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Post by Slavemaster on Aug 10, 2008 10:42:16 GMT
Corwyn:
Sergeant Vymon stares at Corwyn for a few moments, but then nods and turns towards his remaining men.
"Get the horses! We are getting out of here, now!"
All three run towards the stable. It takes them only a couple of minutes to saddle the horses, and soon they storm out of the castle and disappears down the road. The courtyard is now completely deserted. The portcullis is left open; even the guards in the gatehouse seem to have left.
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Post by Slavemaster on Aug 10, 2008 10:49:35 GMT
Main group:
Dirac finds no traps or anything unusual on the lock or the double door, and you can test the keys you have. None of the captain's keys fit - but the one key you found in the baroness' room does, and the lock clicks as the door is opened.
You find yourselves in a large room, taking up three-quarters of the floor. It is immediately obvious that this is the chamber of the lord of the castle; lavish tapestries, rich thick carpets, paintings on the wall depicting armoured men on horseback. The windows are high, but the curtains are drawn and it is gloomy in here.
The room seems to be deserted, but you can only see two-thirds of it from the doorway. One part is partitioned off by a heavy curtain.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Aug 10, 2008 13:51:14 GMT
Dirac gentle uncoils the chainmail over his arm, wincing as each link falls.
Lifting out his sap again in his main hand, holding the dagger in reserve in his off hand, Dirac slowly creeps in to the room.
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Post by Slavemaster on Aug 10, 2008 14:19:39 GMT
Main group:
The room is in a slightly better order than the seneschal's chamber, but it is obvious that servants have not been let in here for some time; things are spread out and cluttered, and there is a thin layer of dust everywhere, and cobwebs in the corners.
Even so, it is clearly a room that befits a high nobleman. In the first part of the room, there is a big and heavy oak table, with chairs round it, the remains of several meals cluttering the table, flies buzzing over it. There is a writing desk by one of the windows, and a bookcase beside it. The writing desk is rather neat, with a silver inkwell and a lavish silver and gold seal bearing the Ranval coat of arms. Only a couple of papers and documents, and one book, is resting on it.
Behind the curtain is the baron's sleeping area; a high, four-poster bed covered with rich fur and expensive cloth, but unmade. On the bedside table are several bottles and goblets, and many empty bottles are cluttering the floor under the bed. A closet is open, with richly decorated robes and and garments being thrown haphazardly on the floor. There is also a weapons rack, two sets of armour on their stands - one ornate full plate armour, probably intended for parade, and one more businesslike which seems more meant to be used in the field. Another armour stand is empty.
But the most unusual thing about the room is a part of the panelled wall that is slightly open; a secret door that leads into the thick castle wall, but one that has not been shut...
There is no one in the room, and the undisturbed dust seems to imply that no one has been for several days or more.
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Soul Spawn
Gamer
Night Born Nad-Adez Konkor
Posts: 183
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Post by Soul Spawn on Aug 10, 2008 19:29:41 GMT
I look out the window of the Barons room, down onto the fleeing people int he courtyard. Closing my eyes and stretching out my mind I call out.
"Corwyn. If you have had your fun with the locals, join us above the tower where you left us. We are in the Barons quarters. He seems to have fled, as suspected. However, we have found a passage-way that could lead us to him."
I open my eyes, step back and continue my search round the room while I await a response.
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Post by Slavemaster on Aug 10, 2008 19:51:14 GMT
As you make a more thorough search of the room, it seems clear that the occupant has left in a hurry; chests and drawers are open and clothes spread out on the floor. There are few portable valuables, and no cash box that you can find.
The weapons rack holds several weapons of excellent craftsmanship; two swords, a morningstar, a broadsword and two daggers. They are all of superior quality and richly ornated. There is also a crossbow with walnut stock and silver inlays, and a quiver with bolts. However, you notice that there are a couple of empty hooks, with the darker wood on the rack indicating that weapons have been hanging there.
As Dirac search through the writing desk, he finds the seal and silver inkwell, as well as some sealing wax and several sheets of paper. There are a few official documents pertaining to the castle administration, although not many. The book is a slim volume in a nondescript brown cover which turns out to be a personal diary for this year. A quick glance through the pages makes it clear that it is not intended for official situations; you notice several references to Naar and Xhagvash, and the war. The last entry is from a week ago.
