It's dawn on top of the collapsed shrine of Gormoth. Goldpetal tries to consecrate the land but fails. He asks for some time to meditate to find a way to heal the land. Everyone else agrees to rest while he does this, and Paks suggests that we go to the stand of trees we camped in. We head over there and set up camp. We rest for two hours. Miriel heals Paks and Telyrn. Goldpetal says that as he was meditating, a plan was planted in his head by Denev. He says it may take all day. Paks says she'll stay and protect him, and offers to give him a blessing, but he politely refuses. As the rest of us are discussing whether to stay or go, Goldpetal starts chanting. He chants for about ten minutes, burning some herbs he has with him in a little fire as he chants. The fire goes out, and a little field mouse crawls up his arm and whispers to him, then runs off. Just after this, a little bird flies up and whispers to him and flies off. This keeps happening, with various small animals and insects coming up to him. Chuck decides to stay to protect Goldpetal while the rest of us ride back to the freehold. It takes about five hours to get back, so we arrive in the early afternoon.
The night before, while we travelled to the standing stones, Stone was chasing the blind rat man, slowly losing ground. He yelled after the rat man, to no effect, but he found that it wasn't very difficult to follow the rat man; in fact, it almost seems as if the signs he was following were being left for him. After about an hour, he reached a clearing. In the center stood the rat man, hooded and leaning on his staff, bathed in the baleful light of the nameless orb. Stone bows.
Stone: "Venerable master, I request teaching."
Rat man: "Why do you seek to follow me?"
Stone: "I believe we are following the same path."
Rat man: "You think you are initiated in the Way, but yours is not the Way."
Stone: "Then we must settle this now."
Rat man: "I will be happy to teach you the true Way."
Stone takes off his shirt and stretches a bit. The rat man pulls off his cloak and starts swinging his staff around. Stone looks around for a staff.
Rat man: "Golthain's Way is the true Way. Only he showed the Way. For this he suffered. For this he is gone. Other ways are false, mockeries of Golthain."
Stone: "Hedrada shows the rightful path. His Ways supplant the ancient Ways."
Rat man: "The way of Hedrada is not the Way. His laws are the laws of a betrayer, his judgements, from a kin-slayer, from a patricide. This I will prove to you!"
As the rat man observes that Stone is unarmed, he puts down his staff. Stone takes a defensive stance and swings at the rat man, who dodges his blows, almost as if he sees them coming. The rat man directs a flurry of blows, a kick, two punches, and a tail slam back at Stone. He hits him with two punches. Stone reels.
Stone directs a flurry of blows back. The rat man dodges.
Stone: "Old man, you are spry."
Rat man: "Your very body betrays you! Your body tells me what you are about to do, before you do it! This is the teaching of Golthain!"
The rat man trips Stone with his tail and hits him with two more punches.
Rat man: "Do you yield?"
He allows Stone to stand up. Stone flurries him again and hits once.
Rat man: "Your discipline is admirable; your masters have taught you well. Discipline is not enough, however!"
The rat man attacks again, punching and kicking Stone and knocking him out. As he goes down he hears the rat man say "We will meet again."
We make it back to the freehold. We find Stone there, looking pretty beaten up. Everyone ask where Goldpetal, Paks, Chuck, and Hands of Fire are. Miriel tells the whole story. Telryn is saddned again at the mention of the death of Hands of Fire. Myrs comes up and asks Miriel for help; Brand has come down with Scarlet Pox. Miriel goes to meditate for a couple of hours. While she meditates, Novalia naps.
When Miriel comes out of the meditiative state, she sees a dove sitting on the window. Se watches it quietly, and it hops on her shoulder. She sees that it has a note attached to its foot. She carefully removes the note and unrolls it. As she does this, the dove flies away. She considers the note for a moment, then runs down and casts Cure Disease on Brand. He feels better, and tells her that he got ill while working on trying to melt down the scimitar. Miriel asks to examine the scimitar.
Back at the camp, Goldpetal is still whispering to small animals. Chuck keeps an eye out for ducks. After about two hours, a large lizard shows up and turns into a lizard man. He sits down and starts meditating with Goldpetal, and now more little animals, lizards and such show up to talk to him, too. Paks has her sword out and is patrolling the perimeter. Chuck is doing the same, and also trying to fly,but the wind conditions aren't good for it; there's no lift. About an hour later, a female wood elf, covered in ritual tattoos and just a loincloth shows up, doesn't say a word, and joins them. Chuck can't keep his eyes off of her. Later, a ferret shows up, turns into a tall man, and joins them. Finally, an eagle flies in, turns into a stern-looking half elf. He says "We are assembled now." He turns to Paks and Chuck and says "Thank you very much for your help; you're not needed now."
