2013-04-01

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The Outskirts of Age-Honen

The rider says nothing for a moment, then asks "Then why are you here?"

Charles had a conversation with the rider which the rest of the party are not privy to.

Tyrus realizes that there is a conversation coming from the direction Charles left in and suggests they move in that direction. They find Charles has dismounted in order to approach the Warg and have a conversation with the rider. When they crest the hill the rider regards them, and after a brief, quiet exchange with Charles it exclaims "You! Identify yourselves.".

Tyrus identifies himself, introducing the party members, Ulfgar Firehands the Worthy. Sero Flek the Unworthy. Juxhil Dragonbrave.

The rider pauses a long time, then asks "And what is your business here."

Ulfgar stays silent, as does Sero.

Tyrus takes the reins "We were seeking a creature, a Gray Render, who we had heard was maligning these parts, in the hopes that we might relocate it. Unfortunately the beast attacked and we were forced to destroy it."

"Then you are mistaken. Or misinformed. There are none here for the creature to have maligned. All around here and from the city are aware of it and take precaution. Were aware of it."

"Have we in some way offended you Sir Knight?" Tyrus offered cautiously.

"You don't offend me, but your incredible ignorance does."

Tyrus bristles visibly at the insult without explanation, but before he can respond the rider continues. "And what did you intend to get out of this? You seem the mercenary type."

Tyrus explains that it was a resident of Age-Honen that put them on the hunt, in exchange for a reduced rate. "May I ask your name, Sir Knight?"

He looks Tyrus over again and removes his helmet, revealing the face of a Grimlock. Never before has Tyrus been glared at so hard by a creature without eyes.

"I am Stol of the Crimson Tears."

"Well Stol of the Crimson Tears, would you lower yourself to educating ourselves as to why our ignorance is so offensive? Else we are doomed to continue it."

Stol indicates the township "These creatures here had been isolated from the influence of the city because of the strange relationship the creature had with them. It was a situation that should probably have been kept going."

"I see. So you fear that without the creature here they will once again be influenced by the city?"

"Some there may wish to take advantage of them... perhaps the very same who sent you out here."

"Well, what advantage could the inhabitants of Age-Honen be seeking? I'm very sorry but we had no idea..."

Stol responds "That city contains many of vile intent, and anything seperate from that would have been worth protecting."

"I see. So this township is full of peaceable folk seeking to live out their lives?"

"They do not wish to effect the lives of others."

Ulfgar interjects "At what cost would you have this peace? While it is true that we sought out the beast, it did attack us with no sign of aggression or chance to escape. Other travellers would have been in the same predicament. How many lives would you sacrifice to keep this settlement safe from the terrors of other people?"

"These lands are seldom travelled, and the creature was well known."

Tyrus speaks up again in support of Ulfgar "I'm afraid my friend here makes an excellent point, we had no knowledge of the creature prior to being told it was a menace. Had we never been given the task and happened to travel this way by chance, the outcome would have been the same. I feel that we cannot be expected to apologise for defending ourselves, but if there is a way we could assist in rectifying the problem, please let us know."

Stol considered this a moment, then said "Perhaps you are right, it is not a simple situation. Perhaps your intentions were not as selfish..." he trails off, and then appears to make a decision. "Should you return to the city, we may seek you out with a proposal". He starts to move his wolf over towards where the Render corpse lays.

Tyrus calls to him "Wait, who are the Crimson Tears? Who is it that you represent?"

Stol doesn't turn in the saddle as he replies "We are the ones who are not terrible." and contiues to urge his mount over the crest.


Age-Honen

Somewhat at a loss, the party returns to the city to inform Smithy of their success, though they do not mention their conversation with Stol. Smithy accepts the tooth as evidence of the Render being vanquished, and he and Tyrus get to work on Ulfgar's new cloak.

After the first day of work on the cloak, meeting in the tavern, Charles suggests a drink. He turns this into a drinking challenge between him and Sero. Tyrus notices him surreptitiously discarding his drinks behind the bar instead of drinking them.

3 rounds in, Sero narrows his eyes at Charles and says "What are you playing at brother?"

Charles says "Trying to stall are we?" and waves the bartender over again.

4 rounds in Sero starts to look somewhat affected. As Charles urges the barkeep to provide another round Sero questions him "You seem... somewhat... flustered Charles... What's the hurry?"

"Flustered! More stalls from you... Stallo" Charles retorts.

The barkeep begins to look worried at the prospect of these three getting quite drunk as he fetches the next round.

