Journal - The Crown of Intelligence
(Clearly not meant for us)
A New Way of Travel
After the tragedy in the temple it took a few days for Arad to discuss how the people's needs would be catered for with the acolytes remaining. We also spent time with our respective mentors to learn more and practise our skills, which took a few weeks. There was plenty of time for contemplation, and I mourned the passing of Gilrad, resolving to follow the laws of the Creator a little closer as a small offer of contrition. I also learned as much as I could from our Saloroc friends about their homeland, Rozdyrevdoy, and its current state under the War Chief King Muddar the Undefeated.
Falcor had been studying how to use the tapestry and pyramid device, and visited the Elvradhil to speak about how they could help. They had restored the star room with the four statues that we had found by chance when we first followed the goblins what seemed like an age ago. Apparently the star was important to the use of the tapestry, and it was now functional again with the star design inlaid with gold and fist-sized gemstones at each point. The statues still turned to face Falcor at all times, which was no less creepy, but at least didn't suck the life out of him anymore.
When we finally came together and were prepared to travel again, it was to the star chamber that Falcor brought us. He had breathed fire into an Elvradhil brazier in preparation for the ceremony, and some magical force kept it burning whilst containing the heat so that it could be moved easily. Falcor placed the tapestry in the centre of the star and then used the pyramid to mark a place in Rozdyrevdoy near Mirgord. Strangely it stood firmly on its point as if fixed and could not be accidentally moved. We stood on our respective points, except for Falcor - his place was taken up by the brazier so he stood on the "intelligence" point as that is where we were moving to. Arad focused on the pyramid, willing us to move, and it did seem to work but there was a sound from our packs that suggested something might have broken in the process!
Despite this we were instantly transported to another place, although the pyramid was still stood on its point in front of us. Falcor urged Arad to take the pyramid, as he was the only way we could get back now that he had used it. We were at the edge of a relatively sparse forest, and we could see a fortified city along a coastline to what must have been the north of us. A road was in front of us, about a hundred yards away, that wound towards the city but also split to our right as we looked at it, with one road almost wrapping around us. Beyond the road there were some rolling hills to the east.
We started to rope together as Falcor turned us invisible so that we could stay together without being seen. Once we were ready we walked west along the treeline parallel to the road, intending to get closer to the city. I reached out for Karmana, just to see if she was present here... and I immediately felt a powerful draw of power to the southwest that I had to pull back from quickly. Karmana was there, but something was siphoning power from the land. After continuing for a little way we noticed some dust up on the road ahead and a mounted company of Saloroc, about a hundred strong with a Black Hand pennant, rode past on the road. They were light cavalry with spears and bows and seemed to move purposely on some kind of mission rather than patrolling.
Arad noticed that something was flying overhead, large but far away, and seemed to be right above us which worried us slightly. There were no squirrels in the vicinity to ask about it, though... perhaps they were afraidof it? Falcor was slightly annoyed by my calls to see if any were around as we moved on. Not that I would keep making squirrel calls just to irritate him, of course, that would be totally unnecessary. He he. I stopped as we got closer to the city, of course, and the forest fell away to the south giving way to more arable land that was kept to some extent, although it still seemed deserted.
The Price of Information
The city wall wasn't a regular shape, as if added some time after the city had grown, but it was in good condition. It rose about thirty feet high in most places, but with manned guard towers and a fortified gate facing our way, so roughly southeast. We kept to the forest and found a spot to meet again once I had (hopefully) made contact with the resistance. This seemed like a good time to reveal to my friends that I had learned how to take the shape of some animals and birds I had encountered, and my plan to change into a bird and fly into the city. It saved them from having to help me over the wall, and reduced the chance I would bump into any Black Hand patrols significantly. Falcor didn't seem impressed, though, muttering something about how I could have flown here on my own and saved them the walk. Typical teenager!
I took the form of a thrush and flew above the city. It was stone-built for the most part, with narrow streets within the outer walls. The exception was in the centre wher a flat-topped hill stood; the buildings there were much finer, almost like a palace or other place of importance. I could see the docks on one side, looking significantly more shabby. Next to the walls was an open area - a place to exercise or a defensive killing zone depending on your perspective. I wasted no time and headed straight towards the docks, finding the "Sailor's Delight" where I was to meet our contact in what was clearly the shittiest part of the docks, which itself seemed to be the shittiest part of the city. A poor residential area indicated the type of clientele I would likely meet inside, so I would need to be wary.
There was a narrow alley next to the tavern, so I found a place out of sight to change back to my normal form. I moved around the front and ducked inside as quickly as I could, getting some looks from those inside. Unfortunately there were three Black Hand Saloroc that wanted to pick a fight. I tried to avoid it, but the barmaid tipped me off that they wouldn't let me off that easily, but that she wouldn't be too bothered if they ended up dead. After I cut open the first two a lady appeared looking slightly amused and said "don't mind me"; her appearance seemed to terrify the last Black Hand who begged for mercy, but I couldn't let him go and I knew that I would be judged by the resistance on my actions so I just tried to make sure he died quickly.
