Guardian and Guttersnipe

431TuGuGu

Alistare strode through the streets and nodded politely at those he passed. He had worked his way up the guards from being a merchants boy and had made a reputation for himself as being a hard worker who looked out for the people as well as the crown. He waved off a lady as she offered him a loaf of bread and smiled politely as he refused the offering. It wasn’t that he considered it a bribery or that he wasn’t hungry it was that he wanted to earn his way in life and receiving something for free normally meant someone went without.

As he turned down the final street he caught sight of his fellow guards of the quarter on their own patrol. Meeting up with them he caught the end of the last of the conversation. “So I caught him red handed, this mud covered urchin trying to slip past me into the locked room. You’ve never seen someone squeal as loudly a this lad when he realised he was sprung. Of course he had an excuse but he opened up once we fed him. Poor bastards are starved when they join the crews in the city.” the guardsman, Harlo, smiled as Alistare appeared.

“Alistare, captain, I was just telling the lads that we had someone try and break into the storage room. Slip in when we were moving some more seized goods in. You’ll never guess what he was after though.” Harlo began.

“The Stained cup.” Alistare finished for him.

“Yeah. You sure you don’t have magic in your blood boss?” Harlo smiled and the other guard chuckled in response as they moved through the streets towards the barracks.

“Very sure. I just came from the Pale Rose Inn where I heard that there was a new group in town who may be trying to make a move on it. You’d best believe that the original owner won’t be too pleased if its taken before she can get it back.” Alistare replied.

Peter wasn’t one for honest means of work and this one was about as dishonourable as they come. As the guards moved on talking about the news they had received he stumbled upright and in a half-performance-half-real stumble he drunkenly moved down the road so he could overheard the last part of the news the guards were bringing him.

He had been employed to get to The Stained Cup for his boss before anyone else and had foolishly agreed to do it. But the urchins he had persuaded to get it for him had failed and through threats of bribery they had sewn misinformation about who he was working for. So he had to get the item himself before the owner, that blasted merchant who owed a great deal of money to the wrong people and now a new group. He signed as he leaned against a wall, half-pretending reeling from a hangover as he overheard the last bits of the guards before they would become aware of him trailing them.

“… So we’re going to move the item.” was all he managed to glean as they were talking softly and they turned down the final street towards the barracks. “So they are moving it eh?” he asked himself as he leant upwards reaching for his water skin. “I guess that gives me what I need…”

---

Kat and Mouse

430TuKaMo

Kat stormed down through the guard hall as she left one of the apprehended revellers to leave the room she had been questioning them in. She had expected finding the band to be difficult giving the nature of the reports that she had heard, but not this difficult. As she marched towards the benches where several other witnesses stood she stopped abruptly in front of one of her lieutenants who was hurriedly searching through a ring of keys.

“Sal, I wanted those rooms cleaned out for when we catch them. What’s taking you so long?” she snarled at the man. He had been caught dancing amongst the crowd despite knowing that the temple was out of bounds for good reason.

“Sorry Captain, I brought in the other witnesses like you requested and organised them on the bench. That took me most of the morning so I am getting around to clearing out the cells now.” he replied, flustered, knowing that his excuse of ‘wasn’t in control of his own body’ wasn’t working any more.

“You have until tomorrow morning, or we start arresting people, which ever comes sooner.” she murmured as she strode to get the next witness in line. A half-elven man sat in front of her in a smart but worn tunic.

“You, if you could come with me please I have some questions to ask.” she began, her usual direct and blunt nature tempered a bit as he smiled at her.

“No worries, anything I can do to help protect this city” he replied as he stood.

As she walked off with the man following her he looked through the notes that had been jotted down about him. “Jayce Stonecliff. You’re a local?” she asked noting that it wasn’t listed down or not.

“No, unfortunately, I am originally from Entied but have been in Desmodus for a few weeks now. Glad to be out of the city after what happened a few weeks back, lost a few friends in the collapse of the keep.” he smiled weakly.

