Chapter 13: A Ghostly Glow

[Jeff]

At Condign's words, the gossiping group gets whispery and the shifter regards them both with venomous suspicion.

[Ken]

"Shadow take us," hisses Belarin to Condign as they turn away. "You are going to get us killed one day with that affectation."

Without looking back, he walks toward the rest of his companions.

[Dave B.]

Shorak waits with Adamant and Streko. He smiles when Tangat pointedly notices the cart the goblin is pushing. "It's most likely rat." He says to Kal's back, when Kal moves towards the cart with Tangat and Rinti.

[Joe]

Streko glances around from side to side. Slowly moving his eyes and head to get a lay of the land. Is anyone standing around, like them, waiting for someone or something? Or watching him and his friends to see what is gleaned?
"Have I mentioned how much I hate the rain?" he grumbles.
______________________________________________________________

Perception roll: (rolz.org isn't working) Streko gains a +4 on perception...

[Jeff]

May 23, 2016 16:20:51 GMT -4 Darren said:

May 23, 2016 16:01:39 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Alright, you two, let's go see what they've got."

With Tangat and Rinti in tow, Kal approaches the goblins. "What is it you've got here, my fine fellows?"

The portly goblins sees Kal coming, and quickly pulls back on his cumbersome cart, stopping it. Drawing closer, Kal can see it's actually a machine of some kind, and after pressing a button—and then kicking it—the goblin activates some kind of spinning blade mechanism at the top, which rises up on a pole and actually does a decent job of swirling away the rain. When Kal comes close, very little water falls on him.

"Ahh, good master, good master," the fat goblin says, grinning wide. "The bestest spices in Stormreach!" Most goblins sport black hair; this guy has none, but his green ears are especially large and drop as if they were bowed down by the rain. Behind him, the other six goblins take an interest, gathering around him, in the rain, some smiling, some not. Their ages vary, but they're all young and it's clear now there's a familial resemblance between them all. "No, no! My dragonlord!" The goblins have all noticed Kal's dragonmark now.

The portly goblin opens a shutter on his contraption cart and you see an array of jars. "A free sample, lord?" the goblin croaks, grinning wide. One of the eldest goblin kids opens another hatch and pulls out a stick—shish kebab-like—with squid on it. Seafood is, of course, very common in this city. "I recommend the Kapaerian salt," he says, pointing at one of the jars and offering to sprinkle some on the squid-stick. He looks to Rinti. "Would your daughter like a sweetmeat?"

Peering carefully around, Streko looks for those who may be looking at them. He doesn't see any of the other people taking any particular interest in them. Some of them are starting to drift away, as the Stormreach Watch and the Iron Watch now begin to actively step out and disperse the small crowds. But then Streko does notice one thing. Looking almost straight up, where the nearest stack of buildings rises three stories high, he sees the silhouette of a gargoyle perched there. Perfectly still. Might be been there all along, it's hard to say.

---

Streko's Wisdom (Perception) check: 15

[Brian]

May 23, 2016 19:39:54 GMT -4 Ken said:

"Shadow take us," hisses Belarin to Condign as they turn away. "You are going to get us killed one day with that affectation."

Without looking back, he walks toward the rest of his companions.

Condign follows Belarin, a knowing smirk on his face.

[Dave W.]

May 23, 2016 22:01:20 GMT -4 Joe said:

[Streko says]"Have I mentioned how much I hate the rain?" he grumbles.

"Normally I don't mind rain, though there is a virtue in moderation." Adamant replies. "It's the heat. I'm accustomed to rain being cool," Adamant notes the Iron Watch commander punch the soldier, "but it seems as though nothing is allowed to cool in this land."

Adamant tries to keep a watch on all three groups; Belarin and Condign gossiping; Kal, Tangat, and Rinti with the goblins; and his immediate surroundings. He tries to gauge the crowd's reaction to the Guard dragging the Emerald Claw soldier away.