The lady had me drag the bodies to dump in the sea using a well concealed door in the back of the tavern, stripping them of anything useful first. She was indeed my contact, and unsurprisingly from what I had heard of her seemed to know quite a bit about us, including Falcor and Arad. As I expected, she wanted us to do something for her before agreeing to help us, and asked that we fetch a powerful artifact for her from the "swamp people", one that granted the ability to exert control over reptiles. She offered in return to put us in contact with one who had been touched by dark magic and was most likely to have the information we sought. I agreed, seeing little choice at this point, and then returned to my friends by swimming out of the harbour in otter form and then making my way to the forest as a squirrel.
Falcor was still invisible, so I couldn't chitter in his ear when I got there. Instead I used our mental link to check that they were still in the meeting place and then relayed the result of my meeting to them. I remained as a squirrel as we started the journey south into the forest, where my contact had indicated we could find the swamp we had to enter. After five miles or so there was a colder feeling in the air, and the wind had shifted to behind us giving a chill on the back of our necks (I was grateful for my fur at this point). The sky seemed to have darkened as well, more so than the time of day alone could explain.
The trees had become draped in vines and fungi sprouted from them, under foot the ground became increasingly soggy, and we could make out scurrying noises from things unseen in the gloom. I decided to turn back into my normal form, more worried at that point about being eaten as a squirrel than I was about being seen! The darkness increased, and we knew that night was approaching so we decided that we would have to rest despite the oppressive surroundings. Arad took first watch and after a couple of hours he noticed snakes slithering down the tree we were resting against towards us! Three tried to strike at Arad, and he "yelled" mentally; this yell somehow penetrated my dream and I woke to realise the shout was real and we were in danger. Falcor, though, slept on. Arad had snakes on him, which spurred me into action, although he was throwing one off as I looked.
I called on Karmana to protect us from serpents, which was good timing as out of the darkness from all sides came some serpent creatures with legs, at least human sized, advancing on us. I put a circle of protection around the tree, not knowing exactly where Falcor was, and one of the creatures dropped dead as it tried to reach us - three others were clearly in pain. Arad handled the snakes well, grabbing them and bashing them against the tree. I asked him not to wake Falcor, aware that the protection I used might anger him, and to stay close to the tree. Thankfully he heeded my advice and the last three creatures died trying to get through Karmana's barrier. We thought we could hear some chanting in the air from somewhere off in the distance, but it was impossible to say exactly where in the dark.
We stayed on a defensive watch for about half an hour, but nothing else could be heard. Arad finally settled down to get some rest and I remained on watch, the time passing peacefully despite the unsettling sounds in the swamp around us. I handed over the watch to Falcor, reassuring him that the bodies around us were nothing to worry about but to be wary of trouble. It was nearly morning, but still quite dark, when Falcor heard noises around us that seemed more purposeful than usual. He moved out from the tree a little way and saw some snake-headed humanoid warriors. He shouted a warning and closed with one, activating a staff that seemed to have no effect. He also summoned magic missiles, though, which struck true. Neither of us woke at his shout, though, having had a rough night!
Falcor was attacked, but his armour returned just in time to protect him from the blow. Part of the tree above us transformed into snakes and dropped onto Arad and me! I was bitten, which definitely did wake me up, but thankfully its venom didn't affect me. I sank into the earth beneath me, dragging one snake with me and leaving it there, then emerged a little to the side free of the snakes for the time being. Arad had been bitten, and he used the power of his crown to purge the venom from him, then managed to kill a snake by bashing it against the tree.
The snakes were not the only things to worry about, though, and the snake warriors advanced on us. Falcor conjured a lightning bolt, the shock killing one of them. Arad killed a snake or two, but had to defend himself with his sword against the new threat. Falcor struck one, but being farther out had been surrounded by four of them. Thankfully his skill and armour kept him in good shape, only suffering a glancing blow. He called on everything he had to defend himself, and an ice bolt struck one of his attackers, turning its flesh black where it was struck, and it keeled over dead.
I landed a series of stabs and cuts to kill one that had attacked me, and I saw Falcor fell one with a powerful blow. Perhaps the odds were about to even out a bit?
Voice in the air again. I move to help Arad but struggle to land a blow, then ground erupts with spiders! Bitten but manage to resist whatever poison they had.
Arad kills another snake, but also has spiders all over him! I finish my attack and kill the snake warrior, though. Other things to worry about now.
I dive into soil again, emerging away from the spiders. Falcor cleaves an attacker down so only one on him. Arad moves to aid Falcor, still being bitten, striking with both weapons.
I dump a load of water on top of spiders near me, as Arad has moved away. Scattering them all over the place, then run to help others, killing last snake warrior.