The medallion sits in the middle of the table, glowing subtly with its usual response to the adventurers, though not reacting to Lanya or Miter. Miter for his part does not speak, but his face turns more gray than green as Joren describes the Gloazworm colony they had come upon. Lanya says, "This is a lot to take in. If it really is as you describe it, I fear our best defences would fold under a sudden onslaught in minutes. Perhaps we should prepare the tunnels with explosives to trigger cave-ins in the worst case scenario. That'll be a hard sell with the foremen though. Any idea what the source of that heat was?"
"Wait, you said from the far west across the Amethyst sea? You're not from around here, Joren so it's understandable that you might not know, but there's nothing out that way. Expeditions have been sent from time to time, but they've all come back empty handed or not at all. In fact one of the guys running the operation here in Tensmith was the purser on the latest and most ambitious expedition yet a few years back. They were out at sea so long looking for something that he was hardly even himself when he came back. They found nothing. They weren't goliaths, so we can rule out anything north of the Veil, and the pirate camps on Skeald Rock have never demonstrated that level of organization. I can only think that they maybe would be coming from the far south, but I don't know."
"Hmm, that's good to know about the marks. Can I get a closer look?"She leans in to inspect the side of Malachi's head, frowning. "We'll keep a look out in the change rooms for anyone with similar markings, won't we, Miter." The man grunts and nods. Lanya starts to lean back, tapping her quill as if she has heard about as much as she can process, but then perks up again when Marigold is mentioned. "Marigold... the name's familiar. Wait..."She rifles through her papers for a few moments before pulling out a very official-looking document. "Here it is. Let's see... Yeah, that's her." She hands the paper across the table for everyone to see. "This is the declaration that ingress and egress from Tensmith is to be halted, citing concerns brought up by our logistics department. Look who signed it. Councilor Marigold. You think she is a person of interest?"
"The heat source was too far down to be certain, but I could guess that it was, perhaps, a natural geothermic source. However, without the proper equipment and time, I have no real way of knowing." Samir tilts his head, fidgeting with his glasses and squinting a bit as Lanya talks about Marigold. "In all honesty, I find it unlikely that the appearance of the name Marigold in both the cultist's writings as well as connected with the closing of the mines to be... coincidental."
"if the name appears twice we can only assume she's involved, and act as such. As far as what's out beyond the amethyst sea... I've seen the ships, I've seen a whole bunch of them headed here from Gods knows where, but they're not from here. I promise you that. They'll be here within the month and then a fight will ensue, once they've been through Talmouth they're apparently headed here with a 'large force'..." Vilus sits once more, giving the show and tell with the worm façade a miss for now.
Ashley watches as the others converse. Her friends ready and happy to give the woman accounts of what they have all been through the past couple of days, and the woman, understandably, having trouble letting it all sink in. She is happy that they are at this point, that the secrets are done for the moment. She isn't sure where they will go from here, and worse, who does the marshal report to? She blanches at the thought.
"Ma'am, I am thrilled that we have been able to get to this point with you as we all divulge what we have discovered over the past couple of days, but what of your superiors? Will those that you tell this story to believe you? Are my friends and I going to be alright or are we going to be under scrutiny moving forward? We will continue to answer your questions to the best of our abilities, but what is next?"
Lanya pulls a page in front of her, but doesn't really seem to be looking at it. Rather, she appears deep in thought. "That's a good question, Ashley. Let me think... The situation in Tensmith is a little complicated. I am employed by the Cambrian government to serve this township, but the mines themselves are a private entity owned and operated by Hardrock and Mayor Berg. So technically I only answer to Commissioner Conley back in Talmouth. In practicality though, I am required to coordinate and cooperate with the Hardrock-Berg Smiths. So I could have my people set up a perimeter and patrol the deep tunnels, but that would do hardly any good against the gloazworms without cooperation from the miners. I can't make them stop digging, and I can't rig cave-ins myself without special permissions that could take far to long to get approved by the council." At that moment, for the first time she notices the countless dents and punctures in Joren's armour from the gloazworm attack. "Gods be damned if I'm going to send my men into the jaws of whatever did that. I will have to present a case to the people who run the show. Mayor Berg, beyond his business, does have civic responsibilities to the people of the town. He may be our best bet. Hardrock is a... shrewd businessman who's concerns are exclusively for profit. That being said, he is a man who looks at the long-term. Unlike many merchants, he avoids the pitfall of sacrificing future sustainability for short-term profit. Still, I think without more evidence he would be very difficult to sway. And that's IF I can even get an audience. He doesn't go out in public much. Whatever happens, it'll have to be in the morning, though."
