The Dragon Heist.
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Royal: The Heist [CBPK/D&D:FR]
- Thread starter Kerashana
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The Heist
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Chapter 1
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Well, it's not more Exiled Blade. Too much work to dive back into the head space needed to write that, and I'm working on something OC. (I hope.) So, here's a bit of fun, very rough and raw. It really needs a second and maybe third pass before posting, but I just can't give it the love it deserves right now.
That said, if I get the gumption to come back and do the next bit, ?Tiamat Rising? I'll at least do a second pass on this first. So without further adieu.
This story is about how I learned more about Heaven and Earth than was dreamed in young Horatio's Philosophy. You see, things happened in Night City and then suddenly I found myself falling. It hurts to even remember that… place. Colors beyond imagining and sounds I could see. Nothing made sense, and in a way that made sense.
Even as something built up within me, swirling and pulsing with an electric energy, I suddenly found everything washed out as a voice spoke to me. "Hark, for I see the darkness which trails you. Flesh and Steel. Changed and Remade. Be that which you so pretend."
In a swirl of almost tangible shadows and black feathers I found myself once more in a place that made sense… but only so much. Where I was, or how I got here was something nearly inconceivable to me…
I stood on a dirt road, greenery all around, forests in the distance… did I somehow get thrown into the EU? Canada? With a deep frown, I picked a direction and started off, an odd feeling of… something swirling within me.
As I walked, I checked over what I had on me. Huginn, my Cyber Raven was present, and I had my handgun. My shotgun, SMG, and sword where not present. Wonderful.
Pulling out my Mauser Hx-5.7, I checked it over, then replaced it, and checked my ammo. Three spare magazines, seven rounds each… I was going to be facing quiet the problem if I got into a fight. Which is to say, I did face quite the problem.
Maybe three hours later, a scruffy looking man with a sword stepped out into the middle of the road. "Halt and relinquish your valuables!"
I… I was being robbed?
Activating my scanner, I made a quick pass at both sides of the road and the man. There were three others and this one at least didn't have anything of real note…
Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out, and as I had nothing in my lungs I drew my pistol. Four rounds, but only three corpses. The fourth, a man in heavy looking armor burst from the brush, the bullet having failed to pierce his armor.
Two more shots, showed me some kind of… of… forcefield? Magic? The bullets were being turned by some kind of field. Making solid shots instead plink off of his armor.
As he rushed me, the swirling energy I could feel within me quickened, then quickened again before reaching a crescendo and blasting out of me in a clap of thunder.
Startled as I was, I could feel the… power still there, just waiting to be used and… like a damn had burst I understood how to use it. How to…
As the bandit fell back a step, I drew on this power again and unleashed a beam of cold, a <[Ray of Frost>]. As the ray hit the bandit, I fired a laser out of my left, cyber, arm. The combination was too much for the bandit and he… heh, lost his head.
Slowly breathing, I frowned. Magic? "Since when have I known magic?"
Grumbling over the conundrum, I set to work on the most important of tasks. Looting the dead. I won't go into detail, too much effort. But all told I had a pouch with some unknown coinage in it, a ring that felt… like something? Magical maybe? Several swords, and surprisingly, a Map.
The city of Waterdeep was the closest city and… wasn't that a kick in the pants? Waterdeep? I was on Toril? Wish I knew more about the setting now. Still, that meant magic and dragons at a minimum.
On the other hand there was a mark that looked like it might be a camp nearby. If so… well, I'll take more money! Besides, I had magic and a sword now; I could save my bullets.
So, with that decided, I sent Huginn up so I could get my bearings before setting off.
I'll say this much, moving through wilderness was… not something I'm overly good at. Or wasn't. Probably still not, but I did pick up a few things from my stumblings.
The camp was pretty well hidden and didn't appear to actually have anyone in it. So I quickly set about ransacking it. Finding a few more bags of coin and a decent pack.
I didn't stick around to see if others would show up, instead turning and making for Waterdeep. Should I have tried to lay false trails? Maybe. But I don't think I could have.
Being Chipped In has its benefits. I'm no monster that can just keep going. I'm wired in sure, I even have a good bit of chrome, but I'm not on the edge of cyberpsychosis. Still, I can keep going with little rest for a couple of days if I have too. So, I didn't stop to sleep, and only really stopped when I was a few yards from the cities gates. Just plopping down on the side of the road and eating some of the terrible trail rations I had liberated. Gods awful stuff.
Waterdeep was a big city by local terms, moderate by Earth terms. It has high stone walls, and some impressive towers but not the skyscrapers I'm used to. No mega structures, no cars. Just… yeah.
As I rested, I took the time to explore a bit of… well, my magic I guess. Magic! I mean, shit! I could do magic! It was inconceivable to my mind, yet… a part of me, my inner child, was overjoyed by this.
Magic!
As dawn began to rise, I was jared from my… ok, I was dozing, by the sound of the gates opening.
Getting up, watched as what had to be city guards? Watch? Set up for the day, a figure in black robes among them.
Approaching, I drew the attention of many of the guards. Their eyes lingering on my left arm, it's metallic white finish and golden trim. Or maybe it was my glowing white hair? My glowing golden eyes? Nah, had to be my clothes… not exactly period appropriate.
"Halt, state your name and business." One of the guards had the presence of mind to call out.
"Jaeda Royal… Immigrant?" No, really. I mean, did I want to find a way back to Night City and all of… that? It was home… but I could always make a new one.
There was a moment of pause, broken when one of the guards coughed. "Are you royalty?"
Oh… huh… never looked at it that way. "Er. No."
Stepping forward the black robed fellow spoke, asking. "Are you a Wizard or Sorcerer?"
Thinking back to what little I could remember of Dungeons and Dragons I nodded. "A Sorcerer, I think? I'm kind of new to this."
The black robed fellow pursed his lips before waving me over. "Let's get you registered."
The robed figure led me over to a table that was under an overhand inside the gate and took a seat behind it, waving for me to take the seat before him. "Please take your time to fill out the forms in Common, assuming you are proficient in the written word?"
Er… that was a good question. I knew english… but was that common? It's what I was speaking at least so maybe.
Taking the… the… quill and inkwell, I wrote down a short rhyme in the margin.
"Jack be nimble. Jack be quick?" The… guy read when I held it up.
"Good, wanted to make sure… I'm from a long ways off." I stated before filling out the forms.
As I worked the man explained the laws of the city, giving me a pamphlet and everything. The pointed suggestions to join the 'Watchful Order' were… pointed, and annoying. But finally, I finished and he took a few minutes to look it all over before nodding. "I recommend heading over to the Yawning Portal. Just tell Duran that Norbis sent you. He should be able to help you get a feel for the city."
Pursing my lips, I nodded and headed off with a small thanks. Never hurts to be courteous. From there, finding my way to the named tavern was only a little difficult. On my way, I found myself the center of attention as people gawked at me, my clothes foreign enough to their sensibilities.
On the other side of it, the whole of the city was… weird. There were many touchstones, alley ways, vagrants, the beat and pulse of a city, only in muted tones. The thing that threw me most I think, was… I suppose the horses. Animals in general really. With all the plagues and such in the past we just didn't really have all that many. Definitely not in Night City.
The tavern was a large if… unassuming building. No, that's my own perceptions speaking. There were no adverts on the walls, no- It was just a simple building, big, multi floored and with a sign hanging above the door. The Yawning Portal. Inside though…
Inside, well, it was a riot of people. Dragon looking people, normal looking people, ugly people, short people, dark grey people… the whole place was a riot of personalities, the talking and assing around; the drinking and laughing. It was… like coming home in a way, this place was comfortable, even with a giant pit in the middle of the room. I mean, really! But I suppose it was kind of in the name.
Making my way to the bar, I surveyed the man behind the counter. He was handsome with dark hair, but one of those weird beards with a mustache and no chin covering. He was also in pretty good shape, so he took care of himself.
"Durnan?" I called out once I was at the counter, and only then did I notice the people 'discreetly' watching me.
"Aye? What can I do you for Lass?" Durnan asked in a pleasant baritone.
"Norbis sent me. Seems to think you can help me find my feet." I replied, then because it would get out pretty fast, "I'm a bit new to this world. Only know a few half remembered things."
"Huh, that's kind of new. Well, it's four shards, or silver coins, a day. If you don't have any money, I can put you to work. If you're looking for work that isn't bustling tables, I can ask around." He offered up and… huh.
Pulling out the- my coin pouch, I dug through it a bit, counting out what I had. Lots of copper, silver, and some brass coins. A couple of Gold coins, and that was it.
Pulling out one of the square brass coins that had a hole in its center, I held it up. "How much is this?" Yeah, I was really self-conscious of all the people trying to hide that they were watching me. The most conspicuous ones where the ones not looking, and I made sure to memorize them.
"That is a Taol, it's worth two hundered Nibs. Copper pieces…" Durnan began before shaking his head and explaining the money thing to me. Worth and value, what they looked like, and so on.
Nodding, I placed down the brass coin. "Ten days then, keep the other half as collateral. Someones bound to do something stupid and I might have to break something."
"Ha!" He let out as he scooped up the coin. "You're probably right, but I like to think those around here are smarter than that." Reaching under the counter he pulled out a key and handed it over to me, calling over my shoulder, "Bonnie, lass! Take our guest here up to room 7!"
"Aye. Come along." She replied as she ushered me along. She wasn't human. I mean, fair, but… it was odd? I don't know. Didn't really matter right now. I needed to get a feel for this place.
The room I was led too was simple, but nice enough. Bed, table, chair, chest of drawers. All the basics.
That said, if I get the gumption to come back and do the next bit, ?Tiamat Rising? I'll at least do a second pass on this first. So without further adieu.
100000011101
Heh. So you want to know how I got started? Sure, I don't see a reason not to tell you. I was a Corpo, a wage slave. I wasn't well liked by most of those around me, but not hated. After all I wasn't… retired. I was low on the totem pole, but observant, and so as it happened, too observant. It's how I lost my life of tedium and ended up on the edge, ended up a Runner. But, that story and my time in Night City? Well, I might tell that tale another time.This story is about how I learned more about Heaven and Earth than was dreamed in young Horatio's Philosophy. You see, things happened in Night City and then suddenly I found myself falling. It hurts to even remember that… place. Colors beyond imagining and sounds I could see. Nothing made sense, and in a way that made sense.
Even as something built up within me, swirling and pulsing with an electric energy, I suddenly found everything washed out as a voice spoke to me. "Hark, for I see the darkness which trails you. Flesh and Steel. Changed and Remade. Be that which you so pretend."
In a swirl of almost tangible shadows and black feathers I found myself once more in a place that made sense… but only so much. Where I was, or how I got here was something nearly inconceivable to me…
I stood on a dirt road, greenery all around, forests in the distance… did I somehow get thrown into the EU? Canada? With a deep frown, I picked a direction and started off, an odd feeling of… something swirling within me.
As I walked, I checked over what I had on me. Huginn, my Cyber Raven was present, and I had my handgun. My shotgun, SMG, and sword where not present. Wonderful.
Pulling out my Mauser Hx-5.7, I checked it over, then replaced it, and checked my ammo. Three spare magazines, seven rounds each… I was going to be facing quiet the problem if I got into a fight. Which is to say, I did face quite the problem.
Maybe three hours later, a scruffy looking man with a sword stepped out into the middle of the road. "Halt and relinquish your valuables!"
I… I was being robbed?
Activating my scanner, I made a quick pass at both sides of the road and the man. There were three others and this one at least didn't have anything of real note…
Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out, and as I had nothing in my lungs I drew my pistol. Four rounds, but only three corpses. The fourth, a man in heavy looking armor burst from the brush, the bullet having failed to pierce his armor.
Two more shots, showed me some kind of… of… forcefield? Magic? The bullets were being turned by some kind of field. Making solid shots instead plink off of his armor.
As he rushed me, the swirling energy I could feel within me quickened, then quickened again before reaching a crescendo and blasting out of me in a clap of thunder.
Startled as I was, I could feel the… power still there, just waiting to be used and… like a damn had burst I understood how to use it. How to…
As the bandit fell back a step, I drew on this power again and unleashed a beam of cold, a <[Ray of Frost>]. As the ray hit the bandit, I fired a laser out of my left, cyber, arm. The combination was too much for the bandit and he… heh, lost his head.
Slowly breathing, I frowned. Magic? "Since when have I known magic?"
Grumbling over the conundrum, I set to work on the most important of tasks. Looting the dead. I won't go into detail, too much effort. But all told I had a pouch with some unknown coinage in it, a ring that felt… like something? Magical maybe? Several swords, and surprisingly, a Map.
The city of Waterdeep was the closest city and… wasn't that a kick in the pants? Waterdeep? I was on Toril? Wish I knew more about the setting now. Still, that meant magic and dragons at a minimum.
On the other hand there was a mark that looked like it might be a camp nearby. If so… well, I'll take more money! Besides, I had magic and a sword now; I could save my bullets.
So, with that decided, I sent Huginn up so I could get my bearings before setting off.
I'll say this much, moving through wilderness was… not something I'm overly good at. Or wasn't. Probably still not, but I did pick up a few things from my stumblings.
The camp was pretty well hidden and didn't appear to actually have anyone in it. So I quickly set about ransacking it. Finding a few more bags of coin and a decent pack.
I didn't stick around to see if others would show up, instead turning and making for Waterdeep. Should I have tried to lay false trails? Maybe. But I don't think I could have.
Being Chipped In has its benefits. I'm no monster that can just keep going. I'm wired in sure, I even have a good bit of chrome, but I'm not on the edge of cyberpsychosis. Still, I can keep going with little rest for a couple of days if I have too. So, I didn't stop to sleep, and only really stopped when I was a few yards from the cities gates. Just plopping down on the side of the road and eating some of the terrible trail rations I had liberated. Gods awful stuff.
Waterdeep was a big city by local terms, moderate by Earth terms. It has high stone walls, and some impressive towers but not the skyscrapers I'm used to. No mega structures, no cars. Just… yeah.
As I rested, I took the time to explore a bit of… well, my magic I guess. Magic! I mean, shit! I could do magic! It was inconceivable to my mind, yet… a part of me, my inner child, was overjoyed by this.
Magic!
As dawn began to rise, I was jared from my… ok, I was dozing, by the sound of the gates opening.
Getting up, watched as what had to be city guards? Watch? Set up for the day, a figure in black robes among them.
Approaching, I drew the attention of many of the guards. Their eyes lingering on my left arm, it's metallic white finish and golden trim. Or maybe it was my glowing white hair? My glowing golden eyes? Nah, had to be my clothes… not exactly period appropriate.
"Halt, state your name and business." One of the guards had the presence of mind to call out.
"Jaeda Royal… Immigrant?" No, really. I mean, did I want to find a way back to Night City and all of… that? It was home… but I could always make a new one.
There was a moment of pause, broken when one of the guards coughed. "Are you royalty?"
Oh… huh… never looked at it that way. "Er. No."
Stepping forward the black robed fellow spoke, asking. "Are you a Wizard or Sorcerer?"
Thinking back to what little I could remember of Dungeons and Dragons I nodded. "A Sorcerer, I think? I'm kind of new to this."
The black robed fellow pursed his lips before waving me over. "Let's get you registered."
The robed figure led me over to a table that was under an overhand inside the gate and took a seat behind it, waving for me to take the seat before him. "Please take your time to fill out the forms in Common, assuming you are proficient in the written word?"
Er… that was a good question. I knew english… but was that common? It's what I was speaking at least so maybe.
Taking the… the… quill and inkwell, I wrote down a short rhyme in the margin.
"Jack be nimble. Jack be quick?" The… guy read when I held it up.
"Good, wanted to make sure… I'm from a long ways off." I stated before filling out the forms.
As I worked the man explained the laws of the city, giving me a pamphlet and everything. The pointed suggestions to join the 'Watchful Order' were… pointed, and annoying. But finally, I finished and he took a few minutes to look it all over before nodding. "I recommend heading over to the Yawning Portal. Just tell Duran that Norbis sent you. He should be able to help you get a feel for the city."
Pursing my lips, I nodded and headed off with a small thanks. Never hurts to be courteous. From there, finding my way to the named tavern was only a little difficult. On my way, I found myself the center of attention as people gawked at me, my clothes foreign enough to their sensibilities.
On the other side of it, the whole of the city was… weird. There were many touchstones, alley ways, vagrants, the beat and pulse of a city, only in muted tones. The thing that threw me most I think, was… I suppose the horses. Animals in general really. With all the plagues and such in the past we just didn't really have all that many. Definitely not in Night City.
The tavern was a large if… unassuming building. No, that's my own perceptions speaking. There were no adverts on the walls, no- It was just a simple building, big, multi floored and with a sign hanging above the door. The Yawning Portal. Inside though…
Inside, well, it was a riot of people. Dragon looking people, normal looking people, ugly people, short people, dark grey people… the whole place was a riot of personalities, the talking and assing around; the drinking and laughing. It was… like coming home in a way, this place was comfortable, even with a giant pit in the middle of the room. I mean, really! But I suppose it was kind of in the name.
Making my way to the bar, I surveyed the man behind the counter. He was handsome with dark hair, but one of those weird beards with a mustache and no chin covering. He was also in pretty good shape, so he took care of himself.
"Durnan?" I called out once I was at the counter, and only then did I notice the people 'discreetly' watching me.
"Aye? What can I do you for Lass?" Durnan asked in a pleasant baritone.
"Norbis sent me. Seems to think you can help me find my feet." I replied, then because it would get out pretty fast, "I'm a bit new to this world. Only know a few half remembered things."
"Huh, that's kind of new. Well, it's four shards, or silver coins, a day. If you don't have any money, I can put you to work. If you're looking for work that isn't bustling tables, I can ask around." He offered up and… huh.
Pulling out the- my coin pouch, I dug through it a bit, counting out what I had. Lots of copper, silver, and some brass coins. A couple of Gold coins, and that was it.
Pulling out one of the square brass coins that had a hole in its center, I held it up. "How much is this?" Yeah, I was really self-conscious of all the people trying to hide that they were watching me. The most conspicuous ones where the ones not looking, and I made sure to memorize them.
"That is a Taol, it's worth two hundered Nibs. Copper pieces…" Durnan began before shaking his head and explaining the money thing to me. Worth and value, what they looked like, and so on.
Nodding, I placed down the brass coin. "Ten days then, keep the other half as collateral. Someones bound to do something stupid and I might have to break something."
"Ha!" He let out as he scooped up the coin. "You're probably right, but I like to think those around here are smarter than that." Reaching under the counter he pulled out a key and handed it over to me, calling over my shoulder, "Bonnie, lass! Take our guest here up to room 7!"
"Aye. Come along." She replied as she ushered me along. She wasn't human. I mean, fair, but… it was odd? I don't know. Didn't really matter right now. I needed to get a feel for this place.
The room I was led too was simple, but nice enough. Bed, table, chair, chest of drawers. All the basics.
Chapter 2
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Sitting at one of the tables on the second floor, I examined the cane I had purchased. It was an interesting thing, a lucky find really. The cane was… T-shaped? I don't know the technical name, but it was a bit curvy to be a proper T. At the cross of the cane was a carved rose with a Ruby set in it. The wood of the cane was old with small cracks, and even so it had set me back most of my money. Still, I could feel that it would make using my magic easier.
Sharing the table with me was a disinterested Drow. He had short white hair, red eyes, and sharp features. His face was attractive in a roguish way, and he filled out his Studded Leather armor rather well. Slim, but athletic, with muscles that could be discerned, but weren't overt. At his side he wore two shortswords that peeked out from his cloak.
"You going to spend all night gawking at that thing?" He muttered before taking a swig of Ale. Not a false swig either.
"Says the Drow who's spent all evening eyeing me up." I threw back, setting the cane down. "Not that you're hard on the eyes yourself, but I would really rather understand the tool I just bought."
"Ha, I suppose I can understand that. Names Ilshin." He tossed out, voice filled with mirth.
"Jaeda," I replied, but before I could add anything else I was interrupted by cheers and other ruckus from the ground floor.
From Huginn, who I had on a nearby rail watching the ground floor, I saw a brawl taking place down below. However, I also caught movement in the well. With a mental command, I sent Huginn down to look into the well… "Shit."
My mutter caught Ilshin's attention, but I ignored him, walking over to the rail and bellowing down, "Troll coming up! Stirges following along!"
It was amazing how fast the tavern changed, people falling back, the brawl breaking off, and people moving to defensive positions.
"Damn, you sure can yell." Ilshin commented from where he had moved up next to me, and what was up with that? Kind of puts the paranoia in me. "Too bad the Trolls coming out on the far side."
Shaking my head at how not sorry he sounded, I took a few steps back before bolting forward and jumping off the rail. My leap wasn't going to be far enough, I had known that to begin with, so I jumped again. I mean, Cyber Legs were freakin useful like that.
I came crashing down on the trolls back as it tried to climb out of the well, and I slammed the point of my cane into its skull. To my surprise, even as I cast my spell, the cane bit into the troll thorns and roses appearing to slowly crawl along it's flesh. The vaunted troll regeneration seemingly halted in its tracks. My spell, chosen due to the Stirges that were even then flocking towards me, my <[Thunderclap>] rolled out into the Troll, slamming it into the ground and then met stone and rolled back up.
