Seravin's Tales of the Night Below (Two Updates this Week - 07/24/07)

[Seravin]

Welcome to Corlean

Five days had passed since the foray into Garlstone mine. The kidnapped Semheis was not found but a lair of Treshans had been routed. It was a mixed victory at best but no one felt up to pursuing the Treshan who had fled from the fight. The constant fighting had left them wounded and short on resources and no one knew where those dark tunnels led.

Instead the decision was made to head back to civilization and stock up on supplies – and that didn’t mean Milbourne. Rastifer’s trading post was all well and good, but they needed more specialized goods and the items they had captured over the last two months would give them the means to purchase them.

It had taken only a short while to sort through the stuff of the defeated Treshans. There hadn’t been much in the way of coin and only a modest amount of jewelry considering the banditry they had been engaging in; but the amount of magic was disturbing. Ten items radiated magic of varying strengths – the most intriguing of which was a miniature ceramic cottage. According to Jallarzi, the little model radiated a strong aura evocation magic.

Best of all (or was that worst of all?), they had found evidence that the missing Jelenneth had passed through those caves. One of the bandit guards had worn a silver signet ring that had the letter ‘J’ inscribed on the inside of the band. Kestral was sure that the ring matched the one described to them by Andren.

That night in the Baron of Mutton with barely restrained grief, Andren had confirmed that the ring was indeed the one he had given Jelenneth. Further a blue cloak that the party had taken from the body of the Treshan priestess was also Jelenneth’s. It seemed that the young apprentice mage was indeed gone.

Afterwards they had to decide where to go. Blasingdale was closest but in the end they decided that the town was too small. They had a small arsenal of magical weapons to sell and they all had their reasons to go to a bigger city. In the end they decided that Corlean would be a better choice. It was only four days away from Milbourne by horse and they would be able to stop by Thurmaster and have Tauster identify some of the captured magic items (Jallarzi now had the ability to do so but she lacked the pearls to actually cast the spell).

Thus and then, some four days later the five friends found themselves approaching the City of Silver, Corlean.

The Laren Mountains define the easternmost boundary of the Shtaran Empire. Like most of the mountains on the continent, the peaks are high and are nearly impossible to cross except at a few passes.

Towards the northern end of the range a branch of the mountains splits off and runs westwards for nearly four hundred miles. This daughter range is appropriately called the High Mountains and in the last three hundred years only one navigable pass has ever been found. If there are any other paths through these mountains no one has seen fit to share it with others. If a traveler doesn’t wish to go through the mountains for some reason they can travel westwards and go around the far west side of the range.

On the other side of these mountains is another two hundred miles of forest and tundra before a traveler makes it to the North Sea. Also on the other side of these mountains are some of the richest producing mines known to the Empire. Some three hundred years ago the Empire sent its own colonists north to find, open, and work new mines and found that the native barbarians were not appreciative. In the course of protecting their colonists the Empire also annexed the few free city-states that already existed in the north.

The city of Corlean actually started out as a military outpost to field the troops that were to head northward to protect the colonists. The outpost was built at the mouth of the south side of the pass just in case the raiding barbarians decided to head southwards. In time the outpost grew to a town and then to a city.

The city was named Corlean after the first commander’s daughter. In time the city gained another name, ‘The City of Silver’, after the trade routes between the north and south became established. The city also serves as the seat for Duke Devon Hilmaron who oversees the duchy of Larence.

As can be seen, Corlean is many things to many people. For the five travelers who arrived in the late afternoon of late summer, Corlean was a rest stop from a long summer of fighting; a place to relax and a place to rearm.

 

[Seravin]

The Days in Corlean

Where to begin? That’s a heck of a question.
Perhaps at the front gates…

The sun wasn’t down yet, but it wasn’t going to be long before darkness overtook the city for another evening. Fortunately there was no line at the gates of the city as the five friends approached. They had purchased a wagon in Thurmaster and loaded it with their captured weapons and armor and camping gear. In the morning they hoped to sell the gear and convert their jewelry and coins to something a bit more manageable.

“Anything to declare?” Asked the gate guard as he looked over the travel worn group.

“Like what?” Asked Kestral, leaning forward a little and giving the guard her full attention. There was nothing provocative in her movement or her words, just a simple gesture to appear friendly.

