Chapter 4: Quenching the Burning Plague, Pt.1

Krytox had enjoyed their downtime so far in Seawell. He had used it as an opportunity to continue his education in common, do a bit of training and take in the local fare. There were many interesting dishes as well as new beverages to try. While he tended to be more drawn to the meat platters, he did give a fair chance to other, greener, meals as well. Of course, for one of his race it wasn't always easy going in a populated area. Despite the fact that many people in this place knew of their deeds, he still got dirty looks from the townsfolk. They typically didn't like strangers from their own shell, much less those from lower shells. Nobody ever said anything to him nor threatened physical harm, though that was probably because of the size difference.

Krytox continued his progression into blackscale adulthood. Mental maturity aside, growth spurts had probably given him an extra inch or so since the group had originally convened. They always seemed to find themselves sitting around a table, some filling their gullets while others ate in a much more polite manner. This happened to be one of those times, the only difference being the letter from Leland-Sir. Krytox had no chance at reading the letter, but listened intently as it was read quietly to the group.

"We sit idle too long. Start quest now seems good," he pipes up, using only common and not butchering it as badly as usual. "What you think?" he adds, addressing no one in particular.

"Mfi huahree," Alterith manages around a mouthful of roast fowl. "Bout time we got on with things. I'm sure my hides back home are just about cured and ready to be prepped for assembly." He studies the map provided. "Though it looks like it will be awhile yet before I have the chance to tend to the burrow."

He tilts back his mug of ale then slams it down catching the serving wenches eye. Once it is full again he returns to to his food. His mood has turned uglier the longer they have remained in the town. He longs for the wilds again and has been prone to spending days at large with his mount in the wilds around town looking for something to do. His constant return to nature has made him even more proficient at surviving in the shadows and striking with precision. While some have let themselves grow softer in the town, he has continued his routine and maintained his strength and stamina.

Being back in town, Squin gets some basic shopping done, takes care of some errands and gets a special trinket made. Special because it will remind him of his friend Mystia. During the few days, Squin practices improving his survival skills, sometimes looking for advice from other people or resources.

During his free time, the centaur explores the town and seeks to gather local knowledge and history. At nights he'll sometimes stop by various taverns just trying to soak in the local culture, tales, and whatever. Basically, Squin is just being curious, very curious, but trying not to be annoying.

When he sees the letter from Leland-Sir, his emotions are mixed. Eager to be able go help the local people, yet at the same time wanting to learn more about this place. Knowing that searching for Jakk could be tedious and dangerous, yet understanding that if left alone, the grave danger it could pose to the common folks.

Even though so different from others in his group, Squin contemplates about the beginning of a bond with them. Some more so than others. He remembers when the big lizardman seemingly appeared out of nowhere to help Mystia and Squin who were under attack by some unknown attacker. They are unable to communicate to each other all that well, but there seems to be certain level of understanding, or trust. At least from the centaur's side. The crazy halfling is an unique character. The more he watches, the more he fears getting on the wrong side of the halfling. It seems that the halfling has had a tough past and maybe some inner demon he's battling. Nonetheless, the halfling has the respect of the centaur. The elf is the most distant, not sure what the elf is up to and Squin is the least comfortable around the elf. The elf seems to have a different motivation for his actions compared with the rest of them. Not sure what to think, but the centaur senses that the elf can be a sneaky but deadly foe in a fight. Normally not someone the centaur would normally associate with, but not someone he has a problem with either. The nature boy they just met, not sure what to think. Appears to have a good heart, but not much can be said at this time. Something about the boy, but not sure what.

Back into the present, both the blackscale and the halfling professing a desire to move out. Quickly running through a mental checklist, Squin doesn't find anything else he really needs to get done at this time. He nods slowly in agreement.

In the tavern at Somi-Seawell, the adventurers finish up their simple but hearty meal of roast meat and ale. The time has come upon them - they long to set out on their new assignment which Leland-Sir has given them, and see it to completion. Not only might they gain good experience and battle spoils from these encounters, but coming to the aid of the townsfolk - and, eventually, being able to move about freely - cannot be a bad thing. For now, they endure the glances of the other more human-like folk, curious and otherwise.

ooc: You guys still have this evening to do any one activity of your choice (eg. walk around town, go to any particular location, Gather Info, etc. etc.). Once your action is completed (or you choose not to do anything), we'll call it a night.

