[AU] Siege on Ebonring Keep - Part 2

"These Brothers of Shadow, can you tell us more about them? Will they get in our way at all? and is Shaddeck affiliated with them anymore?" Ys-Korros asks, trying to gather as much information as he can before setting off.
 

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Iriana gives the giant's question a bit of thought before answering.

"Honestly, I don't know that much about the inner workings of the Brotherhood," she says. "Outwardly, they are a mixed bag of individuals who follow their own agendas and are even at odds with one another on occasion. To the best of my understanding, they are just a loose-knit organization of moderately powerful or influential people who agree to help each other out on occasion in return for similar favors.

"There may be more to it than that, but if so they keep a tight lid on it. I don't expect they will work to stop you. In fact, if you have to go into Kisthmetch, they are forbidden to interfere - for that is the test for proving one's worthiness to join them."

*****

Early the following morning, Iriana meets the group in the courtyard's camp. The quartermaster and horsemaster are on hand to see that they are properly equipped with horses, gear, and provisions. The horsemaster seems unhappy with the arrangements, but he remains silent. Three horses are provided - one each for the giant brothers and one for Danwyn. Pyior is expected to ride double due to his size.

Iriana gathers the group around and opens a small wooden chest. Within is a leather sack, a blue polished stone the size of a finger, four stoppered vials of liquid, and a wand fashioned from the horn of some beast.

"Your advance payment is in the sack - three hundred gold each," she says. "I don't have many magic items I can spare, but here are a few that might help you a bit. This is an oil that magically enhances a weapon for a short time. These two are quick healing potions, and this one gives the drinker the gift of a wolf's nose. This wand compels the target to answer a question with a single word reply. The activation word is inscribed on the wand and it should have about sixteen charges left."

(ooc - Detonation of Charm, Oil of Magic Weapon, 2 potions of Lesser Battle Healing, 1 potion of Scent Tracker, Wand: Lesser Compelling Question - 16 charges. Please decide how the treasure will be split, ask any last questions for Iriana, and then we'll press on.)
 

Ys-Korros offers to carry the oil and one of the potions but suggests that the coin be split now as some may not wish to continue with us.

"Thank you very much. We will win this ring for you, and for the stability of the entire region." Ys-Korros says as Iriana hands them the items.
 

OOC: What's the detonation of charm? I don't think that was explained. Anyway, Pyior offers to carry the wand of lesser compelling question. I would suggest the potions of battle healing be carried by Danwyn and Ys-Korros (Ys-Baddaden has healing and Pyior shouldn't be on the front lines). Potion of Scent Tracker to Ys-Baddaden?
 

"Sounds good to me." Danwyn replies, while climbing on his mount. Turning to Iriana, "my thanks again milady. We will do our best to repay your trust."
 

Cordo said:
OOC: What's the detonation of charm? I don't think that was explained.

ooc - Oh, sorry. They're items from the Diamond Throne setting book. Basically, they're single-use items that can be used by anyone. The item (in this case a small polished stone) is hurled at the intended target. If it hits, the spell is triggered normally.

Looks like we might get Aurial back after all. I have a few more bits to prep this weekend, then we'll be underway. Apologies for being a bit slow the last couple weeks.
 


Iriana Provides a crude map to the group indicating how to find Sharden and Kisthmetch. "I would suggest that you skirt the Floating Forest while you travel north. The plains are primarily litorian lands and I don't expect they will hassle you too much. There may be some rhodan tribes out there as well, so be careful."

As the group sets out, Pyior wonders idly if they might cross paths again with Khajom. His old litorian friend had parted ways only a couple days earlier in the company of the human akashic to deal with a rising cult in the town of Grenveld.

The first day passes quietly, warm with only a few spotty clouds dotting the deep blue sky. A steady breeze blows the thigh-high grasses in waves. No creatures aside from a few birds, deer, and rabbits are seen.

In the late afternoon of the second day, the group is startled when a half dozen litorians pop up out of the deep grasses some twenty paces ahead. They are armed with javelins, swords, and spears, and all wear cured hide armor.

"Halt," one of them calls out in a heavily accented Common. "State your reason for trespassing on Trythium lands."

"Weapon runners for the rhodin vermin, no doubt," another says, spitting in the grass. A couple of the others chuckle at this. Many of the litorians look like they're spoiling for an excuse to fight.
 


As none of his companions step forth to speak, Pyior reluctantly steps forth and says, "I am Pyior, friend of Khajom of your people. We are travelling to the town of Sharden on an errand for Iriana Truthspeaker, who recently won the Ebonring Keep from the rhodin. Our apologies for trespassing on your lands."
 

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