Slice of Glaive

We leave the mage academy and head to ‘Bob’ and ‘Chad’s place for dinner. As soon as we enter the gate we are invited back to the area near the stables, as always. There is a pig on a spit and what looks like a picnic area set up. Way of Xin is also there, although he appears a bit crestfallen that Kross has now shown up. They get to discussing the local news, of which we are the most popular topic. Perrol asks about the Regent Mother and the Lord Marshall. When the subject turns to who might have the contracts out on our heads, ‘Bob’ and ‘Chad’ mention that it is most likely the Lord Marshall, someone from within the mage academy, or even a corrupt priest. Jarlyn perks up and asks if they know of any, to which they respond that they do not at the moment. So they we ask who they think is the most likely. ‘Chad’ mentions that you can never trust a wizard, which causes ‘Bob’ to roll his eyes. We pass a nice evening, with good food. After the meal we practice some magic exercises for a while before it’s time to go back to the inn to sleep. We pass an uneventful night.

After breakfast in the morning we head on out to the Temple of the Skyfather. The guards at the gates are members of the Order of the Azure Banner since the usual Favored of Kilbern have all been called in to deal with the EVIL tablets. We are led into the office of the old priest with whom we’ve dealt before. We find out that his name is Aldusmannus. He says that he doesn’t have that much time to talk to us because they will be going through the ceremony to destroy the tablets. It should all go well, as they’ve pulled all of the Favored of Kilbern out of the city. He reports that he was able to get us some great deals if we go to his “friend” Aaron over in the mage academy. We can get our items enchanted and maybe even purchase some pre-enchanted items.

As we are walking over to the mage academy I hear Perrol say that Ghoral is wandering off. We follow him to this weaponmaster’s stall. Ghoral was drawn to this ashurana in the back. He asks the price and is put off by how high it is. When the weaponsdealer asks if he would like to handle it, Ghoral agrees. We see Ghoral pause and space out for about 20 seconds when the weapon touches his hands. He then readily hands over 5 of his gems to purchase it. Perrol then mentions to Jarlyn that he would like to look at a particular mace. Jarlyn is interested, but the price is too much for him. We leave and start to interrogate Ghoral about his weapon/experience. We learn that Ghoral heard voices when he held the weapon. Perrol asks to hold the weapon and it appears unwieldy in his hands. He appears puzzled and disappointed with it. He asks if anyone else would like to hold it and I volunteer. I hear a voice say, “Ulronai…Interesting” before it fades out. This startles me and I pause for a minute to process through that this is obviously a spirit-bound weapon and that it doesn’t appear to be evil or malicious. After I’ve thought about this I cautiously hand the weapon back to Ghoral. Perrol starts grilling me about my experience. I respond with sufficient answers, but become increasingly irritated as he continues to talk. (When asked if it spoke to me, I responded in the affirmative; when asked what it said, I responded that it did not say much; when asked specifically what it said, I replied with “Interesting”.) We continue on to the mage academy to get some enchanted stuff. Perrol is carrying the pass so we get to go straight up into the department of special projects. Aaron is able to see us now. He mentions a certain enchantment that could be cast on a weapon that would allow it to affect insubstantial enemies. Perrol asks about an enchanted item he had heard of called an Earring of Intrigue. I say, “There is an item I knew as a child called Yldevar’s Awl that I would be interested in.” They send someone out to search for the items. He also mentions to Ghoral that they have several Dwarven drinking mugs that never run dry. Jarlyn elects for the enchantment of his mace. As we are waiting, we mention that we would like to know more about this weapon. He holds it for a moment and then says that he doesn’t have to research, for it is a Cat-Lady’s Claw. At the end, I purchase a Yldevar’s Awl and decide to get my stilletto ensorceled. It will take several days for each weapon to get enchanted, so we will make due with loaners and sharing our spare weapons. I’ll be using my staff for several days now.

We get back to the inn after getting paid. When we arrive, the barmistress heads to the back room and gets a letter out of the safebox. When she hands this missive to us, I notice that the wax seal has been tampered with. It appears that the seal was slit open with a razorblade and then rather expertly resealed. I indicate this to the others. As this was likely done before it arrived at the inn, Perrol questions her about the person who delivered the missive. It is addressed to the Mage academy’s office of special projects and investigations. I say that Jarlyn should carry it and he agrees. As we go about our evening, I notice coy glances directed toward Perrol. He is ignoring her, then I see Ghoral lean over and say something to Perrol. We pass a normal night.

