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Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Jul 21, 2021 19:13:02 GMT
Everyone Lady Ushien Stormbanner takes a deep breath in before releasing it and starting to talk at a consistent pace, making it easy for every word she says to be understood. "First off, I would like to congratulate and thank you all on your capture of this necromancer. He is the reason we first travelled down here and was on horseback, but more important matters reached my ears which prompted me swiftly teleport here." Lady Ushien sighs as she finishes her sentence before continuing.
I am not sure on how much Heide has told you at all, but I represent the Knights of Samular over at Summit Hall. Father Imdarr Relvaunder and Heide work for the Order of the Gauntlet and is in an alliance with the Knights of Summit Hall." Her voice is interrupted by Imdarr Relvaunder clearing his throat. Lady Ushien glances at him with a side-eye before looking back to you all. "Or vice versa. Anyway, as of the last half-tenday, presumably four days, a very important delegation from the city of Mirabar went missing. The delegation travelled overland from Westbridge to Beliard before then crossing the Stone Bridge. From Beliard it then headed south and into the Sumber Hills where it was bound for Summit Hall. Unfortunately, that delegation never arrived. We heard about the missing delegation two days after it supposedly happened, but on our journey here to transport the necromancer back, we learned of why this is so important.
There was a body of a knight who died heroically, fighting orcs in the Spine of the World. She was to be interred with honour at Summit Hall. And it is not just our hats that are thrown into the ring of concern here when this delegation is concerned. The Harpers are concerned with the safety of a shield dwarf historian, Bruldenthar. He was apparently transporting a collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. They are concerned with the books falling into the wrong hands. Then he Emerald Enclave are concerned on the welfare of a pouch of seeds being carried by a moon-elf named Teresiel. She was taking them to the Abbey of Goldenfields where they would be planted and turn into an important Grove that holds magical power. We have not heard any word on the Lords Alliance or any other factions, but there's no doubt the Zhentarim can see an opportunity amongst all of this import." Lady Ushien finishes with a look of concern towards all of you, now waiting for anyone to react.
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Post by Rix Arratay on Jul 21, 2021 19:48:00 GMT
Rix frowns, concerned. "This does sound very serious, and I would be glad to help in any way I can. The Slumber Hills are close by and we should be able to make our way into them quickly, particularly if we're able to acquire a few horses, though I don't believe we have the coin for something like that. Are there any ideas on who or what could have attacked this caravan?"
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Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Jul 25, 2021 20:14:28 GMT
Everyone Lady Ushien shrugs her shoulders lightly towards Rix. "We have absolutely no idea. There are some theorising it could be bandits within the Sumber Hills, others saying monsters that roam the area. I disagree with these theories. I believe whoever did this, they knew the importance of this delegation. I would like to hope that isn't the case, but I feel there is something more to this whole shebackle." Ushien sighs before tapping her finger on the table without a thought. Father Imdarr then clears his throat while looking at Lady Ushien. She waves her hand, giving him permission to speak his mind.
"Thank you." Imdarr says to Lady Ushien before turning to you all. "I have heard recently, as of this morning, a few different reports that may possibly pertain to this. Four new graves, well simple rock cairns really, have appeared on a windswept hilltop, just a few miles outside of town. The shepard Larmon Greenboot found them and it has stumped him as to who could have been buried out there. I'm sure he could guide you there if you asked. Lady Ushien already knows too about the handful of beautiful books that turned up in Womford, all written in Dwarvish script apparently. They showed up in the cargo of a shady keelboat skipper in Womford. This was reported to me by Endrith Vallivoe, who actually purchased one of the books. May be another lead? Ad finally, I was told of an Amnian merchant that headed north on the Long Road who stopped in Thorsk Thelorn's workshop for a wagon repair. Thirsk said that all of his goods were marked with by a strange symbol, like a bowl. The merchant paid well and talked of a large gathering of druids that he was headed to, hoping to sell kegs of beer and various trinkets. We have many merchants that pass through Red Larch, but none that have marked goods, which is why my attention was drawn to this." Father Imdarr finishes with a nod towards Lady Ushien.
Lady Ushien thanks Imdarr with a nod. "There are many strange things going on here. They may all be linked to this missing delegation, or none of them. I would place my own knights on this, but many are already tending to other errands in and around Summit Hall. That is why I am tasking Heide, and supposedly the rest of you, with figuring out what has happened to this delegation. What say the rest of you?" Lady Ushien finishes with a raised eyebrow, mainly towards Randall, Rix, and Wakathas.
