Halt! In the name of the Law!
Before leaving The Blue Gorgon, Jared paused long enough to magically inspect the small box in their possession. The lieutenant immediately noted a strong aura of abjuration overlaying it. Not taking any changes he dispelled the magic and then opened the box to see what it contained. Inisde, an oval, palm-sized amulet made of tarnished silver lay upon a blood-red silk handkerchief. Indecipherable runes ran along the outer edge of the amulet. Jared didn’t need a detect magic to feel the evil radiating from the box. Grimacing, the priest closed the box and the three friends made their way out.
---
Morning prayers were about to begin when Kellron, Aerseleth, Jared, and Jallarzi entered Sword House, temple to Sarath. They were tired but hopefully they had what they wanted.
Jared immediately motioned over an acolyate and then bid the young man to inform Colonel Megara that he and Kellron were back. The dutiful acolyte saluted and hurried off. The acolyte had not even crossed the temple floor when Kestral, still disguised as Semina, slipped into the temple and joined her friends.
A few minutes later they were all ushered into Colonel Megara’s office. She had assigned one of her captains to conduct the morning prayers while she met with Jared and Kellron. The colonel looked askance at ‘Semina’ but was mollified (if not particularly happy) that it was Kestral in a magical disguise.
Kellron and Jared quickly related the previous night’s happenings. If the good Colonel was unhappy about Kestral’s ability to magically disguise herself, she was even less happy about the news of a devil running loose in the city at someone’s behest. That would have to be taken care of.
The neutralization of the creature would have to happen later though, after she had Kellron and Jared investigate to find out who had summoned the beast. Before she gave them that task she needed to make sure they were well rested from being up all night. First they would see what the night’s labor had bought them.
Colonel Megara invited the friends to pray with her; Jallarzi and Kestral demurred but the others accepted. Instead Jallarzi pulled out her spellbook and leafed through various spells with Sarah, her familiar lying next to her. Kestral occupied herself by leafing through Megara’s personal library.
An hour later they were all gathered in the private chapel reserved for the colonel and the absent General Vorun. Jared described the aura of strong abjuration he had originally found on the box. Colonel Megara commended him on his foresight and then proceeded to cast her own spells.
Detect evil, true seeing, and detect magic were quickly cast and used to view the box and then the amulet inside. The amulet radiated a palpable aura of evil, stronger than anything any of them had seen before. Unsurprisingly, it was also radiating an aura of necromantic magic. Colonel Megara related that there was indeed a spell capable of capturing a soul that fit the aura’s she saw, though she had never actually seen it. Jallarzi was also able to confirm that she had heard of the spell from her studies.
Unfortunately, there were certainly many other spells that could be both evil and necromantic in nature. Because of this the good colonel fortified herself with prayers of protection from evil, resistance, bear’s endurance, and owl’s wisdom before she reached in and actually grasped the amulet.
“A soul shackle*.” Whispered Megara, horrified. She knew that Ashimar’s soul was bound inside the tarnished silver amulet the moment she touched it. She drew in a quick breath and raised the amulet up before them. “Appear and speak!” She ordered.
They all felt a collective shiver go up their spines and Kellron and Jared thought they heard a wail. Then the shade of Ashimar appeared just two feet in front of Colonel Megara. He looked exactly as the others remembered on the day he died; with the mithril chain shirt that he wore as armor, and the familiar rapier at his side. His death wound from the club of the cave giant was not immediately apparent.
Ashimar’s eyes were at first haunted, but as he took in the surroundings, his shade took on a sharper, almost brighter, cast; hope had returned. “Colonel Megara? How did you find me?”
Beka Megara held up the charm and pointed to Kellron and Jared. “Your friends did. Tell us what happened.”