She leans an elbow on the table and rubs her temple. Then she looks up across the table at everyone. "If you came with me and presented your case, that could improve my chances immeasurably. Let me assure you, I am not going to detain you against your will. Even if anyone decides to press charges for your trespassing, I'm not obligated to prosecute. But I think if I am going to do anything for this town, I'll need you there at the meeting. What do you say?" She sounds tired. And stressed.
Joren seems more relaxed now that their interlocutors seem to believe them.
"Speaking only for myself, I am willing. But it will be risking exposure to whatever agents the Razmus cult is having here, yes? If they are dealing with so much foulness, then they will stop at nothing. So it is a decision each of my friends would have to be making on their own."
"But can the miners not be finding more proof by simply digging through to the end of the cultists' tunnel where they found us? The one having the track for mining carts? That itself is proving that there are others digging tunnels besides Tensmith miners? The cultists seem to have been clearing a path of attack. A few cave-ins within those cultist tunnels, rather than in the Hardock-Berg tunnels, might be doing wonders. Especially since the giant gloazworms themselves seem to have limited capability to burrow through rock. It is in the open tunnels that their speed is seeming truly terrifying."
"Of course, I am fully willing to assist in this. I do think Joren has a good point, however. If one were to investigate beyond the boundaries of the Hardrock-Berg mining tunnels, they would easily be able to find the cultists' work. Collapsing those tunnels would serve to both put a damper on the cultists' plans, as well as provide a blockade against the encroachment of the larger worms and their more advanced kin." Samir pauses for a second, fidgeting his fingers together on the table in front of him before continuing, more slowly this time. "If need be, well, I would be willing, I suppose, to lead someone back. To see the worms for themselves..."
"Hmmm... That could be good," Lanya says, drumming her fingers in thought. "We'll still have to present our case if we want to get the members of the 'Smiths' mobilized to uncovering this evidence, but it means even if they are lukewarm to our stories, with a little cooperation we should be able to win them the rest of the way over. As for alerting any cultists in our midst... You say that this device here will glow yellow in their presence?" She stares hard at the softly glowing piece for a good long moment before locking eyes with Samir.
"Samir...if you would trust me with this for the night, There are places on our patrol routes that pass very near to most all the living and sleeping quarters for the 'Smiths.' I can scout tonight before we try to gain audience in the morning."She adjusts her glasses again before saying, "I can go right after I finish drafting up my report. Oh, and for tonight, there are no inns open, but I can have Miter here escort you to my residence. It's small, but there should be enough room for your bedrolls on the floor. The other option is the holding cells. Wait, Joren, did you not have a pack with you?"
Malachi’s face fell as he heard that Marigold was a Councilor in Talmouth. They have infiltrated the highest ranks. How? He quickly returns his attention to the conversation at hand. “I for one would be happy to help you present your case to the Smiths, we did come here to warn the city. There will be a reward I am sure, right? Some recognition for the good we have done so far, rescuing prisoners, capturing cultists, disrupting the tunnel operations, discovering the giant worms..” Malachi ticks off each of the points on his fingers. He looks up in surprise as Samir volunteers to lead a party back to the creatures.
"...Wait, Joren, did you not have a pack with you?"
Joren looks at Lanya ruefully. Aware it is absurd to be ashamed of this, yet slightly ashamed nonetheless. He gives her a brief salute, right hand to chest.