The guard smiled at the young woman and answered her question good-naturedly. “Trade goods mostly ma’am. Wheat, cloth…things like that.”

Kestral shook her head. “We don’t have anything like that.” She carefully did not mention the half-dozen magical weapons and the suits of magical armor laying in the back of the wagon under their packs. Nor did she mention the gold and jewels. After all, he hadn’t asked about those. Instead she continued on. “We’re coming up from Thurmaster to do some shopping.”

The guard looked over the three men and two women and shrugged. He’d never been to Thurmaster, but he had heard it was little better than a hole. It seemed a little odd that anyone in Thurmaster could afford the weapons and armor two of the men wore; they were probably hired mercenaries. It never occurred to the gate guard to question Kestral’s story though, she was so open and honest that she was obviously trustworthy.

He reached to his pouch and pulled out some leather ties. “The Empire’s laws still apply here on the border – you’ll have to peace-tie those weapons while you walk around with them.” He looked at each of them in turn. “You won’t need them while you’re here though so I suggest you leave them at whatever inn you decide to stay at.”

Kellron met the guard’s gaze. “Can you recommend one?”

The guard looked Kellron over. “The Scabbard is popular with the quiet types. If you don’t mind hanging out with Sarathian officers who are stopping through.”

Kellron smiled. “That would be fine I think.”

“You can’t miss it then. Take this road on through to the Central Square. The Sword House will be the big temple on your right; it will be flying the dragon standard. The temple on the left is Latina’s. The Scabbard will be this side of the Sword House.” The guard paused and then remembering where they were from added, “Don’t mix it up with the first square you come to, that will be a little market square for the caravans. You’ll know when you make it to Central Square.”

“Thank you.” Said Kellron as he nodded his thanks. With that the five friends entered Corlean, a city of twenty four thousand people.

The first night was almost uneventful. Except for the excesses of course. There’s always the excess. In addition to the many magical items and the various pieces of jewelry they had recovered, the five had also recovered several thousand lions worth of coins.

After they had found and acquired rooms at the Scabbard, the group decided to do a bit of shopping before it got totally dark. A random street urchin was more than willing to show them around for a couple coins and that’s when the spending started.

Afterwards was the dinner. Not just any dinner, but an evening meal. After months of trail rations and watching what they ate at the Hounds and Tail in Thurmaster, only the best meal available for money was acceptable – with wine of course. For over two weary months the five had traveled back and forth across Haranshire; they deserved their reward.

Later that night after the damage was totaled, it turned out that between the five of them they had spent almost five hundred golden lions. Some of those bottles of wine were expensive. Not bad for five newcomers to the big city who checked in at one of the better inns in town (and got their own private rooms).

The new morning brought a flurry of activity. Jallarzi announced her intention to head to the Library Embassy in town and apply for membership. Panther waved his hand vaguely and said he was going to take a look about town and see what was up. Kellron and Ashimar both went to Sword House to meet with the priesthood there. They hoped that the priests or the commanders would be willing to buy the enchanted arms and armor, only the temples or the city guard would have the coin to afford it. Kestral decided to go with the two men just to make sure they didn’t just hand over the items as a gesture of ‘good faith’.



Jallarzi easily made her way to the southeast corner of the city where the Library stood, acting as an embassy for the Library to the Duke of Corlean, a waypoint for wizards traveling north, and a university for the children of those who could afford it.

The main building of the Library (and no matter in which city a person is in, the embassy is always called ‘the Library’) was a square, three-story structure made of gray granite and white marble. The steps and the area in front of the double darkwood doors were of the exquisite white marble, as well as the wide columns that lined the front area. The grounds were green and immaculately kept with a polite sign that asked for people to stay off the grass. Rumor had it that the grass would eat anyone who rude enough to ignore the sign.

The side buildings were somewhat smaller, only two-stories tall and made of the same gray granite. The walkways between the buildings were paved with the same stone as the building and were well worn with use.

Taking a deep breath Jallarzi marched herself down the path and went up the marbled stairs to the front door. Like the Library in Blasingdale, the front doors had a brass doorknocker mounted on them, though the one here was in the shape of a dragon's head, with the actual knocker mounted under the mouth. The eyes of the brass dragonhead blinked at here as she waited expectantly in front of them.

