Interlude 2

[Jeff]

This thread is to summarize the events between Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 (which will be our new starting point). Nothing in here will be an actual moment-to-moment type of scene. You can post in here if you want, but keep your actions summarized, too; things you wish to say to one another during the time or to express any sentiments. In essence, time is rather fluid in this thread. But real gameplay will begin with Chapter 6.

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Your party was recalled to Fairhold almost straightaway, with Austasia, daughter of Prince Audal, in tow. While the prince's agents tended to her and questioned her, you were asked to wait—though you were allowed to make contact with House Jorasco and House Deneith again. Meanwhile, Charis had sent a message of help out to her "uncle," Aldronivus, the very man who left a note for Grafth in the city of Passage, enlisting his aid in the whole Malov threat.

It took two days before Austasia was recovered enough to draw information from her. Though her memory was incomplete, two things were obvious: (1) Lamara d'Medani had befriended her some time ago, but only recently invited her to "meet some friends." (2) She had been brought to the abandoned cathedral of the Silver Flame.

You were then given the brief history on the cathedral: Thrane and Aundair were frequent enemies during the Last War, and relations between them hadn't improved much since. The Fairhaven cathedral of the Silver Flame was one of the largest outside Thrane's borders, and it was a frequent sendoff point for many Silver Flame missionaries to the west. But when the Church of the Silver Flame seized control of Thrane in 914 YK (84 years ago!), King Wrogar (of Aundair) ordered the cathedral closed, and its priests fled rather than face arrest. A number of years later, when the Aundairian city of Thaliost was seized and occupied by Thrane, the response in Aundair was bitter: those Silver Flame priests who had remained in Fairhaven were assaulted; one high priest was lynched, and some Silver Flame followers who had hidden in the abandoned temple were routed out as well and murdered. It was obviously an ugly time in the history of both nations.

The cathedral had lain vacant ever since. A few looters had explored its many chambers, but most Fairhaveners regarded the place as haunted. Few children willingly walked within the cathedral's shadow, believing that "Thrane's ghosts" would get them if they do. Even adults regarded it as bad luck to stand within its shadow—or even to acknowledge its presence. The entire city had done its best to pretend that the cathedral isn't there.

And then Grafth's suggestion was revealed to be right, and the eladrin's cryptic hint made sense.

"A place where reason has turned to madness
Fire into spirits
And faith into murder"

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More coming soon.

For out-of-character talk, go here.

[Darren]

While at the Deneith enclave, Kalarian checks on several things. First, he inquires about the brother of the girl he met in Passage, attempting to keep his earlier promises. Second, he inquires about Streko's sister, attempting to fulfill another.

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Jeff, I'm sorry, but I looked through and could not find the part where Kal had the conversation with the girl at the tavern where she asked about her brother, so I can't remember his name. Do you remember what I'm talking about?

[Jeff]

Starts right here, Darren. Have a look-see. I'm happy to see you remember that encounter at all.

[Darren]

Thanks, Jeff.

In addition to checking in about Jara's brother, Regen Caldam, Kalarian also inquires after the well-being of Amal and Enan ( The other blademark. Damn my memory....), as well as the fate of the Marshal whose family Kal helped rescue.

In his usual way, Kal makes sure that as many people at House Deneith are aware of his heroic exploits as possible.

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Jeff, if you feel the desire to role-play any of this out, I'm game.

[Ken]

Belarin wants to know if Relith, the Emerald Claw captain, is still alive. Frankly, he expects Relith to be dead at this point. Belarin isn't even certain as to why he's concerned, but he does believe that Relith is a decent, fair man and deserving of a better fate. Eventually, if there's a trial, he will even offer to be a "character witness" (if such a thing is possible under Aundairian law).

The presence of a spell-wielding "Malov-mage" also worries Belarin. He'll volunteer to use his talents to search for any of the "mirrors" that might be in the city.

Grafth will search the abandoned temple for clues as to where the rest of Malov's agents may be.

Once things calm down, Belarin will attempt to identify the three rings taken from Shadowcrest Manor, along with anything acquired from the red-cloaked mage. They may be useful in battling Malov.

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In looking through some of the posts at the time of Belarin's introduction, I had a renewed chuckle at Kal's initial reaction to seeing Belarin in action.

[Jeff]

Prince Audal was shocked at how close he'd been to losing his daughter and exceedingly grateful for her rescue.

Yet during this time, something else hit the streets: a special spin-off paper produced by the local office of the Korranberg Chronicle, authored by one Fherina Heartsvale, Investigative Chronicler. The paper was distributed across the city, and it read:

The Dark Echelon Returns!

Volume 1

Six intrepid heroes have arisen to challenge Malov and the Dark Echelon, who have returned to the fair city of Fairhaven. This chronicler has witnessed their actions firsthand and can testify to the truth of these words.

Styling himself their leader, Kalarian Jaeren d'Deneith is a dragonmarked heir with a flare for battle magic. He served as an administrator for the Defender's Guild during the final years of the Last War. From ledger work to true sorcery, Kalarian is the youngest son in a family of upstanding Deneith heirs. Will he lurk forever in their shadow, or will he eclipse them all in his quest to end this threat?