Paks tells Chuck that there are parts of the ritual they might not see; she asks what distance they should wait at. Goldpetal tells them to to just go back to the freehold. They leave him a horse and head back to the freehold. As they leave, they hear the group talking among themselves in a language they have heard Goldpetal use before. The eagle-man tells Goldpetal this is a very good thing for him to have called them together. He starts leading them in a ritual. Goldpetal is learning a lot about ritual casting. He can tell it will take them well into the night to cleanse this area.
By late afternon, Chuck and Paks reach the freehold and tell us what's up. At the evening meal, Myrs and Taryn thank Miriel for healing their son. Myrs tells us about the rat man scrolls, and how the rat men were using the slaves to breed the Slimy Doom disease to poison the water supply of Lave, and in fact the outbreak of last spring that Miriel worked in might have been a trial run. There was a coup in the local warren, and when Xyler Blackfoot gained control, he went against orders to attack the freehold. The albino was Skelos Chernson, a noble of the rat men, initiate of the second white Circle. He had come to check up on the plans, and was very upset that Xyler had gone off on his own. We eliminated them before he could send these messages back to his superiors. The information is very detailed: people, places. Taryn says we should go to Lave, Vigilant HQ, Charwood Hill, fortress outside of Lave, command of the Hornswyth Vigil; this was Chuck's base. Taryn will give us a letter of introduction.
Miriel examines the scimitar; it's definitely magic, has some sort of necromantic enchantment. As she examines it in the light of the nameless orb, some runes appear - Myrs says it says "Blade of Chern". Miriel tells everyone to stay away from it. Miriel meditates again to learn Remove Curse, then casts it surreptitiously on Chuck. She feels it fizzle. Chuck says "what was that?" "I was just trying to make you feel better." After midnight, Goldpetal shows up, worn out. We go to get a full night's rest before discussing our plans. Novalia heals Telyrn.
In the morning, the second Madraday of Madrer. Miriel heals herself and Chuck. Over breakfast, we tell Goldpetal about the rat man plot, and discuss where to go next. Miriel says that, while she really wants to go straight to Lave, she has had a message from Virinia (this was the message from the dove - The prophesy has been fulfilled. More has been revealed. Come see me. -- Virinia), so she must go to Southport first. Novalia is willing to go to Lave to fight rat men, but doesn't want to stop through Southport. Goldpetal thinks we have a responsiblity to go back to Southport and inform the town council of what has happened. Novalia says she's still going directly to Lave, even if everyone else agrees to go to Southport. The freehold is more than happy to sell us horses. Stone doesn't want one. We leave the horses and cart at the freehold in trade. Novalia buys two horses so she can trade off. She heads off to Lave, agreeing to meet us at Miriel's adoptive family's tavern, the Sleeping Dragon Inn.
Halfway through the journey, Novalia comes across a disturbing scene. She see five humans that have been hacked to pieces. She examins the bodies; everything they own has been smashed. She tries to figure out what attacked them, but she has no idea. After 10 hours, Novalia's horses refuse to go further, so she takes all her stuff off of them, abandons them, and keeps going. Two hours later, she crawls into Lave, gets a room in a seedy farmer's inn on the outskirts, heals herself, and sleeps for four hours. She offers an extra silver piece to be woken at first light.
Myrs helps us packs for the trip, including some of her special spicy food. We take the scrolls from the rat man warren; Paks brings the scimitar. We head out for Southport, stopping in the evening at the ruined tower to rest for the night. As we travel, Telryn talks to Dorin about Burok-Torn. Dorin goes on and on about what a wonderful city it is, and how we should visit, but of course we'll need to get through the Calastian troops. Telryn asks about the city's history, and Dorin is totally wiling to talk his ears off about the history of the dwarven clans and kings, their ancient enemies, and begins talking about 'the enemies below', but then abruptly changes the subject.
The inn-keeper awakens Novalia at first light. She plans to head for a cave near an aqueduct where one of the groups of rat men is hidden out.
In the morning of the second Taniday of Madrer, we awake at the tower, have a good breakfast, and head on to Southport. As we're travelling, we come across a bunch of bodies hacked apart; we can't tell how many of them there are, or much about them. Stone and Miriel say they're human, but that's about all we can tell. Telryn says it looks like maybe 5 different poeple. He points out that all their weapons have been smashed, and they look like they have the symbol of Vesh on their armor. It might be a Veshan patrol that's been slaughtered. Telryn calls Paks over - "you've seen war - these look like clean cuts, hacked up with an axe. Paks, why would they keep hacking them up after killing them?" "I haven't seen anything like this." Miriel asks Paks if she feels any evil presence in the area.
