possible and to return back to the Front with it. Be that people, food, weapons, supplies, whatever. If you say strong men and women are available for a mere pittance, I say we give them their freedom and let them help save the County. That is all.”

“Most of the slaves we found below were sorted into lots,” said Darius. “Dram and I asked. If we were to purchase groups of slaves, we would have to do so in groups. That means some men, some women, and even some children. That’s not a fighting force in my mind.” He paused catching his breath. “And not all of ‘em are human either. The humans had tickets on ‘em with a number and a letter. All those of… mixed birth were set aside for some other method of sale. Or hired to sell the others before ‘em.”

“If you’re afraid of going to the Front, I understand,” said Rose who was sitting on a windowsill across the room. “But I’m sure no one from Harling would be hunting for you there, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Darius the paladin harrumphed loudly.
“I fear nothing!” he stated. Rose did not bother to point out his purpose for traveling south.
“Well then, if they have lots of half-breeds like you say, maybe they’ll hire me to work there? I don’t mind the beatings.”
Kayla arched an eyebrow at the fey. “No Rose. Lavinia saw all of us when we fought at the mushroom caves. If she returned, your life would be in her hands.” Rose tilted her head and pondered the thought.

Darius paced the room again. “Lavinia is here,” he said. “I know it. Why would she leave her horse behind instead of taking it back to Alderweg? I don’t think she would do that.”
“But after last night, she knows we are here too. And that we are searching for her,” said Kayla. Darius stopped and turned. His face was red. Slowly he began counting to himself.
“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight….” He stopped. “Where’s Father Ben?”
“Outside by the privies, I think,” said Pax. He looked out the window. “Wait, no. He is in front.” Darius opened the door and ran out into the street.
“Are you a believer, sir?!” Father Ben was standing out in the middle of the road shouting at people as they walked by.
“Damn it Ben, will you get in here!” Darius grabbed the priest by the wrist and nearly dragged him back into The Wyvern.

 

[howandwhy99]

“Wait!” pleaded Ben. “I have not eaten all day.” Darius was in no mood to listen, but another thing had caught his eye. Four down on their luck mercenaries with weapons and armor sat on a couch in the back of the common room. Grog was actually sleeping on the floor in front of them. Darius let go and walked up to them. Seizing the opportunity, Ben grabbed a plate and began piling it high with food. He looked back at Darius and saw him staring suspiciously at three men and a woman. The rest of the team was still deep in discussion in the front of the room. “Greetings friends!” Ben called over while still grabbing food. “What business brings you to Kera? Why aren’t you at the Front fighting in the war?”

“We’re hired help,” said one man.
“We just came in on a two-wagon merchant caravan we were guarding from Adlerweg,” said the woman. Ben asked what was so valuable to guard.
“Merchant Urkwith…” the woman looked at her companions with a puzzled face. “Erkwith. He did not show or speak of his goods.”
“Fine, fine, I don’t mean to pry. I am Father Ben of the Goodly Gods. Who might you be?” He tried hard to ignore Darius who was staring at the four unabashedly. Ben decided it was best to wait before asking if they were believers.
“My name is Gwenna,” said the woman. “This is Hanz, Miklesh, and Ensler.” She pointed to each of the men in turn.

Darius gazed brutally at the mercenary band. They had overheard the conversation about Lavinia and the slavepits. He knew it. He sized up each one in turn. All four were human and wore similar green cloaks. Gwynna was a young female in chain. She carried spear, sword, and dagger. Miklesh was strong and tall, if a bit older. He had dark skin, curly grey hair, and functional human platemail. He carried sword, spear, and battered shield. Hanz was slimmest and looked weak to Darius. Barely out of his youth, he had studded leather, daggers, a shortsword, and shield as well. Enser was pasty faced. Average age, average human height, chainmail, and sword. Darius noticed a bow by his side. “The brains of the group,” he thought to himself. “And all are warriors. Hmmm…” He wondered what to do. “They know their way to Adlerweg,” he thought. “Maybe they’re just the help we need.”

The rest of the team walked across the room to find out what was going on. Dalin and Dram came last. They had each wrapped leather cord around the pommel and crosspieces of their swords to hide the dwarven mark thereon. Dalin went over to ask for Darius’s and woke him from his trance. “Are there any good places to ambush people along the road to Alderweg?” Darius asked the mercenaries. Hanz flinched.
“There may be,” said Gwenna noncommittally. Darius shifted his gaze to her.
“Do you go to Adlerweg often?”
“We know the road as well as anyone,” she responded.
“Do you know who Lavinia is?” The three men shifted in their seats. Hanz stood up and moved around Grog to the food tables. Gwenna did not break eye contact.
“We know of her,” she said. “We have seen her.”
“You have had business with her?”
”Never,” spat Gwenna.
That satisfied Darius. He offered the group a job, to take them to Keep Adlerweg. Gwynna agreed and the bartering began.

