I'll gladly write some interaction for Taldis to respond to if you like but I don't want to hold things up if you have other things you'd like us to get to.
Wallace would use the time he has with Taldis following him (with the fires)to try and discover the mans angle for following them. With a noble lord there was little reason for the man not to ask his patron to bestow a boon on us and return home after a long campaign where he was very likely tortured and placed in terrible living conditions.
Signing on for a second round of danger by following a mercenary company through highly perilous mountains seems suicidal at best.
He'd try for some basic information about what happened here (what the Hobs seemed to be doing) from his perspective and a bit about himself.
Wallace would blame Hawks short temper with the Tadis earlier on the heavy fighting and his concern for his soldiers. In addition to the blades have taking bad turns from noble politics before making them skittish around.
Do let me know if you want me to roll some social skills. I think much of Wallace's angle will come from grasping how the man works (the sense motive check
Wallace turns to the address the man who had been so helpfully following him in search of snipes lingering fires while establishing a rapport and sounding the mans intentions.
"Actually that is quite possibly the happiest I've seen him since before th.. well suffice to say it has been quite some time. Best to leave old sorrow lie." Wallace states with a tightness to his grin, clearly displeased with his slip of the tongue.
"Normally that one only speaks in nearly unintelligible dwarven cuss words I believe the last time I attempted to speak to him I was informed to stick my head back into the mule's ass I came and have a swarm of badgers descent on me ripping my nipples and genetalia off." The human continues, adding appropriate gestures for effect.
As Livain steps over he spreads his wing and engulfs her in them. He pulls one of his daggers out and flips the coin over on the table not being able to identify the magic surrounding it he dared not touch the item until he could figure out more about it.
Maiathreen's discovery of the electrum coin mystified her, leaving many questions. "Why would a coin like that be here?" She places a hand on his arm and leans her head back onto his shoulder as she looks at the coin. Something felt odd about it. Feeling his wings envelope her was comforting, like a warm cloak on a cold day. Although she was a seasoned warrior, some things still rattled her heart. As long as Miathreen was beside her, she could still take on the world. She studied the round metal disk on the table. She could feel a faint aura on it and this made her even more puzzled. Why would a coin have an aura? What was this used for?
After witnessing that brutal display of cruelty on the prisoners, it was refreshing to hear the dwarf speak. Something about him made her feel more at ease, almost forgetting the harrowing nature of their journey, but the faces of those victims could not be shaken. In her mind she has collected a field of them, faces twisted in pain with empty eyes blooming all around. That field in her mind seemed to grow bigger and the blooms never lessen. Now the faces of the eviscerated man and the two Tengu children have joined the field to rest. At Least in her thoughts she will always give the fallen a place to rest and find peace, refusing to let them become angry wandering shades. Her mind was like a cemetery she visited often, tending each grave with the tenderness of a lost loved one. She herself was once a victim to experimentation. Livain tried her best to focus on the here and now, but focus is fickle like the moon. She dispels the dark images from her mind by looking at the grouchy dwarf. She shakes her head smiling and gently bumps him with her wing, "Thank you." Good friends are hard to find in the world. She always wanted to make sure to let the special people in her life know that they mattered. "So what do you plan on doing with the hide? I am eager to learn how to work with dragon for crafting weapons." Livain always loved to learn new things. Learning always helped keep her busy and her mind from wandering back into the past.
The moment Mai flips over the Electrum crest an old symbol, one you faintly recognize...
A few seconds after revealing it the Electrum crest disappears without a trace, leaving no indication of what it was enchanted with...
Livain
Bharrog Blackforge was as gruff as they came, a hard realist and one that saw the glass empty, half full and smashed into a thousand peices depending on his day. However death, horror and things most would be bothered by didn't phase him a bit. He never spoke much about his clan or where he hailed but by the way he lived and talked it was hard to believe he didn't come from the toughest clan of all. His smithing hammer doubled as his weapon of choice, the horsehook spike (as he called and used it for) had shoed many a horse and pierced many an enemy skull in its time.
He grumbled at the wing bump before waving Livain to focus on the hide holding up parts of the scales to show her black marks on the skin. "Not sure if I can save the hide..." He prods the darkened skin with his thick finger as he explained. "... Dis here spot be the work of black magic. The creatures bones show the same damage after death. This Dresskel was..." he takes one of the bones in his hands, a large foot bone and snaps it with his bare hands. "... in a lot of pain, by the look of it's stomach it was starving to death. Undigested food in its stomach, wings too frail to lift it anymore. Never seen a dragon in such s&@+ty shape, up until I skinned it I was wonderin' how ya defeated it."
He takes a larger bone and flexes visibly before it snaps. "Now I know. It was sick, with what I don't know nor care ta know. Just hope it died with them dan gob's and if it didn't than we find the lair, burn it and collapse it with everything we got. Bury it deep and leave it there to rot..."
Letting the conversation die with that Bharrog has his helpers set up a station outside the ruin, along with a fire and other tools to help with crafting before turning to Livain. "Lets see what we can do..." He spread the hide out on the floor and smirks as he hands you the elk handled fleshing knife from his gear pack. The smile on his face was a dangerous one, he only smiled when some really filthy work was ahead. Something he enjoyed throwing Livain into every time. "You get tha honor of fleshing it. Your husband may not like ya smelling like a dragons wench but it'll be a spot better than letting it rot."