Sero ditches another drink, noticed by Tyrus and he thinks perhaps Juxhil. Tyrus feels obliged to speak up and interjects "Barkeep! Funnels. Yes, I think funnels for each of them." Charles seems to think this is a great idea, while Sero objects as Tyrus offers to assist holding his funnel, making a comment about not being in the spirit of the thing.

Tyrus responds "Well if you feel certain that you can get it all in by yourself, then feel free." and leaves him to it. At this point he notices that Charles seems not to be exagerrating his drunkeness somewhat, and keeps a keen eye on him as they down the next round of drinks, but Charles does appear to be drinking.

Charles suggests one more round, and Ulfgar raises his hand shakily, spluttering "Spirits this time." On downing his drink, Sero turns to Charles again and blinks slowly (first one eye, then the other), but says nothing.

Tyrus casts Detect Poison without guile, Charles objects as if he fears some kind of cheating, but Tyrus assures him that on the contrary he is attempting to confirm that all is above board.

After another round, Ulfgar finally wobbles and falls off his stool, laying gurgling on the ground.

Sero slurs at Charles "Look man... I think we should maybe call it quits.", but Charles teases him mercilessly. Sero manages one more round, after which he collapses, eyes open, staring straight ahead.

Charles hops off his stool, all signs of inebriation gone, and conspirationally whispers to Tyrus "Right, now that they're dealt with, you and I need to have a chat.". Tyrus tips the barman 2 silver pieces to ensure that their allies make it up to their room and satisfies himself that Juxhil will watch over them. He then joins Charles in his room upstairs.

Charles begins "Tyrus, I find that I respect you above all of the others. Which is why I have decided that you are the person to come to with my problem." he draws a deep breath before confessing "I have not been honest with you all as to who I really am."

"Some time ago, I was given a name. The name of a person who i was to watch over very closely. That person is Sero. He too, unfortnuately, may not be the man you know him as."

Tyrus asks the obvious question, and Charles produces a document.

"I found this among Sero's things the other day, I'm not proud to say that I have searched your belongings. I'm afraid I needed to take the precaution, as I needed to know who you all were, and if you could be trusted."

Reviewing the document, Tyrus realizes that it is a set of instructions for Sero to keep an eye on the rest of the party and assassinate them should their activities interfere with the interests of Thoraxis.

Tyrus is shocked, but thanks Charles for bringing this to his attention.

"The thanks may be premature, I also have my orders in terms of dealing with the situation."

"What are they?"

"To bring him to justice through any means necessary."

"I see. Who is he really?"

"The frustrating part about working for the city of Nuquadan is that they are very conservative with their information, I get told what to do and who to do it to, but not much else. It may be a foreign concept to you, but I have other interests to protect."

Tyrus asks "What will bringing him to justice entail, assuming that any means necessary doesn't extend to killing him?"

"The judgement has already been passed."

"I see, how did that go."

Charles grimaces as he replies "Poorly. Unfortunately the scoundrel knew how to make himself disappear."

After all he has seen of Sero, Tyrus finds himself believing this story, but asks Charles if he can give him a day to meditate on the matter.

Tyrus' stomach writhes as he considers the dilemma in front of him. He feels lost and dearly wants Nephes guidance. Everything seems to add up, and it seems almost inevitable that he will be obliged to abandon his comrade to his fate. He explains to Charles that if the party does agree to hand him over it will not be in chains, but they will promise not to interfere

Charles agrees that this is all quite understandable and takes his leave.


The Silver Screw - Sero & Ulfgar's Room

Tyrus sobers up Ulfgar and explains the situation as best he can to Juxhil and Ulfgar as he attaches manacles to the stupified elf, begging their patience with his precaution. Ulfgar immediately wishes he was still drunk.

Juxhil remains stoic as she considers the evidence. "I don't think people should be pinned down by the contracts and papers distributed by some nation. But... Sero may well have done things which call for this kind of response. He's certainly done terrible things whilst we've been in his company. Should it be that you decide to give him up, I would trust your judgement. Though I am not sure I could continue to travel with you."

Ulfgar speaks up "I think no matter our decision, Sero should be given at least an opportunity to explain himself.", which they all agree to.

Tyrus takes his leave at midnight to commune with his Nephe, and at the end of the ritual finds the response doesn't bring him much peace:

"You face a dilemma, between a liar and an assassin, but whichever choice you make someone's consequences will meet them."

As the sun rises, Sero is roused from his stupor and his manacles removed, causing him to comment "I see, it was that sort of evening." as he rubs his wrists.

