The Westgate Campaign Chronicles - serial

[Carlo-One]

The Diviner

At highsun the following day, Hammer 5, Queron gathered the companions together to update them regarding the investigation of Seriawan. Brok-Tul, busy composing missives to High Cleric Carlin, stayed in his room. Queron informed them that one of his agents had located someone claiming to know where Seriawan was located. The man had demanded a large amount of gold, so the agent returned to inform Queron of the situation. In response to a question from Rahnee, Queron indicated that 600 gold was the sum named. Jokull was not happy with the size of the sum, nor was Aerikoth, who flatly stated that he would not contribute anything to the endeavor, which he considered a waste of time. Queron shared the fact that the contact was called “Scumby” - presumably not the man’s real name - and could be found in the Foamy Mug tavern at the Point, should the companions wish to investigate further. Queron also furnished Rahnee with a map of Teziir, in order to assist the group in navigating the city.

Since they had no pressing business until the evening, Rahnee and Jokull compared their weapons inventory and traded blades, Rahnee giving the Cormyrian warrior an enchanted short sword recently looted from the bandits in exchange for a longsword that was in his possession. Rahnee also passed Jokull his share of the reward for defeating the bandits. As the others had expressed disinterest in pursuing the “Scumby” lead, Rahnee announced she would go sell some of the rings acquired from the bandits and perhaps visit the temple of Tymora. Veran accompanied her into the city for the afternoon, while Aerikoth and Jokull stayed behind and took advantage of Queron’s interesting library.

Late in the afternoon, Rahnee and Veran returned to find their other three companions relaxing in Queron’s foyer, Jokull with a stack of books and a half-finished glass of wine on the table beside him. After preparations were made, the group departed, heading for the Sailor’s Fancy tavern in the Docks, where they hoped to catch the eye of the anonymous agent of Teziir’s diviner. After asking directions from one of the dock guards, the group cautiously entered the Sailor’s Fancy and looked around, settling on a far corner table. The tavern was a lively place, with a mix of sailors, mercenaries, and locals (including a busy barmaid) all talking. Brok-Tul took it upon himself to speak in a loud voice about some of their recent adventures, looking to attract attention to the group. Eventually an older man, evidently a regular, wandered over to Brok-Tul when the half-orc had returned to the bar and offered to swap tales in exchange for a drink. Brok-Tul agreed and led him back to the table, where the man introduced himself as “Old Tam.” (Evidently the large, brash and loud half-orc found the task suitable to both his skills and liking. --R)

Old Tam regaled the group with an old story about his “privateer” ship stopping at a deserted island, where he and a mate snuck out at night and encountered cutlass-wielding skeletons guarding buried treasure. In return, Rahnee, Brok-Tul and Veran took turns telling him a summary version of their journey to the Darkened Forest, their encounter afterwards with Melissa, and their search for the lich who was responsible. (I am not sure I would be so forthcoming with such information with an old "privateer" that I had just met. Yet it seems no harm was done. --C) Old Tam, who clearly appreciated the attention paid to him by the “pretty lady,” asked Rahnee for something to remember her by, suggesting a lock of her hair. Aerikoth and Brok-Tul immediately paid serious and close attention to the old man, while Jokull seemed amused by the request. Rahnee, smiling softly, acquiesced and had Brok-Tul cut a lock of her hair off. (The lass likely was aware of the uses for divination for the lock of hair, no doubt a mark of her noble education in Waterdeep. --R). After she had given it to Old Tam, the sailor thanked her for being kind to an old man and walked off slowly and proudly to show his mates. A short while later, their drinks finished, the companions returned to Queron’s for the night.

 

[Carlo-One]

The next morning, everyone except for Brok-Tul and Jokull made it downstairs for breakfast on time, although the half-orc eventually wandered down and managed to scrounge for leftovers in the late morning. While he was doing this, a messenger arrived at the door and handed a letter to Queron’s servant Bustable, who read the outside of it and observed that it was addressed to Rahnee. After he passed it along to her, she opened it and shared its contents with the rest of the group: "If you wish to find what you seek, go to the temple of Azuth at highsun. Answer the riddle of the priest by knowing thyself for the answer."

