Chapter 14: A Cloud of Fear

[Dave B.]

"Unfortunately, I never mastered a long bow. If someone else would like it, please, make use of it." Shorak says. "Adamant, you don't own a ranged weapon, do you? Would you care to have the long bow?"

[Brian]

"We are in a hurry," Melethos says, "but not in that much of a hurry. We will take the northern route and skirt the palace. I appreciate Kal's concerns about the Coin Lords. Best we not get hung up with them just yet." He looks around. "If everyone is ready, we may as well get started."

[Jeff]

Aug 5, 2017 13:37:07 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"I'm sorry, are you suggesting putting that in me?" Adamant says with some horror.

"Who better?" Sem repliaes, shrugging.

Then he smirks. "Wait, Adamant, are you suggesting that we put it in someone else?"

---

Okay, important: So what exactly is the basic route and first destination, and is anyone saying or doing anything else before you go?

Remember: The Temple of the Sovereign Host is in Forgelight, not the Temple district. Forgelight is northwest of Cross. You can always go from Markeplace, to Forgelight, then Temple, then Oldgate, that outside the city (crossing the river up by the neighborhood of Whitewash and the edge of the city to the Tents. Long walk, but avoiding both Southwatch and the Palace would necessitate a long walk walk, regardless.

Use the green and blue paths here, for reference.

[Joe]

"Streko considers the new path being offered up. "I approve, if everyone else does. Yes, this should get us to the places we need to go to with the least amount of concern as to any difficulties that might present themselves."
________________________________________

Streko's belongings are all in his haversack, which accompanies him everywhere he goes. He will smuggle some snacks to go with them. One never knows when one will get peckish....

[Darren]

"That path makes the most sense to me," Kal says after Shorak has laid out the options. Kal is referring to the green path, but since the characters aren't looking at a map... "I think we should get what Streko and Adamant need before heading to the tents. We don't know what's out there and I think it's best that we are fully supplied before we go."



Kal will leave behind Gurend's lead box and Alvek's satchel and dagger. Also, if anyone needs them, Kal has been carrying around 4 sunrods since he was originally created, but since he has the Light cantrip, he hasn't needed them. If no one needs them, he'll leave those behind.

[Dave B.]

"Going to the temple on the way will certainly allow us to avoid those we would rather not run into. It should be an easy route, if somewhat roundabout." Shorak replies. "I'm ready to lead the way when you are."

[Ken]

"Sounds good," says Belarin. "Let's be--" he takes one last bite of a muffin. "Let's be off."

_____________________________

Yep, the green path seems best, with a stop at the Temple in Forgelight for Adamant's & Streko's supplies.

[Jeff]

Histra gives Belarin a thoughtful look. "This is the last time," she says. "After today's events, we stay together. Go now, and do not dare to die without me."

Aug 5, 2017 19:25:13 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

He leaves the sphere with Sem, Belarin and Starg, but keeps the puzzle box. Finishing his breakfast, Shorak rises and stands by the door, ready to leave as soon as the word is given.

Neither Sem nor Starg try take responsibility for the sphere, so Belarin is left holding it. What will he do with it, or who will he give it to?

I'm just awaiting a statement of action now. If Melethos wishes to take charge, just let me know what he does.

[Brian]

Melethos smiles at Histra. "We will keep him alive, my lady. At least for the moment. As for the rest of us, the time has come. We leave for the Tents, but we stop at Forgelight and the Temple of the Sovereign Host first. Shorak, lead the way."

Opening the door, Melethos gestures for the half-Drow to exit, and for the others to follow.

____________________________________________

And away we go! The group will take the green path outlined on the map.

[Jeff]

Larest wishes you luck. Sem points at Kal. "Listen, I'm sure you're going to piss off another Coin Lord today. Please don't make it Sel Shadra. She's the quietest, but...you know, she's a Zil. Probably the most conniving and dangerous. Please just stick with the monsters and the undead and all that. Do what you're good at."

Then you head down.

The common room of the Cornestone is less crowded now. But it's still half full, with patrons drinking and idling and gossiping, and some are even passed out at their respective tables. You catch snippets of conversation that stand out to you:

". . . airship . . . down into the Harbor . . ."

". . . Jonas, with twenty guards . . ."

". . . Iron Watch at the Palace . . ."