Ulfgar begins "Charles told us some interesting things about you." but is met with only a blank stare, so Tyrus adds "Tell us about Thoraxis and your representation of their interests."

Sero tells the others that he knows that Thoraxis is a human kingdom in the Steel Peninsula, but mentions nothing about employment. When presented with the note he asks where they got it, and when told Charles found it in his belongings he claims to have never seen it before in his life.

Tyrus informs Sero about the death sentence from Nuquadan and Ulfgar asks what he did to earn it.

"I don't know any reason they'd have a death sentence for me."

Tyrus asks "Are you sure you don't want to take this opportunity before I start asking more pointedly?"

Sero pauses a moment to consider, before slowly saying "I might have made a poor decision one time in their capital."

The cleric grimaces, and through gritted teeth grumbles "Sero this is quite hard for all of us... Please stop being... you, and be forthcoming."

"Alright, alright, now you're not going to believe this but there was this... woman... who was maybe quite a stunner... who was... maybe sort of kind of a mass murderer... and I might have... in my youth you understand... been persuaded to sort of kind of free her from life imprisonment and inflict her on the world. A little bit. Just a little bit. I might not have known all of that... but they weren't too pleased about it. So I was sort of... um... put into solitary confinement... a bit... for some years... maybe... or something..." He trails off.

"Anyway after a bit of that they decided they didn't want me around and said "You do what you want, but don't come back here." and I suppose they might have sent someone to keep an eye on me."

Tyrus stares down at this hands.

"Right.

Shit.

Fuck you Sero."

Then he draws in a long breath.

"To sum up, you weren't planning on killing us..."

The bard interjects flippantly "...well not right now..." but wilts under the sudden glares, shrugging as if to suggest he was only being honest.

"...and the only reason you can think of for them to send Charles after you is the release of this woman?"

Sero nods.

Ulfgar draws himself to his full height and asks "Are you willing to say the same thing in the Zone of Truth?"

"Well. Not willing... but I will."




Ulfgar goes looking for Charles and can't find him in his room or downstairs at the bar. He asks the barman if he's seen the elf but the barkeep keeps quiet. After checking for Dartanion in the stables and finding him there, he heads back inside and asks the barkeep again, more forcefully, updating Tyrus with a quick casting of Message. Realizing that the tap-puller is being evasive he eventually he reaches over to pull a glass from the bar, carefully places it on the bar, and suddenly whips out his Warhammer to smash it.

This produces a dramatic improvement in the memory of the barkeep, who informs him that Charles took another room.

Ulfgar points at the ceiling, moving his arm in a slow arc across the various rooms, the unspoken question clear on his face, and the barkeep directs him towards Charles' room, tells him he'd best not cause any more damage, and excuses himself down to the cellar on some pressing errand.

Ulfgar casts Message, telling Charles "Come down to the bar, no funny business. I don't have a problem with you as of yet."

Charles seems uncharacteristically grumpy as he replies "You'd better have a damn good reason for disturbing my rest." On arriving downstairs he grumbles "This is about Sero I imagine? What's wrong?"

Ulfgar explains the situation as he understands it, including Sero denying any deals with Thoraxis and has said he will repeat what he has said in a Zone of Truth.

"Very interesting. Before we head up there, tell me; what did he say about the murderer?"

Ulfgar explains, and Charles huffs "I don't see what the confusion is, but I'll come." and starts heading up the stairs.

Ulfgar interrupts him "Just to mention... Any funny business from either of you... Any violence will not be looked on lightly."

Charles haughtily informs Ulfgar that he need not worry about the conduct of an upstanding representative of the law.

Shortly after Charles arrives, Tyrus makes to cast the spell and get a clearer understanding when Charles brings him up short.

"Now hold on! If there is magic used in this room, I will be forced to inform my employers that you are attempting to pervert the course of justice."

"How are we to ascertain the truth reliably?"

Charles sighs deeply, and states "I do necessarily feel comfortable telling you the whole truth as I understand it. I don't know where your alleigences lie. I know things that you should not know, and will not put myself in a position where I am forced to reveal he secrets of others to those who may not be worthy of their trust."

Ulfgar bristles "Hang on. I have no evidence that you are who you say you are."

Sero meekly raises his hand and says quietly "When I was there there wasn't any law like that."

Charles bristles and launches into a derisive tirade "You were a Warden of Naquedem? You know all of our laws?"

"I know the laws well enough, I was put through the wringer by the laws of Naquedem. And there was no law like that when they locked me in that hole."

"You're a criminal! You can hardly be trusted!"