Brok-Tul immediately stated that they had to go to the Azuth temple at highsun, ask to talk to the priest or high-priest, listen to some riddle, and say "Helm's Shadows” - or, jokingly, maybe just “lost.” Aerikoth was unimpressed by what he termed the note’s “histrionics” but nevertheless encouraged the party, after some extended banter between Rahnee and Brok-Tul, to go to the temple per the note’s instructions.
After walking through Traders District and into the Council District, the four companions - Rahnee, Brok-Tul, Aerikoth and Veran - easily located the temple of Azuth, which had illusory doors of lightning along much of its façade. Once they had entered, the temple priest greeted them and also introduced a pixie dragon, who was flying around the interior, as “Pixilator.” After Rahnee showed the priest the note, he offered a riddle, which he said would be simple to answer “if you know who you are.”

The riddle itself, “where there is sunlight, there must always be…” did not impress Aerikoth, who termed it rudimentary and incomplete. (At least the mage demonstrates the virtue of consistency with his rudeness and dismissive attitude towards all of the priests he encounters. --R). In reply, the priest stated that Aerikoth argued from the head rather than the heart - and in any case, he was not the one to whom the note was addressed. At this point, Rahnee stepped forward and said, “Helm’s Shadows we are. And Helm’s Shadows we will be.” This was indeed the answer the priest was looking for. He asked the party to stand on the four symbols painted on the corners of the floor. Once they had done that, he stood in the center of them and softly spoke a series of words, transporting the companions in a flash of light to the upper floor of the temple. There, a middle-aged man with fierce blue eyes set in a craggy face awaited them, introducing himself as Isyio, the diviner.

Once Rahnee had made introductions, Isyio motioned for them to gather by a large mirror and discuss what had brought them to him. Aerikoth explained succinctly what they knew of Ashnakzeroth and his return. Rahnee then mentioned their dreams, including the shared ones which had seemingly transported them back in time to the lich’s cavern in the Seven Hills outside Westgate. Isyio listened intently as the companions related their experiences and deductions about what had happened with Ashnakzeroth.

The diviner told them that their cause appeared more than worthy, since Ashnakzeroth’s return could signify nothing but evil for the people of the Dragon Coast. He said he was therefore willing to use his greatest divination magic on their behalf, one which opened a pathway for his mind to one of the Outer Planes. He would be able to ask no more than four questions of one of the plane’s inhabitants, receiving only terse - but hopefully true - answers in return.

Isyio asked that the group designate one of their number to ask the questions, as the diviner would have to concentrate fully on maintaining the extraplanar link. After some further discussion regarding the process and what plane the party would prefer to contact, which was inconclusive, Isyio began preparing the spell, which he indicated would take approximately ten minutes. While he began chanting the words necessary for its casting, the group debated which questions to ask, designating Aerikoth to ask them on their behalf.

 

[Carlo-One]

When Isyio had finally ceased his chanting, he turned and looked toward Aerikoth with distant and otherworldly eyes. Unruffled, the mage asked the first question: “The creature known as Ashnakzeroth, does he or those who serve as minions to him reside in the location known as the hills of the lost gods near the city of Westgate?” Isyio then mouthed Aerikoth’s words silently and, in a distant and hollow voice, answered “No.”

Aerikoth narrowed his eyes and continued in a neutral tone: “Does the creature Ashnakzeroth or the ones that serve him dwell in the Dark Woods near the village of Turnton?” The diviner, after a similar pause, answered “No.” Aerikoth tilted his head and stared intently at Isyio for the third question: “Does Ashnakzeroth have any influence or is the undead force corrupting the temple of Mask within the city of Westgate?” In a deep, hollow voice the diviner replied once again, “No.”

Before asking the fourth and final question, Aerikoth arched an eyebrow and glanced at Brok-Tul briefly before returning his gaze to Isyio: “The prophecy that Veran, a monastic of Kelemvor, continues to speak of, is that prophecy concerning the return of Ashnakzeroth to the lands of the Dragon Coast?”

