2. Beregost

Aug 12, 2023 10:06 pm

It doesn't take long for the group to return to the charred smithy. By this point, the Flaming Fist soldiers have organized into several teams to retrieve water from a nearby well and throw buckets onto the fire. Though the smithy is ruined, at least the fire won't spread to the rest of the town.

Officer Vai steps away from the activity. She frowns at the dead assassin on Stella's back. "At least he didn't get away, though it may now be difficult to procure the answers we need. Did you learn anything useful about these attackers?"

Aug 12, 2023 11:11 pm

It was obvious Stella was angry with him. Regardless of her horse form Stella could never hide her emotions. Did she blame him for what happened? If he hadn’t killed the wizard the apprentice would have died. Even then it was his idea to run which would have hopefully drawn them away but most likely they would have attacked the smithy anyways. He had gladly submitted to Aiwë’s orders, apologized, and tried to hide. When they attacked he followed her into battle. Would Stella rather he led them off and died alone in an alley? Either way he would be dead and they would have been unsuspecting in the smithy still. If she felt better blaming him for these people’s deaths that was fine with him. It was better than her blaming herself.

Last edited August 12, 2023 11:16 pm

Aug 13, 2023 12:05 am

Aiwë pats Stella's horsey neck. She pats Dieter's shoulder. She looks at Vai.

"They were Black Talon. The wizard was named Tranzig, working for a Black Talon named Taurgoz. They were hired by a man named Tazok. I don't know who he is working for."

She gestures to the smithy. "We're going to see if someone at the temple of Lathander can help us ask Tranzig some questions. First though, we're hoping we can give that apprentice a chance at life again. I think those giants earned us enough."

Aug 13, 2023 12:16 am

Dieter takes a look at the smithy. If they were to employ magic to speak with the dead the wizard would probably be a better option.

Rolls

Is the wizard viable - (1D20+2)

(19) + 2 = 21

Officer Vai

Aug 13, 2023 12:47 am

Vai puts her hands on her hips and peers at the dying flames of the smithy. "Do you know why I was promoted, Aiwë? I mean, obviously your words to the Flaming Fist office concerning my predecessor helped. But Officer Zodge, he'd been given a specific task: end the banditry in the region." A wry smile touches her lips. "Traipsing through the woods and accosting random passersby. He was fool of the worst kind; one entrenched in his position his position of power. Still, that doesn't change that he was given a nigh-impossible charge to fulfill. One that has been passed on to me."

The officer turns to regard Aiwë and those with her. "But unlike Zodge, I at least have some idea of what's going on with the banditry here. I believe you've come to similar conclusions." Those steel-blue eyes are firmly confident as she holds up a finger. "The bandits are a carefully-organized sham, a coverup for something far more concerning. These aren't men and women who have turned to highway robbery, not most of them. The Blacktalons are a formidable group of professionals. Someone is paying them and possibly other mercenaries to hit the trade caravans - particularly those carrying iron." Her mouth tightens. "It's contributing to this Iron Crisis. Or... perhaps even causing it. An economical crisis orchestrated in the shadows."

Vai takes a deep breath. "Is it the Zhentarim? Possibly. Amn? I hope to Hells not, for that would signal far worse days to come. I feel strongly that you are the key to our efforts in discovering who this shadowy puppet master is, before the rumors of war become reality."

Her hand tucks into a satchel at her side, and she pulls out a coin pouch. "And to this end, I'm offering you a job: follow the leads. Use your skills and experience to find the main camp of this Tazok. There must be a central camp hidden somewhere, a place of operations from which to plan these 'bandit' attacks. And I'll pay you for every one of these conspirators you deal with, starting with tonight." She tosses the coin pouch to the party. "50 gold pieces per assassin, with a bonus of 200 for the mage. I believe it comes out to 500 in total."

OOC:

Party gains 500 gold pieces.

"I know some of you work from the goodness of your hearts... That's why I'm picking your group. I have the funds already approved to pay you much, much more." She straightens up. "What say you? Will you take on this task? Will you locate the bandit camp and help us to end them?"