The Stirges dove head first into my blast of sound and were basically shredded by it. The troll under me however was still very alive and kicking, forcing me to step off of it forward and spinning around to guard against it.
Would a bullet work here? Maybe I should use a laser? As I fretted over this, the Troll came fully out of the well and I could see where it's regeneration was now fighting with the thorns and roses burrowed in it's skin.
"Huh, this cane was a steal of a deal. Who knew." I couldn't help but quip and Durnan stepped up beside me, greatsword in hand.
"Careful Lass, this ain't over yet." Durnan rebuked, but there was no edge to it.
100000011101
Ilshin A'Darorgh openly gaped as he watched the apparently mad Elf Sorceress jump off of the rail of the balcony, her white fox tail trailing behind her, both hair and tail glowing white.
He could easily read the arch of her jump, and it would see her plummet into the hole to Undermountain. Then she jumped… again… off of thin air. What kind of mad magic was this!
Of course, it got 'better' for a definition of the word anyways. She landed on the Troll, smashing it down on the rim of the hole. Her cane slammed into it's head, and her standing there like she was just out for a walk in an uptown market. Maybe out to see a play.
The {Subtle} spell working leaving him wary of her… if that jump hadn't anyways. Watching the Stirges pretty much explode was… well, Ilshin was impressed. Then she, seemingly, casually steps off of the Troll and just turned to face it.
Jarlaxle would find this one most fascinating.
With a sigh, he quickly made his way around the Inn's second floor, watching as Jaeda took a blow that really should have knocked her out of the fight, and just kept going. Cane thrusting and spell blasting. Oddly, she didn't go for what was assumed to be some kind of pistol that was on her hip.
Finally, Ilshin climbed up on the rail and jumped down, angling to slam his short swords into the Trolls back, and getting lucky enough to knock it back over.
All that while, he failed to take note of the Odd looking black Raven that was watching him.
100000011101
As soon as the Troll fell forward, a bit to my surprise, I grunted, "Now!"
Several of the patrons tossed lamps at the Troll, even as the Drow fellow who had decided to help backed off. This was followed by one of the other patrons, a Wizard I assumed, tossing out a quick <[Fire Bolt>].
Roasted Troll… is not a pleasant smell, but it was dead. Which was good enough for me I suppose.
"Impressively fought." Durnan commented as he stepped away to set about dealing with the Troll, and the messes that were once Stirges.
Rolling my shoulders, I cringed, the troll hit far harder than I had expected. At least none of my Cyber was brusted up.
"You're crazy you know that?" Ilshin gumbled as he checked over his swords.
Giving him a pained grin, I rebutted, "Nope. Just sure of what I can do."
Before I could head back to my table, a dark skinned human woman stepped up. "Let me tend to you for a moment."
I couldn't help but blink in surprise, and before I could reply she was muttering a prayer and… the pain ebbed away as… something washed over me. Blinking again, I smiled. "Thank you."
Returning to my table, Ilshin in toe, I sighed. "So, should I expect you to suddenly be a fixture in my life? You haven't even bought me dinner yet."
My quip got an eye roll out of him, but smiling he replied. "Can't help it if the beautiful and interesting lady just so happened to catch me in her gravity."
It was my turn to roll my eyes, and while I did I almost missed a figure approaching us stroking his mustache, adjusting his floppy hat, and tightening his scarf. "Volothamp Geddarm, chronicler, wizard, and celebrity, at your service. I trust you've noted the Violence in our fair city these past tendays?"
I really couldn't help but look at him ascanse, and my reaction even seemed to leave the Ilshin curious. "Violence? I thought this was rather peaceful. I have yet to see even one murder out on the streets."
To my surprise, and apparently Volo's too, it was the Drow that voiced disbelief. "What kind of lawless hell did you come from?"
"Eh." I replied with a shrug. "Plenty of laws. They just only applied to the rich."
At the Ilshin's sour expression, Volo did his best to take back control of the conversation. "Well, I haven't seen his much blood since my last visit to Baldur's Gate! But now I fear I have misplaced a friend amid this odious malevolence."
Ah, this was convenient. A man with a job! Rescue… but it wouldn't be my first.
"My friend's name is Floon Blagmaar-" The fuck kind of name is that? "He's got more beauty than brains, and I worry he took a bad way home a couple nights ago and was kidnapped-- or worse. If you agree to track him down with all due haste, I can offer you ten Dragon's apiece now, and I can give you each ten times that when you find Floon. May I prevail upon you in my hour of need?"
Raising an eyebrow, I turned to eye the Dark Elf sitting at the table. With Ilshin returning my raised eyebrow. I spoke. "Well, it's a decent job. What say you Ebony?"
Pursing his lips at my nickname for him, Ilshin replied, "I've got nothing better to do Fox."
Ooo! Catty of him. "Ok, Volo. Let's talk deets."
Only a few minutes later, Ilshin and myself find ourselves walking down the streets to the docks. Volo last saw Floon at the… and I kid you not on this, 'the Skewered Dragon'. A bawdy tavern that… according to Ilshin at least, was owned by the Zhentarim.
Huginn let me get a top down view of the Docks before we found our way there and… well. It felt like fucking home. Street after street was nothing just densely packed tenements, and I could make out a small gang fight that had turned bloody already. Not to mention the city guard moving in to subdue everyone. Really the only thing missing was the graffiti.
"So, you have that weird double jump you can do, and you can take a blow from a troll. What else you got?" Ilshin asked casually, obviously fishing for information.
Snorting, I replied. "Who knows? I'm just full of surprises. Maybe I can fly?"
Giving me a snort, he shot back. "Not likely, but fine. I have some skill with two weapons, and stealth."
I couldn't help but snort. "All you're missing is the purple eyes and scimitars."
To my surprise that gets me an equal snort from him. "Yes, well… we can't all be killing machines like him."
Shaking my head, I smirked. "Hey want to hear a secret? It's not even one of mine!"
Smirking indulgently, he asked, "Oh? And where did you hear it from then? But sure."
"Read it in a book once. But it goes like this. Jarlaxle suspects that Drizzit is, in fact, favored by Lolth." I spoke with a shit eating grin, even as he froze in his tracks. At least one other person on the street, a Wizened old man, probably actually a wizard, with a crooked nose froze too.
Shaking his head, even as the old man started moving again, Ilshin replied. "It's terrifying that you may actually be right about that… or I suppose this Jarlaxle character is right."
Rolling my eyes, I pointed at a rooftop, but kept walking. "It's cute and all, but I know your friends are watching."
There was a long moment of silence in which I noticed an interesting shop. It had a stuffed beholder in the front window and was called 'Old Xoblob Shop'. Making for it, I caught Ilshin muttering, "Of course she would notice the people who specialize in stealth. What have I gotten myself into!"
Smirking, I opened the purple door, and walked into the shop full of purple smoke that smelled of lavender and in which everything was… purple.
Sitting cross legged on the counter was a bald gnome, who himself was wearing purple. On his face was terrible depictions of eyes and… well, he was less than impressive. "Hail and well met! Come browse the shelves of the most curious curiosity shop in the world!"
Rolling my eyes at that, I started moving around and taking in his… wares. Huh… a nine volt battery? How did that even get here! Ignoring the battery I couldn't use anyways, I started picking up the things that actually were interesting.
The hilt of an arming sword, just the hilt, the blade was missing. An old key because… well, I collected that kind of thing. A vial of dragon's blood, because why not? And the last thing, a glass orb filled with water with no sealing marks and a clockwork fish swimming within. "I'll take these."
"That will be three Dragons!" The gnome cheered out… little swindler. But I paid and moved on, finding Ilshin waiting outside and down the street a little… avoiding the beholder? Or talking with his friends? He was next to an alley. Feh, why not both?
"The Skewered Dragon isn't far from here." Ilshin commented as I approached.
"Cool." I replied, tossing the glass orb up, and then gently catching it. "I got a few interesting knicknacks."
As it turns out though… I might have been generous about the Skewered Dragon. As we approached, I marveled at how fucked the building was. Both front windows were smashed, and there was a damned anchor in the roof! And that's not even getting into how all the patrons were haggard people drinking from huge mugs. Bet the beer tasted like horse piss.
Glancing to the side, I nodded to myself. "Well, Ilshin. Show me what you can do."
The Drow kind of half glared at me, but sighed and headed into the dive. When he came out he looked displeased but nods to me. "Our friend Floon seems to know some interesting people. He met Renaer Neverember, the son of Waterdeeps previous Open Lord, and did some more drinking and gambling. When they left, five men followed them out. Zhents. Someone said the men frequent a warehouse over on Candle Lane."
Smirking, I reached out, with my flesh hand, and pat him on the cheek. "More than just a pretty face then."
This of course prompted him to take a step back and look at me askance. Then with a shake of his head, he grumbled. "You are one creepy Elf. How did you even get a Fox tail!"
Smirking, I turned and headed off towards Candle Lane, putting extra sway in my hips. "One day I woke up and had it." After I paid good money to a Biomod shop, but he didn't need to know that.
Sharing the table with me was a disinterested Drow. He had short white hair, red eyes, and sharp features. His face was attractive in a roguish way, and he filled out his Studded Leather armor rather well. Slim, but athletic, with muscles that could be discerned, but weren't overt. At his side he wore two shortswords that peeked out from his cloak.
"You going to spend all night gawking at that thing?" He muttered before taking a swig of Ale. Not a false swig either.
"Says the Drow who's spent all evening eyeing me up." I threw back, setting the cane down. "Not that you're hard on the eyes yourself, but I would really rather understand the tool I just bought."
"Ha, I suppose I can understand that. Names Ilshin." He tossed out, voice filled with mirth.
"Jaeda," I replied, but before I could add anything else I was interrupted by cheers and other ruckus from the ground floor.
From Huginn, who I had on a nearby rail watching the ground floor, I saw a brawl taking place down below. However, I also caught movement in the well. With a mental command, I sent Huginn down to look into the well… "Shit."
My mutter caught Ilshin's attention, but I ignored him, walking over to the rail and bellowing down, "Troll coming up! Stirges following along!"
It was amazing how fast the tavern changed, people falling back, the brawl breaking off, and people moving to defensive positions.
"Damn, you sure can yell." Ilshin commented from where he had moved up next to me, and what was up with that? Kind of puts the paranoia in me. "Too bad the Trolls coming out on the far side."
Shaking my head at how not sorry he sounded, I took a few steps back before bolting forward and jumping off the rail. My leap wasn't going to be far enough, I had known that to begin with, so I jumped again. I mean, Cyber Legs were freakin useful like that.
I came crashing down on the trolls back as it tried to climb out of the well, and I slammed the point of my cane into its skull. To my surprise, even as I cast my spell, the cane bit into the troll thorns and roses appearing to slowly crawl along it's flesh. The vaunted troll regeneration seemingly halted in its tracks. My spell, chosen due to the Stirges that were even then flocking towards me, my <[Thunderclap>] rolled out into the Troll, slamming it into the ground and then met stone and rolled back up.
The Stirges dove head first into my blast of sound and were basically shredded by it. The troll under me however was still very alive and kicking, forcing me to step off of it forward and spinning around to guard against it.
Would a bullet work here? Maybe I should use a laser? As I fretted over this, the Troll came fully out of the well and I could see where it's regeneration was now fighting with the thorns and roses burrowed in it's skin.
"Huh, this cane was a steal of a deal. Who knew." I couldn't help but quip and Durnan stepped up beside me, greatsword in hand.
"Careful Lass, this ain't over yet." Durnan rebuked, but there was no edge to it.
100000011101
Ilshin A'Darorgh openly gaped as he watched the apparently mad Elf Sorceress jump off of the rail of the balcony, her white fox tail trailing behind her, both hair and tail glowing white.
He could easily read the arch of her jump, and it would see her plummet into the hole to Undermountain. Then she jumped… again… off of thin air. What kind of mad magic was this!
Of course, it got 'better' for a definition of the word anyways. She landed on the Troll, smashing it down on the rim of the hole. Her cane slammed into it's head, and her standing there like she was just out for a walk in an uptown market. Maybe out to see a play.
The {Subtle} spell working leaving him wary of her… if that jump hadn't anyways. Watching the Stirges pretty much explode was… well, Ilshin was impressed. Then she, seemingly, casually steps off of the Troll and just turned to face it.
Jarlaxle would find this one most fascinating.
With a sigh, he quickly made his way around the Inn's second floor, watching as Jaeda took a blow that really should have knocked her out of the fight, and just kept going. Cane thrusting and spell blasting. Oddly, she didn't go for what was assumed to be some kind of pistol that was on her hip.
Finally, Ilshin climbed up on the rail and jumped down, angling to slam his short swords into the Trolls back, and getting lucky enough to knock it back over.
All that while, he failed to take note of the Odd looking black Raven that was watching him.
100000011101
As soon as the Troll fell forward, a bit to my surprise, I grunted, "Now!"
Several of the patrons tossed lamps at the Troll, even as the Drow fellow who had decided to help backed off. This was followed by one of the other patrons, a Wizard I assumed, tossing out a quick <[Fire Bolt>].
Roasted Troll… is not a pleasant smell, but it was dead. Which was good enough for me I suppose.
"Impressively fought." Durnan commented as he stepped away to set about dealing with the Troll, and the messes that were once Stirges.
Rolling my shoulders, I cringed, the troll hit far harder than I had expected. At least none of my Cyber was brusted up.
"You're crazy you know that?" Ilshin gumbled as he checked over his swords.
Giving him a pained grin, I rebutted, "Nope. Just sure of what I can do."
Before I could head back to my table, a dark skinned human woman stepped up. "Let me tend to you for a moment."
I couldn't help but blink in surprise, and before I could reply she was muttering a prayer and… the pain ebbed away as… something washed over me. Blinking again, I smiled. "Thank you."
Returning to my table, Ilshin in toe, I sighed. "So, should I expect you to suddenly be a fixture in my life? You haven't even bought me dinner yet."
My quip got an eye roll out of him, but smiling he replied. "Can't help it if the beautiful and interesting lady just so happened to catch me in her gravity."
It was my turn to roll my eyes, and while I did I almost missed a figure approaching us stroking his mustache, adjusting his floppy hat, and tightening his scarf. "Volothamp Geddarm, chronicler, wizard, and celebrity, at your service. I trust you've noted the Violence in our fair city these past tendays?"
I really couldn't help but look at him ascanse, and my reaction even seemed to leave the Ilshin curious. "Violence? I thought this was rather peaceful. I have yet to see even one murder out on the streets."
To my surprise, and apparently Volo's too, it was the Drow that voiced disbelief. "What kind of lawless hell did you come from?"
"Eh." I replied with a shrug. "Plenty of laws. They just only applied to the rich."
At the Ilshin's sour expression, Volo did his best to take back control of the conversation. "Well, I haven't seen his much blood since my last visit to Baldur's Gate! But now I fear I have misplaced a friend amid this odious malevolence."
Ah, this was convenient. A man with a job! Rescue… but it wouldn't be my first.
"My friend's name is Floon Blagmaar-" The fuck kind of name is that? "He's got more beauty than brains, and I worry he took a bad way home a couple nights ago and was kidnapped-- or worse. If you agree to track him down with all due haste, I can offer you ten Dragon's apiece now, and I can give you each ten times that when you find Floon. May I prevail upon you in my hour of need?"
Raising an eyebrow, I turned to eye the Dark Elf sitting at the table. With Ilshin returning my raised eyebrow. I spoke. "Well, it's a decent job. What say you Ebony?"
Pursing his lips at my nickname for him, Ilshin replied, "I've got nothing better to do Fox."
Ooo! Catty of him. "Ok, Volo. Let's talk deets."
Only a few minutes later, Ilshin and myself find ourselves walking down the streets to the docks. Volo last saw Floon at the… and I kid you not on this, 'the Skewered Dragon'. A bawdy tavern that… according to Ilshin at least, was owned by the Zhentarim.
Huginn let me get a top down view of the Docks before we found our way there and… well. It felt like fucking home. Street after street was nothing just densely packed tenements, and I could make out a small gang fight that had turned bloody already. Not to mention the city guard moving in to subdue everyone. Really the only thing missing was the graffiti.
"So, you have that weird double jump you can do, and you can take a blow from a troll. What else you got?" Ilshin asked casually, obviously fishing for information.
Snorting, I replied. "Who knows? I'm just full of surprises. Maybe I can fly?"
Giving me a snort, he shot back. "Not likely, but fine. I have some skill with two weapons, and stealth."
I couldn't help but snort. "All you're missing is the purple eyes and scimitars."
To my surprise that gets me an equal snort from him. "Yes, well… we can't all be killing machines like him."
Shaking my head, I smirked. "Hey want to hear a secret? It's not even one of mine!"
Smirking indulgently, he asked, "Oh? And where did you hear it from then? But sure."
"Read it in a book once. But it goes like this. Jarlaxle suspects that Drizzit is, in fact, favored by Lolth." I spoke with a shit eating grin, even as he froze in his tracks. At least one other person on the street, a Wizened old man, probably actually a wizard, with a crooked nose froze too.
Shaking his head, even as the old man started moving again, Ilshin replied. "It's terrifying that you may actually be right about that… or I suppose this Jarlaxle character is right."
Rolling my eyes, I pointed at a rooftop, but kept walking. "It's cute and all, but I know your friends are watching."
There was a long moment of silence in which I noticed an interesting shop. It had a stuffed beholder in the front window and was called 'Old Xoblob Shop'. Making for it, I caught Ilshin muttering, "Of course she would notice the people who specialize in stealth. What have I gotten myself into!"
Smirking, I opened the purple door, and walked into the shop full of purple smoke that smelled of lavender and in which everything was… purple.
Sitting cross legged on the counter was a bald gnome, who himself was wearing purple. On his face was terrible depictions of eyes and… well, he was less than impressive. "Hail and well met! Come browse the shelves of the most curious curiosity shop in the world!"
Rolling my eyes at that, I started moving around and taking in his… wares. Huh… a nine volt battery? How did that even get here! Ignoring the battery I couldn't use anyways, I started picking up the things that actually were interesting.
The hilt of an arming sword, just the hilt, the blade was missing. An old key because… well, I collected that kind of thing. A vial of dragon's blood, because why not? And the last thing, a glass orb filled with water with no sealing marks and a clockwork fish swimming within. "I'll take these."
"That will be three Dragons!" The gnome cheered out… little swindler. But I paid and moved on, finding Ilshin waiting outside and down the street a little… avoiding the beholder? Or talking with his friends? He was next to an alley. Feh, why not both?
"The Skewered Dragon isn't far from here." Ilshin commented as I approached.
"Cool." I replied, tossing the glass orb up, and then gently catching it. "I got a few interesting knicknacks."
As it turns out though… I might have been generous about the Skewered Dragon. As we approached, I marveled at how fucked the building was. Both front windows were smashed, and there was a damned anchor in the roof! And that's not even getting into how all the patrons were haggard people drinking from huge mugs. Bet the beer tasted like horse piss.
Glancing to the side, I nodded to myself. "Well, Ilshin. Show me what you can do."
The Drow kind of half glared at me, but sighed and headed into the dive. When he came out he looked displeased but nods to me. "Our friend Floon seems to know some interesting people. He met Renaer Neverember, the son of Waterdeeps previous Open Lord, and did some more drinking and gambling. When they left, five men followed them out. Zhents. Someone said the men frequent a warehouse over on Candle Lane."
Smirking, I reached out, with my flesh hand, and pat him on the cheek. "More than just a pretty face then."
This of course prompted him to take a step back and look at me askance. Then with a shake of his head, he grumbled. "You are one creepy Elf. How did you even get a Fox tail!"
Smirking, I turned and headed off towards Candle Lane, putting extra sway in my hips. "One day I woke up and had it." After I paid good money to a Biomod shop, but he didn't need to know that.
Chapter 3
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Candle Lane was… kind of depressing. Back home, a place like this would be glit up by neon signs and city lights… instead it was just a gloomy narrow alley that might not see sunlight even at high noon. At the end of the alley there was a flickering light, kind of like a candle, but too distant to tell.
As we approached, it resolved itself into an undamaged lamp post.
Looking around, I followed Ilshin as he led me over to a door. A door with a black winged snake painted on it. Zhentarim. I did, after all, make it a point to know all the symbols for the local factions… and the biggest of the others besides. You need to know who you're dealing with.
As I walked up, I took note of Ilshin pulling out a set of tools… right sure. Leaving him to it, I turned my focus onto the… building. Wooden walls that had no insulation? Ok.
With a thought, I activated my scanner and took in the building. Oh, I couldn't see what was in the building, but I could see who was. "Five figures. One human, hiding. Four… bird ish people?"
"Kenku." Ilshin replied off handedly before turning and looking at me weird. "Your eyes are glowing… more than usual."
"So they are. We should probably try and take one alive." I replied blandly, just as the door gave a faint click.