Grafth is the pragmatic scout of their party, a keen-eyed and keener-nosed shifter from the Talenta Plains. His origins are shrouded in mystery, his motives unknown. But can he sniff out the agents of the infamous ir'Turian wizard?

Lord Streko Tavven d'Jorasco, the spiritual heart of the party, isn't merely a healer but also a priest and battle-cleric. Ordained in the faith of Olladra, Streko bears the stamina and good fortune of the Sovereign Lady herself!

Charis ir'Vanatar is the wily sneak, a Thrane noblewoman with one boot in the world of Thrane aristocracy. The other stands firmly in a world of shadow and subterfuge. For this damsel-of-finesse, the mission is personal. Charis would have been one of Malov's test subjects but for the intervention of Lord Kalarian and his friends.

Also joining these heroes quite unexpectedly is Belarin Malizia, a mysterious human agent of the Fey, believed to possess the love and power of a nymph of the Whisper Wood. What secrets does he hide, and does he tap into the prophetic powers of Whisper Rock?

But perhaps the strangest of them all is the tiefling who calls himself Condign. Half man, half fiend, a child of savages raised in the desolation of the Demon Wastes. The truth of his past is obscured by our own folklore, and his errand is known only to the royal court. Is he a creature of good or of evil? Does he serve the powers of light, or is he an agent of the dark powers these heroes now oppose? And will his fate we bell-deserved?

Lord Kalarian d'Deneith and the Talentan shifter Grafth are both survivors of the lightning rail crash that took place on Mol, the 2nd of Rhaan, a tragedy not yet fully explained. The other survivors of that infamous wreck—the Khorovar Oss, the human known as 'Cutter'—could not be reached for comment. Already Lord Kalarian's conflict with the hated Malov has claimed the lives of some close to him: The mysterious changeling Pel, a spellweaver of unknown power, was destroyed by the killing hand of Malov himself. Was Pel Kal's lover, and is his quest one of patriotism...or revenge?

The sensationalist paper spread like wildfire in the streets of Fairhaven, making your names suddenly well known throughout. It was clear that many people thought it utter nonsense, while others weren't so sure. Clearly Fherina had taken some license in her stories, and her web of half-truths certainly did leave an undeniable impression.

The royal court was none too pleased about the paper. It brought the names "Malov" and "Dark Echelon" back into the public eye and had them talking. But not even the agents of the court could kill a story that was already out, whether it was perceived as fact or fiction. The local office of the Korranberg Chronicle was confronted about the special edition, but the wily gnomes who ran the office verbally sidestepped their involvement. Fherina herself was not to be found. In your hearts, you knew she was still out there, writing up the next installments of her hot new serial.

It was at this time that you were introduced to the Royal Eyes, Aundair's secret arm for secrets and subterfuge. Operatives loyal to the Queen, they're only just a myth to most citizens of Aundair. A saying is often heard at Aural's court: "The Royal Eyes are watching." Few appreciate the meaning behind the warning, thinking it only a way to chastise the incautious. In truth, it remarks on Aurala's own spies, who are everywhere and can be anyone.

The Royal Eyes had already been operating behind the scenes during your own initial involvement, but with the discoveries your party had unearthed made searching for Malov a priority. And with Austasia's fragmented memories tied to the abandoned Silver Flame cathedral, that's where they searched.

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More coming. Stay tuned.

And bear with me, guys. I'll get to your actions soon. And Darren, if we roleplay it, trust me, it'll drag on for much too long while everyone (including Dave and Mike) waits for us. I really want to strike off to the next phase of the game, which requires a good deal of prep on my part as is.

[Joe]

Streko will roam the city, staying at House Jorasco and fulfilling his duties with them as much as possible. However, whenever outside the Jorasco enclave, he will be the voice of Olladra in Fairhaven and speak of her to any who wish to listen. He is not interested in forcefully spreading Olladra's name to these good people, for as anyone knows, the Goddess of Fortune demands those willing to make thier own luck and choose their own paths. However, thanks to that damnable gnome and her gossiping, Streko finds that he has more willing eyes and ears throughout the city than he might have had otherwise. Thus, any sighting of his sister will, hopefully, be brought to his attention immediately. Any travellers who hear the tale will also, hopefully, get word to him.

He will also continue to search for word of his sister, thus keeping close contact with the Royal Court (and their Eyes) for any word that may come up. Should any of his friends call upon him for assistance, he will drop what he's doing and immediately come to their aid, however important the need may be.

Finally, Streko will avail himself to Matheu for anythng the pseudo dragon may wish of him.

[Jeff]

Whoa, you guys are getting ahead of me! Keep reading, and soon I'll address your characters' actions...