But before you go outside, two helmed figures approach your party by the door, and Kal recognizes them right away: These soldiers are clad in suits of chainmail and wear the purple and green livery of House Deneith. Given the hue of their pauldrons and the gilden shield-shaped trim around the chimera emblem on their tabards, they are Gold Blades of the Blademarks Guild, which makes them elite from that group. Their weapons and armor are polished, and their faces bear enough scars and lines to prove they are veterans of the house. Both men look older than Kal by some years.

"My Lord Kalarian Jaeren?" one of them says. The man's broad body, heavy eyebrows, and thick sideburns instantly reveal that he is a shifter. He takes his helmet off and gives a short, militaristic bow. His thick brown hair is bound at the base of his skull.

The other man is quite human, but no skinnier than this one. But he is clean shaven and his hair is cropped much shorter.

"I am Gold Blade Randul," the shifter says, "and this is Gold Blade Orlan. We have come by orders of the Lord Marshal." His tone is grave, his expression serious. And for a moment, Kal is wondering if he's been arrested somehow. But then: "If you will have us, my lord, we will serve as a security detail for you and your allies. For up to one week, as you wish it, within city limits. Will you have us?"

[Darren]

Kal pulls the shining soldiers further into a corner of the room, fairly making a sputtering noise as he does so. "Is this Greigur's idea of inconspicuous???" he asks in an angry whisper. Noticing the soldiers' raised eyebrows at Kal's lack of formality, he calms and corrects himself, "Lord Greigur." Kal looks the men up and down. "Well, I'm glad for your help, but I can't have you two walking around like shining beacons of all of Deneith's virtues. Do you have anything that will stand out a little less?"

[Dave W.]

going back just a bit
Adamant's horror at the idea of putting the docent into his body fades a bit with Belarin's description. "You give me much to consider but I will need time to contemplate and pray on this. If it is capable of revealing a lost truth I may be obligated to attempt using it. Dol Arrah is not just the Sovereign of Sun but also the patron of those who bring the Light of Knowledge to dark places."

"But this is not the time to bother with that. We have enough to do already today."

As they move down the stairs, Adamant turns too Aven, "You have the rearguard for now my friend." Adamant follow directly behind Melethos.

[Jeff]

As Kal speaks, a flicker of annoyance crosses the human, Orlan's, face, but he maintains a professional veneer.

The shifter, Randul, simply frowns at Kal's response, then shakes his head. "Our orders were to wait for you within the inn, my lord, not outside in plain view as you had requested. We are members of the Blademarks Guild," he adds, as if Kal were not familiar. "And our service is for defense, not intelligence or reconnaissance. If you find our skills unsuitable, my lord, you have only to dismiss us. Or, if you need our blades but require discretion for any period of time, we are able to wait wherever you wish." He adds, "Within limits. My lord."

Kal gets the impression that Randul is merely pragmatic, not aggrieved.

[Ken]

Belarin frowns at both the guards' appearance and Kal's unpleasant reaction, but says nothing at the moment.

________________

Belarin will hold onto the sphere for now.

[Darren]

Kal looks to Melethos. "What do you think? The extra muscle wouldn't be a bad thing, but they certainly make us stand out. I can travel with them so they look like my personal guard and the rest of you can travel a bit ahead of us so it will perhaps appear, to the casual observer, that we are not together?"

[Brian]

Melethos regards the Deneith soldiers. "This city brims with violence and threats, my lord, and the 'extra muscle,' as you put it, would be helpful. A well-armed group is often left alone. As to drawing attention to ourselves, nothing does that more than a pile of dead bodies surrounding you on the street." The tiefling nods to the men. "I would gladly have them join us."

[Dave W.]

"I agree with Melethos" Adamant adds unasked. "A larger, well armed group will discourage the 'casual' threats... we should only be challenged by those who mean specifically us harm. And I believe at this point anyone meaning us harm will be aware that you are with us."

"And there appears to be war waging in the skies above. I believe the time for stealth is done. Speed means more."

[Darren]

"Alright then," Kal says to the Gold Blades. "Welcome, and my apologies for the less than warm welcome. Surely, you must know that I hold you and your brothers in the highest regard? You do our house proud. We are going to the Tents of Rusheme. Watch our flanks and we'll all get back to our sweethearts jistr fine."