Frowning, Ilshin grumbled. "If you can see through the walls, let me see if I can't catch one of them before we start a fight."
Smirking, I let him get in and moving before slipping in myself. I wasn't an expert in sneaking around, but I could do it rather well.
Ilshin though, he was pretty good. If I didn't have my scanner I wouldn't be able to pick him out. Unfortunately, he needed to work on his ability to subdue a target.
Moving up behind one of the other Kenku, with them now alerted to a threat, I lashed out with my cane, snapping one of its knees. Then directed a <[Ray of Frost>] at the next closest.
Ilshin finally managed to knock out his Kenku, and the one at my feet was in too much pain to do anything useful. The last Kenu however, did the smark thing and ducked behind cover and produced a shortbow.
Ilshin ducked behind his own cover and started throwing daggers at that one, but I took a moment, as I fired off another ray, to debate using my laser. But that would be better as an ace, besides. Where would I find a place to recharge it?
The fight wound down pretty quickly when the Kenku realized they couldn't win, and couldn't flee. Leaving me wondering what to do with them… "You lot want to live, you tell me what happened here. Where's Floon?"
Disturbingly, the two mostly unharmed ones opened their beaked mouths and used the same voice to say the same thing. It was a young child's voice. "P-please! Don't hurt me. I-I'll d-do anything."
Then the one I had been raying down, 'spoke' in another voice, a gruff Orcish one. "Xanathar sends its regards."
The other one followed with another comment, this in a thin nasally voice. "Tie up the pretty boy in the back room!" then it spoke again in the same voice. Follow the yellow signs in the sewers."
Then, the one with the broken knee whimpered out in the same child's voice. "Please let me go! It hurts!"
Part of me twitched at that… was it something they caused? No, I had no proof either way. "Get the fuck out of here before I pluck you all and throw you all the peirs."
They quickly left, the two mobile ones dragging the wounded.
"You sure that was a good idea?" Ilshin spoke up from where he was collecting expended throwing daggers.
"No." I sighed. "But it will make people more likely to surrender to me in the future."
He eyed me sidelong for a moment, then asked, "You've done this before."
It was more of a statement really, but I replied, "It's a living."
"That explains why you've been so casual about all of this." He muttered, even as we set about cornering the last occupant of the building.
The storage room the person was hiding in was… awful, the smell of rotting pickled fish and… just geh. "Come out, we know you're there."
Slowly, a grime covered man climbed out from under a tarpaulin, red hair mussed and blue tunic marred with known things. "Ah, friendly I hope?"
This drew a snort from Ilshin, but I shrugged. "We're looking for a fellow named Floon-"
"You have to help him. The Xanathar guild took him, thinking he was… me." Renaer cut in… huh, worried I guess?
Actually… "Why would either faction want to kidnap you?"
"Ah, well… you see, the Zhentarim thinks that my father embezzled a large amount of gold while he was Open Lord, and that he hid the Dragons somewhere in the city. They think they can find it by using an artifact called the Stone of Golorr, which was in the hands of the Xanathar Guild until recently. Apparently, someone stole it. The Zhents thought I knew something about all of this, but I don't! My father and I haven't spoken in years." I was actually caught off guard by his sudden explosion of information…
But that was actually really useful… money huh? Stone of Golorr. Duly noted! "Well, they must have used a nearby sewer, and I'm not leaving here until I've had a chance to poke around."
"I… right. I'm coming with you!" Renaer declared.
"Um…" Glancing over at Ilshin, I shrugged questioningly.
"Another blade could be useful, I suppose." He offered.
Nodding, I swiped a long dagger while Renaer armed himself with a cast off rapier and dagger. Our search of the building didn't really find us much, a <Paper Bird> in the upper offices and more interestingly a hidden room on the ground floor.
Looking over the two crates, I sighed. "What I wouldn't give for a <Bag of Holding> or three."
"Agreed." Ilshin muttered.
After conferring quickly, we closed up the secret room and planned to return and see if it all remained.
"We should be going. The city watch is headed this way, and we don't have the time to deal with them." I suddenly said, Huginn having spotted them moving down the street.
"Right." Renaer and Ilshin nodded in agreement.
The sewer entrance wasn't more than half a street away and led down to the dark, lightless sewers. Something that didn't bother me, or Ilshin but…
"I need a torch." Renaer spoke up. It was obvious, but something we had missed. On the bright side, I had this. On the dark side, I had a very limited number of Lightsticks.
Pulling one of the sooped up glowsticks, I cracked it and gave it a good shake before passing it over. "Not quite a torch, but it will have to do."
Fumbling for a moment, Renaer got a good grip on it and nodded. "Right, it will have to do."
From there, following the tunnels along wasn't too hard. Disgusting, and I was thankful for my Cyber Legs, but not too difficult. Ilshin had it the worst, having a sensitive nose and no ability to turn off his sense of smell. No, this wasn't my first jaunt through a sewer.
After a while of following the yellow marks, crude drawings of a beholder, we came across a… mini-beholder. Later I would learn it was called a Gazer.
The thing was floating next to the next symbol, it was also the size of a grapefruit, or so. Before the others could react, and while it was turning our way, I bolted forward, stabbing my cane into the central eye and letting off a <[Shocking Grasp>] through the cane.
It was only as the Gazer was dying that I realized something, my cane looked… less worn. Almost new really. That was something to investigate.
"Nine Hells!" Renaer breathed out, "I've never seen anyone move that fast."
"Don't worry, I can move faster." I idoly replied, and smirked as Ilshin looked slightly uncomfortable. He was a plant, Bregan D'aerthe plant, but a plant. Only time would tell if he was friend or foe. "Anyways, lets keep going. Someone will notice the missing… thing."
"Gazer." Ilshin remarked, even as we moved on.
After a few more minutes of slogging, we finally came across somewhere… different. The sewer tunnels were still present, but off of them were other tunnels.
Looking around, Ilshin spoke up, asking, "So, what are we looking at here?"
While Renaer frowned in confusion, I shook my head. "Too much stone. I can make out a Goblin there, and another there." I commented as I pointed at two arrow slits crudely carved into the stone. Both sleeping, so quiet and careful."
Carefully making our way through the circular hub, we ignored the passages leading north and south, and approached the stone door that was on a ledge blessedly free of sewage.
We paused here for a moment for Ilshin and Renaer to look over the door, but neither found anything. Then we moved into the hall beyond. To the left was a room filled with useless junk, so we followed the hall right, pausing to slit one the goblin guards throat and steal the few Nibs it had from it's corpse.
Following along the hall, we came out in an empty room but could make out indistinct voices not far off. With care and deliberation we moved into the next room, Ilshin going first followed by myself then Renaer.
In the room was a Dwarf of some variety, based on the grey skin a… uh, Drugr? Duergar? Duergar! And a human I vaguely remember from the brawl at the Yawning Portal.
The human was… bickering with the Duergar about sealing the doorway so a… Grey Ooze wouldn't get out? Heh… um… shit.
Looking back at me, Ilshin raised an eyebrow, and in reply I drew my thumb across my neck. Not going to let this fall into a fair fight if I could help it.
I watch as he manages to take down the human, but the Duergar seems to have noticed something and moves just in time. It still doesn't help him much as I hit him with a <[Ray of Frost>] and Renaer moves to engage alongside Ilshin.
The fight as you may expect was quick and brutal, with me mostly staying out of it.
"Well, that was refreshing." Ilshin mutters as he wipes down his blade and I can't help but chuckle.
"Missing your lightless city?" I ask while walking to the next door.
"Ha, a lot less if someone would turn down that ball of burning gas in the sky." He threw back. Renaer giving us an odd look but not having much to say.
Moving on, we found our way into a long hall, threadbare curtains hanging on the east wall. In the middle is a muscular, and ugly, half-orc in dingy robes with a foot on the chest of a human man with wavy red hair.
Seated on a raised platform to the south in a nightmaring figure wearing black robes. It had large white eyes and rubbery purple skin… but it's the four tentacles encircling it's mouth that give it away. Ilithaid. Mind Flayer. Evil. Kill! It's also cradling a disembodied brain, and treating it like it's some kind of trophy pet. Oh, did I mention the brain had legs? Yeah.
"Leave Floon alone!" Renaer yells, even as he rushes forward, Ilshin a moment behind him.
I, on the other hand, draw my pistol and shoot the flayer… or tried to? This had just worked not a week ago!
In a watery voice the Illithiad speaks, even as Renaer and Ilshin are doing their best to kill the half-orc. They aren't doing great though. "Ah? Hmm, I suppose it hurts me not to mention."
The… thing is walking away, even as I holster my gun and move to kill it with other means. "Black powder doesn't work on Toril. I suggest looking into Smokepowder." The brain eating fuck then dropped the brain in my path and disapeared into another room.
Not slowing, I wove my magic and ran up to the brain-thing an Intelligence Devourer, and kicking it with all my Cyber Legged might. As it went airborne, I slammed it back down into the floor with a <[Thunderclap>], then I tagged it with a <[Ray of Frost>].
With the brain a fosty smear on the floor, I turned to the half-orc wizard… which seemed funny to me for… reasons.
Somehow he had managed separation and was keeping them at bay by targeting Floon. With my gun next to useless right now, that left me with other options. Like the laser!, but instead I <[Ray of Frost>]ed him.
Ilshin got the kill by simple expediance of using the opening to throw one of his shortswords.
With the corpse still warm on the ground, Ilshin and Renaer went to trying to help Floon. Meanwhile I quickly searching the room, finding a satchel with a spellbook, some gold and other coins, and two potions of healing.
Quickly making my way over to Floon, I handed over a potion. "Drink." He did and after a moment for the potion to take effect, Floon shakily stood before lunging forward and hugging me and… it was a bit awkward, but I gently pat him on the back? "Thank you! Tymora smile upon you!"
Some further exploration didn't show up anything more than a few hidden passages that led to cellers, but I for one wasn't all that interested.
Backtracking out of the sewers and back to the warehouse allowed us to check on the cache of things in the hidden room. Undisturbed and we quickly set about moving it all back to the Yawning Portal and then getting cleaned up!
Sewers!
Floons reunion with Volo was heartening, or I'm led to believe, but I was too busy getting clean! So, Ilshin nor myself met up with Volo until the following day.
As we approached, it resolved itself into an undamaged lamp post.
Looking around, I followed Ilshin as he led me over to a door. A door with a black winged snake painted on it. Zhentarim. I did, after all, make it a point to know all the symbols for the local factions… and the biggest of the others besides. You need to know who you're dealing with.
As I walked up, I took note of Ilshin pulling out a set of tools… right sure. Leaving him to it, I turned my focus onto the… building. Wooden walls that had no insulation? Ok.
With a thought, I activated my scanner and took in the building. Oh, I couldn't see what was in the building, but I could see who was. "Five figures. One human, hiding. Four… bird ish people?"
"Kenku." Ilshin replied off handedly before turning and looking at me weird. "Your eyes are glowing… more than usual."
"So they are. We should probably try and take one alive." I replied blandly, just as the door gave a faint click.
Frowning, Ilshin grumbled. "If you can see through the walls, let me see if I can't catch one of them before we start a fight."
Smirking, I let him get in and moving before slipping in myself. I wasn't an expert in sneaking around, but I could do it rather well.
Ilshin though, he was pretty good. If I didn't have my scanner I wouldn't be able to pick him out. Unfortunately, he needed to work on his ability to subdue a target.
Moving up behind one of the other Kenku, with them now alerted to a threat, I lashed out with my cane, snapping one of its knees. Then directed a <[Ray of Frost>] at the next closest.
Ilshin finally managed to knock out his Kenku, and the one at my feet was in too much pain to do anything useful. The last Kenu however, did the smark thing and ducked behind cover and produced a shortbow.
Ilshin ducked behind his own cover and started throwing daggers at that one, but I took a moment, as I fired off another ray, to debate using my laser. But that would be better as an ace, besides. Where would I find a place to recharge it?
The fight wound down pretty quickly when the Kenku realized they couldn't win, and couldn't flee. Leaving me wondering what to do with them… "You lot want to live, you tell me what happened here. Where's Floon?"
Disturbingly, the two mostly unharmed ones opened their beaked mouths and used the same voice to say the same thing. It was a young child's voice. "P-please! Don't hurt me. I-I'll d-do anything."
Then the one I had been raying down, 'spoke' in another voice, a gruff Orcish one. "Xanathar sends its regards."
The other one followed with another comment, this in a thin nasally voice. "Tie up the pretty boy in the back room!" then it spoke again in the same voice. Follow the yellow signs in the sewers."
Then, the one with the broken knee whimpered out in the same child's voice. "Please let me go! It hurts!"
Part of me twitched at that… was it something they caused? No, I had no proof either way. "Get the fuck out of here before I pluck you all and throw you all the peirs."
They quickly left, the two mobile ones dragging the wounded.
"You sure that was a good idea?" Ilshin spoke up from where he was collecting expended throwing daggers.
"No." I sighed. "But it will make people more likely to surrender to me in the future."
He eyed me sidelong for a moment, then asked, "You've done this before."
It was more of a statement really, but I replied, "It's a living."
"That explains why you've been so casual about all of this." He muttered, even as we set about cornering the last occupant of the building.
The storage room the person was hiding in was… awful, the smell of rotting pickled fish and… just geh. "Come out, we know you're there."
Slowly, a grime covered man climbed out from under a tarpaulin, red hair mussed and blue tunic marred with known things. "Ah, friendly I hope?"
This drew a snort from Ilshin, but I shrugged. "We're looking for a fellow named Floon-"
"You have to help him. The Xanathar guild took him, thinking he was… me." Renaer cut in… huh, worried I guess?
Actually… "Why would either faction want to kidnap you?"
"Ah, well… you see, the Zhentarim thinks that my father embezzled a large amount of gold while he was Open Lord, and that he hid the Dragons somewhere in the city. They think they can find it by using an artifact called the Stone of Golorr, which was in the hands of the Xanathar Guild until recently. Apparently, someone stole it. The Zhents thought I knew something about all of this, but I don't! My father and I haven't spoken in years." I was actually caught off guard by his sudden explosion of information…
But that was actually really useful… money huh? Stone of Golorr. Duly noted! "Well, they must have used a nearby sewer, and I'm not leaving here until I've had a chance to poke around."
"I… right. I'm coming with you!" Renaer declared.
"Um…" Glancing over at Ilshin, I shrugged questioningly.
"Another blade could be useful, I suppose." He offered.
Nodding, I swiped a long dagger while Renaer armed himself with a cast off rapier and dagger. Our search of the building didn't really find us much, a <Paper Bird> in the upper offices and more interestingly a hidden room on the ground floor.
Looking over the two crates, I sighed. "What I wouldn't give for a <Bag of Holding> or three."
"Agreed." Ilshin muttered.
After conferring quickly, we closed up the secret room and planned to return and see if it all remained.
"We should be going. The city watch is headed this way, and we don't have the time to deal with them." I suddenly said, Huginn having spotted them moving down the street.
"Right." Renaer and Ilshin nodded in agreement.
The sewer entrance wasn't more than half a street away and led down to the dark, lightless sewers. Something that didn't bother me, or Ilshin but…
"I need a torch." Renaer spoke up. It was obvious, but something we had missed. On the bright side, I had this. On the dark side, I had a very limited number of Lightsticks.
Pulling one of the sooped up glowsticks, I cracked it and gave it a good shake before passing it over. "Not quite a torch, but it will have to do."
Fumbling for a moment, Renaer got a good grip on it and nodded. "Right, it will have to do."
From there, following the tunnels along wasn't too hard. Disgusting, and I was thankful for my Cyber Legs, but not too difficult. Ilshin had it the worst, having a sensitive nose and no ability to turn off his sense of smell. No, this wasn't my first jaunt through a sewer.
After a while of following the yellow marks, crude drawings of a beholder, we came across a… mini-beholder. Later I would learn it was called a Gazer.
The thing was floating next to the next symbol, it was also the size of a grapefruit, or so. Before the others could react, and while it was turning our way, I bolted forward, stabbing my cane into the central eye and letting off a <[Shocking Grasp>] through the cane.
It was only as the Gazer was dying that I realized something, my cane looked… less worn. Almost new really. That was something to investigate.
"Nine Hells!" Renaer breathed out, "I've never seen anyone move that fast."
"Don't worry, I can move faster." I idoly replied, and smirked as Ilshin looked slightly uncomfortable. He was a plant, Bregan D'aerthe plant, but a plant. Only time would tell if he was friend or foe. "Anyways, lets keep going. Someone will notice the missing… thing."
"Gazer." Ilshin remarked, even as we moved on.
After a few more minutes of slogging, we finally came across somewhere… different. The sewer tunnels were still present, but off of them were other tunnels.
Looking around, Ilshin spoke up, asking, "So, what are we looking at here?"
While Renaer frowned in confusion, I shook my head. "Too much stone. I can make out a Goblin there, and another there." I commented as I pointed at two arrow slits crudely carved into the stone. Both sleeping, so quiet and careful."
Carefully making our way through the circular hub, we ignored the passages leading north and south, and approached the stone door that was on a ledge blessedly free of sewage.
We paused here for a moment for Ilshin and Renaer to look over the door, but neither found anything. Then we moved into the hall beyond. To the left was a room filled with useless junk, so we followed the hall right, pausing to slit one the goblin guards throat and steal the few Nibs it had from it's corpse.
Following along the hall, we came out in an empty room but could make out indistinct voices not far off. With care and deliberation we moved into the next room, Ilshin going first followed by myself then Renaer.
In the room was a Dwarf of some variety, based on the grey skin a… uh, Drugr? Duergar? Duergar! And a human I vaguely remember from the brawl at the Yawning Portal.
The human was… bickering with the Duergar about sealing the doorway so a… Grey Ooze wouldn't get out? Heh… um… shit.
Looking back at me, Ilshin raised an eyebrow, and in reply I drew my thumb across my neck. Not going to let this fall into a fair fight if I could help it.
I watch as he manages to take down the human, but the Duergar seems to have noticed something and moves just in time. It still doesn't help him much as I hit him with a <[Ray of Frost>] and Renaer moves to engage alongside Ilshin.
The fight as you may expect was quick and brutal, with me mostly staying out of it.
"Well, that was refreshing." Ilshin mutters as he wipes down his blade and I can't help but chuckle.
"Missing your lightless city?" I ask while walking to the next door.
"Ha, a lot less if someone would turn down that ball of burning gas in the sky." He threw back. Renaer giving us an odd look but not having much to say.
Moving on, we found our way into a long hall, threadbare curtains hanging on the east wall. In the middle is a muscular, and ugly, half-orc in dingy robes with a foot on the chest of a human man with wavy red hair.
Seated on a raised platform to the south in a nightmaring figure wearing black robes. It had large white eyes and rubbery purple skin… but it's the four tentacles encircling it's mouth that give it away. Ilithaid. Mind Flayer. Evil. Kill! It's also cradling a disembodied brain, and treating it like it's some kind of trophy pet. Oh, did I mention the brain had legs? Yeah.
"Leave Floon alone!" Renaer yells, even as he rushes forward, Ilshin a moment behind him.
I, on the other hand, draw my pistol and shoot the flayer… or tried to? This had just worked not a week ago!
In a watery voice the Illithiad speaks, even as Renaer and Ilshin are doing their best to kill the half-orc. They aren't doing great though. "Ah? Hmm, I suppose it hurts me not to mention."
The… thing is walking away, even as I holster my gun and move to kill it with other means. "Black powder doesn't work on Toril. I suggest looking into Smokepowder." The brain eating fuck then dropped the brain in my path and disapeared into another room.
Not slowing, I wove my magic and ran up to the brain-thing an Intelligence Devourer, and kicking it with all my Cyber Legged might. As it went airborne, I slammed it back down into the floor with a <[Thunderclap>], then I tagged it with a <[Ray of Frost>].
With the brain a fosty smear on the floor, I turned to the half-orc wizard… which seemed funny to me for… reasons.
Somehow he had managed separation and was keeping them at bay by targeting Floon. With my gun next to useless right now, that left me with other options. Like the laser!, but instead I <[Ray of Frost>]ed him.
Ilshin got the kill by simple expediance of using the opening to throw one of his shortswords.
With the corpse still warm on the ground, Ilshin and Renaer went to trying to help Floon. Meanwhile I quickly searching the room, finding a satchel with a spellbook, some gold and other coins, and two potions of healing.
Quickly making my way over to Floon, I handed over a potion. "Drink." He did and after a moment for the potion to take effect, Floon shakily stood before lunging forward and hugging me and… it was a bit awkward, but I gently pat him on the back? "Thank you! Tymora smile upon you!"
Some further exploration didn't show up anything more than a few hidden passages that led to cellers, but I for one wasn't all that interested.
Backtracking out of the sewers and back to the warehouse allowed us to check on the cache of things in the hidden room. Undisturbed and we quickly set about moving it all back to the Yawning Portal and then getting cleaned up!
Sewers!
Floons reunion with Volo was heartening, or I'm led to believe, but I was too busy getting clean! So, Ilshin nor myself met up with Volo until the following day.
