DAY 319 (22th Hammer)(January) cont ...
Back in Westgate, Fenrir wasted no time in wandering over to the watch tower of Trepplemar the Magnificent.She listened to his r eport on the uncovered coven of cannibals in Klapton and his admission of killing two of their magistrates.
'Very well, mission accomplished I suppose. As long as Haggam the Hermit was happy, then we are happy. We rely on him to watch that dragon for us and that's all good information about Grappa Valley. Good to know. While you are part of the watch we'll handle any issues that arise with Lord Karden. Well, it's back to work for you then. You know the routine with Dressdelle by now.'
As they had lost Veddic's main mode of transport they went to Gondeth's Mageries and bought a flyingca rpet for him. Together they then headed over to Spectre Island. Again, without Arahel to guide them,they got somewhat lost, but found it eventually.
They sold their loot to Random and got a bit of extra money towards the carpet. Random was s ad to hear ofArahel's death. He had been hoping she would help him with setting up gardens on the island.
They talked over dinner that evening, going over their plans moving forward and among other things
Random said:
In regards to the 'Main Quest':
'Consider this your main task, Fenrir old chum. What needs to happen is that you become the leader of the Wat c h. Noteasy I know. First you need to get rid of Dressdelle, then Trepplemar, then Just Captain Torndith Hammersong.Now, Dressdelle we already know is not from Westgate. She's a war wizard from Cormyr. What is she doing here? Idon't know exactly, but it has something to do with an event called the "Magpie Affair". I have a spy in Cormyrat the moment, but in the mean time see what you can charm out of her?'
In regards to the quest beyond the portal:
'Barry and his lads have done a great job carving a route to the city out of the wilds of the Plane of Shadow. They need help from you for the next bit though. Barry has the details, but I believe it concerns a tower witha single very high up entrance.'
In regards to his own dealings:
'If you don't fancy either of those, my old boon compa nion then I have a few side jobs you could do for me. Strictly off the book s,nothing to do with Cavu, wink wink. You sort of did ok at the Grand Mansion where you punished the evil merchant for me. The nextthing I need you to do is deliver a secret message...'
Finally he said:
'The main quest is pretty slow moving, my old matey. From what I'm picking up from Cavu we've got about a year before we nee dto seriously start worrying about deadlines. The stuff in the Plane of Shadow, its more a sort of 'nice to have' and I thinkmore a bit of 'Do-Good-ery' by Gerty and Cavu I suspect.'
'Oh, other stuff I need doing is sorting out all the other islands around here. Help feeding all these bloody refugees.' (Referring to the twenty or so people that Barry's gang had rescued from the Plane of Shadows while on their adventures)
'That Grappa Valley sounds like an interesting place. It might help with our p lans further along as well. I'll discusswi th Cavu and get back to you. It might be a good idea at some point to go back and sort out your legal situation. Don'tworry about it for now though, just an idea I have rolling around in my head.'
'A chap called Fayder has been skulking around Westgate, watching for you. He's Rathol Erlend's pet assass in. It tried to have him killed but he's pretty slippery and he's still in the city I think. Keep your eyes open for him.'
Also that evening Fenrir had a chat w ith Barrington about how to get to the city in the Plane of Shadow. They pla n n edto set off all together once Fenrir could get some time off work. Barrington explained that their quest was to findthe location of a portal known as the 'Black Gate'. Through some detective work they had discovered that a wizard(or possibly a necromancer) who lived in the city of Bonespur might know the location. Barrington needed help from fliers to get into the wizards tower.
DAY 320 (23th Hammer)(January)
Veddic stayed on the island today and conjured up food and wate r for as many people as he could. He also tended tothe sick amongst the refugees that had come through the portal.
Meanwhile Fenrir met Dressdelle at their usual starting point in Westgate at seven in the morning.
As to his recent adventures in Grappa Valley she said:
'Yes, seems fair eno ugh. A town where the nobles are all cannibal cultists is thankfully not our concern. As long as the d ra gon isn't going to disrupt Westgate's wine supply that's the main thing. I expect Lord Karden or whatever his namewas will sent a subpoena or something along to bring you to trail, but he has no authority here and the watch can stall him for years. I expect he'll be in no hurry to kick over a hornets nest anyway. I'd say watch your back, in regards to Lord Paynon possibly attempting to revenge himself on you, but you have much bigger and closer problems with the Fire Knives - haha!'
The also arranged that Dressdelle would take two days off first, then Fenrir could get some time off.
