The Journals of Antonius
THIRD ENTRY
I woke up this morning to my usual chores; tend Bestier, basic exercises in the courtyard, clean up after Just Marcus… And then I packed by bags and said goodbye to the life of a squire, a life I had known for the last two years. It was after having made the difficult decision of leaving that Sir Matthew gave me this journal in which I write tonight. Today is the day I join the Legion.
I guess today is a day filled with fear, but actually it is no different than any other day in the Legion. After washing ourselves, that is we the new recruits, we file in through the barracks where we are issued our new equipment. It was there that I receive a gift like no other. It is quite embarrassing to receive a beautiful armor from my mentor Sir Matthew, especially since I have no way of thanking him for it. It was even more embarrassing to realize that this armor is of such great quality as to rival some of the armors being worn by my superior officers.
As I leave the barracks I am feeling quite unused to the chaos around me. It is then that I realized how much I would miss the ordered and organised life at the temple. But I know only a separation from the Godesses I love, would enable me to finally choose and serve Them with all my faith. That is the root of my decision to join the Legion; to leave behind the life of squire and brother so that I may search for new horizons and settle the question of my faith.
Walking through the courtyard, I can see people are everywhere training, chatting, eating, gambling, trading, on guard, dozing,… The mayhem is quite overwhelming. The warm sun of this spring day is making me sweat, just enough to be itchy, not wet. As I make my way through the bazaar of people, the sun shines on my armor and without much chance of hiding it, everybody sees that Sir Matthew has chosen good armor as well as choosing beautiful armor. When I finally arrive at my barrack, there is a wooden mannequin on which I carefully rest my armor. I chose a standard sword seeing as the long sword was just too precious to be practiced with. Before I left the outfitters, I assured myself that they would properly store and care for my new possession. As I attach the sword to the armor, I realize that although sturdy and strong, it is quite out of place on the armor I have. The other recruits come in and I introduce myself to my new comrades in arm.
The first one we all meet is Caius, he’s our Primus and should be called thus from then on. His size is quite impressive, the only one in camp that surpasses him is his father, in size as well as reputation. After seeing my armor, he arranges for me to place it in a secure holding and gets his hands on an extra armor I can use for everyday training. I’m quite relieved that the ordeal of training in this fine armor has been taken away from me. The next one to present himself to me is Cornelius. He seems like a nice enough fellow. By his clothing, I can tell he’s wealthy, maybe even a Citizen. Although why a Citizen would join the legion I can not imagine.
The third person to make it through the door of our barrack is Fennelisa. Although she is beautiful, she is much more attracted to money and trade, like a true Thardan. I’ll wager she can smell a good deal miles away, even under a mountain of snow. I secretly believe she can count the contents of anybody’s purse simply by the jingle it makes.
Finally there is Joe Norm. A more average man there can not be. He is of average height and weight with no remarkable features. Even his brawling scars make him look average instead of menacing. He has the uncanny ability to be there whenever you need an extra person around…
The rest of the day is spent in an attempt to teach us all how to put on armor properly. Since most of the recruits have never seen armor up close and personal, let alone handled it, I find myself in the role of teacher, at least as far as armor goes. Once everybody is outfitted, we have the pleasure of experiencing a long run around and around and around the grounds. If the sun was warm earlier, it is hot during this forced run. Many of the new recruits fall into heaps, too hot or tired to continue. I guess this is what they call initiation… Once we finish running, knowing the next day we will all be sore, we are dismissed. We can eat and shower at our leisure. I decide to air out the under padding of my standard armor, so as to be comfortable tomorrow, next I shower and finally I eat. I miss the church’s food…
When I finally make it back to my bunk I’m very tired, but old habits die hard, and so I take out the Laranian armor and proceed to polish this beautiful thing which now belongs to me. At first, I do it mechanically, not truly appreciating what it is I have. But after awhile, when I take the time to look at it thoroughly I notice that it already looks polished! Like it hasn’t been moved into an old back room safe, through the dusty grounds or been handled by a variety of people. I finish rubbing it down, I hope nobody notices what makes this armor so incredible…
The next day we begin training. We receive leather armor to train in while the metal swords are replaced by wooden ones. And thus began the initial weeks of training as a Legionnaire.
It’s two months since I’ve written. I know I should have been more dutiful in keeping this journal but you’ll understand that training was exhausting and every spare moment I had was reserved for sleeping. My other excuse is an ongoing one, Sir Matthew has been ill and Sister Anna requested I be assigned to tend him as part of my Legionnaire duties. He is being quite difficult to manage through this illness due to the fact that he tries to fulfill his habitual chores. I try to do them for him, before he thinks of them, but unfortunately, Sir Matthew’s illness has not robbed him of his quick senses…
One of my chores is to take out Bestier and exercise him regularly. Something he enjoys thoroughly due to the fact that I rub him down after every outing, I also let him explore the city according to his whims which he appreciates. As I head for the stables, I notice a Dwarf come to leave a message for Sister Anna. Somehow it does not surprise me that she has connections in every realm.
It is early morning as I ride Bestier through town, that way I do not alarm all the vegetable vendors on the streets, although only the apple vendor seems frantic. The fact that it is early also makes it easier to maneuver Bestier through the narrower alleyways. As I turn towards the temple, I encounter Primus. He is headed in the same direction for a short prayer before Calisthenics, to which he invites me.
When I return to my shared quarters with Sir Matthew, the Knight is up and insists on coming along. Despite my best efforts to keep him within the Temple, he manages to persuade me that this will be good for him. And so as I leave the Temple towards the Legion’s grounds, I’m accompanied by my Primus, Sir Matthew and a disgruntled Bestier (Sir Matthew told him he had put on a few extra pounds on the rump!).
We arrive just in time for the Master of Ceremonies to notice our new guest. So as to impress him, he decides to add an extra candle to the exercises of the day, for which the rest of the Legion is not happy, but dares not complain.
Despite all my worries, Sir Matthew did quite well and actually broke into a sweat. At the end of calisthenics, he is quite hungry and is naturally invited to eat with the Legionnaires. Breakfast is standard fare. I must say, the food is the only regret I have at having joined the Legion. But I know I will encounter worse as I start heading out into the world.
It is as a group that my tenasi accompanies Sir Matthew back to the church, which has called a massive search for their missing patient. As we arrive, Sir Matthew is taken up in the duty of negotiating pardon with Sister Anna as well as Bestier, who is still insulted at the rump remark. It is also at this time that I was able to introduce my tenasi to Sister Anna.
To thank the Legionnaires for their time, Sir Matthew invites us to empty out a ‘rat nest’, a den of inequity and gambling. He feels the need to see a little bit of action and also mentions the fact that we will be able to keep any money we reap from this small adventure seeing as we are acting in the name of the Peonian church.