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Armed with the knowledge that Malov's ritual was taking place beneath the abandoned cathedral of the Silver Flame, Prince Audal immediately ordered a raid upon it. Royal soldiers, the Fairhaven Watch, and even the magic-wielding Knights Arcane convened in short order. They encircled then penetrated the old cathedral, while your party was asked to remain only on the perimeter of the conflict.

The Silver Flame cathedral was revealed also as the principle lair of the Dark Daggers, Kreelo's gang. Quite a fight ensued between the prince's soldiers and the forces of both Kreelo and Malov. In the catacombs below the cathedral, Malov himself—or more likely, another possessed body—was found enacting a tedious ritual that was only one half day from completion: a ritual which would have established a lasting tear in the fabric of Eberron, allowing the volatile, planar influence of Shavarath to spill into the sewers and streets of Fairhaven.

Already, across the city of Fairhaven, fights had already begun to break out...from simple tavern brawls and scuffles between rivals to outright swordplay in the streets. There were only a few deaths at first, but the fighting, and the arson, continued. Nevertheless, Prince Audal's forces won the day because they knew where to strike. Without the rescue of Austasia, who was saved from one of Malov's hidden safe houses, it might have gone otherwise.

A terrific battle took place within and beneath the cathedral. When enemies fled on the street level, you were there to intercept them, to strike them down or to capture them. In the confusion, Charis pursued one shadowy feminine figure into an alley in the city street. When she returned, her rapier was bloodstained and her face was pale. She said nothing of what happened to have affected her so much.

But eventually the night ended, the prince's forces largely triumphant.

The alliance between Kreelo and Malov crumbled and the two sides turned against one another. Once the abandoned cathedral was outed as the Dark Dagger's hideout (and had been so for years), Kreelo was furious. In the conflict, dozens of Dark Daggers were slain, and the rest were routed. Most of Malov's own goons in Fairhaven—criminals and a handful of arcanists—were killed as well, along with a handful of lower denizens of Shavarath that had been summoned by Malov himself.

In the wake of this conflict, Fairhaven has become a more secure place. Not only have a large number of criminals been culled from the city's streets, but security has intensified. Kreelo was never found, nor a body confirmed as Malov himself. However, Malov's foothold on Aundair has been entirely dislodged. Wherever he is, his plans against the Five Nations have been dashed...for now. If he seeks revenge yet again, he'll probably be starting from scratch. But clues here and there have hinted that, all along, he'd been getting help from something more powerful than himself. Even the Emissary of the Queen of Dusk had hinted at this but did not elaborate.

Lamara d'Medani was not found in the conflict. House Medani, embarrassed by her betrayal of royal trust, launched its own investigation into her actions and soon after formalized her exoriation from the house. Not that it mattered:

Lamara was unmasked as a member of Malov's new Dark Echelon. In the time of Malov's original notoriety, the Dark Echelon was merely a collection like-minded criminals and a handful of dragonmarked excoriates. Now it is rumored to be a syndicate of powerful dragonmarked heirs, at least one for each house. Not many of them are publicly known yet. Some, like Lamara, are either excoriates or have now become so—exiled for conspiracy against the Aundairian crown and against the Twelve. Others remain unknown.

Intelligence gathered by the Royals Eyes suggests that the Dark Echelon has been gathered specifically to fuel some sort of eldritch machine that requires the concerted efforts of each type of dragonmark: the marks of detection, handling, healing, hospitality, making, passage, scribing, sentinel, shadow, and warding. Malov's part in this is still unknown; he is still out there, somewhere, nursing his wounds...and without agents in Fairhaven.

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Still not quite done. But I'm parsing this all out in pieces, to make it easier to get through. Check in tomorrow.

[Darren]

Kalarian grimaced reading Fherina's words. "Administrator?" he could be heard to mutter repeatedly. Still, the attention, he felt, was warranted and he began to make it publicly known that should Fherina or anyone from the Korranberg Chronicle wish an interview, he would be more than willing to provide it.

[Ken]

Belarin reads the account alongside Kal. "Mmph. Sloppy technique. Any good journalist would have started off with a description of the threat posed by Malov. That's the big story. We're merely fluff. I'll have to add 'poor journalism' to her list of offenses.

"Is your middle name really Jaeren?"



Are there the magical equivalent of photos (a la The Daily Prophet) or artist's depictions of us in the report? Belarin is concerned that this might have a negative impact on his side work ... cough, forgeries, cough ... going forward.

[Jeff's backup]

Condign reads the Korranberg Chronicle and gives a snort. "Half-man, half-fiend. And a child of savages? Lucky for me she did not see my face stuck to the side of the Khyber Cube! I just wonder what she would have written about that sight."

He shakes the paper at Belarin, "And what kind of sentence is And will his fate well-deserved? You are right, my friend, sloppy technique."

Condign then turns to Kal. "Were you really a parchment pusher, my lord Kalarian?" he says with a completely straight face, but everyone can see laughter in those eerie gold orbs.