There was a bit of snow her e and there today so Dressdelle used it as an excuse to keep warm on her usual rooftopspot and drink lots of tea.
At seven in the evening Fenrir returned to Spectre Island.
DAY 321 (25th Hammer)(January)
Fenrir patrolled the sky above Westgate alone for the first time t oday. He had Veddic come along with him onhis magi c carpet. He checked with Trepplemar first and she said it was fine for Veddic to 'fly at Fenrir's pleasure'but the watch would otherwise have nothing to do with him legally.
There were high winds today so flying was limited. Fenrir followed Dressdelle's usual routine of perching on topof watch towers somewhere sheltered and getting watchmen to bring him food and drink.
They saw a woman on a broomstick leave the city today, but she was going to fast for them too follow.
In the evening they returned to the island. Fenrir decided to look for love tonight amongst the adventurer' s thatformed part of 'Barry's Gang'. There was Brambles, but as she was a halfling she was far too small for him.
The left only Evelline, who w as a cleric of Leira. She had no interest in Fenrir at all, but he did talk to herfor a while and made friends.
DAY 322 (26th Hammer)(January)
Fenrir and Veddic patrolled the skies over Westgate once more.
Today a dwarven bard, flying by some magical means, refused to stop entering the city and attack ed them.She used her bardic magic to first 'Fascinate' Fenrir then attempted to use 'Suggestion' on him.
As Fenrir was entranced by her siren song Veddic first only struck her with his spiked chain. This had
some affect on her, but she kept up her song. Realising he would be in a lot of trouble if she managed tobend Fenrir to her will he then used 'Inflict Wounds' on her and struck her instantly dead.
Her body tumbled down into the streets of Westgate. They followed it down, then looted it.
After work they headed back to the island for the night.
DAY 323 (27th Hammer)(January)
Another work day for Fenrir and Veddic. Dressdelle also returned from her short holiday.
It was misty today so they simply sat about, ate food and drank tea waiting for it to clear.
After and uneventful day Fenrir and Veddic returned to the island.
DAY 324 (28th Hammer)(January)
As arranged Fenrir and Veddic, the old campaigners, headed in to the Plane of Shadow with Barrington
and his 'gang'.
They were:
Oxtongue - a dwarven fighter
Evelline - 4 a cleric of Leira
Brambles - a halfling rogue
Pinkmoss - a half-elf sorcerer
They wer e all not as battle hardened as Fenrir and Veddic and looked on them with some amount ofrespect.
Once they entered the portal, they exited the ro ck pillar it was inside and made their way thoughthe five miles of swamp to the city of Bonespur.
It was a nightmarish reflection of Westgate, full of undead and other fallen beings.
Barry and his gan g had already cleared the way and found a place to stay within the city walls called the "Friendly Unicorn Inn". Fenrir found the city somewhat reminiscent of the underdarktown of Pedestal.
He saw the various types of walking fish humanoids going about their business, as well as tho seblue skinned crazy dwarves known as derro. There were a lot of other people around and he hadno idea what they were, but around the area of the inn was relatively peaceful.
'This is the only part o f the city safe to travel,' explained Barrington. 'There is a derro ghettoa nd areas full of undead. We would be attacked there. This ward is where the humans mainly live, ifyou can call it living.'
Their was the a unicorn's skull above the door of the inn. It was a large building, that was buil taround a litter strewn court-yard. There were several common rooms and Barrington led them to themost peaceful.
'We've rented rooms already,' he said. 'None of us have dared to eat or drink anything they sell
here yet though.'
Fenrir could see why, the whole place was full of dirt, litter and bones. The place stunk.
'A mind flayer called Lord Soslow owns the place, he seems decent enough' continued Ba rrington as theywent upstairs to their rooms. He then opened a window and pointed out across the city.
'That big tower over there is where you need to get in. The only windows are sixty feet up, there is no door or window below that level. The wizard's name is Owerode by the way.'
'Let's just do it now,' said Fenrir.
Barrington led them all to the base of the tower. His party had already cleared the streets nearby of thederro gangs that haunted this area.
Fenrir and Veddic flew up to the window and ente red the tower of Owerode. The room they fo undthemselves in was large and full of broken dusty furniture. From out of the litter a giantskeleton unfolded itself. It then attacked them.
Almost by ref lex Fenrir blasted it with everything he had and it exploded in a shower of bon es.'Well, that answers the question of whether old Owerode is a necromancer or not,' he said toVeddic wryly.
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