The next morning we set out to the mage academy so that we can deliver the letter and get the search for the source of the spying spell on the brooch restarted. As we are walking Kross, Perrol and I hear, “Psst, my Lords.” Perrol and Jarlyn turn and we see a figure beaconing from the shadows of an alley. Perrol makes a quick aside and says that this is one of the men who’d helped us with the false guards the last time we were in the city. He was watching out for us because he has information that he feels we would reward him for giving to us. In whispers on the street, he had been hearing that the Red Daggers had been contracted for Perrol’s life. After the commotion yesterday, which he assumed was us taking care of that, it went up to a price on each of our heads. There is a 10gp price on each of our heads, but it only applies if they get us all. When Perrol asks about the false guards, he remembers that he heard about three weeks ago that all of those who were captured in that raid were killed in an escape attempt. We pay him and continue on our way. Once we get to the mage academy, a runner takes off for the office of special projects. Once he returns we are led directly to Aaron’s office in the department of special projects. After Perrol explains that the missive has apparently been tampered with, Jarlyn hands it over. Aaron inspects the letter and states that while it has been opened it was not tampered with. They will continue their search then; however, the perpatrators might have moved the device. He states that no matter the outcome, they should know by about 2pm. We thank him and say that we will be returning later. He gives Perrol a pass so that we do not have to wait at the gates later.

We all decide to go to the market so that Kross can buy new armor. He wants custom armor so that he can sleep in it. Perrol is helping him haggle while Jarlyn watches all of our backs. I’m kind of perusing some blades and knives. Then I hear from right next to my ear, “Watcha doin’?” I start/jump to the side and nearly run into the stand I was perusing. I turn to ‘Bob’ and respond that I’m looking at knives. When he states that I have a pretty good one already, I respond that it never hurts to look. The Jarlyn turns to him and mentions that the last time we saw him and his buddy they were in Fellsburg and that then the mages who were following us to the old chapel all died. ‘Bob’ says that they probably didn’t take precautions against the sickness that was rampant there. Jarlyn wants to know why we didn’t get sick and ‘Bob’ says that he made sure we didn’t. ‘Bob’ inquires as to whether or not we are staying in town for long this time. Perrol says that we have no real reason to move on. I vote that we move on soon. Kross pipes up that we have some business for the Regent Mother. ‘Bob’ looks over at him with interest. When Kross looks to be about to say more about our mission, our previous job, and what we do I interrupt with, “Open Market.” Catching on that I don’t feel this is the place to discuss that, he discontinues that line of conversation. We are also invited to join them for dinner. I end up browsing and getting a set of 4 throwing knives and holder and then it’s back to the inn for lunch. There is a young, very sharply outfitted, female paladin of the Favored of Kilbern (the Skyfather) at the inn. She comes to attention when we walk into the room. Jarlyn hails the Skyfather, and she returns the salutation. She tells us that our presence is requested at the Skyfather’s temple tomorrow morning after we break our fast.

After lunch, we head out to get the results from the mage academy. As we are about three quarters of the way there, a young man of about 18 years steps out into the middle of the road. He says, “Kross from the family of xxx because of the dishonor you have committed, I Way of Xin do challenge you to a martial combat.” A couple more words are exchanged before they switch to a language I don’t know. It sounds like what Kross might mumble or curse in sometimes. Kross asks if we know a place where they might go to fight unnoticed. The only place we can think of is ‘Bob’ and ‘Chad’s house. We all troop off to the house and enter through the gate. There is no way I’m missing seeing some interesting martial arts. Kross calls for ‘Bob’ or ‘Chad’ so that he can get permission to use the grounds for the challenge fight. ‘Bob’ comes around the corner and Kross takes him aside to explain things. He starts to chuckle slightly and yells to ‘Chad’ that the kids are having a bit of a tiff. As we come around into the stables area in the back of the house, we see ‘Chad’. ‘Chad’ looks at the situation and spits out something that sounds like an order to Way of Xin who then moves in front of him. They continue chattering on in that other tongue. At one point Way looks very startled. Perrol can wait no longer and demands of Kross to know what’s going on. Perrol says nothing. After some more words, Kross draws his sword. Perrol asks ‘Bob’ about what is going on. ‘Bob’ summarized that Kross left home, angry brother of fiancee, family honor, fight, etc. There are more words and then Way draws his sword. Perrol looks at ‘Bob’ who then says that Kross tried to set conditions and Way wouldn’t listen. They start to fight and appear, at least at first, to be evenly matched. Way of Xin is very fast but he doesn’t appear to be hitting very hard and we can see Kross being worn down. Then the tide seems to turn and Kross gets the upper hand. Eventually, Way of Xin goes down and gets dazed. Kross prepares to stab him while he is down to make sure he get the idea. When Way of Xin is bleeding profusely from both arms, Kross stops and ‘Bob’ mostly heals the wounds. When ‘Chad’ asks if we are staying until dinner Kross responds that we have to go see the mages. We take off to make our rendezvous with the mages, while ‘Chad’ wants to have a talk with Way of Xin. At the mage academy, Perrol shows them our pass so that we can get past the gates and into Aaron’s office. Unfortunately, they found the device, but it had already been moved and buried in a field outside of town. They were unable to even get a mental connection to figure out who has been using it. The entire device has been magically wiped clean and recently buried. We conclude our business as there is nothing more they can tell us.

