Upon return to Altdorf, Gottfried sought entertainment and wished for us to join him. I decided discretion would be a better use of time and opted to stay in my room. Seeing Gottfried somewhat dejected at my decision, I recommended the Two Teats Leaking to him. If he doesn't contract the kruts, maybe he'll be slightly more focused on the mission.
After the best night of sleep in a week, there are several things to accomplish today. The gems must be appraised and converted to coin. I need to find a dealer for some powder and shot. Grondel mentioned a desire to find healing draughts so we will do so together.
Wonderful fellows those dwarves with their black powder! I had no trouble at all purchasing powder and shot for twenty rounds for my pistol. It’s always good to plan ahead but I hope I never have to use it.
Grondel and I walked to the Temple of Shallya, hoping to purchase the draughts. While some were available, I was hoping for more than a paltry four for the group. I purchased one strictly for myself as I've developed a nasty habit of being bitten, poisoned, shot, and jarred by Chaos energy...
Upon concluding business with the agents of Shallya, I purchased a sheathe for the longsword I found in tomb of the beastman shaman. I'll be keeping this one out of general public knowledge while in Altdorf. It’s not as if anyone at the College had to escape unaided from an underground tomb!
The group will need to reconvene and decide what route we'll take to Karak Azgal. I wonder if Dax is comfortable with the idea of travel by ferry.
Albrecht
The Road to Karak Azgal
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Ancalagon
- Level 8: Noble
- Posts: 1689
- Joined: December 5th, 2018, 5:42 pm
- Location: Bellevue, NE
After brief discussion, we decided to journey by river ferry to Karak Azgal. But such was not to be; at least not from Altdorf. No ferry large enough was available to accommodate all of us and our mounts.
The next best option was to ride south to the town of Eastlit. From there the option of river ferry might again be possible. We rode all day and several hours into the night, barely stopping for lunch or the privy.
By the gods! Weariness lay heavily heavy upon me for somehow we arrived in the town of Tilea thinking it to be Eastlit. It makes no sense even now. We learned of our error after witnessing the "Festival of Mystery" happening therein. The kindly clerk at the inn invited us to join the festival but I was so fatigued all I could do was thank the clerk for his hospitality and retire immediately for the evening.
Albrecht
The next best option was to ride south to the town of Eastlit. From there the option of river ferry might again be possible. We rode all day and several hours into the night, barely stopping for lunch or the privy.
By the gods! Weariness lay heavily heavy upon me for somehow we arrived in the town of Tilea thinking it to be Eastlit. It makes no sense even now. We learned of our error after witnessing the "Festival of Mystery" happening therein. The kindly clerk at the inn invited us to join the festival but I was so fatigued all I could do was thank the clerk for his hospitality and retire immediately for the evening.
Albrecht
“Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.” - Carl Sagan
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Ancalagon
- Level 8: Noble
- Posts: 1689
- Joined: December 5th, 2018, 5:42 pm
- Location: Bellevue, NE
Seemingly no sooner than my head hit the pillow, a pounding upon our doors woke all us. Gottfried was unnerved by an eclipse of the two moons and the silencing of the festival’s crowd noise.
We peered out our windows and saw a fog rolling from the center of town, where the festival was located. The fog moved unnaturally, against the breeze, towards the inn… towards us. Seeing the obvious signs, I focused my weary mind and sought the ebb and flow of the Aethyr. Upon opening my eyes I saw the fog was tinged with Ulgu, the grey wind, shadow magic.
Gottfried regained his composure and strode resolutely downstairs. After a momentary delay, I followed him. He went to the front door but I went behind the counter after hearing mumbling from behind it. The kindly clerk that had checked us in was cowering on the floor repeating "they're coming for you", "you shouldn't have come", and "the sweetest kiss". The first two were obvious but try as I did, she would not elaborate on the last phrase.
We decided that if a threat was forthcoming that we should meet it out in the open rather than become trapped like mice within the inn. I had a very bad feeling about this.
Albrecht
We peered out our windows and saw a fog rolling from the center of town, where the festival was located. The fog moved unnaturally, against the breeze, towards the inn… towards us. Seeing the obvious signs, I focused my weary mind and sought the ebb and flow of the Aethyr. Upon opening my eyes I saw the fog was tinged with Ulgu, the grey wind, shadow magic.