"Marshal. Some of the cultists are having a Razmus god-rune that Samir or Vilus may be understanding better than I. Dead-man's switch. They are exploding violently after they die. We were finding this out the hard way with the first one, Jon Shep. The 'Innkeeper' at Opportunity Knocks who was capturing and enslaving people and trying to do so again with us. When he was dying, we were suddenly seeing his body glowing, ready to explode. Sitting in cages, all the prisoners, and we were having to free them and getting them out. I was picking up the corpse, which was glowing like the sun, and dashing with it as far down the tunnel as I was able before dropping it and running back. But that was forcing me to drop my pack first. Thankfully, by a matter of mere seconds and feet, his body was exploding just out of range and no one was getting hurt other than one of their messenger rats which was incinerated. But everything in my pack was also burning up other than the waterskin."
The implication of this dawns on Joren. My mind is getting rusty! "So yes, taking care if you catch one! Once they are giving up, they may be purposefully trying to die to avoid divulging information, and killing as many people as they can when they are exploding a few seconds later."
At the mention of his actual name, Vilus let's out a large sigh and then let's his forehead descend to the table in abject disappointment, "we really have to work on your Espionage skills Joren... It's doesn't work of I provide a fake name and you say my real name out loud..." Looking up to Lanya, Vilus forces an apologetic smile " uhhh, trusting you was not the correct choice when we first met, I'm sure you understand, I'm vilus, nice to meet you."
Joren looks confused. I thought we were telling them the whole truth? And couldn't you have been acting puzzled as if you were wondering who 'Vilus' is if maintaining secrets is so important to you? Instead of confirming it as you just did? He shakes his head and says nothing, tired of these games.
He makes a mental decision to call the goliath Vilus in all situations and let the spymaster figure the rest out on his own.
Ashley listens as her friends offer to help one by one. She smiles as she knows that this means for all of them. They were getting deeper and deeper into this whole cultist thing - she wasn't exactly sure what it all meant, other than bad, but she sure wasn't going to let it happen if she could help it!
"Of course I will help as well. As far as for sleeping quarters tonight, it is very generous for you to offer your home, Lanya. And Samir, are you sure you want to head back there? They uh.. we barely made it out of there alive!" She shudders at the thought.
Lanya raises her eyebrow at Vilus. "Your real name is Vilus, and so you chose 'Silas' as your alias? Perhaps Joren's not the only one with work to do. As for a reward, from me you'll certainly get my undying professional gratitude. Whether the Smiths or the council decide you are to be commended for your labours will undoubtedly hinge on how things go from here. Now let's get you some rest. Joren, I'll see if we've any spare equipment in the supply room and bring you back some kit from there. You can take my bed in the meantime, provided you wash off a bit first. No offense, but you all look pretty grimy. Then tomorrow morning we will set out at the 7th bell."She stands and reaches across the table for the glowing medallion.
Miter opens the door and waves everyone through. "Okay, let's stop by evidence and grab whatever gear's been removed from you, and then we'll-" He catches a key out of the air as Lanya tosses it to him. "-Then we'll get you to her place for some rest. We may get some funny looks in the street, you being strangers round here and all, but nobody should give you trouble."
Malachi takes a closer look at the declaration signed by Councilor Marigold, studying the format and language. Satisfied, he stands and gives the Marshal a wide smile and a small bow “Your gratitude and your gracious offer to host us is much appreciated. While I am sure your cells are fine accommodations, I would rather not visit them. As far as the Smiths go, extra incentive for our full cooperation. Which I assure you, you have. I have no interest in seeing those creatures wreck havoc near me.”
Malachi follows Miter and happily secures the return of his four daggers and follows the group to their lodging for the evening. Along the way, he asks Miter about the gloazworms "The size of your finger, really? One practically swallowed Joren whole before he managed to escape." Malachi just shakes his head.
Joren promises to wash up, and would be grateful for any gear (e.g. full Explorer's Pack if available - he's willing to pay).
He takes back his greatsword back reverently in the formal Khirian style again, fingers interlaced under the flat of the blade. He starts to finally let himself relax, but catches himself, remembering that even though he is among friends and others they have chosen to trust, he is still a stranger in a strange land.