Chuck looks for tracks; he does a little step and dance thing and determines that it appears to have been a battle of one against five. The one went off into the woods, but Chucks lose his tracks very quickly. The band of 5 were ambushed. He sees the track of combat boots. Dorin says this guy had a huge axe; he's seen these kinds of wounds before. It was probalby two days ago. Miriel invokes Madriel for the souls of the departed and suggests we move on. Paks wants to bury them, but Miriel says we don't have tools. Telyrn suggests a pyre. We collect wood from the forest and make a pyre.
We arrive at the Laughing Ogre Inn in early afternoon. Fox and his kids are delighted to see us. They've heard about the freehold, and everyone cheers us. Saraya starts singing a song she's written about the heroes of Kratys Freehold, with a verse about each of us. There's a long part about the treachery of Milo. Word travels fast. Fox gives us rounds of beer and food, everyone gathers around and wants to hear about our adventures. Miriel eats quickly and says she has to go to the temple; Paks wants to go with her.
At the inn, Saraya is asking for details about the adventure. Then people hear that we also went to the swamp, so they keep asking questions about that trip. This goes on for hours. Fox is sitting there with his arm around Telryn. Saraya asks Telryn how he happened to get teleported in. He says he's sure it was just a teleport error, and mentions the name of Delmaron. As soon as he mentions the name, Fox quick-draws a dagger and puts it at Telryn's throat:
"What do you have to do with Delmaron?
Telryn: "Fortunatley, nothing. He teleported me wrong."
Fox: "He's always interfering in my plans, twisting them to his own ends."
Telryn assures him he's not inolved, and mentions his master's name. Fox looks Telyrn in the eye, and seems to make a judgement to himself. "You don't seem to have the whiff of one of Delmaron's dogs, but if I find that you are one of his spies, you are a dead man."
Fox removes the dagger from Telryn's throat and resheaths it. Telyrn asks Fox if he has arcane talents. Fox answers that he has some talent in the arcane arts. Fox talks to us privately about Delmaron: long ago Delmaron was his companion in adventures, along with Grilliam and others, but he turned evil, and now every time Grilliam and Fox do someting, Delmaron is meddling in their schemes; Fox warns that Delmaron is a very evil, subtle and conniving wizard. Telyrn says he can't match spells with him now, but someday there will be a reckoning.
Fox: "There is no chance that your teleportation was an error. Delmaron is too good a wizard for that. He's up to something; I just don't know what. He's probably spying on the rest of you because of my support. I don't know how he learned of your band so soon."
Paks and Miriel reach the temple of Madriel. Virinia is at the door to meet them. Miriel makes a donation of 100 Gold, as does Paks.
Virinia: "Miriel, I'm glad you heeded my message; you fulfilled the prophecy. I had a vision of you in the Shrine of Gormoth. It must have been horrifying! You did the right thing. Yes, the Hope was destroyed, and so was your Lizardman friend, but their sacrifice helped not only destroy the shrine, but prevented a great evil from entering the world. Perhaps the Hope's spirit has returned to Madriel. And may the spirit of the Lizardman rest with his ancestors."
Virinia continues: "I called you here because I recently had a second vision. I saw a double-handled urn, etched with serpents, filled with blood."
Paks mentions the Hope's message about the Serpent Amphora. Virinia doesn't konw what it is, but suggests that we check with the loremasters in Lave. Paks asks Virinia to use her powers to locate the Amphora. Virinia continues to describe the vision: many gods involved, signs of Tanil, Chardun, Belsameth, and the serpents represent the Serpent Queen, the Fallen Titan Mormo!
Virinia: "Madriel has entrusted you with this quest; you will both be her agents in the dangerous deeds ahead. Do not fail her!"
Virinia: "Paks, you might be the Knight of the Swan."
Paks: "That's what the Hope said."
Virinia: "To those who can see, there is a great cygnet growing inside you. Madriel is testing you. This test brings great danger and responsibility!"
Virinia: "I met the last Swan Knight, Arniel, almost 40 years ago, when I was very young. During the Great Healing, she quested across the land helping the injured and the weak and the defiled. They say that she was orginially from Durrover, but she travelled across the breadth of Ghelspad. She hasn't been seen in at least a generation. Some say she's been taking bodily up to Heaven to serve Madriel directly. Others say she's being held prisoner, while others say she's off fighting evil elsewhere."
Paks: "Has it been 21 years? I'm just over 21."
Virinia: "I'm not sure, but it is possible. You should both go to the main cathedral in Lave and talk to the Mother Superior of Vesh, Helea. She might know more." Virinia turns to Miriel: "This is your quest as well. Protect and support Paks, and she will do the same for you. I have messages for some of your companions as well. Chuck: 'Beware the Serpent in the Fold! It's bite will be deadly and unexpected!' Stone: 'Beware the Huntsman! The hunter and the hunted can swap roles quickly. Do not be the recipient of the fatal blow!'"