“Well hopefully you can help with stopping that from happening here.” she said as she opened a door to a lightly furnished cell and followed after him. “Now you said that you were in the area when you heard the commotion. What else can you tell me about it?” she began.

“Well I heard the music, the vibrations were shaking the ground so I wanted to make sure that we weren’t going to have the same trouble as what happened in Entied. But when I got close the music was waning and I saw a group of children running out from the back of the temple and towards the merchants district. I thought nothing of it until the crowd came rushing out and the ruins started to fall.” he replied as he sat down on a stool and looked up at Kat.

She wrote down his reply and took a moment too long before realising what he said. “Wait you said you saw children. Can you describe them?” she probed.

“Well they all had carried bags or something as they moved away. I assumed that they were up to no good. One of them carried something long and wrapped in cloth…” he mused.

“Like a lute?” Kat asked taking more notes. “Could these children have been gnomes or halflings?” she asked again a spur of thought taking her deeper.

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. That would make sense. Wait you don’t think that they were the musicians?” he asked a look of shock on his face.

“Hmmm,” she replied as she tapped the feathered end of the quill on her lip. “Thanks for the information Mr Stonecliff,” she began.

“Jayce. Jayce will do.” he smiled back at her.

“Ok, yes. Mr Jayce. If I need to verify anything more where can I find you? To help with the case of course.” she added hurriedly.

“I am staying the Mullberry Inn at the moment. I was hoping to find a place to stay more permanently but I am afraid that Desmodus may end up like Entied so I was thinking about leaving.”

“No don’t!” she snapped. “I mean don’t leave in case we need help identifying people. We will be in touch.” she added as she opened the cell door and he strode out in front of him. “Thanks for your assistance Jayce. I believe we may have a way forward in protecting this city now.”

“No worries Captain Katiana.” he replied as he walked off. It wasn’t until he was out the door and onto the streets that Kat wondered if she had actually given the rakish young man her name.

---

Mercell and the Mercenary

429TuMeMe

Mercell watched as people the hired help moved the last of the rubble from one of the outer buildings they had first discovered. As the people gathered across from her celebrated in clearing out another room she flicked through her notes once more. Retrieving the stick of charcoal from her sleeve she scratched out a sketch of what the remains of the building looked like now that she had a better view, and that centuries of plants had been removed.

“Marcell. We believe we have found it.” Carben, her original mercenary gruffly said from near her. She looked to where he had come from and confirmed it was as she had suspected.

“So you’ve found it. Is the path…” she began

“Sealed, as you suspected Marcell.” Carben added for her.

Marcell nodded and thought as to what the next steps would be. She had worked with Carben for years now and the old mercenary had always proven to be annoyingly correct with his intuition. “We will need more people present if its as you suspect, the seal holds most of the lost treasure and the lore that you seek. But if that seal also binds the creature.” he paused eying his employer wearily.

“Yes. Yes, of course you’re right. Send word to the nearest three villages and cities to announce that Midfern keep has been found. We will get the man power behind us to open the door and, with any luck we will have enough strength to fight back the darkness for long enough so we can get what we came here for.”

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Quarrymen of Sylphare

428TuQuSy

Tom had never been one to shy away from duty, nor shirk his sense of loyalty to those who stood side by side with him at the quarry. But, as he stood here guarding the entrance to the cavern he tried to avoid the feeling of being watched and the sense of unease that seemed to radiate from the opening.

“It’s a cold night so far ay Tom?” Reggie, the other ‘volunteer’ said as he tried to pass time.

“Aye. We’d best get another log or two for the brazier” Tom relied as he looked at what remained of the logs that had been eaten way by the fire near by.

“I ain’t going over there.” Reggie replied looking towards the edge of the quarry where there was a small store of wood. “I’ll guard the entrance if you get the wood” Reggie insisted. Tom knew that Reggie wasn’t a lazy man, but he definitely wasn’t brave enough to brave the edges of the quarry at night.

