Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 3656747" data-attributes="member: 6783">Offer and Counteroffer (150th post)Another dawn breaks over the gray city of Corlean.  Tomorrow will be the Winter Solstice and normally the good folk of the city would be hurrying to complete their plans for the ensuing festival.  This year however there will be no festival.  The Duke’s curfew is still in force and the recent events with the church of Latina has caused all preparations to be canceled.  The good residents can only stay at home and pray that the dark events do not herald the coming of darker times.  ---Kestral, in the guise of Private Claudia of the Church of Sarath woke with the morning sun, though not by her own choice.  She knew that Kellron and Jared were both serious-minded, hardworking, and disciplined young men.  Until this morning she had thought it was some sort of in-bred characteristic taken to some aberrant extreme.  Now she knew that this was not correct.  It was due to the dark and ugly regimen that the church of Sarath perpetrated upon its’ own recruits.  Only the traveling hardships of the last few months enabled her to endure a typical Sarathian day.Kestral and the rest of her platoon were allotted what seemed barely enough time to make their beds before they were hustled off to the Square where they and all the other soldiers were put through a grueling exercise routine.  Being slight of frame and not very strong would normally have counted against the young woman, but her magical hat of disguise made her look stronger than she really was and while weak, her endurance was actually greater than most of the other soldiers.  After that they were again allotted too few minutes to clean up and then attend breakfast.  Kestral tried to explain to the sergeant that she just need a few more moments but he was completely unreasonable in his expectations.  She was sure she could have made  him see that if she could have gotten him to just talk to her for a few moments, but Kestral wasn’t granted that time.After the morning meal the duty assignments were handed out.  Most of the assignments had the soldiers patrolling the streets, supplementing the city guard, but Kestral was instead assigned to the simpler and quieter guard duty of the main sanctuary.  The other members of her new platoon looked at her in askance as that duty was normally for the older soldiers, but none of them could deny that “Private Claudia” was certainly the most presentable of all the people in the church.  It was while on duty that Kestral was visited by The Defender’s Inquisitor, Tore Daergan.  Tore was well known about Sword House and her friendly demeanor made most forget that she was responsible for ferreting out falsehoods within and without the church.  The recent events with the Defender’s Cathedral would normally have left the inquisitor in a state of limbo, but she was still technically on assignment to Sword House.No one paid the inquisitor any mind as she chatted with the latest transferee at the Church of Sarath.  Thus Kestral was brought up to date on the events of the prior evening and told that her friends had plans to be nearby during her dinner, but that they needed her to stall for at least an hour.---The Crown’s Table was nearly empty when Private Claudia arrived.  Situated in the north-west quarter, close to the Square, the restaurant was a largeish two-story building noted for both its’ food as well as for its’ private dining rooms where the rich conducted private business.  So close to Solstice the restaurant would normally be busy, however today Private Claudia saw only a few people in the common room and none of them looked particularly happy.  The young maitre d’ at the door looked her over once, started to say something, and then stopped himself.  A few weeks ago he would have said something snide to the young soldier, but this was now and things were grim.  Besides, Ker Merith had been quite explicit in the description of his guest.  The waiter shrugged once and then led the young looking soldier upstairs to the Sword Room, a private dining room with all the amenities.  The manager had insisted that Ker Merith and his guests take it at a surprising discount.  The manager had also let them know that no request would be turned down.The maitre d’ knocked twice at the double door and waited for the command to enter before opening the door.  He stepped forward and bowed to Ker Merith and his guest.  “Sirs, the young woman from Sword House is here to see you.”  The dining table was a large round affair capable of seating six quite comfortably; though only three places were set today.  Quentin Merith was seated facing the double doors while his guest was seated to his left and the empty space was set to his right.  Quentin smiled, enjoying the sense of prestige he was being afforded.  “Of course; send her in.”  He commanded, standing as Private Claudia stepped tentatively across the threshold.  “Come in, my dear.”  He said, waving her further into the room.  All was quiet while the maitre d’ seated the soldier at the table and then poured everyone a glass of wine from the decanter already at the table.  Bowing, the Maitre d’ then left them alone, closing the door behind him.It was then that Claudia noted that the only way out of the room was through the now closed double doors.  No other doors or windows were apparent, though there were some magnificent paintings on the walls.  It was with a supreme act of will that Claudia did not react when she realized she heard a familiar but muffled voice of a woman chanting in the room next door.  Instead she continued looking around the room.  Fortunately Quentin didn’t seem to hear it at all; but from subtle reactions it seemed as if Aruk did.Quentin looked over the young woman appreciatively as she looked about the room and then glanced to the man to his right.  "Ker Aruk, this is Private Claudia of Sarathian temple.  