It is without trouble that we find information which leads us to this den of disreputable pleasures. When we arrive at a little hut outside of town which looks more like a hovel than anything else, we knock at the door, in a none too gentle manner. The hovel is divided in two, the front part seems to be dedicated to gambling and drinking. A few chairs and tables are present. The opposition we encounter consists of two body guards whom we quickly overpower. We continue our search within this miserable hole and end up in the second half of the house.
This last room contains two frightened children who are tied up and gagged along with a not-too-healthy-in-the-brain gentleman wearing a robe. The fight is short and clean. None of us are injured. As I untie the children, they both leap into my arms. It is without effort that I carry them outside to Sir Matthew who has been waiting outside this whole time. The children take to him fast and to Bestier faster still. I know they are in good hands. Back inside, Primus, Cornelius and Fennelisa have uncovered a few bags of money, two bags of Black Kerf, a highly addictive drug, and a list with names, some of them crossed out. We leave with the loot and the children quite happy with this days take.
Primus charges an unfortunate Red Guard with holding the Kerf for our group. Knowing it’s illegality makes the guard rather nervous of having the stuff stolen while it is in his charge, or of being accused of possession. All the more reason for him to keep our dealings with him confidential. We also take the opportunity to drop our prisoners off, of which there are three.
When we return to the Peonian Temple it is burning. People are running, while Peonians are bustling everywhere. There are mages, legionnaires, vendors, children and housewives all helping to quench the fire. Those that are panicking are deftly guided by the priests into the bucket brigade with encouraging pats and nods. We quickly hand the children over to one of the priests who will see to them before they are returned to their parents while the rest of us quickly join in the fire extinguishing efforts.
Soon the fire is put out. The temple being constructed mostly of stone burns with more difficulty. The main gates need to be replaced but the engineers of the Tenple are already measuring the entrance. Somehow, despite this brutal event, the Peonian Temple is a hive of orderly activity and mater-of-fact business. There seems to be only one thing missing; Sister Anna is gone, nowhere to be seen. After searching the grounds, we find a note. She has been kidnapped by a group with a skull head as an insignia, they will be in touch soon…
We return to see our prisoners, maybe they know something concerning this event. But before we continue our search, Primus sends Joe Norm to ask our superiors for permission to continue this venture. When Joe Norm returns, he says that we are on duty for the mailing run. The shortest duty one could possibly have. I can’t help but believe that Sister Anna had something to do with this convenient arrangement of our duties.
I accompany Bestier to the stables where I see Elder Marcus working on calming the horses due to the fire and smoke. I help him out until the majority are calmer and easier to handle for a single person. I wonder where Just Marcus is? There also seems to be a new horse I don’t recognize. He’s quite bourgeois and is displeased with everything we have to offer him. As I tend to him, I give him a piece of my mind, the Peonian church offers one of the best stables in Coranan. But as I’m conversing with the horse, an unknown knight comes along and promptly tells me I don’t know how to do my job. He introduces himself as Sir Robert and his horse is named Trudeau. They are looking for Sir Matthew. They have been summoned here.
I finish calming the horses with Elder Marcus, by giving them each a rub down. Trudeau has been such a complainer, I dare not tend him, besides who knows what his master will tell me next. This task takes the rest of my afternoon. Once I finish, I head out for the kitchen where I hope to find a crust or a little leftover gruel from the morning. When I get there, the place is bustling with activity. I end up offering my help in the preparation of the evening meal. It is while I bring out the food that I notice how well stocked the kitchen is, like Sister Anna had filled it this very morning, in preparation for a great disaster… Makes me think Sister Anna knew something was coming.
Meanwhile, Fennelisa visited both her father and a fellow named Yarrow. She discovered that it is unlikely the kidnappers are keeping Sister Anna in a Skull temple in Tharda. Furthermore, it is possible that that she was not kidnapped by the Navehen church. Naveh is the God of deceit. Another tidbit of information which is important to keep in mind is that the 30th is a holy day for the Navehen church. Today we are the 22nd. Chances are we have until that day to find Sister Anna.
Also during this time Primus was in the bucket brigade for most of the afternoon, or at least until the graver danger was over, at which point he returned to his home, in search of his father. Primus found his father at the estate and revealed to him the situation. Thor, Primus’ father, suggested he contact a Red Guard named Nicolas who owes him a few favors, thus the information should be free.
Primus searched out Nicolas and reminded him of his debt to his father. Nicolas shared his knowledge and according to him, the kidnapping of Sister Anna was done in a manner too flashy for the God of deceit. Furthermore the explosion fits the description of an undead exploding. Chances are the work was done by a high priest or a coerced mage. Primus should find more information at the mages guild.
On his way to the mages guild, Primus stopped to question our prisoners. The endeavor was futile, so he continued on to the mages guild, where he meets up with Fennelisa who is accompanied by her father. It was with his help that they discovered the spell had not been taken out of the archives in over a year, which is not enough time to learn it. However, this does not exclude the possibility of two mages working together or someone rediscovering the spell. In other words their search did not bring us any closer to an actual perpetrator but it has yielded a lot of information.
On their way back, both Primus and Fennelisa go through the chapel, where two short people are praying. Primus recognized them as being Dwarves and engaged them in a conversation about a sword he had obtained in a previous adventure. The sword was recognized by the two as being Ragnor, an ancient source of weapons for their people. They promise to bring back the offer made by Primus to their masters, as they are mere bodyguards.
It was over dinner that we rejoined and both Primus and Fennelisa shared their story. They have drawn to the conclusion that the Apple Inn will be the source of further information, even if it is not the source of this event. I myself shared my suspicion that Sister Anna planned certain elements so as to minimize the effects of her absence. Sir Robert reveals that it was Sister Anna that requested his presence. He was given instructions to find Sir Matthew upon his arrival, so that they may join forces and smite this evil force.
Before we go, I point to our need for further information concerning what Sister Anna knew of the coming events. Michael, Sister Anna’s scribe and guard might have notes concerning what Sister Anna knew. He hasn’t been seen since the explosion. Nonetheless, our group heads for his quarters, where we hope to find his notes of the past few days. We find him at his desk, writing at a furious pace the events of the day.
All those of us who could read perused the notes Michael had concerning the past few days. According to them, Sister Anna did know something would occur and thus planned for them. However, she did not know what was in store for her nor who was behind it. She was also aware that should she not plan for the catastrophe, the outcome would be more hazardous for all.