Chapter 4
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
A/N: [READ THIS] So, I forgot about a part of this chapter until I was posting it. Please don't hate me for this? Anyways, if I need to pull it down or more accurately alter it, I will. But for now, I don't think it's too bad? Well, you be the judge I guess. (Whether I like it or not.)
Taking the scroll tube Volo held out to me, catching Ilshins pursed lips in my periphery, I listened to Volo continue. "The deed to a remarkable property here in Waterdeep! We'll need a magistrate to witness the transfer of ownership. I'll arrange a meeting with one after you've inspected the estate and deemed it satisfactory."
Frowning for a moment, I nodded. "This will do." Then turning to Ilshin, I commented. "You can take an extra hundred Dragons from what we… recovered, on top of your share."
"Right, I can live with that." Ilshin agreed readily.
Turning back, I spoke again. "Volo, would you happen to know anyone who would give us top price for some well preserved paintings? We also need to sell some corroded silver trade bars."
"Ah, I actually might know someone! Let me ask around." The human agreed readily.
As we all parted ways for the day, I would be going out to see the property tomorrow, I contemplated my cane and what I could do to make a more customized one. I also needed to see about finding some armor I wouldn't mind using.
The ability to use <[Mend>] to fix and revitalize my clothing made the need to replace my cargo pants… go away. I would still probably look into getting them enchanted with some basic stuff. Self cleaning, self maintaining. My boots where good for now, and I did have an armored vest. Problem was, the vest was made to deal with bullets, not swords, or magic for that matter.
As I made my way around the cities markets, I took note of many things, and found some armor that looked decent, had a kind of style, and I found a {Bag of Holding}!
With a bit of haggling, and a small veiled threat, I managed to get the {Bag of Holding}, and {Smoldering Armor (Leather)}. From there it was only forty Dragons to get my pants enchanted to be self mending, and get them integrated with my new armor, and my vest included in that! Of course, that was from someone else. They were also kind enough to remove the left sleeve as it was pointless.
From there I spent the day talking to the staff of the Blackstaff Academy. Nice enough people and willing to give me some pointers. I was even able to talk them into giving me a few lessons over the course of the coming month to better understand and control my magic.
Then the next day came along and found me standing in front of a grand old manor. Old as in run down. "Well, it's definitely a fixer-upper."
"Heh… um, yeah." Volo agreed reluctantly. "I've made some headway about selling those paintings and we should be able to deal with it all tomorrow."
"Alright then… let's take a look around." I replied before heading in.
Ilshin was off doing… whatever, I assume talking with his bosses. Renaer went his own way, and here I was.
Inside was an utter mess, broken furniture, cobwebs… so much more. And dust. So much dust!
And yet… I could see the potential here! The other two floors were more of the same, and I would need to see about making some changes, but it would do well. Maybe I could get the cellar expanded? "I'll take it, let's go see that magistrate."
Over the following we- tenday, I collected the money from what he had recovered, Ilshin had swung by to collect his share, and I had set to cleaning the place up. Also, my first magic lesson, but it was only mildly interesting. Mostly just a dry lecture I sat in on, it also lasted half the day.
On my way back from Blackstaff Academy, I stopped in at an interesting little store. Book Wym's Treasure. It had an adorable sign with a gold dragon curled around a hoard of books and scrolls. The proprietor Rishaal the Page-Turner, was a gold Dragonborn Wizard. The shop was two floors of books with a third floor on top that was where Rishaal lived.
Looking around, I smiled upon seeing the golden scaled exotic… er, dragonborn. "Rishaal I believe it was? I'm looking for a spell, and hopefully an item that can be used to cast it?"
"Mmm, what spell? I don't really deal in enchanted items, but may know where you can find one." Came his reply in a voice that was pleasantly deep.
"Fabricate." I stated and then… waited.
"I can speak with some associates, of make a few scrolls, but they aren't… cheap." He replied, a level of shrewdness entering his voice.
"I figured as much. But! I have a spell book on offer. From the spells you have listed there are four you don't have that you could start selling. Burning hands, disguise self, false life, and witch bolt." I spoke, pulling out the tome. "I figure that's worth… what? Five hundred Dragons? So, let's call it two hundred and a copy of Fabricate for now?"
Tapping his chin, Rishaal moved over and took the spell book, flipping through it before nodding. "That seems a fair trade. I'll even throw in a free scroll of Fabricate as well."
And suddenly, I feel like I shot too low. Oh well. Fifty Dragons immediately went back to Rishaal as I bought a blank spellbook. Then immediately, Fabricate was copied into it. Nice and neat. Funny how algebra made the long scrawl of formula into something half the size.
I will spare you the details, but it turns out I was short the gold it would take to get the tavern up and running… and that's without taking the annoying ghost into account. Still, I made the decision to prioritise the ground floor and cellar. With those functional, I could start building up funds. Probably.
In fact, as I sat behind the bar, working out expenses, the front door opened, and I grumbled, "We're not open right now. Please come back once renovations are complete."
"Ah, I completely understand." Came a well cultured and smooth voice. "However, I have business with you. Perhaps even profitable business."
It was a Drow, a very much handsome with a slender tightly muscled frame. The bright, dandy clothes he wore were a pretty good give away, but really it was the hat and eyepatch… huh.
"Jarlaxle Baenre… How's the family?" I drawled out.
"Oh, you know, trying to kill each other." He drawled back.
I couldn't help but snort. But prompted. "So, business? I'm kind of in the middle of something."
"So I see! A Tavern, quaint, but not unpleasant." He replied as he sat down at one of the stools. "So, I have two things to speak with you about. The first is about the intriguing handgun of yours. How much would it cost to purchase it from you?"
Pursing my lips, I shook my head. "How much for your eyepatch?"
"Ah, a signature, that is inconvenient." He muttered.
"I am willing, however, draw up plans for a cheaper to manufacture version." I smiled like a shark. "For a price."
"Well, I'm sure we can come to some agreement." The Drow dandy offered.
I just grinned. "One thousand Dragons, a full barrel of Smoke Powder, ten pounds each of Adamantine and Mithril, and some Dragonbone. Oh, and a fancy Drow cloak. Pwafwi was it?"
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Jarlaxle quietly seemed to contemplate things. Then he nodded as if yo himself. "Five hundred Dragons, and five pounds each. But Bregan D'aerthe will help shoulder the costs for getting this fine manner repaired."
Pursing my lips, I thought about it before nodding. "You supply the paper and ink. It will take a day or two, I'll even throw in a longarm if you double the Gold and Smoke Powder."
Again a long moment of silence where in the 'inscrutable' Drow pretended to think about it. "What do you mean by long arm?"
Smiling, I spoke, explaining. "Well, you have pistols, a gun that is used by a single hand. Then you have Shotguns. Guns that take two hands and fire a spread of small 'shot'. Very short range, but easy to hit with."
So far he nodded along, curiosity obvious on his face. An obvious affection, if genuine. "Then you have longarms. Rifles. These are guns that can have tremendous range, and accuracy to match."
"Well," Jarlaxle purred. "It seems we have a deal. Now onto other matters."
"There is a ship, a derelict, and it has come to my attention that there is a chest on board. While I could go ahead and fetch it myself, or send a team to, Bregan D'aerthe is tied up in other matters." He went on to tell me of the ship and the chest it held.
A hundred thousand Dragons worth in property deeds? And he would be paying me ten percent? "Well, I'm in. Assuming you get me a few things. I need that Smoke Powder, and a scroll of Fabricate, or a wand? Something that can allow me to use it."
"Very good. Ilshin will be working with you from now on as well. Make good use of him." Jarlaxle then simply disappeared. But then he was never here to begin with.
It was a neat trick.
The next day, I woke in my room at the Yawning Portal to find a pile of papers and some ink on the table of my room, along with a pouch of gold and a note. 'The rest to follow. Ilshin will know how to proceed.'
Taking a quil… I couldn't wait to fabricate a pen. I set about sketching out the blueprints for a simple Mauser, one fit to use 9mm rounds, the design for said rounds, and on the edge of each blueprint a ruler. Then I moved on to the Lever action rifle. Good old Winchester. I drew it up to use .45 rifle rounds, and threw in a revolver pistol as an added bonus. Then I left it all on the table.
Breakfast was pleasant, and by the time I returned there were two barrels of Smoke Powder, and a wand sitting there.
The first thing I did was to put it all in my {BoH}, then I set off to the market. I didn't purchase bars of the metal I needed, instead I bought scrap from the blacksmiths. Iron and copper. Then I went and got a few more things, and with all of that, I was down thirty Dragons.
Then I moved along to the next task. I pulled my old ammunition out of the magazines, and stored it all in a small coffer in my {BoH}. Then I mass fabricated a shit ton of rounds. I mean, I wasn't going to have to worry about ammo for a while… unless I saw some heavy fighting. Finally, I… didn't do much. Not much to really do! I explored, and such, and burned the rest of the day. So, of course, something happened when I was headed home.
"Help!"
Stopping mid step, I watched through Huginn's eyes and it flew over the roves and found where the cry had come from.
"Please! No!"
I could see as my anger spiked, my tech hair going from white directly to a brilliant red. Then I was off and running, cane in my left hand, and gun in my right.
Now, you wonder why. But it's pretty simple.
As I turned a corner, I came upon a group of four Kenku, all using their beaks to rip at a still living human girl. No older than thirteen.
Lightning arced out from my left hand as I fired off three rounds with my right. The spell, <[Witch Bolt>] slammed home, and started to fry the birdman.
Holstering my gun, I maintained the spell as I rushed up to the girl and started checking her over, even as the spell petered out as the target died. The girl was alive… but wouldn't remain that way.
Pulling out the Potion of healing in my bag, I slowly poured it down her throat, but by then she was unconscious. Even with that, she was very much injured and would need more care. Though she wasn't critical.
Picking her up, I headed back to the Yawning Portal and up to my room before heading back down and finding a cleric that was just killing time. A couple of healing prayers and some gold changing hands and everything was right as rain… not really.
Also, it turns out I was wrong. The girl wasn't human, she was an Aasimar, Fallen, from what the cleric said. Her sapphire blue eyes supported that claim. Her hair a lustrous black, lustrous as in metallic.
With a sigh, I moved a chair over and sat down, it was going to be a long night… and I had a Drow to find in the morning!
100000011101
"I confess that I have but few coins to spare." Volo began, not filling me with confidence, "But never let it be said that Volo reneges on a promise!" Ok, this is a little better? "Allow me to present something much more valuable."Taking the scroll tube Volo held out to me, catching Ilshins pursed lips in my periphery, I listened to Volo continue. "The deed to a remarkable property here in Waterdeep! We'll need a magistrate to witness the transfer of ownership. I'll arrange a meeting with one after you've inspected the estate and deemed it satisfactory."
Frowning for a moment, I nodded. "This will do." Then turning to Ilshin, I commented. "You can take an extra hundred Dragons from what we… recovered, on top of your share."
"Right, I can live with that." Ilshin agreed readily.
Turning back, I spoke again. "Volo, would you happen to know anyone who would give us top price for some well preserved paintings? We also need to sell some corroded silver trade bars."
"Ah, I actually might know someone! Let me ask around." The human agreed readily.
As we all parted ways for the day, I would be going out to see the property tomorrow, I contemplated my cane and what I could do to make a more customized one. I also needed to see about finding some armor I wouldn't mind using.
The ability to use <[Mend>] to fix and revitalize my clothing made the need to replace my cargo pants… go away. I would still probably look into getting them enchanted with some basic stuff. Self cleaning, self maintaining. My boots where good for now, and I did have an armored vest. Problem was, the vest was made to deal with bullets, not swords, or magic for that matter.
As I made my way around the cities markets, I took note of many things, and found some armor that looked decent, had a kind of style, and I found a {Bag of Holding}!
With a bit of haggling, and a small veiled threat, I managed to get the {Bag of Holding}, and {Smoldering Armor (Leather)}. From there it was only forty Dragons to get my pants enchanted to be self mending, and get them integrated with my new armor, and my vest included in that! Of course, that was from someone else. They were also kind enough to remove the left sleeve as it was pointless.
From there I spent the day talking to the staff of the Blackstaff Academy. Nice enough people and willing to give me some pointers. I was even able to talk them into giving me a few lessons over the course of the coming month to better understand and control my magic.
Then the next day came along and found me standing in front of a grand old manor. Old as in run down. "Well, it's definitely a fixer-upper."
"Heh… um, yeah." Volo agreed reluctantly. "I've made some headway about selling those paintings and we should be able to deal with it all tomorrow."
"Alright then… let's take a look around." I replied before heading in.
Ilshin was off doing… whatever, I assume talking with his bosses. Renaer went his own way, and here I was.
Inside was an utter mess, broken furniture, cobwebs… so much more. And dust. So much dust!
And yet… I could see the potential here! The other two floors were more of the same, and I would need to see about making some changes, but it would do well. Maybe I could get the cellar expanded? "I'll take it, let's go see that magistrate."
Over the following we- tenday, I collected the money from what he had recovered, Ilshin had swung by to collect his share, and I had set to cleaning the place up. Also, my first magic lesson, but it was only mildly interesting. Mostly just a dry lecture I sat in on, it also lasted half the day.
On my way back from Blackstaff Academy, I stopped in at an interesting little store. Book Wym's Treasure. It had an adorable sign with a gold dragon curled around a hoard of books and scrolls. The proprietor Rishaal the Page-Turner, was a gold Dragonborn Wizard. The shop was two floors of books with a third floor on top that was where Rishaal lived.
Looking around, I smiled upon seeing the golden scaled exotic… er, dragonborn. "Rishaal I believe it was? I'm looking for a spell, and hopefully an item that can be used to cast it?"
"Mmm, what spell? I don't really deal in enchanted items, but may know where you can find one." Came his reply in a voice that was pleasantly deep.
"Fabricate." I stated and then… waited.
"I can speak with some associates, of make a few scrolls, but they aren't… cheap." He replied, a level of shrewdness entering his voice.
"I figured as much. But! I have a spell book on offer. From the spells you have listed there are four you don't have that you could start selling. Burning hands, disguise self, false life, and witch bolt." I spoke, pulling out the tome. "I figure that's worth… what? Five hundred Dragons? So, let's call it two hundred and a copy of Fabricate for now?"
Tapping his chin, Rishaal moved over and took the spell book, flipping through it before nodding. "That seems a fair trade. I'll even throw in a free scroll of Fabricate as well."
And suddenly, I feel like I shot too low. Oh well. Fifty Dragons immediately went back to Rishaal as I bought a blank spellbook. Then immediately, Fabricate was copied into it. Nice and neat. Funny how algebra made the long scrawl of formula into something half the size.
I will spare you the details, but it turns out I was short the gold it would take to get the tavern up and running… and that's without taking the annoying ghost into account. Still, I made the decision to prioritise the ground floor and cellar. With those functional, I could start building up funds. Probably.
In fact, as I sat behind the bar, working out expenses, the front door opened, and I grumbled, "We're not open right now. Please come back once renovations are complete."
"Ah, I completely understand." Came a well cultured and smooth voice. "However, I have business with you. Perhaps even profitable business."
It was a Drow, a very much handsome with a slender tightly muscled frame. The bright, dandy clothes he wore were a pretty good give away, but really it was the hat and eyepatch… huh.
"Jarlaxle Baenre… How's the family?" I drawled out.
"Oh, you know, trying to kill each other." He drawled back.
I couldn't help but snort. But prompted. "So, business? I'm kind of in the middle of something."
"So I see! A Tavern, quaint, but not unpleasant." He replied as he sat down at one of the stools. "So, I have two things to speak with you about. The first is about the intriguing handgun of yours. How much would it cost to purchase it from you?"
Pursing my lips, I shook my head. "How much for your eyepatch?"
"Ah, a signature, that is inconvenient." He muttered.
"I am willing, however, draw up plans for a cheaper to manufacture version." I smiled like a shark. "For a price."
"Well, I'm sure we can come to some agreement." The Drow dandy offered.
I just grinned. "One thousand Dragons, a full barrel of Smoke Powder, ten pounds each of Adamantine and Mithril, and some Dragonbone. Oh, and a fancy Drow cloak. Pwafwi was it?"
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Jarlaxle quietly seemed to contemplate things. Then he nodded as if yo himself. "Five hundred Dragons, and five pounds each. But Bregan D'aerthe will help shoulder the costs for getting this fine manner repaired."
Pursing my lips, I thought about it before nodding. "You supply the paper and ink. It will take a day or two, I'll even throw in a longarm if you double the Gold and Smoke Powder."
Again a long moment of silence where in the 'inscrutable' Drow pretended to think about it. "What do you mean by long arm?"
Smiling, I spoke, explaining. "Well, you have pistols, a gun that is used by a single hand. Then you have Shotguns. Guns that take two hands and fire a spread of small 'shot'. Very short range, but easy to hit with."
So far he nodded along, curiosity obvious on his face. An obvious affection, if genuine. "Then you have longarms. Rifles. These are guns that can have tremendous range, and accuracy to match."
"Well," Jarlaxle purred. "It seems we have a deal. Now onto other matters."
"There is a ship, a derelict, and it has come to my attention that there is a chest on board. While I could go ahead and fetch it myself, or send a team to, Bregan D'aerthe is tied up in other matters." He went on to tell me of the ship and the chest it held.
A hundred thousand Dragons worth in property deeds? And he would be paying me ten percent? "Well, I'm in. Assuming you get me a few things. I need that Smoke Powder, and a scroll of Fabricate, or a wand? Something that can allow me to use it."
"Very good. Ilshin will be working with you from now on as well. Make good use of him." Jarlaxle then simply disappeared. But then he was never here to begin with.
It was a neat trick.
The next day, I woke in my room at the Yawning Portal to find a pile of papers and some ink on the table of my room, along with a pouch of gold and a note. 'The rest to follow. Ilshin will know how to proceed.'
Taking a quil… I couldn't wait to fabricate a pen. I set about sketching out the blueprints for a simple Mauser, one fit to use 9mm rounds, the design for said rounds, and on the edge of each blueprint a ruler. Then I moved on to the Lever action rifle. Good old Winchester. I drew it up to use .45 rifle rounds, and threw in a revolver pistol as an added bonus. Then I left it all on the table.
Breakfast was pleasant, and by the time I returned there were two barrels of Smoke Powder, and a wand sitting there.
The first thing I did was to put it all in my {BoH}, then I set off to the market. I didn't purchase bars of the metal I needed, instead I bought scrap from the blacksmiths. Iron and copper. Then I went and got a few more things, and with all of that, I was down thirty Dragons.
Then I moved along to the next task. I pulled my old ammunition out of the magazines, and stored it all in a small coffer in my {BoH}. Then I mass fabricated a shit ton of rounds. I mean, I wasn't going to have to worry about ammo for a while… unless I saw some heavy fighting. Finally, I… didn't do much. Not much to really do! I explored, and such, and burned the rest of the day. So, of course, something happened when I was headed home.
"Help!"
Stopping mid step, I watched through Huginn's eyes and it flew over the roves and found where the cry had come from.
"Please! No!"
I could see as my anger spiked, my tech hair going from white directly to a brilliant red. Then I was off and running, cane in my left hand, and gun in my right.
Now, you wonder why. But it's pretty simple.
As I turned a corner, I came upon a group of four Kenku, all using their beaks to rip at a still living human girl. No older than thirteen.
Lightning arced out from my left hand as I fired off three rounds with my right. The spell, <[Witch Bolt>] slammed home, and started to fry the birdman.
Holstering my gun, I maintained the spell as I rushed up to the girl and started checking her over, even as the spell petered out as the target died. The girl was alive… but wouldn't remain that way.
Pulling out the Potion of healing in my bag, I slowly poured it down her throat, but by then she was unconscious. Even with that, she was very much injured and would need more care. Though she wasn't critical.
Picking her up, I headed back to the Yawning Portal and up to my room before heading back down and finding a cleric that was just killing time. A couple of healing prayers and some gold changing hands and everything was right as rain… not really.
Also, it turns out I was wrong. The girl wasn't human, she was an Aasimar, Fallen, from what the cleric said. Her sapphire blue eyes supported that claim. Her hair a lustrous black, lustrous as in metallic.
With a sigh, I moved a chair over and sat down, it was going to be a long night… and I had a Drow to find in the morning!
Chapter 5
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
The Aasimar girl woke with a start and hurriedly pressed her back into a corner and she frantically looked around. "Wha? Where am I! I was… was…"
Sighing, I spoke, softly but firmly. "You're safe. The Kenku can't hurt anyone anymore."
She flinched, but calmed down a little. "Who… who are you?"
"Jaeda Royal. You?" I replied, she was talking after all, it would be good to keep it that way.
"Uh… Asheka. Just Asheka." She was looking around the room again, more calculating this time.
"Well Asheka. Do you have a family or home you need to be getting back to?" I probed as gently as I could.
In reply she pulled her knees up and hugged her legs. "No."
Frowning, I sighed. "How old are you?" Me and my fucking bleeding heart.
"E-eleven winters?" And her reply sounded more like a question. Great.
