(G319 24/06/2017 via Roll20 - AP, JF(GM), MJ, HK) WA7

(G319 24/06/2017 via Roll20 - AP, JF(GM), MJ, HK) WA7

DAY 292 (27th Nightal)(December) cont ...

Our story about the adventures of Fenrir and Arahel in Westgate continues with the introduction of another character - a sailor by the name of Fylker ibn Fahrad of Amn.

His ship arrived in Westgate around noon of this day and deciding that this city was as good a place as any to lie low for a while (he had very good reasons for leaving Amn!) he headed into a nearby tavern to lubricate his dry throat and look for work.

As luck would have it he bumped into Shady Doug (you may remember this was one of Harvel's contacts who also gave Fenrir a solid gold racing tip).

Shady Doug eyed up Fylker and deduced he was a pretty handy sort of fellow and said to him, 'You could go and ask at the cottage on Rose Street. The guy is called Fenrir and his wee pal is called Arahel. They hired my old chum Harvel so maybe they would hire you too.'

Fylker finished his drink and headed up there, arriving at the cottage while Fenrir and Arahel were finishing lunch.

When he answered the door Fenrir saw a young man in his late twenties, he wore light armour over a well muscled body and wore a falchion at his belt. Fenrir invited him in and they discussed the terms of his hiring.

After about an hour of chat Fenrir felt confident Fylker was on the level and a fairly competent swordsman.

Since Fenrir had plans to hunt out the Night Parade they all decided to hit the magic shop first (Gondeth's Mageries) to stock up on potions and the like.
This also prompted the following conversation:
'You have a magic bedroll right?' asked Fenrir pointing to one on a shelf.
'No.'
'Why not?'
'They just make you sleep better right? For five hundred gold that's not much benefit. I always sleep well enough.'
'No way! You need it. It is like the Endure Elements spell every night and if you've been injured in a fight then you feel much more healed in the morning.'
'Nah...'
'Listen, I don't want to make a big deal out of this, but buy the bed roll or we part ways right here and now.'
'Err... well, ok then. If it means that much to you!'

After they had finished all their shopping they went directly to the house on Fish Street. Initially it was hard to find as (they found this out later) a member of the Night Parade called Deldana could generate a confusion aura around the building to make weak minded people unable to see it.

Needless to say, they did not find it immediately and it took Arahel to point it out to the other two.

At the entrance they found one main door and two side doors. They opted for the right hand side door to start with. As he entered Fylker was spotted by Rodor of the Night Parade who started to sing a magical song that fascinated the tough (but weak willed) warrior. Fylker, a dervish, started to whirl around and around, dancing to the song.

Fenrir, trying to take the peaceful option, turned his charm onto Rodor (who appeared as a hooded man) who then ran away to a door in the corner and left the room.

Fylker came to his senses and they followed after Rodor. Along the next corridor of this strange and sinister house the met another member of the Night Parade. This nightmare of a man had no lips or eyes and his teeth were constantly chattering. Fenrir tried to talk to him though and he pointed them to another door and corridor.

They decided to go back out and try the left hand side door at the entrance. Here they were met by Deldana (who appeared as a young girl with no eyes) hiding in the corner of a coach house. She was started and used her powers to confuse Fylker, who then attacked Arahel. She dodged his blows though and turned into a lion. Fylker then babbled  and ran down the street.
After a few seconds though he came to his senses and came back to the house muttering to himself.
He realised he was not off to a great start! But then, he was better in the heat of battle, he remembered, not dealing with strange extra-planar beings.

Meanwhile, Fenrir had talked to Deldana and was told where to go to meet the leader of the Parade in Westgate. They passed through an office (and looted it of magical scrolls!) and then into a large central corridor.

A Parader that appeared as a man with spikes in his head attacked them, but Fylker cut him down with a few blows of his falchion.

After a bit more door and corridor action they arrived at the main room where the rest of the house's denizens were located, including their leader, someone who appeared as a sultry grey skinned female known as Bezebelle. Fenrir turned on the charm and soon had a dialogue going.

She agreed to tell them the location of the Snake Gate Portal in return for helping rescue one of their members (a diaboli known as Bwabazwards) who was being held by the Fire Knives in Castle Cormaeril.  Once business was attended to, Fenrir talked to her privately and tried to seduce her. She told him to ask again once they had returned her friend.

Their dealings with the Night Parade complete they decided to head to the eastern part of town where Nebulus's house was. Arahel continued to be a lion. To appear more 'normal' Fylker made a lead for her out of a length of rope.

Lions are seen from time to time in Westgate, usually in a cage though, and I suppose a powerful druid may well have brought one in on occasion as an animal companion, but it was still not long before they drew the interest of a patrol of watchmen.

Arahel did a 'cute kitty' routine and after Fenrir paid a bribe and received a 'licence' they went
on their way.

At the house of Nebulus the doorman hurried them inside and Nebulus came to meet them and for the first time since they had known him he seemed to loose his cool.
'I'm lying low you idiots and you come to my house like a travelling circus!'

Once he had calmed down he said, 'Listen you can both fly right? I'll leave a top window slightly open, from now on come through there and make sure no one sees you.'

Soon though, he was back to his usual jovial self and was plying them with food and wine (and a bowl of milk for the lion) and asking lots of questions of the new party member, Fylker.

He also said, 'I recently learned the Purple Lady is a Night Mask property. I'm sure they must have been spying on me. I'm staying at home until I assess the damage and set up a new base of operations.'

As they talked a little girl and boy ran past the door and Arahel noticed that each of them had small horns. Arahel was not one for tact and simply asked Nebulus about it straight out.

Nebulus replied it was a 'family thing' and would not be drawn any further on the subject.

Later, once they had left, they thought that the children were probably tieflings or part tiefling.

In the evening they went to the Jolly Warrior for dinner, the to the Purple Lady for a good time. Fylker had been at sea for months and needed to let off some steam. He spent 50 gold coins on fine wine, food and three of the Purple Ladies.

Fenrir joined him and spent 20 gold. Arahel went home early.


DAY 293 (28th Nightal)(December)

Fenrir had a hang over in the morning, but the smell of the housekeeper frying bacon woke him up and sent him down to the breakfast table.

When Arahel smelled it, for mischief, she turned into a pig and entered the kitchen saying,
'Gorza how could you!'
The housekeeper gasped in shock, but then remembered that Arahel could shapeshift.
'You little tinker! Always playing tricks on me!'
Groza seemed to take it in good humour, but still made a sign to ward off evil.

Arahel would take no bacon (being a vegetarian) and when Fylker arrived from his room he  said, 'A thousand apologies dear lady, but my religion forbids me the flesh of swine.'

'More bacon for me!' declared Fenrir rapping his knife and fork on the table.

After breakfast they went a walk. Castle Cormaeril was very near to the cottage, just a couple of streets away and plainly visible from the back garden. As they cast their eyes over it, they were approached by a young woman dressed as a sailor.

It was none other than Riz (you remember she was the rogue that was Oz's sort of girl friend for a while and then became a minor warlock minion of Bnurgstickslackskin).

She smiled and said, 'Hello Fenrir!'

She drew Fenrir away and talked to him privately. She explained that as part of her progression in the dark arts she had been sent to seek our Fenrir, her old mentor. She was now at his service.

As Fenrir contemplated the flames that seemed to burn in her eyes, he realised that his past was catching him up and that he would probably never escape the fact that the source of his powers came from the fires of hell itself.