The secret door turns out not to be a tunnel, but a very small room built into the thick castle wall, only about two yards wide and three yards long. It smells of incense and old blood in here. There is a small altar under a symbol carved into the wall, a symbol the hunters immediately recognise as the mark of Xhagvash.
But the room is demolished; the altar is hacked with a sword or an axe, the symbol is smeared with dirt. On the floor are the remains of black candles, a broken silver goblet and a bent silver knife. There is also a small bookcase that has been turned on its side, the books scattered on the floor and several pages ripped out. A small cupboard built into the wall apparently held various religious paraphernalia such as incense, but the contents lies broken on the floor. There is no way out.
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Post by Slavemaster on Aug 12, 2008 15:16:15 GMT
When you can find nothing in the room that gives any indication of what might have happened, Dirac takes out the personal journal and you take a closer look. It is a journal for this year, and you browse through it, until you get to the last few months.
10 Plowing month
I have arrived safely from Varetta with the gemstone and sent word to Danthor that it is secure in my possession. I must admire the craftsmanship; the gem is a perfect red diamond, large as an egg, with many facets and cut like a teardrop. I am of course familiar with the legends surrounding it – Matino seems to be knowledgable about it – but it seem to be nothing more, or less, than an extremely valuable gem.
Matino has suggested that the gem be kept in its iron and lead box, and locked into the treasury, but he can forget about that. It must be kept in my room.
It is indeed very beautiful.
22 Plowing month
Danthor visited the castle, in the guise of a merchant. We who are loyal to Naar in this household held a sermon to His honor.
Danthor asked to see the gem, and of course I had to comply. He did not get too close to it, but merely studied it were it lay in the box. He urged me to keep the box shut and not too close to my person, but I can not understand why. There is no danger in it, and I wonder why the Darklords would want it. Surely they have no interest in mere valuables?
It is very beautiful. I held it up to the moonlight this evening, to study how the light plays on it’s facets.
25 Plowing month
Matino has been impertinent again. He seems to think that I spend too much time in my quarters with the gem, and he had the audacity to suggest that I do not spend enough time with my duties! But he soon fell silent when I threatened him with the fires of Xhagvash. For all his studies and experimenting, he has no hope of mastering the true power of Darkness. That is invested in me, and none other!
29 Plowing month
During the sermon to Xhagvash today, I felt strangely nauseated, and had to let Matino finish the rituals. Perhaps I am falling ill.
1 Hay month
Bad dreams tonight. I thought I saw Varinya standing by my bed. But my daughter is dead. I myself plunged the dagger into her heart when I pledged my soul to Xhagvash. I must be ill. I have to ask Matino for some of his potions.
3 Hay month
The calacena draughts Matino gave me keep the bad dreams at bay, but I do not feel well. Lydia comforts me at nights, but I do not feel up to performing my husbandly duties.
I must ask Matino to dilute the calacena better. I swear I can sometimes hear the gem whisper to me, even when I am awake.
8 Hay month
An unfortunate thing happened this morning. I had a bad dream again, and when Lydia heard my cries, she came rushing in. I had forgotten to put away the gem, which I had studied the previous evening, and she saw it. Naturally, she asked me to have it, but I told her that it was not mine to give away and that she could have any jewellery she pointed at, as always, but not this one. But she is persistent. The whole day has been nothing but nagging and pleading from her. I love my wife, but this gem is not mine to give away.
How beautiful it is. I wonder why Matino and Danthor seem to be so reluctant to come close to it? Not that I complain of course. It is mine to keep safe.
10 Hay month
A joyous day! I have received word from Danthor that the allied armies have been defeated at Torgar, and that the northlander in whom they put all their hopes is dead. It is now only a matter of time before our victory is complete. Matino and Dirko was very pleased, and we held a celebration to the glory of Naar and Xhagvash, along with the members of the garrison who knows who our true lords are.
11 Hay month
Many bad dreams this night. I can not recall all of them, and I do not want to. But Varinya was there again. And my sons. But they are still alive.
14 Hay month
I caught Lydia sneaking into my room this morning when I was away to inspect the brewery. She said that she had dropped one of her rings, but I know what she was after. From now on, I shall have to lock my door. I had an argument with her when I asked her to give me her key to my room, but she told me she had lost it. I am almost tempted to let Matino use his mind tricks on her, but I can’t bear to do that. She is still my wife and I love her. It was very unfortunate that she was to see the gem.