"Ok, if you can work, you can stay with me. I have a Tavern, though it's being renovated, and I'm leaving the city on a job. But I'm willing to take you in." I offer and she sits there for damn near an hour silently thinking before she replies.
"Ok…"
Smiling, I nod. "Come on then. Let's get some food, and see if Durnan is willing to watch over you for a tenday or so."
The food was good, and Ilshin showed up after a while. But Durnan wasn't really willing to deal with 'my problem'. That's where Ilshin came in and saved the day. She was going with us. She would also be staying on the damn ship! Ilshin also had a cloak for me, a {Piwafwi}. It was rather nice and in my colors, White with Gold trim.
"So, let me get this right." The fighter asked, "You saved the kid, and because you can't find somewhere to stash her, she's coming with?"
"Pretty much." I agree even as Asheka glares petulantly at Ilshin.
"Can she even fight?" Ilshin asked and… huh, typical Drow thinking but a good question.
Turning to the kid I raise an eyebrow questioningly.
"Maybe… a little?" She replied hesitantly and… poor kid.
"Well, Ilshin, think you can be gentle?" I ask, eyeing her.
Rolling his eyes at me, he grumbled, "Yeah."
This leads to an amusing series of fights with wooden swords where in we are both surprised to find that Asheka is… really good at this. Not on Ilshin's level, but she has a talent for this that is completely unexpected.
This leads to us arming her with a rapier and a set of leather armor. Hells, she's ecstatic about it. Babbling about being an adventurer.
We met the next day and boarded the ship, the Ivory Maiden. The journey lasted five days and in that time Ilshin and I drilled everything we could into Asheka. What to watchout for, how to care for her gear, so on. Basically how to survive as an Adventurer/Solo. Honestly, I think Ilshin and I learned more than Asheka did from it.
Anyways, the Winter Salice.
Wolgar, the captain of the Ivory Maiden, and a dwarf besides, lowered his spyglass and grumbled, "Ships been hit hard by a typhoon or tidal wave."
Frowning, I nodded. "Right, best to get on with it then?"
"Aye. Ye sure ya want'a take the lass?" The dwarf asked with a frown.
Shaking my head, I started over to where a rowboat was being lowered. "No. But it's for the best, really."
I missed what he called after me, and Ilshin was already helping Asheka down the rope ladder. Once they were clear, I made my own way down, and we were off.
The ride over was… long and annoying, but once we were, Ilshin quickly scaled the side of the ship before tying off a rope. Thus set, Asheka, then myself made our way up.
The forecastle and quarterdeck were empty, disturbingly so, and all that remained of the ship's masts were short wooden stumps.
The double doors for the fore and aft cabins seemed intact… hmm… "This seems like a disturbing amount of webs to you Ilshin?"
"Kind of like home, yeah." He muttered.
"Well, fore or aft first." I ask as Asheka looks around, chewing her lip.
With a shrug, Ilshun starts off towards the Captain's Quarters… and curses as he pulls the doors open. "To the Nine!"
Looking over his shoulder, I sighed. "Lolth. Spiders. Lots of little ones with some big ones. Just great… and fire isn't an option."
"What do you have?" Ilshin muttered, and Asheka was actually paying a surprising amount of attention.
"Er… a giant spider and… something? Uh… Not sure? It's biggish?" I replied, failing to find the words.
"Kind of like a bipedal spider?" when I nodded, he grumbled, "Ettercap."
"Loud is fine? Or you want to do this quiet?" I asked, trying to figure this out.
"Loud I would thing, sweep the ship. Kill everything. Loot everything." Ilshin replied mirroring my thoughts.
"Praise be to that!" I muttered in return. "Ok, Asheka. Stick with Ilshin and listen to him. He knows his business."
"Wha-what is that?" She asked, only now starting to realize what being an adventurer entailed.
"Why, young blade, killing things of course." He replied with a smirk. Then he lunged forward, swords thrusting at the Ettercap.
Asheka let out an 'eep' before drawing her sword and hurrying after him. Meanwhile, I cast a <[Ray of Frost>] at the Giant spider, followed by wading in with my cane in my right hand.
To my surprise and annoyance, the fight was joined by a swarm of spiders spilling up from the floor below. So, with a grumble, I interposed myself between them and the fighter types. Poison, or mundane poison meant shit to me.
As the little buggers tried to swarm me, I lashed out at the Giant Spider and blasted it with a <[Shocking Grasp>] as my cane struck home. Interestingly, the cane rippled and change as it made contact with the Giant Spider, transforming into a wooden longsword with a surprisingly fine edge.
This was new… but I could also feel that it didn't like me as such. Only letting me wield it because of the foe's I faced. It just had to choose now of all times to become semi-sentient…
As the fight wore on, I used more and more <[Shocking Grasp>], a spell that was proving it's worth against the swarm of spiders.
When the last of the swarm finally died, I turned around to find Asheka lopping off the Ettercap's head… huh.
With the fight over, we set about inspecting the room.
First thing was the rough stone alter in the middle of the room. "Lolth? Didn't know she accepted worshipers this… barbaric." My mutterings dew a whisper quiet chuckle, and I nearly tripped on a pouch that was filled with ten rubies! "If neither of you heard that laughter, we are leaving this cabin post-haste."
Ilshin was out on the main deck before I even finished speaking, and Asheka was quick to follow us.
"She's watching! Tymora have mercy! She's watching." Ilshin muttered, and I couldn't help but agree.
Moving to the other set of doors, I grumbled, "I really could live without that kind of Divine attention."
"Right…" Ilshin almost whimpered. Poor bastard.
"Um… what are you talking about?" Asheka hesitantly asked.
"Simple kiddo," I replied. "One of the big Evil gods is watching us."
"Oh." She muttered, gulping.
"Doors jammed." Ilshin spoke after trying them.
"Right, ok." I grumbled as he puts his shoulder into it and after a couple of slams the door burst open… to reveal webs, far too many webs. And of course… "Giant Spider, Ettercap."
"Probably a swarm of spiders down the stairs then." Ilshin grumbled.
"Make sure to grab all those charts and map. They'll sell well." I agreed.
"Gods, I already hate this boat." He muttered as we waded in.
The webbing was thick, but easy enough to tear down. And of course, the fight isn't long from starting. Aheka ends up facing the Giant spider, and Ilshin the Ettercap. Then the swarm starts to boil up, and up, and up some more. By the time the flow stops, there are easily four times the numbers within the swarm. Poor hapless spiders never saw it coming.
Once all the swarm was up, I cast <[Thunderclap>]... and watched as they all kind of just got stepped on. The boom was still deafening, but we didn't care much about that. Hearing was a luxury in a fight.
Turning, I cast out a <[Ray of Frost>], slamming it into the giant spider before doing the same with the Ettercap. Ilshin used the moment to kill the Ettercap before moving to help Asheka, though he was limping.
Then we took the spider down and Ilshin collapsed into one of the chairs that yet remained.
Even as I moved to look the wound over, Asheka kind of blinked for a moment before leaning down and holding her hand over the wound… and it slowly sealed shut. Healing magic? But no Holy Symbol… so… "That was a Bardic spell… where in the Hells did you learn that?"
"I- um… just kind of picked it up?" She muttered and… wow.
Reaching out Ilshin ruffled her hair, "Good job kid."
That left her beaming at us, and bringing her along started to seem a lot less of a bad idea.
After picking up the charts and tucking them into my bag, we headed down the stairs… to find a room- well, hallway, that wasn't shrouded in webs. Ilshin took one look at the doorway and scoffed. "Careful, there's a web there."
Asheka stared intently at the doorway for a moment before looking surprised. "I can't see it?"
Bending down, I picked up a silver bracelet before tossing a Nib into the doorway. Sure enough, it stuck. "Two giant spiders at the doorway and I'm not sure what else."
"Right, of course." Ilshin grumbled. "Wanna bet that there's an Etter here too?"
"No bet." I shot back.
I watched intently as Ilshin swept his blade along the doorway, clearing out the web with a skill and know-how you would expect from a Drow. Then he backed up as two spiders lunged at him. His swords flashing out to stab into the spider's heads.
Even then, more swarms started to make themselves known and I stepped up to stand in the doorway and hold them off. "You know, I have to ask. Are you from Menzoberranzan?"
"Yes." He grumbled and… wow.
"So, do they still tout Drizzt Melee-Magthere as the best to ever come out of there?" I had to know!
Even as we talked, an Ettercap joined the massive swarm of spiders, and I cast <[Thunderclap>] again. Then I followed it up with a <[Ray of Frost>], and then another before I switched with Ilshin.
"Yes, actually. They also encourage us to try and kill him if we ever get the chance." He replied as he took place in the doorway. Then he muttered. "I'm nowhere near suicidal enough for that." Then as he became a flurry of blades, he asked. "How do you know all of this?"
Smirking, I waited till he finished off the Ettercap and turned around, "Books. Nineteen books. And I think there were more, I just kind of stopped reading them."
He just looked at me like I had spoken an impossibility, then he shook his head.
"Who is Drizzt?" Asheka asked curiously and… I was surprised more knowledge of him hadn't spread.
"Drow ranger of the goddess Milaki. Virtuoso with dual scimitars, but a master with any blade." I shot out without thought.
"Sounds about right." Ilshin agreed.
As we carefully explored the ship, we found more jewelry, some bound demons we killed… and not much else… well, until we found the shrine to Lolthy.
Waiting for us was a Half-Orc Druid and… I drew my gun and shot him in the head, twice. As the body slumped down, two giant spiders showed themselves and a phase spider jumped me.
Gun still in hand, I pointed it up underneath the spider and pulled the trigger. Then pushed aside the corpse, holstered by gun, and moved to help.
There where a few goodies in a wooden box on the port side, one of which went onto Asheka almost immediately. That being a {Cloak of Protection}.
The next room was a galley, or had been at some point. But it was just a mess with everything wrecked, so we moved on and down the trapdoor.
The Cargo Hold was… partially flooded, and as soon as I touched down, I called out. "Corpses, four of them. Not sure what I'm seeing but somethings off."
"Undead?" Ilshin muttered, and Asheka was standing behind us, fidgeting.
Undead? The scan I was getting from my eye was showing no heat, but at the same time it wasn't… I don't know? Heatless?
I could shoot them, but wooden floor so… Sweeping my vision across the room, I spotted a crate with a stylized A on it… it was also the only crate that wasn't completely ruined. Shoulders sagging, I headed off for the crate. The crate that was past the corpses.
Ilshin and Asheka followed but hesitantly, and two of the corpses burst out of the water and rushed me.
My Drow friend was quick to act, interposing himself between Asheka and the other two corpses. I mean, I respect his trust in my abilities, but I was supposed to be a clothy right? "Ghasts!"
Wicking out with my wooden blade, I carved into one of the… Ghasts. Thorns taking hold and biting into its flesh.
The other I stopped by grabbing its head with my armored hand and squeezing. The feted bone held up better than I expected, but not really well enough. My hand squeezing hard enough that when the Ghast managed to slip out of my grasp it backed off warrily. The other one tried, but I lasted out again, blade biting into the Ghasts arm as it tried to block. Thorns bit into it, but also lightning as I unleashed a <[Shocking Grasp>]. Then the other rushed in and the wounded one backed out.
The attacks bounced back and forth. Thorns and lightning for a few scrapes and scratches. There was no way I was letting them get too close, and even when they did get a good hit on me… well, subdermal armor is a beautiful thing.
This of course doesn't mean I was unharmed, but that none of it was major.
As the last of the Ghasts dropped, I quickly made my way to the crate and opened it up.
"Asheka, check the Ghasts for anything of value." Ilshin spoke as he joined me and… damn.
"Well, at least I have a {Bag of Holding}?" I offered. The chest, box really, was made of a blue metal that didn't have any rust on it at all. I look a moment to burn a spell to <[Detect Magic>] and… "It's also very magical. But I don't think anything that's BoH like?"
"Do we risk it?" Ilshin asked as Asheka walked up holding a belt and a weird bracelet.
"Not unless we have-" And I was cut off by a loud thud. "Right, risk away!"
As the ship started to rock, Ilshin helped me try and get the chest in the bag…
"Too big!" I grunt, reattaching the bag to my belt one handed, "Go!"
Asheka is the first up the latter out, and then I go climbing one handed, Ilshin bringing up the rear. With the both of us, we manage to make it up the stairs and… to the Altar of Lolth. The whisper quiet laughing continuing.
Ignoring it, we rushed out onto the main deck to find a giant octopus trying to sink the ship. Getting the rowboats attention, we hunker down, and do what we can to survive.
From there it was a game of whack a tentacle, one that we didn't do the greatest at. Still the rowboat managed to reach us and we piled in with the box and… were off.
The journey back was blessedly anti-climactic, and I found my Tavern fully finished. Cellar addition, and all. On top of that was a convenient report noting everything of… note that happened. The spirit, a poltergeist, that was haunting the tavern was dealt with, a fool human Emmek Frewn tried to… heh, harpoon my business, and was made to… disappear.
Ilshin took the box with him, and returned later with a pouch of ten thousand Dragons… a lot of money. Enough to actually get some things done! To add to this, the Dragon bone that I had been promised found its way into my new bedroom. Someone must have thought they were being funny because it was a massive thigh bone that filled most of the room.
Drow with a sense of humor? I should be glad it was so tame.
It had to be cut down to get it out of the room, but that was fine and saw me talking with- right. My cane turned sword.
So, once we returned to the Ivory Maiden, the sword started to burn my hand and I was forced to drop it. No, there were no burn marks. Thing is, Asheka just picked it up and offered it back to me.
With nothing happening to her… I told her to keep it. The fact that it now leaves a trail of rose petals, and fills any room she enters with the smell of roses was even more proof I chose right.
Anyways, for the next year I trained Asheka, spent time sparing with Ilshin, ran my tavern… and ended up doing a few odd jobs for the big factions. Highlights were, a living scarecrow the Emerald Enclave asked me to handle, a rather interesting talk with a young Bronze dragon which ended in friendship? Maybe?
More importantly, I worked on building a new cane. This saw a good two thousand Dragons evaporate in the hiring of one of the more prominent wizards of the city for the laying of spellwork, five hundred for the construction of the cane… and a pound of Mithril.
The cane was carved from the Dragon bone as a whole piece, then etched with lightning shaped grooves that had Silver and Mithril inlaid into it. Seven blue topaz gems were then set into the length of the cane.
The enchantments to bind everything together went rather well, and left me with a Dragon bone cane, Fritz style, that was a single piece. Bone and metal and gem fused together, the metal and gems turning into lightning like veins of their raw form, only polished.
Thus, Fulgur was created.
For all it's glory, it was rather weak. Functioning as an arcane focus, and with arcs of lightning running along it. But I could feel the untapped potential within… along with something else.
Sighing, I spoke, softly but firmly. "You're safe. The Kenku can't hurt anyone anymore."
She flinched, but calmed down a little. "Who… who are you?"
"Jaeda Royal. You?" I replied, she was talking after all, it would be good to keep it that way.
"Uh… Asheka. Just Asheka." She was looking around the room again, more calculating this time.
"Well Asheka. Do you have a family or home you need to be getting back to?" I probed as gently as I could.
In reply she pulled her knees up and hugged her legs. "No."
Frowning, I sighed. "How old are you?" Me and my fucking bleeding heart.
"E-eleven winters?" And her reply sounded more like a question. Great.
"Ok, if you can work, you can stay with me. I have a Tavern, though it's being renovated, and I'm leaving the city on a job. But I'm willing to take you in." I offer and she sits there for damn near an hour silently thinking before she replies.
"Ok…"
Smiling, I nod. "Come on then. Let's get some food, and see if Durnan is willing to watch over you for a tenday or so."
The food was good, and Ilshin showed up after a while. But Durnan wasn't really willing to deal with 'my problem'. That's where Ilshin came in and saved the day. She was going with us. She would also be staying on the damn ship! Ilshin also had a cloak for me, a {Piwafwi}. It was rather nice and in my colors, White with Gold trim.
"So, let me get this right." The fighter asked, "You saved the kid, and because you can't find somewhere to stash her, she's coming with?"
"Pretty much." I agree even as Asheka glares petulantly at Ilshin.
"Can she even fight?" Ilshin asked and… huh, typical Drow thinking but a good question.
Turning to the kid I raise an eyebrow questioningly.
"Maybe… a little?" She replied hesitantly and… poor kid.
"Well, Ilshin, think you can be gentle?" I ask, eyeing her.
Rolling his eyes at me, he grumbled, "Yeah."
This leads to an amusing series of fights with wooden swords where in we are both surprised to find that Asheka is… really good at this. Not on Ilshin's level, but she has a talent for this that is completely unexpected.
This leads to us arming her with a rapier and a set of leather armor. Hells, she's ecstatic about it. Babbling about being an adventurer.
We met the next day and boarded the ship, the Ivory Maiden. The journey lasted five days and in that time Ilshin and I drilled everything we could into Asheka. What to watchout for, how to care for her gear, so on. Basically how to survive as an Adventurer/Solo. Honestly, I think Ilshin and I learned more than Asheka did from it.
Anyways, the Winter Salice.
Wolgar, the captain of the Ivory Maiden, and a dwarf besides, lowered his spyglass and grumbled, "Ships been hit hard by a typhoon or tidal wave."
Frowning, I nodded. "Right, best to get on with it then?"
"Aye. Ye sure ya want'a take the lass?" The dwarf asked with a frown.
Shaking my head, I started over to where a rowboat was being lowered. "No. But it's for the best, really."
I missed what he called after me, and Ilshin was already helping Asheka down the rope ladder. Once they were clear, I made my own way down, and we were off.
The ride over was… long and annoying, but once we were, Ilshin quickly scaled the side of the ship before tying off a rope. Thus set, Asheka, then myself made our way up.
The forecastle and quarterdeck were empty, disturbingly so, and all that remained of the ship's masts were short wooden stumps.
The double doors for the fore and aft cabins seemed intact… hmm… "This seems like a disturbing amount of webs to you Ilshin?"
"Kind of like home, yeah." He muttered.
"Well, fore or aft first." I ask as Asheka looks around, chewing her lip.
With a shrug, Ilshun starts off towards the Captain's Quarters… and curses as he pulls the doors open. "To the Nine!"
Looking over his shoulder, I sighed. "Lolth. Spiders. Lots of little ones with some big ones. Just great… and fire isn't an option."
"What do you have?" Ilshin muttered, and Asheka was actually paying a surprising amount of attention.
"Er… a giant spider and… something? Uh… Not sure? It's biggish?" I replied, failing to find the words.
"Kind of like a bipedal spider?" when I nodded, he grumbled, "Ettercap."
"Loud is fine? Or you want to do this quiet?" I asked, trying to figure this out.
"Loud I would thing, sweep the ship. Kill everything. Loot everything." Ilshin replied mirroring my thoughts.
"Praise be to that!" I muttered in return. "Ok, Asheka. Stick with Ilshin and listen to him. He knows his business."
"Wha-what is that?" She asked, only now starting to realize what being an adventurer entailed.
"Why, young blade, killing things of course." He replied with a smirk. Then he lunged forward, swords thrusting at the Ettercap.
Asheka let out an 'eep' before drawing her sword and hurrying after him. Meanwhile, I cast a <[Ray of Frost>] at the Giant spider, followed by wading in with my cane in my right hand.
To my surprise and annoyance, the fight was joined by a swarm of spiders spilling up from the floor below. So, with a grumble, I interposed myself between them and the fighter types. Poison, or mundane poison meant shit to me.
As the little buggers tried to swarm me, I lashed out at the Giant Spider and blasted it with a <[Shocking Grasp>] as my cane struck home. Interestingly, the cane rippled and change as it made contact with the Giant Spider, transforming into a wooden longsword with a surprisingly fine edge.
This was new… but I could also feel that it didn't like me as such. Only letting me wield it because of the foe's I faced. It just had to choose now of all times to become semi-sentient…
As the fight wore on, I used more and more <[Shocking Grasp>], a spell that was proving it's worth against the swarm of spiders.
When the last of the swarm finally died, I turned around to find Asheka lopping off the Ettercap's head… huh.
With the fight over, we set about inspecting the room.
First thing was the rough stone alter in the middle of the room. "Lolth? Didn't know she accepted worshipers this… barbaric." My mutterings dew a whisper quiet chuckle, and I nearly tripped on a pouch that was filled with ten rubies! "If neither of you heard that laughter, we are leaving this cabin post-haste."
Ilshin was out on the main deck before I even finished speaking, and Asheka was quick to follow us.
"She's watching! Tymora have mercy! She's watching." Ilshin muttered, and I couldn't help but agree.
Moving to the other set of doors, I grumbled, "I really could live without that kind of Divine attention."
"Right…" Ilshin almost whimpered. Poor bastard.
"Um… what are you talking about?" Asheka hesitantly asked.
"Simple kiddo," I replied. "One of the big Evil gods is watching us."
"Oh." She muttered, gulping.
"Doors jammed." Ilshin spoke after trying them.
"Right, ok." I grumbled as he puts his shoulder into it and after a couple of slams the door burst open… to reveal webs, far too many webs. And of course… "Giant Spider, Ettercap."