Finally the knocker spoke. “Yessss?” It hissed.

Jallarzi took another deep breath. “I would like to speak with somebody in charge. I’d like to become a member.”

The knocker blinked at that. “Waaaaiiit.”

It was only a short wait before the blank brass eyes blinked again, though Jallarzi had the uncomfortable feeling that she was being watched. “Insssside. To the left. Wait there.”
With that the two doors started to swing open.

Jallarzi nodded smartly and made her way inside, following the directions and found herself in a small, comfortably appointed sitting room. Oddly, she noted a smell reminiscent of the seaside. The white-haired sorceress settled herself down to wait. At least the chairs were comfortable.

Eventually an older woman made his way into the sitting room and Jallarzi quickly stood.
The dark-haired woman looked over the young half-elf with a critical eye. “Good morning. You may call meMaster Wymeah. I understand you wish to join the Library?” She smiled encouragingly and motioned for Jallarzi to sit as she did the same.

Jallarzi sat and nodded. “I do. I’ve gone as far in my studies as I can and I feel that I need access to more formal training methods.”

The woman seemed a little taken aback. “Do you mean to say that you already have some magical training?”

Jallarzi nodded. “I do.”

“I see.” There was a long calculated pause. “May I ask how you received your training?”

Jallarzi paused for a bare moment. “A wizard named Tauster has helped me most recently.”

Master Wymeah leaned back in thought. “Tauster?” Suddenly recognition lighted in her eyes. “Oh yes. An older wizard with the Library?”

Jallarzi nodded. “That’s right.”

Master Wymeah smiled pleasantly. “I do believe we have lost track of the man. Do you mind telling me where he now lives? For our records you understand.”

Again Jallarzi paused for a longer moment this time, what she considered is known only to her. Finally, the young woman spoke. “Thurmaster.” She said.

Master Wymeah nodded again. “Oh really? That’s good. I’ll make sure our records get updated. Now then, as for you, let’s see how much he managed to teach you.”

Jallarzi easily past the tests in basic arcane knowledge and spellcraft use. Master Wymeah was impressed with Jallarzi’s knowledge and skill and after a full day of testing agreed to admit the young wizard as a senior apprentice on remote duties (after the tuition fees were paid of course). Jallarzi spent the next several days getting to know the other apprentices, perusing the library, and learning a few more utilitarian spells – though she was frustrated that the Library wouldn’t give her access to the more advanced battle spells.

Additionally, Jallarzi passed on the rumors of the kidnapped spellcasters and what she and her companions had learned in past two months. Once it was learned that they were going back she was immediately enjoined to continue keeping the Library updated on their progress.


For his part, Panther wandered the streets of Corlean, picking up bits of knowledge and rumor and story like a sponge picked up water. Most excitingly, he learned that the bard known as Imych Thassel was going to be in town shortly. Panther had heard of the bard in his travels as the most recent winner of the Kerian College semi-annual Hunt; a contest where senior students are sent out into the world to find certain enchanted instruments. Imych Thassel had won his harp the previous summer. The young half-elf hoped that he would get a chance to hear the bard play.



Ashimar, Kellron, and Kestral made their way easily to Sword House, as it was only two streets up from the Scabbard. After a half a day of dealing with various functionaries and junior priests they managed to gain a ten minute audience with Colonel Beka Megara, the second in command for the Order of the Victorious Dragon. They audience was gained in no small measure due to Kestral’s verbal skills.

Col. Beka Megara was an older woman in her late fifties. Her hair had originally been black, but was now a uniform steel gray and she filled the red and black uniform of her order like a sword fills a sheath. A sense of strength radiated from her lean form and dark gray eyes. She was not a woman to be trifled with.

She stood to greet the three friends as they were shown into her office. “I understand you wish to see me.” She greeted them politely if disinterestedly. “You’ll understand that I’m a busy woman though and I can’t spare much time.” The colonel smiled wryly. “Despite the good impression that you made upon my orderly.”

Kestral and Ashimar looked to Kellron. “Thank you. We do understand you’re busy and appreciate the time. Have you heard about the troubles in Haranshire?”

“Bandit trouble, if I recall correctly?”

“Almost. Kidnappers really, who are targeting wizards.”