Kross and I are waiting at the entrance to the alley to flag down a city guard to deal with this body. About ten minutes two guards approach us. Kross catches their eyes and gets them to come over. He explains the situation. A third guard joins them. They ask if we are the friends of the people over by the mage academy. We reply in the affirmative and lead them over to othe body. When I ask how our friends are, they reply that they are doing well and the injured one is recovering nicely. I’m trying to keep my hands away from my weapons for obvious reasons. We show them the red dagger that we left near the body and our suppositions that this man was a member of the Red Daggers. One of the guards looks very startled by this. He recommends that we get our friend out of the line of fire. Often these types travel in groups of two to four and deal in everything from poison to arsons. When Kross asks as to whether or not the Red Daggers are local, he responds that it is rumoured that they have a base in every major city and capital. Two of the guards stay by the body and we see the last of the guards take off to report. We return to our friends, find them in the potion shop and report what has happened to us since we parted ways. Kross goes in search of the crossbow and quiver of the assassin. Ghoral looks over the crossbow and declares it a damn fine piece of work. We head on our way to the meeting with the mages. There is chaos outside, but we make it safely to the gate of the mage academy. We are led inside into a different part of the complex than any of us have been in before and into the office of a distinguished mage. There is no one else in this room except for us and him. Perrol looks at the door and says that it is nice to meet the director of special projects. He say that his name is Aaron and that he must have the pleasure of speaking with Perrol, Jarlyn, Glaive, Ghoral *chuckle*, and Kross. He tells us that we are here to explain the mystery of what happened in Fellsburg. Kross asks if we are being recorded on a crystal he sees. Aaron responds that he wanted to make sure that he didn’t miss a thing in our conversation. It is audio only and he activated it after introductions were made, so no names are recorded on it. We recount the story leaving out the involvement of ‘Chad’ and ‘Bob’, the scrolls, the EVIL tablets, and the satchel with book. He is glad when Kross volunteers to draw a map of the dungeon. Once he finds that none of us have the drawing skills to accurately depict those figures we saw, she calls in a girl named Sara to do the police sketch artist thing. We rack our brains to find any thing that could have caused harm to the mages. We can only think of the ice cube blue figurines in the alcoves and the rock snake attractor. He offers to buy the pelt and the ore for comparable to market price. We are going to look into the market price of the felts. They would even be interested in trading for the gems and other things we found in the dungeon. Perrol pipes up that he had seen instruments like the scalpel in food preparation in his travels. I would like to keep my sharp knife/scalpel, but we will trade the other as well as one of the bone saws. They ask for an inventory of what we have from the dungeon. Then comes the bad news. By the charter of the university, they were unable to look into who received the transmissions from the broach/pin. Their hands are tied and that once they found the general location of the receiver they were forbidden to look into it more. They are also unable to tell us more than that because of the restrictions in the charter of the school. Kross asks to see the charter, and he replies that there is a copy of the charter in the library. He expresses his regret that they were unable to help us further. Perrol asks if we are in danger because of this. He replys, “Indubitably.” When we ask if there is anything that we can do to mitigate this danger, he says to leave town. As he wraps up the meeting, he offers to trade us comparable value for the items we brought back from Fellsburg. We agree to trade, but decide to keep one sharp knife (mine) and one bone saw. We head on down to the library and are led to a copy of the charter. Perrol proceeds to read and finds out that the charter was granted by the local lord with the approval of the lord head of the Mendarian Palatinate in Cyradon. The items that the mages cannot do on penalty of having the charter revoked are get involved in politics, self-mediate any disputes with the churches, or investigate/get involved with any member of the lord’s family or employees or acts that take place on the lord’s properties. We are getting tired and decide to head on back to the Boar’s Head Inn and trying to get a room again. They are not so happy to see us. However, they do give us a four bed room again so that we can have watches during the night. Perrol does not play this night because another entertainer is playing. In fact, he is currently playing a song entitled The Ballad of Perrol the Precocious Penis. We pass an uneventful night.