Sister Anna deduced all this information from a dream she was able to interpret. The notes concerning her dream are quite vague, at least from my point of view. The whole thing is described as a sensation of darkness, then running, apples, gems glowing in the moonlight, boats and more apples. Obviously, I still have a lot to learn about dream interpretation…
More notes reveal Sister Anna’s planning of the events; filling up the stock, calling Sir Robert, sending away many people on the day of the kidnapping, putting all her pressing affairs in order, writing a schedule of upcoming events that the church needs to organize and who should do what, etc.
Michael was also able to describe the black horse and rider which took her away. The black sheen from the horse being indistinguishable from the riders clothing and cape. When Michael tried to grab the horses hair, they simply vanished in his hands. He also remembers being asked by Sister Anna to go and close the main door, leaving her unattended for the kidnappers. Michael also remembers hearing a woman scream, moments before the attack on the church. We take our leave of Michael and charge him with the sword and helmet Primus wants to sell to the Dwarves. 10% of the proceeds will go to the church.
The kidnapping definitely rings Naveh’s bell. They are chaotic and unpredictable, but maybe it had nothing to do with his followers. But no matter who is behind these events, our next stop is the Apple Inn. It is the most likely spot to find a non-guilded mercenary or knight.
We arrive at the Apple Inn which is crowded with people eating and drinking. As we enter, a silence falls over the crowd who looks on as the two knights and the rest of our party make their way through to the bar. Sir Matthew asks the barkeep for two of his finest while Primus asks him about hiring a mage. I myself stayed by the door where I proceed to introduce myself to every patron while memorizing their name and I try to kill them with kindness. It is obviously a treatment they are not used to for many decide to leave the premises promptly and try to avoid me. I keep this up until a fellow comes along who’s taint is so dark and deep that it sickens me. Trying not to show my distress, I kindly guide him to Primus. The two chat, but not for long because a brawl soon begins due to the patrons desire to leave the premise. Like any other tavern brawl, it starts quickly and finishes quickly, with our tainted contact escaping in the chaos.
Primus nonetheless got enough information out of him to head for the wharf, where we should obtain more information about how Sister Anna could possibly be taken out of town. Most businesses are closed due to the late hour, late for the fishermen in any case. We guide our steps towards the Harbor masters office. The detailed logs he keeps inform us that Sir Johnas Caylan left down river earlier today. His cargo was comprised of dried goods. There are also three boats which are scheduled to leave tomorrow. The one that catches my eye is the one claiming to carry apple brandy up river.
Casual talking with the harbor master reveals that there are secret passages below the jetty, three to be exact and two of those are connected to the town’s sewer system. I must say that from that point, I had major drawbacks, but all I could think of was Sister Anna stuck in less than decent circumstances. She is after all, one of the oldest women I know. I prayed and hoped in my heart that she would be sound and soon safe.
Leaving the Harbor master’s office, we take a stroll down the wharf. There is one fellow guarding a boat. He’s more than happy to relieve his boredom by chatting with the rest of us. His boat will be loaded tomorrow from Aranoal’s, a place that has a reputation worse than the Apple Inn. He has no clue what the actual cargo is to be, for he is simply being paid to let no one tamper with the boat. Sir Matthew eases us all out of a lengthy conversation with this lonely guard, without ruffling his feathers, by reminding us of our primary goal.
As we go though the various tidbits of information we have gathered, we decide to head into the sewers. Old rumor has it that a temple could at one point be found there. It is the perfect spot to keep Sister Anna, without exposing Navehans to undue risk.
We head into the sewers, to Bestier’s delight, it is impossible for him to remain with us, he must instead remain outside this heinous stench created by man. The first one hundred feet are lit with torches, but all too quickly they abruptly end. The large tunnel we are in has alcoves at regular intervals which are badly lit. As we inspect them more closely, we find a hidden tunnel behind one of the alcoves. The taint surrounding this alcove is such that I can barely see, but I push the stone door only to reveal a skeleton behind the door which is what has been making it so hard to push through. The skeleton has no flesh remaining on it, it’s bones are dry and brittle yet despite their age, the taint of the person they used to belong to taints them still. They are a beacon of nastiness for all those able to see such things.
Beyond the skeleton is a room of fair size, not incredibly large, but enough for all of us to stand abreast. Which is lucky, for it is that precise moment that our opponents choose to ambush us. There seems to be ten of them against our smaller number of seven. Primus, Fennelisa and myself all engage two black robed figures each. While holding the torch which is our only source of light, Primus is able to set fire to one of these shadowy men while plunging his dagger in another. Meanwhile, Sir Robert guts one of the fiends and Fennelisa cracks the skulls of those she has engaged. I myself am able to disarm and subdue one of my opponents while the other flees. Primus and Sir Robert run after the stragglers while Sir Matthew finishes the last of them on the spot. Our two runaways are also quickly dispatched by Primus.
As we look around us, we notice that we are in the midst of their living quarters which we search. Nothing is worth taking; old clothing, cards, rotting food, dirty dishes, old water and wine skins, dirty bedding and a few odds and ends. Of the all the rooms we search, only one of the is locked. Primus forces the door open to reveal more of the same, except for a small door leading to a full cistern and a large chest which when opened reveals a passage to the room below.
Actually, the passage is hardly more than a hole in the ground down which we throw a few torches to make sure we can actually see where we are going. next we use a rope to climb down, while one end is secured to the bed. As I climbed down, I had a strong sense of going back into a history that lives in everybody’s nightmares, the type of history that is parallel to our reality but never close enough to challenge our daily comforts. I was entering a vast room which looked like a church. All of stone, the room had a slight echo to it, despite our whispers. There was an altar at the front, or rather a large stone slab with grooves in it, all leading to the same area, so that should there be a sacrifice on this gruesome alter the blood of the victim would flow into a single bowl for who knows what dark purpose. The entire place made my flesh crawl, especially the way the alter looked old and much used. I keep asking myself how this church could exist without having been exposed or without the freedmen being aware of its presence or purpose. The two small torches we have down here seem rather inadequate to illuminate this place of misery and pain. I can barely see the back of the room when we are by the alter. Near the front there is also a cistern which does not look fit for man or beast.
As we inspect the alter and the cistern, the room slowly began to fill with water. It was at this point that I noticed the room was slightly concave precisely in the centre. The coincidence is too convenient for us to doubt this water was supposed to drown us in this morbid room. As a matter of fact, I was the first to climb back out of the room followed by Fennelisa, Sir Robert and Primus.
We definitely have the sense that there is a monster within the water, hidden by the blackness of the room and its water. To confirm out suspicions, we decide to dangle a piece of meat found in one of the other rooms. Very surprisingly, large teeth make a grab for the rotten leftover but I must say, none of us saw anything that could be described as a physical body. I could not help but think that this thing belonged in such a dark and forgotten place.