Back at the inn: After interest has died down, Stone heads off to the temple of Hedrada. He heads into the chapel and starts praying; everyone recognizes him. He's the half-orc monk of Hedrada! Grilliam shows up and wants to talk to him when he's done making his observances. Stone drops 200 silver and 5 platinum in the renovaiton fund. Stone tells Grilliam of our adventures, and Grilliam says we've earned the second half of our reward and gives him the 10 platinum. Grilliam also gives Stone a letter to give to the authorities in Lave, to get an audience with the Hornswyth Vigil. He's very disturbed by the news of the dismemberment in the road. Stone comes back to the inn.
It's pretty late when everyone gets back to the inn. Stone spends the evening surrounded by kids outside the inn. All that we've told about the standing stones is that they are no more. The townspeople back off when they see we don't want to talk about it. Telyrn asks Fox if anyone in SP has scrols for sale; Fox recommends some shops in Lave.
Dorin mentions to Fox that he's related to Thorin Silvershield, one of Fox's ex-companions. He decides to stay in SP for awhile; Fox says he can get a job working with the local smith to get some money together before he goes back west to Burok Torn. Fox tells us the commander of the Vigilant group, Thorn, is another of his old compainions. Miriel gives Fox 50 Gold for all the room and board he'd given us. Fox thanks her kindly. He had a feeling his investments in us would pay off.
The next morning, the second Hedraday of Madrer, we head out early for Lave. On the way out of town, we all buy new clothes; Stone some new boots.
Meanwhile, Novalia starts following an aqueduct in Lave to the northwest, looking for the warren of rat men. She finds some rat man tracks, 3-4 hours out of town, leading away from the aqueduct. She follows the tracks. A little ways on she comes to a small but thick wood; the tracks lead into it. She approaches cautiously. She follows the tracks into the wood. The last thing she sees as she gets hit on the head is a bunch of rat men surrounding her.
After a day and a half of travelling, midday on Wilday, we arrive at Lave, a city of about 30,000 people. Lave used to be the capital of an old Ledean province. Before the Divine War, when the Ledean Empire collapsed, Vesh declared independence and Lave became the capital of Vesh. It has some old stone architecture and also the modern architecture of wood and plaster. The outer part is a sprawl of wooden houses. Paks says it would be terrible to defned in times of war. Telyrn says: This is why it's changed hands in war so many times It's a more functional than beautiful city. There are aqueducts because the river water is not so good to drink. There is a lot of river traffic; it's a big trading city. We arrive at the gate and find two statues of Tanil with her bow drawn on either side of the gate.
Miriel directs the party to her family's inn. She's going to go to the temple first. She directs Stone to the temple of Hedrada, Chuck and Stone to the money changers. Goldpetal goes to the inn, Telyrn and Paks go with Miriel to the temple.
Goldpetal finds the Sleeping Dragon Inn eaisly; it's near the farmer's market. It's easy to find, as there is a big sign with a dragon next to a turned over barrel of beer. The inn is packed. Goldpetal mentions that he's a friend of Miriel and her adopted parents come out and question him about her fate, as they have not hear from her in weeks. He gives them the brief story. They ask about her sister, Liriel, but he hasn't heard anything of her. Goldpetal notices they look nothing like Miriel; they're typical Veshians, dark hair and olive skin. He asks why they're not elves - they tell him that she and her sister were foundlings. All over glasses of beer. As they're chatting, he hears someone say "Goldpetal? Goldpetal?" he turns around; it's Brunhilde! She asks about everyone, and is delighted to hear that they'll all be here soon. They catch up on what's been going on; she talks his ear off, asking about his adventures and telling about hers. Goldpetal asks for rooms for the party for the night. Any friend of Miriel's is welcome here at the inn. The beer, in fact, is excellent. Kendra is suprised to hear that Miriel has had adventures, as she was not very good at making the beer.
Stone and Chuck find the money changers; the biggest one in town is the house Asuras. The house of Mered also has a good reputation. Chuck is suspicious of the house Asuras, but they decide to go there. It's a bustling trading house, with a money changer section. The place is swarming with armed guards. They go up to the money changer's table and ask to change the money. The money changer looks at them - "adventurers, right?" "No, actually treasure hunters" "Well, lucky you came here, we have special deal of 10% to exchange coins." He looks at some of the coins "these are pre-Titans' war. I guess I could give you the exchange with just the 10%" Chuck asks if there's a coin collector in town. The usurer says he's not heard of any such. He also offers 5 gold for each cheap gem to Stone. He offers 150 gold for the garnet. Stone says "Okay." 'You guys are lucky you came here and didn't get the tax on adventuring." Stone asks for platinum pieces. He pulls out a chest and counts out 70 plat. for Stone, then shouts out to bring more platinum from the basement. Stone heads off to the temple of Hedrada. Chuck goes to the temple of Tanil.