The colonel’s eyes widened just slightly. “I see. I may have to spare more time than I thought. Please sit and tell me all you know.”

It didn’t take long for Kellron to fill the colonel in on their activities of the summer. They told the good commander of the goblins living in the hills east of the New Mire and their involvement with the investigation of the kidnapping of Jelenneth. The colonel’s mouth went tight at the mention of bandits working out of Broken Spire Keep. Her lips went practically white at the mention of the Treshan priests leading the bandits.

“Thank you for this information. I’m to understand you are heading back to Haranshire?”

Kestral saw her chance and nodded. “We are, but we decided to come to Corlean to inform you folks and to stock up on supplies.” She paused delicately. “Also, we managed to salvage some items that we felt the church might find useful. We are hoping to sell them but thought it would be fair that the church get first crack.”

The good colonel found herself liking the irrepressible young woman almost immediately, in spite of herself. She could recognize a sales pitch when she heard one but the woman really was quite charming. “Go on.”
<dm’s note: I believe Kestral’s player rolled a 19 or 20 on the diplomacy check.>

“We have several pieces of armor and some weapons for which we have no use for but are all enchanted in some way, verified by two separate mages I might add. Would your order have a use for these?”

“We just might. I’ll have a word with my orderly when you leave. He’ll be able to lead you to stores and they can determine if anything you have would be worthwhile to us. There’s some trouble brewing up north and it’s likely the additions would be useful.”

The colonel looked at all of them. “The reason I ask if you’re going back to Haranshire is that I would like to see this matter concluded. The thought of Treshan’s operating within the heart of the Empire is not acceptable. Unfortunately I do not presently have the manpower to send an adequate force to Haranshire to root them out." The colonel paused and nodded with respect at the three. "You folks appear to be doing an excellent job however and I would like you to continue. In return the church of Sarath can offer you aid as well as possibly buy anything you can salvage.”

Kestral let out a slow breath. This was going better than she had hoped.

The colonel continued. “Now is there anything else?”

Kellron and Ashimar both started speaking at once. They stopped and then looked at each other. Ashimar nodded to Kellron. “You first.”

Shrugging, the young warrior of Sarath turned back to the older woman. “As I was introduced, my name is Kellron, I’m a lieutenant in the Order of the Sundering Sword, or at least I was as of about two-hundred years ago. I ask for help in getting word to my Order.”

The room became quiet for a very long moment and all eyes were suddenly centered directly on the paladin in a mixture of disbelief and shock. In the end it took almost an hour to verify Kellron’s claims. Fortunately, as second in command of her own order Colonel Megara was able to Commune directly with the Celestial Host which verified Kellron’s claim. Unfortunately the Order of the Sundering Sword had been disbanded at the last battle Kellron had attended. There were too few survivors of that battle to continue and the Order’s namesake had been lost. It seemed that Kellron was the last surviving member of his Order.

“And what did you want?” Asked Megara, looking at Ashimar when they were settled back in her office.

Ashimar looked about hoping that she was speaking to someone else and then straightened up. “My life hasn’t been very good. I grew up in the streets and I wasn’t exactly the best of people.” He nodded towards Kellron. “However I’ve seen what good people can do and what they represent and I want to be one of the good guys.” Ashimar looked at Colonel Megara with complete honesty. “I think I have a calling to join the church and I would like to join your order.”

The colonel’s mouth quirked. “I…See.” She considered her words. “You realize that many people think they have a calling for the priesthood, but not many have the strength to see it through. The priesthood of Sarath requires a fair amount of discipline. First and foremost we are a church of soldiers.”

The former street rogue nodded. “I believe I do have a calling and that I have the strength to see it through.” Ashimar smiled. “I’ve got good examples.”

“That you do. However I think a test might be in order.” The colonel considered a moment or two before speaking. “A test of discipline. From what I’ve heard today you’ve had a hard life and have learned to depend on yourself. However in the church we learn to depend upon each other.”

She looked at Kellron. “Lt. Kellron, it is my intention to elevate you to a captaincy for services done in the name of the faith. With it comes a knighthood and with a knighthood comes a squire.” She looked back to Ashimar. “If you truly think your destiny lies with the church I will appoint you to be Kellron’s squire throughout the next year. You are free to leave his service at any time, but if you do you will not be accepted into this Order.”

