5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth

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Nov 2, 2023 2:03 am
Looking down at Tazok’s body, the last few moments of the fight replay in Runeson’s mind, and he distinctly recognizes the power of Hoar coursing through him, giving him the strength to take Tazok head-on and win. The Doombringer, the God of Revenge, was with Runeson in this battle more than in any time the paladin can remember.

But memory is a fragile thing. Runeson gazes into Tazok’s dead eyes and feels a flicker. He knew this beast of a man. And today, Hoar saw fit to help him extract his vengeance from the half-ogre. And so Runeson is left with a burning question, one that makes him feel curious and hollow at the same time:

What was it that Tazok took from Runeson that would lead to Hoar blessing the retribution so?

Part of Runeson, a deep and hidden part, trembles in fear at the question. Upon being noticed it immediately stills, pulling the veil over the young man’s mind tighter. Hoar’s will has been fulfilled this day; whatever provoking sin staining Tazok’s hands doesn’t matter.

It’s better this way.
Nov 2, 2023 2:18 am
The group's decisive movements cut easily through the whatever bandit dregs might be left within the camp, and they promptly arrive at Tazok's tent. They move cautiously through the front entrance, but find the place devoid of living creatures. Here near the entrance there's a large table, and behind it an even larger wooden throne. In one corner lies the mangled corpse of a Blacktalon courier, his broken neck suggesting that whatever news he bore wasn't well-received.

One makeshift door leads to the area where Aldous and Koveras were kept as prisoners. There's not much of note there beyond the dead hobgoblin guard, the abandoned manacles, and several small blood puddles staining the ground.

A second door leads to Tazok's bedchamber, which isn't much more than a large pile of furs.

(Investigation: In the corner of Tazok's bedchamber is a patch of disturbed ground. Hidden beneath the fur sheets is a hand shovel with dirt clods clinging to to the scoop.)
Nov 2, 2023 2:20 am
I bow my head and whisper a prayer to Hoar. "I accept this burden and thank you for the strength. May vengeance be done."
No tears will be shed for Tazok and his band.
Nov 2, 2023 1:44 pm
Aiwë takes the shovel and begins to dig carefully.
Nov 2, 2023 2:51 pm
About six inches down, Aiwe's shovel hits solid wood. A few minutes of digging around yields the unearthing of a chest. A large padlock keeps the thing closed tight.

(Perception: There's a nearly imperceptible glint of thin metal within the padlock's keyhole. A needle, likely poisoned, and poised to prick the finger of any would-be thief.)
Nov 2, 2023 3:07 pm
"What are the chances this thing's hinges are as spoilt as the weapons. Someone put a sword here? That new hobgoblin one would be good, Blood. Two hands now." Aiwë tips the chest on its side and points to place the hinge meets the wood. When someone complies she lifts the hammer and hits the pommel of he sword like a chisel.
Nov 2, 2023 3:15 pm
"Do none of you know how to pick a lock?" Koveras seems genuinely surprised, but complies with Aiwe's suggestion. He grips the plundered shortsword with two hands, wedging it in place as directed. "What group of adventurers doesn't have some experience with locksmithing?"

He doesn't flinch as Aiwe pounds the pommel close to his fingers.
OOC:
Aiwe, make an Athletics check with advantage! DC 15.
Nov 2, 2023 3:17 pm
Aiwë chuckles. "We're not adventurers. Sheemish might know but he'd probably just dismantle it. Otherwise our delinquent teen went home. Besides, why fuss with a needle in a keyhole when this," she lines up her shot and hits the pommel right in the center with the exact right amount of force, popping the hinges off the wood, "works just as well?"
Last edited November 2, 2023 3:23 pm

Rolls

Bust it open - (1d20+7)

(5) + 7 = 12

Advantage - (1d20+7)

(20) + 7 = 27

Nov 2, 2023 3:41 pm
"Not adventurers? So why do you do what you... do?"

Koveras tips the chest back to its original position and grabs its two halves, working them apart easily with one hinge taken care of. Inside the chest are several sacks of gold, a pair of quality gauntlets, and a folded letter.
OOC:
That's 2,060 gp for the treasury! Also a magic item and a letter, details below.
[ +- ] Legacy of the Masters
[ +- ] Letter
Nov 2, 2023 3:52 pm
"that’s classified, Koveras" Dieter replies matter of factly

We’re kids on a weird coming of age road trip put on by our parents.

He picks up the gauntlets and clinks their knuckles together. Dieter was always a bit weirded out by gauntlets as they always feel like severed hands without the rigor mortis… at least the well made ones do.

"These are interesting"
Last edited November 2, 2023 3:52 pm
Nov 2, 2023 4:00 pm
Aiwë stands back to let the others go through the chest. Stella would be able to tell the most from the letter and gauntlets.

She laughs at Dieter. "We all have a different answer probably. For me, Candlekeep was a holiday, maybe a diplomatic trip. Now I'm here for a few reasons." She skips the heavier ones and says, "like if I weren't, who would save Lord Silvershield or fell enormous war-making bandits?" She strokes her nails against the rim of her drum, making a soft circular sound.