Nodding Tom picked up his pickaxe and strode towards the wood store. As he carefully picked his path across the quarry he noted that the plot of stone that they had hoped to have finished by the end of the month had stalled. He sighed as he wished that they hadn’t uncovered the cavern under the quarry – the source of the excitement and now fear as they waited for mercenaries to come and brave the darkness. Reaching the wood store he picked up a few logs and began to pick his way back to his post.

He, unlike Reggie and the others, had truly volunteered to watch the cavern entrance. It wasn’t a bravery thing it was a sense of duty to his comrades. He had elected to stay behind to ensure the ropes had remained secure so that they could get out when the time came when the others had delved into the cavern to explore. He also knew the men and women who had disappeared since the cavern had opened; having worked with them for years he felt their loss keenly. But not all shared his sentiment and others wanted to explore the cavern for its riches.

He assumed that what’s the Slyphare family truly wanted the merc’s to do. Come and secure the cavern so they could send more quarrymen and miners into the dark depths below. It didn’t sit right with Tom but he couldn’t do anything about it, except preventing his mates from going missing. When he returned he was relieved to see Reggie standing at his post. It took him a moment to get his attention as Reggie was staring off into the depths of the cavern.

“Hey, Reggie. Give us a hand will ya?” he said as he finally got his fellow watchmen’s attention. Reggie shook his head and walked over to grab some of the logs to throw into the Brazier.

“Sorry Tom, got lost in thought.” he murmured as he looked back to the cavern. “Say Tom. What do you think is down there?”

“Just bones and a few lost quarrymen,” he replied not wanting to entertain the thought for long.

“Yeah. Me too.” Reggie replied but his eyes were looking into the cavern and darkness beyond.

---

Jaeden of Kilderken 

427TuJaKi

Watching the party step into the woods Jaeden, as she had called herself, watched with a mixture of apprehension and glee. It was not often that she sought out the assistance of adventurers, more often she spent her time trying to hide and cover her tracks when they entered the woods of stalked nearby. But today she was desperate and the thought of her kin being in danger overrode her normal caution.

They looked capable enough. Swords, axes, arrows and magic would be enough to protect them from the beasts of the woods but those men, those vile men that had captured her family may be more of a challenge. Especially if the adventurers let them talk. Stepping upon the grass she tried to quell the raging emotions she hid beneath the thin veil she had put up. As her feet sank into the damp vegetation Jaeden continued to watch the adventurers as they journeyed deeper into the forest.

She knew the woods better than all and if it wasn’t for those malicious men who had captured her kin she would’ve continued as she had for the last decade. But they had become more vigilant and ruthless and she knew that they were waiting for her to try and rescue the two women. She despised them, all of them. All these humans who came with thin veils of righteousness, these people who pretended to know what was best for the world.

She had heard the worlds song, she had seen the beauty in the wilds and these men knew nothing of it. Hopefully they would be dead soon, she reunited with her family and the deal she brokered honoured. However there was a sinking feeling in her bones as she watched the people, unlikely allies, as they trudged into the woods and out of sight. squatting down she drew out a small pouch.

A few small skulls of animals, feathers, bones with runes carved and stained into them and different stones and gems. She cast them upon the earth at the base of a tree where the grass was thinnest. As they landed she read the portents, flicking her eyes from bone to stone to feather to skull until she had the answers she sought. Her family were safe for now but a predator was stalking them, their cage of wood and rope and bands of iron held them fast but they waited and practiced what she had taught them years ago.

Don’t trust men, feed upon their conviction to save and to come to the rescue of others and finally, never, ever make a bargain that you can’t uphold.

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Borfook Hostletoof

426TuBoHo

The gnome checked his map as he stared at the map and folded out several bits of paper that he had added to the map since its construction. Looking up from the map the trees surrounding them looked very different from where you would find a dwarven stronghold, or a place that a dwarf would store a powerful artefact. But Borfook hurried forward through the trees as he seemed to be checking their height, girth and even type.