Locations include:

1. Town Fringe - patrolling militiamen, crude watchtowers, barracks.
2. Tavern - current whereabouts. Can interact with any of the other patrons (8 commoners, 4 warrior/adventurers, 2 travelers) - Gather Information, play games, etc.
3. Center of Town - administrative area for trading and authorities, shops, officially closed for the day.
4. Local Amphitheatre - might be something happening there.
5. Small Residential Area - a small sea of makeshift tents, simple cabins, with relatively few permanent houses.
6. The Shore - includes docks, marina, and a sandy beach (though rocky)

While he wasn't as restless as Alterith, Krytox still had a sense of adventure and was starting to get an itch to leave town. The rest was enjoyable, too much food and drink makes fighters fat and lazy. He had taken some time to train and stay sharp, even taking advantage of having a companion to do so while back in town. Wache had been well trained by his previous owner and had done his job watching his other belongings for the short time they had been gone. It would soon be time to leave him to his job again, but for the time being Krytox did want to enjoy the food and drink for it might be a while before he could partake again.

He makes his way over to the bar, leaving his companions to their own devices, and orders another tall ale. Looking to his left and right, he realizes he has been fortuitous enough to sit near others who looked as if they were of his profession - warriors. The bartender never seemed interested in making conversation with the motley crew of which Krytox was a part, but these fine fellows might just be kindred spirits. His awkwardness with Common didn't end simply with the language, but rather the customs of this shell as well. He proved his naivete by simply joining their conversation, interrupting whatever was currently being discussed.

"Greetings," he begins in Draconic, before continuing in somewhat broken Common, "You look strong fighters. What you do out of town? Kill any bad guys? I kill calzone last ten-day." He manages to get through without much trouble, with the exception of badly mangling 'calzone.' The statement didn't make much sense, but it was unlikely that any of his audience understood the word anyway.

A couple of the individuals turn and place a gaze steadily back at Krytox, their wooden stools creaking ever so slightly in the din of the tavern noise. The others pay the blackscale no heed.

One of them, a man with a mustache with many scars across his skin, arches an eyebrow. " 'Ker-zonn'? Never 'eard that one 'afore. And we've been through quite a bit! Ain't we, Donovan?" He nudges an elbow at another man sitting one more seat over, and the man turns.

"Damn straight, me lizard friend," he growls. "We're the Marcus Brothers. Sellswords. Just doin' some business in this 'ere Somi Kingdom while heading down-Shell for the World Bazaar. This 'ere's Walter." Walter, the man with a mustache and many scars, tilts his hat toward Krytox.

"We grew up in the Kingdom of Fiveron, a couple lands over to the east, but 'ave spent much our lives travelling Shell to Shell. Where ye from? You don't be lookin' like yer from 'round these parts."

A little alcohol in his blood has the halfling feeling up for some action. He nods to Krytox as the lizard heads over to a table of sword bearers. Not knowing whether a brawl is in the offing or not, Alterith sizes them up but decides he need not worry about his friend. He heads to the amphitheater hoping they might have some arena competitions this evening that he can partake of. He remembers seeing a posting about some form of competition, but doesn't recall when it was or what it was (not being able to read has it's disadvantages, though the pictures were clear enough). It could be a play for all he really knows, but it has to be more entertaining than sitting around for yet another night. He checks with his pig in the stables, and seeing that he is bedded down well, Alterith makes his way across town. He manages to find his way there after only getting lost twice. Maybe he should have passed on the last 4 ales.

The alcohol had loosened him up a bit and Krytox took the chance to chat with the other adventurers. He regaled them with stories of his adventures, conveniently leaving out the political bits. Even if they could understand his broken speech, his stories themselves jumped all over the place with attacking furniture, ''blue hands", and lighthouses. He does manage to sneak in a question or two about the Torn-claw clan and Jakk specifically, hoping to get any information. Unfortunately for him, he had downed a few two many drinks over the course of the evening and most of what they could tell him was lost in the haze. Hopefully one of Krytox's friends was listening in on their raucous conversation. (Gather Info: 8 total)

Before too long he parted ways with the Marcus brothers, having made two friends that could be good allies should he ever part ways with his current group. Who knows, they may even run into each other on another shell sometime, as they had told him of the wonders of the other shells. He manages to make his way through the city streets and finds himself in the middle of town. He sits and watches the people, noticing Alterith walk by, twice, as the evening shifts into night. He lets the buzz pass, taking in everything he can, before finally returning to the inn and turning in for the night. (Spot, Listen, Gather Info: 6, 21, 13 total respectively)

ooc: Jerry, feel free to play out any other conversations. If you want me to fill in Krytox's part, let me know. Others seem to be taking a little longer to get in the swing of Chapter 4, so we probably have time to stretch things out if necessary