It is time for us to once again track down the Lord Marshall. (In order to investigate the Lord’s property we need permission of either the Lord, the Lord Marshall, the Lord Palatinate, or the Lord Marshall of the entire Palatinate.) We arrive there are wave our letter of introduction again. A page leads us to a different wing of the building than the last time we saw him. As we are shown into a room, there is a chair with its back to us. It turns and a woman is sitting there. She introduces herself as the Duchess Lusia Meralda. She tells us lots of interesting things. See other blogs for info. She does tell a scribe to draft a letter to get the mages to continue the search on the broach.

We go to the market to get the market value of all of our Fellsburg loot. Because we would be flooding the market, they wouldn’t give us more than 2400gp. We see the mages and they’ll give us 2700gp. However, they are going to give us some of it in cut gems. Collectively, it comes to 200gp and 50 gems. Individually, it comes out to 40gp and 10 gems worth 50gp each.

By the time we’d gotten to the ship, we knew that the copper tablets were very strongly magic. We’ve been hiding them with my mirror.

As we approach the port of Tietha, Perrol suddenly straightens up and says that he notices a rhythmic fashing in a window. Most likely it is a type of code; Kross looks over and confirms that it is this world’s equivalent of morse. Perrol thinks about it for a second and then says that that building is in the general area of the maritime business center where the guilds, mages, and municipal people can watch the port. From his navigation knowledge, Kross says that this is unusual for a port. Ghoral pipes up that this code is usually used by forest recon groups and the like. Also, he says that how clear we see it means that it is aimed at our ship. Looking around, Perrol notices that the first mate is paying a lot of attention to this and writing something or other. The second mate notices us watching the first mate and twitches. We decide to approach him, but only Jarlyn, Perrol, and Ghoral go. I stay in the back so as to be inobtrusive and inconspicuous. Kross keeps me company and keeps watch. As they approach the wheel the bosun stops them to talk to them. Then the first mate approaches them. I see words being exchanged with the first mate looking a bit shocked and taken aback by something that Jarlyn said. They look very uncomfortable by something or other that’s happening over there. Suddenly, we see Jarlyn take out his religious implement as the first mate leaves. Before he can even finish his prayer for detect evil, the captain comes down. The captain looks very uncomfortable. Then they all start to look happier. A crewmember is motioned forward and then appears to be assigned to a lifeboat in the stern of the ship. Our groupmates come back and catch us up on the conversation. It appears that the message was from the mages and they would like our departure from the ship to be delayed. The captain has offered us the surreptitious use of a lifeboat in about 10 minutes. This would allow Jarlyn and I to sneak to shore and make it to the Temple of the Skyfather to dispose of the copper tablets. However after much discussion, we decide to brazen out the trap that the mages are setting. Should they detect the tablets, we will say that we need to take them to the temple before handing them over, just to make sure they are safe. Still, we prepare for the worst. As we approach the dock, we see 7 mages on the dock, two of whom are actively casting spells. Kross sees a page with the symbol of Jarlyn’s order running back in the direction of the temple. The yeomen on the ship fumble around with the docking ropes. We notice a cleric from the healing temple in the people waiting for us. A wizard approachs the ship as the gangplank is lowered and asks for permission to board. This is granted and he approaches our group. After some words of greeting, he invites us to come to the mage academy immediately. It comes out that the entire expedition of mages who followed us has expired. Also, the travelling mage they sent to explore once they lost contact with the group reported that all were dead before we lost contact with him. We request some time to refresh ourselves and Jarlyn needs to check in with his temple. They ask us to pause at the top of the gangplank so that the cleric of Hospin to check us for disease. We will have to leave our horses and gear on the ship under magical guard. The gems will come with us as a portable money source. The mage says that he will see us at the bottom of the docks on the other side of the group of mages. Perrol advances down the gangplank, followed by Ghoral. When Jarlyn gets scanned by the cleric of Hospin, she stutters for a bit but lets him pass. She unconsciously leans away from him and her eyes tracked him as he passed. She pauses slightly before Glaive, but I pass, as does Kross. We are on the other side of the group of mages and ask if we can be at the mage academy at around 4pm. It is currently about 2pm.