[Joe]

Streko nods at the Shifter and Human Blademark. 'Thank you for your service. Hopefully, it will not be needed, but I do feel safer with you watching our backs." He returns to his place in "line" and prepares to head out.

[Dave B.]

Shorak can't help but smile at the guards sent to defend Kal. He has never really grasped the political machinations of the houses and never really wanted to. "Well, any additional blade to assist in our defense is certainly welcome." Although Shorak can't help but play at it occasionally. "My Lord Kalarian, I do not mean to contradict, but I believe our first stop to be the Temple of the Sovereign Host." He says with a slight bow and moves to lead the group in that direction. "Oh! Remember to keep alert for objects and bodies falling from the sky." Which Shorak does himself, as well as keeping an eye for more earthlbound dangers.

[Jeff]

There is a moment of uncertainty in Orlan's face, but then he nods. "We will follow, my lord. And remain in a flanking position."

When Shorak leads you out of the inn and into the rain, the Blademarks move to either side of your staggered entourage. The rain is light, but now there are flashes of lightning and some more ongoing thunder reigning in the sky.

[Brian]

Rain dripping off his horns, Melethos looks to the sky. "The weather--and whatever else is happening up there--may prove useful for a change. There is more to see in the clouds than on the street." Melethos strides after Shorak, his hand drifting the the hilt of his sword. "Keep together and keep your eyes open."

[Jeff]

As the Cornerstone Inn nearly is out of sight, Belarin spots Histra's skeleton emerging from its alley. The skull swivels to watch him go with its empty sockets.

And then out of Dannel's Pride and Cross you go, the streets somehow emptier than usual even though the rain isn't nearly as hard as it has been. There is a strange atmosphere pervading the city now, like a disquieting cloud had descending to embrace the ruins, the homes, the people.

Shorak's route has you enter but walk along the edge of the district of Respite—where the gardens, graveyards, monuments, and the Jorasco hospice can be found. Even along the outer walls, the flowering creepers and vines cling to the surface, only now they're all wet. The scent of blooming flowers that tends to fill this district seems itself dampened in this rain. The people are on the streets are even fewer her, but you see the odd halfling group hurry by.

And then you approach the house of the Sovereign Host, the Temple of the Wyrm Ascendant with its draconic architecture and its heavy, raised gate at the top of a small rise of steps. And above that, the Octogram in stone protruding from the facade as always.

It was outside this very temple where you first met Aven, which was only two days ago. It was also here, while standing guard and eyeing the entrance, that Melethos first spoke to Belarin about his true name, though it did not know he would reclaim it soon after.

As you come close, you notice piles of some dark substance scattered around the steps of the temple. As you get closer, you can see they're ash, but the rain has turned it into sodden lumps of black sludge. The piles approximate the shapes of humans. There must be eight of them in total. For a moment, a boom of thunder follows a streak of lightning and for a second the entire sky is lit up—and that's when you notice five winged shapes crouched on the roof of the temple. Gargoyles, all perched neatly, almost symmetrically. Unmoving. You're positive they weren't there before.

Despite this, the gate is still open at the top of the steps.

[Darren]

"Well," Kal says cheerily, looking up at the gargoyles, "that's certainly welcoming, isn't it? Guards, maybe? The question is, who are they protecting?" Kal looks to the Blademarks on either side of him. "I don't need to tell you, but stay alert. I wasn't expecting a fight so early in the day but," he glances at the piles of ash, "who knows? Shorak, Melethos...proceed."

[Jeff]

"My lord," Orlan says. "If you have business within, shall we enter within or remain at the gate?"

Tangat growls and stays close to Kal.

"We have not been attacked by the gargoyles we have seen yet," Aven says as he approaches one of the piles of wet ash, kneels, and sticks his hand in it, stirring it around. "Remnants of bone."

[Darren]

"Come in with us," Kal says, "but remain near the door. No sense getting separated, yet. Then we'd just have to search for you when the gargoyles carried you away," Kal says with a grin. Seeing Orlan's stone-faced expression, Kal adds, "Don't worry. You'll get used to me." He grins again. "So, where did you serve before this, Gold Blade Orlan?"

[Dave W.]