Aug 13, 2023 1:06 am

Carcabob Inactive for 2 months

Aiwë looks at the gold in her hands. "There are a lot of reasons to do it," she says to her friends, "and a lot of reasons not to. For me though I think the final factor is that taking out that camp may be the only way to make sure no one else gets hurt by the assassins coming after us. I think we should do it." She looks up at Stella, then to Sheemish.

"Ill take you two home if you would rather, though."

Stella

Aug 13, 2023 1:07 am

Stella remembers some details that may be relevant. They could use Tulco to carry the bodies. Or Aiwë could carry them herself if they really needed.

Her equine form fades into stars that rearrange, flash, then fade into the girl. She steps up to Officer Vai, eye stars now a focused blue.

"The Chill," she says quietly. "We found letters in the mine from Tazok that said his superiors hired the Blacktalons and the Chill. And Tranzig...we last heard he was at Feldepost's, though that from several days ago." She refrains from looking towards the inn, in case they were still being watched. She didn't want to give away they knew his most recent whereabouts, if he were still there.

At Aiwë's prompting, Stella grits her teeth and heaves a deep breath, eyes intense. Her eye stars spark to a ponderous green, mixed with a resigned indigo. "I..." Her shoulders slump. She was so conflicted. Emotions churned within her from every angle. Like spinning around at night, staring straight up at the stars. Dizzying, but in all the wrong ways. "Can I sleep on it?" she asks.

Last edited August 13, 2023 1:14 am

Aug 13, 2023 1:16 am

"If they’re going home I need to deliver them otherwise I’m in. Beregost needs to be free from these mercenaries." Dieter says.

Officer Vai

Aug 13, 2023 1:23 am

Officer Vai inclines her head slightly at Stella's words. "The Chill! I had no idea they'd come this far west. But now that you tell me this, I have heard that a fair number of hobgoblins have been numbered among the 'bandits' here." She shakes her head. "And if the Chill is here, then so is their leader, Ardenor Crush." For the first time, her confidence seems shaken. "Crush and Taurgosz working together. It shouldn't be possible. Who is this Tazok, to command them both?"

The dying firelight catches the Flaming Fist emblem on Vai's breastplate as she shifts her weight. "I'm sure the wizard your party killed is Tranzig himself. But if he was staying at Feldepost's, it's possible he's left a clue of some sort in his room there." She nods, having made a decision. "I'd rather you have a look there than my own soldiers. They're loyal, but such an investigation is not what they've been trained for."

She extends her arm first to Aiwë, and then to Dieter and Stella and the rest, offering a professional and meaningful handshake. An agreement, an exchange of trust and purpose.

Aug 13, 2023 2:10 am

Aiwë puts her arm around Stella. "Of course, sister-girl."

She shakes Officer Vai's hand. "We will go the the temple and search Tranzig's room. We're not really trained either, but we'll let you know what we find. After that, we will see what we are capable of offering."

Aiwë pulls Dieter aside before heading into the smithy to recover the bodies.

"You're not a hired man anymore, Dieter. No one is paying you to stay with us. You're welcome to stay, but you have no obligations." She pats him on the shoulder again and heads into the wreckage.

Last edited August 13, 2023 2:11 am

Taerom Fuiruim

Aug 13, 2023 2:34 am

Aiwë finds the murdered smith and slain Tranzig after some searching through soggy ashes. Taerom, who had joined the Flaming Fist in their efforts to kill the fire, closes his eyes and exhales at the sight of Aiwë carrying his apprentice. "Kellan... His bride-to-be needs to know what's happened. He was saving up to build a proper home for the both of them." He rolls his shoulder to soothe some ache. "I'll get cleaned up and go tell her. I'll just..." The master smith turns toward his house, and then recalls that it also has been destroyed. "Never mind that then! I'll just go. Where should I tell her his body will be?"

Upon being told that the smith's body is being brought to the temple, hopefully to be restored to life, an exhausted but happy grin appears on his face. "Well that's better news to share! I'll let the young lady know that all is not lost!"