He pulls out a waterproof bag, much to the other merc's displeasure as he adds. "I'll break his brain down into what we need. You two s*+%s need to get some fresh water or tell that bugger of a cleric to summon some for us. Whip an elemental for all I care but it better be clean or I will tan your g+$ d!+n hides instead." The two hopped to do his bidding as he quickly pulled out a series of large bowls and started to break the brain down between his large fingers. Blending it over and over again as he turned it into an almost soupy concotion by the time the first attendant returned with a large water skin. Taking a large pot this time he headed outside. "Time to cook the brain up and get it ready for soaking the hide in. Hawk knows this will take a few days and so he is sendin' dem runners up to the area near the Maw to check our trail." With nothing else to say he heads topside, leaving Livain to scrap the flesh off the hide...
Rhavenna, Mai, Wallace and Tadis
Earlier Rhavenna and Wallace
Prior to leaving Hawk laughs at Rhavenna's words. "Ya did fine. Ya looks for a bit there were concerning but your back to your fine flanks as usual. I doubt that man is bothered by that, wardens are always high strung. Comes with their job as they die more often than not..." He clears his throat as he refocuses on the end of the operation. "Now, the dragon and all of this was a near f!@# up because I thought we were taking on some regular ambushin' type hobs. Not a bunch of freak riders, alchemy throwing bastards and their pet dragon. We got lucky there but you all rallied and we won the day with injuries that can be healed while we clear this ruin. So I expect a good amount of searching, leave no stone unturned." He nods to each of you, waiting for any questions as needed before his departure to the next camp.
Later
Tadis frowned before replying. "Lovely. Avoid unless needed, got it."
IN the few interactions with Tadis you can't help but find him to be an honorable sort, he speaks plainly, doesn't hold much in reserve unless it would be rude or ill advise for him to speak at the time. However he doesn't show any signs of betraying his promise at all...
During the search you found Tadis's gear and are surprised that the Warden wears hardly any armor. His clothing is open and surprisingly not baggy. It appears he focuses on his mobility over being able to avoid damage. IN his gear is a set of brass knuckles which reveals while he met you all with his fists alone.
Wallace
In the area where the prisoners were is three alchemist labs of masterful quality (+2 to checks) to allow for upto three alchemists to work in tandem or on separate projects. One of which is being used by Bharogg and Livain for the process they are involved in.
THe table is for dissecting creatures and the tools were once in immaculate condition and extremely well made, however they were of a type you'd never seen before. Probably because they are originally hobgoblin medical tools.
Rhavenna
Surprisingly this ruin isn't as tight a fit as you had expected for one of your heritage. However the trapdoor could be an issue, since it is unopened its still an unknown. The secret door however appear to be just tall enough for you to slip through without having to kneel, although what lies beyond it is a matter of speculation as well.
Prior to its disappearance the crest was the old symbol for the Iobarian city of Zradnirras. Zradnirras is a ruined city along the Myrfrus River in eastern Iobaria. Once a powerful city for both the cyclopes of Koloran and the humans of Iobaria, housing the legendary Zradnirri Arcolleges, the city is now a goblin and kobold-plagued ruin...
Nothin in particular comes to mind as you search your memory for what could cause such damage in a dragon. Aside from spells that drain physical abilities or other necromantic spells of that nature you've not heard of one that caused permanent long lasting damage as what Bharrog described and displayed.
After about an hour you finally finish fleshing the hide just as your Mentor comes in with several other bones and a pot full of steaming soupy brain matter. "Strange enough, the body showed a lot of damage, but his brains were in tact. Possibly not fully because of the reckless way he attacked ya all..." He sets it down on the alchemy lab and inspects your work. He points out any flaws and aids in the final removal of the last bits.
"Your not to bad at dis s$*#. We will make an armorer out of ya yet."
From there he directed you, intially, how to wash the skin in the clean water his attendents so gracefully provided. It wasn't easy work seeing as the skin was the size of a horse and luckily (or unluckily) was mostly intact.
Bharrog's inspection post washing was quick and he nodded in quiet approval of Livain's growing skills.
Between the four of you you are able to carry the skin outside and strap it a drying rack. Again your quick hands leaves the dwarf nodding in approval. "Your husband better appreciate you or else someone else will steal ya away..." One of the mercs chuckle, gaining Bharrog's ire, before clearing their throat and getting busy as the dwarven smith finally sits down and starts washing the blood off his hands.
"So, what are you hoping to make eh?"
You nearly have the entire dragon skin inteact, however the drying process will reveal what is useable. At the moment though you have enough for a few sets of light armor, a heavy armor or a couple medium armor sets with enough sheilds to go hand in hand with the armor.
Of the bones there are enough to make several light weapons fashioned from Dresskel's teeth and claws in the form of slashing and piercing weapons. a few martial weapons or you can gamble it all on a pair or hopefully a single two handed weapon.
However depending on the size of the weapon is how much more will be used up in the crafting. Failure will mean the material is damage and some of it will be still salvageable.
Bharrog sits quietly as you consider your options...