When Malachi makes the retort to Miter about the size of the gloazworms, Joren gives his half-elven companion a funny look, somewhere between 'I know, right?' and 'Were you not hearing me tell them all about the giant gloazworms already in detail during my long tirade earlier?'
Then he thinks: Maybe Malachiis just making sure they did not miss it or driving home the point. Probably something clever.
As he goes, he looks around for any of the other guards or any other people (or possible areas where someone could have been listening). For anything suspicious or anyone who seems like they might be a little excited with information gained after eavesdropping. He continues once out in the streets.
Samir glances at Ashley with something of a sheepish look. "No.. no, I certainly do not want to go back. But if it means keeping those things from getting out and... well, I am willing." Samir is quiet for the remainder of their trip, his exhaustion visible in his face as they make the trek to retrieve their belongings and gain some lodging and the hopefully solid rest that he so ardently desires.
Miter leads everyone to collect their weapons, and then brings them from the guard house. Joren keeps a watchful eye out, but sees no signs of suspicious activity. The hallway of the interrogation room appears deserted, and what few guards he does along the way out of the building are buried in paperwork or having a jovial chat as they walk. The sky is fully dark by the time everyone exits, though only a few stars are visible through the orange glow in the night air. The sounds of metal and stone can be heard from the mines and through the streets as the industry of Tensmith continues to hammer and toil away, but the streets themselves are mostly empty of civilians. The cobbled stone is lit by oil lamp posts on every corner. Some opened windows reveal blurred black silhouettes against yellow glow through frosted glass. People. Families. Eating dinner. Talking. Living their lives. A man in a filthy apron stands in one doorway, sweeping dust out of his shop. He looks up curiously when he sees the group walking through in their strange clothing and armour, but when he sees Miter in his officer's uniform, he smiles and nods, returning to his sweeping.
Miter blanches again when Malachi brings up the gloazworm again. "Eesh, try not to bring that up around any of the miners. The small ones they have to deal with are bad enough as it is. I swear I'm going to have nightmares tonight."
Rounding a corner, Miter stops at a sturdy wooden door beside what appears to be a tailor shop and pulls out the key Lanya had tossed him. With a twist and a click, the door opens revealing a narrow staircase leading up to the unit above the shop. He climbs up the stairs in the dark. Then there is the sound of a tinderbox striking and a lamp lights up at the top. "Come, this way," he says, before proceeding around a corner. More light soon begins to bloom from further within.
Upon climbing the stairs, everyone finds a modest sized abode. The main room includes some basic furniture and a small cooking space with a fire, and at the far end appears to be a door leading to a bedroom and another leading to a watercloset. There appears to be enough room on the hard wooden floor for everyone's bedrolls, but just barely.
"Alright, here you are. I'm going to be heading off myself. Lanya will be back later tonight, or perhaps early morning. I'll be by just before 7th bell so we can head out together. If you need anything... well I won't be here, so I guess figure it out yourself." He stands stiffly by the top of the stairs as if unsure how to say goodbye after that, and settles on nodding awkwardly and turning to leave.
As Miter blanches about the gloazworms, Ashley pipes up, "If you really want some nightmares, Vilus here can show you what one looks like"she gives a mischievous smile to the man while giving Vilus a wink. Finally out in the air, she feels like a new person. She takes in all the details as they walk their way to Lanya's flat, intrigued with all the glass and the orange glow that seems to fill the night sky.
As they get to Lanya's place she is reluctant to go in and is the last one up the stairs.
Malachi tosses his bedroll on the floor and stretches out, hands clasped behind his head as he stares at the ceiling. “What a day! I was afraid we would never see the sky again. That turned out better than I expected, this is much better than a holding cell.” He frowns and looks at the group “Was it wise to leave the medallion, do we trust the Marshal? And why do they trust us? I was there and I hardly believe what we saw. More importantly, what do we do next?”
He glances over at Vilus “If Speaker Marigold is truly a Councilor they have people in high places. Can your ‘organization’ in Talmouth be trusted?”