The upper cistern which we had noticed earlier was now empty revealing a passage below. The party climbs down to explore this new tunnel. The passageway goes in a north-south direction, parallel to the church-pool, and there are four doors within this passage two at each end as well as two leading towards the church-pool. The party checks the first door leading away from the water menace at the north end of the hallway, to find a small room with three levers. The south end room contains the same but is decorated with a small white orc. The little fellow offers no resistance as we look into the small storage room at the back which held Sister Anna.
In her usual calmness, Sister Anna was sitting on the small cot which was surrounded by large crates. She barely blinked when she saw us enter. She made me believe this was a day like any other, kidnapping and all. The whole lot of crates looked ready to be shipped out any moment. The crates look rather out of place in this room. Their craftsmanship is impressive while the whole was made of a single piece of wood.
We all grab a crate and help Sister Anna out of her holding area. The small gorgun follows us complaining that Ellias was a bad employer. I’m comforted and repulsed at the idea of knowing who could be responsible for these events. Until now I could imagine an anonymous entity with no person responsible, but now we have a name…
23rd of Kelen, 718
As I write this journal, I have only just now realized that I have yet to date the events I am writing about. Furthermore, numbering the entries was practical, but my life is not so easily compartmentalized. Besides, when my mind goes, I will at least have this book to remind me of my younger years and when they occurred!
Our return to the church was quiet although the relief could be felt throughout the temple. I spend most of my day helping with the repairs of the church. The local engineers are doing a fine job of restoring the damaged gates.
I am mostly around the stables and kitchen where I’m considered most useful. It is there that I run into Sister Anna and Sir Matthew who are loaded down with food and presents. They are headed out towards a party. I am quickly asked to join them, which makes it my first social event in who knows how long. I’m relieved that today is my day off!
The rest of my tenasi has gone to their respective families for various reasons. Cornelius has come out of jail for some obscure reason. I imagine he needs to comfort his family as to his well-being. Fennelisa was going to see her father and then a fellow named Yarrow about the barrels we have found with Sister Anna. Finally Primus has some family business to attend to, where no doubt his mother will pamper him to too much rose water.
When Sister Anna, Sir Matthew and I arrived at the party, it is quite crowded. There are presents and food enough for everyone in Coranan. It is a party thrown be Primus’ family, and I quickly run into my ranking officer. After a few formal introductions, I greet Partion and Ahrin the two sword dancers who are part of the entertaining troops. Primus also quickly introduces me to Debrine a legionnaire fabrika. Before I can turn around and continue my conversation with Primus and the sword dancers I am left alone with this lady. Sister Anna was gracious enough to point out that I should be asking the lady to dance. The entire evening continued in a blur of introductions, food, dances and wine. At one point, I realized that both Sister Anna and Sir Matthew had left the festivities without a word. A very practical skill I need to aquire if I am to survive tomorrow’s work.
24th of Kelen, 718
At dawn with a woolen head I rose, with not enough sleep and too much alcohol I began the morning calisthenics. We all suffer through them, at least those of us who were at the festivities. Sir Matthew has joined us but his suffering seems unequal to mine… The candle is lit and burns itself out just in time to see Primus head for the latrines and make a very noisy deposit?!
After a mild breakfast, we decide to verify our kidnapping ring from the other day, to see how they are doing but also what information we can obtain concerning the list of victims and potential victims we found when we arrested them.
When we get to the prison in which they are being kept, we find them in the same cell as yesterday. They have received neither food nor water, which makes me quite happy I have brought a large bowl of stew with me. As I enter the cell, Sir Matthew is close behind, but the taint of one of the gentlemen in the cell was quite overpowering. He decides instead to talk with the guards. When I begin to question the prisoners, they are easy to convince, at least the two henchmen are. Their leader is a little more difficult to chat with.
The information I glean from them concerns their names (Meldrak and co.) but little else is of use to me. I speak of redemption to the most tainted of fellows who sees the light of hope in what I say, but the road is quite treacherous and risky. I also find myself doubting the possibility of this man ever having a happy life. Our conversation ends when each in turn receives food and drink at my hand, for they are chained to the wall, as well a chance to relieve themselves appropriately. I lay fresh hay in their cell, in the hopes of making it less gloomy.
While I was with the prisoners, Primus and the others are getting the run around about the two bags of Kerf they had placed in a guards custody. The pencil pushers of this bureaucracy are quite difficult to work with.
It is with little information and less Kerf that we return to the mess hall of the Legion. There, in a loud, clear and challenging voice Primus talks with a fellow named Fowlin about some foul dices and tricked cards. The fellows table quickly empties leaving us to chat with Fowlin uninterrupted. After some small talk, Primus states that he is willing to bribe for information concerning his Kerf as well as for the faith to our prisoners.
Fowlin’s best guess is that the Magistrate never heard about our small band of thugs while the Kerf has probably been resold privately or is being kept a secret for someone high up. Either way, it’s gone.
Primus, Fennelisa and Cornelius leave the fort and meet up with their dealer, the man who will negotiate a fair price with the Dwarves for the sword and helmet they have. With the dealer among them they head off to their meeting with the Dwarves, at the Inn which usually welcomes their kind.
The Dwarves are relieved to see Primus, Cornelius and Fennelisa enter the Inn with their dealer, for they have been made aware of Cornelius’ imprisonment (Something which is still quite vague in details for me) and were worried about their meeting. Being creatures of practicality, they skip over the idle banter and get right to the point of this visit. Their first offer for the sword is 400D and a favor. An offer Primus promptly turns down.
Their second offer includes three items from their arsenal. Primus asks for the items and the money. The dealer and one of the dwarves go off to a corner of the Inn, so as to finalize the deal. Meanwhile, Fennelisa has brought her mother along, in her capacity of weaponsmith, in order to appraise the sword in question. After a quick perusal of the weapon, she values it at 700D, without including it’s historical value. Dwarves, however, do not take into consideration the historical value of an object. Whether they retrieve it this century or the next, it makes no difference to them. They know eventually they will get it back.
When the details of the deal are hammered out, the Dwarves take the three Legionnaires to their arsenal. Right away, Cornelius finds a blue amulet while Fennelisa takes a fur-lined helmet. Primus takes a little longer and rummages through everything more carefully, until he comes across a short sword made of the same metal as the helmet he has recently acquired. As one of the Dwarves inspects the golden helmet, he notices that there is a soul within it. To prove his point, he takes a battle axe and hits the helmet with all his might. The helmet does not break, it is hardly scratched. For more practical uses, the Dwarf suggests to place the soul within a more comfortable container, perhaps a jewel.
After much handling, Fennelisa agrees to let the soul talk through her body. It is an elf from the era before the age of Dwarves that has seen much of the world. Meanwhile Cornelius seems to converse with his amulet who affirms that the helmet is lying.