Aug 8, 2017 9:53:48 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"We have not been attacked by the gargoyles we have seen yet," Aven says as he approaches one of the piles of wet ash, kneels, and sticks his hand in it, stirring it around. "Remnants of bone."

"No need to disturb the remains, Aven." Adamant states calmly, "We will report to them to the High Priest Sakhesh."

Adamant goes to the gate and enters the temple. He looks around for... really anyone in authority... even an acolyte.

[Jeff]

Aven rises, moving away from the piles of ash.

The Gold Blade Kal is speaking to looks hesitant to talk while staying watchful of danger. "In and around Sterngate, my lord, supplementing the Brelish Army." Sterngate is a city in southeastern Breland near the mountain pass that leads into the goblin realm of Darguun.

Randul gets Kal's attention. "When we have a moment, Lord Kalarian, it may be wise for us to learn more about your allies—who we should keep watchful on, who to disregard, and what their names are." Kal follows his gaze and sees him looking longest at Starg...who Kal has almost forgotten about. The minotaur has been walking in the party's rear. Starg is most intent on the gargoyles right now.

"I will likewise remain at the gate," the minotaur says, eyeing the interior of the temple.

Shorak and Melethos then lead the way in. The Blademarks, and Starg, remain just inside the gate.

Inside, Adamant first spots the elf priest Cael Duryn—who Kal and Streko met with once before—busy with some other visitors to the temple, a trio of armored women. From a distance you're not sure if they're affiliates of the temple or some other armsmen, but their outer garments do suggest religious vestments. Cael and the woman disappear into some chamber and out of sight soon after, but then the acolyte Tania Drake comes forward to greet you. It was Tania who assisted during your previous visit and partook of the temple blessing that both Adamant and Streko still feel upon them.*

Tania offers a formal nod to Adamant and a smile to Kal, seeming genuinely pleased to see him, but then her smile fades. "I believe the vampire Krez has been active in his search for you. There was...a confrontation last night." She gestures toward the front steps.

---

*And which, FYI, might have been helpful in dealing with Greshnaza. They've been on their character sheets in the Quick Notes box.

[Dave W.]

Aug 8, 2017 14:20:19 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Cael and the woman disappear into some chamber and out of sight soon after, but then the acolyte Tania Drake comes forward to greet you. It was Tania who assisted during your previous visit and partook of the temple blessing that both Adamant and Streko still feel upon them.*

Tania offers a formal nod to Adamant and a smile to Kal, seeming genuinely pleased to see him, but then her smile fades. "I believe the vampire Krez has been active in his search for you. There was...a confrontation last night." She gestures toward the front steps.

"Acolyte Drake," Adamant duplicates Tania's nod. "It is good to see you again. So are these," Adamant also gestures to the ash piles, "vampire remains?"

"I'm afraid we've come mainly for supplies; I would like to return in some quiet time..." Pausing a moment to speak to Kal, "The prayer to raise the fallen requires the dust of a diamond. It will be expensive. The 50 platinum the Professor gave us, though generous, will not go far. Can we pool our resources? How far shall we go?"

---

probably should have talked about the details before setting out... Each casting of Revivify consumes 300 gp of diamond dust. Theoretically Adamant could do that 2 times a day.

I'm not sure what else Joe is looking for.

[Jeff]

"Lesser spawn," the acolyte answers. "Krez sent an emmisary and a small pack of ghouls to ask for you, by name. Kalarian, specifically. The emissary said, 'Give him this message: Kalarian d'Deneith, I am looking forward to our next meeting, when we exchange blood for blood.' Maru Sakhesh probed further, asking more questions, but the vampire spawn would say nothing more. So the high priest destroyed them, every one, turning every abomination to ash." Tania smiles darkly, her eyes drifting in remembrance of the display of power. "They were foolish to approach the temple at all. We have left the remains outside as a warning. Let the storm wash their filth away."

Tania hears Adamant's words. "I can procure as much diamond dust as you can exchange gold for, Adamant. The Wyrm Ascendant is well supplied."

---

Remember, you can also use as much of the "Bank" amount (listed in my signature) for supplies freely. 1,785 gp is showing as of this post. And remember that this amount is separate from any coinage anyone has in their inventory. This represents money in the Kundarak bank, which to keep things simple you can use at any time while in the city, under the assumption that you already took some out. Keeping it fluid.