Dalin tapped Darius on the shoulder. “Maybe we should move to our rooms? For some privacy?”
“Maybe we should pay off the innkeeper so he doesn’t say anything?” said Dram sarcastically.
“GOLD! I’ll take Gold!!” the innkeeper shouted jumping up from behind the counter. Darius flipped him a goldpiece, which the man promptly bit into. Ben graciously led the four mercenaries upstairs to the bedrooms. Kayla stopped Darius before he could go up. She had made plans for Rose, Diedre, and herself.
“Okay,” said Darius. “Wherever you need to go, I trust you. Just be back before nightfall. It’s too dangerous in this city.” The three women left. Darius went to continue the bartering.

 

[howandwhy99]

The sun had reached its zenith and the heat of the day had thinned the crowds outside. Diedre, Rose, and Kayla headed up the main road towards the heart of the city. They were looking for the Earl’s palace, but lavish estates seemed to flourish around the center of town. All had high stone walls and guards at their gates. After a couple of hours of searching, and asking total strangers for directions, they finally found the estate of the Earl. Two guards stood outside the entrance. “We’ve come to speak with the Earl,” said Kayla. The guards looked at each other. Both held out their palms. Kayla thought to herself, “if there ever was a common greeting in this city, this is it.” She tossed a goldpiece to the ground between them. Both dove forward for it doing no little injury to themselves.

Inside the palace a long hall stretched down to two large wooden doors. They were open. Paintings and cloth drapery of great value decorated he hall. Through the double doors was a much larger room with a raised throne and several pillars. Every surface was richly adorned. On the throne sat a small man with sharp features. Several other men stood around him of varying size and dress. The Earl was in conversation, but stopped when the three women entered. “Ah ha! A Fey! In the city no less! And your friends?” Kayla, Diedre, and Rose approached. At the foot of the steps Rose bowed and kneeled.
“I come from the Front. There is great trouble and I have been sent back to appeal for aid from any who might give it. The armies are in desperate need. Our forces require soldiers, and weapons, and any supplies you can offer. Whatever you can send will help greatly. But soldiers and weapons are in direst need. I beseech thee. Please help however you can.” She paused. “I bring a letter from the elven forces.”

Taking a slim, folded parchment from inside her clothing Rose handed it to a servant who in turn gave it to the Earl. He read the note slowly. “It is as I feared. You may take some from me. Stand.” Rose stood up and approached the Earl at his signal. “Go to the armory and quartermaster,” he continued. As Rose stared at the little man his face changed peculiarly. It seemed to stretch towards her and then shrink back again. “Ask the quartermaster for a fully stocked wagon of weapons.” The Earl’s face elongated again. His eyes turned red and then back to black. His face returned to normal. The change reminded Rose of a rat’s face. “And ask him for a stone. He will know what I mean.”

When he had finished, the Earl dismissed them. Another servant led the three out a side door, down several hallways and into a large, high ceilinged, storage room. Rose relayed the message to the man in charge there. “Interesting,” said the quartermaster. “Here. Take this.” He handed Rose a strange yellow stone with circle markings spiraling inside to its center. As Rose held it the stone flashed with light. Everyone averted their eyes except Rose who stared hypnotically into the stone. She saw it spiral out elongating to a point a hair from her face. Then the stone shifted back to its spherical shape and the light subsided. Rose was still a little dazed.
“It will tell those at Adlerweg you are in the Earl’s employ,” said the quartermaster.

Two large doors slid open on the other side of the room. Sunshine streamed through the opening. Then a very large wagon with circle slats around its bed – a wagon without a cover – was driven inside. Four strong horses pulled it into the room. Inside its bed were four long wooden crates. The quartermaster brought Rose and her friends to the back and had the covers pulled off. Rose backed away. One crate held swords, another spears, the third axes, and the fourth bows. “We will reseal them for your journey,” said the quartermaster.
“My journey?” exclaimed Rose. Collecting herself she nodded. “Thank you.” The three women climbed aboard the front of the wagon and Diedre drove the team of horses out of the estate and back to The Wyvern.

“Okay. 23 silver per day for each of us,” said Gwenna. Dram was enjoying the bartering process.
“Are you really worth it?” he said.

