ahayford
First Post
The Cardinal pulls a barstool over to your table while he absentmindedly cleans a few pieces of glassware and listens to Val’s description of their trip intently.
Well, Wilbur is welcome to stay on, but I expect him to pull his weight. He doesn’t look particularly built to handle stock, but I’m sure he can find his way around a dish rag. Nia is welcome to stay as well. She can help your mother in the kitchen, work the stockroom, help the stable boy, or work as a server....whatever suits her disposition. They’ll get room and board, but thats about all I can afford for help right now. After the rainy season, we might be able to talk again.
As for the Monkey, I’m glad you had a chance to meet Orin. His family used to stay here when they had business in the city. Was always a good kid back then. A bit naive maybe, but a good kid.
And you are right about Garthun. That dwarf is a right bastard. I originally tried to get the ale imported through his channels, but his markup was beyond exorbitant. I’ve also heard things...Best not repeated. Avoid him as much as you can. I’m sorry you had to make an enemy of him.
The Cardinal turns to answer Nia's question.
Well now...Nia was it? Since you are new here in Cauldron, I’m not all that surprised that you don’t know the legends of Surabar. Most Cauldron children could tell you the fantastical version by heart, they hear it so often. When the flood festival began 30 odd years ago, the city council thought it was important that the story of Surabar’s legacy be a big part of the festivities. The story the street performers and children like to tell is one of adventure and heroism. I have a feeling the true story is significantly more mundane.
The Cardinal perks up.
You guys want to hear it? I’ve been meening to practice for the kids.
He clears his throat and starts speaking without waiting for a response. He picks up a new mug to clean while he speaks, almost subconsciously.
Centuries ago, before the great city of Cauldron existed, the great exploration ships arrived from Cheliax to find an untamed wilderness teemed with riches. Exotic fruits, rich hardwoods, and untapped mineral wealth filled the great galleons that returned to Cheliax. Along with the holds full of treasure, the ships brought back tales of a tropical paradise where a freeman could earn his fortune. It wasn’t long before the empire founded the first permanent settlement on the island, Sasserine. The city grew as fortune seekers, religious exiles, and those just seeking a life far from the restrictions of civilization came to the Isle of Phara in droves.
As Sasserine grew and became a civilized city in its own right, the colonists began moving inland. Villages would pop up overnight, and just as suddenly, disapeer. Survivors would crawl back to Sasserine, telling tales of creatures attacking the homesteads in the night, slaughtering everything living. The fledgling city could muster an investigation, so little was done. Expeditions heading inland were warned, but more often then not, dismissed the warnings as silly superstition.
This has been going on for several years, when Sasserine commissioned a new lighthouse. Surabar was a relatively new arrival to the island. He had been blessed with the gift of magic, but his true love was architecture. He had come to help build Sasserine because he wanted the opportunity to help mold and shape a city in its earliest days. He was quite skilled, using a combination of magic and engineering to build beautiful and functional structures. He outshined his peers and was quickly selected to build the lighthouse. While working on the structure, Surabar fell from a great height and struck his head.
For weeks, he lay feverish and unconscious in bed. When he awoke, he claimed to have been visited by an Angel of Saranrae, the Dawnflower. The angel warned Surabar of the demons who lurked in the jungle, and consigned Surabar to root out and destory the creatures, lest their lust for destruction cost the lives of any more innocents. He was to bring a point of light to the demons’ doorstep, a bastion of civilization in the heart of darkness.
Surabar abandoned his projects in Sasserine and engaged in his new task with zeal. His passion and brilliance quickly earned him a following with the idealists and adventurous. His promise to create a foothold at the center of the island earned him the backing of the Cheliax empire and the merchants eager to crack open more of the islands riches.
Five years later, Surabar left Sasserine with an expedition in the tens of thousands. His force consisted not only of soldiers, but builders and farmers. Surabar led the first crusade against the demonic hordes with ferver. He made great strides against the beasts, clearing the jungles and making them safe for colonists to move inland. Surabar’s efforts also endeared him your people Nia, who had lived in fear of the demons for generations. The native warriors and shamans further swelled the ranks of Surabar’s army.
Surabar ordered the construction of Redgorge in the shadow of the great volcano we now call home. Things seemed good for a time. Discovery of several profitable mines in the mountains led to a population explosion as even more settlers arrived at the budding boomtown. Many thought the demons had been destroyed or given up. Surabar continued to make plans for the cities defense, convinced, despite the assurances of his lieutenants, that the threat had not passed.