Gottfried regained his composure and strode resolutely downstairs. After a momentary delay, I followed him. He went to the front door but I went behind the counter after hearing mumbling from behind it. The kindly clerk that had checked us in was cowering on the floor repeating "they're coming for you", "you shouldn't have come", and "the sweetest kiss". The first two were obvious but try as I did, she would not elaborate on the last phrase.
We decided that if a threat was forthcoming that we should meet it out in the open rather than become trapped like mice within the inn. I had a very bad feeling about this.
Albrecht
“Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.” - Carl Sagan
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Ancalagon
- Level 8: Noble
- Posts: 1689
- Joined: December 5th, 2018, 5:42 pm
- Location: Bellevue, NE
Though the clerk said “they’re coming for you,” no one was about the inn. For a reason I can’t explain, the underground encounter with the beastly Artuta flashed in my mind’s eye. The inn no longer felt like a haven. I didn’t want to be cornered in the inn. I suggested we walk towards the center of town to gauge any possible threats.
The townsfolk faced a crudely made, larger-than-man-sized statue in the center of the square. Perched atop the statue’s head was a single raven. The folk were motionless. Each wore a glassy-eyed stare fixed upon the statue. Something about the statue unnerved me. Somehow it seemed familiar though I did not recall seeing it’s like elsewhere. And then I saw the rune of chaos upon it and knew it as a representation of Slannesh, the Pleasure Lord and Despoiler. The term “sweetest kiss” suddenly terrified me.
I quickly pointed out the rune and shared the dire news with the others. In the next instant, two of the warriors in our company loosed arrows towards the raven. So much for hoping to remain unseen. I thought we might slip away quietly and ride out of town before whatever doom was in store for us could be delivered. That plan was out the proverbial window. And they missed the damned bird.
Surprisingly, the crowd remained unchanged, at least for a few heartbeats, until the raven turned it head to us, spread it wings and spoke! In a horrible croak that caused my chest to tighten it said "you're time is up."
Albrecht
The townsfolk faced a crudely made, larger-than-man-sized statue in the center of the square. Perched atop the statue’s head was a single raven. The folk were motionless. Each wore a glassy-eyed stare fixed upon the statue. Something about the statue unnerved me. Somehow it seemed familiar though I did not recall seeing it’s like elsewhere. And then I saw the rune of chaos upon it and knew it as a representation of Slannesh, the Pleasure Lord and Despoiler. The term “sweetest kiss” suddenly terrified me.
I quickly pointed out the rune and shared the dire news with the others. In the next instant, two of the warriors in our company loosed arrows towards the raven. So much for hoping to remain unseen. I thought we might slip away quietly and ride out of town before whatever doom was in store for us could be delivered. That plan was out the proverbial window. And they missed the damned bird.
Surprisingly, the crowd remained unchanged, at least for a few heartbeats, until the raven turned it head to us, spread it wings and spoke! In a horrible croak that caused my chest to tighten it said "you're time is up."
Albrecht
“Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.” - Carl Sagan
-
Ancalagon
- Level 8: Noble
- Posts: 1689
- Joined: December 5th, 2018, 5:42 pm
- Location: Bellevue, NE
In unison the townsfolk turned to face us. With almost no sound and humorless smiles upon their faces, they raised various implements for stabbling, cutting, and bludgeoning us. When they began walking towards us we broke for the Gilded Goose Inn running for our lives!
As we ran, someone yelled "stable" and we went to get the horses. Whatever chaos spawned devilry it was we had stumbled into it was no place for us. Eldillor, our elven companion, maintained his composure even though he was in as much of a hurry as the rest. He raised the portcullis to the gate so the rest of us could leave this cursed village.
We rode away from town and looked for the main road we travelled from Altdorf. There was no road. The terrain had somehow changed! There was a clearing in front of the side with the gate and forest growing up to meet the other three sides.
And that's when the howling began.
Albrecht
As we ran, someone yelled "stable" and we went to get the horses. Whatever chaos spawned devilry it was we had stumbled into it was no place for us. Eldillor, our elven companion, maintained his composure even though he was in as much of a hurry as the rest. He raised the portcullis to the gate so the rest of us could leave this cursed village.
We rode away from town and looked for the main road we travelled from Altdorf. There was no road. The terrain had somehow changed! There was a clearing in front of the side with the gate and forest growing up to meet the other three sides.
And that's when the howling began.
Albrecht
“Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.” - Carl Sagan