The surly dwarf stomps out of the basement and greets any looky lou's with a harsh. "Get stuffed ya lazy gits!" Or something far more colorful. A strange smell follows him and soon the smell of something cooking wafts into the main area. It's a scent that was hard to place...
After a decent time had passed he returns and stomps back into the basement area, spending over an hour directing Livain and shooing anyone who interrupted them with a sing of his hammer or the throwing of a random alchemical item off the table. He was in a foul mood.
Eventually he and his three helpers, Livain included, return with the newly cleaned Dragon hide in hand as they carry it outside to be affixed to a drying rack.
Wallace nods to Talis's assessment of the dwarf "He is every inch a master of his craft but his personality does indeed leave much to be desired. My ally Livain is apprenticing with him to learn the craft, she shows great aptitude for it. Most of my weapons and armor are made by her hand." Wallace states as he brandishes the morningstar on his hip with a flair of motion.
----------
Wallace glances to Talis's collected gear and gives a noise of thought. "I take then that you are some variety of pugilist? I couldn't help but notice your skill with the alchemist in the basement and unless the Hobgoblins looted it your gear is surprisingly light on weapons for one who might rely on such." The riest asks as he looks around the room for other objects that might belong to the man in question.
"I ask mostly of curiosity as such a style is distinct and does imply a much closer style of interaction with foes than a simple sword or mace. Might I ask what it is you do for Lord Whitefield and perhaps how you came to such the lofty position you hold?"
---------
Wallace glances down the shaft in the main room, kicking a small rock down it and listening for noise. He glances to Taldis and then back to the stone portal "That does seem quite interesting but I feel it would be best for exploration to wait until Livain has reached a point in her craft where she will have a few hours to aid us. I am very interested to see what lies beyond this though. I believe I will see if there are any other such hidden places while we wait for such time.
Wallace flits about the building as he works passing others as he pours water on the floor and watches expectantly.
"Rhavenna." Wallace calls the next time he sees the centaur "Next time Livain is freed from her masters eye I want us all to explore these hidden passages, Tadis I have no doubt you skills could be useful as well if you felt the interest to join us." The human says first to the Centuar in question then to the human.
"Could you inform Maiathreen of the same next time you see him? I might run into him first but it is best to cover all the outcomes."
A note hangs on the rise of the stairs written is a lazy scrawl.
When next you are freed from Old Forgebreath's tongs it would be god if we could explore these passages in the building. I can't help but feel that such places undisturbed for so long run the risk of being dangerous and it would be good to have you along.
You too Maiathreen as I've no doubt you will read this either before or possibly after your love.
Not that I would not have already asked you such before.
Obligatory departing words.
Wallace
The stone door and wooden door appear to be sealed shut from the other side and do not budge easily. The one in the floor has a lock while the wooden doorway has no apparent means to open it.
Tadis considered Wallace's questions for a moment before answering. "Redfield is the surname given to those who were bought by the Whitefield family. I was formerly a gladiator in the river kingdoms and serve as Lord Adrian's personal scout and warden. I defend his borders and punish those that would dare to harm those within. However I am not a slave to his house, I was freed shortly after I was purchased and so I owe him a debt despite his claims that I am free." He flexes his hands as he ponders the other part of your question. "I don't stand and fight, if I choose ground it is advantageous to me. I am a scout and my information is the goal but... The hobgoblin was doing things to the corpses And to the prisoners. Its death was necessary."
He looks uncomfortable as he rubs the back of his neck. "When you all appeared I knew I was done. Too injured to fight. No terrain to use against you and my fellows were no good either. I hadn't planned on dying today but terrifying form or not I would have fought on for those people.
Not one to be stopped by meager things like mundane inhibitors to his passage Wallace forms his Anytool into a set of boltcutters and snips the lock. He uses the object to then find a good point of leverage and attempt to lift the trap door, requesting aid from Tadis as needed. Each of the other doors being solidly sealed the priest would examine them to perhaps divine where best an application of force would be put to open them and leaves the task until he has stronger aid.
The ancient lock snaps under the pressure of the bolt covers and revealed underneath is a slopping passageway that appears to angle again around forty feet down. From its angle it leads into the mountainside where the ruin is affixed. As does the wooden door in the wall as well.
The wooden door, when detect magic is casted on it, radiates a strong evocation and transmutation magic. it appears to be trapped and heavily reinforced through magical means. It'll take time to discern exactly what the spells casted on it are but there is no easy means of opening it without breaking it down. THough battering it is questonable as it is part of a supporting wall...
Tadis is keeping an eye on Rhavenna every now and again, though the reason is unclear...
"Ya ken make ya decision later, it'll take a few days to cure the hide and some more to work it into armor and weapons. With the loot ya found I am sure Hawk can be convinced to trade them in at market and get some well deserved coin for the men. Maybe I can convince him to setup camp here for a few days..." Its one of the few times Bharrog appears helpful and only around Livain as anyone else in the area would only hear the surly dwarf as he barked and bite like a rabid hellhound at them.
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Wallace does little to react to this information but mulls it while he works. Well he did see her with a not so friendly face on. Curious that my power lasted so long on her to produce a bad impression on this man. It is fortunate that the master of doors let it end when it did. This day would have ended much differently were Tadis and the captives to fight us.