As Isyio began to mouth a response, a look of horror came over his face and his head swiveled to face Rahnee. Brok-Tul’s eyes widened in shock at the change and he placed his hands on his holy symbol. Isyio’s eyes turned jet black as he stared at Rahnee, whose hand went to her sword hilt, while nearby Veran paled visbily. An eerie, hollow voice rang out from Isyio‘s mouth, saying in measured cadences: “An enemy will guide you. A friend will betray you. A bond will be broken. And you will see the face of death." With that, Isyio's eyes rolled back in his head and he crumpled to the temple floor.

Despite their shock and consternation, the companions immediately saw to Isyio‘s needs, Brok-Tul kneeling down to confirm that the diviner was still breathing. After a few moments, Isyio slowly rose to his feet, appearing to have aged ten years. He apologized for having blacked out at the end and said he remembered nothing of his last answer.

Looking in the mirror and running a hand over his face, he commented that he had on occasion suffered similar effects, which had then disappeared after a week or two, although this was the first time he had contacted the Negative Material Plane. To Isyio, it had seemed the most appropriate, given the nature of the problem. Brok-Tul in a well-meaning gesture passed Isyio a flask of Tangyr Stout to help shore up the diviner, who still looked somewhat hollow as he sipped the drink. Brok-Tul offered to declare the diviner “Helm’s Hidden Ward” and promised to provide him with any help he needed in the future, for service and friendship.

Isyio then asked Aerikoth, Rahnee, Brok-Tul and Veran to stand on the symbols at the corners of the room. Following a whispered word, he gestured and the party found themselves back on the ground floor of the Temple of Azuth. The priest smiled at them, as if teleporting around his temple was nothing out of the ordinary, and then went to check on the faerie dragon Pixilator. Rahnee, still shivering slightly as they materialized back on the first floor of the temple, felt the need to feel the sunlight on her face, and she pushed open the door to step outside, the others soon joining her.

Outside the temple, Rahnee leaned against the wall to soak up its cool support and was reviewing the diviner’s words with Brok-Tul when Jokull appeared. Brok-Tul, clearly upset by the implications for Rahnee of what had been said, decided to go off and clear his head, prompting a question from Jokull as to what was going on. Rahnee, although obviously still shaken, was able with the help of the others to provide a rough outline of what had happened. Part of what had upset her the most, she said, was that the last question had been answered by a voice sounding like that of her murdered brother Khael, who had been a novitiate of Tymora. In response to a question from Rahnee, the others indicated that none of them had heard the voice of a loved one during the diviner’s spell, she evidently being the only one.

(A dramatic encounter with the diviner, especially for Rahnee. Yet it was a frustratingly unhelpful one, unless the last answer truly had something to do with Ashnakzeroth. The matter of Brother Veran's prophecy also remains a puzzle. While I hesitate to say that I would have done better in this situation, the first three questions asked by the group seemed to yield little information, although the answers at least ruled out some of the previous speculations about the abomination. --C)

 

[Carlo-One]

The four companions made their way back to Queron Ulanthar’s house, where they went over in more detail what had occurred with the diviner. Jokull found the diviner’s words terribly cryptic and not particularly helpful. (Such is ever the way with prophecies, reading of fortunes, and other attempts to see the future. Rarely does one understand the course of events, except after they have already occurred. This naturally leads one to ask: why bother with such divination in the first place. --R). There was some speculation over who the supposed betrayer could be, but they soon abandoned it as being paranoid and discussed possible next steps. Jokull requested the servant Bustable to ask Janatha if she could join them, as her father Queron was out elsewhere on business.

Brok-Tul at this point came through the door, still looking somewhat absent-minded and worried, and was welcomed by Rahnee, who apologized for her earlier loss of control. The half-orc hugged her in response and told her not to apologize. Rahnee informed him that they had decided their next move should be to go to Turnton and seek out DeeDee (also known as Melissa), to determine if she would be the “enemy who will guide us” according to the diviner’s words. (A keen insight into her potential role, I believe. --C). Brok-Tul and Veran agreed on the need to visit Turnton, commenting that they still owed High Cleric Carlin for raising Veran and Melissa.