“You see Garthunk was a genius, a dwarf but a genius regardless. He knew that if he wanted to keep his artefact hidden he needed to hide it where people wouldn’t expect a dwarf to do so. So I have researched for such a place, poured through history books of the time and I found it. A lake near a forest ruled by the elves. For someone as powerful as him it would be easy for him to craft a spell to hide the eye while remaining hidden from all those who would search for him. However that was centuries ago!” the little gnome hopped over rather large roots before comparing his notes and staring at the tree.

Looking around he nearly hopped with excitement before hurrying towards a part of the woods with smaller trees. “From what I learnt he hid it far from the woods, near where there was a human settlement of no consequence. However you’d assume that humans being the greedy plague that they are for natural resources that the woods would shrink right?” he said as he touched a smaller, younger tree.

“Well you’re wrong! In fact the opposite has happened. The village that he hid the eye near was ransacked by raiders a few years after the eye was hidden and was raised to the ground. So what we are looking for is younger woods encroaching upon a lake near a ruined human village. Now we found the human village, we have found the old part of the woods now we just need to find a lake.” he said with a grin as he hurried off in a direction, his head buried in his map and notes more often than looking at where he was walking.

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Master of Dice

425TuMaDi

The man looked at the party as they entered the shop as he rolled several objects on the table and scribbled down some notes. “Be with you in a minute” he called as he continued to roll and hastily jot down information on scraps of paper.

Looking up the man smiled at them “Sorry about that, finishing up a job for another client. Now I assume you are here like all the others that you wish for me to divine something?” he asked as he placed the paper into a pouch and then into a drawer. “I can promise you that you won’t find another as accurate as me so the fee that I require is well worth it.”

The man smiled at them practically oozing with confidence. “I can see you hesitate, perhaps an example?” with dextrous hands he plucked out several items from the table, dice, and retrieved a small scrap of paper and a fine quill that was gilded with gold. As soon as the first of the dice hit the table he began scratching at the paper, drawing lines, scribbles and jotting down words. Grabbing a few of the dice he had just rolled off the table he rolled them once more and scribbled for another few seconds.

Seemingly satisfied he placed down the quill and turned the paper to face the party. A sketch that could’ve been a human with shoulder length hair was standing next to a tree along with “silver” and “Jasper” written clearly next to the image. “This will occur soon. Perhaps the next minute, the next hour or within the day but no more. What ever the dice reveal to me happens and it is rare when it is not something obvious.” he said.

As the party stared at the paper a small bell chimed signalling the door being opened. A hooded figure entered, “Excuse me, Master Varsuise, I can see you are already with clients but it’s urgent.” The young woman walked forward lowering her hood as she reached the desk. “The lords son has gone missing again, sadly on my watch this time. I was teaching him archery near the forest and I went to retrieve the arrow he shot wide. Upon my return he was gone and would not show himself despite my calling.” she paused looking at the party.

Master Varsuise smiled. “Jasper is missing again?” he asked.

“Yes, but the master must not know. I can pay you a silver piece today if you are able to help – but I can’t afford more. Please can you assist me?” The woman spoke quietly, shame evident in her voice. As she looked up at the party, her eyes pleading, the resemblance of the young woman and the sketch Master Varsuise had given them was immediately evident.

“One silver coin will be more than fine, we were expecting you – weren’t we?” he asked the party with a knowing smile. “A once off discount as you may have helped with business today.”

---

Tolkar Embermane

424TuTOEm

As the party ran through the forest Tolkar watched them from above. He could see through the eyes of all of his minions, the pact-bound elementals as they rushed to do his bidding. The magical items on the adventurers down below were enough to offer to his elemental friends so that they would be able to grow and enhance his own magical prowess.

As his elementals rush forward, skittering from tree to tree and closing the net the could practically taste victory on the smoky wind. Yet as he watched the fires rage and spread he also noticed the adventures, his target, start moving towards him, a gap in the fire allowed them to escape his net and rush onwards.

Calling to the original elemental he had bound, Corltarlen, he watched as the lumbering beast of fire and smoke pushed his way across the rocks and shrubs. “What are they doing? They are letting them escape!” he roared at the elemental. He had forgotten when he had become so hot tempered and quick to anger but even as his outburst ended he could feel a pang of guilt. “Stop them.” he muttered as he turned around.