After much discussion, the soul is transferred to a jewel which the Dwarves kept, while Primus rests his final choice on a finely crafted brace of throwing knives with encrusted jewel that are there more for identification of the owner than for value. He’s quite pleased with his choice due to his low dwindling supply of knives. The final deal is struck at 660 D.
The Dwarf insisted on giving the golden sword to Primus on the grounds that he believes Primus to be destined to find all the pieces of this armor and it’s weapons. I must admit, on hearing this part of the tale, I imagined Primus in golden armor with golden sword and shield. It was an impressive idea.
Back to the tale of my own day, I returned to the church with Sir Matthew. At the gates an engineer was still obsessed with the creaking sound the main door made. I must say his zeal to correct the situation was both commendable and extreme. But I must say that when I need to do any job for the Temple, I have no hesitation in working until I am completely satisfied I could not have done better.
As my talk with the prisoners was quite unfruitful I search out Sister Anna, in the hopes that she may enlighten me as to which would be the best path to take in this delicate situation. I find her in the chapel praying, and so I join her. I can feel the Goddess beside me.
Once we are done, I explain to Sister Anna what that list represents the names victims and potential victims to be kidnapped. I also tell her that the list was discovered in the gambling den and the prisoners were less than forthcoming with any useful information.
Sister Anna advises against telling the families anything until I have more information or the actual bodies of the victims. She points out that in times of desperation, hope is what keeps families together. To dash that hope with vague information is inadequate and lacks tact. She also points out that withholding food and comfort from those in need, including prisoners chained to walls is not very nice. Her message comes through loud and clear, especially when she suggests I do penance through this coming night. Her last piece of advice is to go and talk with Charlie the slave trader, find out what he knows through the grapevine of his profession.
As for the prisoners I left behind, she believes they are involved with Morgath and that their salvation is quite unlikely and would also be a difficult journey. A Morgathian, she informs me, would require to go on a long journey, a quest of virtue. He or she would need to accomplish a great deed for another God in order to be cleansed, while Morgath would work at his demise in order to claim his soul.
So with the idea of penance in mind, I set out on a small quest for infomation at the slavers market. The place is full of people some of them are so tainted, I can hardly make out their features, while other simply have a shadow over their souls, like they have not been to the church in quite some time. Then again, being slavers, they might go regularly but the shadow grows faster?
I quickly find Charlie’s booth where all the slaves look well fed, clean and comfortable, which is by far a better situation than in other booths. As I ask around to speak to Charlie, I come across a man who, although is clean, well fed and comfortable seems to have many sleepless nights. After informing the gentleman that Sister Anna sent me, he introduces himself as Charlie.
I the expose to Charlie the situation and my concern that the kidnapped children may be sold as illegal slaves outside of Tharda. The slave trader was quite concerned by such an event, not only for his business, but also due to the guild. He turns to one of his slaves and gives him a small wooden bar, not unlike a spatula. On this small bar is written that he is a slave owned by Charlie, while he carries the bar, it is the equivalent of being free. He asks the slave to summon all the main traders at his stall on due to the possibility of an illegal theft.
During the next fifteen minutes, the merchants begin to trickle in. Some of them seem nice, despite their obvious taint while others seem to be tortured souls yet seem to show kindness on a regular basis. There is a lot of idle banter among them, especially since the gentleman who seems to be his main rival believes it is funny for a Peonian to be a slave trader, and that the slave Charlie has sent out is long gone and halfway to the border. I can’t help but junp at Charlie’s defense who has asked nothing in return for the help he is providing me and I tell his rival that prayer never hurt anyone. Who knows, perhaps a night of penance would do all of them some good, I therefore mention that I will be doing penance this very night and would greatly enjoy their company at the church. Charlie’s rival answers that he sleeps fine, but I could not help the quiet comment coming from another stranger saying Charlie’s rival only slept well due to the three wineskins he bedded.
A few minutes of waiting proves Charlie is in the right, as his slave returns and gives him an update. The man in question seems quite happy with his fate, as long as he’s in the hands of Charlie, which brings me to believe that Charlie does not sell slaves to just anybody. What a fine line Charlie must face everyday at the market.
Once together, Charlie explains why he has summoned all the traders and after a few minutes of discussion, many seem to agree that a woman named Occia has the reputation for such a trade and that she has been seen with many slave children who were never on the block. Occia is a woman from Rethem with lanky brown hair and brown eyes. She can often be seen at the Apple inn and she trades in Thardan coins.
I thank all the traders and remind them of my offer of penance company and leave with my new found information. On my way back to the temple, I had the unfortunate luck of being robbed. I felt only the slightest breeze through the new hole in my shirt. The fact that my pants were slowly inching their way towards the ground was another major hint that my belt had been stolen. In the milling throng I could not resist the yell “you could have asked, I would have given it to you!”. But I fear that by then the thief had long gone. Holding my pants up with one hand, I detour towards my father’s home where I hope to pick up a replacement for my belt. This left my other hand free to peruse the note left by the thief. It’s not really a note, more of a list of names.
Entering my father’s shop I headed straight for the small work room where I took the cheapest of belts I could improvise. It turned out to be a leather rope which I quickly tied around my waist. As quickly as I had arrived, I left and headed back to the temple with my two latest bits of information.
When I get there, the rest of my tenasi have also just arrived. They seem to be in odd shape, Fennelisa has a hint of taint, Cornelius is a uniform grey while Primus no longer has any taint at all. But no matter, I couldn’t help but invite them all to my night of penance. As we enter the church together, Sister Anna is leading a prayer with great formality while the new Knight is kneeling before her. Once the ceremony comes to an end, the stranger Knight leaves behind a relieved Sister Anna. With as much tact as she can muster, she says the man is bent on formality. Something she can never truly appreciate.
As I recount my tale, I invite my tenasi to join me in finding the culprits behind this evil plot to steal children. As we looked over the note once again, we noticed that it had been signed Shugunal Caenelius. Even though the whole thing happens at the temple, I could not help but feel that this moment would define my new relationship with my fellow legionnaires and though it broke my heart to do so, I did not invite Sir Matthew along. His disappointment could easily be seen, but my path was leading me away from my mentor.
As we head for the Apple inn, Falwin is following us. He wants to share important information concerning the Dwarven high King of his land. Unfortunately the whole information goes over my head, for most of it has to do with the rest of the tenasi and the day’s deal.
Near the inn are the large gates which are being
closed for the night.
24th of Kelen (continued)
Near the inn the large gates are being closed for the night, but we are able to enter through the smaller ones which replace them for the night. As we arrive at the Inn, it is loud and boisterous. I hold my breath as I enter, for all those who seem to take part in the celebrations would never be seen in a Peonian church. Their taint is frightful to me.