Private Claudia, this is Ker Aruk, recently from the North but now of his Grace’s court.”  Ker Aruk nodded and Claudia managed a graceful looking bow from her chair.  Aware that Ker Aruk was observing her, Claudia smiled; she knew what he saw and had little fear that he could he see past the illusion.  Instead she returned his frank appraisal and wondered that this was the architect of the city’s woes. Tall and broad shouldered, Aruk filled the room with his presence.  It was only after a moment of looking that a person realized that Aruk was perhaps in his fifth decade and that his dark hair was streaked with gray.  Aruk’s black eyes glittered with intelligence though and Claudia suspected that he missed little; she would have to watch which truths she spoke today.  Aruk was dressed in a fine silk shirt and black pants.  Rings adorned the man’s fingers and her keen eyes spotted two necklaces hidden under his shirt.  A dark gray cloak was thrown carelessly over the chair next to him and Claudia made out several interesting bulges.  Aruk was obviously a leader and just as obviously liked the finer things in life.Claudia waited for Aurk’s appraisal to end in what she hoped was an appropriately demure manner.  Finally he spoke.  “Quentin tells me that you hope to ally yourself with his Grace’s court.”Claudia nodded.  “Yes Ker Aruk.  As I told Ker Merith, I have no desire to be a soldier any longer than necessary.  I understand that I’m not suited for the role.”  Claudia knew that there was no need to present any falsehoods there.  She smiled in what she hoped was a cynical manner.  “My needs are more…material, shall we say.”  She gestured towards the table.  “I like the finer things in life and I find that the temple has too many restrictions.”Aruk, magically sensitive, detected no lie on the woman and allowed himself to return her smile.  “I think you’ll find serving his Grace can be quite rewarding.  These are hard times though; I trust you have no problem getting your hands dirty if the job requires it?  His Grace may order that someone…simply disappear; for the greater good of course.”Claudia leaned back a moment and appeared to consider it.  Finally she spoke.  “I absolutely don’t have a problem with it.  Some people should just disappear.  It would make things run smoother.”“Excellent.  It appears that we have a basis for negotiation then.”“That makes me very happy Ker Aruk.”  The young soldier paused a moment and then looked imploringly at the table.  “Can I ask a small favor before we start though?”Aruk considered and then nodded.“Can we eat first and talk of inconsequentials?  This is the finest table I have sat at since I’ve been a soldier and if you for some reason find me unsuitable I would at least like the memory of the meal.”Aurk laughed at that.  “Certainly, my young woman; eat your fill.  You should certainly have a taste of the rewards I can offer.  Let us eat for a bit and we will discuss our expectations after the meal.”The three ate heartily on the Crown’s Table excellent fare.  It was a simple three course meal with cheeses and dried fruits, followed by a hearty beef soup, and completed with tender slabs of ham served on a bed of rice.  All the while they talked of inconsequentials such as the weather and upcoming seasonal events.  Interspersed throughout the conversation however were more subtle questions and answers, each person testing the other.*  Eventually the meal was over however and the three of them sat back with mugs of honey-laced tea. ---Chanting as quietly as possible, Jallarzi manipulated the rune covered ivory tiles on the small stand in front of her.  The smoke from the burning incense danced and weaved about her.  She had been chanting for almost a full candle-length, staring through the transparent section of the wall at Aruk.  The painting that normally covered this one-way transparent section was sitting on the floor off to the side.  Behind her, Kellron and Jared waited at the ready in case something got out of hand.Jallarzi stopped chanting and inhaled suddenly as if in surprise.  The incense which had been slowly twirling about her also stopped and then began to stream into her eyes, hiding their violet color.  Then the haze of incense just as quickly disappeared and Jallarzi spoke in a voice not quite her own.“High Priest of the Dark Emperor, steeped in blackness with eyes upon the Throne.  Aruk weaves a web about Corlean.  One thread on the throne, another in the shadows of the Blue Diamond, and a final thread to the Night Below.”Jallarzi grabbed the table for balance and looked about.  “The Night Below are our illithid kidnappers I think.  The Blue Diamond would be Quereth Holtson.  The Dark Emperor would be…?”“Tresh.”  Snarled Jared.---Quentin Merith was feeling very happy with the way things were unfolding.  Claudia had made quite an impression on Ker Aruk.  She was eager to please, insightful, and properly polite.  She was quite a find.  He was thus quite startled at the direction the conversation took.“I trust that you enjoyed your meal?” Aruk asked graciously.“I did, thank you Ker Aruk.”“Then we might as well start our negotiations.”  He leaned back casually and dropped his hands below the table.  When he brought them back up Claudia saw that Aruk’s right hand now bore a black metal gauntlet.  Aruk nodded at her surprise.  “In the interest of keeping this on track I’ll say that I know your real name is not Claudia, that you are not a solider, and that I think you have allied yourself with people that are enemies of mine.”He smiled at the fleeting look of concern on the woman’s face.  “The only reason I considered meeting with you after learning all of this was that I think you might be persuaded to truly work for me.  Are all of these things true?”**Kestral inhaled and then nodded slowly.  “For the right price.”  She allowed.Aruk gazed at her and then smiled.  “Then let us discuss price.  