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The medallion sits in the middle of the table, glowing subtly with its usual response to the adventurers, though not reacting to Lanya or Miter. Miter for his part does not speak, but his face turns more gray than green as Joren describes the Gloazworm colony they had come upon. Lanya says, "This is a lot to take in. If it really is as you describe it, I fear our best defences would fold under a sudden onslaught in minutes. Perhaps we should prepare the tunnels with explosives to trigger cave-ins in the worst case scenario. That'll be a hard sell with the foremen though. Any idea what the source of that heat was?"
"Wait, you said from the far west across the Amethyst sea? You're not from around here, Joren so it's understandable that you might not know, but there's nothing out that way. Expeditions have been sent from time to time, but they've all come back empty handed or not at all. In fact one of the guys running the operation here in Tensmith was the purser on the latest and most ambitious expedition yet a few years back. They were out at sea so long looking for something that he was hardly even himself when he came back. They found nothing. They weren't goliaths, so we can rule out anything north of the Veil, and the pirate camps on Skeald Rock have never demonstrated that level of organization. I can only think that they maybe would be coming from the far south, but I don't know."
"Hmm, that's good to know about the marks. Can I get a closer look?" She leans in to inspect the side of Malachi's head, frowning. "We'll keep a look out in the change rooms for anyone with similar markings, won't we, Miter." The man grunts and nods. Lanya starts to lean back, tapping her quill as if she has heard about as much as she can process, but then perks up again when Marigold is mentioned. "Marigold... the name's familiar. Wait..." She rifles through her papers for a few moments before pulling out a very official-looking document. "Here it is. Let's see... Yeah, that's her." She hands the paper across the table for everyone to see. "This is the declaration that ingress and egress from Tensmith is to be halted, citing concerns brought up by our logistics department. Look who signed it. Councilor Marigold. You think she is a person of interest?"
"The heat source was too far down to be certain, but I could guess that it was, perhaps, a natural geothermic source. However, without the proper equipment and time, I have no real way of knowing." Samir tilts his head, fidgeting with his glasses and squinting a bit as Lanya talks about Marigold. "In all honesty, I find it unlikely that the appearance of the name Marigold in both the cultist's writings as well as connected with the closing of the mines to be... coincidental."
"if the name appears twice we can only assume she's involved, and act as such. As far as what's out beyond the amethyst sea... I've seen the ships, I've seen a whole bunch of them headed here from Gods knows where, but they're not from here. I promise you that. They'll be here within the month and then a fight will ensue, once they've been through Talmouth they're apparently headed here with a 'large force'..." Vilus sits once more, giving the show and tell with the worm façade a miss for now.
Ashley watches as the others converse. Her friends ready and happy to give the woman accounts of what they have all been through the past couple of days, and the woman, understandably, having trouble letting it all sink in. She is happy that they are at this point, that the secrets are done for the moment. She isn't sure where they will go from here, and worse, who does the marshal report to? She blanches at the thought.
"Ma'am, I am thrilled that we have been able to get to this point with you as we all divulge what we have discovered over the past couple of days, but what of your superiors? Will those that you tell this story to believe you? Are my friends and I going to be alright or are we going to be under scrutiny moving forward? We will continue to answer your questions to the best of our abilities, but what is next?"
Lanya pulls a page in front of her, but doesn't really seem to be looking at it. Rather, she appears deep in thought. "That's a good question, Ashley. Let me think... The situation in Tensmith is a little complicated. I am employed by the Cambrian government to serve this township, but the mines themselves are a private entity owned and operated by Hardrock and Mayor Berg. So technically I only answer to Commissioner Conley back in Talmouth. In practicality though, I am required to coordinate and cooperate with the Hardrock-Berg Smiths. So I could have my people set up a perimeter and patrol the deep tunnels, but that would do hardly any good against the gloazworms without cooperation from the miners. I can't make them stop digging, and I can't rig cave-ins myself without special permissions that could take far to long to get approved by the council." At that moment, for the first time she notices the countless dents and punctures in Joren's armour from the gloazworm attack. "Gods be damned if I'm going to send my men into the jaws of whatever did that. I will have to present a case to the people who run the show. Mayor Berg, beyond his business, does have civic responsibilities to the people of the town. He may be our best bet. Hardrock is a... shrewd businessman who's concerns are exclusively for profit. That being said, he is a man who looks at the long-term. Unlike many merchants, he avoids the pitfall of sacrificing future sustainability for short-term profit. Still, I think without more evidence he would be very difficult to sway. And that's IF I can even get an audience. He doesn't go out in public much. Whatever happens, it'll have to be in the morning, though."