"Probably a swarm of spiders down the stairs then." Ilshin grumbled.
"Make sure to grab all those charts and map. They'll sell well." I agreed.
"Gods, I already hate this boat." He muttered as we waded in.
The webbing was thick, but easy enough to tear down. And of course, the fight isn't long from starting. Aheka ends up facing the Giant spider, and Ilshin the Ettercap. Then the swarm starts to boil up, and up, and up some more. By the time the flow stops, there are easily four times the numbers within the swarm. Poor hapless spiders never saw it coming.
Once all the swarm was up, I cast <[Thunderclap>]... and watched as they all kind of just got stepped on. The boom was still deafening, but we didn't care much about that. Hearing was a luxury in a fight.
Turning, I cast out a <[Ray of Frost>], slamming it into the giant spider before doing the same with the Ettercap. Ilshin used the moment to kill the Ettercap before moving to help Asheka, though he was limping.
Then we took the spider down and Ilshin collapsed into one of the chairs that yet remained.
Even as I moved to look the wound over, Asheka kind of blinked for a moment before leaning down and holding her hand over the wound… and it slowly sealed shut. Healing magic? But no Holy Symbol… so… "That was a Bardic spell… where in the Hells did you learn that?"
"I- um… just kind of picked it up?" She muttered and… wow.
Reaching out Ilshin ruffled her hair, "Good job kid."
That left her beaming at us, and bringing her along started to seem a lot less of a bad idea.
After picking up the charts and tucking them into my bag, we headed down the stairs… to find a room- well, hallway, that wasn't shrouded in webs. Ilshin took one look at the doorway and scoffed. "Careful, there's a web there."
Asheka stared intently at the doorway for a moment before looking surprised. "I can't see it?"
Bending down, I picked up a silver bracelet before tossing a Nib into the doorway. Sure enough, it stuck. "Two giant spiders at the doorway and I'm not sure what else."
"Right, of course." Ilshin grumbled. "Wanna bet that there's an Etter here too?"
"No bet." I shot back.
I watched intently as Ilshin swept his blade along the doorway, clearing out the web with a skill and know-how you would expect from a Drow. Then he backed up as two spiders lunged at him. His swords flashing out to stab into the spider's heads.
Even then, more swarms started to make themselves known and I stepped up to stand in the doorway and hold them off. "You know, I have to ask. Are you from Menzoberranzan?"
"Yes." He grumbled and… wow.
"So, do they still tout Drizzt Melee-Magthere as the best to ever come out of there?" I had to know!
Even as we talked, an Ettercap joined the massive swarm of spiders, and I cast <[Thunderclap>] again. Then I followed it up with a <[Ray of Frost>], and then another before I switched with Ilshin.
"Yes, actually. They also encourage us to try and kill him if we ever get the chance." He replied as he took place in the doorway. Then he muttered. "I'm nowhere near suicidal enough for that." Then as he became a flurry of blades, he asked. "How do you know all of this?"
Smirking, I waited till he finished off the Ettercap and turned around, "Books. Nineteen books. And I think there were more, I just kind of stopped reading them."
He just looked at me like I had spoken an impossibility, then he shook his head.
"Who is Drizzt?" Asheka asked curiously and… I was surprised more knowledge of him hadn't spread.
"Drow ranger of the goddess Milaki. Virtuoso with dual scimitars, but a master with any blade." I shot out without thought.
"Sounds about right." Ilshin agreed.
As we carefully explored the ship, we found more jewelry, some bound demons we killed… and not much else… well, until we found the shrine to Lolthy.
Waiting for us was a Half-Orc Druid and… I drew my gun and shot him in the head, twice. As the body slumped down, two giant spiders showed themselves and a phase spider jumped me.
Gun still in hand, I pointed it up underneath the spider and pulled the trigger. Then pushed aside the corpse, holstered by gun, and moved to help.
There where a few goodies in a wooden box on the port side, one of which went onto Asheka almost immediately. That being a {Cloak of Protection}.
The next room was a galley, or had been at some point. But it was just a mess with everything wrecked, so we moved on and down the trapdoor.
The Cargo Hold was… partially flooded, and as soon as I touched down, I called out. "Corpses, four of them. Not sure what I'm seeing but somethings off."
"Undead?" Ilshin muttered, and Asheka was standing behind us, fidgeting.
Undead? The scan I was getting from my eye was showing no heat, but at the same time it wasn't… I don't know? Heatless?
I could shoot them, but wooden floor so… Sweeping my vision across the room, I spotted a crate with a stylized A on it… it was also the only crate that wasn't completely ruined. Shoulders sagging, I headed off for the crate. The crate that was past the corpses.
Ilshin and Asheka followed but hesitantly, and two of the corpses burst out of the water and rushed me.
My Drow friend was quick to act, interposing himself between Asheka and the other two corpses. I mean, I respect his trust in my abilities, but I was supposed to be a clothy right? "Ghasts!"
Wicking out with my wooden blade, I carved into one of the… Ghasts. Thorns taking hold and biting into its flesh.
The other I stopped by grabbing its head with my armored hand and squeezing. The feted bone held up better than I expected, but not really well enough. My hand squeezing hard enough that when the Ghast managed to slip out of my grasp it backed off warrily. The other one tried, but I lasted out again, blade biting into the Ghasts arm as it tried to block. Thorns bit into it, but also lightning as I unleashed a <[Shocking Grasp>]. Then the other rushed in and the wounded one backed out.
The attacks bounced back and forth. Thorns and lightning for a few scrapes and scratches. There was no way I was letting them get too close, and even when they did get a good hit on me… well, subdermal armor is a beautiful thing.
This of course doesn't mean I was unharmed, but that none of it was major.
As the last of the Ghasts dropped, I quickly made my way to the crate and opened it up.
"Asheka, check the Ghasts for anything of value." Ilshin spoke as he joined me and… damn.
"Well, at least I have a {Bag of Holding}?" I offered. The chest, box really, was made of a blue metal that didn't have any rust on it at all. I look a moment to burn a spell to <[Detect Magic>] and… "It's also very magical. But I don't think anything that's BoH like?"
"Do we risk it?" Ilshin asked as Asheka walked up holding a belt and a weird bracelet.
"Not unless we have-" And I was cut off by a loud thud. "Right, risk away!"
As the ship started to rock, Ilshin helped me try and get the chest in the bag…
"Too big!" I grunt, reattaching the bag to my belt one handed, "Go!"
Asheka is the first up the latter out, and then I go climbing one handed, Ilshin bringing up the rear. With the both of us, we manage to make it up the stairs and… to the Altar of Lolth. The whisper quiet laughing continuing.
Ignoring it, we rushed out onto the main deck to find a giant octopus trying to sink the ship. Getting the rowboats attention, we hunker down, and do what we can to survive.
From there it was a game of whack a tentacle, one that we didn't do the greatest at. Still the rowboat managed to reach us and we piled in with the box and… were off.
The journey back was blessedly anti-climactic, and I found my Tavern fully finished. Cellar addition, and all. On top of that was a convenient report noting everything of… note that happened. The spirit, a poltergeist, that was haunting the tavern was dealt with, a fool human Emmek Frewn tried to… heh, harpoon my business, and was made to… disappear.
Ilshin took the box with him, and returned later with a pouch of ten thousand Dragons… a lot of money. Enough to actually get some things done! To add to this, the Dragon bone that I had been promised found its way into my new bedroom. Someone must have thought they were being funny because it was a massive thigh bone that filled most of the room.
Drow with a sense of humor? I should be glad it was so tame.
It had to be cut down to get it out of the room, but that was fine and saw me talking with- right. My cane turned sword.
So, once we returned to the Ivory Maiden, the sword started to burn my hand and I was forced to drop it. No, there were no burn marks. Thing is, Asheka just picked it up and offered it back to me.
With nothing happening to her… I told her to keep it. The fact that it now leaves a trail of rose petals, and fills any room she enters with the smell of roses was even more proof I chose right.
Anyways, for the next year I trained Asheka, spent time sparing with Ilshin, ran my tavern… and ended up doing a few odd jobs for the big factions. Highlights were, a living scarecrow the Emerald Enclave asked me to handle, a rather interesting talk with a young Bronze dragon which ended in friendship? Maybe?
More importantly, I worked on building a new cane. This saw a good two thousand Dragons evaporate in the hiring of one of the more prominent wizards of the city for the laying of spellwork, five hundred for the construction of the cane… and a pound of Mithril.
The cane was carved from the Dragon bone as a whole piece, then etched with lightning shaped grooves that had Silver and Mithril inlaid into it. Seven blue topaz gems were then set into the length of the cane.
The enchantments to bind everything together went rather well, and left me with a Dragon bone cane, Fritz style, that was a single piece. Bone and metal and gem fused together, the metal and gems turning into lightning like veins of their raw form, only polished.
Thus, Fulgur was created.
For all it's glory, it was rather weak. Functioning as an arcane focus, and with arcs of lightning running along it. But I could feel the untapped potential within… along with something else.
Chapter 6
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
Walking through the market with Asheka, I heard her gasp and then rapid footsteps… and find her looking at a small cage with a white furred wolf pup… of rather disturbing size. The brilliant blue eyes and fogged breath on a rather nice day clued me in something fierce.
Winter Wolf.
Yet… there the pup was, looking up at us with inquisitive eyes and panting happily.
The look in Asheka's eyes when she turned to me was… yeah. She never really asked for anything she didn't need… and it was a puppy!
"You're cleaning up any messes it makes." I state before heading over to the human manning the menasury. "How much for the Winter Wolf?"
Eyes wide, he suddenly turned nervous. "W-what winter wolf? I don-"
My glare silenced him quite well, and I asked again, slowly. "How much."
"Ah um… a hundred Dragons." And he was fidgeting… go figure.
As I started counting out the coins he sighed in relief. "I'll just go get him…" And so, we headed home with an inquisitive pup on a thick chain leash. I would get a good leather leash and harness set up the next day.
Over the next month the Winter wolf pup, Ajax, learned a lot of things. Like not to piddle on rugs, how to speak common, and most annoyingly, how to open doors. He also was picking up combat training and tactics from watching Asheka's lessons.
That said… I woke up early in the morning to find Ajax curled up on my bed next to me… again. Panting happily.
With a sigh, I got up and ready for the day, Ajax scrabbling at my… legs really. He was already pretty large and was growing. "Comeon! Come on! Walk! Walk!"
He was also very energetic and needed to be walked at least twice a day, and he enjoyed making me do it in the morning, and Ilshin, who was living in the attic room, do it at night.
For all that Asheka thought of Ajax as hers, Ajax was very firmly my shadow. Following me most places, and also interesting in learning.
"Where too! Where to!" Ajax rambled as we left the tavern and headed out. It was still dark, very much so, but that didn't impede either of us. Jax because of hearing and smell more than sight, and my because I could see in the dark.
Frowning, I sighed. "Well, we were going to head to Hero's Garden but I think some hunting training is in order. There's a group of Xanathar thugs three block south, find them, stop them from breaking into the business they're heading towards. Do it without killing them, and get as close as you can without being seen or heard."
I then let Ajax off his leash, and watched, casually walking behind and the enthusiastic pup ran off.
This wasn't the first time this I had set him to this, I had stuck with him at first, but even as a clumsy pup he was a wolf. Instinct and the advantage of reasoning gave him advantages… his size helped.
As I walked towards him, I watched through Huginn as he slowly slipped up behind the thugs. I also flagged down a patrol, something that had been awkward at first, but had started to gain me their respect and amusement.
"What you got this time? More dead Kenku?" The watch sergeant asked.
Shaking my head, I replied. "No clue what you mean. But Ajax is playing with some Xanathar Guildies."
"Spirited pup as usual then, eh?" Another watchman commented.
We walked, not too hurried, but not slowly, to where Ajax was sitting on the biggest thug panting happily. They were all over the place one of them a bit frostbitten.
"Come on Ajax, still need to finish your walk." I called out over the groans, and of course, Ajax happily pranced over to me.
From there we walked to the Hero's Garden, as usual, there were a few druids about, and none of them were really happy to see me, or Ajax. Something about Winter Wolves being an affront to nature? Or me being unnatural? Though the Gond's loved me.
After an hour of running around and playing, Ajax was ready to return home and we soon left. On the way back though… well, we were just turning onto Trollskull Alley when I caught sight of something on a roof. Even as Huginn circled around and started following it as it ran, a small bright bead flew out… and exploded into a… well, <[Fireball>].
Frowning, I hurried over to where the… huh, wooden puppet man had dropped something. Only to find a kid reaching into the rain barrier and fishing out a necklace. "Hey, kid. That's evidence. The Watch will want to see it."
Spinning around, Martem, one of Asheka's friends, went wide eyed. "Miss Royal! I- as you say?"
Rolling my eyes, I pulled out a few shards and held them out. "Go get some candies. Ey?"
"Aye!" Martem agreed readily, taking the shards and leaving me the necklace.
Making my way over to the site of the explosion, I hummed and I looked things over. One of the dead was a Zhent… probably a few others. The gnome looked like he had been through a sewer recently… "Ajax. There was another man who was in the blast. Can you catch his scent?"
Ajax moved around, snuffling at the ground but being surprisingly careful of the blast site. "I think so. The scent is a bit burnt and I can smell blood in it."
Nodding, I frowned… Zhents?
It wasn't long till the Watch showed up, and I found myself talking with Barnibus Blastwind a member of the Watchful Order of Madists and Protectors.
Looking over the necklace, he hummed. "This looks like Lady Gralhund's necklace. Curious. And a Nimblewright you say?"
"Indeed. From the look of things… well, you have an interesting investigation on your hands." I replied with a shrug. Huginn had just watched the Nimblewright enter the Gralhund estate…
"Yes, well. Thank you for the information. We will take it into account." Barnibus replied before letting me leave.
Stepping into the Tavern, I had renamed it the 'Planes Walker's Rest', I looked over to Ilshin who was already ready and then Asheka as she came down the stairs in her gear. We had added a breastplate to her armor and even Ilshin was sporting new gear. A sturdy black leather suit under a breastplate of this own. He had also picked up a couple of magical shortswords. "Alright… Ajax, stay here and don't cause too much trouble."
"But." Ajax whined.
"You're too noticeable Pup." Ilshin stated, causing Ajax to slump.
"I'll get you something good later if you don't cause trouble." I offered. "Besides, you're watching over the tavern."
With a sigh, Ajax walked over to his favorite spot and laid down. "Fine."
Once we were out and on the street, I led the way, first in the wrong direction, then towards the Gralhund manor.
The fact there was traffic around it was annoying, and wouldn't abate. Not in this part of town.
So, I took a page out of my past. I led us up to the gate and walked it. I had every right to be here. No skulking, no furtive glances, nothing. Even taking the time to wave at a passing man. "Great weather today, isn't it?"
"Why, I must agree. Even with winter coming as it is." The gentleman replied with a smile.
Once we were inside, a silent Knock getting us past the gate, Ilshin sighed heavily, even as I closed and locked the gate. "How?"
Quietly leading them across the yard and to the manor, I replied. "Don't mind me. I'm supposed to be here."
"That…" Asheka asked but trailed off as we entered the manor.
The reason for her to trail off is pretty simple. There were two thugs standing over a bunch of corpses.
Closing the door behind us, I spoke. "Nothing loud." And then we were in a fight.
Ilshin and Asheka charged forward, while I fired off a <[Ray of Frost>] at each of them. The fight was a bit long, but simple and we were moving on quite quickly.
A quick sweep of the ground floor found a lot more corpses and the library. I spent a moment grabbing a few of the rarer tomes, histories and the like. Then moved on to the book on the pedestal.
"Spellbook?" Ilshin asked, but I shook my head.
"Maybe? But I doubt it. Probably some chronicle of family history. Oft times the more pretentious nobles like to keep that on display. Think your friends could use it?" I asked as I picked it up, and deposited it in my BoH.
"Probably." He agreed.
"What?" Asheka asked, confusion obvius in her voice.
"Later, when we have more time." I replied, leading everyone back to the main hall, then up the stairs.
The sound of a boot hitting a door, comes from one room, even as we moved to see what was going on, I watched through Huginn as the Nimblewright slipped away…
The Stone of Golarr was really starting to annoy me. Because I knew, knew that the Nimblewright had it and… now I lost it. Invisibility? Bah!
The human Zhent who was hammering at the door was… less than impressive. Injured and not much threat… <[Sleep>].
With him out of the way, we forced our way into the room before finding Lord Gralhund begging for our mercy? "Please, I'll do anything!"
Rolling my eyes, I scanned the room, taking note of the teleportation circle, and the Flying Snakes. Then spoke. "Tell me what you know of the Stone of Golorr."
"O-of course! Anything." He sputtered, "The Stone is some kind of ancient creature turned into an artifact. It knows where the hidden vault is in Waterdeep."
I debated asking for more but… "We were never here. You managed to kill all of the Zhent, including the sleeping one out there. Make it so."
At his frantic nodding, I quickly led everyone out and away.
Winter Wolf.
Yet… there the pup was, looking up at us with inquisitive eyes and panting happily.
The look in Asheka's eyes when she turned to me was… yeah. She never really asked for anything she didn't need… and it was a puppy!
"You're cleaning up any messes it makes." I state before heading over to the human manning the menasury. "How much for the Winter Wolf?"
Eyes wide, he suddenly turned nervous. "W-what winter wolf? I don-"
My glare silenced him quite well, and I asked again, slowly. "How much."
"Ah um… a hundred Dragons." And he was fidgeting… go figure.
As I started counting out the coins he sighed in relief. "I'll just go get him…" And so, we headed home with an inquisitive pup on a thick chain leash. I would get a good leather leash and harness set up the next day.
Over the next month the Winter wolf pup, Ajax, learned a lot of things. Like not to piddle on rugs, how to speak common, and most annoyingly, how to open doors. He also was picking up combat training and tactics from watching Asheka's lessons.
That said… I woke up early in the morning to find Ajax curled up on my bed next to me… again. Panting happily.
With a sigh, I got up and ready for the day, Ajax scrabbling at my… legs really. He was already pretty large and was growing. "Comeon! Come on! Walk! Walk!"
He was also very energetic and needed to be walked at least twice a day, and he enjoyed making me do it in the morning, and Ilshin, who was living in the attic room, do it at night.
For all that Asheka thought of Ajax as hers, Ajax was very firmly my shadow. Following me most places, and also interesting in learning.
"Where too! Where to!" Ajax rambled as we left the tavern and headed out. It was still dark, very much so, but that didn't impede either of us. Jax because of hearing and smell more than sight, and my because I could see in the dark.
Frowning, I sighed. "Well, we were going to head to Hero's Garden but I think some hunting training is in order. There's a group of Xanathar thugs three block south, find them, stop them from breaking into the business they're heading towards. Do it without killing them, and get as close as you can without being seen or heard."
I then let Ajax off his leash, and watched, casually walking behind and the enthusiastic pup ran off.
This wasn't the first time this I had set him to this, I had stuck with him at first, but even as a clumsy pup he was a wolf. Instinct and the advantage of reasoning gave him advantages… his size helped.
As I walked towards him, I watched through Huginn as he slowly slipped up behind the thugs. I also flagged down a patrol, something that had been awkward at first, but had started to gain me their respect and amusement.
"What you got this time? More dead Kenku?" The watch sergeant asked.
Shaking my head, I replied. "No clue what you mean. But Ajax is playing with some Xanathar Guildies."
"Spirited pup as usual then, eh?" Another watchman commented.
We walked, not too hurried, but not slowly, to where Ajax was sitting on the biggest thug panting happily. They were all over the place one of them a bit frostbitten.
"Come on Ajax, still need to finish your walk." I called out over the groans, and of course, Ajax happily pranced over to me.
From there we walked to the Hero's Garden, as usual, there were a few druids about, and none of them were really happy to see me, or Ajax. Something about Winter Wolves being an affront to nature? Or me being unnatural? Though the Gond's loved me.
After an hour of running around and playing, Ajax was ready to return home and we soon left. On the way back though… well, we were just turning onto Trollskull Alley when I caught sight of something on a roof. Even as Huginn circled around and started following it as it ran, a small bright bead flew out… and exploded into a… well, <[Fireball>].
Frowning, I hurried over to where the… huh, wooden puppet man had dropped something. Only to find a kid reaching into the rain barrier and fishing out a necklace. "Hey, kid. That's evidence. The Watch will want to see it."
Spinning around, Martem, one of Asheka's friends, went wide eyed. "Miss Royal! I- as you say?"
Rolling my eyes, I pulled out a few shards and held them out. "Go get some candies. Ey?"
"Aye!" Martem agreed readily, taking the shards and leaving me the necklace.
Making my way over to the site of the explosion, I hummed and I looked things over. One of the dead was a Zhent… probably a few others. The gnome looked like he had been through a sewer recently… "Ajax. There was another man who was in the blast. Can you catch his scent?"
Ajax moved around, snuffling at the ground but being surprisingly careful of the blast site. "I think so. The scent is a bit burnt and I can smell blood in it."