[Ken]

Belarin returns with Condign to the main group. He starts to open his mouth, but then... "Oh, who the Khyber is Kal trying to impress now? Doesn't it get tiring? We have news."

[Joe]

Streko grimaces and taps Adamant on his leg. "Adamant, my friend, I'm not sure if there is anything you can see or do, but, well, it's just a feeling, mind you. Can't say for sure if it is anything, but, well, I fear we may be followed...and not by anyone down here on the ground. NO! Don't look up!! At least, not yet. But, I think maybe the gargoyle above us...is both eavesdropping and keeping a close eye on us as well. As I said, just a hunch, but perhaps we should advise Shorak, as he's our scout. Probably best not to say anything to Kal or Belarin until we know for sure. I'm hoping you might be able to pick out particulars of the gargoyle should we happen to notice one of them again in an odd or obscure place. Your thoughts? Am I being paranoid? God's above and below, I've felt paranoid every since we were taken from Sharn. I am always on edge, it seems. I hope I am not portending yet another barrier to cross."

[Dave B.]

Shorak, overhearing Streko, looks up to peer at the gargoyle above. Looking back at Streko and Adamant, Shorak opines, "Gargoyles are common enough, but I guess it's possible that it is tracking us. That is assuming that it is that kind of gargoyle." Shorak looks up again and decides to keep alert for the possibility that the gargoyle is animate and following them.

[Jeff]

Shorak squints into the rain and sees the gargoyle. As it's holding perfectly still, it's impossible to determine whether it's animate or not, but now he's keeping an eye on it.

[Brian]

May 24, 2016 19:11:38 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin returns with Condign to the main group. He starts to open his mouth, but then... "Oh, who the Khyber is Kal trying to impress now? Doesn't it get tiring? We have news."

Condign sniffs the air. "He may be thinking with his stomach, not that I blame him. Wait here, I will be back shortly." He approaches Kal and Rinti. "We need to talk. Belarin and I have news, and it is not good."

[Darren]

Kal turns to notice Condign. "Hm? Yes, tell me. Clearly these goblins aren't interested in my business anyway...."

(EDIT: My bad. Somehow I missed Jeff's earlier post. I'll go read it now....)

[Darren]

Conscious of drawing too much attention, Kal pulls the sleeve of his coat down, covering the exposed 'mark. "We'll take two," he says with a smile, shrugging at Rinti as he offers her one. "How bad could it be?" he says quietly. He takes out a piece of silver and offers it to the goblins as Condign approaches.

[Jeff]

The goblin accepts the silver and hands over two squids-on-sticks sprinkled liberally with Kapaerian salt, whatever that is. "Maybe my lord has exotic taste? Would he like a Fernian firepepper? To go, of course; I would not recommend a pairing with salted sea-life! Rare they are, and a hotter and more exotic taste you will not find."

Seeing the approach of Condign, the goblin smiles again. "Good day, master tiefling!" The goblins speaks particularly good Common. "If ever there was one who could resist the fire of a Fernian firepepper and yet appreciate the taste, it would be one of your people, no?"

While Kal and Condign know little of the flora of Xen'drik, both know the word Fernia, which is a name for the elemental plane of fire!

Rinti says excitedly, but in quiet tones, "Only nobles could afford those, Lord Kalarian. I've heard a single firepepper is ten galifars!"

"Only eight from my cart, my lady," the fat goblin says, overhearing. "But 'tis true, only the powerful partake of such delicacies."

[Darren]

"This is your lucky day, then, Rinti," Kal says as he hands over the coins. He places the pepper directly into Rinti's hands, thanks the goblins, then begins to walk with Condign back towards his friends. He places the squid stick by his side, allowing Tangat to eat at his leisure. "Now, what did you find out?" he asks the tiefling.

[Jeff]

The pepper is long, vivid red, but almost swirls with a yellow iridescence. It's perfectly cool to the touch, but: "Do be careful, lady," the goblin warns, also handing over a thin cloth to wrap it in. "You will never taste anything hotter. Milk on hand would be wise when you snack, not water."