Miriel leads Paks and Telryn to Noon's Hospice, the temple of Madriel. On the way there, she points out the big city park, Tanil's Court. It has lots of animal topiaries and a big bronze statue of Tanil leaning on her bow, with her fox at her feet. Miriel leads them to a giant ampitheatre, from the old Ledean days. Attachaced to it is a large cathedral. Miriel is greeted by many of the people there; they said they'd heard she was coming and that Helea is waiting for her in her study. She brings Telyrn and Paks along to see Helea.
Helea is a very old woman, maybe 90 years old. She's clearly in great health, though she's so small and old. She radiates a certain sort of power. She says Miriel has come a long way. Miriel apologies for being away so long. Halea ways away the apology.
"No, no, your desitiny was obviously elsewhere. Virinia sent word, she's the best divnier in Vesh, you know. Also, you've found a swan knight; I haven't seen one in over 20 years, not since Arniel disappered. Maybe you were never meant to be an administrator or local healer; Madriel works in mysterious ways; she's made a junior clerk into a great healer and warrior. Paks, you need to stay here and learn the lesser mysteries of Madriel. We can give you the introduction. Miriel, even though you're still very young for this, we think it's time for your initiation in to the greater mysteries."
Miriel is very honored but also scared - she's incredibly young to be initiated - and it's dangerous - she's seen sisters who've failed and been blinded beyond all powers of healing.
"We have to rush this; there's something about you two that is very special; Virinia's vision has serious implications. We want to make sure you two are prepared for anything that's coming in the future.
Miriel says she'll be back after checking in with her parents, and will stay at the temple, and Paks might want to. Miriel brings Telyrn forward and asks for library privlages. Halea says Telryn isn't been here by mere chance, and he's quite welcome to study. We'll be here about a week with the initiation. Telyrn is pleased. Paks talks about the words of the Hope, and the Serpent Amphora. Halea has not heard of the Amphora; says Virinia sent word about her arcane researches: she couldn't locate it. Halea says Telryn can help the loremasters here with trying to find info.
Paks asks about the mysteries; she's not currently dedicated to any of the gods.
Halea: "Madriel has picked you."
Pax:"Would it be appropriate for me to dedicate myself to Madriel at this time?"
"Of course, but you don't need to; it's already been done. Any night you stay here, we'll prepare you for the ritual. It's a short ritual, takes a few hours. Can come anytime for instrution in the rituals, and the lesser lore of Madriel"
Paks wants to know more about the Knight of the Swan. They'll tell her all the legends they know. During the Titan's war, Madriel picked a champion, and each generation she picks another. There's only ever one at any one time.
She reminds Miriel that the big harvest festival on Belsaday is coming up and she'll ned to be at the temple. Tells Paks this is a good day for her dedication ritual. Telyrn asks about lab space; he's given free rein, but will have to pay market rates for materiels.
Chuck asks around for the temple of Tanil. As he asks, he is pointed to the park, Tanil's Court. There isn't a temple, just a shrine; the park is open air and the whole thing is the temple to Tanil. Townspeople and Nobles walk around, talking and doing business. Chuck goes to the shrine and prays - he's had some bad luck and he needs help. He finds the duck pond in the park very tempting. There are lots of people at the shrine; it's basically he center of the city. He leaves his dice as an offering.
Stone -- The temple of Hedrada is very small; much smaller than Grilliam's temple. 4-5 priests. They politely welcome Stone. He prays, then goes to the inn, being distracted by all the sights in the town. he shows up at the inn with a sack of "exotic" (to him) foods, especially cheeses. He picks up a bottle of wine and walks around sipping at it.
Chuck talks to the ducks for a while, but they speak a foreign language, a different dialect of duck. He enjoys his conversation with them anyway. People stare at him oddly. Then he goes to a weapon shop to unload some of his extra weaponry and armor. He shows them the whip sword and sells it.
Paks, T, and Miriel stop by the moneychanger on the way back to the inn. Miriel exchanges her gold for platinum. Telyrn asks for a letter of credit. It's only good with the House of Asuras, but they're everywhere. He asks about the magic shops he wants to visit - most merchants wont' accept it, and they charge a 5% fee. He just takes platinum.