Listening passively to the various goings-on in the tavern, Philomel is more than a little discouraged. She has spent the last several days making discreet inquiries around Somi-Seawell - which is by far the largest metropolis she's ever seen - but to no avail. There are either no leads about her father, or there are a thousand leads - equally impossible to follow. Seemingly everyone she meets knows of an elf that fits her vague description: dark coloring, tall for his race, handy with a bow, some sort of clan leader. But then she comes to the only specific bit of information she has - the only thing about him that her mother ever told her - and...nothing. No one has ever seen an elf with a missing ear.

Her lack of success in her primary quest does have something of a silver lining - it makes the decision to stay with the band of adventurers that much easier. She finds it amazing how quickly - albeit with some wariness - they've accepted her as a peer without knowing much about her at all, aside from the details she's let fall in the days since the calzone battle. Well, to be honest, they've accepted him - Philo - not her, Philomel. But that's a minor detail only.

Philo is intrigued by their upcoming task, and has questioned her companions as extensively as they will allow about the burning plague. She longs to know more of the mysterious necrosia. For now, though, the closeness of the tavern is starting to make her feel claustrophobic - she is still not used to such a concentration of inhabitants as she's found in Somi-Seawall. She bids the others good night and sets off with Tex - waiting complacently outside, having quelled the other tavern-cats with no more than a look - for a walk along the shore.

Alterith: Tonight, the amphitheater is showing the retelling of the history of the Kingdom of Somi and the origin of its close ties with the Jinam Protectorate, of how they were both founded by two mighty adventurers in the aftermath of the War of Ultimates, and how their alliance continues to this day. The twist to this event is that the organizers have turned it into a competition - various audience members are given a certain amount of time to explain the history, whether through music, dance, narration, poetry, and so forth. The winner is promised a prize (which ends up being fancy but possessing only lighthearted worth).

Afterwards, Alterith gazes unmovingly at a short musical production featuring the daughter of the Kingdom of Somi, Princess Alania Somi. It is an entertaining take on the story of the upbringing of the royal princess, interestingly done in a rags-to-riches context despite the wealth the girl was obviously surrounded with. It culminates and ends in a cliffhanger, just prior to her double dou fore novem (closest English translation, "sweet 16th"), currently being actually planned and to be held in just less than one month's time.

Krytox: Here is a smattering of information the blackscale was able to learn…

• Jakk Tornclaw has many kobolds under his employ, and in general creatures who are weaker than he is, so he can bully them around.
  
• Jakk himself may have been infected with the burning plague - this has either weakened him, or made him more powerful (and thus dangerous) than ever thought possible.
  
• Local reptilian raids against Somi-Seawell and other towns in the region have been increasing recently. These aren't really Tornclaw kobolds, but rather troglodytes and swampland lizardfolk. Their relation to the Tornclaw-Bloodaxe group remains unknown.
  
• Jakk is probably not counted among the leaders of the Tornclaw-Bloodaxe alliance - nevertheless, he is quite notorious in this area.
  
• Jakk may know the details of how the burning plague was first used against the mining village of Somi-Bartholomew, where this ordeal all began.
  

Philo: As the companions turn in for the night, Philo and Tex stroll leisurely along the shoreline, placing their feet nimbly over the rocking outcroppings dotting the water's edge. As they admire the starry sky and the relatively cooler temperature of the night, they look behind them - they are about a half mile from the docks. They look ahead of them, farther down the shoreline which begins to curve seaward into a peninsula. Dotting the tip of that peninsula, many miles away, is a small light. The sight is at once strange and yet familiar to Philo. Ah, of course! That was the lighthouse her companions helped to restore, before she had met them.

A pair of patrolling militiamen stop the two for a moment. "It's not safe out here," they caution. After exchanging a few more words, they warn Philo to be cautious, and, glancing curiously at Tex, they continue on their rounds.

Later on, the group retires to the inn for a night of rest.