Nonetheless, I remember all the advice Sister Anna used to tell me and I decide to put my best greeting face on as I enter and begin saying hello to everyone I can. I am literally killing them with kindness. As I keep the pace up, many people seem to be leaving, on urgent business and such. It is not long before a fellow as black as night comes to me and invites me for a drink. He calls me by my name…
He quickly introduces himself as Canelius. He returns my belt and pouch along with everything in it. He also hands me a sword with Peonian, Laranian and Kotan markings. Kotan is a branch of the church which worships both Larani and Peoni as one and the same Goddess. Canelius is giving me the sword because to cleanse it, to conform to his religion, would be a real task and he has no use for it. Besides that, he says it is easier to simply brand a neutral sword than to convert one. Giving it to me is the best way to get rid of it, with the least effort.
As we drink with our present company, I can’t help but notice how friendly and charming Canelius can be, yet there is no telling what he has done to merit his dark soul. He has an eye out for Fennelisa, who seems quite perturbed by his interest. I’m glad for her sake that she is not easily charmed.
Canelius finally gets to the point of our meeting. He informs us that the kidnapped children are leaving this very night and that we do not have much more time to take action. I can’t help but feel this man is leading us astray, but, when Canelius says it would directly oppose one of his current rivals if we were to foil the kidnapping plans, his credibility rises somewhat. Now that his motivation is exposed, I find myself trusting the information a little more… The tenaci quickly leaves the inn, to chase the children. All the while I can’t help but fell revolted at myself because I have to say Canelius is a likable fellow.
As we return to the gate, Primus calls out to the guards, asking if any carriages have gone through. The guards are a bit reluctant to reply. As Primus explains to them the urgency of our plight, a carriage begins to run away. Primus, Cornelius and Fennelisa all try and grab the carriage as I call out to the horses to slow down. The horses respond, but I must say I have been privileged with Bestier’s wit and intelligence… After a brief and useless resistance, we take over the carriage only to find that there are empty barrels within. The fact that the carriage drivers were accompanied and ran away makes us commandeer the whole thing and arrest the two fellows. But the problem remains, where are the children?
With a desperate prayer to Peoni, I ask for her help in going to the right gates of the city. We only have enough time to make it to one of the many Coranan has. The Impalers gate is my response. I know with a great certainty that our quest is to lead us there. As we arrive, we see in the distance two hay carriages with a small guard. Hay is rarely taken out of the city. If anything it is usually brought within the city walls, not outside. Once again, resistance to my tenaci’s intentions are in vain. The drivers and their guards are quickly overpowered and arrested. Within we find seven sacks each with a drugged child within. Primus will undoubtedly fill many reports tomorrow. He will bring the prisoners to the Legion and catch up to us at Yarrows home later.
With the barrels and the children safely within a single carriage, we head back to the Peonian church. Sir Matthew quickly opens the gates for us and soon a few Priests come along and help us with the children and the barrels. The Priests are quite concerned about our bringing these barrels within the church for they are “soul keepers”, barrels which can prevent a soul from resting within it’s proper place, whether that be towards the Gods or within a living body. We bring them to the stables where they will be guarded.
Sir Matthew and Bestier will come along as we pay a visit to Yarrow, the former owner of these barrels. Fennelisa seems quite concerned about this fellow, though why she should worry about someone who would own such foul devices is beyond me.
In a very cloak and dagger fashion, we leave the city and head towards the forest where Yarrow apparently lives. By the fading light of dusk and the moon, we make to the forest. I don’t know if it is a trick of the light or my tired imagination, but as we enter the forest, it seems as though the edge of the trees have been carved into the shape of a dragon taking flight. Fennelisa also seems to be aware of it, but she also implies that this Yarrow fellow is responsible for the growth of the trees in the area. I strongly doubt that a single person could plant a forest as old as this one. I must say, despite her vast knowledge of trading and money, I find Fennelisa sometimes naïve. All I can do though is trust her to bring us to someone who can clarify many mysteries which have occurred this night. But the question still remains in my mind, can we trust this person?
We soon arrive at a small cabin which is warmly lit. The place is clean and warm, there is also food, but this image seems to contradict the fact that no one has seen Yarrow in quite some time.
Cornelius who sees things magical believes the spells which surround the house are not Yarrow’s, but rather spells which make us believe his cabin is lived in. His amulet believes there is an artifact which maintains the illusions. After a few moments thoughts, Cornelius rams his hand directly into the fire and pulls from it a small, black rod. Slowly the illusions around us fade to reveal a rather unkempt living space, where no one has been for a while.
The rod is booby trapped to burn who ever touches it. Cornelius was fortunate enough to be protected by his amulet, which seems to be a water elemental, but the burn seems to have put it out quite seriously. It is at that point that I take two bowls and pick the rod up with them, creating a makeshift box. The small image within Cornelius’ amulet seems relieved that it will not need to carry this object any longer.
With no more business left in this place, we decide to go see Fennelisa’s father. He is apparently quite knowledgeable in matters of magic. By the edge of the forest, on our way back, we run into Primus and bring him up to speed with our discovery.
Without delay, we arrive to see Fennelisa’s father who believes the rod to be quite powerful and could be the product of Morgath or Naveh. He also believes there could be some kind of maker or beacon upon our persons which would alert those we seek. As we take our clothes off for this unusual inspection Cornelius, Fennelisa and Primus all show a black spot, not quite taint, more like a touch, but definitely a sign that we need to do penance and soon.
With the information we have, we believe the Navehan temple is the most likely source for our answers, but since there is no temple openly advertised, our best bet is to look for Yarrow in the sewers, where it is reputed a temple once existed. This unpleasant prospect reveals that I will need my armor and full gear which are at the Peonian temple. A quick prayer won’t do me any harm either…
When we arrive at the church, Elder Marcus is there waiting for us. He is in full armor and ready for an adventure. He’s had a vision in which we are the heroes. It is the first time I hear Elder Marcus talking of visions much less wearing an armor. Obviously he needs to come along with us, nothing could hold me back if I had a vision…
As the others wait in the courtyard, I head for my old room where my armor and sword should be. As I put my armor on I notice that my sword has been placed on my bed and that it is quite dull, as if I have not maintained it during these past few weeks. Once I am fully armored, I reach for my sword to discover to death coins strategically placed below the sword. Their taint is so strong that it seems to dull the light in my room. As I ponder what to do with a dull sword and tainted coins, Sister Anna passes by. I call to her and ask for her advice. She is quite evasive in her answers, but lets me understand she will take care of the coins and tells me to find another sword. She then promptly leaves my room.
Perhaps it is chance, perhaps it is faith, but as Sister Anna left I see at her back a mark blacker than both coins put together. In my two years within the church, never had I seen a shadow on Sister Anna. This must be an impostor. With a dull sword in hand and a desperate sinking feeling in my gut, I begin chasing this creature who realizes that it’s disguise has been exposed.
