THE HIDDEN: BEYOND NEW WATER
12 NEW TEAM ENTERS THE HIDDEN
SEGMENT 193
”AZZIME ASSIGNMENT”
04/15/18
BARRAKAS 13, 1000 EVENING IN YRLAG
Azzime has never much cared for his assignment. He has not cared for much since his country was destroyed. Born and raised Cyre, he was well known for his drawing talent. He liked drawing trees and buildings the most. People talked too much. But the plants…. They spoke quietly to him. It calmed him and relaxed him.
He rarely did commissions, especially out of country. He traveled to Passage, Aundair to do a series of drawings of a wine company. That was in Orulune…. 994. He could never return home to his home outside of Metrol.
The winery was actually a cover for a training facility of military spies. In time Azzime was trusted enough to work for them. But of course this was first to Eldeen to spy on the farmers and druids here whom demanded separation from Aundair and got it. Finding little except for individuals planning and generally failing to raise any forces, Azzime had little to report.
Some of his spy masters thought he was still holding back. Wishing for him to less importance, they had him move onward to Shadow Marches. He went to Yrlag to watch the water way to the Demon Wastes and western Eldeen. Though it was more of Breland’s concern, he could also listen for rumors involving Droaam.
It could have been worse, he mainly drew maps and landscapes whil e on the docks. Simple cover that drew little attention but placed him in the center of the action. Then Rhaan 9th came. Another unexpected massive area of land changed over night. The Hidden came with no warning except for a few scholars suggesting something called the Draconic Prophecy predicted it.
Truth, a warforged artificer and scholar was one of these. Lady Silvermane also was here looking for something to “happen”. Taking his skills in mapping, he grew in attention by drawing and supplying maps to the hundreds of adventurers that came. They gossiped and marveled at first New Water then the few that made it there- The Hidden.
He was among the last to last see Truth and RAF in New Water. Gnolls with Ogres for muscle and acting as Beasts of Burden came apon them. They were captured or forced to flee. He escaped but never saw the two famous (infamous?) warforged again. Whether they are in New Water, The Hidden or Droaam is uncertain. They may not even be active at this point. He had hoped to see them again. He really did.
That was months ago. Since he has acted as a guide to several groups of adventurers. They seem more unstable as time goes. Desperate people come here to hide. Hide in plain sight. It is a wonder that House Deneith has not come here in larger groups. House Tharashk had a few come when the adventurers first began to come in large groups. They left with a promise of more agents. That was months ago also.
This was the second aberration incursion set on Yrlag. The first involved sheer destruction. Like it was a test of our defenses. If so, we failed. The raid last night was about plundering our resources. They took things adventurers stole which he could understand. But they also took women and children. Why? What terrible things could be happening to them?
Though it is not the normal day to send a message, he decides this must be done. He goes to House Sivis to use a Speaking Stone to get word back to Aundair. In the beginning, he had to hand write messages to send there. It took weeks to reach the spy masters. When it mattered, it often came late. But with the events of the past year, Sivis found it profitable enough to set up a Speaking Stone. Aundair, using a random name of another agent in the city, set up an open account.
Azzime enters the office of the House of Sending. He nods to the smiling gnome behind the counter. “good day sir. Wishing to write home once more?”
“Yes- thankyou. My family may hear of the activities last night and worry about me.”
“Families usually do.” Suggests the curious but professional worker.
Azzime writes out the message on their unique paper. He hands it over to the clerk whom takes it to the magical stone and sends the message. Once confirmed he takes the message places it into a small minute flame that hungerly consumes it.
“Place it on the family’s tab Tabbit.”
BARRAKAS 14, 1000 MID DAY IN YRLAG
Azzime takes a break from collecting rumors on the Hidden. No one else seems to have seen a “Master”. That is what the scholars refer to the Xoriat creatures as. Others call them Daelkyr.
Returning to the Sivis building, he finds he has a message from his family.
= Monitor for further theft. Find what was taken and why. Take it back if possible. Use adventurers if need be. Report back finding=
Sigh
“Bad news Map Maker?” asks the gnome.
“They are worried for my safety and others.”