[Jeff]

Time passed. Days turned into weeks while investigations continued. You were asked for counsel but little more. With the Royal Eyes involved, it was all but said that you were considered "hired muscle," albeit muscle instrumental in Fairhaven's safety. You were asked to stay in the city for a short while, and were put up in the Fairview Inn (which often accommodates guests to the city), located just outside of the palace and under guard of the Fairhold Watchmen.

Several more volumes of Fherina's serial hit the streets, relaying the events of the cathedral raid and the dispersion of Malov's agents and the Dark Dagger gang. Each volume was more fictitious than the next, but still retained a smattering of facts to suggest that she still had eyes and ears about town. An artist's depiction of events were included in each volume, but none were detailed portraits of any of you. Nevertheless, your names were still credited as heroes and more and more people came to know who you were.

"Enjoy it," one Watchman pointed out to you. "Their memories won't last."

Kalarian, meanwhile, spent some time in and around the House Deneith enclave, making sure his name was well known...and finding it, thanks to Fherina, already notorious. Most were merely amused by this, but a few were put-off, as if Kal's role in the sensationalist paper had sullied the Deneith name. Yet Lady Korvine remained a staunch advocate of his, reminding people just who Kal was and what family he came from. That usually shut them up.

Kal pulled some strings and inquired as to the fate of Regen Caldam, a young Blademark, and the brother of the woman Jara, whom Kal had met in the Soldier's Rest inn. He learned that Regen Caldam is alive and well, was expected to return to Fairhaven within a couple of weeks time. When Kal imparted this news to Jara, who was still at the Soldier's Rest, she was grateful indeed. She offered silver, but Kal declined.

Lady Korvine also told him that both Amal and Enan were doing well, although word filtered through the ranks that Amal's behavior had been considered...'distracted' ever since his return from Kal's service.

Streko spent much of his time, as in the past, going between the temples of the Sovereign Host and the House Jorasco citadel, speaking of the virtues of Olladra and tending the wounded among Fairhaven's citizens, especially those involved in the cathedral raid. He continued to inquire about his sister, growing anxious ever day. One day, one of the agents of the Royal Eyes told Streko, "We may have a lead on her, Lord d'Jorasco. I promise I will tell you more when I can." It was a tiny hope, but a hope to hold onto, and helped him get through the days.

The fate of the Emerald Claw commander, Relith, was uncertain. Belarin was allowed to give a statement concerning the prisoner, but he was not made aware of any trials. It was quite clear that the court had possession of him, however; he was never given over to House Deneith, as Relith had hoped. The most Belarin ever learned came one day, when a court barrister approached him to say, "Captain Relith offers his final apology to you, Master Malizia. He has requested that should you ever visit the city of Korth, please bring word and his Rekkenmark sword back to his family. It is my understanding that Lord Kalarian now carries it?" Seeming not to care either way, the barrister walks away.

The pseudodragon Matheu seemed to come and go, as always. He would appear, make a few observations, and vanish again, usually when your party was alone somewhere. It was clear he was still keeping an eye on you, but didn't wish to be too involved.

You never did meet Queen Aurala. Prince Aurad apologized for this, saying that his sister was a very busy woman.

After the raid, the cathedral was locked down tight. Grafth was denied entry. Unhappy to be bound in one place for so long, Grafth requested permission (in a tone that allowed for no refusal) to depart. It was granted. If Malov was no longer an imminent threat, then he wanted to move on, perhaps to return to the city of Passage first...this time on foot! He returned the large Siberys dragonshard to Ralsor. Then he came to the rest of you to bid you farewell.

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Once things calm down, Belarin will attempt to identify the three rings taken from Shadowcrest Manor, along with anything acquired from the red-cloaked mage. They may be useful in battling Malov.

I'll address this with you privately, Ken.

[Darren]

"I was not," was Kalarian's reply whenever a question like the one Condign asked him came up. He would then recount tales of his time on the battlefields of the Talenta Plains and the foes he fought. ("It was quite possibly the largest warforged I've ever seen!") He often grew melancholy speaking of friends who were lost, as though he could see their blood spilling over the ground. Mostly, though, he speaks with pride of the honor and loyalty of the Halflings, and of their amazing courage.

When Grafth came to over his farewells, Kalarian grew uncharacteristically quiet. "I will miss you, Shifter," he said. He placed his hand on Grafth's shoulder and opened his mouth as though to say more, but no words came. It may have been simply that it was impossible to sum up the emotions of their incredible shared experience from such a short time. It may have just been that there was no more that needed to be said between two such battle-hardened comrades. Either way, Kal simply looked Grafth in the eyes and nodded, repeating, "I will miss you."

[Joe]

Streko looks up at Grafth, as he is making his farewells. Tears leak from his eyes.

"Who shall mend your clothing when you've gone and torn it. And you will tear them. Often. Don't say that you won't."

He takes the shifter's hands into his. "May Olladra grant you nothing but favor and fortune in your travels, my friend. And may she grant the we meet again some day along our journeys."

Streko reaches into his haversack and pulls out a simple white die. He places it into Grafth's hand. "If you should need my services, you have but to call upon any Jorasco enclave and show this. It would seem my name and reputation has escaped the confines of this fair haven. I shall miss you, Grafth. It was an honor to stand at your side."