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Post by Rix Arratay on Jul 26, 2021 2:12:07 GMT
Rix nods slowly. "I will most certainly be glad to assist in any way I can, this situation seems, if not dire, at least serious. As you say, there are a few things we can check here before we attempt to trace the path of the caravan, and those should not take too long to do."
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Post by Wakathas on Jul 26, 2021 18:58:50 GMT
"Thank you for the information, Lady Ushien, Father Imdarr." Wakathas says, nodding to each of them on turn. "It seems that my purpose here is aligned with yours, my Lady. For I was tasked to locate and recollect those manuscript lest they fall into the wrong hand."
He contemplates for a moment then sighs, "My name is Wakathas, of the Harpers, and I'll be at your service!" He says with a bow, "as for Endrith and the book, we previously chatted a bit but it sadden me to say that I have not the fund to purchase that lead, perhaps I'll be returning to the fella once I do to investigate further."
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Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Jul 27, 2021 5:06:42 GMT
Heide assents to her task with a signature nod, intrigued by the accumulation of odd circumstances. "We'll most certainly investigate and figure out just what's going on on all counts. Whatever foul works are at hand, I won't stand for 'em."
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Post by Randall Grim on Jul 27, 2021 13:01:23 GMT
Randall finally breaks his silence and ponders “there seems to be a ludicrous amount of odd events happening at the same time in this area... and something tells me that they are connected somehow. The necromancer and the believer need to be thoroughly interrogated as they might offer some insights. The caves underneath the city may still hold some secrets as well” After a brief pause he continues “as for the assistance requested we may need to make some preparations before starting a new journey”.
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Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Jul 28, 2021 18:28:45 GMT
Everyone Lady Ushien raises her eyebrow as Wakathas sheds light on his allegiance to the Harpers. "Ah, a Harper. Well, I must admit that surprised me. Not many aarakocra you meet settle with them. Well, it is good to know that there is more investment in this task than what was originally gleaned." Lady Ushien smiles towards Wakathas and leans back and turns towards the knight stood beside her. He reaches behind himself and produces a pouch that rings out with a metallic sound as it is passed to Lady Ushien. "Well you're in luck when it comes to a lack of funds." She places the pouch onto the table and slides it towards Heide. "This is a payment for the capture of this necromancer, one-hundred gold pieces, however it if you are all a group, then it seems maybe this should be dispersed amongst each of you if you have a stake to claim. The necromancer will be interrogated and we will get to the bottom of anything he knows and if he is any relation to the missing delegation" Lady Ushien looks towards Imdarr.
"Uh, yes. We know of the tomb that was found under the village. I understand that Constable Harburk will be helming the interrogation on this Believer. He is 9ne of Red Larch's own after all, and Harburk is a trustworthy source as far as I know." Father Imdarr finishes delivering his words towards Lady Ushien who nods in thanks once more before turning to you all again. "Well, there you have it. This is all that is known and can be known without further investigation." Lady Ushien pushes herself up from her seat, fingertips still placed onto the the table. "I will be heading back to Summit Hall post-haste. There are matters there i need to attend to. Should you find anything of import, send a raven or magical message to Summit Hall and I will respond swiftly, or you may contact Father Imdarr here. He will inform me of anything you find and we will try to offer a solution as swiftly as possible. Remember, this is of utmost importance, and it would be best if you could keep lips tight on the matter, unless necessary." She stares into each of your eyes, one after the other. She pushes her hands away from the table and places her hand onto the hilt of her sheathed sword. "Well, unless there is anything else any of you have to ask or say, we must depart." Lady Ushien declares to the room, causing Father Imdarr to stand too.
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Post by Rix Arratay on Jul 29, 2021 19:22:28 GMT
Rix shakes his head impassively. "I have no further questions."
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Post by Wakathas on Jul 30, 2021 13:57:52 GMT
"We had not met whence these brave folks took on a necromancer," Wakathas says, shaking his head, "he who did naught shall not expect recompense, my lady. As for questions, I have none for now."
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Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Aug 5, 2021 17:13:03 GMT
Heide takes the proffered money with a thankful nod, then idly begins to separate it into equal piles as Lady Ushien makes her final remarks. As the piles are evenly divided, she slides Rix and Randall's portions to their respective new owners.