Ashimar looked ashamed. “A mage I’ve never seen before captured my spirit. He asked questions about me and the book I stole from that sorceror. Sometime later I must have been given to Grandal Deverex, for he has questioned me almost daily about my friends for the last several weeks. I’ve had no choice but to answer. I’ve tried to not speak but the magic forces me to.” The shade seemed to dim at the last, ashamed of its betrayal.”
Colonel Megara’s face was nearly as grim as Jared’s and Kellron’s. “Rest now.” She commanded. “We’ll set this aright. The Order promises it.”
Ashimar saluted and then audibly sighed as he faded away back to the restless oblivion of the amulet.
Jared was already rummaging through his pack before Ashimar’s spirit was completely gone. “Will a prayer of break enchantment work he asked, pulling out one of the many scrolls they had captured in the night below.
“It should.” answered Jallarzi. “There’s no guarantee, but if we’re lucky you’ll have slightly better than even odds.”
Jared nodded and unfurled the scroll while Colonel Megara brought it closer. The lieutenant and priest carefully read the scroll out loud, enunciating each syllable carefully. The power built itself about him until he could almost feel it like the static just before the stroke of a lightning bolt. Judging it was at its peak, Jared released the energy of the prayer against the amulet, trying to shatter the spell.
It was for naught. The abjuration broke against the power of the amulet and drained away without effect.
Jared swore mildly. He hadn’t been certain it was going to work first time anyway if the best he could have hoped for was a 50-50 chance.
Before anyone could speak further, there was a knock at the chapel door.
“Enter.” Commanded the colonel.
An acolyte stuck his head in the door. “Your pardon colonel, but there are several men from the City Watch here as well as a wizard from the Library. They say they are here to arrest Field Captain Kellron, Lieutenant Jared, and the Journey-Mage Jallarzi.”
No one spoke for a long moment and everyone looked confused.
“I think,” spoke the colonel, “that we should find out what this is all about.” She said to no one in particular. “Thank you, I’ll go meet them myself, we just have to put some things away.”
The acolyte saluted and waited by the door. He was just as glad that he wasn’t required to go tell the Library wizard that she had to wait.
---
In her white Library robes and ceremonial staff, Master Wymeah was easy to pick out against the gray stone of the main chapel of Sword House. Colonel Megara led Jared, Kellron, Jallarzi, Aerseleth, and Kestral (still disguised as Semina) straight to the woman.
It took a moment to realize that the score of other men and women standing around were actual members of the City Watch. All of watchmen looked very tense as the six people approached them, most of them with their hands already on their weapons.
Colonel Megara approached Master Wymeah as the obvious leader. “I’m Colonel Megara. I’m told that you’re here to arrest some of my men?”
Master Wymeah bowed. “Good morning Colonel. I am Master Wymeah of the Library at Corlean.” She reached into a pocket and pulled out a scroll, which she then handed to the Colonel.
Megara took the scroll and started to read it while the Library master continued to speak.
“The City Watch has asked that I assist them in this arrest as a member of my own Library is involved.” With that, Master Wymeah turned directly to Jallarzi and spoke.
“Journey-mage Jallarzi, you and your companions, specifically that gentleman” she said, point at Kellron, “and that one” pointing at Jared, “are accused of many crimes. The most serious of which include assaulting the people and property of The Gaming Den; and most seriously the kidnapping and or killing of one Ker Grandal Deverex.”
Master Wymeah paused only a moment to let that sink in, but not long enough to allow anyone to ask questions. “There are many eye-witnesses there that claim that the three of you magically appeared there and immediately began to attack both patron and staff with blade, lightning bolts, fireballs, and magic missiles. When Grandal Deverex appeared to defend his property you were further seen to assault his person, and then disappear with his body when he fell to your attacks. How say you?”
“It wasn’t us!” Exclaimed Jallarzi. “We were at The Blue Gorgon all night.”
Kellron, Jared, and Aerseleth all nodded. “We were. We haven’t even been close to The Gaming Den in several days.