Surabar’s quick victories did indeed provedto be short lived. The demons stopped appearing in only small numbers but began appearing vast hordes. Surabar’s army clashed with the foe and this time, was forced to retreat. His forces were taking huge loses, and Surabar left his army to seek out something that would help him turn the tide. When he returned, he held a blade gifted to him by the angel of Saranrae. Surabar’s power was also stronger then before, and his demeanor became much more focused and aloof.
Surabar used his new found magic to erect great basalt walls around Redforge, while his army retreated to its protection. The city was evacuated, Surabar leading the people to this very spot. The army fell back to the natural walls of the caldera after the basalt ramparts were breached. From high attop the dormant volcanoe, Surabar and his remaining troops rained death down upon the advancing horde. Still, they climbed up the mountain, inching ever closer, crawling over the dead bodies of the demons that fell before them.
Finally, the demonic chieftan reached the top of the caldera and engaged Surabar in single combat. They fought for hours, neither giving ground to the other. Eventually, Surabar severly wounded the beast, forcing his retreat, but the demon left Surabar a parting gift. Before disappearing in a portal of flame, Nabthatoron’s claws slashed Surabar across the chest leaving a wicked gash. The wound refused to heal, despite the prayers of priests and the spells of magi. Even though he was victorious, Surabar was never really the same. In his weakened state, he removed himself from the public eye.
In the last days of his life, Surabar helped establish the cauldron. What little magic he had left, he used to build many of Cauldron’s great works. Allowing himself to indulge in his first love, as well as giving one final gift to the people he had saved. He lived the rest of his life in isolation, before simply vanishing one day.
The Cardinal smiles.
Well....what did you think? Better then those silly street performers right? I need to keep this place packed during the festival. The more, the better!
But, I think I’ve talked your ears off, so I’ll head down to finish tallying stock.
He stands up to go, but then turns back to the table, pulling a few slips of paper from his smock.
Oh, I almost forgot. I have a few errands I need run before it gets dark. When you are all finished here, could you please take care of these for me.
5 pounds black tea - Old Lady Ciala’s Stall - Market.
1 pound black pepper - Weer’s Elixirs.
1 cast iron stew pot - Lathenmire Smithy.
Return “So, you want to feed a hero?” to the Academy.
You may need to split up to get them done before dark. I’ll have mother get your rooms ready when you get back.
Well, Wilbur is welcome to stay on, but I expect him to pull his weight. He doesn’t look particularly built to handle stock, but I’m sure he can find his way around a dish rag. Nia is welcome to stay as well. She can help your mother in the kitchen, work the stockroom, help the stable boy, or work as a server....whatever suits her disposition. They’ll get room and board, but thats about all I can afford for help right now. After the rainy season, we might be able to talk again.
As for the Monkey, I’m glad you had a chance to meet Orin. His family used to stay here when they had business in the city. Was always a good kid back then. A bit naive maybe, but a good kid.
And you are right about Garthun. That dwarf is a right bastard. I originally tried to get the ale imported through his channels, but his markup was beyond exorbitant. I’ve also heard things...Best not repeated. Avoid him as much as you can. I’m sorry you had to make an enemy of him.
The Cardinal turns to answer Nia's question.
Well now...Nia was it? Since you are new here in Cauldron, I’m not all that surprised that you don’t know the legends of Surabar. Most Cauldron children could tell you the fantastical version by heart, they hear it so often. When the flood festival began 30 odd years ago, the city council thought it was important that the story of Surabar’s legacy be a big part of the festivities. The story the street performers and children like to tell is one of adventure and heroism. I have a feeling the true story is significantly more mundane.
The Cardinal perks up.
You guys want to hear it? I’ve been meening to practice for the kids.
He clears his throat and starts speaking without waiting for a response. He picks up a new mug to clean while he speaks, almost subconsciously.
Centuries ago, before the great city of Cauldron existed, the great exploration ships arrived from Cheliax to find an untamed wilderness teemed with riches. Exotic fruits, rich hardwoods, and untapped mineral wealth filled the great galleons that returned to Cheliax. Along with the holds full of treasure, the ships brought back tales of a tropical paradise where a freeman could earn his fortune. It wasn’t long before the empire founded the first permanent settlement on the island, Sasserine. The city grew as fortune seekers, religious exiles, and those just seeking a life far from the restrictions of civilization came to the Isle of Phara in droves.