Nodding, I frowned… Zhents?
It wasn't long till the Watch showed up, and I found myself talking with Barnibus Blastwind a member of the Watchful Order of Madists and Protectors.
Looking over the necklace, he hummed. "This looks like Lady Gralhund's necklace. Curious. And a Nimblewright you say?"
"Indeed. From the look of things… well, you have an interesting investigation on your hands." I replied with a shrug. Huginn had just watched the Nimblewright enter the Gralhund estate…
"Yes, well. Thank you for the information. We will take it into account." Barnibus replied before letting me leave.
Stepping into the Tavern, I had renamed it the 'Planes Walker's Rest', I looked over to Ilshin who was already ready and then Asheka as she came down the stairs in her gear. We had added a breastplate to her armor and even Ilshin was sporting new gear. A sturdy black leather suit under a breastplate of this own. He had also picked up a couple of magical shortswords. "Alright… Ajax, stay here and don't cause too much trouble."
"But." Ajax whined.
"You're too noticeable Pup." Ilshin stated, causing Ajax to slump.
"I'll get you something good later if you don't cause trouble." I offered. "Besides, you're watching over the tavern."
With a sigh, Ajax walked over to his favorite spot and laid down. "Fine."
Once we were out and on the street, I led the way, first in the wrong direction, then towards the Gralhund manor.
The fact there was traffic around it was annoying, and wouldn't abate. Not in this part of town.
So, I took a page out of my past. I led us up to the gate and walked it. I had every right to be here. No skulking, no furtive glances, nothing. Even taking the time to wave at a passing man. "Great weather today, isn't it?"
"Why, I must agree. Even with winter coming as it is." The gentleman replied with a smile.
Once we were inside, a silent Knock getting us past the gate, Ilshin sighed heavily, even as I closed and locked the gate. "How?"
Quietly leading them across the yard and to the manor, I replied. "Don't mind me. I'm supposed to be here."
"That…" Asheka asked but trailed off as we entered the manor.
The reason for her to trail off is pretty simple. There were two thugs standing over a bunch of corpses.
Closing the door behind us, I spoke. "Nothing loud." And then we were in a fight.
Ilshin and Asheka charged forward, while I fired off a <[Ray of Frost>] at each of them. The fight was a bit long, but simple and we were moving on quite quickly.
A quick sweep of the ground floor found a lot more corpses and the library. I spent a moment grabbing a few of the rarer tomes, histories and the like. Then moved on to the book on the pedestal.
"Spellbook?" Ilshin asked, but I shook my head.
"Maybe? But I doubt it. Probably some chronicle of family history. Oft times the more pretentious nobles like to keep that on display. Think your friends could use it?" I asked as I picked it up, and deposited it in my BoH.
"Probably." He agreed.
"What?" Asheka asked, confusion obvius in her voice.
"Later, when we have more time." I replied, leading everyone back to the main hall, then up the stairs.
The sound of a boot hitting a door, comes from one room, even as we moved to see what was going on, I watched through Huginn as the Nimblewright slipped away…
The Stone of Golarr was really starting to annoy me. Because I knew, knew that the Nimblewright had it and… now I lost it. Invisibility? Bah!
The human Zhent who was hammering at the door was… less than impressive. Injured and not much threat… <[Sleep>].
With him out of the way, we forced our way into the room before finding Lord Gralhund begging for our mercy? "Please, I'll do anything!"
Rolling my eyes, I scanned the room, taking note of the teleportation circle, and the Flying Snakes. Then spoke. "Tell me what you know of the Stone of Golorr."
"O-of course! Anything." He sputtered, "The Stone is some kind of ancient creature turned into an artifact. It knows where the hidden vault is in Waterdeep."
I debated asking for more but… "We were never here. You managed to kill all of the Zhent, including the sleeping one out there. Make it so."
At his frantic nodding, I quickly led everyone out and away.
Chapter 7
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
You know? I'm surprised that we managed to pull it off. The Watch completely ignored us and we were soon back at the Tavern, but what really surprised me was the Flying snake that delivered a message to me.
'I would like to know more about what happened at Gralhund Villa. If you can spare the time, meet me at Ahghairon's Statue in the City of the Dead at highsun tomorrow. You'll be paid generously for your time and trouble.
The next day, I headed out, walking through the snow that was starting to come in, rather heavily actually. But Ajax was loving it, romping around in the snow. The walk to the City of the Dead and then through it was… actually rather pleasant, and I soon found my way to the Statue of Ahghairon. The statue was a tall, marble sculpture of a bearded, robed wizard standing atop concentric steps and facing west toward the skyline ofWaterdeep, his hands outstretched and a broad smile on his face.
At the foot of the statue was a female dwarf clad in plate armor. She was suitably grim for a Dwarf, I suppose.
Turning, she looked me over, then at Ajax. There was something there, not that I could pinpoint it, but she seemed to shake it off. She then tossed a small pouch to me, inside where ten suns. Platinum coins worth ten Dragons each.
"That's for coming out to see me. I have another forty for you if you help me lay low for a tenday." Her words left me blinking for a moment, but I nodded in agreement.
"I think I can do that. But I have rules. You follow those, and we're good. Don't, and I'll take you to the Watch myself." I stated bluntly.
She froze up for a long moment before nodding. "I can live with that. What rules are these?"
Even as I spoke about my rules, simple things, nothing truly onerous. I watched through Huginn as a Drow lounged against a nearby tomb. He took a moment to wave at my raven.
When all was said and done, I was thirty Suns richer, and Istrid Horn was headed for my Tavern, of course, that was after she picked up a few things.
With her gone, I strolled over to the Drow, Ajax, following along, seeming to have expended his energy for the moment.
"Ah, so the boss was right? Kept saying you had some ability to see through that bird of yours." The Drow bantered, I noticed he had a revolver on one hip and a repeater rifle on his back.
"Just as long as none of you shoot Huginn. I might have to go Drow hunting if you did." I replied, as I leaned against a tree.
"Ha!" He laughed, "Ilshin was right. You don't care who someone is, just what they do. Name's Fel'rekt."
Nodding, I pulled out the Tome I had… liberated from the Gralhunds. Tossing it over, I asked, "So, think your lot can use that?"
Frowning for a moment, he nodded. "That we will have to see about." He stashed the tome in a sachle then offered. "Try not to died, yeah? Word is the Lords Alliance has taken note of use, and that could be useful for both yourself and my 'lot' as you called them."
"Sure. You know anyone who can reliably get me magic items? Got a list and all that." I asked before he could leave.
"I'll talk to the boss." And Fel'rekt was walking away. The disturbing part was the second Drow that became visible and joined him… wow. Was I slipping? Or were they that good?
Returning to the Tavern, I went back to my long term projects. Two separate ones.
The first, and more interesting was the Heavy Magic Reactor. Through science! I had a working prototype that produced power by pulling energy from the ambient magic between planes. The Prototype was very inefficient, but I was building a new one that was far more efficient. Now, the reason I was calling it Heavy Magic was because it always bled excess energy out into the world as… mana? magic?
The second and more important project was replacing my Chrome. Mithril and Adamantine were just… better! Meta-materials. I was also retooling my arm.
My legs and arm would be using adamantine laced Dragon bone as the core with Mithril myomer bundles and… gah! So much. It was really interesting to see the fabricate spell used to work things into shape. If I could get the HMR satisfactory, I would be integrating that!
Sitting in my workroom which had once been a study, I tinkered the day away. Smiling as I started making progress.
Eventually I had to stop as Istrid arrived, and needed to be settled, but I quickly returned to my work, mostly because I was almost done! In fact, it was deep night when I finished, only to realize I wasn't in the room alone!
Turning, I found a Drow lounging against the wall by one of the rooms windows. "Quite fascinating, I can't make heads or tails of any of your trinkets, but that device is fascinating."
He was pointing at the prototype HMR. "I'm willing to trade you everything on this list for that and fifty Dragons."
What?
Turning, I looked at the small HMR, then ate the unpowered Production type. Then at the drow. "Furnish me with some wood and Mithril and I'll turn it into a staff you can enchant. But I want some spell work done."
There was a long silence, then he nodded. "Deal. I will return tomorrow evening. What is it you wish done?"
So I told him, and he frowned thoughtfully. "That should be doable." Then he disappeared. Teleportation?
The next day saw me with little sleep and magic major revisions and fine tuning. So much fine tuning!
Then the evening came along and the Drow returned, a chest in toe. The first thing I did was look over everything, the Dragon Slayer was a Kopis? "A Kopis?"
"It was what was on hand." He replied with a shrug.
"Well, I'm happy with all of this, lets get two it." The wood was produced as was the metal I had asked for… and I went to work. The end product was a staff that's head was wreathed in lightning, but the Drow seemed ecstatic. Electricution is a vicious method of torture.
The Items I received were as follows. A Brooch of Shielding to connect my cloak and replace the old non-magical one. A Ring of Mind Shielding, because I gotta protect dem thoughts. A Ring of Sorcery because I could use the extra spells it would afford me, this one was even a greater ring. Boots of Winterland, because let's face it, they were extremely useful in this region of the world. They would also need to be transmuted, but that was easy enough with the right ritual. The Kopis, a Dragon Slayer weapon. Because… Dragons. Need I say more? The Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location was just good sense. And the second smaller Bag of Holding to use for ammo was amazing!
That handled, we moved on to my enchanting work. The legs and arm… and everything else really. Most of the Chrome got self maintaining enchantments. But the Arm and legs for infused with magic meant to reinforce them.
Then came my armor which had gained a Mithril breastplates to replace my vest, and Dragon bone studs were worked into the leather. Besides reinforcement magic being woven into it, I had the smoke effect turned into a lightning effect.
Once everything was done… and I was sure he was gone. I collapsed in bed, tired as all hells.
When I woke, mid morning, I collected all the freshly made Chrome and headed for the House of Inspired Hands.
The temple was… well, a massive workshop. I ignored most of what was on display and head for the closest Priest, or priestess in this case. A female bronze dragonborn.
"Excuse me. Would you be able to help me with a clerical matter? I'm in need of divine aid." I asked as I drew near.
Cocking her head, Valetta looked me over as she fixed her saffron robes, and froze. "You! You're the Queen of Steel!"
"What?" No, really… What?
"Er… you are Jaeda Royal, right?" She asked, worry blooming on her face.
"Yes?" I was truly lost.
"Oh! Good! You've been the talk of the temple for most of a year now!" She explained and… huh. "Um, how can the Faithful of Gond help you today?"
This might actually be easier than I thought. "Well, I need to replace all of my Chrome… that is, Construct pieces?"
As she nodded, I sighed, good. "Well, the method to implant and change them is… lost to me. But I was hoping your God may grant me a small miracle in return for my other Chrome to add to the temple?"
"Well, there's no harm in petitioning. If you will follow me to a waiting room?" And so, I was left to sit around for almost three hours as the Gondites did… whatever?
Then Valetta returned it was with a huge smile. "Gond has agreed to your request. If you are ready? Please follow me."
I was led to a room and after laying everything out, I kind of don't remember what happened. Just that when I came to myself I was decked out in my new Chrome… and I would find out, had a new skeleton. As my old one now hung in a glass case with my Chrome still attached. Something that had implications that terrified!
"Ah, your awake! We were worried for a while, with the skeleton being pulled out and everything!" Valetta sounded just this side of hysteric, "But everythings fine. Just fine!"
"So it is." I agreed, testing my legs before dressing. "I must thank you and the entire temple for this. Any Gondite who wishes to come to the Planes Walker's Rest will find their drinks half off."
"I'll let everyone know!" She seemed oddly enthusiastic about that…
"Right, I should probably be getting back." I replied warrily, before making good my escape. Gondites… go figure.
Still, with all of my gear more in line with what I'm used to, clothes wise at least, and fresh, better Chrome. I had a Nimblewirhght to hunt dow- Stopping, I backtraced a few steps before looking into an alley. Huh. The Nimblewright. It was just sitting there, a cloak around it, staring at the wall.
Walking towards the Alley, I spoke. "Hey, if you have nowhere to go, I might be willing to take you in."
The Nimblewright slowly looked up at me, and cocked its head questioningly.
"Of course there's a catch. I need to track down the Stone of Golorr." I replied, guessing what it wanted to know. "But you're welcome to make a place for yourself at my Tavern if you wish."
The Nimblewright hesitantly gets up before slowly pulling out a scroll and offering it to me. Taking it, I unrolled it and looked at a map… huh. Well. Ok! "Come along then."
Eventually I made it back to the Tavern, and smiled as I walked in. "Rosa!" She was the barkeep and managed the day to day running for me. Keeping workers in line, ordering stock, so on. You would think such an arrangement wouldn't be profitable, but you would be wrong. The profit just wasn't major. "I just found a new hire. This is Cinder, treat him well."
The Nimblewright gave me an odd look, impressive for the lack of facial expressions, but accepted the name easily enough. Rosa on the other hand was eyeing him. "Yes well… I'll see where I can fit him in?"
Smirking, I nodded. "He can fight, so he can help out when people get rowdy."
"Right, come along Cinder." Rosa grumbled, but only lightly.
Heading out back, I found Ilshin and Asheka going at it, along with a few kids watching with starry eyes. "Ilshin, Asheka. Get some food, then gear up. We have work."
Breaking off, they turned to me, and Ilshin was the first to speak. "Your arms changed."
He wasn't wrong. The armor plates where now textured like dragon scales and colored a strange white silver. The golden trim was inset with rolling script, and the fingers where clawed. None of which I did. My normal hand was also similar to my metal hand now, a bit clawed. My toeses too! "Yeah. Unexpected consequences of magic I guess?"
Heading back inside, I found Ajax waiting for me by the front door. "Yeah, alright, you can come."
"Yay!" He yipped happily, but looked at me strangely. "You smell more like a fox… and a little like a… lizard? But cold. A big cold lizard!"
By the Planes! What happened to me! I was going to need to find a sage or something. "Right… let's go."
It wasn't long before Ilshin and Asheka joined us outside, they both had Boots of Winterland as well, I mean, it was only reasonable. They were also in the style of combat boots!
Heading off, I waited until we were a bit away from Troll Skull Alley before speaking. "So, I have a lead on what we're after. And I think it's fair I finally spill."
"So we didn't just… visit a friend for nothing?" Ilshin asked, obfuscating his question.
"No. Kind of? But mostly no. We're after the Stone of Golorr, and headed to a tower because… well." I explained while making the Drow hand sign for map. I didn't know many of them, Asheka knew more than myself, but I knew the important ones.
"Uh… why are we after this stone?" Asheka asked hesitantly.
Smiling at my Bardly ward, I replied. "Dragons, and that's all I'll say out in the open."
Asheka shot me a petulant look, but Ilshin grunted in replied, and asked, "Enough to be worth this weather?"
The weather was actually pretty bad too, snow coming down hard, and I would guess soon to be harder. Huginn was useless in this weather, he was never built with blizzards in mind. Still… "I think so. Look at it this way; even if it isn't. Do we really want to risk it with the Xans and Zhents going to war? Presumably over this very item?"
"No." Asheka grumbled, showing wisdom for her young age. Really, it was terrifying how good at fighting she was getting at age twelve. Hopefully things would calm down and she could spend her childhood being a kid instead of fighting. But this was Faerun, and the Swordcoast on top of that.
Ilshin just smirked and nodded to Asheka, but he was Drow, he knew the score. Ajax on the other hand just pranced around in the snow.
It took fifty or so minutes to cross town and another twenty to find the place, but the yellowing tower was soon before us and I paused to study it.
Asheka, however, was the one to comment. "I don't like this place."
Scowling, I looked over to Ilshin. "Think you can use the scaffolding? We'll go up from the inside, you lay in wait for the fun to start? I mean, assuming there's even anyone in there."
Ilshin scoffed at me, "Of course someone's in there. But yeah, that sounds like a plan. You get their attention, I'll come in and take them from behind."
Smirking, I called after him, "Oh murr. That sounds like it could be fun."
My comment actually make him miss a step, but he recovered expertly and hustled on shaking his head. Meanwhile I led a confused Asheka towards the door, Ajax trailing behind.
The door was unlocked, which was kind of surprising, but only mildly. Walking in, quietly, we took in the room. Still a bit dirty, but obviously cleaned. Black handprints adorned the walls… "Fuck."
Even Ajax was growling lowly, but probably from my reaction. He didn't quite know such things as the symbols of the gods and such.
We made our way through the room, closing the door behind us. The next room was also empty, but has a spiral staircase in the center that went up and down. For a moment we paused, but I could make out chanting from the top floor, so good call on our end.
Making our way up the stairs, I blinked in surprise. There was a bound and gagged man chained to the floor in the center of the room Banite cultists forming a circle around him.
Glancing at the windows, I made out Ilshin ready and nodded to him before drawing my gun and killing two cultists outright. The others were moving before I could kill them, rolling out of the way and such.
Ajax surged past me, taking on two of the surviving three and Asheka went for the other. Meanwhile Ilshin slipped in and rushed the one Asheka was fighting… huh, what should I do?
As I brought my gun to bear on one of the two Ajax was fighting, I found myself turning my focus on three winged snakes descending from the rafters.
Small fuckers, I could of course shoot them. But it was never worth the ammo. Not when I can just fall back on the most common and traditional spell every… <[Magic Missile>].
From what I understood, Sorcerers didn't do well learning magic from tomes. It was all intuitive. Well, it was for me as well, but I guess my more structured learning gave me the ability to slowly learn spells from spellbooks.
With my attack drawing the snakes, I switched over to what was becoming one of my mainstays, <[Ray of Frost>]. From there the snakes died in short order.
Turning, I watched as Ajax finished off the last Banite, and… well. "That was simple enough… looting time I guess?"
"Right." everyone agreed and we quickly had everything of value. Really, that was just the Stone of Golorr itself. But also a key which went to the chains holding the man down. He was ever so grateful once untied… of course that was brought to a sharp halt with but some clapping.
"Impressive. To think those giving me such trouble would be such a- colorful group. I must say, I am impressed." The speaker was a handsome black haired man with a metal arm not dissimilar to my own. Though less tech and more golem… also copper. Bleh. "Hand over the Stone of Golorr and you may live."
Well, it was an interesting offer I've heard a time or three… So I shot him. "Fuck off no name."
Despite bleeding, the man seemed to straighten up and bellow. "No name! I am Manshoon you fool!"
That… wasn't good. "Ajax, breath. Ilshin, Asheka, flanks."
Even as I spoke, I rushed forward, emptying the last few bullets in the magazine, the holstering my gun. It infuriated me that I seemed to do little with bullets. But I guess that was magic for you. Bringing Fulgur up, I lashed out, <[Shocking Grasp>] already coming into play.
Ajax breathed out his cone of cold, and it didn't touch me. Manshoon? Sure, if not as much as it maybe should have. But my left arm seemed to drink it in and the… I could feel something in it.
Not wanting to risk something new in a fight, I struck Manshoon with Fulgur, lightning building and dancing across my cane.
Manshoon retaliated with his metal fist, then Asheka and Ilshin entered the fray, Ajax not far behind. At that point, it was quick work to finish off Manshoon. The fool had let himself become surrounded.
Yet, he didn't just die. Instead, he took… me with him. I'm not sure what happened after that, just that… I kind of just died.
'I would like to know more about what happened at Gralhund Villa. If you can spare the time, meet me at Ahghairon's Statue in the City of the Dead at highsun tomorrow. You'll be paid generously for your time and trouble.
-Istrid Horn'
The next day, I headed out, walking through the snow that was starting to come in, rather heavily actually. But Ajax was loving it, romping around in the snow. The walk to the City of the Dead and then through it was… actually rather pleasant, and I soon found my way to the Statue of Ahghairon. The statue was a tall, marble sculpture of a bearded, robed wizard standing atop concentric steps and facing west toward the skyline ofWaterdeep, his hands outstretched and a broad smile on his face.
At the foot of the statue was a female dwarf clad in plate armor. She was suitably grim for a Dwarf, I suppose.
Turning, she looked me over, then at Ajax. There was something there, not that I could pinpoint it, but she seemed to shake it off. She then tossed a small pouch to me, inside where ten suns. Platinum coins worth ten Dragons each.
"That's for coming out to see me. I have another forty for you if you help me lay low for a tenday." Her words left me blinking for a moment, but I nodded in agreement.
"I think I can do that. But I have rules. You follow those, and we're good. Don't, and I'll take you to the Watch myself." I stated bluntly.
She froze up for a long moment before nodding. "I can live with that. What rules are these?"
Even as I spoke about my rules, simple things, nothing truly onerous. I watched through Huginn as a Drow lounged against a nearby tomb. He took a moment to wave at my raven.
When all was said and done, I was thirty Suns richer, and Istrid Horn was headed for my Tavern, of course, that was after she picked up a few things.
With her gone, I strolled over to the Drow, Ajax, following along, seeming to have expended his energy for the moment.
"Ah, so the boss was right? Kept saying you had some ability to see through that bird of yours." The Drow bantered, I noticed he had a revolver on one hip and a repeater rifle on his back.