When we get back to the inn, we see Brunhilde talking with Goldpetal. Miriel is swarmed by her 6 siblings. Everyone asks about her adventures. Brunhilde is sorry that she left us, but tomorrow she leaves for her home in Albadia, but if we're ever up in the northern wastes, we should visit. "We could hunt snow wolf and yetis.!" Fledermaus squeaks and flitters when Brunhild mentions yetis. Brunhild: "There are no yeti here in the warm southlands, silly bat! Hahahaha!" We don't see what's so funny. Must be an Albadian joke. Brunhild mentions her family has maniosn in Thurfa, the Albadian capital.
We have an excellent dinner. Stone loves the ale. The speciality of the house is a pasta with a tomato-garlic sauce with capers and olives. Stone wanders into the kitchen and learns how to cook it. The Sleeping Dragon is known for it's pasta. After dinner, we ask after Novalia, but no one has seen her.
Miriel says she's going back to the temple for the night. Stone says he should see the Vigiliants, and what about Novlalia. Miriel says she has to spend time at the temple. Paks suggest going to the Vigilants now, as it's only just getting dark. Miriel says finding Novalia will probably go along with seeing the Vigilants. We get to their fortress about an hour after dark. Plenty of guards. "What do you guys want?"
They notice Chuck and give him the secret challenge; he gives the correct reply and they let us in. As we walk in, there are red gems on the sides of the gate. One of them lights up as Chuck walks thorough - all the vigils draw their swords.
They look at the papers we have and put us into an audience hall, with a large fireplace and many chairs and couches.. Paks describes the duck. "Oh, Chuck - he doesn't have one of those Daltese ducks, does he? Oh, damn." The make us wait, serve some wine.
A priest of Tanil comes in with a smith with big tongs. They shake their heads and roll their eyes. They cast a spell on Chuck to remove the curse, then make him take out the duck and give it to them. The smith grabs it with the big tongs "Ahhhh, this is the second one this year." Paks stops him and shows him the scimitar. "Oh. I'll be back for that! Leave that on the table and don't let anyone touch it." Paks: it causes disease, but I'm immune. "Why don't you come with me, lass." They head off down the hall. Chuck feels very stupid. Telryn casts prestidigitation and makes little ducks fly around Chucks' head.
The priest explains "Never touch a duck - in a dungeon. Maybe you guys are new, but here's the story of the ducks. In the land where the swamp is, there used to the kingdom of Dalta, whose symbol was a golden duck. It was a great artifact; everyone wanted it. Then some trickster wizard had the idea of manufacturing a bunch of them out of lead and cursed them all. If it's the real one, its' worth a fortune, but chances are it's not real or even gold. You should have remembered, Chuck. Didn't Steve teach you anything??" Chuck breaks down at the mention of his dead mentor, Steve.
As the priest is talking, Thorn comes in. he's a a tall thin man in Vigilant garb, leather armor and a dark cloak, but very old, in his 70s. Has a half-elf assistant with him. Asks for messages. Maybe you could tell me what this is all about. Chuck, we need to talk later, too. Chuck tells him about the rat men, our adventures, etc. Shows him the papers.
We'll analyze this stuff; we'll root them out immediately. Chuck talks about the House Asuras and slave trave -- Jim had sent notes. He's gotten reports. Good work. If you want to join us in our raids on the ratmen, you're welcome to join us. Stone wants to join, worried about Novalia. Might have done something, uh, stupid?, imbesilic?, moronic?, idiotic?,... Miriel: "No, impetuous." Thorn says we're welcome to stay here, get training. Weaponsmiths are best in Lave.
Miriel pulls out the amulet from the Twilight Warden. Thorn: "We've heard reports about these Twilight Wardens, but we've never seen them."
Chuck: Jim was killed by a Twilight Warden. They seem to have a mockery of our organiztion.
Miriel gives the amulet to them for study; they're very pleased. The assisstant, Deleon, picks it up - look at the workmanship on this; we've never knew that the rat men create such expert work. Their stuff in the past was crude, and they seem to have jumped by an order of magnitude in their abilities. Telryn tells him about the shaman's room and the laboratory and the books.
Meanwhile, in the basement, the smith is impressed with the work on the sword; we didn't know the rat men could make something like this. Calls in some magic users to look at it. "Wow, it's powerful. Tanil's arrow, this is going to be trouble!" But they know how to take care of it. They're going to study it first, then destroy it. It'll take a high-level mage and an expert smith.
Chuck, Stone, Paks, and Goldpetal are going with the Vigilants to hunt the rat men. Miriel is going back to the temple to prepare for her initiation, Telryn is going back to the temple for study and research the Serpent Amphora and construct some magic items. To some degree, Miriel has washed her hands of Novalia since she tried to injure the Hope.
Thorn takes Chuck aside: we've heard about Steve and Jim, but we've also heard about your other work. You can be initiated into our order. Is that still possible? Yes, of course; it will take couple of days. I'd very much like to, and to redeedm myself.
