Suddenly, from one of the side streets came a group of bandits, who attacked without warning. After their initial surprise, the adventurers rallied and began cutting their foes down; however, Dinendal fell quickly and lay bleeding on the cobblestones. With the aid of Aerikoth’s summoned dire bear, the rest of the party defeated the bandits and Darrow staunched Dinendal’s bleeding in time to save his life. Darrow, although wounded himself, appeared to be in a jovial mood, his axe having gotten some work after all that night.
Khalen asked the others to look for the spiral tattoo pattern and after some searching Darrow found that one of the bandit corpses possessed one. Khalen identified it as the same one that she had spotted on Nemar. The others also studied it, noting that from a certain perspective the spiral looked like the letter A in common script. Aerikoth stated that this was probably the symbol of the local thieves’ guild, the Astorians, whom he had heard were in the process of being assimilated by the Night Masks of Westgate. Khalen declared that they had better head back to the Two Swords.
The four reached the inn without further incident, alternately relieved and exhilarated by their experience. Darrow grabbed a drink at the bar and downed it before joining the others. Khalen indicated that she wished for them to talk in a more private place and went upstairs, the other three accompanying her. Once inside a room with the door shut, Khalen spoke about her desire to trust them and her previous love for Brindan, who she said was the only one who had cared for her – despite the way she truly looks, and who was responsible for how she looked now. She then dramatically revealed the illusion cloaking her body, removing a ring from her finger and showing her true aspect - that of a horned tiefling! (A surprise indeed, if not apparently for the wizard. It is strange to think that the plane-touched may walk among us like this, and I understand why they may be driven to such acts. Yet their reputations as being cursed or bringing trouble in their wake may sometimes be deserved. --C)
Dinendal reacted with surprised, glad laughter, evidently pleased to meet someone with blood of the outer planes. Darrow, confused by the horns, asked if she were part goat, before comprehending Dinendal’s words. Aerikoth, for his part, said that he had identified an illusion on her and respectfully asked to examine her ring. To Khalen’s relief, all were accepting of her true nature and still willing to aid her quest for revenge. After inspecting her ring for a short time, Aerikoth returned it to her, and she put it on again, once more cloaking herself in the illusion of humanity.
The following day, Alturiak 13, Dinendal roused himself early and asked to speak with Rahnee, who had shared a room with Khalen. The two went down to the inn’s common room, leaving the others to wake at a more reasonable hour. However, when the rest of the company awoke and went down, their two companions were not to be seen. Khalen, who was first up, inquired of the innkeeper if they had left a message. With a weak smile, he said that they had walked out the door earlier, but was sure they would be back. As Khalen was joined by Aerikoth and Darrow and they were served breakfast, they noticed that the innkeeper appeared to be acting strangely nervous. Darrow went up and passed the innkeeper a coin, with the understanding that he would let them know of any disturbances in town, given that they were adventurers.
Following breakfast, the three prepared to depart and Khalen stepped outside, only to find herself facing a group of the Teziir City Watch, who had evidently been waiting there. She immediately ducked back inside and started making accusations against the innkeeper, who looked helpless as a number of Watch and Helmite temple guards poured through the door. Darrow took his helm off and kept his hands away from his weapons, with Aerikoth advising that they should not resist, as they had done nothing wrong.
Khalen asked the others to look for the spiral tattoo pattern and after some searching Darrow found that one of the bandit corpses possessed one. Khalen identified it as the same one that she had spotted on Nemar. The others also studied it, noting that from a certain perspective the spiral looked like the letter A in common script. Aerikoth stated that this was probably the symbol of the local thieves’ guild, the Astorians, whom he had heard were in the process of being assimilated by the Night Masks of Westgate. Khalen declared that they had better head back to the Two Swords.
The four reached the inn without further incident, alternately relieved and exhilarated by their experience. Darrow grabbed a drink at the bar and downed it before joining the others. Khalen indicated that she wished for them to talk in a more private place and went upstairs, the other three accompanying her. Once inside a room with the door shut, Khalen spoke about her desire to trust them and her previous love for Brindan, who she said was the only one who had cared for her – despite the way she truly looks, and who was responsible for how she looked now. She then dramatically revealed the illusion cloaking her body, removing a ring from her finger and showing her true aspect - that of a horned tiefling! (A surprise indeed, if not apparently for the wizard. It is strange to think that the plane-touched may walk among us like this, and I understand why they may be driven to such acts. Yet their reputations as being cursed or bringing trouble in their wake may sometimes be deserved. --C)
Dinendal reacted with surprised, glad laughter, evidently pleased to meet someone with blood of the outer planes. Darrow, confused by the horns, asked if she were part goat, before comprehending Dinendal’s words. Aerikoth, for his part, said that he had identified an illusion on her and respectfully asked to examine her ring. To Khalen’s relief, all were accepting of her true nature and still willing to aid her quest for revenge. After inspecting her ring for a short time, Aerikoth returned it to her, and she put it on again, once more cloaking herself in the illusion of humanity.
The following day, Alturiak 13, Dinendal roused himself early and asked to speak with Rahnee, who had shared a room with Khalen. The two went down to the inn’s common room, leaving the others to wake at a more reasonable hour. However, when the rest of the company awoke and went down, their two companions were not to be seen. Khalen, who was first up, inquired of the innkeeper if they had left a message. With a weak smile, he said that they had walked out the door earlier, but was sure they would be back. As Khalen was joined by Aerikoth and Darrow and they were served breakfast, they noticed that the innkeeper appeared to be acting strangely nervous. Darrow went up and passed the innkeeper a coin, with the understanding that he would let them know of any disturbances in town, given that they were adventurers.
Following breakfast, the three prepared to depart and Khalen stepped outside, only to find herself facing a group of the Teziir City Watch, who had evidently been waiting there. She immediately ducked back inside and started making accusations against the innkeeper, who looked helpless as a number of Watch and Helmite temple guards poured through the door. Darrow took his helm off and kept his hands away from his weapons, with Aerikoth advising that they should not resist, as they had done nothing wrong.