"How'd you get caught up in this, Blood? Also, wow you were fast in that fight! How'd they even catch you?"
Last edited November 2, 2023 4:01 pm
Nov 2, 2023 4:21 pm
Quote:
"that’s classified, Koveras" Dieter replies matter of factly
Koveras holds up a hand at Dieter's brusque interjection. "I don't mean to pry. It's just that from what Aldous has said, you've accomplished all sorts of difficult feats. You even did a job for me back at Candlekeep. I'm just curious as to whether you do what you do out of compassion, or for the pay, or for the challenge."
Quote:
"How'd you get caught up in this, Blood? Also, wow you were fast in that fight! How'd they even catch you?"
A dark frown takes over his face. "Haven't you guessed, cousin?" He spreads his arms wide as though formally presenting himself, though the mockery in his expression is plain. "Who do you think has been behind this 'Iron Crisis'? Could it be, perhaps, the greedy and underhanded mercantile empire that stands to make the most profit should iron become as valuable as silver?" He clenches his fists tightly, causing the corded muscles in his arms to ripple. "You know, the one with 'iron' in its name? The Iron Throne has orchestrated this entire 'crisis'."

Koveras kicks the chest in frustration, then folds his arms over his broad chest. "And how'd they catch me? Same as young Aldous. Betrayal, naturally." He gestures to the discovered letter. "If that message says what I think it does, it'll likely mention my father by name." The half-orc turns his head and spits on the ground. "Adopted father."
Nov 2, 2023 4:32 pm
Quote:
She laughs at Dieter. "We all have a different answer probably. For me, Candlekeep was a holiday, maybe a diplomatic trip. Now I'm here for a few reasons."
Dieter smiles as if he was joking
Last edited November 2, 2023 4:35 pm
Nov 2, 2023 4:34 pm
Aldous, retrieved cane in hand, limps forward to put a sympathetic hand on Koveras' shoulder. "I have my own troubles with an overbearing father, but even I can't imagine what you've gone through, friend."

The young Silvershield looks at the group. "He told me the hell his life has been, with Rieltar Anchev playing the part of benevolent charitable philanthropist and father in public, all the while enacting cruel and criminal schemes in secret."
Nov 2, 2023 4:39 pm
"What do you want to do about it Koveras?" Dieter asks
Last edited November 2, 2023 4:40 pm
Nov 2, 2023 4:40 pm
Koveras' smile shows his tusks. "That was talk between captives, Aldous." He glances at Dieter. "Classified." He absently fingers his shortsword. "But yes, given the chance, I'll pay my fa- No. Rieltar back for every humiliation and indignity I suffered at his hands."
Nov 2, 2023 4:42 pm
Dieter grins earnestly "Classified is our speciality, we’ve got great references."
Last edited November 2, 2023 4:42 pm
Nov 2, 2023 4:45 pm
Aiwë's smile at being called 'cousin' fades almost immediately. "So what's his play with your kidnapping? Did you fight back, or is he garnering sympathy?"

Her voice takes on some heat. "Why does he want us dead? We've started to cause problems, obviously, but it sounds like he was the one who ordered our attack when we were still in Candlekeep. We were tourists."
Nov 2, 2023 5:04 pm
Quote:
"So what's his play with your kidnapping? Did you fight back, or is he garnering sympathy?"
"I don't know how he's swinging my disappearance publicly. I spoke out, spoke back. I challenged him when I learned the extent of his plans regarding the Iron Crisis. He's a powerful mage, though. I might as well have been a child for all the resistance I could put up." Koveras glares at the tent wall, an angry fire in his eyes.

(Insight: There's more here. When Koveras references being a child, there is pain and trauma buried not far from the surface. And he's mentally reviewing it right now, scene by scene.)

Koveras' words are half-whispered. "He's more despicable than you know."
Quote:
Her voice takes on some heat. "Why does he want us dead? We've started to cause problems, obviously, but it sounds like he was the one who ordered our attack when we were still in Candlekeep. We were tourists."
"I'm... not sure." Koveras shakes his head to bring himself back to the present. "Though I'm afraid I had a part to play in that attempt; I was the one who informed Rieltar your group had arrived in Candlekeep, as I informed him of everything." He meets the group's eyes. "I am sorry for inadvertently setting him on you. Perhaps he'd heard of your parents' heroics, or somehow divined you would interfere with his plans, and so sought to end you early."
Nov 2, 2023 5:14 pm
Aiwë snarls, her tuskish teeth bared, and mimes a crooked hand of claws tearing her throat. It is different than her aggression the party has seen in battle—those convincing but false performances for the sake of her enemy. This is real.

"They gouged my uncle's eye out. Marked him like Gruumsh's property. Rieltar will learn he was right to fear us."
Last edited November 2, 2023 5:25 pm
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