She leans an elbow on the table and rubs her temple. Then she looks up across the table at everyone. "If you came with me and presented your case, that could improve my chances immeasurably. Let me assure you, I am not going to detain you against your will. Even if anyone decides to press charges for your trespassing, I'm not obligated to prosecute. But I think if I am going to do anything for this town, I'll need you there at the meeting. What do you say?" She sounds tired. And stressed.
Joren seems more relaxed now that their interlocutors seem to believe them.
"Speaking only for myself, I am willing. But it will be risking exposure to whatever agents the Razmus cult is having here, yes? If they are dealing with so much foulness, then they will stop at nothing. So it is a decision each of my friends would have to be making on their own."
"But can the miners not be finding more proof by simply digging through to the end of the cultists' tunnel where they found us? The one having the track for mining carts? That itself is proving that there are others digging tunnels besides Tensmith miners? The cultists seem to have been clearing a path of attack. A few cave-ins within those cultist tunnels, rather than in the Hardock-Berg tunnels, might be doing wonders. Especially since the giant gloazworms themselves seem to have limited capability to burrow through rock. It is in the open tunnels that their speed is seeming truly terrifying."
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
"Of course, I am fully willing to assist in this. I do think Joren has a good point, however. If one were to investigate beyond the boundaries of the Hardrock-Berg mining tunnels, they would easily be able to find the cultists' work. Collapsing those tunnels would serve to both put a damper on the cultists' plans, as well as provide a blockade against the encroachment of the larger worms and their more advanced kin." Samir pauses for a second, fidgeting his fingers together on the table in front of him before continuing, more slowly this time. "If need be, well, I would be willing, I suppose, to lead someone back. To see the worms for themselves..."
"Hmmm... That could be good," Lanya says, drumming her fingers in thought. "We'll still have to present our case if we want to get the members of the 'Smiths' mobilized to uncovering this evidence, but it means even if they are lukewarm to our stories, with a little cooperation we should be able to win them the rest of the way over. As for alerting any cultists in our midst... You say that this device here will glow yellow in their presence?" She stares hard at the softly glowing piece for a good long moment before locking eyes with Samir.
"Samir...if you would trust me with this for the night, There are places on our patrol routes that pass very near to most all the living and sleeping quarters for the 'Smiths.' I can scout tonight before we try to gain audience in the morning." She adjusts her glasses again before saying, "I can go right after I finish drafting up my report. Oh, and for tonight, there are no inns open, but I can have Miter here escort you to my residence. It's small, but there should be enough room for your bedrolls on the floor. The other option is the holding cells. Wait, Joren, did you not have a pack with you?"
Malachi’s face fell as he heard that Marigold was a Councilor in Talmouth. They have infiltrated the highest ranks. How? He quickly returns his attention to the conversation at hand. “I for one would be happy to help you present your case to the Smiths, we did come here to warn the city. There will be a reward I am sure, right? Some recognition for the good we have done so far, rescuing prisoners, capturing cultists, disrupting the tunnel operations, discovering the giant worms..” Malachi ticks off each of the points on his fingers. He looks up in surprise as Samir volunteers to lead a party back to the creatures.
Joren looks at Lanya ruefully. Aware it is absurd to be ashamed of this, yet slightly ashamed nonetheless. He gives her a brief salute, right hand to chest.