Ashimar stood. “I understand and I accept.”

She nodded. “Good. I thought you might. It is my sincere hope that you prove worthy and earn Lt. Kellron’s recommendation.


The rest of the week passed mostly uneventfully. Kellron and Ashimar spent their time at the church and Kestral made her way to the Library district to find sages versed in languages. Eventually she found a tutor who spoke a smattering of giantish and she managed to convince him to teach her what he could in the few short days she had.

All in all, it was a good trip for the young heroes. Except for their last full day in town. That day wasn’t so good for Kestral.

 

[Seravin]

Just a note to let folks know I'm working on the next update. Hopefully by tomorrow at the latest.

Just out of curiosity I know a couple of my players are reading this SH, is anyone else still out there?

 

[Capellan]

Well I don't know about anyone else, but I'm still reading

 

[Seravin]

Leaving Corlean

And so it came to pass that the Order of the Victorious Dragon proudly announced a Day of Celebration within the city of Corlean. It was to be a day of welcoming and thanksgiving as a son of the lost Order of the Sundering Sword was returned to the Empire. As the last member of his Order he would be knighted and given a captaincy. If the namesake of his Order was somehow found again, then he would be in line to lead.

For those who were interested the rumors were curious and full of wonder.
A two-hundred year old human walked the halls of the Sword House.
A knight, frozen by magic, had returned with great secrets of the past.
The same knight had evidence against a centuries old plot of the Library.
etc…

Those who were less interested ignored the rumors and sighed heavily at the added burden of a city full of celebrating soldiers.

-------
Kestral Thendry, step-daughter to a semi-prominent Relkian family could be described as independent. When she was but a small child her parents were killed in a terrible and suspicious fire. The local church had deemed it the work of witches*. It took only a little while for the witches to be found, tried, and executed (albeit in a highly informal manner). A pair of witch-hunters who had settled in the community and were active supporters of the church of Latina took in the young Kestral.

Kestral rarely speaks of Relk and actively avoids bringing up her childhood. It can surmised that she was unhappy though. The day the young woman turned eighteen was the day she borrowed a family horse and ran away. Kestral worked her way northwards earning money as a courier, using her natural charm and her gift for languages to facilitate her new occupation. Her only criterion was that the job took her away from Relk and her memories.

Kestral wasn’t a bad person, nor was she misunderstood (except when she wanted to be). However Kestral wasn’t necessarily a good person either.

------------

The ceremonies of the Empire of Shtara are long, detailed, and sometimes convoluted; which isn’t surprising considering that the Empire has existed for several hundred years and includes relations (and kinship) with many of the longer-lived races.

The promotion ritual used by the church of Sarath takes about an hour for a relatively simple bump from Lieutenant to Captain. There are the invocations to Sarath himself, the oaths to the church and to the Empire, and a detailed list of the duties and rights expected.

The Rite of Knighthood (what the public sees) is similar but lasts almost two hours. There are the prayers and invocations of course, with the litany to Sarath being about half the ceremony in and of itself.

It was about halfway through this ceremony, towards the end of the final invocation of Sarath, that Kestral’s boredom finally overcame good sense. It was a long morning and it had started way too early as she was called to witness for her friend in one of the pre-ceremonies. Afterwards she had been escorted to the main-hall where the public ceremony was to take place. The young woman decided to ditch her escorts and took a seat near the back in case she wanted to leave early.

It hadn’t been her best idea. Being a small woman she soon found as the people filed in that she could barely see over the people seated in front of her. Frustrated, the young courier had moved herself to the edge of the pews where she could look around the soldiers seated in front of her.

Kellron and Ashimar were both on the dais. Kellron was kneeling before Colonel Megara and answering some question or another, while Ashimar was dressed in the white tunic of a squire, standing off to the side. According to the priest who had explained the protocol, Ashimar would have his turn of kneeling and answering questions thrown at him.

Kestral sighed. Bored. Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored. Kestral shifted uncomfortably again on the hard bench and looked about wistfully. It was the middle of summer and the church was packed full of people. She was a child of the southlands, but the room was too stuffy.