Deciding to address the issue next time he see it happen Wallace does his best to make sure Tadis notices him noting his notice. .
"She's a beautiful one our Rhavenna, Strong, Quick and Clever with a grace to inspire a dozen songs." Wallace says before tilting his head a bit looking properly impish "Of course her preference to wander around with her human half uncovered has likely inspired quite a few more which would be unwise to speak in the hearing range of said centaur."
Tadis regarded Wallace for a moment, not at all surprised he'd been found out. "I'm sure there are men who would. However I had thought..." He doesn't finish, shifting gears as he focuses on the more apparent issue. "I've never seen one of them before, not up close. Usually they are far off and by the time I see them they are already avoiding me. They dislike human's and avoid us at all... Can't say I blame them, those that are caught are treated poorly. Most are enslaved..."
He wraps his hands idly, waiting to do whatever he was bidden to do. His nature easily confirms the fact he is used to serving others as he was far more subservient than most would be.
Rhavenna walks around the area taking note of the structure as she lets the rush of battle and Wallace's crazy spell wind down. Pleasantly surprised to find that she would most likely be able to navigate the passageways, she awaits the opportunity for them to explore.
Maiathreen simply stalks the halls of the now liberated fort. His draconic eyes seem to bore into anyone who attempts conversation. With Livain preoccupied his temper seems to be more apparent than normal.
Overhearing the conversation between Tadis and Wallace, Rhavenna finds herself both a bit amused, intrigued, and still a little disgruntled about Wallace turning her into some hideous monster.
The next few days should be interesting to say the least.
Wallace nods with a slightly more somber look. "It is a shame that some would consider them Slaves. All should be free to choose the life they will live in the short time we have of our own. Self-determination is a freedom known only by mortals, yet we spend so much time suppressing each others will. I have only seen one other Centaur and he was also a mercenary. It would be very interesting to see more of them one day."
With that wallace summons more water still looking for additional secrets in the walls.
"As to your previous unasked question, Rhavenna's true appearance is as you see now. The effect you saw when you first met her was a spell to terrify the foes we faced, not that it worked much. Those hobgoblins were willing to be slaughtered to the last man rather than let us see what was in here. When you feel up to sharing that part of your tale it would be useful to learn more of what occurred here. I am certain that whatever was working here noticed our intervention, much as Knowledge of this variety can be a burden I fear our only way of dealing with a retaliation is knowing the shape of our foe."
Much of this certainty made by my own actions but that is better left unsaid for now.
Wallace & Any in the common area
Wallace is disappointed when no other doorways or secret nooks become apparent...
Tadis however had closed the trapdoor and had watched Wallace move about the room with a curious look.
He visibly relaxes as Wallaces words remove an uncertainty from his mind. He shrugs his shoulders at the thought of slavery. "Slave, Serf, Indentured Servitude. there are many words created for the soul purpose of determining the strong's control over the weak. That is the fate of the weak, I learned that in Tymon that even though there were the River Freedom's there were ways around those freedoms. However Centaur's are prized because they are better than horses, they can be broken and work far harder to appease their masters. A dark truth for any free thinking creature."
He thinks for a moment before speaking of the hobgoblins. "They were doing things to the people here, capturing them and using all manner of sorcery on them. Like your casting when you arrived. By the look on your face it wasn't what you intended was it? I didn't understand there words and I am no mage but they were also using potions, toxins and other instruments as if they were searching for something in the way others reacted. What I have no clue, only their experiments weren't limited to just humans. They did it to their own kind as well, their were centaur bones in the forest as well. I assume those who didn't survive were fed to the dragon or devoured by the hobs before being disposed of."
His face becomes grim as he adds. "The hob I killed assumed it had me under its control through the use of its potions. After what it did to the Tengu children..." Tadis tenses shoulders cracking as he finishes speaking. "... bursting his eyes with my thumbs was just the start of what I wanted to do but it did from the shock."
He changes topic back to the centaurs than. "You said you've seen another centaur and that he was a mercenary. Did he return to his tribe...?"
Livain
The Dwarf smirks at the look of thought that would soon be ingrained in the wrinkles of Livains forehead. He bumps her hard with his shoulder to get her attention as he speaks. "It'll take a few days to prep this stuff. Just think on it and let me know what ya planning. Because if'n ya don't want it I'll take it." Bharrog chuckles as he rubs fhsi freshly cleaned, though heavily calloused hands together. "If'n ya need advice I'll be here, see if I can make a stew out of old Dreskkie..."
As the evening winds down and there is clearly no additional threat, Rhavenna removes her armor, stowing everything but her swords as she takes in the structure and it's surroundings.
The structure is surprisingly built for larger creatures. Perhaps the humans who built it preferred the use of horses or the like, as you traverse the halls you do find an indoor area more akin to what humans call a [i]Stable[i]. It looks like at one point it could have housed around forty horses in tight conditions. It was also equipped with an expansive loft for food, water and supplies for the horses. A well appears to be installed at its far end and the sound of flowing water reaches your ears the moment you approach it.
Whoever built this ruin had an eye for detail, but it's purpose was now lost to the ruin of time.