"Marshal. Some of the cultists are having a Razmus god-rune that Samir or Vilus may be understanding better than I. Dead-man's switch. They are exploding violently after they die. We were finding this out the hard way with the first one, Jon Shep. The 'Innkeeper' at Opportunity Knocks who was capturing and enslaving people and trying to do so again with us. When he was dying, we were suddenly seeing his body glowing, ready to explode. Sitting in cages, all the prisoners, and we were having to free them and getting them out. I was picking up the corpse, which was glowing like the sun, and dashing with it as far down the tunnel as I was able before dropping it and running back. But that was forcing me to drop my pack first. Thankfully, by a matter of mere seconds and feet, his body was exploding just out of range and no one was getting hurt other than one of their messenger rats which was incinerated. But everything in my pack was also burning up other than the waterskin."
The implication of this dawns on Joren. My mind is getting rusty! "So yes, taking care if you catch one! Once they are giving up, they may be purposefully trying to die to avoid divulging information, and killing as many people as they can when they are exploding a few seconds later."
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
At the mention of his actual name, Vilus let's out a large sigh and then let's his forehead descend to the table in abject disappointment, "we really have to work on your Espionage skills Joren... It's doesn't work of I provide a fake name and you say my real name out loud..." Looking up to Lanya, Vilus forces an apologetic smile " uhhh, trusting you was not the correct choice when we first met, I'm sure you understand, I'm vilus, nice to meet you."
Joren looks confused. I thought we were telling them the whole truth? And couldn't you have been acting puzzled as if you were wondering who 'Vilus' is if maintaining secrets is so important to you? Instead of confirming it as you just did? He shakes his head and says nothing, tired of these games.
He makes a mental decision to call the goliath Vilus in all situations and let the spymaster figure the rest out on his own.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Ashley listens as her friends offer to help one by one. She smiles as she knows that this means for all of them. They were getting deeper and deeper into this whole cultist thing - she wasn't exactly sure what it all meant, other than bad, but she sure wasn't going to let it happen if she could help it!
"Of course I will help as well. As far as for sleeping quarters tonight, it is very generous for you to offer your home, Lanya. And Samir, are you sure you want to head back there? They uh.. we barely made it out of there alive!" She shudders at the thought.
Lanya raises her eyebrow at Vilus. "Your real name is Vilus, and so you chose 'Silas' as your alias? Perhaps Joren's not the only one with work to do. As for a reward, from me you'll certainly get my undying professional gratitude. Whether the Smiths or the council decide you are to be commended for your labours will undoubtedly hinge on how things go from here. Now let's get you some rest. Joren, I'll see if we've any spare equipment in the supply room and bring you back some kit from there. You can take my bed in the meantime, provided you wash off a bit first. No offense, but you all look pretty grimy. Then tomorrow morning we will set out at the 7th bell." She stands and reaches across the table for the glowing medallion.
Miter opens the door and waves everyone through. "Okay, let's stop by evidence and grab whatever gear's been removed from you, and then we'll-" He catches a key out of the air as Lanya tosses it to him. "-Then we'll get you to her place for some rest. We may get some funny looks in the street, you being strangers round here and all, but nobody should give you trouble."
Malachi takes a closer look at the declaration signed by Councilor Marigold, studying the format and language. Satisfied, he stands and gives the Marshal a wide smile and a small bow “Your gratitude and your gracious offer to host us is much appreciated. While I am sure your cells are fine accommodations, I would rather not visit them. As far as the Smiths go, extra incentive for our full cooperation. Which I assure you, you have. I have no interest in seeing those creatures wreck havoc near me.”
Malachi follows Miter and happily secures the return of his four daggers and follows the group to their lodging for the evening. Along the way, he asks Miter about the gloazworms "The size of your finger, really? One practically swallowed Joren whole before he managed to escape." Malachi just shakes his head.
Joren promises to wash up, and would be grateful for any gear (e.g. full Explorer's Pack if available - he's willing to pay).
He takes back his greatsword back reverently in the formal Khirian style again, fingers interlaced under the flat of the blade. He starts to finally let himself relax, but catches himself, remembering that even though he is among friends and others they have chosen to trust, he is still a stranger in a strange land.