Alterith quickly loses interest in the show. Not that long ago they hosted tests of strength in the same amphitheater. That was a show worth watching, and Alterith wishes he could have participated himself. He may be small in stature, but he feels he could have bested even the strongest that the town had to offer. Ah well, this hogwash is rotting his brain. He wanders out into the cool night air.
Catching a breeze off the water, Alterith breathes in deeply. This reminds him of open areas and free roaming. Suddenly the town seems to be closing in around him, and a dark presence resting at the back of his mind begins to stir again. Something isn't sitting well with him, though he can't play a finger on the problem. Breathing shallowly he makes his way to the edge of town, and out into the smaller outlying homesteads. Beneath the trees he finds a measure of peace and is able to chain the demon within him once again.
Sitting with his back to a tree he begins methodically sharpening his weapons. It won't be long now before they are called to action again, and he is determined to be ready. Later that evening he returns to the inn showing no signs of the inner turmoil that has raged through him. Something is still not sitting right with him, but he is able to pass a semi peaceful night knowing that tomorrow they will be free of this confinement once again and back in an environment he truly understands.

Squin wanders around the town observing and listening. Eventually he wanders upon the amphitheater and decides to just enjoy and show. It was interesting to listen to all the people tell their version of the history. The centaur knows that while these versions have been exaggerated, they still offer some interesting insight, especially to the story teller's impression or feel of the events or people. If lucky he might get learn something new. Nonetheless, Squin decides to just enjoy the local entertainment for the night, as he may not get another chance for a while.

When the shows are over, he goes back to the inn to rest for the night.

Upon returning to the inn, Krytox tosses Wache some of the scraps from dinner. Satisfied with his findings, he collapses on the bed. He relishes the relatively soft mattress as he may not have a chance for such comforts once the group sets out again. The night goes by quickly, though not without at least a few fitful dreams. Like usual, he is haunted by visions of his time in the mines. It had been a while since his captivity, and thankfully the dreams had come less and less frequently.

He awakes with the sun, feeling only a little tired and not remembering much of the dreams. He makes his way downstairs packed, set to go, and ready to share his information from the previous night with the others.

ooc: I'm set to press on with this chapter. I'm not crazy busy or anything, so if other people are champing at the bit ready to get this rolling, I can definitely keep pace.

Rasa returns from a crazy night out at the town. After he finished protecting the old bats, he figured he might as well enjoy himself a little before going back to adventuring. He was hoarding up a nice heap of cash after all! He spends the next few nights drinking heavily, playing games of skill (while winning and leaving with just about as much as he started with), and being merry. After he gets word that the group is finally setting out, he decides that he might as well join them once again and leave behind this lifestyle that is quickly becoming boring. You can only beat a bunch of humans in darts so many times before it gets going....

He finally retires for the night, and packs up well before dawn to begin the next adventure.....

In the morning, the group sets out for the location of Jakk Tornclaw's hideout, about two days' travel away from Seawell. Thanks to the map given them by Leland-Sir, they slowly creep upon the place without trouble. Glacning over a gentle hill ridge, the group can make out the towering peaks of the mountains and an entrance to a mine long thought abandoned.

In the vicinity of the entrance, the hard, dusty ground is littered with tools, picks and shovels, some of which protrude out of the ground. A single darkened shaft leads into the depths of the mine ahead. The dirt path beneath its wooden support structure is covered with stone debris, a few pieces of which occasionally glint with the slightest hint of ore. No light issues forth from the tunnel. Burnt-out torches are strewn across the floor, their brackets torn from the shaft walls. Behind you, the hill curves back down the way you came. Aside from the quiet whistling of the wind, complete silence fills the small clearing within the mountains.

Squin attempts to peer into the darkened mine entrance, trying to get as good of a look as he can without moving closer. The centaur dares not move closer, and prefers not to move much at this time. Who knows what traps may be around, or more likely, what clues the entrance area can give them.

He knows he is not the best at it, but the centaur figures he might as well practice searching for clues and traps. Well, more so from his current position. He doesn't want to ruin anything for the better searchers in the group. The centaur looks around carefully and tries to pay attention to every little sound he hears.

The centaur is trying to be useful without getting in the way while really waiting for the more experience members of the group to form a plan of action.

Search: X + 5 =

Random number (1,20) :

4

Spot: X + 7 =

Random number (1,20) :

4

Listen: X + 7 =

Random number (1,20) :

10

After peering over the top of the hill, Alterith slips back down and looks at the others.

"Well, why don't me and the blackscale go make some noise out there and see what comes out?" He looks to his friend Rasa. "You wanna get around behind and give us some cover in case we find more than we are looking for? Personally I'd rather have them come out to us then try and hunt through those tunnels. Of course, we do give up the element of surprise...if we have it." He gives a meaningful look at the giant centaur and his hoofs which are sure to make noise on the hard rock floor of the old mine shaft.