Other than the trapdoors and current sealed secret door, nothing else comes to your attention or threaten you all. All and all it was a drafty old ruin and you had the company of your fellow mercs...
"You killed it to quickly then. Anything that tortures children deserves a longer death than that. Next time you find something like that...let me know. When you've lived as long as me and seen what I've seen...you pick up somethings." Maiathreen says calmly his eyes showing little other than a smoldering heat much like a dying ember.
Wandering back into the common area Rhavenna joins the others there. 'Well this place is definutely well built, and there's a well with a running water source, I could think of much worse to set up for a while, expecially since there's actually room for me to move in the passageways. Looks like we may as well set up camp for the night."
Wallace nods in agreement " it is a common belieft, to force others is a true expression of strength. It is an amusing misunderstanding that causes such individuals to become easy prey themselves. "
Wallace bites back a swear on letting his reaction slip in such a way to tell Tadis such without speaking. " Suffice to say the type of creatures I assume inspired this butcher do not reward failure.Death was no mercy, I assure you."
With an obvious frown wallace follows the conversation. " No he did not rejoin his tribe." as memories of smoke, acrid and thick, fumes strong enough to melt the armor off a man and the burbling screams of men and beasts expiring in puddles of their own flesh.
" That is a story I will not share though, not today. We've enough sorrow.
The human states, as he lowers his head in somber thought. When he turns his face back up it is again the marginally disconcerting grin he had before.
"No, today is a day to celebrate a victory. The defeat of a dragon and thwarting of a vile foe. Had we not been here today this corruption would have continued unchecked. It was through our deeds today that this was stopped, our valor that what men and women left this place to rebuild their lives. To bemoan the fact that we were unable to save all who came here is foolhardy and a callow waste of the book and toil expended. Today we are champions one and all!" The human preaches, starting in a low voice and rising to a clarion cry.
[B]"To the doors and paths thst have brought us here and the ones who watch, pushing us ever onward we have proven worthy."
Wallace states with demon eyes assurance.
Now let us see if there is spirits to be had in this wreck, I've sagas of lusty dragons and furious maidens to sing. Better sung around a warm fire with warmer liquor." the human states with an infectious mirth to his voice.
This bears many a sign of your doings my nemesis, but we shall have to see if the pathways I walk lead to such places. For now I will satisfy myself in purging the corruption of this place that seeks to weaken the hearts of my allies with with sorrow.
Tadis regards Mai for a moment, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty on his face breifly before hs shakes his head. "It was a craven creature its heart couldn't take the possibility its prisoners would overpower it. Probably wasn't fit to be a soldier and why it was kept in the dregs... But I will look for you if I meet such a creature again."
He looks to Rhavenna as she speaks, he seemed absorbed by his thoughts as he spoke. "Folk tales are this was a fortified manor in the old giant wars, created for the use of keeping the giants at bay if they crossed the Icerime Peaks from Iobaria by way of the Maw of Karth. But it is just a story, this ruin has stood for a long, long time. Surprising that it has yet to collapse.
He nods at Wallace's speech, curious when he changed subjects but not pressing for details merely listening. He smirks at Wallace's Mirth. "Lusty dragons and ferocious maidens eh? A tale I havent heard yet I am sure, however spirits may be hard to find... Unless we somehow brew our own." H chuckles with that thought.
The Dwarven smith Bharrog proves a fierce cook when it came to dragon stew, Dresskels parts made for prime eating of which all present took part and some were stored for later as you all knew you'd be there for a few days. That night Bharrog departed for the main camp, mentioning he needed more tools and he'd return in the morning...
Your sleep is anything but pleasant, you dream of a horrific battle. You manned the battlements and fought against giants that had laid siege to your lords fortress. You were part of the archers and siege crews attempting to bring down anything that breached the outer wall. But the enemies numbers were far more than you could kill quickly and before you knew it they were scaling the walls and tearing you one by one from the battlements. Mai was second to last to be grabbed up and placed head first into the maw of a slavering giant with a deformed face. As Mai died your arrow struck down your attacker, sending them hurtling into the earth below.
Livain was left alone on the broken battlement, the sole survivor of the ferocious giant attack.
You dream of being with someone you love and trust, your feelings for them abound and you coud feel no other happiness. They were your world, your everything and you did everything you could to please them. Just as things seemed their brightest your dream turns dark, your loved one poisons you and when you next awaken your being transported away from everything you know. You travel for what seemed weeks before you reached the farm where you were broken by cruel men with whips. Herded with others who were broken, their minds twisted into pleasing their masters.
You spent your days bound in heavy cloth, your arms pinned behind you while they forced you to toil like some plow horse. Whipping you when you didn't listen or perform well enough. Eventually you were sold to a man, a soldier, who turned you from the task of farming to a castle servant and eventually guardsmen when he came to trust you. Over time the shackles were removed, you were given greater freedom, you could have run but you stayed. It was home...