When Malachi makes the retort to Miter about the size of the gloazworms, Joren gives his half-elven companion a funny look, somewhere between 'I know, right?' and 'Were you not hearing me tell them all about the giant gloazworms already in detail during my long tirade earlier?'
Then he thinks: Maybe Malachi is just making sure they did not miss it or driving home the point. Probably something clever.
As he goes, he looks around for any of the other guards or any other people (or possible areas where someone could have been listening). For anything suspicious or anyone who seems like they might be a little excited with information gained after eavesdropping. He continues once out in the streets.
Insight: 19
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Samir glances at Ashley with something of a sheepish look. "No.. no, I certainly do not want to go back. But if it means keeping those things from getting out and... well, I am willing." Samir is quiet for the remainder of their trip, his exhaustion visible in his face as they make the trek to retrieve their belongings and gain some lodging and the hopefully solid rest that he so ardently desires.
Miter leads everyone to collect their weapons, and then brings them from the guard house. Joren keeps a watchful eye out, but sees no signs of suspicious activity. The hallway of the interrogation room appears deserted, and what few guards he does along the way out of the building are buried in paperwork or having a jovial chat as they walk. The sky is fully dark by the time everyone exits, though only a few stars are visible through the orange glow in the night air. The sounds of metal and stone can be heard from the mines and through the streets as the industry of Tensmith continues to hammer and toil away, but the streets themselves are mostly empty of civilians. The cobbled stone is lit by oil lamp posts on every corner. Some opened windows reveal blurred black silhouettes against yellow glow through frosted glass. People. Families. Eating dinner. Talking. Living their lives. A man in a filthy apron stands in one doorway, sweeping dust out of his shop. He looks up curiously when he sees the group walking through in their strange clothing and armour, but when he sees Miter in his officer's uniform, he smiles and nods, returning to his sweeping.
Miter blanches again when Malachi brings up the gloazworm again. "Eesh, try not to bring that up around any of the miners. The small ones they have to deal with are bad enough as it is. I swear I'm going to have nightmares tonight."
Rounding a corner, Miter stops at a sturdy wooden door beside what appears to be a tailor shop and pulls out the key Lanya had tossed him. With a twist and a click, the door opens revealing a narrow staircase leading up to the unit above the shop. He climbs up the stairs in the dark. Then there is the sound of a tinderbox striking and a lamp lights up at the top. "Come, this way," he says, before proceeding around a corner. More light soon begins to bloom from further within.
Upon climbing the stairs, everyone finds a modest sized abode. The main room includes some basic furniture and a small cooking space with a fire, and at the far end appears to be a door leading to a bedroom and another leading to a watercloset. There appears to be enough room on the hard wooden floor for everyone's bedrolls, but just barely.
"Alright, here you are. I'm going to be heading off myself. Lanya will be back later tonight, or perhaps early morning. I'll be by just before 7th bell so we can head out together. If you need anything... well I won't be here, so I guess figure it out yourself." He stands stiffly by the top of the stairs as if unsure how to say goodbye after that, and settles on nodding awkwardly and turning to leave.
As Miter blanches about the gloazworms, Ashley pipes up, "If you really want some nightmares, Vilus here can show you what one looks like" she gives a mischievous smile to the man while giving Vilus a wink. Finally out in the air, she feels like a new person. She takes in all the details as they walk their way to Lanya's flat, intrigued with all the glass and the orange glow that seems to fill the night sky.
As they get to Lanya's place she is reluctant to go in and is the last one up the stairs.
Malachi tosses his bedroll on the floor and stretches out, hands clasped behind his head as he stares at the ceiling. “What a day! I was afraid we would never see the sky again. That turned out better than I expected, this is much better than a holding cell.” He frowns and looks at the group “Was it wise to leave the medallion, do we trust the Marshal? And why do they trust us? I was there and I hardly believe what we saw. More importantly, what do we do next?”
He glances over at Vilus “If Speaker Marigold is truly a Councilor they have people in high places. Can your ‘organization’ in Talmouth be trusted?”