I’m going to fall asleep. She thought, looking around again. Do these people really believe all of this? What’s wrong with saying something like “Do you promise to protect and serve, or whatever?” and Kellron saying “Yeah, sure.”

Kestral looked around again and her eyes fell upon the man in front of her. He was an obvious soldier and he spoke the loudest of anyone when the priest up front called for responses. This place is stuffy in more ways than one. Thought the woman. It’s bad enough that I can’t see over him. Look at him. Sitting there ramrod straight like there’s a pike where it ought not to be. Just stuffy. Maybe if I could see through him I’d be more interested, but nooooo. He has to sit there all straight like so I can’t see.

Kestral looked around again and noticed the pouch at the solider’s side. It was of some dark leather and looked well constructed. It also looked pretty fat. Kestral grinned.

While she was growing up she had spent some time with her uncle until her step-parents had decreed that he was a bad influence. He wasn’t, not really, but he had seen Kestral’s long, nimble fingers and had thought it a crime that she not exercise them. Kestral had diligently practiced the sleight of hand tricks her uncle had taught her and could competently perform several street magician tricks.

Kestral looked around a bit; coolly as if nothing was wrong. The only other person on her bench in the back was at the far end, and no one was looking at her. The priest up front was saying something to the crowd again and the crowd was responding back. The guy probably deserves it. she thought to herself. Besides, I’ll probably give it back when this over. I’ll look like a hero or something, returning his lost property.

Another look around showed that no one seemed to be looking at her. Kestral casually inched forward in her seat and reached forward. The soldier suddenly shifted and Kestral jerked her arm back. Coolly, her eyes darted quickly around and her hand snaked forward again. Her hand was on the pouch when a much larger hand clamped down on her arm.

“Eeep.” She whispered.

One of the guards was standing over her, having come up from behind. He looked at her coldly. “We don’t appreciate cut-purses here.” He whispered menacingly.

Kestral batted her eyes and tried her best innocent look. “He dropped something and I was just putting it back…” She tried.

The guard shook his head. “The Colonel will want to speak with you.” Said the guard, grinning in an almost evil-like manner. “If you’re lucky she’ll ship you off up North to be a soldier.”

The soldier Kestral had tried to rob had caught part of the conversation and had turned around. “Something the matter seargent?”

“Yessir, Lt. Jared. I caught this little woman trying to get into your pouch.”

The lieutenant’s hand went to his pouch. “I think I will go with you to see the good Colonel then.”

------

It was the end of a very long day and Kestral was trying very hard to shrink into the hard backed chair in Col. Megara’s office. “I was booooorrrred.” She said. It was a pathetic defense, but the only thing she could come up with. “I wasn’t going to take anything really; just a trick. If the ceremony had been shorter I wouldn’t have done anything at all.”

The grey-haired colonel looked at Kestral in stony silence. Internally she was conflicted. She honestly liked the little woman. She was too slight to be a soldier, but she had a fire that could be useful to the church.

The colonel’s hand’s tapped rhythmically on the table before her. “By rights I should have you in jail or doing community service. If I wanted I could even have you inducted into the army and shipped up North to pick up a little discipline.” She let the words sink in. “I’m not going to do that however and for the life of me I don’t know why.” The colonel nodded at Kellron who was standing silently in the corner. “Captain Kellron over there says you’ve been useful to him though over the last two months and wants you to continue on.”

The colonel turned her attention to Kellron. “I’m placing her on probation in your charge. If she does anything illegal you are to report it back to the church.” The colonel then looked back at Kestral. “Additionally, if you are caught Kellron will suffer additional penalties based on the crime you committed. This probation will last one year. You can consider it the only warning you will get. Do you understand?”

Kestral gulped and sat up a little straighter. “Yes ma’am.”

Kellron nodded. “I understand.”

“Good. I understand you’re leaving tomorrow. Good luck.”

It was an obvious dismissal and Kestral stood up, relieved to be getting out of there. Kellron came to attention and saluted. The pair exited the colonel’s office quietly.


* Those who practice psionics are called witches. The witchcraft talents generally run to second-sight (clairsentience) and mind-reading (telepathy). Witches are not generally trusted by the populace but they enjoy the same protections as everyone else – except in Relk. The Relkian’s are extremely biased against witches.