We all head straight to the temple. About half a block from the temple, paladins start pouring out. Jarlyn tells them that we require their help and the say that they know. They ask us to go no farther since it could react badly with the wards and they would like to keep us in the land of the living. Eventually, the same old priest from before comes out and asks what we have. We ajourn to the side of the road out of the common view. Jarlyn first unveils the journal/book in the satchel. That is taken into the temple by one of the paladins. Then it comes to the EVIL tablets. The priest says that he might need to do some research to figure out how to destroy it. It is most likely the prayer book of the high priest. Perrol also shows him the scroll, but he says we should pass it off to a follower of Aladan that they’ll summon now. When he arrives, he studies it and get the blinding headache that Perrol had gotten from it. He asks to study the scroll for a couple of days before decideding if it is safe to hand over to the mages. They send for a follower is Ishander who is the God of Forges and Metalwork to help them deal with the tablets. He curses up a storm as soon as he enters this room inside of which we’ve taken refuge. Upon examination, he says that he can destroy this but still will want to take it outside of the city just in case. We are allowed inside of the temple to freshen up before heading to the mage academy.

Once we are out in front of the mage academy, we hear a thunk and there is suddenly a crossbow bolt coming through Perrol’s shoulder from behind. Then Perrol staggers like another sensation has hit him. We want to get into the mage academy.

Segment 12
I grab Perrol’s arm as a free action. Kross moves behind us to deflect any further shots. Perrol and I are going to try and run for it. We make is 6 hexes away.

Segment 3
I hold for the moment until Perrol is capable of running. Ghoral decides to throw Perrol over his shoulder and take off. I obviously release Perrol. And then run forward and try to look out into one off the cross streets to make sure it’s clear. It appears to be.

Segment 4
Perrol gets hit again, but it is only a flesh wound. Kross starts to scale the wall to get to the only archer that we’ve seen.

Segment 6
I duck into the door nearest to us so that we can get Perrol down and healed a bit if we can get into the shop. It turns out to be a potions shop. Ghoral, still carrying Perrol, comes into the shop.

Segment 8
Ghoral loosens his hold and Perrol climbs off of him. Perrol quaffs his last healing potion and gets at least some part of his health back. I yell out to Jarlyn that Perrol is feeling much better. He responds by asking me if I can see a back door, then rushes into the room.

Segment 9
I ask Jarlyn what is going on and he replies that the assassin has gone around back. I run out of the store and start to round the corner.

Segment 12
I try to run around the back of the building. Eventually Jarlyn shows up behind me.

Segment 3
I run as far as the alley between this building and the next. It is dark and strewn with rubble. I decide not to go down it for the moment.

Segment 4
I hear a cry from above that he’s over there. Also, Kross very nearly fails a leap from building to building.

Segment 6
I hear, “He jumped down.” I try to run through the alley then.

Segment 8
I keep running down the alley. Vaguely in the distance I can see Kross out there.

Segment 12
I finally get out on the other side of the alley. Kross is right next to me and I see the assassin just booking it away from us. With much pursuasion from Kross, (i.e. Heath really irritated me) I pursue in the future.

When we track him down three blocks later
Kross takes him out withh an arrow to the leg.
Attack=Strashuri with DCV 9 in the shoulders for 5 damage
Kross shoots him again.
I do a presence attack to get him to stop and tell me who sent him. He just chuckles and foams at the mouth. All he says before he collapses and dies is, “That damned noble.” We notice that his fingernails are sharpened and blackened. From that as well the items we find on his person (a red hued dagger), I realized that he was a member of the loosely organized mercenary and assassin organization known as the red daggers. In the search, I notice no poison tooth or other obvious poisoning method.