At Waka's refusal, Heide insists, sliding 25 gold pieces his way. "Wouldn't've gone through that sinkhole mess without you. Consider it an investment in our further business." (40 gp in pack + 25 gp share of reward = 65 gp total)
To the parting knight, Heide offers an inquiry. "We'll be heading that way soon enough, I imagine, since that's where the delegation was lost. We'll try to wrap up our loose ends here in a timely manner and get on the road. I imagine we should start our investigations in Beliard, but do you have any people or places where you might recommend we look first around there?"
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Post by Wakathas on Aug 5, 2021 17:31:03 GMT
Wakathas nods his thank to Heide though his face was conflicted, "Thank you, my lady, perhaps it will be a fine investment as it is exactly what I needed to obtain the book from master Vallivoe, hopefully that will give us a clue on this endeavor. Does any of you fellows understand darwven's scripts?" he finished, pocketing the gold, separate from his own.
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Post by Randall Grim on Aug 5, 2021 18:02:44 GMT
Randall discretely takes his share in the reward and put it on his pouch (25gp + 4gp in the pouch = 39gp) and addresses Waka’s question: “ with the proper set up I can decipher any written language my friend, you can bring the book and I will make amends to uncover what it reveals”. After a brief pause he then turns to the whole group: “we shall make our preparations for the upcoming travel. As I assume we are not coming back to the Inn soon we shall pay our bills and I have some goods to sell in the city prior to our departure”.
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Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Aug 6, 2021 23:15:10 GMT
Everyone Lady Ushien waits patiently as the gold is divided between everyone and nods as everyone declines to any more questions before looking to Heide. "We have no contacts in Beliard, so you'd be on your own. It's a market moot for cattle drovers and they have many farmers whose cattle herds roam around the hills surrounding. It was the last place the delegation was seen also. you may find something, you may find nothing. Maybe listening to the folks here in town also could bring up some leads that could get you somewhere. We await your visit, should your path meet ours." Lady ushien nods once more before smiling and turning to the male knight beside her. With a wave of his hand and an small muttering of words, both him and Lady Ushien vanish from sight, leaving you all in the room with Father Imdarr.
"If you have any questions, I can always help, but I have sermons momentarily." Father Imdarr bows slightly before leading you out through the main room and into the street of Red Larch, the hot sun in the north still shining in the street with a few large, dark clouds seen towards the east.
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Post by Wakathas on Aug 9, 2021 15:12:29 GMT
"Safe journey, my lady!" Wakathas says with a small nod. "Before we rest, I'll will obtain the book, maybe we can find a meaningful hint," he added to the group, then left to find Endrith to make the purchase for the book of dwarven scripts.
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Post by Rix Arratay on Aug 9, 2021 15:51:43 GMT
Rix raises a hand in farewell to Lady Ushien, then nods to the rest of the group. "I shall see the rest of you in the morning, but I need some time on my own this evening to rest and be outside the city." He gives a slight bow, then turns and begins to stride away, heading for the spot he rested the previous day, uncomfortable with the thought of resting in the city and feeling that he needs to spend this night in nature.
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Post by Randall Grim on Aug 9, 2021 16:41:20 GMT
Randall nods in agreement and with a discrete bow prepares to leave saying “we shall meet tomorrow morning then, and if you all excuse me I shall attend my own matters prior to our departure”.
Randall will go back to the bakery and exchange information with his contact. He will report back on his deeds and request any useful information on the Feathergale knights and the missing delegation.
He will also offer to sell his weapon crate. If there is no interest he will sell it for the best price in the city.
He’ll go back to the Inn and proceed to investigate the orb acquired from the necromancer, and once this is done he will rest until the following morning.
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Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Aug 10, 2021 16:00:48 GMT
Noting Rix and Randall's apparent desire for solitude, Heide avails herself to Waka. "Would you mind if I accompanied you?" she asks him. "I'm too curious to sit by just yet, and it'll give me a chance to have a look around the market."
She thinks back to the polished gem, one of several that the party acquired in Lance Rock, knowing it might be worth a few coins (if not more).
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Post by Wakathas on Aug 10, 2021 22:05:14 GMT
"I couldn't ask for better company, lady Heide," he smiled delightfully, "shall we?" He asks, offering his arm.
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Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Aug 10, 2021 23:58:46 GMT
Heide takes the arm with a smile, half out of amusement and half out of general geniality.
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