Six From Gate Pass - A War of the Burning Sky Campaign (3.5)

[Bannock]

Before stepping outside, Bannock, shouting through the house, loudly thanks Crystin again, and tells her that if something happens or she needs anything in the night, he'll be sleeping in the stables with his horse.

Then he marches outside, and doesn't bother to set up a tent. Instead he walks into the stable, and unrolls his bedding on a bale of hay. He leaves his pack on the ground near the makeshift bed, but decides not to go to sleep just yet, and leaving his armor on and using his glaive as a walking stick as usual, strolls out to see the others.

"Ah, you can feel the heat from that great fire in the distance even now! Kinda nice. What's all the hub-bub over here? So, are we taking this girl with us? She seems game. Maybe a little shy. Probably just needs to be shown a good time."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr can't believe what he's hearing.

"Let's put aside the fact you want to murder the man who just allowed us into his house and fed us. How powerful of a Wizard must he be to dominate a person? Do you have that power? Do you know anyone who has that kind of power? You could get us all killed. If the girl doesn't want to leave her father and we have no proof of enchantment I will have NO part of this. As Torrent said this is nothing about righteousness, it's about what's right. Murdering your host for personal gain is not right."

Hrimr walks away from this conversation and heads to where Bannock is to cool down a bit.

 

[digimattic]

Alric's eyes widen at Arnir's outburst, then narrow.

When Alric speaks, his voice obtains an edge, it drips with venom he was taught to have against mages growing up in Ragesia, "Haddin has done nothing to me and I admit that I like Crystin, but not enough to go murder a man. And for a book?!?!? By Helm!! All you wizards are insane!" Alric considers a moment, visibly cooling down. "100gp wizard, and you have my vote and my sword to go in there, kill Haddin, and take his book for you. Otherwise, leave me be so I can get some sleep."

Arnir looks at Alric with a dismissive stare
"Who said anything about murder?"

He looks around incredulously
"Hey Lars, remember when I asked if you could murder Haddin so I could take his spellbook? Of course you don't, because I never did.....Do you want to murder him Alric? You seem to fancy the lass, after all, and my, look how quickly you would accept some coin to take a man's life. Look, it's this simple- if you want to help the girl, she needs to be free from his arcane grasp. If you want the Ragesians to kill the old man, rape the girl and kill her- so be it. We leave at sunrise."

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric sighs heavily, seeing his profit from this situation suddenly becoming nothing. "You see a way of taking that book without killing him? Hmpf. Well, I suppose by your latest retort you've devised some method of taking it and can do it without my help. Probably thievery of some sort. I suppose I missed that particular conversation. Good luck with that. As much as I'd like to see it, I'm tired from the day's travel. And the girl, she's made her wishes clear to stay with her father. Anyways, she's pretty, but brain-addled."

Alric removes his armor and reacquaints himself with his bedroll.

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio listens to the others as their arguments spiral into something quite other than planning... He pulls out his flute, and blows an almost eardrum splitting shriek... "You know, we bicker a lot. Lars, Arnir, you want to do this thing, fine. I certainly did not say you "wanted" to murder him, I think what me and Torrent are saying is that this is the likely outcome of any action against Haddin. I mean what are you going to do, sneak the girl off and take his book while he sleeps? Hope the Ragesians take care of the angry abusive dominating nut job left behind us? I personally don't care one way or another, and again am willing to help, but I do care about not dying ... I don't have a good plan, and I only really see three possible options: 1) the one I just alluded to might work, maybe Lars can "disguise" himself as Haddin and sneak the girl out, after he sneaks into Haddin's room and "borrow" his spellbook; or 2) we sneak in and kill him, then leave; or 3) we sleep on it and try and talk to Haddin again tomorrow before we leave."

 

[digimattic]

Alric sighs heavily, seeing his profit from this situation suddenly becoming nothing. "You see a way of taking that book without killing him? Hmpf. Well, I suppose by your latest retort you've devised some method of taking it and can do it without my help. Probably thievery of some sort. I suppose I missed that particular conversation. Good luck with that. As much as I'd like to see it, I'm tired from the day's travel. And the girl, she's made her wishes clear to stay with her father. Anyways, she's pretty, but brain-addled."

Alric removes his armor and reacquaints himself with his bedroll.