Janatha came down the stairs and said hello to the group, inquiring if they had managed to find Seriawan. They answered in the negative, Rahnee and Jokull communicating their disinterest in following up on the matter. Jokull said that there were not many more reasons to stay in Teziir and that they were planning to leave in the morning, which appeared to disappoint Janatha. In response to a question from Rahnee, Janatha said that she had decided to stay in Teziir for another month. Jandrico had previously said he was planning to hire someone else to help out at the Gatereach and her father was eager to have her spend some time in Teziir. Rahnee sympathized with Janatha’s torn emotions, commenting that she would likely feel the same way if she returned to Waterdeep.

After the companions had washed up and relaxed for the remainder of the afternoon, they were summoned to dinner with Queron and Janatha. During the meal, they expressed their appreciation for Council Member Queron’s hospitality and informed him they had been able to meet with the diviner, thanks to assistance from the Temple of Helm. Veran commented that he had become somewhat spoiled while at Queron’s, prompting wry comments from both the host and Rahnee about Veran’s appreciation of the food and wine. In response to some questions from Aerikoth about how Teziir was ruled, Queron explained that there were traditionally eleven members on the ruling council, which was determined solely by declared level of wealth. Queron then turned the conversation to the upcoming elections in Westgate, which he informed them would be the first one where all landowners inside the city walls would be allowed to vote.

Once the meal of spiced lamb and red wine was concluded, Rahnee mentioned that she would be interested in an evening stroll, commenting that among other things she had not yet managed to visit the Temple of Tymora. Brok-Tul excused himself to be alone, saying he was somewhat dizzy from the wine and what had occurred, which made him unfit for company, but praising Queron’s hospitality once again. Aerikoth, for his part, preferred to remain at Queron’s. After saying their good-byes to Queron and Janatha, Rahnee left the house accompanied by Jokull and Veran.

 

[Carlo-One]

Marise and Seriawan

Later that night, Rahnee and Veran returned to Queron’s house. Shortly after they arrived, Aerikoth excused himself and went upstairs to turn in for the night, while Rahnee, Veran, and Brok-Tul had a private conference in the dining room before going to bed. Jokull for his part had still not returned.

The four companions – Rahnee, Veran, Brok-Tul and Aerikoth – rose early the next morning on Hammer 7 and had breakfast. Queron’s servant Bustable passed Rahnee a small object, saying that Janatha wished Jandrico Swift to have it. Rahnee thanked him, then she and the others gathered their equipment and departed the house.

Instead of heading for Trader’s Road immediately, however, Rahnee and Veran led Brok-Tul and Aerikoth to a small house in the Bayside district of Teziir. Climbing the stairs to the upper floor, they were greeted by Jokull and Marise, the woman they had rescued from the bandit gang. It was revealed that the previous night, while “out for a walk,” Rahnee, Jokull, and Veran had found and entered the house, where Seriawan was staying, and encountered Marise there. When the companions found her, she and a summoned dire wolf had been interrogating a frightened Seriawan. After a tense exchange of words between the two parties, Jokull had remained behind with Marise to ensure that Seriawan, who was put in his room for the night, did not leave before the others arrived.

Marise appeared less than pleased to see Brok-Tul, for it turned out that she was the one who had fled when he and the others had first found the secret underground shrine to the dead goddess of illusion, Leira, in the Hidden House in Westgate. Nevertheless, she listened as Brok-Tul explained their interest in the Hidden House and how they had been foiled in their attempt to purchase it. Marise, looking thoughtful, said that spending the night in conversation with Jokull had changed her outlook and that she now knew that her faith in Leira had been a vain hope. Marise had been seeking revenge against the Thayans, for what they had done to her family, and had turned to the worship of Leira in desperation. From her talk with Jokull, she understood that the others also opposed a Thayan presence in Westgate, so she offered to make an alliance and to meet with them when they returned to the city.

Rahnee meanwhile had attempted to fill in some of the details for Aerikoth, explaining who Marise was and that Seriawan had actually purchased the Hidden House on behalf of Rancel, a gnome in Westgate they had previously encountered. Aerikoth at this point interjected his opposition to any agreement with Marise until he fully understood the situation. After some back-and-forth amongst the companions, Jokull turned to Marise and told her to leave a message for Helm’s Shadows at the Gatereach Inn in Westgate, informing them how to contact her. With that, Marise took her leave, commenting that the companions apparently had business to attend to amongst themselves, giving Aerikoth a cool glance as she departed.