Streko turns away, wiping his eyes with a sleeve as he steps over to Kalarian's side. "May your feet carry you swiftly and safely wherever they carry you and never forget that fortune favors the bold!"

[Jeff's backup]

Condign watches the others say their goodbyes, and when he sees they are done, Condign steps up to the shifter.

"My lord Grafth, I have only known you for a handful of days, yet you have made quite an impression on me. I will honor the memories of our time together, and if I ever make it back to Fah'lrrg, I will recount to the Ghaash'kala the bravery of your deeds." The tiefling bows deeply before his friend and then moves away.

[Ken]

Belarin says simply, "Farewell, Grafth. Wherever you go in your travels, I hope your spirit is at peace."

And stop looking over my shoulder, dammit! ;D

[Jeff]

"I will miss you, Shifter."
"The silence will be nice," Grafth said, but he clasped Kal's arm in a warrior's gesture of camaraderie.

"Who shall mend your clothing when you've gone and torn it. And you will tear them. Often. Don't say that you won't."

Grafth looked at Streko sternly for a moment, then cracked a big smile. "It'll just go unmended, then. Stay out of trouble, Streko. And good luck finding your sister."

"I will recount to the Ghaash'kala the bravery of your deeds."

"No need for all that. I hope your people see your safe return someday." Condign understood that Grafth meant the Ghaash'kala, not the tiefling race.

"Farewell, Grafth. Wherever you go in your travels, I hope your spirit is at peace."

"I'm in peace when I'm moving, Belarin." Grafth leaned in conspiratorially and jerked a thumb in Kal's direction. "Good luck with that." He grinned.

Grafth looked at all of you together, seeming to consider something. Then he sighs. "If you really need me again, send a message here to Fairhold. I'll check in now and again...maybe." With that, the shifter turned, his longcoat swaying, and he disappeared in the Fairhaven crowd.

[Jeff]

Prince Audal has allowed you to keep the rings you've been given. On the chance that you leave the city and return to Fairhaven again, you will command the respect you've earned. The rings have been enchanted to grant additional protection, another gift of the court*.

Moreover, you've earned the attention of the Royal Eyes and they have made their existence known to you for two reasons. (1) To let you know that they are watching and (2) to remind you that should you learn anything new about Malov's designs against Aundair, you should make contact with them. They also warned you not to speak about them to anyone.

Ever since the night of the cathedral raid, Charis had become troubled. She avoided you most of the time, showing only distracted interest whenever she joined you for dinner. It seemed obvious she was still dealing with whatever it was she'd seen in the Dark Mirror beneath Shadowcrest Manor. When confronted on this, all she said was, "Yes...I know. I need to return to Flamekeep. My uncle...Aldronivus can help me. He said he could. I'd just need to go back there...." And then shortly afterwards, she simply disappeared. She never confirmed whether she left for Thrane or not; she just never showed up again. Something tells you that you will one day see her again.

With both Grafth and Charis now gone, your company seemed small indeed. Malov's plans may have been thwarted, but Lamara was still unaccounted for (and she knew a great deal about each of you, having been privy to your counsel), and there was still the matter of Streko's sister...

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*I've added the rings to your character sheets. They now give a +! bonus to your Fortitude, Reflex, and Will defense. Every character can wear up to two magic rings at once and gain the benefit of both.

[Darren]

Whenever the subject of Lamara came up, Kal grew quiet and placed a hand on Tangat. A murderous look came into his eyes.

[Jeff]

It was the month of Sypheros (analogous to October) now. One of the Royal Eyes, a hard-eyed man who never offered his name, came to visit you at the Fairview Inn, taking you aside into a private room and explaining what they'd learned: Streko's sister, Varnyra (who Streko just calls Varna, after the Eldeen town name), had been found by agents of the Royal Eyes!

Varnyra was alive and safe, rescued along with three younger halflings believed to be of House Jorasco. Of the four of them, Varnyra was the only one with ties to your party or to Aundair. Presumably they'd been captured by Malov and brought by his servants to the Brelish city of Sharn. There they'd awaited an unknown fate. Not death, though; it was suspected that Malov had incarcerated them for study, to see if any of them could manifest the Mark of Healing...no doubt part of the Dark Echelon scheme, whatever that was. It seemed he was still looking for a bearer of the Mark of Healing, then.

The details of Varnyra's rescue are a little unclear...or the Royal Eyes don't wish to say. She was anxious and weary, but in relatively good condition, seeming to have been the recipient of hypnosis or some magic charm. (And not spiritual possession, thank Olladra.) She is reportedly doing well, but there are gaps in her memory from her time with Malov's servants.

Prince Aurad made an offer to you: he would pay travel expenses to send you to Sharn, the City of Towers! There, you would have no obligations to either Fairhold or Aundair itself. But...if anything could be learned in Sharn about the Dark Echelon and the eldritch device it was hoping to use, then that would be something. A favor to Prince Aurad.