The Vigilants will leave early in the morning. Stone wants to go back to the inn for some more ale. Miriel goes back to the inn to see her parents, then goes to the temple for the night; everyone else stays at the Sleeping Dragon Inn.
In the morning, Telryn casts three bull's strengths on the three fighters and mage armor on Goldpetal. The Vigilants are making simultaneous raids on two rat man warrens. Our party goes to the aqueduct warren, not wanting to spend time in the sewers.
Miriel purifying, ritual fast and meditation. Telyrn is having a late breakfast of bread and cheese with some olives. A raven flies in and lands on his table, looks at him quizzically. "Caw. Caw. Caw." "Yes?" "Mage. See." Taps on the table. "Come see. Caw. Delmaron. Delmaron." It hops closer, grabs an olive off his plate, and flies off. The other patrons look at him funny. One mutters "Well, that was sure a bad omen."
Telyrn heads over to Delmaron's three-story tower. There's no door. Telyrn rings the bell and it bongs ominously He waits. Suddenly he's teleported into a dark chamber, with mystical symbols painted on the floor. "Ahh." Telyrn finds himself before Delmaron who is sitting in a large chair, seemingly constructed of shadows, in his laboratory. Delmaron is wearing a black robe. He has big crystal ball mounted on a bone pedestal next to his chair. Delmaron is of average height, thin, and has white curly hair. He steeples his fingers.
"So, mageling, how was your adventure?"
"Adventurous."
"So I hear. You did very well, very well. You even retrieved some glitter-ink, I believe."
Telryn sarcastically: "Thanks for your help in sending me to the right place"
"Your master was coddling you."
"Thank you for taking the place of my master."
"You have great power, Telryn, and even greater potential. I have been looking for someone like you to share what I have learned over my lifetime of study. Become my student. I can teach you much."
"And deal in death and darkness? I don't think so."
"Necromancy is not just about death, it is about the paradox between life and death. Without death, there can be no life. Without dark, there can be no light. Knowledge is power, on this we agree; and I can share great knowledge with you."
They talk some more, and Delmeron tries to talk him into being his apprentice, but Telryn turns him down, stil somewhat annoyed with him.
"Your adventures have piqued the interest of some powerful people. Even now, Lave is swarming with Mormo's servants, looking for you and your friends, Fox's prodigies."
"Yes, Fox mentioned he knew you."
"How is my old friend Fox. He's never forgiven me for the incident with Quaylan, in which I was blameless. And Grilliam never forgave me for the practical joke with the skeleton dog; Grilliam doesn't have much of a sense of humor."
Telryn is getting bored with this conversation and looks for an exit, but, of course, there isn't one. He has to wait for Delmeron to finish his speech.
"You are getting impatient, magling. I understand. You and your friends should be careful of the enemies they are accuring. Not all of them are to trifled with" With that, Delmeron waves his hand, and Telryn finds himself out in the street.
The raid on the rat men is successful. They bust into a cave near the aqueduct and find Novalia, tied up and very sick with slimy doom. The Vigilants are impressed with the skills of Stone and Paks and Goldpetal, but they're kind of cold to Chuck. He overhears an argument from some of the guys who wanted to switch assignments when they heard Chuck was going to be on the team. Chuck's Vigiliant companions seem to have a way of getting killed. They take Novalia back to the hospice where she is tended. It'll take several days for her to recover.
In his studies, Telyrn only finds one refernece to the Amphora, something obscure dealing with Chardun and Mormo. He spends a day researching and doesn't find anyting else. The rest of the party comes back from the raid and are exultant of how they kicked ass. Stone in particular was very impressive, smashing in rat man skulls left and right. There were only about 10 rat men. In the evening, Paks goes to the temple of Madriel to prepare for her dedication; Chuck goes to the Vigilants. After sundown Paks begins a fast for her initiation. Goldpetal stays at the inn and meditates, will get up early before sun rise for the harvest festivale, which everyone is excited about. Stone stays at the inn and carouses.
Miriel is woken before dawn. She is led up to the roof of the cathedral. on the roof is a small statue of Madriel. They make her kneel in front of it. The rite is that she has to watch the sun go across the sky all day long; she can't take her eyes off it the entire day. She sees the sun rise, the color of it in the morning, sees how the light shines and reflects off the statue. All during the day she sees how the sun changes, and she realizes that there's more to Madirel than healing, and how powerful the sun is. She's in just a small shift, and as the day gets hotter, she starts to get burned; her lips chap. The sun is almost burning her eyes, but she uses her inner power to make sure she doesn't go blind. She struggles to maintain her concentration and succeeds. She's exposed to the elements and the sun all day. As it sets, she sees all the colors. As it goes down, she realizes she's passed the ritual and sheds a tear as it goes down. She feels filled with the light of Madriel and now has an inner energy she can draw on. She will be filled with the light of Madriel's sun from now on, and feels filled with a powerful inner light. As she walks aroiund, people who know her are stunned with her new look and confidence. It's not just about the light or the healing, but the light casts shadows, and there's maybe another side of Madriel. The ritual has given her much to think about.