But I can understand her. The gem is very beautiful.
18 Hay month
My wife has fallen seriously ill, and it is my fault. Just as I thought, she had a spare key to my room, and I caught her red-handed this time; when I came into my room, she was there, holding the gem in her hands. I had to use force against her to let go, and I was a bit too rough. She fell down the stairs. But I carried her into her room and helped her to the best of my abilities.
Matino once again forgot his place, but now I think he has lost his senses. She had the nerve to say to me that Lydia was dead! The man is clearly mad, and by rights I should let him be the next sacrifice to Xhagvash. But his work is important and can be of great value to our masters. In the end, I simply let him feel the fires of Xhagvash on his back, and instructed him to keep silent about his madness.
I have to take care of Lydia without his help, but I am fully capable to.
21 Hay month
The servants are starting to wonder about Lydia. I have told them time and again that she is ill from an accident, but that I am taking care of her.
Matino is avoiding me. But he has obviously fooled Dirko, for he came to me this evening and seemed to believe that Lydia was dead. Have Matino used his mind tricks on him too? To what end? Of course, I told Dirko what I have told the servants, that my wife is ill. Why would Matino spread those lies? He must be mad.
23 Hay month
Lydia is feeling a bit better today. I helped her get up to her dressing table, and she instructed me how to apply her makeup. We talked for a long time, about old times. It was very pleasant.
The priest from Oakton came to the castle and offered to help Lydia. Apparently, rumour has spread that she has fallen ill. But I can not let a priest of Ishir into the castle. And my wife is feeling much better anyway, but she is still weak. I bring her food and help her to bed.
I have showed her the gem too, and she does not appear to desire it anymore. But we both think that it is very beautiful.
30 Hay month
I had a long talk with those of my household who follows our true masters; Matino, Dirko, Vymon, even some of the garrison. They reminded me that I had forgotten about this months sacrifice to Xhagvash, and I admitted that what with Lydia’s illness it had slipped my mind. Once again they urged me ask Danthor to be relieved of the gem, repeating Matino’s madness that it might have harmful influence on me. The impertinence! My wife ill, my seneschal mad, his madness apparently contagious so that my other faithful servants catch it? But once again I reminded them who has the true power of Xhagvash. Not even Dirko dared stand up against me. I think I nipped that mutiny in the bud, but I have to be more careful. I think they covet the gem too. I must not let them have it. From now on, I have to make do without Matino’s potions, who knows what he might put in them…
It is very beautiful.
3 Harvest month
Ill news indeed. I received a letter from Danthor this morning. Apparently, he wants the gem removed and sent to the Darklords. A contingent of soldiers is to arrive within three days. But why? The gem is completely safe here. It seems very suspicious. Could Matino have squealed to him? No, he would never dare.
I talked to Lydia about it, and she was very worried too. She suggested that perhaps Danthor have betrayed his masters and wants the gem for himself. It makes sense. But what shall I do about it? I have no other contacts with the Darklords except Danthor.
I have to think about it. But under no circumstances am I to hand over the gem. It was entrusted to my care. And it is very beautiful.
5 Harvest month
I have now instructed Matino and Dirko how to act when the soldiers arrive. I could not tell them the whole story – they might panic if they thought Danthor was betraying us – so instead I told them that I had received word from Danthor that soldiers serving Darklord Chlanzor was coming to take to gem, but that Chlanzor intended to use it in the power struggles of Helgedad; thus, the gem is under no circumstances to fall into their possession. I could see that Matino did not believe this fully, but what else was he to believe? And he can’t use his simple tricks on me to find out.
Thus, I have ordered them to make the soldiers disappear and told them that Danthor will reward them well.
I have to try to sleep tonight, I must have strength tomorrow. But it is difficult without Matino’s potions. The dreams are getting worse. But the gem gives me some comfort. I think now that I can almost make out what it whispers to me. It is very beautiful.
6 Harvest month
An eventful day indeed. A contingent of mercenaries arrived to the castle, led by a drakkar in disguise, sergeant Ormeztal. I invited them in and offered them food and drink, prepared with Matino’s concoctions. Unfortunately, the sergeant himself proved resistant, and a fight broke out. He had no chance against me and Dirko, of course, but the commotion was noted. What is more, he didn’t take all of his men inside the castle, but left a couple outside with their horses. I sent Vymon and his men after them, and they managed to hunt them all down.