And of course, the fact that Streko could be reunited with his sister was suddenly presented to him!

"Do you wish to go to Sharn?" the prince asked. After a few weeks of biding your time in Fairhaven in the aftermath of the cathedral raid, suddenly you had to decide: do you stay with one another, and with no clear objective? Or do you walk your own road, like Grafth?"

[Jeff's backup]

"After the bravery shown by lord Streko during our battle with the cube, you would be hard pressed to keep me from trying to reunite him with his sister. He has earned that much at least."

[Ken]

"Well, of COURSE, I'm going!" says Belarin, placing a hand on Streko's shoulder. "There's bound to be a celebration afterward, and I'd pay a lot of money to see Good Streko drunk! Besides, it's Sharn! And I want to call Malov a 'hedge wizard' again. I enjoyed that."

[Darren]

Kal seemed to consider, but his usual playful grin broke out on his face. "It would be a chance for me to spread my renown in a place I've never been," he said. "As for transport, I happen to know a very good airship captain who could probably use the work. If Your Highness were willing to secure his services, I would consider it a personal favor...."

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I REALLY like Ralsor.....

[Joe]

For the second time in as many weeks, Streko feels hot tears cascade down his cheeks.

"I am forever indebted to you, my Prince, to the Eyes and to Aundair itself."

He then looks up and around at his friends, his mouth stretched from ear to ear with pride. "And to you, my friends, as well. This day would not have occurred without your assistance and sacrifices. I am both humbled and honored to know you all."

To Tangat, he tosses a treat he had been holding in his haversack for a special occassion. "My gratitude to you as well, good Tangat," he says in the halfling tongue.

He looks back at the Prince and bows. "So. When do we leave?"

[Jeff]

"I am forever indebted to you, my Prince, to the Eyes and to Aundair itself."

"My agents would not have made as much progress without your work, Lord Streko. Your sister has you and your friends to thank."

He looks back at the Prince and bows. "So. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow, if it is your wish, Lord Streko," the Prince said with a smile, genuinely happy to see the halfling's tension melt away.

Alas, despite Kal's words: Ralsor had become entangled, unhappily, in House Lyrandar affairs. For his part in your fight with Malov, he was marginally rewarded and given much leniency in regards to his house and the crown, but he could not at this time take his ship anywhere freely. Still, he promised to follow you to Sharn the moment he disentangles himself again.

The warforged artificer Leverage was given permission to remain with Ralsor, as ship technician, though House Cannith has expressed disapproval of his swift departure from his employment in the town of Windshire. The unusual warforged named Mist remains inoperative, and Leverage has been hoping to acquire funds to try to revive her.

With Ralsor unavailable, and most Lyrandar airships accounted for by the wealthy, the lightning rail was your best option for expedience and great distance. Faster than any caravan or overland travel. Prince Aurad has given House Orien the gold for your passenge, paying for seats in the first class cart.

However, your departure from Fairhaven did not go as planned...

[Jeff]

In the middle of the night, on the eve of your departure from Fairhaven, you awoke suddenly in your rooms at the Fairview Inn—a comfortable suite you all shared. The sound of shattered glass woke you. Instinct kicked in, and you reached for your weapons....which were gone. Every one. Belarin's pact blade was also gone from its sheath, which had always lain within reach. Streko's holy symbol was no longer around his neck. Condign's sword gone, even the lock of hair he always wore on his belt. Who would dare..? Or even know its significance? Kal felt a moment panic when he realized instantly that Tangat was not at his side.

Nervous now, each of you emerged from your respective rooms to the common room of your suite...

Only to see a dark figure in the middle of the room, wearing an elegant black cape and well-tailored suit of black and white leather. His hair was short and gray, a neatly-trimmed beard giving him a handsome and aristocratic, if roguish look. Slightly pointed ears revealed him as a half-elf.

Another figure lay sprawled on the ground, and the gray-haired man's foot was at his back. The man on the floor was an older, slightly portly gentleman, and it looked like he'd been forcibly thrown down on the low glass table that served as a centerpiece of the suite. That's what had woken you.

The gray-haired rogue had one boot on the other man's back, and he held the tip of a long, gleaming dagger to the back of his neck. Then you recognized the victim as the proprietor of the Fairview Inn; he looked badly beaten, and his hands had been bound at his back. This man was a known acquaintance of Prince Aurad's! Sure took a lot of nerve for anyone to hurt him.

"Not a single word," the gray-haired rogue warned you all, looking up at you as he waved a gloved finger. "Nor a single spellword or prayer. Not if you don't want more blood on your hands...and a familiar not long for this world." With his other hand the rogue pointed to the corner of the room, where Tangat lay sleeping...drugged?

"I'm only here to talk," the rogue went on, his tone light. "But this delicate scene can turn south, very ugly and very fast, if you wish it."

Although you were itching to fight him, your weapons were gone, and quick spells may not save the inn's proprietor. And this rogue exuded competence and a menace like you've never faced. "But I'll make this visit quick, for both our sake's."