Rinti holds the pepper out in front of her and stares at it like a dragonshard prospector is beholding the pinnacle find of his career. She makes no move to eat it just now.

[Ken]

Once Kal returns, Belarin says softly to the group, "The gossip is that two ships were attacked and sunk last night. Many deaths. An eyewitness says the attack came from an airship, 'black as a hag's heart,' with spells and giant crossbow bolts raining down from the skies."

He pauses for a moment. "As for the Claw, something also happened last night in Lorsmarch Palace that has set them very much on edge. At a different time, I would've snuck into the palace for a look, but the iron Watch would likely have frowned on that."

[Brian]

"The other night," Condign clarifies. "The woman did not say last night. Something devastating did happen at the harbor, though. Two ships destroyed. I believe the Krez and his mercenaries are systemically eliminating the competition. He looks up into the air, as if expecting to see an airship ready to strike them down. "We had best be careful. I suggest we head to the temple now, and then the main bank. We have been out in the open for too long."

Before he turns away, he sees Rinti holding a pepper like it was a snake. "Are you going to eat that?"

[Darren]

Kal looks grim as he takes a bite of the squid and then relinquishes the rest to Tangat. "That's not good news. Let us quickly finish the rest of our business and then see what the state of the Merrow Down is."

___________________
What else did we need to do? Temple?

[Dave B.]

Shorak smiles at Adamant. "It seems it is finally your turn, my friend. Let's get you to the temple." Shorak motions for everyone to follow, keeping watch ahead, to the sides and now above as well. "We can barter for some healing potions while you take care of your needs there." Shorak adds as he sets off. The news of the ships in the harbor weighs on his thoughts, but the pragmatist in him knows that there is nothing they can do...yet.

[Dave W.]

"Yes, a black airship, that does seem familiar. Krez then."

"I do still need to get to the temple but I hate to delay everyone. I will be as quick as possible."

---

May 25, 2016 15:34:42 GMT -4 Darren said:

What else did we need to do? Temple?

Adamant needs a stop at the temple and the bank has been mentioned but I thought we already did the bank...

[Brian]

Condign needs to visit the main Kundarek bank branch to remit the note from Black Wolf. He had tried the smaller branch but was told to go to the main branch.

[Jeff]

As the party starts to move, Shorak and Streko look up at the gargoyle above. It doesn't budge.

Due north, Shorak leads the party back into the district of Forgelight. A heavy band of rain hits just as you're entering the district, prompting Shorak to stand beneath a low outcropping that juts from the side of one of the massive stone walls that were part of the city's original, giant-occupied foundations. Visibility decreases drastically, so it seems prudent to wait for it to just pass. At this point, Rinti finally pockets the firepepper Kal purchased for her. She did not try to eat it yet, just wrapped it up and tucked it away for later.

Ten minutes later, the rain lessens, and so you move on again.

Then you find yourself before the Temple of the Sovereign Host. The Octogram is carved into the front gate, where a portcullis hangs half-descended, but still high enough to pass through by stooping slightly. Those of you who visited the temple before recall the draconic architecture, but in the cloud-darkened streets they're just silhouettes now. Stone steps lead up to the front doors.

The street around you is empty of crowds, but there is one other being in sight: another warforged, who kneels at the foot of the steps, facing away from the temple itself. Kal, Streko, and Condign remember seeing this one once before when they were only passing by the temple the first time. Armored like the usual front-line shock trooper of the Last War, as most warforged were designed, this one carries a shield bearing the symbol of Dol Dorn—itself a shield with sword crossed in front of it.

Kal and Streko remember the last time they came to this temple, and it now seems like so long ago. It was here the an elf priest was in attendance, and it was he who—after a revealing discussion about dragons and prophecy—ultimately led them down beneath the temple where they spoke with an unexpected dweller.

[Brian]

"If no one minds," Condign says as he eyes the temple, "I will wait out here and watch the street. Best we keep our guard up."

[Dave W.]