Master Wymeah nodded, expecting the answer more or less. “That may be true, I’m certainly aware that it is a trivial task to magically disguise oneself. Nonetheless there is a warrant for your arrest. Will you come along peacefully until we can clear this up?”
The three accused exchanged glances and reached a silent agreement. The opposition looked relatively easy and Master Wymeah would be unable to use any wide area spells in the close quarters.
The watchmen tensed.
“Well come peacefully.” Said Kellron. “We’ll leave our weapons and armor here with Aerseleth.” Unspoken was their distrust of anyone involved in the frame-up. They didn't want their gear to be stolen from the Watch House while they were locked in cells just a few yards away.
Wymeah nodded and all the watchmen relaxed.
---
Minutes later, dressed in just their worn, but comfortable shirt, pants, and shoes, Kellron, Jared, and Jallarzi presented themselves to Master Wymeah and the City Watch. Their weapons, armor, and magical gear were now safely with Aerseleth who was carrying their magical hut.
Master Wymeah cast a simple detect magic spell and scanned them before leading them out of Sword House.
Just as the watchmen opened the doors leading out Kestral called out.
“Wait!” She cried. “You made a mistake. They really were at The Blue Gorgon all night. I was their server.”
Master Wymeah stopped and counted slowly to three before turning around. She remembered seeing the woman earlier with the group and wondered what she was doing here. Regardless, the woman hadn’t registered any detectable magic when Wymeah had scanned the others; not like the Major had.
“And you are…?” Asked Wymeah.
“Semina, my lady. I’m a server at The Blue Gorgon and I was assigned to serve them all evening.
“I see. Well come along then. We’re all going to the Watch House. Afterwards you and the guardsmen can go to this other place and confirm your story. I have other, important matters to attend too.”
---
*Book of Vile Darkness. Fifth level bard/wizard spell. Normally it requires that the focus be something that the creature was wearing when it died. I modified it somewhat, saying that the demon-made scar on Ashimar's chest acted as the initial focus which was then later transferred to a specially prepared amulet.
Before leaving The Blue Gorgon, Jared paused long enough to magically inspect the small box in their possession. The lieutenant immediately noted a strong aura of abjuration overlaying it. Not taking any changes he dispelled the magic and then opened the box to see what it contained. Inisde, an oval, palm-sized amulet made of tarnished silver lay upon a blood-red silk handkerchief. Indecipherable runes ran along the outer edge of the amulet. Jared didn’t need a detect magic to feel the evil radiating from the box. Grimacing, the priest closed the box and the three friends made their way out.
---
Morning prayers were about to begin when Kellron, Aerseleth, Jared, and Jallarzi entered Sword House, temple to Sarath. They were tired but hopefully they had what they wanted.
Jared immediately motioned over an acolyate and then bid the young man to inform Colonel Megara that he and Kellron were back. The dutiful acolyte saluted and hurried off. The acolyte had not even crossed the temple floor when Kestral, still disguised as Semina, slipped into the temple and joined her friends.
A few minutes later they were all ushered into Colonel Megara’s office. She had assigned one of her captains to conduct the morning prayers while she met with Jared and Kellron. The colonel looked askance at ‘Semina’ but was mollified (if not particularly happy) that it was Kestral in a magical disguise.
Kellron and Jared quickly related the previous night’s happenings. If the good Colonel was unhappy about Kestral’s ability to magically disguise herself, she was even less happy about the news of a devil running loose in the city at someone’s behest. That would have to be taken care of.
The neutralization of the creature would have to happen later though, after she had Kellron and Jared investigate to find out who had summoned the beast. Before she gave them that task she needed to make sure they were well rested from being up all night. First they would see what the night’s labor had bought them.
Colonel Megara invited the friends to pray with her; Jallarzi and Kestral demurred but the others accepted. Instead Jallarzi pulled out her spellbook and leafed through various spells with Sarah, her familiar lying next to her. Kestral occupied herself by leafing through Megara’s personal library.