Tyrus tries to convince Charles once again, explaining that Zone of Truth does not compel a person to speak truths, but only prevents the utterance of deliberate and intentional lies. He adds that he feels that unwillingness to undergo the spell would seem to indicate that Charles has lied about something.

Charles sighs, suddenly world weary "It seems I have misplaced my trust in you Tyrus. This is not how I operate."

Ulfgar is suddenly furious, fire in his eyes if not his voice "You would malign the honour of this cleric!? This elf over here has lied to us, yes, but he has also saved our lives. How are we to trust you over him if he will agree to submit to questioning under the zone and you will not? He presents a better case than you!"

Tyrus desperately suggests that a compromise could be reached, that he and Ulfgar could deliver Sero to Naquedem directly rather than releasing him to Charles. When his own reliability is questioned he volunteers to allow a casting of Mark of Justice or Geas.

Ulfgar turns to Sero and asks him once again to confirm that he does believe he has served his time in all honesty.

Sero nods enthusiastically "I paid for what I did. They kept me, then they kicked me out, and I was happy to leave. I never want to go back. Especially not for more of the same. But if that's what it takes to stop being hounded..."

Ulfgar interrupts "Sero if you have punishment coming then you must face it, but if you have paid your penance then I will stand with you and fight anyone who hounds you." He whirls to face Charles "If he will agree to all of this, and swears that he has served his sentence, and will swear it under a Zone of Truth, then how can you convince me you are in the right?"

Charles looks at the impassioned dwarf with dead eyes as he says "I suppose I can't."

Suddenly, the room fills with smoke.

Sero stands and casts Grease across the doorway Charles was standing in as Juxhil fires blindly, the bolt clattering against the wall.

Tyrus steps onto the bed between him and the bard and reaches out blindly, calling for his hand and casting Blindsight as their fingers intertwine. Moments later there is a crash as the window shatters, the elf having thrown himself out.

Ulfgar casts Haste on all but Charles as he barrels towards the door, shoving off the corridor wall as Mr Sniffles lets him know that Charles is well on his way to the stairs. He utilizes the existing Message spell to tell Tyrus the information as he heads after him. He pulls up short as he hears Juxhil yell "Ah fuck! He left one of those fucking [www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/goodsAndServices.htm#tanglefootBag bags]!". The dwarf hears Sero call out "He's heading to the stable!" as he spins on his heel and charges for the opposite end of the corridor. The pain he feels as he cradles Mr Sniffles against the impact of the unforgiving ground is somewhat made up for by the sense of satisfaction that he remembered where the window was correctly.

Meanwhile, Tyrus is picking himself up off the ground, having followed Sero out the window of the room and summoned The Duke (but not yet able to provide a target), and running to the stable door. He stops in the middle of it just in time to sense a horse bolt past and but although he reaches out he is unable to snag it. Turning and running after it he soon emerges from the smoke, immediately spotting Charles only 30 feet away, urging his mount to begin a gallop now that they are free of the fog and scattering a small crowd of onlookers. A hurried casting of [Impede stops the beast dead in it's tracks.

Ulfgar finishes circumnavigating the stable and bursts out of the smoke next to Tyrus, screaming for Charles to stop running as he raises an outstretched hand. Three things happen nearly simultaneously.

  • Charles raises his hands and slides out of the saddle, diving towards the cover of an alleyway.
  • There is thunderous roar from behind the two cracking explosion
  • Ulfgar allows the waiting arcane energies to coalesce into his hand, one ray streaking over the head of the fleeing form but the other just barely catching him in mid-air a moment before he disappears behind the corner of a building, his screams for the guards momentarily transformed into a scream of pain.

Tyrus tears forward with all of the speed provided by his companions enchantment, gaining sight of Charles just inside the alleyway, on all fours and breathing heavily. In a moment his summoned weapon slams into the prone form, pure force cracking bones with the second swing and leaving Charles suddenly lifeless.

As the others join him, he rolls the corpse onto its back, patting it down and retrieving the following:

  • Papers
    • Identifying him as an agent of the courts of Naquedem.
    • Those he used to gain unrestricted access to the Great Mint.
    • The document identifying Sero as an agent working for Thoraxis.
    • A document nearly identical to that naming Sero, but instead naming Charles as the agent of Thoraxis.
  • An exquisite amulet, which Tyrus is able to Identify as a powerful magic item which can mask the alignment on the wearer without showing up as magical.
  • Signal Whistle.
  • Tanglefoot Bags.
  • 15 Gold Pieces.

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