(Casual D&D IV) A Knight for a Pawn

[Guilt Puppy]

"For a knight of our order to fall would be a rare thing indeed," Cariel responds, "and a great triumph for the forces of evil. But yes, it can happen, and if it did, it could indeed happen in secret... It is said..."

Cariel trails off uncharacteristically, brought to a pause to reorder his thoughts.

"When a great soul turns, it is a significant change in the order of things, and the ramifications can be vast, far-reaching. But not necessarily something that can be attributed to an individual: That would require magic, divinations of a rather direct variety, which would only be cast in the presence of other suspicion. Now, with Thedoric departed from this world, such options are limited..."

"Tell me," Cariel concludes, "do you know when it was, how long ago, that Thedoric's fall is supposed to have occurred?"

 

[dpdx]

Fendric recovers from the shock of Yattro's return message long enough to catch the tail-end of Cariel's question.

"Pardon me, good Sir - how long ago? I'm afraid our Sir Exantrius was rather vague as to when Thedoric committed this, as he put it, 'great act of Betrayal': he merely said he had been on Thedoric's trail for months, and that Thedoric was responsible for the bloodshed in nations south of here. I apologize that I cannot be more precise, or accurate.

If you'll please now excuse me, I have an urgent message to deliver."

Fendric once again prepares his spell...

To Aesop Rhandoril of the Jury of Sages in Eivanrach...

(Yattro reports armies other side of pass from Eivanrach. Thedoric sent ahead to 'sow discord'. Ignore letter - enlist aid from all residents, neighboring towns. Prepare!)

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Aesop's response comes shortly:

Will disregard letter, and will advise Jury and city officials accordingly. Would like to meet to discuss reasons if you have opportunity. Best of luck.

 

[dpdx]

Fendric finally walks back over to the group.

"Eivanrach is preparing for battle; Father Yattro says he has spied mercenary encampments along the mountain pass road leading there from his station.

That may mean that Hedrogura has completely fallen..."

He can't finish. A tear escapes his eye, and after wiping it with his tunic sleeve, he trudges back to his horse.

 

[Festy_Dog]

A look of concern crosses Nurthk's face as he wrestles with the thought of the enemy military's progress.

"Sir Cariel, this question may seem somewhat blunt but I am not one to dance around the point I want to make. At any point within your Order's history has there been any particularly severe acts of betrayal?" he asks, searching for clues.

 

[dpdx]

As Nurthk asks the question, Hiritus consoles Fendric.

"Hedrogura may not be completely lost, Fendric. Your Temple could still be holding out, and if I were this commander, I'd send troops ahead once the city was at least subdued."

Fendric considers this a moment, and as he gets back upon his horse, appears to consider this a valid point.

"I suppose I should at least give my Brothers the benefit of the doubt, as they say. Hope is always better, our Temple teaches us, and even so, I was not fully aware of all the passageways within our Temple that could be used to hide from the brigands."

Once atop Vespers, Fendric surveys the rest of his group, and prepares to resume the journey when they do. Thinking for a moment of the holiday he just celebrated, Fendric offers a prayer to Pelor for Hedrogura's less savory characters, hoping they can organize in the shadows enough for history to repeat itself.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Sir Cariel nods at Nurthk's question.

"The Knight Ithildon, very long ago, was one of our most renowned champions. But, for reasons unknown, he turned from the light and pledged his fealty to the Vecna, trading away his very life for undeath. It was in this act of betrayal that Lich King found the unholy power to ascend to godhood, or so at least it is understood. Ithildon was thenceforth known as Kas, and his failed struggles for redemption are legendary."

(Hope no ones minds me taking liberties with the imported canon... and of course, you can all feel free to do the same.)

...

Cariel rests with you for the night; you find a nice spot to camp near the road, overlooking the bay. In the morning, he is up early with the mists, retiring to his own prayers as you go about your own routines. When you reassemble, he stands to address the group.

"I have contacted my kin, and none are aware of any other passings in the Order. As for the timing, the knight to whom the dove flew has confirmed that the time matches well with the passing of the man you knew as Exantrius. I have informed them of Thedoric's suspected betrayal, and you can be assured that they will be investigating it where they can. I, myself, have matters to return to on Trathor Rock, off the coast of Onwile, which are seeming to be an ever-greater cause for concern... We should be reaching Feather Cove shortly; I'll stay with you at least that far, and if you see no need to stop, then as far as Onwile."

The fog has not lifted by the time you reach Feather Cove, blanketing the entire city in a hollow grey. The streets and structures are old, bricks rounded by years of weather, but the inhabitants are strikingly friendly: It is a merchant town, clearly, but it equally clear that it is a home to people, to families, even moreso. Wreaths and bouquets adorn lamps and windows, evidence of a festival recently past or soon to come, or, perhaps, still ongoing.

 

[doghead]

Xiao Yu, male human monk

Xiao gets the distinct impression that these are interesting time he has found himself in. But there are too many new names for him to follow what exactly is happening. Still he listens carefully, trying to understand what he can.

Up ahead Xiao sees the lights of the town emerge from the fog, and for the moment the complex problems of the rest of this place are forgotten.

The town, like so many of the others, is both familier and different and Xiao, once again, has to concentrate on not getting distracted, and lost.

 

[dpdx]

Fendric arises refreshed the next morning, and is finished with his morning routine in time to hear Sir Cariel speak about the matter he must attend to. "Pray tell, Sir Cariel, your business at Trathor Rock, if you may. Should we also be concerned?"

Hiritus, for his part, is also ready, but listening only to the others. Smiling, he helps Oliver and Tatlock prepare to move on. Once moving, he keeps an eye on Xiao to make sure the monk is not overwhelmed.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Cariel nods softly. "Perhaps you should -- as a Brother of the Light, at the very least."

He looks forward down the road, dressing his horse.

"There has been a certain unexplained increase in the potency of necromantic magics, dating back for at least a year... Numerous reports have surfaced describing strange, undocumented forms of undead. Those practitioners of such magic who have been willing to speak with me have universally reported that their castings have had unanticipated results, beyond their intent, and beyond their control."

"I have been accepted as a guest to the estate of Sage Alvor Gadry, an expert in the school of necromancy. I hope to learn more from him as to the nature of this change, and also to discuss what appropriate responses there might be to address our mutual concerns."