Arnir rolls his eyes
"Clearly thievery, you simpleton. I'm sorry that's less to your liking than murder. Do you think he'll just hand it over? Honestly, I'm getting a sense of why you're no longer welcome in Ragesia. How you've managed to live so long is marvel....."

Arnir winces as Kirio blows his shrill note

"Haddin can do whatever he wants and I don't care what the Ragesians do to him. Honestly, Torrent is right, he's a powerful wizard that's why I want to do this while he's asleep. Waiting until he's awake is good way to end up dead most certainly. Also, I think it bears repetition, that I'm not forcing anyone to do anything, this is just a case where certain interests align in a way beneficial to us all...save Haddin. If you don't want to do it, then just say no and kindly go to bed."

 

[Adjuntive]

Arnir rolls his eyes
"Clearly thievery, you simpleton. I'm sorry that's less to your liking than murder. Do you think he'll just hand it over? Honestly, I'm getting a sense of why you're no longer welcome in Ragesia. How you've managed to live so long is marvel....."

Alric shows uncharacteristic composure at Arnir's snide comment. He simply sits up from his bedroll and flatly states: "A simpleton like me doesn't like murder per se. I don't do it for fun. Nor wenches. Certainly not books! But I've murdered those who deserve it and I've occasionally done it for gold. In some cases the gold is quite good."

Alric cocks his head to the side, suddenly curious about this as if he were watching some masquerade unfold. "I can't fathom why you want to steal this book. It can't be worth much, and I admit you've piqued a morbid curiosity in me as to why it's worth angering such a powerful wizard. Regardless, even if I was skilled in thievery, I see no profit in this for myself. Unless you need a sword and you wish to pay for mine."

 

[fromage67]

"Well, I will go to sleep now. I think it is better to pass up this opportunity."

 

[digimattic]

Arnir yawns and looks up at the sky.

"Then it is settled. See you all in the morning."

He walks over to his shared tent with Bannock, parts the flap and crawls in. You see a faint glow illuminate the tent as Arnir studies his spellbook, and then it snuffs out.

 

[Gregor]

The Plot Thickens

The night passes without incident and your proximity to the Fire Forest results in comfortable spring-like temperatures. The sky glows a deep red all through the night and cinders dance through the air. Some of you cough and snore a bit due to the constant ash, but when the sun peeks over the horizon at dawn, you find yourselves rested.

[sblock="for Lars"]Lars, your dreams this evening reach a new crescendo in intensity. One dominating image is seared in your mind at the end: the now familiar fiery stag looming over you and demanding to be released.[/sblock]

After saying necessary prayers and Arnir reviews his spellbook, you strike your tents from the yard and begin packing goods on your horses. Eventually, Crystin steps outside of the house and comes over to greet you. She apologizes for her father's behaviour and begs you to come inside for some tea and a breakfast of bread fried in lard. Although eager to get moving, your parched throats and grumbling stomachs convince you to accept her offer.

After stepping into the home once again, you can see that she has arranged plates and mugs for everyone. A large pot of tea is steaming near the fire and the ingredients for breakfast are partially prepared. You all sit down and relax, sipping tea and chatting while Crystin makes the meal. Haddin, Crystin tells you, is eating in his room as he has no wish to interact you again.

The meal takes roughly an hour or so to finish and Crystin once again sluggishly tries to ask to go along on your trip before shaking her head and stating that she does not want to disobey Haddin.

As you get ready to head out, a booming voice from outside the house rips through the quiet of your peaceful meal. The voice is deep, guttural and possess a slightly frightening otherworldly sound to it:

"Haddin! Haddin Ja-Laffa! Your execution has been ordered by Empress and Supreme Inquisitor Leska of the Ragesian Empire. Your reputation is known to us and as decreed by the Empress, all rogue spell casters and their corroborators shall be slain. Exit your home immediately to face these charges or you shall be taken by force!"

There is no sound of movement from Haddin's room, but Crystin looks as if she is about to cry and stutters through a plea to you: "This....this is just like my dream! I knew this would happen. We should have left with you! Please save us!"

GM: FYI, the house has two doors: one at the front and one at the back. Each door has a small glass glass windows (maybe 1 foot by 1 foot), but those are the only windows in the home.