An hour later they were all gathered in the private chapel reserved for the colonel and the absent General Vorun. Jared described the aura of strong abjuration he had originally found on the box. Colonel Megara commended him on his foresight and then proceeded to cast her own spells.
Detect evil, true seeing, and detect magic were quickly cast and used to view the box and then the amulet inside. The amulet radiated a palpable aura of evil, stronger than anything any of them had seen before. Unsurprisingly, it was also radiating an aura of necromantic magic. Colonel Megara related that there was indeed a spell capable of capturing a soul that fit the aura’s she saw, though she had never actually seen it. Jallarzi was also able to confirm that she had heard of the spell from her studies.
Unfortunately, there were certainly many other spells that could be both evil and necromantic in nature. Because of this the good colonel fortified herself with prayers of protection from evil, resistance, bear’s endurance, and owl’s wisdom before she reached in and actually grasped the amulet.
“A soul shackle*.” Whispered Megara, horrified. She knew that Ashimar’s soul was bound inside the tarnished silver amulet the moment she touched it. She drew in a quick breath and raised the amulet up before them. “Appear and speak!” She ordered.
They all felt a collective shiver go up their spines and Kellron and Jared thought they heard a wail. Then the shade of Ashimar appeared just two feet in front of Colonel Megara. He looked exactly as the others remembered on the day he died; with the mithril chain shirt that he wore as armor, and the familiar rapier at his side. His death wound from the club of the cave giant was not immediately apparent.
Ashimar’s eyes were at first haunted, but as he took in the surroundings, his shade took on a sharper, almost brighter, cast; hope had returned. “Colonel Megara? How did you find me?”
Beka Megara held up the charm and pointed to Kellron and Jared. “Your friends did. Tell us what happened.”
Ashimar looked ashamed. “A mage I’ve never seen before captured my spirit. He asked questions about me and the book I stole from that sorceror. Sometime later I must have been given to Grandal Deverex, for he has questioned me almost daily about my friends for the last several weeks. I’ve had no choice but to answer. I’ve tried to not speak but the magic forces me to.” The shade seemed to dim at the last, ashamed of its betrayal.”
Colonel Megara’s face was nearly as grim as Jared’s and Kellron’s. “Rest now.” She commanded. “We’ll set this aright. The Order promises it.”
Ashimar saluted and then audibly sighed as he faded away back to the restless oblivion of the amulet.
Jared was already rummaging through his pack before Ashimar’s spirit was completely gone. “Will a prayer of break enchantment work he asked, pulling out one of the many scrolls they had captured in the night below.
“It should.” answered Jallarzi. “There’s no guarantee, but if we’re lucky you’ll have slightly better than even odds.”
Jared nodded and unfurled the scroll while Colonel Megara brought it closer. The lieutenant and priest carefully read the scroll out loud, enunciating each syllable carefully. The power built itself about him until he could almost feel it like the static just before the stroke of a lightning bolt. Judging it was at its peak, Jared released the energy of the prayer against the amulet, trying to shatter the spell.
It was for naught. The abjuration broke against the power of the amulet and drained away without effect.
Jared swore mildly. He hadn’t been certain it was going to work first time anyway if the best he could have hoped for was a 50-50 chance.
Before anyone could speak further, there was a knock at the chapel door.
“Enter.” Commanded the colonel.
An acolyte stuck his head in the door. “Your pardon colonel, but there are several men from the City Watch here as well as a wizard from the Library. They say they are here to arrest Field Captain Kellron, Lieutenant Jared, and the Journey-Mage Jallarzi.”
No one spoke for a long moment and everyone looked confused.
“I think,” spoke the colonel, “that we should find out what this is all about.” She said to no one in particular. “Thank you, I’ll go meet them myself, we just have to put some things away.”
The acolyte saluted and waited by the door. He was just as glad that he wasn’t required to go tell the Library wizard that she had to wait.