On the same day, Paks undergoes a much simpler ritual, dedicating herself to Madirel with a couple of oaths, greets the sun with the other acolytes, and takes her vows in the dawn.
Back at Vigilant HQ, Stone practices his concentration by trying to break doors and boards with his head. Ow! The Vigilants are impressed. Man, that must have hurt! Three tries he does it.
Chuck spends the day being tested on basic endurance, how far he can run, shoot, swim. They see how long he can take cold, and how long he can hold his hand over flame. The day ends and they're still testing him. Hanging from his feet and interrogating him. Goes on through the night. It is looking like a multiple-day ordeal.
Everyone else gets to enjoy the harvest festival, except Novalia who is recuperating. There's also a somber aspect as people pay respect to the dead. Goldpetal hears of the druid ritual outside of town and goes off to it. Stone joins in some wresting matches and wins the prize. He spends his prize money on treats for kids.
That evening at the Druid harvest Ritual, there's the annual summoning of the dead. Usually it goes well, but the dead are not answering quesitons this time; they're very upset; serpents are rising, warnings of snakes, the blood of the sister has stained the land. The druids are distressed; this is terrible news. Goldpetal asks the druids what it means. One of the dead says "Beware the servants of denev's sister." "Denev's sister, that's Mormo!" The druids meet; we hear the servants of mormo are getitng very powerful, we've heard of unspeakable rituails. Very solemn discussion, nothing is really decided.
The day after the festival, Chuck still hasn't returned. Paks looks into having a suit of full plate made. It'll take about a week. She commmissions it. Goldpetal inquires about tattoo artists, where he can learn more. He's referred to the area near the docks, and goes to study. Telryn goes to the magic shops to look for scrolls, offering to trade some. Stone continues to train with the Vigilants, plus sightseeing. Miriel visits with family and friends, works on making potions for the temple to get practice.
That morining, they blindfold Chuck and leave him in the woods, with just a shirt and pants, not even any shoes. They ride off and leave him there. "You have to make it back to the fortress by evening." "Okay." He succeeds, though he regrets not being able to intuit direction. He stumbles into the camp around dark, tired and hungry. He hasn't slept for two days now. They put him a room and let him rest for a bit. He falls asleep immediately. They wake him up; three guys each with a candle. We'll ask you questions, if you answer incorrectly, we'll put the candles out; if all three go out, you fail. First one quesitons him on what he's learned, endurance test, etc. Says his swimming time wasn't good enough and puts out candle. Second asks about mental tests, diplomacey, bluff, etc. Hanging upside down, it was too easy to break you. He puts out his candle. The last says you lost two masters, but you showed your skill in the raid on the rat men, you also proved your bravery in joining the raid on the swamp, you broke up the smuggling ring, foiled the attempt at poisoning the city; I think I'll let you pass. The others grumble, but seem to accept the judgement. Then someone burst in. He's tall 40ish, beard, bald. The others are very impressed, and respectful. He grabs the candle from the last guy and asks why his friends are asking about the Serpent Amphora. What do you know of the Serpent Amphora. All Chuck knows is 'beware the serpent in the fold.' Nothing more you will tell me? No, that's all. Then you've failed. He puts out the remaining candle. Someone jumps from behind Chuck and puts a hood over him. It's the last thing he remembers before passing out.
We proceed with similar errands on the next day. That evening we're having an evening meal at the inn. Chuck still hasn't come back.
Chuck is woken by a pail of ice water splashed on his face. He's in the center of a large chamber with around 200 Vigilants. They make him swear seven solemn and binding oaths on a bronze arrow consecrated to Tanil. If he breaks any of the oaths, he will be be cursed, and the Vigilants will hunt him down and slay him.
We spend another week in town. Miriel and Telryn study and make potions, and Telryn also makes scrolls. They make 2 mage armor potions, 1 invisibility, 1 bull's strength, 1 lesser restoration, 4 cure light (+1). Paks sells the masterwork bastard sword to help pay for her plate mail.
Novalia, feeling better, goes on a shopping spree and plans to take the goods back to Kratys Freehold. One day she goes to pray at the Shrine of Tanil when she meets an older man. He's a priest of Tanil. He advises that not all chance encounters are neccessarily chance, and that sometimes its best to just trust the Goddess of good luck. Sometimes the friends you meet on the road can be more than just friends.