Hanz looked over to Gwenna. “We don’t have horses though…” Gwenna groaned.
“19 silver and horses. That’s our offer,” said Darius. Gwenna carefully controlled her face. Four horses cost quite a bit. She suspected the dwarf would not be willing to let her keep them, but she shouted, “DONE” before he could take back his offer. The bartering had took its time and toll. Darius stepped out of the room for a breather. When Ben escorted their four new mercenaries to the common room to wait for further instructions, he noticed Darius standing down the hall. Alone, he came back upstairs and went over to his side.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Darius was in a state of deep concentration. “You know they will want to keep those horses you offered?” Darius looked up at Ben. While bartering the mercenaries had told Darius they would go all the way to the Dwarven Kingdoms, but were wary of traveling to the Front. The four had not even been over the mountains before.
“I can feel it, Ben. It is close, very close…. Perhaps I should head out on my own.”
“I understand,” replied Ben. “I’ve had those dreams too. You should have told me before.” Darius shook his head. It was not what he meant.
“It’s not dreams. I’m talking about my mount. It is close. Perhaps even as close as the mountains by Adlerweg. Only… I feel it is constrained. Something’s wrong. I should leave.” Understanding finally dawned on Ben’s face. He changed his tone trying to sound wiser than he felt.
“All things are in the same direction. Tankurd is in town. Or possibly at Adlerweg. The keep is in the mountain pass to the East as Gwenna has said. Now your mount is too. We will find it soon. Lavinia cannot hide forever.”

 

[howandwhy99]

“Whoaha!” shouted Diedre. The horse team came to a stop outside of The Wyvern. The pedestrians who had been jumping out of the way grumbled loudly. Rose was learning several new gestures. Grog came outside and started hollering in amazement. His whooping alerted the rest of the team who came outside as well.
”Who’d you steal this from?” asked Dram. Kayla pointed to Rose and proudly explained how the Earl of Kera had given her the wagon free and clear. “Plus huge crates in back with weapons to go to the Front.”
Dalin shook his head in amazement.“Unbelievable! He just gave it too you? This is great! Rose you have to come dicing with me tonight. You’re the luckiest person I know!” Rose had a big grin on her face displaying all her fangs. Then she spotted Dram walking around the back of the wagon.
“Dram! Get away. Shoo. These aren’t for you. The weapons are all for the war effort.”

Darius came outside after everyone else. Kayla and Rose repeated the story at length to him. Rose stepped forward and put the spiralstone in his hand, but it stuck to her palm as she drew it back. “That’s strange,” said Darius. He went over and gave it a tug. It was stuck hard. Rose set the stone down in the street. Darius bent down to pick it up, but before he could Rose dove out over the stone preventing him. “Pax. Come over here and hold Rose for a second.” They tried again. Pax picked up Rose and moved her a few feet away. Darius bent down and picked up the spiralstone. As he did so, Rose screamed out in pain. Her little body rattled and convulsed until she passed out. Ben ran over to her. Even unconscious her body kept writhing in Pax’s Herculean arms.
“She’s gravely injured,” said Ben. Darius placed the stone back on her palm where it stuck. Then he called upon Thor’s might. Healing energy passed from his body into Rose’s. She stopped convulsing, but the damage would need time to heal. Ben and Pax brought her upstairs and put her on the floor in the bedroom.

“Well… that was a bad idea,” said Dalin. Darius stood stoically looking over the wagon Rose had won them. Kayla and Diedre climbed aboard again.
“We’ll store it in the stables until we leave” said Kayla. “I think the crates are too large for anyone to steal without a lot of help, but we should assign Ormond some company on watch tonight regardless.” Darius agreed. The rest of the team clambered into the back and Diedre drove the massive wagon into the stables. Ormond was napping up in the hayloft, but woke and ran down when he heard the massive wagon enter. It had been slow all day. Other than the stableboys, each of whom he knew by name now, no one had even come close to the team’s horses.

Darius paid the stablehands to care and feed the four horses and to store the wagon. Ben arrived a minute later. “Rose will be okay. Pax is staying with her as he watches the rooms. Grog’s with the mercenaries.”
“What do we do now?” asked Dram. Kayla and Diedre left saying they were going back to check on Rose and to study. The other six moved over to an empty horse stall to discuss plans in private with Ormand.
“Well, the slavepits were a dead end,” Darius whispered. No one laughed at the joke. “Hold on! I’ve got an idea. Don’t go anywhere.” The dwarf ran out of the stables and back to the inn. He came back with Rose’s cloak in hand.
“Ohhhh no! I’m not going into any sewer,” said Dram.

Darius told them his plan. They would recreate the scene from last night. With any luck, they might be able to learn what happened to the blue man. Leaving Ormond in the stables again, the team retraced their steps from the chase the night before. Eventually they found the sewer hole. “When I looked in the hole last night all I could see was sewage,” explained Darius. “But Kayla said the cloak was used for magic, even if it was not magic itself. So let’s test it.” Shaking the cloak out he placed it over the hole. It promptly changed into a circular shape and disappeared. The hole’s width had increased commensurably. “What’ya see?” asked Dram. Darius shook his head.
“It’s not normal. I can’t see anything.” To their surprise, Darius stood up and jumped in.