Aug 13, 2023 2:40 am

"I appreciate it Aiwë but money wasn’t part of the deal. The deal was there and back again, I take you where you’re going and I take you home. I don’t mean just you but all of you. Besides I’ve been home twice now." Dieter says "come on I’ll show you where the wizard is. You’ll probably want to question him with whatever magic you have planned"

Aug 13, 2023 2:43 am

Araklusta says:

Upon being told that the smith's body is being brought to the temple, hopefully to be restored to life, an exhausted but happy grin appears on his face. "Well that's better news to share! I'll let the young lady know that all is not lost!"

"those priests are pretty good at it too. I hardly feel any different"

Aug 13, 2023 3:04 am

Shelur nods at Dieter. "Alright then. As you like."

After recovering the bodies Aiwë grabs Taerom's arm. "Maybe... maybe don't tell her anything yet." The feeling of sitting at Keggruk's bedside waiting to if he would return blocks up her throat. She forces her way through it. "It would be awful to lose him twice."

Last edited August 13, 2023 3:47 am

Aug 13, 2023 6:24 pm

During the day, Beregost's Song of the Morning Temple is a monument of Lathander's power. But even at night its walls are lit with a divine glow. The light is a comforting beacon to the party as they make their way through Beregost's dark streets.

Even at this late hour there are acolytes on duty to hear the party's needs, and they open the doors to let the group inside.

The entry hall of Lathander's temple is pristinely beautiful. Obviously no expense was spared in the craftsmanship and stonework. On either side of the hall runs a basin of pure water, meeting at the far end as a fountain. Just before the fountain is an altar fashioned to look from this angle like a morning sun breaking through the clouds.

Adding to the temple's ambience is the sound of four hauntingly beautiful female voices. They sing a wordless song in soft harmony, blending with the trickling of water into a texture that seems to sound from every angle. In each corner of the hall, sitting on the edge of the basin and with delicate feet resting in the water as they sing, are unearthly women with bluish, translucent forms. They smile serenely at the group as they vocalize, sometimes singing and sometimes humming.

In all, the atmosphere is clean and comforting.

Kelddath Ormlyr

Aug 13, 2023 6:25 pm

The group doesn't have long to wait before a distinctive man arrives. The clothes that can be seen under his ornate armor is of fine make and perfectly pressed. This is Kelddath Ormlyr, the high priest of this temple and, coincidentally, the mayor of Beregost; a man who seems acutely aware of his own importance in this town.

"Welcome, weary travelers! Fret not for having disturbed me at this late hour, as I have not yet finished my evening prayers. The acolytes informed me that you seek healing and, perhaps, a miracle or two."

Aug 13, 2023 7:39 pm

Carcabob Inactive for 2 months

Dieter hangs near the back of the group. His only real interaction with the gods was….intense. But maybe he’d see Tulfgyr again and that would be nice

Last edited August 13, 2023 7:44 pm

Stella

Aug 14, 2023 4:53 pm

Stella looks around in awe. She had been to the Temple of Ilmater dozens of times. She had visited the Temple of Torm a few times, and several chapels and shrines throughout the ten towns, as well as the Temple of Wisdom and at the Friendly Arm Inn. It could have been just the contrast from what they had just been through, but none seemed quite as grand or serene as this.

She gapes at the intricate stonework, at the fountain, the brilliant use of light, and at the translucent, singing women. Programmed illusions?, she guessed.

When the high priest addresses them, it takes a moment, for her to tear her eyes away.

She bows respectfully as Dieter lingers behind and as Aiwë and Runeson prepare to carry the bodies. "Ah, yes! A citizen was slain. We wish to pay for his revival, as well as hope to question one of his killers, who was also slain." She instinctively tried to flower up her language, trying to make it seem more...respectful? She actually had little respect for the gods, but showing respect tended to make people treat her better. Witnessing Gellana Mirrorshade raising Dieter and Kreguuk, did increase her respect somewhat, however. "Is...that something we can do here? Should we carry the bodies in, or leave them outside, or...?" She wasn't sure the 'proper procedure' or how they treated corpses here.

Last edited August 14, 2023 4:57 pm

Kelddath Ormlyr

Aug 14, 2023 5:29 pm