However the time was short lived, for one night the giants came over the Icerimes in great numbers and that night your home fell to their ferocious attack. You were a survivor of the men at arms that had defended the outer gates, exhausted and bleeding from a gash across your stomach where a giants axe had struck you. You stumbled into the dark until you collapsed inside the fortifed manor. You did not die quickly and soon realized you were not alone, your master, your companion was there as well a poisoned giants arrow imbedded in the side of his chest. He was sitting in his armchair, suffering from the poison dipped arrow tip that meant almost certain death. You knew of a way to save him but try as you might you could not rise to your hooves to find it...
The outer gate was breached, the giants were breaking through the lines and those unlucky enough to not be killed by sword, spear, arrow or club were picked up and their heads bitten off by the savages. You retreated to the fortified manor's secondary line and were shocked to find you stood alone. Even the masters favored centaur was not their. Even alone you stood your ground against all comers, battling with your greatblade and felling six of the giants that had come to crush your lords manor beneath their foul feet. Finally you were driven back by a hail of giant arrows that punched through your heavy plate and drove you back as far as the trapdoor in the commons. The poison was fast acting but you forced yourself to your feet and sealed the trapdoor with your personal lock before covering it.
You turned than and headed for the wooden wall that lead further inside just as the front door was smashed in by a lumbering brute. You turned when they noticed you, roaring in anger and charging towards you. Raising your weapon one last time and roaring a defiant battlecry as the brutes axe came swinging towards you...
Tadis is there to greet your waking eyes in the morning. A low fire burning in the commons area and the pleasant smell of mint in the air. The smell was coming from the coffee maker boiling on the low burning fire. He looks at each of you and starts pouring what could only be a sort of tea into seperate cups. "Looks like you all had a rough night too... Drink this, helps with headaches and should give you a bit more energy..."
AS you all settled in he explains. "When it came time for my watch I found that the last sentry had abandon their post. He was laying out in the field alonside a few others. They were dead asleep and so we carried them back in. Those of us not affected have been trading watch rotations. Iwas able to break away and get some herbs from the surrounding area for tea. Thought you all could use it. We've also been cooking up some of the dragon meat as well for breakfast, so dig in."
An hour after your waking that Bharrog and several others arrived, in fact it was probably the entire band. Hawk wasn't among them though...
Bharrog explained why later to Livain. "He came earlier but ya all were stil dozing so he nipped off with some of the goods to convert to coin. The jewelery bits mostly." He smirks as he adds. "Should buy us a week or so ta get some of this put togehter for ya. When ya decide of course and don't worry ya gonna get your share of the treasure too."
As you sit drinking tea and enjoying dragon breakfast sausage, some of the newly arrived mercs start to rearrange the items you found outside in the open and in the ruins as well.
Early in the morning a messenger and an armed escort arrive bearing the Whitefield standard. With Hawk gone the messenger is referred to Bharrog who handles it with a lot more respectful then he treats anyone else in the band save for Livain. The messenger hands over several sacks and a few heavy looking bags that his escort was carrying before wheeling around and heading back from whence they came.
Bharrog approaches you all and tosses down a couple of the sacks. One spills over, scattering coins on the table while the other has a more distinct clink. "Looks like there was someone of import among dem prisoners, dis is the thanks from there father for their return. Apparently we helped the Whitefields gain more power in a way so Lord Adrian is reqarding us for our good samaritan work."
You receive a bag containing a bottle of wine and a jar of pickled peaches along with a roll of fine cheese and some dried meats.
Tadis watches the going's on with a pleased expression, but quietly waits for your orders.
The great blade swings twice costing the giant half of its left hand, however its right is more than enough to encircle. A crushing vise of brutal force as the world fades to flickering greys. The giant grips harder and a burbling snap heralds the breaking point.
Pushed beyond the point of instant death the giant takes on a star specked hue and its cavernous face melts into a single unblinking eye, a well of light drawing in everything else as it gazes at the broken one in front of it.
Spittle bridges the gap between pale thin lips and rotting teeth, snaping as the giant speaks
"Little speaker, now a listener, know that all things have a price.
Such visions, fraught with danger are not the domain of mice
And that the void, will always reach you,
even in the dreams of a stranger."
The man in armor, wallace or whatever else he might be in this time and place screams as though he still had lungs and with one final push the vision pops like a soap bubble.
Wallace awakens with a gasping jerk, taking in a fresh breath as a man drowning might. A pained, frightened and eminently dangerous expression on his face before relaxing a few moments later on seeing where he is.
He grabs the offered cup and takes a heavy draw of the searing liquid, the minor pain seeming to drive away any lingering wisps of sleep.
Wallace says little until after breakfast.
"I get the feeling that whatever occurred here these hobgoblins depredations are not the first. The dead do not lie peaceful in this place. Whatever occurred this place will be of little use as a safe haven until it is dealt with."
The human grins at the influx of coin and nods to the dwarven smith. "That is good fortune indeed. Perhaps Lord Whitefield will be amicable to business with us in future. Such will likely stay unless Tadis is to be gutted by an errant spear or hungry monster. That would likely cause problems.
The human states as he waves a speared nub of Dresskel-wurst which he then glances at with a look of concern.
"Hrmmm.. It could also be said that eating the meat of a dragon who was obviously unwell on the ruin of a place dark deeds have occurred in to be an ill advised idea. Did any of you have strangely specific dreams last night? I had an odd memory of being a mighty Knight fighting giants, locked that cellar I unlocked yesterday and went over to the magic wood door. Then it lost coherence and was mostly pain."