---
In her white Library robes and ceremonial staff, Master Wymeah was easy to pick out against the gray stone of the main chapel of Sword House. Colonel Megara led Jared, Kellron, Jallarzi, Aerseleth, and Kestral (still disguised as Semina) straight to the woman.
It took a moment to realize that the score of other men and women standing around were actual members of the City Watch. All of watchmen looked very tense as the six people approached them, most of them with their hands already on their weapons.
Colonel Megara approached Master Wymeah as the obvious leader. “I’m Colonel Megara. I’m told that you’re here to arrest some of my men?”
Master Wymeah bowed. “Good morning Colonel. I am Master Wymeah of the Library at Corlean.” She reached into a pocket and pulled out a scroll, which she then handed to the Colonel.
Megara took the scroll and started to read it while the Library master continued to speak.
“The City Watch has asked that I assist them in this arrest as a member of my own Library is involved.” With that, Master Wymeah turned directly to Jallarzi and spoke.
“Journey-mage Jallarzi, you and your companions, specifically that gentleman” she said, point at Kellron, “and that one” pointing at Jared, “are accused of many crimes. The most serious of which include assaulting the people and property of The Gaming Den; and most seriously the kidnapping and or killing of one Ker Grandal Deverex.”
Master Wymeah paused only a moment to let that sink in, but not long enough to allow anyone to ask questions. “There are many eye-witnesses there that claim that the three of you magically appeared there and immediately began to attack both patron and staff with blade, lightning bolts, fireballs, and magic missiles. When Grandal Deverex appeared to defend his property you were further seen to assault his person, and then disappear with his body when he fell to your attacks. How say you?”
“It wasn’t us!” Exclaimed Jallarzi. “We were at The Blue Gorgon all night.”
Kellron, Jared, and Aerseleth all nodded. “We were. We haven’t even been close to The Gaming Den in several days.
Master Wymeah nodded, expecting the answer more or less. “That may be true, I’m certainly aware that it is a trivial task to magically disguise oneself. Nonetheless there is a warrant for your arrest. Will you come along peacefully until we can clear this up?”
The three accused exchanged glances and reached a silent agreement. The opposition looked relatively easy and Master Wymeah would be unable to use any wide area spells in the close quarters.
The watchmen tensed.
“Well come peacefully.” Said Kellron. “We’ll leave our weapons and armor here with Aerseleth.” Unspoken was their distrust of anyone involved in the frame-up. They didn't want their gear to be stolen from the Watch House while they were locked in cells just a few yards away.
Wymeah nodded and all the watchmen relaxed.
---
Minutes later, dressed in just their worn, but comfortable shirt, pants, and shoes, Kellron, Jared, and Jallarzi presented themselves to Master Wymeah and the City Watch. Their weapons, armor, and magical gear were now safely with Aerseleth who was carrying their magical hut.
Master Wymeah cast a simple detect magic spell and scanned them before leading them out of Sword House.
Just as the watchmen opened the doors leading out Kestral called out.
“Wait!” She cried. “You made a mistake. They really were at The Blue Gorgon all night. I was their server.”
Master Wymeah stopped and counted slowly to three before turning around. She remembered seeing the woman earlier with the group and wondered what she was doing here. Regardless, the woman hadn’t registered any detectable magic when Wymeah had scanned the others; not like the Major had.
“And you are…?” Asked Wymeah.
“Semina, my lady. I’m a server at The Blue Gorgon and I was assigned to serve them all evening.
“I see. Well come along then. We’re all going to the Watch House. Afterwards you and the guardsmen can go to this other place and confirm your story. I have other, important matters to attend too.”
---
*Book of Vile Darkness. Fifth level bard/wizard spell. Normally it requires that the focus be something that the creature was wearing when it died. I modified it somewhat, saying that the demon-made scar on Ashimar's chest acted as the initial focus which was then later transferred to a specially prepared amulet.
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