The rogue straightened, standing tall, though he still held his blade pointed at the beaten man's neck. You could see more daggers on his person, sheathed at his belt, on each boot, even his sleeves.

"The name's Kreelo." With that, the rogue's face blurred and his skin lightened, until you were looking at the fair-featured, muted face of a changeling. Shoulder length, snowy white hair, pale blue eyes, a look of utmost skill and deadly competence on his face.

"You've caused me some trouble, mates," he said, a slight smile on his thin gray lips. "But sometimes life invites it, and we all need a little change, no?"

"On the other hand, you've also done me a favor. Helped rid me of an ill-advised alliance that I'm better off without. I really didn't need that mage mucking around on my streets, and I certainly didn't need his fiends and his cubes clogging my lairs." He gives a brief nod toward Condign.

"So...for ending that, I'm grateful. Yet...I've also got to relocate because of you. A shame, that: you can't ask for a better hideout than a haunted cathedral the sheep in this town are too afraid to get close to. Finding somewhere else to dig some roots....it's a nuisance, that's what it is. And you've also lost me a lot of men. Some were dead wood, some less so. But, we all need to change with the times, right? Adapt, or die."

Kreelo's face blurred, then, and became Lord Dassek's! A moment later, you were looking at Ralsor's smug expression. Beneath his clothing, the changeling's body seemed to narrow, the slight swell at the chest and hips suddenly giving him a feminine shape. You were looking at Jara, the woman Kal had met in the Soldier's Rest inn. His form grew slightly taller, and the noble countenance of Lady Korvine d'Deneith looked back at you. Then Kreelo's body morphed again, and he wore his masculine changeling's form again.

He'd known their faces—knew them well. A changeling's precision of imitation comes with practice, and greater accuracy comes from study.

"You've made some friends in this city. Good for you, mates—you're very popular. But I'm guessing you'd like them to remain on this side of Dolurrh? I can make that happen, but to make sure of it I need some help from you: When you step aboard that rail tomorrow, you don't return to this city, ever. You're done here, mates. Fairhaven's off your list.

"So let's be clear. If your feet touch the cobbles of my streets ever again, one of these fine folks will meet his or her end...perhaps in the bottom of the river, perhaps with a knife in the back. I promise you this." Kreelo smiles lightly, as if making a joke, but there was a tremulous rage in his expression. "And with each day that you remain thereafter, another friend of yours will pass into the fell shadows of Dolurrh. Because of you. Oh, you won't be hurt. I'm much too smart for that, and you'll be too much of a risk for me. But your friends? A walk in the park."

"Think on it, mates. And enjoy your trip tomorrow—the lightning rail is truly a marvel of the modern age." He inclined his head at Streko. "Good luck with your sister, Lord d'Jorasco."

Without giving you a chance to conversate, Kreelo gave a mock salute to you and tossed some sort of glass capsule to the floor. It exploded in a burst of smoke and blinding light and it seemed to swallow all sound. When the smoke finally cleared, the central window of the suite had been shattered and Kreelo was gone. The drop down was three floors above the street.

The proprietor was revived, painfully beaten but safe. Tangat awoke a short time later, having been drugged by some sort of ingestive, confused but well. Your missing weapons and personal effects were all found a short while later, wedged in one of the suite's closets. Nothing else had been touched, and nothing pilfered.

No blame was laid on you for the proprietor's treatment; it was understood that you'd made an enemy of Kreelo, the most feared criminal in Fairhaven.

[Darren]

As Kal examined his blade to make sure it had not been damaged and stroked Tangat's fur to reassure the dog that he was not angry, Kalarian chuckled and said in a low voice, "I would like to see him attempt to harm Lady Korvine. That would be good for a laugh." Still, there was a tremulous note in Kalarian's voice that suggested he did not wish to bring harm to anyone unprepared for a fight. He won't commit to never returning to Fairhaven, but he did say, "I suppose it is well that our business takes us elsewhere."

[Ken]

Belarin said solemnly, "I must admit ... that was probably more disturbing than anything Malov has thrown at us. Malov is pretty straightforward: 'Die, die, chaos eternal, die.' But this? 'Break my rules and I kill innocents.' That's the gist of it."

He reclaims his pact dagger, pulls it from its sheath, and examines it. "I was going to ask Prince Aurad and the Eyes to be alert for news of anyone bearing a dagger similar to this, but that seems like a closed avenue now. Anyway, the fey did imply that my current course would reveal those answers...

"Well, then. I don't think I'll be getting any more sleep tonight. Perhaps we can request some early coffee, and a game of cards to pass the time?"

[Joe]

Streko takes the time to heal the Proprietor of his physical ailments, knowing full well that the psychological ones may never heal. If a friend of the Prince can be so accosted...

"This was as much a warning to Prince Aurad as it was to us. Kreelo is sending his, all of us, a message that he can strike anyone, anywhere, with utmost impunity. Sadly, Olladra favored him this night."