 

[Carlo-One]

Brok-Tul, Rahnee, and Jokull argued with Aerikoth in favor of working with Marise and seeing if Seriawan could lead them to Rancel. Aerikoth pointed out that the purchase of the Hidden House had been completely legal and that, simply because it went against their personal interests, the others had pursued Seriawan and had used physical threats to hold him against his will. Aerikoth chided them for this and for planning to forcibly take Seriawan back to Westgate. (Although questions remain about Aerikoth's own personal interests and activities, I have to say that the wizard has a point regarding both the apparent legality and the appropriateness of the others' actions regarding Seriawan. A respectfully lawful attitude. --C)

At this point, Seriawan stuck his head out from behind the door of his room, commenting that he couldn’t help overhearing. Smiling weakly, he explained that he had simply lent his name to Rancel to use in purchasing the Hidden House. Rancel had said that he wanted to avoid unwanted attention from Night Masks after purchasing the house, which he said could be done by using Seriawan’s name instead. Seriawan also volunteered that Rancel had taken a room at the Rising Raven Inn when they had last met. Despite repeated questioning by Brok-Tul, Seriawan claimed he knew nothing more about the business and indeed wished that he had never heard of it. Asked by Jokull why he had agreed to the proposition, the weaselly-looking Seriawan said that it was for the gold Rancel had offered.

Interrupting further argument between Brok-Tul and Aerikoth, Seriawan then pleaded to be let go, a course of action which Jokull supported. Seriawan pointed out that even if the companions wanted the house, Rancel was the one who had possession of the deed and Seriawan could not help them any further. Brok-Tul accepted that and offered a gauntleted hand as a parting gesture of goodwill, which Seriawan eagerly shook before scooting quickly down the stairs and out the door of the house.

The companions soon took their leave of the place as well, heading across the city toward the road to Westgate. It was not a happy journey, however, as their conversation was filled with rancor, especially on Aerikoth’s part, over the incident with Seriawan.

 

[Carlo-One]

Return to Westgate

The companions took a full day and night to return to Westgate, spending an uneventful night camping at the Reddansyr crossroads. Rahnee separated from the others once inside the city, indicating she had some business to attend to and would likely meet them outside South Gate later, in order to continue their journey to Turnton. Once back at the Gatereach, Aerikoth went immediately into the inn for breakfast, while Brok-Tul, Veran, and Jokull stopped at the guest house first. Aerikoth was already eating a hearty-looking breakfast of eggs and muffins when the others showed up for their meal. A new serving woman named Goruna, who appeared to be just as hearty as her food, made sure they had plenty to eat.

After sampling some of the breakfast, Veran inquired about messages. Jandrico produced a sealed scroll case for him, saying that it had arrived shortly after their departure for Teziir. Veran broke the seal and read the message, a slight frown crossing his features. Aerikoth finished his meal before the others and stood up, saying that he would see them later on. (It is a shame that more is not recorded here regarding Brother Veran's missive. It must have had some significant import. --C)

Early afternoon of Hammer 8, all of the companions save Jokull found themselves at the Gatereach guest house, Aerikoth entering the building while Rahnee, Brok-Tul and Veran were in conversation. Aerikoth told them that he did not plan on going to Turnton with them the next morning, as the others had been discussing. The wizard said that he expected if Dee Dee had anything significant to relate, she would have already told the high priest. Aerikoth also commented to Brok-Tul that, although it may have escaped the others’ notice, he was not overly fond of Brok-Tul’s brethren in faith there.

Rahnee, seemingly impatient, stated that then there was no reason not to set out for Turnton immediately, as Jokull could catch up to them later. Aerikoth said that if they remained there for a considerable amount of time, say half a tenday, he would journey there himself. Rahnee coolly thanked him. Aerikoth commented that he had ways of traveling inconspicuously and, with a gesture and a flash of light, disappeared.