 

[Seravin]

Well I don't know about anyone else, but I'm still reading

Cool.
I haven't been updating as often as I'd like and I keep sinking to page 3 or so within just a day or two. I'd curse Piratecat, Sep, and Destan, but then it might stop them from posting.

Ah well. Thanks for responding Capellan. It's good to know this isn't wasted.

 

[Seravin]

Would you like a peek behind the scenes?

My players, stay away. Shoo. Move along, there's nothing to see.

All others can go here to see a few villains that the party has yet to meet.

 

[rangerjohn]

Here's another reader, keep up the good work. I generally lurk, but you seemed like you could use some inspiration.

 

[Seravin]

Here's another reader, keep up the good work. I generally lurk, but you seemed like you could use some inspiration.

I appreciate it.

Unfortunately I need time more than I need inspiration these days. I'm on a new contract which is causing its own problems. Add to that the holidays, lots of recent snow, and finishing up the conversion for the third book and there hasn't been a whole lot.

That said, you did provide a bit more inspiration which pushed me to spend some of that time writing again. Thank you.

 

[Seravin]

The Country Cottage – Early Fall

A much subdued group arrived in Thurmaster two days later. The trip to Corlean had certainly been of mixed results. On the sword hand Kellron and Ashimar had gained a measure of fame and recognition from within their chosen order. On the shield hand Kestral had gained them a certain amount of notoriety within their chosen order.

The young woman’s plea that she hadn’t meant anything wrong and that she was just bored did not put ‘the incident’ in a better light. Kestral knew with a grim certainty that she would not be allowed to forget this minor lapse of judgment, despite no one getting hurt by it. Sometimes life just wasn’t fair.

Tauster changed the mood of the group almost instantly when he answered the door and saw that it was them. The old mage was excited, positively jumping from foot to foot with an excitement that more befitting a ten year old boy. The smile that he gave the five friends matched the sparkle in his gray eyes. “Ah, my friends! It’s good to see you at last! How was Corlean?”

The last question was obviously rhetorical and Tauster breezed on by before anyone could properly answer. “That’s nice. Glad you liked it.” Finally he noted his own manner and the mage straightened up a bit. “Ahem. Concerning the items you left with me…” The mage trailed off. “That is to say…” He trailed off again and then smiled broadly. “The Planes with it. Hold on, we’re going out.” The mage disappeared inside his cottage for a moment and came out again carrying an old, brown sack.

“Here it is.” He said holding up the sack as he closed the door behind him. “We best leave the village for this. It wouldn’t do to scare the natives as it were.”

The five friends looked at each other in askance and shrugged, unsure what to make of the elderly mage’s manner. It was Jallarzi who spoke up first. “So, what did you find out?”

Tauster smiled with mischief. “This and that. The usual you know. The boots were as you described and I have the command words written down. One pair will levitate the wearer and the other pair will hasten a person in battle.” He waved his hand with a dismissing gesture. “Toys really, though the manufacture of such things is always interesting. The weapons and armor you recovered were also interesting, if only for the strength of their enchantments. You don’t see that many enchanted armor or weapons these days. Certainly not of this strength.” The old man smiled and hummed a little bit as he led them to the gate in the palisade that surrounded Thurmaster.

Jallarzi looked at the others. “I take it we’re not heading out because of that?”

Tauster smiled to himself, pleased. “Not at all. Those items are ready for you at any time.”

Jallarzi pursed her lips and looked at her companions. They just shrugged and they came to an unspoken agreement to see where this was going.

Tauster nodded pleasantly to the gate guards as his little expedition passed them and he led the party down the road that led to Corlean. “We’re not going far, just out of sight.” He told his entourage. “It wouldn’t do to get anyone too excited.”

Eventually the village palisade drifted out of site as the group followed the road around a bend and past a small copse of trees. Tauster looked about and harrumphed with satisfaction. “This will do.” He said and led the group off the road and into a little open meadow. Opening the sack, Tauster reached in and pulled out a hand sized object and proudly held it up for inspection.

The little hut was about six inches square and on first inspection looked to be a six year old’s first attempt at making a little house out of clay; an attempt which someone had immortalized by firing the clay into ceramic. The walls were mostly straight, though mottled. A little wooden slab formed the door and the two windows had smaller bits of wood acting as shutters. On one side of the little house was a chimney that ran more or less straight up. The roof was peaked and someone had made the attempt to form shingles, though some were missing. If the model had been built full size it undoubtedly would have collapsed in on itself.