The human says, the second part coming slower than the rest of his words. The human obviously uncomfortable with sharing details of something like a bad dream but recognizing the signs of more than simple dreams occurring.
Bharrog doesn't disrupt Livain for any longer than he needs to leaving her wth a gruff grunt as he returns to monitoring the dragon hide.
Your delving into the now unbarred trap door leads to a well constructed vault beneath the ruin. The walls of this vault of carved out of the natural stone and bedrock this ruin stands upon. The ceiling opens up to be telve feet tall allowing Rhavenna to stand easily at her full height once more. A rusted gate stands open a mere twenty feet from where the stairwell levels out. Had it been shut what lay beyone would have been a lot harder to access.
Beyond the rusted gate are three large alcoves tat were cut into the rock walls. Each is sealed by an irongate and locked with chains and a large padlock on each. They sadly are still sealed and show years of rust. In the center of the Alcoves is an open hole, a wooden contraption appears to have fallen in on itself and the hole is large enough for a halfling to fall through with ease. Sitting to the right of the open hole is a metallic lever of sorts, rusted and looking to have been unused for years, it has a set of gears at its base with markings that are indecipherable due to the rust covering them.
*First Alcove -
-Within this alcove are several carved rock shelves bearing no less then ten small iron coffers, each show no rust or where despite the presence of moisture in the air...
*Second Alcove -
-A small desk and the broken remnants of a chair lie within. The desk appears to be untouched by the moisture or even time as it sits looking to be in pristine condition...
*Third Alcove -
-A single large trunk sits inside this spacious alcove...
Mai doesn't sense any gems in any of the alcoves however the large trunk detects as magical, however there are several aura's detected within the chest in close proximity to each other.
"Be careful the cheat and some of the items within it seem to have some magi. About them. I also don't like the lack of rust or decay on the items in these alcoves and yet this...what ever this hole was supposed to be has clearly succumbed to time."
Wallace glances to Tadis on opening the cellar "If you'd accompany us it would be appreciated, whatever happened last night I'm concerned might occur again depending if we trigger something in this place."
On taking in the room wallace clucks twice and circles the hole in the center alcove.
"We should be wary of traps, while it is unlikely a noble would trap his own treasure caution in a place like this is not undue. The lack of rust on the coffers, chest and desk are concerning."
With that Wallace retrives his anytool and offers the object to Tadis. "I am going to see what might be left in that desk would you be so kind as to break the chains and locks on these doors? Rhavenna would you aid him? Wallace asks, leaving Maiathreen to his studies of the magic in the room.
"So Livain, any ideas as to what you will create from Dresskel's skin and bones? Seems like that smokestack of yours knows what to do in crafting such things."
Wallace examines the door and the strange metal mechanism, scraping the rust to try and understand its function.
With that Wallace steps closer to the desk, examining the wooden structure and the alcove itself cautiously.
Wallace moves forward to the desk and examines what is on its surface, treating the drawers with caution as well while attempting to open them. he checks the desk for objects on or around.
Awakening to a feeling of crushing despair, Rhavenna sits in silence, waiting for the sorrow and loss to wear off. Shaking her head she gets up, quiet until they all set about sharing the morning meal. As Wallace speaks of dark dreams she shudders at the memory. ”I had one as well. Someone I …loved and trusted betrayed me…..sold me to men who broke me, treating me like a farm animal, then sold as a castle servant. The castle fell, taken by giants an I was part of that losing battle.” the centaur says, her voice still raw with the emotional impact of the dream.
After the meal she puts on her armor and barding and assembles with the others to explore. ”I agree, that it would be good for you to come with us if you like Tadis, but of course the choice is yours.”
As they take in the alcoves she shrugs. "Perhaps the magic of the containers is strong enough to prevent the ravages of time. It would mean they hod something important, so most likely trapped."
Tadis looks to Rhavenna's disheveled state and remains quiet for a time before doing as bidden. As he followed you all down he continued to quietly observe becoming wide eyed at the sight of the old vault. "This too was part of the folk tale but I didn't think it was real... Or at least long looted."
When Wallaces offers the Anytool to him he nods, looking over the magical contraption with am amused expression. "I'm going to have to find one of these..." He thinks for a moment before moving off to break chains.
The Open Hole
This is a small open air hole is cut into the floor of this chamber, providing fresh water and the source to the moisture in the air which caused the rust. Looking into the hole shows that a natural spring runs barely a few feet below it but there is hardly any room below so drowning would be very possible if one was to climb into it and be swept away by the fast flowing current. Sitting just off to the side of it is the rusted Metal lever.
On noting that the holiday had no chance of letting him into the room wallace examines the rustled lever to see what it does while he waits fot Tadis to come by with the Anytool. The bars after all are simply steel, a very good deterrent but not impregnable.
Tadis takes a while on his own to snap each of the chains holding the alcoves shut. By the time he is finished he is sweating profusely, despite their rusted look the chains were anything but weakened by age of moisture exposure. Tadis never once complains through the process, following direction with complete dedication.
The alcove's stand open, their contents open to your inspection.