The uninitiated servants have been told that they were bandits in the guise of mercenaries. The bodies have been given to Matino, for his experiements.
7 Harvest month
More bad news. Sergeant Ormeztal survived the fight and was nurtured back to health by Matino, on his own initiative. He used his mind tricks to interrogate him, and of course found out that the sergeant was indeed acting on Danthor’s orders and had come to the castle in good faith, not expecting a trap. Matino and Dirko confronted me with this, but I told them that Danthor must be a traitor to the Darklords. And even if he wasn’t, they are already doomed without me. I am the one with the powers of Xhagvash, and I am the one with the Darklord contacts. No matter which Darklord Danthor serve, they would be killed for killing his men. They knew this, of course, and I think they realised that they must see this through to the end.
Of course, I do not know what end that might be. I must ask my wife about it.
9 Harvest month
I can not bear this for much longer. The dreams are getting worse and worse. I do not know what I shall do. And Danthor must now wonder where his men are. It is only a matter of time before he sends others, this time expecting resistance.
10 Harvest month
Once again, I dreamed about Varinya. She was chasing me over a grey wasteland, with pools of blood everywhere. And the ground started to swallow me, and the winds flayed the flesh from my bones. And when I woke up, I was lying on the floor, hands dirty. And the shrine to Xhagvash was destroyed! How could this be? No one else have gotten in. I must talk to my wife. She is good at listening to the gem, maybe she can tell me what it is trying to say.
12 Harvest month
I realise now that neither the gem or me is safe here any longer. I must find someone to help me get rid of my dreams. And Lydia told me what the gem had said: Seek out the elders of Dessi. It seems dangerous. They are enemies of the Darklords. But they have power, and I have the gem, and nothing ill will befall me as long as I have that.
I must trust my wife. I must take the gem to Dessi. There is much to do now.
13 Harvest month
I heard from sergeant Hurbert that there have been men asking about the soldiers down at the village. Danthor’s spies, no doubt. I can not stay here any longer. It will be very difficult to leave Lydia, but she has told me that she will be allright, and that she will wait for me to come to her.
14 Harvest month
All the preparations have been done. Yesterday, I ordered the forrester to have a pack mule with a week’s supplies ready for me. He asked no questions, of course. He knows who I really serve. I will ride out around mid-day, telling to Matino that I want to hunt, and then keep hidden until nightfall. I should be able to reach Luna and still avoid the major roads. I do hope that old Karston still works at the inn.
I have kissed my wife goodbye already. She wished me luck. And the gem whispered to me that this was the right thing to do.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Aug 12, 2008 18:05:58 GMT
"Danthor?" asks Dirac, looking at the start of the journal. "Who is that I wonder - someone we should be wary of?"
Dirac skims further, slowly taking it all in, stopping a few times to grimace Varinya - a daughter sacrificed to the dark gods. Dirac is reminded how truely fallen these men are who he currently works alongside.
"Bah, again the importance of the figure-head!" says Dirac, shaking his head at reference to the 'Northlander'. thinking all those of the Northern continent are fools.
'Whom in the garrison are turned to Naar?' wonders Dirac to himself. They will surely be the ones coming here soon, those who would not run fro mthe Baron's side. 'Vymon' is the answer to the question, not a welcome one if the sergeant mentioned is the sergeant Dirac encountered last night. Dirac hands the journal to the rest to hold, looking out the door and listening with half an ear for soldiers.
'Experiments' and 'forrester' are words that catch his ear, one for revulsion and horror that seeking too many secrets of this keep could run them into unnatural horros. 'Forrester' is a more mundane focus - perhaps the man should be contacted? Then again, this is quickly shot down as the full depressing and horrifying story is taken to it's conclusion. The baron has indeed gone - gone to the Elder Magi in Dessi.
"Our prey has gone, and we have a sorry tale for Ruigar," says Dirac. "Does Ruigar have contacts in Luna or swift means of transport? Or should we be seeking this 'Karston' for ourselves without consult?"
Dirac then realises what he is asking. "Later! We have what we need, if not want - we must escape..."
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