As Sasserine grew and became a civilized city in its own right, the colonists began moving inland. Villages would pop up overnight, and just as suddenly, disapeer. Survivors would crawl back to Sasserine, telling tales of creatures attacking the homesteads in the night, slaughtering everything living. The fledgling city could muster an investigation, so little was done. Expeditions heading inland were warned, but more often then not, dismissed the warnings as silly superstition.
This has been going on for several years, when Sasserine commissioned a new lighthouse. Surabar was a relatively new arrival to the island. He had been blessed with the gift of magic, but his true love was architecture. He had come to help build Sasserine because he wanted the opportunity to help mold and shape a city in its earliest days. He was quite skilled, using a combination of magic and engineering to build beautiful and functional structures. He outshined his peers and was quickly selected to build the lighthouse. While working on the structure, Surabar fell from a great height and struck his head.
For weeks, he lay feverish and unconscious in bed. When he awoke, he claimed to have been visited by an Angel of Saranrae, the Dawnflower. The angel warned Surabar of the demons who lurked in the jungle, and consigned Surabar to root out and destory the creatures, lest their lust for destruction cost the lives of any more innocents. He was to bring a point of light to the demons’ doorstep, a bastion of civilization in the heart of darkness.
Surabar abandoned his projects in Sasserine and engaged in his new task with zeal. His passion and brilliance quickly earned him a following with the idealists and adventurous. His promise to create a foothold at the center of the island earned him the backing of the Cheliax empire and the merchants eager to crack open more of the islands riches.
Five years later, Surabar left Sasserine with an expedition in the tens of thousands. His force consisted not only of soldiers, but builders and farmers. Surabar led the first crusade against the demonic hordes with ferver. He made great strides against the beasts, clearing the jungles and making them safe for colonists to move inland. Surabar’s efforts also endeared him your people Nia, who had lived in fear of the demons for generations. The native warriors and shamans further swelled the ranks of Surabar’s army.
Surabar ordered the construction of Redgorge in the shadow of the great volcano we now call home. Things seemed good for a time. Discovery of several profitable mines in the mountains led to a population explosion as even more settlers arrived at the budding boomtown. Many thought the demons had been destroyed or given up. Surabar continued to make plans for the cities defense, convinced, despite the assurances of his lieutenants, that the threat had not passed.
Surabar’s quick victories did indeed provedto be short lived. The demons stopped appearing in only small numbers but began appearing vast hordes. Surabar’s army clashed with the foe and this time, was forced to retreat. His forces were taking huge loses, and Surabar left his army to seek out something that would help him turn the tide. When he returned, he held a blade gifted to him by the angel of Saranrae. Surabar’s power was also stronger then before, and his demeanor became much more focused and aloof.
Surabar used his new found magic to erect great basalt walls around Redforge, while his army retreated to its protection. The city was evacuated, Surabar leading the people to this very spot. The army fell back to the natural walls of the caldera after the basalt ramparts were breached. From high attop the dormant volcanoe, Surabar and his remaining troops rained death down upon the advancing horde. Still, they climbed up the mountain, inching ever closer, crawling over the dead bodies of the demons that fell before them.
Finally, the demonic chieftan reached the top of the caldera and engaged Surabar in single combat. They fought for hours, neither giving ground to the other. Eventually, Surabar severly wounded the beast, forcing his retreat, but the demon left Surabar a parting gift. Before disappearing in a portal of flame, Nabthatoron’s claws slashed Surabar across the chest leaving a wicked gash. The wound refused to heal, despite the prayers of priests and the spells of magi. Even though he was victorious, Surabar was never really the same. In his weakened state, he removed himself from the public eye.
In the last days of his life, Surabar helped establish the cauldron. What little magic he had left, he used to build many of Cauldron’s great works. Allowing himself to indulge in his first love, as well as giving one final gift to the people he had saved. He lived the rest of his life in isolation, before simply vanishing one day.
The Cardinal smiles.
Well....what did you think? Better then those silly street performers right? I need to keep this place packed during the festival. The more, the better!
But, I think I’ve talked your ears off, so I’ll head down to finish tallying stock.
He stands up to go, but then turns back to the table, pulling a few slips of paper from his smock.
Oh, I almost forgot. I have a few errands I need run before it gets dark. When you are all finished here, could you please take care of these for me.
5 pounds black tea - Old Lady Ciala’s Stall - Market.
1 pound black pepper - Weer’s Elixirs.
1 cast iron stew pot - Lathenmire Smithy.
Return “So, you want to feed a hero?” to the Academy.
You may need to split up to get them done before dark. I’ll have mother get your rooms ready when you get back.
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