Corltarlen smiled wickedly, a being without physical form had no limitations of flesh to restrict how they formed. Yet Corltarlen watched as his minions, his elemental servants, did his bidding. Weaving through the trees to direct the adventurers towards Tolkar for they were the only one who could end the hold over Corltarlen the mage had. Directing a few of the creatures that had disappointed him the most to create a feeble barrier in between the adventurers and the mage he watched with glee as they were cut down and the kindling fire was avoided.

Sending a few more to look like the attempt was made to halter the advance he could feel the rage brewing within the mage. The powerful elemental could feel the mages hold on sanity slipping further away and the temptation to attempt the more powerful spells in the dark tome increased. This is the moment he waited for, the final binding where Corltarlen would finally be free of the idiotic mage.

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Temporary Party Members

423TuTePaMe

‘Scouts’ – Created in Nightcafe.

All parties know that there is only so long that you can work in isolation from experts of the land. The Order of Scouts manages to keep a tab on the best in the business when it comes to finding the right path, knowing the wilderness and the creatures that call them home.

At times when voyaging into unknown lands the Order of Scouts are called upon by adventurers to ensure that they party can make it to their destination on time, mostly safe. Not much for fighting these experts in the field will choose the paths less taken, avoid roads and prefer to avoid fighting if at all possible. However they are all trained with weapons so they can be safe and ensure their clients make it to where they need to go.

Although young in comparison to some of the other organisations across the continents the order of scouts is spreading across more and more lands and making a name for themselves as both attracting talent and completing their missions.

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Cassana and Keldard

422TuCaKe

The crowds waved to Cassana and Keldard and as she waved back and passed out gold pieces to the guardsmen around her she watched as the guard dispensed a gold piece to each and every citizen who came to celebrate. As the crowd thanked the royal siblings and accepted the gold pieces both Cassana and Keldard smiled and thanked their people for coming out.

“And to think you insisted on wearing our mail.” Keldard murmured towards his sister as he smiled and personally handed a gold coin to a young boy. “Do you ever think that we are over cautious? Its been sixteen years and we have never never been attacked by our people.” he continued

“I don’t worry about our people, I worry about those who are not ours” Cassana replied and she continued to hand out gold pieces. It was a small gesture but for some of these people this gold went straight back into the city and its businesses. For others it meant much more.. “I know I should feel safe with the blessings you have been bestowed but there…” Cassana was interrupted as Keldard raised his hand and a glimmering wall of magic intercepted a large chunk of stone. The shield grasped the stone before placing it down on the ground away from any of the citizens, guards or themselves.

A heartbeat later and panic set upon the crowd as they fled for cover. A wyvern beat its massive wings as the effort of suspending it was enormous. The creature had dove into the city and launched the boulder hoping to surprise the siblings. But Keldard had been blessed to be not just safe but to be a bastion for the people.

“You were saying Cass?” Kel said as the effort of stopping the boulder hit him causing him to breath heavily. “It looks as though you are right once again.” he smiled at his big sister as he drew a long sword from his hip, the blade tingling in the air. But before him, or his sister could rush to intercept the Wyvern a group of adventurers, foreigners to the city rushed forward.

“Well this day got heaps more interesting!” Kel laughed as he gave chase to the adventurers, his magically enhanced reflexes and senses meant he overtook them in moments before he joined the fray.

“Kel wait!” Cassana called as she tried to catch up, but the guards rushed between her and the fight as they went to protect the heir to the throne. However as she was pulled back into the relative safety of an alleyway she watched with horror as a second wyvern swooped down, grabbed her brother and took flight with him. The first Wyvern lay in a bloodied patch of gore as the adventurers and her brother had dealt with it quickly but as she watched her brother be taken away she noticed that the second Wyvern had a rider and the colours of Korvak, a vicious warlord who had claimed a neighbouring territory to Thelmor.

She needed to save her brother and as she watched hope fly out of her city she noticed the adventurers were trying to save the prince even now. Perhaps there was a chance if she could enlist their help.

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