Each of the boxes open easily their locks appearing to have been left disengaged all these years...
The first six coffers contain coins:
In all-
* 2500 silver pieces
* 2100 gold pieces
* 120 platinum pieces
Of the remaining four three hold notes of credit and the fourth one is accompanied by a small explosion of smoke that fills the alcove before migrating out to the center of the vault...
The desk falshes with magical power as the drawers are manipulated for the first time in years. The desk begins to carve symbols into itself of flying dragons, charging knights and other images that move across it as if they were alive. However the images shatter and the wood of the desk visibly darkens as a perfect rendition of the ruin appears to carve itself into the desktop. The view is a gods eye view of the current fort and what lays around it to the extent of the edge of the clearing only. Figures pop out of the table top, moving around like chess pieces, Tents, fires, people, animals and all perfectly carved. Even Bharrog is represented as an angry looking dwarf token...
Aside from the desk as it continues to move pieces back and forth. Within the several drawers are a masterwork map makers kit. Several worn, but well written journal's with drawings dedicated to strategic planning, maintenance, ordering, troop details, and servant habits, along with several other pages dedicated to a time years ago when this old ruin saw continuous use.
The last drawer opened is accompanied by the snapping of a thin nearly invisible thread which causes a massive smoke bomb to flood the alcove. The smoke slowly makes its way towards the center of the vault...
The Large Trunk has no lock at all. Contained within is a completely intact young black dragon skull which has been fashioned into a workable helmet, a silvery chain shirt, a huge spiked gauntlet and at the bottom lays a verdant white oak staff, it is carved to resemble braided bands of holly and oak boughs. The same carvings which have appeared to have rooted itself weakly to the other magical items. These roots release easily and return to grasp themselves back to the staff body when it is pulled from the chest. However some of the roots wrap themselves around the bearers fingers. Encasing their hand in a flexible and warm embrace.
You detect four aura's within the trunk three of which are of the Abjuration school of magic and are fairly weak compared to one that blazes like a torch which is clearly significant conjuration magic. However it was hard to decipher what they were with the trunk shut...
Once the Chest was open you are able to quickly identify these items as...
Abjuration items
* A Magically enhanced Dragon skull, more for looks than a specific use.
* +1 Mithril Chain Shirt (medium character only)
* Huge +1 Spiked Gauntlet
Conjuration
This staff seems to reach out as you identify it, leaving you feeling warm and alive as it reveals its nature...
* Staff of Life - 7 Charges Remaining
* May exchange 1 Charge for a maximized Heal spell.
* May exchange 3 Charges for a maximized Mass Heal spell.
* May Exchange 5 Charges for a Raise Dead spell.
* The staff appears to have a final function but only
Without significant work its hard to tell what the lever does, you can see it has inner workings and upon inspection can see where a mortared line runs from the lever to an open wall and than climbs upward to the ceiling where it ends...
Wallace nods in appreciation to Tadis's might and determination Never as strong as our Rhavenna but he certainly knows how to leverage what he has.
Syimed in his attempt to divine the purpose of the lever wallace stands up from his prodding and looks to the fellow human.
"Thank you Tadis, I highly doubt I would have been able to make such a feat of strength. You seemed knowledgeable about this place before, do you think you could examine that lever and perhaps detemine its function? Though before that you should have some water." The human requests as he reached toward his hip and retrieves his canteen of water for the man to drink.
"I'm going to examine that desk and see if I can find some answers to all this. Perhaps it might even hold a key to that wooden door with no opening in the wall." Wallace says as he pushes open the grate and carefully checks the desk.
The smoke billows out of Alcove two when Wallace sets off something in the desk. Despite the sudden pop, followed by the blast of smoke, it does little more then make Wallace cough in response. The smoke slowly gathers by the open hole in the center of the room, swirling in place low to the floor...
As Wallace checks the second alcove, Rhavenna makes her way to the first, smiling her approval at Tadis' capable work.
Tadis does as asked and moves to the lever to figure out its purpose. Looking over the device cautiously...
"Last time I saw such it was used to release beasts into the arena..."
Wallace coughs loudly at the smokebomb as stands up quickly from the table in the cloud banging his knee on the wood and sending the chair sprawling. The man demonstrating the many languages he knew how to curse in as the cloud drifted away.
"Well with the amount of magic down here it could have been much worse than a simple smoke bomb. Fortunate but I think I may have to dig up their alchemist and ask how on earth they kept something like that viable for so long."
Waving the smoke out of the room with the anytool taking the form of a massive steel fan wallace looks over to Tadis.
"Huh... in my dream the knight locked the trapdoor and then rushed to defend that wooden wall. Could that lever perhaps?" Walace asks half to Tadis and half to himself as he glances at the celing before smirking and giving a small snort of laughter.
"Oh right I'm an idiot. Wallace walks over to the desk and examines the animate map trying to divine where in relation to the rest of the building this basement was."
As Tadis speaks Rhavenna goes through the contents of the acove, encountering quite the sum of money, before being startled by a small explosion of smoke that fills the alcove before migrating out to the center of the vault, accompanied by the sound of the centaur's coughing.
"Another one? really? The human asks in obvious annoyance as he wields his trusty Fan-tool to banish the smoke.