Kestral sniffed at the artistic merit of the cottage, but she was also sure that the seventy-something mage would not have taken them on the small hike to show off bad sculpture.

“So what does it do?” Asked the courier.

Tauster smiled appreciatively at the young woman. It was the lead in that he wanted. “This is quite simply one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.” He paused in thought. “Well, not the most amazing, but certainly it ranks up there. More importantly, it’s what is in this little cottage that had me pleased.

“What’s that?” Asked Kellron.

“I’ll show you. Stand behind me.” Ordered the mage. “Watch carefully.” He admonished the others as soon as they stepped behind him. “This is simply marvelous.”

The old man inhaled a little bit, as if he were beginning the intonations of a summoning spell. “Krizek!” He called out in a strong, clear voice.

For an instant the world immediately around Tauster seem to warp and shimmer. Everyone had to blink as the malformed ceramic hut in the mage’s hand ‘shifted’ and grew. The hut fairly leapt off of Tauster’s hand and within the space of three heartbeats he stood on the front step of a rather respectable looking stone cottage.

Ashimar whistled and they all took a slow walk around the newly formed building. The cottage was about twenty feet long and had the same width. The roof started up at eight feet and peaked at ten. Like the model, this particular cottage had a window on each side that adjoined the front. Also like the model, there was a chimney on the left hand side, near the window. Unlike the model, this cottage had a sturdy feel to it and looked quite cozy.

Tauster looked at the little group smugly. “I told you. Now come inside. So saying, Tauster opened the door and stepped inside the single room dwelling. It was obviously set up for a barracks style living. Four bunk beds were lined up against the back wall, running into the room. At the foot of each bed was a sturdy chest. In the free area off to the right was a large, wooden table, scarred from use and surrounded by six wooden chairs. A little kitchen area had been setup in the free area to the left, next to the fireplace.

Kellron nodded to himself. “This is nice.” He said, looking around.

Tauster nodded in agreement. “It certainly is.” He agreed as he walked over to one of the chests. With a creak and some cracking, the old mage knelt down. “This is better though.” He declared as he opened the chest.

Stunned silence was his only answer. Thousands of coins filled the chest. Kestral could make out coins of silver, gold, and platinum. She did a quick summation in her head, estimating the volume of the chest and the size of the coins. The number was large.

Tauster pulled a small leather pouch off the top of the coin pile, and spilled the contents into his hand. A dozen small gems filled his palm.

“I had a late night and couldn’t sleep. As near as I can tell you have about fifteen thousand in coins.” He looked briefly at the gems and put them back in the sack. “I don’t know what the gems are worth, but I’m certain they’ll add to it.” With a grunt the old mage stood up and walked to the back corner of the room. There was a scrape of something against stone and Tauster came walking back to the front area with a staff made of a milky white crystal. The head was topped with an unusual looking crystal that for all the world reminded Ashimar of a snowflake.

“This is the masterpiece of this little ensemble though.” Proclaimed the mage. “A staff of frost, Library made. It doesn’t have a lot power left, but I can swear that it’s an authentic Library commission. I have the list of command words written down already.
There was also a scroll and some of those noxious brews stored in here.” Tauster looked about. “I take it you’re pleased?”

Pleased was too slight a word to describe the party’s joy at the amount of treasure recovered and the hut and the staff. The haul was astounding. Kestral appraised the gems at around 2,400gp – a value she was pleased to later find out was only a little low.

As for the hut, the only downside from the party’s perspective was that it was usable but three times per seven-day period. They all agreed it would make their adventuring a lot more comfortable though. Sadly this demonstration had used the cottage up for its allotted period. The party took the news good naturedly though and gladly paid Tauster for the additional identifications he did on the staff.

Ashimar claimed the boots of speed and Kestral took the boots of levitation. For her part Jallarzi claimed the staff of frost and carried it proudly. For the time being, as the unofficial treasurer, Kestral kept custody of the cottage.

The next morning, with an admonition from Tauster not to be caught in the hut when it was reduced the party set out for Broken Spire Keep, and from there to go see the great doors under the earth.