After a minute, while the others were still reacting to the wizard’s vanishing act, Aerikoth came down the stairs. In response to a question from Rahnee, he confirmed that he was now able to transport himself various distances, in a heartbeat, and could perhaps take others with him. While Veran and Brok-Tul were impressed, Rahnee’s fingers tapping on her swordbelt perhaps signaled another feeling. After gathering their equipment, the other three companions bade Aerikoth farewell and set out for Turnton.

 

[Carlo-One]

Very early in the morning of Hammer 10, Rahnee, Brok-Tul, Veran and Jokull tramped wearily into the Gatereach guest house, having just returned from Turnton. After a long rest, they joined Aerikoth for a late morning breakfast at the Gatereach, asking Jandrico to catch them up on happenings in Westgate while they ate. Aerikoth finished early and returned to the guest house while the others sated their ravenous appetites on Goruna’s griddle cakes.

Once reunited in the main guest house chamber, Aerikoth announced that he had two things to share with the group, one concerning the Thayan presence, the other concerning Jamal. The wizard said that, both through deduction and a source in House Bleth, he had determined that the Red Wizard in Westgate was working with House Cormaeril. Brok-Tul pounded his fist enthusiastically in response, while Jokull expressed his lack of surprise, given the other evils Cormaeril had been responsible for.

Aerikoth, before speaking further of the Thayan, said he should tell the others about Jamal. He told them that, although he had no proof, he believed there would be an attempt on her life because of her public support of Audara Imryth in the upcoming elections. Jokull sat up in his chair, fully focused on Aerikoth’s words, commenting that Aerikoth spoke as if he were sure of what he said. Jokull further pressed Aerikoth on his statements, while Brok-Tul expressed his skepticism that a public figure like Jamal would actually be assassinated. An exasperated Aerikoth asserted that, logically, the Night Masks would inevitably oppose the Harper-backed candidacy of Audara Imryth, and would likely seek to eliminate the most obvious Harper presence in the city, that of Jamal. Aerikoth recommended that their concern be passed to Thalavar agent Garis, which Rahnee supported as being a helpful step regardless.

Aerikoth then presented his suggestion on how to lure the Thayan wizard out of Castle Cormaeril. The wizard proposed purchasing an “illusory script” spell from Gondeth to use to send the Thayan a message, establishing thereby that it had come from another worker of the Art. The message would draw on information from the deceased wizard Jamorin’s journal, still in Aerikoth’s possession, regarding a lich jointly sought by him and the Red Wizard Orthalar. If the Red Wizard in Westgate was indeed Orthalar, with luck he would find the message too intriguing to ignore.

Veran then raised the question of what should be done once the Red Wizard was lured out of his hold. Aerikoth, looking at Veran and then everyone else in the room, stated that he thought their intent was plain, to eliminate the wizard as a threat to Westgate. Brok-Tul, harkening back to Aerikoth’s criticism of their interrogation of Seriawan, made the point that it would be just as unlawful to lure the Thayan out to be killed by them. Aerikoth, with Jokull in agreement, believed that eliminating him would be for the greater good. (The question of the legality of adventurers' actions is something that does not normally seem to play a large part in their decision making process. --C)

 

[Carlo-One]

Rahnee smoothed things over by stating that they would need to think further on the matter, and that meanwhile Veran should tell Aerikoth what they had learned from Melissa in Turnton. Veran reflected for several moments, then began, saying that Melissa believed they would need a mage to gain entrance to Ashnakzeroth’s inner sanctum; she was especially interested in having Aerikoth present. She claimed that Aerikoth’s blood had special significance for Ashnakzeroth, as the wizard had been present when Ashnakzeroth’s spell to re-manifest himself was disrupted.