What would it take for you to work for me and abandon your current allies?”Kestral was silent for only a few seconds, considering her options.  “I could do it for two-million gold lions or the equivalent.”  She told him.Quentin Merith’s jaw dropped at the princely sum, nevermind his surprise at the turn of events.Aruk snorted.  “Be serious.  No one has that kind of coin on hand.”Kestral held his gaze levelly.  “I’m completely serious.  We recovered several items worth collectively several hundred thousand lions on our last excursion.  We plan several more excursions going forward; and I need every golden piece.”“Why?”“That’s my business and doesn’t affect you; but if you want my services, that’s my price.”“And what makes you think you’re worth two million lions?”Kestral shrugged.  “I made it here and got an audience with you?  I have powerful friends that trust me?”Aruk stood.  “I know your friends are next door and are done with their castings.  I care not what they think they learned.  Know that this city is effectively mine and that there is no room in it for enemies.  When you’re ready to talk a more rational price for your services, contact Merith and be sure that bring something that’s worth what you’re asking.” Quentin Merith hastily stood after Aruk did, gaping at both of them.  Aruk dismissed Kestral with a glance and stepped towards Quentin, sweeping up his cloak as he did so.  “Quentin, you’re coming with me.  We have some things to discuss.”Kestral could make out the door to the room next door crashing open and feet coming down the hall.Before she could say anything else, Aruk grabbed Quentin Merith by the shoulder and spoke a word.  Both men disappeared.  Moments later the door open, revealing Jared, Kellron, and Jallarzi; each ready for battle.Kestral exhaled.  “Well we now know that he knows that we know and he now knows that we know that he knows.  I don’t think we should stay here very long.”---That evening at Sword House, Jared prayed for revelation before the altar in the private chapel with Captain Rusuk.  It wasn’t long before Captain Jared of the Glorious Dragons found the walls of the temple fading away to reveal a field of battle.  In the distance he could hear the battle horns signaling a rally. The ground was churned up by hooves and feet, but no bodies were laying upon the ground.  They had gotten up to march on to the next battle.“Welcome Captain.  What do you wish to know?Jared turned and saluted smartly.  Before him, hovering just a few inches over the torn ground, was a winged angel in mithril breastplate, and wearing a sheathed sword at its’ waist.“I seek answers that will help us save Corlean.”“Then ask and I will give which answers that can be known.”“Is Grandal Deverx still alive?”“Aye.”“Does Duke Hilmaron know that there are Treshan’s in the city?”“No.”“Does the Duke know that Colonel Megara and Priestess Raptoran are in the hands of enemies of the city?”“No.”“Is the Duke controlled or charmed?”“Aye.”“Is Aruk the controller?”“Aye.”  Snarled the angel.“Is Baron Roth in league with the Treshans?”“Aye.”“Does the Duke know of the Baron’s involvement?”“No.”“Is the Duke’s daughter also charmed?”“Aye.”“Is Shalzerith a Treshan?”“No.”“Are there more devils in town?”  “Aye.”“Is Kestral still loyal to the party?” “I know not.  She is not one of ours.”Another rallying signal from the far-away horn draws their attention.  “I must go.”  States the angel.  “Continue your good work.”  With that the angel leaps skyward as the battlefield fades away to reveal the chapel once again.---Meanwhile, at a private residence unknown to most, Kestral sits with Jaylissa DeverexJaylissa considers Kestral's words and then considers her father.  “Will this get my father back?”Kestral shakes her head.  “I don’t know.  We’re not sure what happened, but it’s possible he’s still in town somewhere.  Quereth might know either way.“Very well, you’ll have all help I can provide.  What do you need me to do?”“We’re going to go up to his Grace’s palace in the morning and take care of Aruk.  We need someone to rescue Colonel Megara and Priestess Raptoran in case someone tries to kill them out of spite.  We don’t want them used as hostages.“I see.  Just myself and whoever I can scrape up?”  Asked the half-elf with some scorn.“No.  Captain Rusuk knows some city guardsmen that aren’t bound by the same oaths as himself, so you’ll have some official muscle; and Jared plans on calling up help similar to what we got when we entered the Cathedral.”Jaylissa relaxed a bit and then leaned back into her chair.  “If it was just the guardsmen, I would have told you know.  My godfather would have had them killed.  With angels though…”Kestral smiled.  “I was hoping you would say that.  If you’re in, then we’re all going to meet at this other place not too far from here.”---*There were a couple of diplomacy and sense motive and bluff checks.  Kestral’s player made her’s pretty easily.  Aruk had a good wisdom and sense motive as a class skill, but Kestral was careful not to lie – though I allowed bluff checks to make truthful statements to sound favorable.  **Aruk had some information sources of his own and I eventually decided that he could cast commune just as easily as the players.  He got enough to know that Claudia=Kestral and that she wasn’t strongly allied to the party (ie: she was neutral) and thus corruptible.  I think Kestral’s answers surprised the party though.Post Note: Naturally, this is another time that Kestral pulled a good diplomacy roll out of the dice bag.  Aruk knew she was working for his enemies but was possibly corruptible, so he viewed her with some favor.I'm not sure I would have let him stick around for the legend lore if I had to do this again though.  He recognized the spell for what it was but didn't necessarily know that it was directed at him.  Still it was a chance for the players to confirm their suspicions, so I allowed it for that reason.The next post should be the rescue of Colonel Megara and Priestess Raptoran. </blockquote>

Verification