In matters of faith, I rarely know what I am dealing with, besides good and bad. I have no idea how powerful this creature could be and my inexperience makes it clear that I will need help. In an attempt to rouse the knights and tell them to be ready for battle, I yell the only cry I know which will allow them to recognize the danger among us; “Face forward”. Once this cry helped the knights recognize the imminent danger they would soon face, hopefully this time they will head my call and come to my aide.
In my heart, all I can think of are the knights which are close to my location. Larani hears my call and sends her personal Knights in response. Three of them to be exact, all glowing, made of light and very impressive. Both my target and myself are too stunned to continue our chase, besides, we have arrived at a dead end for all the doors are blocked by these angels. Before I know it Primus, Cornelius, Fennelisa and Sir Matthew have arrived to witness this scene. Vision indeed!
Noticing my sword, Sir Matthew hands me his own along with a look that tells me he is not the hero of this adventure. All of them including the angelic Knights direct me to fight the creature. The uncertainty in my heart is great, but I obviously can not refuse this challenge. The first few strokes I attempt are quite unsuccessful, but I soon hit my target and quickly it dissolves into nothing. Strong magic must have been at the source of this intrusion. Once the impostor has been dealt with, the Apparitions nod their recognition to all of us and vanish as suddenly as they have appeared, leaving us in a darkened hallway.
As we head towards the kitchen, there’s a smell of food almost on the verge of being served. Somehow the fatigue I feel is delayed due to this heavenly food which has been prepared at this unusual time. Needless to say, the others also feel the pangs of hunger, legion food is not my favorite…
Michael, Sister Anna’s right hand man, fills a flask of stew for us to carry along with bowls for each of us to eat now, and the strength seems to slowly return to our weary bones. Sir Matthew and elder Marcus will be coming with us to the sewers to rescue Yarrow. After his meal, Sir Matthew decides to change his armor for a more appropriate one, at least for the sewers. Elder Marcus is still in awe, from his vision and from the appearance of the angelic Knights. He arrived just in time to see them acknowledge each of us. This night is one of those turning points in elder Marcus’ life, something which will leave him changed for the rest of his life. I must say, my feelings are quite similar. This evening has eliminated any shadow which could have brought doubt to my belief in both Peoni and Larani. I have not lived through doubts in my belief, but the events from this evening will forever prevent me from having them. I now have a new fear, that of being inadequate to the challenge the Goddesses put before me.
As I eat I tell Sister Anna about the events which have lead to this surreal fight, the two death coins and my sword. She tells me she will take care of the coins, as for the sword, weapons are not her specialty… Primus hands me his standard issue while he breaks in his newly acquired sword.
As we are finally ready to go, equipped with food, water, light, weapons and then some, we head out. It is still a few candles away from daylight. This night seems to be particularly long!
We return to the vicinity of the Apple Inn where we enter the sewers. As we try and enter this foul domain, both Elder Marcus and myself retch due to the overpowering smell. Who said adventure was glamorous!
Fennelisa leads the way, and with uncanny precision, she leads us to a trap door. Unable to open it, she allows Primus to give it a try. He opens it with some ease to find himself under a table. Without waiting for the element of surprise to leave us, Primus quickly topples the table onto one of the men who were sitting at it. As we all crawl into the room, we find ourselves on a stage with black decorations, obviously we have interrupted a macabre play in the making.
Our host, who has a table on top of him, is barely alive. Despite the tainted surroundings he is in, he has no mark of corruption anywhere. It is at that moment that we become aware of Canelius. The fellow on the floor is his assistant. We place him on the table in order to carry him out, to receive help.
Canelius, with some form of magic, allows a skull which was formerly on the table to float at about eye level. I guess the display is meant to impress upon us the fact that we have intruded within his own domain. Elder Marcus seems quite eager to leave the area, vision or no vision, the taint of the place is making him noxious, more so than the sewers did.
As I walk by the floating skull, it’s eyes which have a slight glow go dead and it falls to the ground like any common object should. I can not help but feel that this effect is due partially to my prayer and the presence of the Angelic Knights earlier in the evening. Needless to say I feel quite blessed, despite my surroundings. Thank you Peoni and Larani!
As we chat with Canelius, he is willing to part with information for a price. Primus gives him a yellow ring for which Canelius reveals that Yarrow is being kept within the Senate and will be fed to the Evashu. As we thank him for the trade, he seems to show more than a passing interest in Fennelisa. I must say, his comments and compliments are quite charming and once again I find myself feeling guilty for finding the fellow likable.
As we leave the stage area, to enter a long corridor. Canelius leads us to another room where he takes his leave of us. The room has a second door which leads us directly into an alleyway. There seems to be a welcoming party waiting for us. There is a band of men wearing black robes, their leader seems to have glowing red eyes, a black nose and fangs. Some of the men are so surprised to see us that they simply flee the area, but out black nosed fellow is more intrepid. He points to our patient and fills him with taint.
I can’t help but feel we have been set up by Canelius who wished to get rid of his assistant and avoid a conflict with what appears to be Morgathians. As the poor assistant is choked by this taint, Primus makes a grab for Black Nose. His face is a mask, which Primus is left with after being kicked in the chest twice by an acrobatic faceless Black Nose. Cornelius also tries to grab this evil man but his efforts are in vain.
As we collect our patient who is still alive, along with the mask and our thoughts, we decide to head back to the temple. Before doing so I return to the vicinity of the Apple Inn where Bestier is still waiting for us. As I make my way through the streets and alleys, my thoughts turn to Canelius and his lack of surprise at our arrival in his quarters. The fact that he did not seem upset, irate or even annoyed seems to indicate that we have in some way been manipulated. I don’t like that feeling at all. Furthermore the Morgathians being right at the door seems like too much of a coincidence to feel like they were not waiting for us. I wonder what we should do about Canelius. He’s definitely high placed within his church, could it be Navehan? I have a feeling that Sir Matthew would not hesitate and kill the man as soon as he saw him, but is it really our place to start a church war within the walls of Corannan?
25th of Kelen
I arrive at the church after the sun is up, and only a little after the others have arrived with our patient and mask. Sister Anna is there to greet us, but she does not remain in our presence very long. She orders us to have baths immediately and that she will soon send some of the Matrons to help us scrub. Once bathed, we should enter the church in order to get blessings.
By the stables is a fountain which we use to fill our basins. As we do so, the matrons arrive with hot water and begin undressing us. We are quickly and efficiently being scrubbed within an inch of our lives. No battle could be so harsh, as a Matron who believes one is not as clean as can be, the proof being in the redness of your skin, or lack thereof. Our clothes and armor also need to be washed.