Streko turns to Kalarian. "You are correct, of course. Our business does indeed take us from this place. But, when all is said and done, Olladra willing, I will return to Fairhaven and there will be a reckoning with the Changeling, Kreelo. That is my promise."

[Jeff]

In the morning, a final brief meeting with Prince Aurad (who already looked hassled by other political duties) had him apologizing for the security breach at the Fairview Inn. Five Watchman had been hospitalized in Kreelo's intrusion, but none had been killed...it was quite clear he could have killed many. Not only a crime lord of the most notorious Aundairian gang, but also a skilled assassin. Yet it seemed unlikely that Kreelo could, or would dare, to penetrate the palace of Fairhold itself. By all reports, the Dark Dagger gang didn't go after the city's upper crust or the most powerful...and that normally kept the authorities from dealing with the problem they posed.

Aurad assured Condign that his warning about the Carrion Tribes had been well heeded. In the time that had passed, the Royal Eyes had appraised the threat and considered it, for the time being, minimal. Tieflings had been spotted, but none had been captured. They'd evidently fled back into the Demon Wastes. If there were spies about, the Royal Eyes had not found them. Things were quiet...for now.

You were given travel papers for your journey, though they would be valid only until you reached Sharn. If you wished to travel outside of Breland again, you would need to procure new travel papers, which could be done at any House Lyrandar or House Orien station.

And so you set off aboard the lightning rail, bound for Sharn. The journey was to be a three and a half day trip—by any standards, an amazingly short time for traveling more than two thousand miles!

From Fairhaven to the city of Passage you went, then on to the town of Marketplace in southern Aundair. When the lightning rail reached the border of Thrane, it stopped briefly at Fort Light, where Deneith soldiers and Thrane officials came aboard to check travel papers. Then you moved quickly across the border to Breland, where once again papers were checked. Though the delay was a hassle, and inevitable, it was still strange to see such easy cross-border movement when the Last War had ended only two years ago.

Once in Breland, the rail path came to Sword Keep, then the town of Hatheril. Then came the greatest distance, crossing hundreds of miles of open, dirt and grassy plains and hills to the Brelish capital city of Wroat. From the windows of your coach you could see the mighty fortress that was Brokenblade Castle, home of King Boranel and the seat of Brelish power. The city looked industrious, well-defended and very old, but it wasn't half as elegant in appearance as Fairhaven with its slender white towers and arcane-lit spires.

And at last the lightning rail shot off the final leg of the journey, running a more or less straight line southwest to the city of Sharn!

The journey was refreshingly uneventful; no explosions, no attacks as you watched the Aundair, Thrane, and Breland countrysides glide by. Good food cooked by House Ghallanda halflings and served by human waiters directly. Comfortable private rooms in the first class cart. An entirely unusual experience for Condign, who tried to make sense of the fact that the speed and convenience of the lightning rail could exist in the same world as the Labyrinth in Fah'lrrg. Such differences! For exercise, the best you could do was get up and walk through the different carts of the rail caravan, from first class to standard, to steerage.

Condign was asked politely to avoid going to steerage, where the largest of concentration of passengers rode, packed on rows of benches (those who could not afford individual seats in standard carts), because his unusual appearance might alarm them. Despite this, he was often consoled with the fact that in Sharn, he wouldn't stand out so much.

Despite Kreelo's warning and the grim possibilities of someday returning to Fairhaven, the entire lightning rail journey was an enjoyable one. The slate felt clean. Mostly. A few things remained in the back of your minds. Charis's disappearance was one.

Another was Kal's brother, Sentinel Marshal Marin d'Deneith, who had initially apprehended Condign before passing the tiefling on into Lord Dassek's care. During their time in Fairhaven, Kal heard that Marin was on assignment somewhere in northern Aundair. He hadn't come back. But then, he hadn't seen either of his brothers for quite some time. Perhaps in Sharn, he could send a message to his family in Sentinel Tower to inquire.

The other was the bone scroll case in Belarin's possession. With the threat of Malov greatly reduced, there hadn't been any need to open it. He remembered the Emissary's words: "Herein lies the name of the one you must seek out in the Nightwood forest in the land of Karrnath. Open this only when you are ready to set out. I cannot emphasize that enough. Names have power, and to know hers is a venture more dangerous than most." The she of which the Emissary spoke was allegedly someone with the power to learn difficult things. "She would know where to find the members of the Dark Echelon." Good to know, but eerily too simple. But for now, there seemed no need. Yet Belarin felt that his fate was bound to this scroll in some way. There is something fey about it, and the voices in his head seem to suggest that his vow will bring him to Karrnath before too long.

_________________________

Damn I'm wordy.

Anyway, feel free to post here in the next few days (I'll be gone through most of Tuesday) any conversations you'd like to have had with one another aboard the lightning rail. Plenty of time to chat.

When I come back I'll start Chapter 6, which will begin with your arrival in Sharn and the circumstances of where you'll be staying: with Streko's family! And very shortly thereafter our two new players will begin gameplay.