"Well, if you want the element of surprise, how about you let me check the tunnel for traps before we go in? While yelling might get them to come out, I'm pretty sure that it will actually do the opposite. If I was hiding in a cave and I knew the layout really well, it would be much easier for me to ambush any intruders than it would to go running out at them head on. After all, not everyone is like you when it comes to fighting honorably...."

Rasa hopes that his words reach the halfling, as alerting the enemy to their presence was the last thing the Dracen wanted. He does his best to ignore the centaur's pitiful attempts at searching, and conducts one of his own much more thorough searches. No need to put the group in harms way.... He preferred that the brutes were fully healthy when the rushed blindly into battle.

Search: 8 + 12 = 20

After conducting his search he says to the group "Alright, things look clear. Let's go...... QUIETLY." He says the last bit while looking directly at Alterith, and then proceeds towards the entrance.

Krytox is visibly on edge upon reaching their location. His slavery had taken place under very different circumstances, but the mine reminded him of it nonetheless. He quickly composes himself, but the more astute of the group could tell that there was tension just below the surface.

The lizardman listens to Rasa and Alterith discuss their plans of action. Even though he had more in common with the halfling, he had to agree that Rasa's plan seemed more sound. If they could take whoever was in the mine by surprise, it would be to their advantage. Of course fighting in the open would probably be better for the group, but it was unlikely they would be given that scenario anyway. He had to give Rasa credit for the plan as he wouldn't have come up with something as good.

"Elf plan is good. Squin feet make sounds, but armor and weapon loud too. I lookout, you check," he says, addressing Rasa with the last bit.

Spot: 5 + 3 = 8

Philo looks over their surroundings with some disapproval. Mining has no place in her nature-centric worldview except as an unnecessary pillaging of the land - at least, that is how she's been brought up. And to add insult to injury, this mine appears long-abandoned, with no attempt made to reharmonize it with the natural cycle. A quick glance shows that Krytox shares her distaste, though she doubts his reasons are quite the same.

The group appears to be deciding how best to investigate the mine. She peers in herself as the debate proceeds.

Spot: 20 + 8 = 28

"We could send Tex in first," she suggests, referring to the riding cat. "He has good vision in the dark, you know."

Tex cocked an ear at her, a less-than-pleased expression in his eyes at being thus involuntarily volunteered. She shrugged, as if to say, You missed the last fight - now it's your turn.

"I agree" the centaur says quietly. "The quiet and stealthy ones should go take a look first. Us noisy ones can wait out here somewhere. How long should we give the stealthy ones before assuming trouble of some sort? Or is there a signal of some sort?"

Squin thinks back to some of his training. Yes his hooves will make noise against the hard rock surface, or any hard surface for that matter. Even though he has had some practice living in the city walking on the harder surface of the city streets and structures, he feels too inexperienced to even make an attempt. An unnecessary attempt he feels. The centaur needs to practice more and get more training in order to be able to move about more quietly on hard surfaces. Though the hooves are quite useful on a softer surface, such as grass or open fields or forests. Things common in his native home. Oh how he wishes to go back to visit some day, but for now, his wanderlust and curiosity of the rest of the world is stronger. Someday he tells himself, he have lots of stories and knowledge to tell his friends and family back home.

Drifting back into reality again, the centaur waits for the action or plan to unfold. For now, it seems that his role is just to stay ready but hidden somewhere out here.

"Well, I don't see anything..... though it looks like there may have been a recent battle here. Should I go ahead and check inside? or should we all go in together?"

"Not see, then we go," Krytox answers. He is satisfied with the "search" he has done, despite not seeing anything more than the painfully obvious. Of course, other more skilled than he had also looked around, but didn't seem overly concerned with anything in particular. Because of that he seems content with pressing on as a group. Without waiting for others to respond, the lizardman presses forward towards the mine.

Rasa shrugs. Normally he would have protested and insisted on going first and going ahead. After working with the group for as long as he has, he's come to realize that sneaking around isn't always the best method. Plus, with 2 brutes like Alterith and Krytox, it's not like anyone is going to get knocked out anywhere near as quickly as his frail Dracen body. He almost curses that fact until his mind falls on all the advantages he has that they do not. In time, he may be more comfortable leading completely on his own, but for now, the extra strength was appreciated. He nods to Krytox as he presses forward, and begins to follow.