Marcus who is enduring the ministrations of the Matrons is starting to complain because he knows he’ll have to clean the armors… All thoughts of comfort and kindness left my mind, As the Matrons finish their torture by pouring lye on us and then rinsing it off with hot water. No bath should feel this uncomfortable. There ought to be a Peonian law of some kind to avoid this treatment. The only reason which enables me to forgive the Matrons is the fact that they hand the others and myself soft green robes to wear and direct us to the kitchen as a meal awaits us there. Meanwhile, they will see to it that our clothes, armor and padding are washed, although they will leave the armor to the squires.
I head for the kitchen’s eagerly, knowing that within that divine area of the temple I would find hot blessed sib. As we eat our meal, I can not help but notice how the green garbs made us all look like monks of the temple. Could my divided heart ever choose between the two Goddesses I loved? Could these robes one day be truly mine? As I eat silently, I must confess I have a hard time paying attention to the advice Sister Anna is giving us. She believes that Brother Thomas can help us talk with Yarrow. She describe him as an elf who believes himself to be a human being. The fact that he is an elf did not sink in right away, but it does explain a lot about his accomplishments and what Fennelisa thinks of him. She also talks of Canelius, whom she is acquainted with. That last statement is enough to bring me to full attention. Sister Anna knows Canelius! She asks us to greet him next time we see him… She has no doubt that Canelius’ information is accurate, but she also knows that he has given it to us because it is favorable to his own situation. As for his interest in Fennelisa, he usually is attracted to women who are less than responsive to him. It creates a challenge for him, which he simply can’t walk away from.
As I express my surprise at her relationship with such a doubtful fellow, Sister Anna also explains that by knowing Canelius, she knows who her rival is and knows what type of activity he can be involved in. Should he be removed, she could end up being caught unawares by her new rival. Know your enemies.
Brother Thomas, Sister Anna’s counterpart, arrives in the kitchen at a running pace. As much as Sister Anna helps run things calmly, Brother Thomas runs to the front line. Primus, Fennelisa, Cornelius and myself bee line after Brother Thomas as he enters the chapel to take care of the Morgathian mask. With a dab of holy water, he draws a daisy on the mask which seems to reduce the emanations of taint. He instructs a few of his peers in the care of our unusual patient, who is as tainted as ever.
With the entire tenaci in tow, Brother Thomas heads for the keep and asks for our services which gets us out of calisthenics. He barely finishes his conversation with Phillipus that he wheels around and drags us in the direction of the Senate. Working our way through the crowd is quite simple as most people seem to dodge Brother Thomas’ intent resolution to get from point A to point B. I find it quite funny to hear a few gasps and surprised looks as peoples recognize Primus and the others, looking like monks.
As we arrive at the Senate, many guards don’t even stop us, apparently a handful of Peonian monks is a common event within these walls. When brother Thomas is finally slowed in his charge, he looks directly into the eyes of the guard and simply says “Joseph, I’m ashamed of you!” Red faced and embarrassed, the guard lets us through. I quickly tell him the rest of us will be doing a vigil tonight and that he is more than welcome to join us.
Around the next corner, a guard calls out Cornelius’ name. He seems quite surprised by our appearance. As we explain our situation to him, Vernt believes Brother Thomas has the best chances of talking with Yarrow. As we continue our journey through a maze halls and doors, many guards ask for blessings from Brother Thomas.
When we are finally able to enter the jail area, we quickly find Yarrow, who’s first comment is that Fennelisa looks good in green. Obviously, this man, elf, is not worried about the Evashu! He seems quite happy to see his friend which he hasn’t seen in many days. On hearing this, Fennelisa is troubled because she on the other hand has seen Yarrow in the recent past. A past which does not match Yarrow’s memory.
As far as Yarrow is concerned, he believes Senna Nordaka, Senator of the Nordaka clan is most likely involved in all the events. The Nordaka clan is in direct conflict with both Primus’ and Cornelius’ families.
Yarrow is imprisoned for the murder of one of the contenders for the official Nordaka seat in the senate. Not being elected to the position, the victim, like many others was waiting for the death of the current senator, Polenn. Because the victim was not of direct descent to the Nordaka clan, he could only access the seat currently occupied by Senna, booting her out of the senate and destroying any chances she had of retaining her power. As a woman she could never obtain the official family seat. She therefore had serious motives to get rid of her competition.
The only information which could lead us to help Yarrow out of this difficult situation and possibly proving this theory, is the fact that he has heard the name Semprius coming from the guild of arcane lore and the Morgathian church. Aside from this rather small lead, Yarrow’s defense is that he was asleep. The whole thing is not very compelling, things do not look good for Fennelisa’s friend.
We decide to look for Yarrow’s lawyer who should provide us with more information. The gentleman’s name is Marcius and he is sound asleep in the library atop a pile of books and scrolls. He informs us the a certain “Brachius” was Yarrow’s impostor but that he has gone missing since the beginning of the trial. He strongly believes that Yarrow only has a few more days before the inevitable will occur…
Marcius does not give us any major information to help Yarrow, so our next logical step is to see Fennelisa’s father about the illusion rod and what he has been able to pry out of it. When we arrive at the family dwelling, it has been thoroughly ransacked. The object of our interest is missing along with Fennelisa’s father. As Primus investigates the attack with a group of children, and all signs point to a Morgathian attack. Cornelius tries to lift the ward that protects the cabinet in which the rod had originally been placed, but without any luck, Cornelius finally agrees to turn to another mage.
The mage chosen by Cornelius has no problems lifting the ward which is protecting the cabinet, but it proves to be empty. After describing the object to this mage who happens to be a librarian, he tells us that the most likely source for such a device would be the Morgathian church.
As we discover this news, Fennelisa’s mother enters the rampaged area. She seems quite taken aback by this development but she is unable to give us any pertinent information.
Fennelisa wishes to go see the Sendars to deliver a message from Yarrow. Out of concern for her mother, she asks Sir Matthew to look after her, to my former mentor’s great disappointment. Sir Matthew never enjoyed staying behind when the battle was at the forefront.
So leaving a note for her husband, should he return, Fennelisa’s mother and the rest of us return to the Peonian temple. There, we quickly grab a cup of sib and pick up our armors and equipment. I am quite proud to see them all cleaned, polished and oiled to perfection, no doubt by Elder Marcus. He always could do fine work in record time. We also note the addition of a flagon of sib, another of wine and some rations which smell divine.
We are quickly ready and head out double time towards the Sendaran, where we deliver Yarrow’s message. They are expected to be present at his execution. I feel some remorse for them, for it is the type of invitation I never want to receive, much less send.
On that gruesome note, we head for the Morgathian church.
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