Veran commented that he was not altogether convinced that Melissa was serving the party’s interests. However, she was willing to guide them to the entrance to Ashnakzeroth's lair, which Veran believed was some form of teleportation portal, based on research the Oghma priests had provided him. Aerikoth observed, and Veran agreed, that bringing them to her master would also present Melissa with an opportunity to avenge her failure and perhaps regain a modicum of value in her master's eyes. Both Rahnee and Veran also commented on the fact that it seemed important to Melissa that the group seek Ashnakzeroth of its own free will. Veran was circumspect in responding to her questions, implying to her that he sought power, but he nevertheless found the exchange unnerving. (The party at least understands that they are attempting to manipulate someone who in turn seeks to manipulate them for her master's gain. Even so, it is difficult to see at this point who will emerge with an advantage in this contest. The abomination needs the blood of the wizard to regain its power, so it will be willing to do - and risk - anything to achieve this. --R)

Aerikoth speculated that, if they were brought to the creature’s lair, it might attempt to take over his and the others’ consciousnesses, much as they had experienced during their shared dream in Ashnakzeroth’s cavern throne room. Brok-Tul mused aloud that Rahnee had been prophesied to see Death’s face, so confronting the lich might be her chance to face it personally. Jokull for his part seemed unconcerned, asserting that anything could be defeated. Veran, however, agreed with Aerikoth that even if Ashnakzeroth’s power had waned, it would be good not to underestimate it. Aerikoth believed that if they allowed Melissa to lead them to her master's lair, they were opening themselves up for betrayal and more than likely giving the creature exactly what it wanted. Veran agreed, saying that they needed a plan to turn the tables on Ashnakzeroth.

The group retired to their chambers to ponder the choices before them, gathering once again in the common room in the evening to wish Jokull luck on that night’s fight in the Quivering Thumb arena. Jokull once again exuded supreme confidence in his own abilities, advising the others to bet all they had on him if they wanted to become rich that night. After sunset, Jokull’s four companions made their way to the crowded arena. Rahnee and Veran followed his advice and placed large bets on him with Drugo the Oddsmaker. “Josurr”, as the exiled Purple Knight was publicly known in the arena, soon appeared, as he was scheduled to fight first against the vicious owlbear that had already gutted two opponents.

Jokull twirled his sword in his hand a few times and then beckoned with his free hand, waiting for the owlbear to clear its head after being brought up from the monster pit. Once the monster had fully awakened, it glanced around the arena and then settled its attention on the gladiator, crying its hatred as it rushed at him. Using swift strokes of his sword and sure footwork, the warrior sliced up his monstrous opponent in less than a minute, drawing cheers of appreciation as well as a few boos from disappointed onlookers. Stanslav, the arena owner, proclaimed “Josurr” the victor as the warrior dealt the final blow, lowering his sword into the creature’s chest.

 

[Carlo-One]

The next match was between two slaves armed with clubs, one each from House Cormaeril and House Bleth, who Stanslav announced fought to uphold the honor of their Houses in the arena; the last one standing would be the winner. The two slaves went at each other with gusto, delivering blow after blow while nobles from each House yelled their encouragements. In the end, each simultaneously delivered a smashing blow to the other’s head, both falling to the arena floor into unconsciousness; Stanslav declared the match a tie.

The final match featured Khaan the barbarian, a brute of a man wielding a large axe, against four cutthroats armed with short swords. The grinning barbarian taunted his opponents as they slowly closed on all sides of him, visibly hesitating to start their attack. Once they were in reach, however, Khaan went on the offensive, immediately taking out two of them with sweeping axe blows and then meleeing with the others, who soon fell. The barbarian then paraded around the arena, celebrating his victory with a loud “KHAAAAANNNN!” (Not perhaps an original battle-cry, but it seems a very effective one nonetheless. --R)

After Rahnee and Veran had collected their earnings, they joined Aerikoth and Brok-Tul in heading for the arena exit. They came upon Jokull speaking with Jamal, who whispered something to him and then told him that she would be in contact within a tenday. Jokull acknowledged this with a curt nod and told her that he would be waiting.

One of the Bleth nobles on his way out offered her an insult in passing, which however was artfully turned back on him by the Harper bard. Rahnee, after “accidentally” bumping into Jamal, asked if she would join them for a drink at the Black Eye, which Jamal agreed to, leaving Jokull behind to speak to Stanslav. Later, outside in the Market district, Jokull ran into the others, just as Rahnee was finishing writing a note using the back of a frowning Veran as a writing desk. After congratulating Jokull on his victory, the group walked past Castle Thalavar, where Rahnee left the note with a castle guard, asking that it be passed to the steward Iono. The note said that Rahnee wished to call upon Iono the following morning in order to discuss another shipment of horses.