Adamant nods politely to the kneeling warforged. He replies to Condign, "No my friend, I don't mind. This is a personal task for which I will apologize for diverting you all." Adamant mounts the stairs.

---

Ah, I had forgotten Condign's bnak note...
Adamant will go in and look for an acolyte unless the warforged does something...

[Jeff]

The kneeling warforged instantly rises to his feet. His gem-eyes—a dull red—flash briefly. "Greetings, brother-in-arms." Up close, Adamant can see this warforged is covered in battle scars. He's in fine shape, no major wounds, but his composite plating is heavily scarred. Adamant can also see he once bore an Aundairian insignia, but it's been crudely rubbed away.

The warforged turns as if to follow. "May I?" he asks, rather deferential.

[Ken]

Belarin places a hand on Adamant's... or at least that's his intent. He settles for touching the warforged's upper arm instead.

"No apologies," he says. "We all have our responsibilities. I'll stay out here with Condign."

To Condign, he says as he scans the area, "So, if the Merrow Down has been sunk, what do we do next? Krez will be expecting us to go all revenge-y."

[Brian]

Condign's expression darkens at the mention of the Merrow Down, and his lips form a thin, angry slash across his face. "When I was young, there was a barbarian boy called Dethra who did not like me because I was different. He would tease me, torment me. His favorite trick was to hide my sword. Among the Carrion Tribes, if you were caught anywhere without your weapon--during meals, sleeping in the middle of the night, bathing--you were punished. Severely. I was beat often, not that Dethra cared. He was angry, and he was relentless. HIs pranks continued for months, even after healers were summoned after I received a particularly sever beating. The welts raised that day left scars on my back you can still see today." Condign looks down and shrugs. "I was the better fighter. I beat him in every contest. He never came close to defeating me. It was an embarrassment. Dethra's father was a chieftain. Dethra was supposed to lead the tribe someday. And Dethra couldn't best the strange kid with the red skin and the horns. His distress grew, and one day he decided tricks were not enough." Several seconds go by before Condign speaks. "He trapped a pit used in a training course. We were supposed to grab a rope and swing over it. I was always first to go; others tried to beat my time. Except that day, Dethra had cut partway through the rope so it would break under my weight. He had also rolled large rocks into the pit so when I landed, I would break my leg or my arm or my back. Maybe he would have gotten lucky and I would hit my head and die. Except it did not happen the way he wanted. We had a new trainee, the son of powerful lord who insisted his son go first. No one could dissuade him. The boy died instantly. Dethra was found out, along with what he had done to me. Guess what I was offered? Revenge."

Lightning cuts jagged lines across the sky. Thunder rolls like a death knell. "I refused," Condign whispers. "It was what everyone expected. It was what Dethra expected. Kyber, I think it was what he wanted. But I knew better. A warrior never does what his enemy expects, never gives him the advantage of expectation. So I refused. I waited, knowing Dethra's guilt was eating at him. Then one night, he hung himself. I had my revenge, and I did not raise a finger against him."

Condign turns to look at Belarin. Rainwater drips from his hood, the tip of his nose. "Yes, we 'get all revenge-y.' Nothing short of Krez's death will suffice. But it will take time. Krez expects us to attack, so we leave him alone--for now. What we do, though, is be there at every turn, at every advance, and we stop him. He will come to see us as anathema: a bane to his dark existence. Only then, when he has lost every greedy thing he desires...only then will we kill him. Our friends deserve no less." The edges of Condign's lips curl into a smile. "Krez has airships, ones he hopes to use in his quest for the Eye. Airships he used to murder our friends. I say we deprive him of his transportation."

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks towards Belarin. "If that's the case. I'll want to go all revenge-y, but definitely a well planned, not hot-headed response." Listening to Condign, Shorak smiles along with him. "Excellent idea. You have my support. Can't wait to get planning." He turns to follow Adamant into the temple. "In the meantime, I'm going to see how many healing potions I can get here. Anyone want to join me?" He adds to Kal and Streko as he moves towards the entrance to the temple.