"Just as long as none of you shoot Huginn. I might have to go Drow hunting if you did." I replied, as I leaned against a tree.
"Ha!" He laughed, "Ilshin was right. You don't care who someone is, just what they do. Name's Fel'rekt."
Nodding, I pulled out the Tome I had… liberated from the Gralhunds. Tossing it over, I asked, "So, think your lot can use that?"
Frowning for a moment, he nodded. "That we will have to see about." He stashed the tome in a sachle then offered. "Try not to died, yeah? Word is the Lords Alliance has taken note of use, and that could be useful for both yourself and my 'lot' as you called them."
"Sure. You know anyone who can reliably get me magic items? Got a list and all that." I asked before he could leave.
"I'll talk to the boss." And Fel'rekt was walking away. The disturbing part was the second Drow that became visible and joined him… wow. Was I slipping? Or were they that good?
Returning to the Tavern, I went back to my long term projects. Two separate ones.
The first, and more interesting was the Heavy Magic Reactor. Through science! I had a working prototype that produced power by pulling energy from the ambient magic between planes. The Prototype was very inefficient, but I was building a new one that was far more efficient. Now, the reason I was calling it Heavy Magic was because it always bled excess energy out into the world as… mana? magic?
The second and more important project was replacing my Chrome. Mithril and Adamantine were just… better! Meta-materials. I was also retooling my arm.
My legs and arm would be using adamantine laced Dragon bone as the core with Mithril myomer bundles and… gah! So much. It was really interesting to see the fabricate spell used to work things into shape. If I could get the HMR satisfactory, I would be integrating that!
Sitting in my workroom which had once been a study, I tinkered the day away. Smiling as I started making progress.
Eventually I had to stop as Istrid arrived, and needed to be settled, but I quickly returned to my work, mostly because I was almost done! In fact, it was deep night when I finished, only to realize I wasn't in the room alone!
Turning, I found a Drow lounging against the wall by one of the rooms windows. "Quite fascinating, I can't make heads or tails of any of your trinkets, but that device is fascinating."
He was pointing at the prototype HMR. "I'm willing to trade you everything on this list for that and fifty Dragons."
What?
Turning, I looked at the small HMR, then ate the unpowered Production type. Then at the drow. "Furnish me with some wood and Mithril and I'll turn it into a staff you can enchant. But I want some spell work done."
There was a long silence, then he nodded. "Deal. I will return tomorrow evening. What is it you wish done?"
So I told him, and he frowned thoughtfully. "That should be doable." Then he disappeared. Teleportation?
The next day saw me with little sleep and magic major revisions and fine tuning. So much fine tuning!
Then the evening came along and the Drow returned, a chest in toe. The first thing I did was look over everything, the Dragon Slayer was a Kopis? "A Kopis?"
"It was what was on hand." He replied with a shrug.
"Well, I'm happy with all of this, lets get two it." The wood was produced as was the metal I had asked for… and I went to work. The end product was a staff that's head was wreathed in lightning, but the Drow seemed ecstatic. Electricution is a vicious method of torture.
The Items I received were as follows. A Brooch of Shielding to connect my cloak and replace the old non-magical one. A Ring of Mind Shielding, because I gotta protect dem thoughts. A Ring of Sorcery because I could use the extra spells it would afford me, this one was even a greater ring. Boots of Winterland, because let's face it, they were extremely useful in this region of the world. They would also need to be transmuted, but that was easy enough with the right ritual. The Kopis, a Dragon Slayer weapon. Because… Dragons. Need I say more? The Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location was just good sense. And the second smaller Bag of Holding to use for ammo was amazing!
That handled, we moved on to my enchanting work. The legs and arm… and everything else really. Most of the Chrome got self maintaining enchantments. But the Arm and legs for infused with magic meant to reinforce them.
Then came my armor which had gained a Mithril breastplates to replace my vest, and Dragon bone studs were worked into the leather. Besides reinforcement magic being woven into it, I had the smoke effect turned into a lightning effect.
Once everything was done… and I was sure he was gone. I collapsed in bed, tired as all hells.
When I woke, mid morning, I collected all the freshly made Chrome and headed for the House of Inspired Hands.
The temple was… well, a massive workshop. I ignored most of what was on display and head for the closest Priest, or priestess in this case. A female bronze dragonborn.
"Excuse me. Would you be able to help me with a clerical matter? I'm in need of divine aid." I asked as I drew near.
Cocking her head, Valetta looked me over as she fixed her saffron robes, and froze. "You! You're the Queen of Steel!"
"What?" No, really… What?
"Er… you are Jaeda Royal, right?" She asked, worry blooming on her face.
"Yes?" I was truly lost.
"Oh! Good! You've been the talk of the temple for most of a year now!" She explained and… huh. "Um, how can the Faithful of Gond help you today?"
This might actually be easier than I thought. "Well, I need to replace all of my Chrome… that is, Construct pieces?"
As she nodded, I sighed, good. "Well, the method to implant and change them is… lost to me. But I was hoping your God may grant me a small miracle in return for my other Chrome to add to the temple?"
"Well, there's no harm in petitioning. If you will follow me to a waiting room?" And so, I was left to sit around for almost three hours as the Gondites did… whatever?
Then Valetta returned it was with a huge smile. "Gond has agreed to your request. If you are ready? Please follow me."
I was led to a room and after laying everything out, I kind of don't remember what happened. Just that when I came to myself I was decked out in my new Chrome… and I would find out, had a new skeleton. As my old one now hung in a glass case with my Chrome still attached. Something that had implications that terrified!
"Ah, your awake! We were worried for a while, with the skeleton being pulled out and everything!" Valetta sounded just this side of hysteric, "But everythings fine. Just fine!"
"So it is." I agreed, testing my legs before dressing. "I must thank you and the entire temple for this. Any Gondite who wishes to come to the Planes Walker's Rest will find their drinks half off."
"I'll let everyone know!" She seemed oddly enthusiastic about that…
"Right, I should probably be getting back." I replied warrily, before making good my escape. Gondites… go figure.
Still, with all of my gear more in line with what I'm used to, clothes wise at least, and fresh, better Chrome. I had a Nimblewirhght to hunt dow- Stopping, I backtraced a few steps before looking into an alley. Huh. The Nimblewright. It was just sitting there, a cloak around it, staring at the wall.
Walking towards the Alley, I spoke. "Hey, if you have nowhere to go, I might be willing to take you in."
The Nimblewright slowly looked up at me, and cocked its head questioningly.
"Of course there's a catch. I need to track down the Stone of Golorr." I replied, guessing what it wanted to know. "But you're welcome to make a place for yourself at my Tavern if you wish."
The Nimblewright hesitantly gets up before slowly pulling out a scroll and offering it to me. Taking it, I unrolled it and looked at a map… huh. Well. Ok! "Come along then."
Eventually I made it back to the Tavern, and smiled as I walked in. "Rosa!" She was the barkeep and managed the day to day running for me. Keeping workers in line, ordering stock, so on. You would think such an arrangement wouldn't be profitable, but you would be wrong. The profit just wasn't major. "I just found a new hire. This is Cinder, treat him well."
The Nimblewright gave me an odd look, impressive for the lack of facial expressions, but accepted the name easily enough. Rosa on the other hand was eyeing him. "Yes well… I'll see where I can fit him in?"
Smirking, I nodded. "He can fight, so he can help out when people get rowdy."
"Right, come along Cinder." Rosa grumbled, but only lightly.
Heading out back, I found Ilshin and Asheka going at it, along with a few kids watching with starry eyes. "Ilshin, Asheka. Get some food, then gear up. We have work."
Breaking off, they turned to me, and Ilshin was the first to speak. "Your arms changed."
He wasn't wrong. The armor plates where now textured like dragon scales and colored a strange white silver. The golden trim was inset with rolling script, and the fingers where clawed. None of which I did. My normal hand was also similar to my metal hand now, a bit clawed. My toeses too! "Yeah. Unexpected consequences of magic I guess?"
Heading back inside, I found Ajax waiting for me by the front door. "Yeah, alright, you can come."
"Yay!" He yipped happily, but looked at me strangely. "You smell more like a fox… and a little like a… lizard? But cold. A big cold lizard!"
By the Planes! What happened to me! I was going to need to find a sage or something. "Right… let's go."
It wasn't long before Ilshin and Asheka joined us outside, they both had Boots of Winterland as well, I mean, it was only reasonable. They were also in the style of combat boots!
Heading off, I waited until we were a bit away from Troll Skull Alley before speaking. "So, I have a lead on what we're after. And I think it's fair I finally spill."
"So we didn't just… visit a friend for nothing?" Ilshin asked, obfuscating his question.
"No. Kind of? But mostly no. We're after the Stone of Golorr, and headed to a tower because… well." I explained while making the Drow hand sign for map. I didn't know many of them, Asheka knew more than myself, but I knew the important ones.
"Uh… why are we after this stone?" Asheka asked hesitantly.
Smiling at my Bardly ward, I replied. "Dragons, and that's all I'll say out in the open."
Asheka shot me a petulant look, but Ilshin grunted in replied, and asked, "Enough to be worth this weather?"
The weather was actually pretty bad too, snow coming down hard, and I would guess soon to be harder. Huginn was useless in this weather, he was never built with blizzards in mind. Still… "I think so. Look at it this way; even if it isn't. Do we really want to risk it with the Xans and Zhents going to war? Presumably over this very item?"
"No." Asheka grumbled, showing wisdom for her young age. Really, it was terrifying how good at fighting she was getting at age twelve. Hopefully things would calm down and she could spend her childhood being a kid instead of fighting. But this was Faerun, and the Swordcoast on top of that.
Ilshin just smirked and nodded to Asheka, but he was Drow, he knew the score. Ajax on the other hand just pranced around in the snow.
It took fifty or so minutes to cross town and another twenty to find the place, but the yellowing tower was soon before us and I paused to study it.
Asheka, however, was the one to comment. "I don't like this place."
Scowling, I looked over to Ilshin. "Think you can use the scaffolding? We'll go up from the inside, you lay in wait for the fun to start? I mean, assuming there's even anyone in there."
Ilshin scoffed at me, "Of course someone's in there. But yeah, that sounds like a plan. You get their attention, I'll come in and take them from behind."
Smirking, I called after him, "Oh murr. That sounds like it could be fun."
My comment actually make him miss a step, but he recovered expertly and hustled on shaking his head. Meanwhile I led a confused Asheka towards the door, Ajax trailing behind.
The door was unlocked, which was kind of surprising, but only mildly. Walking in, quietly, we took in the room. Still a bit dirty, but obviously cleaned. Black handprints adorned the walls… "Fuck."
Even Ajax was growling lowly, but probably from my reaction. He didn't quite know such things as the symbols of the gods and such.
We made our way through the room, closing the door behind us. The next room was also empty, but has a spiral staircase in the center that went up and down. For a moment we paused, but I could make out chanting from the top floor, so good call on our end.
Making our way up the stairs, I blinked in surprise. There was a bound and gagged man chained to the floor in the center of the room Banite cultists forming a circle around him.
Glancing at the windows, I made out Ilshin ready and nodded to him before drawing my gun and killing two cultists outright. The others were moving before I could kill them, rolling out of the way and such.
Ajax surged past me, taking on two of the surviving three and Asheka went for the other. Meanwhile Ilshin slipped in and rushed the one Asheka was fighting… huh, what should I do?
As I brought my gun to bear on one of the two Ajax was fighting, I found myself turning my focus on three winged snakes descending from the rafters.
Small fuckers, I could of course shoot them. But it was never worth the ammo. Not when I can just fall back on the most common and traditional spell every… <[Magic Missile>].
From what I understood, Sorcerers didn't do well learning magic from tomes. It was all intuitive. Well, it was for me as well, but I guess my more structured learning gave me the ability to slowly learn spells from spellbooks.
With my attack drawing the snakes, I switched over to what was becoming one of my mainstays, <[Ray of Frost>]. From there the snakes died in short order.
Turning, I watched as Ajax finished off the last Banite, and… well. "That was simple enough… looting time I guess?"
"Right." everyone agreed and we quickly had everything of value. Really, that was just the Stone of Golorr itself. But also a key which went to the chains holding the man down. He was ever so grateful once untied… of course that was brought to a sharp halt with but some clapping.
"Impressive. To think those giving me such trouble would be such a- colorful group. I must say, I am impressed." The speaker was a handsome black haired man with a metal arm not dissimilar to my own. Though less tech and more golem… also copper. Bleh. "Hand over the Stone of Golorr and you may live."
Well, it was an interesting offer I've heard a time or three… So I shot him. "Fuck off no name."
Despite bleeding, the man seemed to straighten up and bellow. "No name! I am Manshoon you fool!"
That… wasn't good. "Ajax, breath. Ilshin, Asheka, flanks."
Even as I spoke, I rushed forward, emptying the last few bullets in the magazine, the holstering my gun. It infuriated me that I seemed to do little with bullets. But I guess that was magic for you. Bringing Fulgur up, I lashed out, <[Shocking Grasp>] already coming into play.
Ajax breathed out his cone of cold, and it didn't touch me. Manshoon? Sure, if not as much as it maybe should have. But my left arm seemed to drink it in and the… I could feel something in it.
Not wanting to risk something new in a fight, I struck Manshoon with Fulgur, lightning building and dancing across my cane.
Manshoon retaliated with his metal fist, then Asheka and Ilshin entered the fray, Ajax not far behind. At that point, it was quick work to finish off Manshoon. The fool had let himself become surrounded.
Yet, he didn't just die. Instead, he took… me with him. I'm not sure what happened after that, just that… I kind of just died.
Chapter 8
Kerashana
Warden
- Location
- The Outer Gate
I woke? Came to life? Yes, came back to life on the deck of a ship. Drow looking down upon me. Asheka and Ajax a ways off being held back by Ilshin.
Looking around, I grumbled. "Fuck… I died didn't I?"
"Well, yes. But you managed to kill Manshoon, or a simulacrum of him, as well. So it's not terrible." The Cleric of Lolth who was standing over me commented off handedly.
Great, more Lolth. "I'm surprised Lolth would deign to resurrect me?"
"Hmph. It is odd, she was surprisingly quick to do so." The male cleric grumbled. "Jarlaxle wants to speak with you."
Sighing, I got up and looked around before following the cleric, with a wink at Asheka, to the captains quarters.
As expected, Jarlaxle was lounging inside, and waved as I was led inside. "I must say, this gun of yours is quite fascinating. Similar to what you gave me, yet…"
Of course, he was holding my gun. Something that made me a bit twitchy. Still, it was more than likely by his leave that I was resurrected. "It is what it is, and I would like it back."
"Most certainly. Though, perhaps after our talk." The Mercenary leader drawled. "So see, I'm fascinated with that stone you found, and wherever did you hide it?"
Looking to the side, I shrugged. "Around."
"Of course." He sighed. "I would like it. Not, as you would probably guess for the Dragons, but to return them to the People of Waterdeep."
Humming to buy myself a second, I thought that over. He wanted to return five hundred thousand Dragons? What did he gain? Leverage. But for… hmm. But what could I gain?
"Well, well…" I muttered. "I have a deal for you. 'Higher' myself and my band of merry men, to go and kill Manshoon. Give us some help tracking him and slipping in. It will allow you to keep your low profile, Manshoon dies, you get credit for making it happen. Then I can go retrieve that Dragons and turn them into Lady Silverhand on your behalf. Again you gain credit for making it happen."
"Ah, and you add weight to your name." Jarlaxle murmured as he sat up straight, a thoughtful look on his face. "There is merit in this… But I think Manshoon still outstrips what you can handle. We'll deal with him while you secure the dragons. But there is another thing, an item I would appreciate being retrieved." Well… I wouldn't be killing the fucking mage asshat, but… "The Dragonstaff of Ahghairon."
That… I had to rack my brain for a minute before I dredged up the snippet I remembered. It was some artifact linked to the Dragon ward?
Frowning at him, I asked, "You realize that with such a thing you could cause the destruction of Waterdeep? Seems irresponsible to hand it over."
For once Jarlaxle seemed a little annoyed. "Perhaps, but it can be used in so many other ways too."
Other ways… There was a Dragon who has something he wanted. More than likely a metallic, but not guaranteed. This was something I had to handle carefully… "If it is within my power, sure."
"Very good." He replied jovially, tossing me my gun. "I wait with baited breath."
I could tell he suspected I wanted to weasel out of it, but he so did love games. "If that's all then, I should get about it."
"Just one last question. Whatever happened to that cane you've been carrying around?" And it was with that question that I blinked… it was just right…
I reached out and my cane appeared in my hand… like it had always been there? That… wasn't what it had been enchanted to do. "Well, that's new?"
"How curious." He commented as I was ushered out.
100000011101
Sitting in my workshop, I looked at the stone I had secreted away into my arm. What! It's useful to be able to hide things. Anyways, while I studied the stone, I learned a few things. It was actually an outsider, and Aboleth. An abomination. But still, it was what I needed, and eventually, I managed to attune to it.
-Mortal! Show me all you know!-
Blinking at the domineering voice in my head, I scoffed. "No. Knowledge for knowledge."
-Show me!- And I could feel the wicked mind throw itself against my own will. Slam into me over and over again, but my {Ring of Mindshield} was doing its job nicely.
"Where is the Vault of Dragons." I demanded.
I could feel the Aboleths frustration and anger building, but it relented. -Under the Brandath family mausoleum. Tell me! How do you resist!-
Smirking, I replied. "A Ring of Mindshield. Now, how do I get into the Vault?"
-You need three Keys.- it replied before hitting me with a question. -Where are you from?-
"Night City. What are the three keys?" I shot back.
-A Silvered Warhammer, an Animated Construct, and a Cask of Dwarven Ale. Where is Night City.-
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Earth."
Getting up, I headed down and pulled everyone together. "Well, I know what we need, Ilshin, go find us a Silvered Warhammer."
We didn't actually leave until morning the next day, which gave me plenty of time to scribe down the foundations of weaveless magic pumped from Golorr in exchange for material science. Oh, and I was some kind of Fox, Dragon, Elf Chimera by it's thinking. Using Elf as the core and foundation.
More disturbing than my interactions with the Aboleth… was the dream I had that night.
I found myself standing on a large round bridge… no, strand of a web with a massive spider slowly descending down to look upon me. She… Lolth, had the body of a truly massive and monstrous Blackwidow with the upper body of a gorgeous female Drow instead of a spider's head.
"Well, fuck me running." It just kind of flowed out of my mouth. I didn't think about it, I didn't have a chance to stop it… it just fell out.
The laughter my words provoked was both terrifying and breathtaking. The voice that came after was… more so. "The little fox has fallen into the web, and now you see what has you at it's mercy."
Looking around, then back at Lolth, I nodded. "Sure, a giant spider. But Mercy has never been your thing. So, what's the score? You going to demand I kill Mystra or some bullshit?"
Again the laughter. "How precious. No, I have more reasonable goals for you. Seek out this treasure you so chase, do as you will, but Jarlaxle is not to have the Dragonstaff."
Well… that complicates things? "I'd rather not make an enemy out of him…"
"Hmm, I'm sure you have an idea of how to accomplish such a thing without doing so." The Goddess purred in amusement. "But what comes next is what matters most."
Gulping, I made sure to pay the fuck attention. I was about to get marching orders from the scary one. "The Cult of the Dragon is planning something new. You will investigate, you will fight them, you will fight more, and you will do it in my name! You will be my champion on the world stage, for something stirs. Do this, and I will personally reward you."
Squinting at her, I carefully chose my words, "With more work? No, I'm a mercenary. What would you offer? Should I present you as trying to be good? Details."
The goddess before me scoffed, but replied, "Few mortals get to live after showing me such disrespect. But a contract is agreeable. Champion me, but I am no 'good' deity, I simply can see the long game. Present me as you will. As for payment, I will aid you in traveling to… Earth."
The next thing I know, I'm waking up soaked in sweat and heart hammering… but it's worse. There's not one, but two things sitting on my bed. The first is a Staff, smooth with holes all over it, and… dear Gods help me, spiders sitting in each hole. Watching me! The second was a belt, kind of a two belt thing. One part was a thick leather with Spiderwebs etched into it, and studded with rubies, the other part was a set of fine mithril chains with that were anchored to the belt and ultimately held a Holy Symbol of Lolth, the old eight pointed star one, on my left thigh. And even that wasn't free of influence, I could see ghostly spiders crawl over it. Strange mechanical ones that flicked in and out of the Material plane.
I immediately knew what they each did. The belt was pretty straight forward, it was a Divine Focus, allowing me to spontaneously cast Cleric spells, but only half as many as the arcane ones I could bring to bare. In addition to that, it allowed me to speak with spiders, and gave me regeneration. Not just me, but my Chrome too.
The staff was something else. It allowed me to call up swarms of spiders nearly at will, and it had more hidden away from me.
Shuddering, I eyed the items before sighing. I didn't have a choice here… did I?
Getting up, I moved the items off to the side, before checking the time, thank you Chrome! And fuck you Lolth! I had only been asleep for a few minutes!
With a disgusted snort, I collapsed back onto my bed and did my best to sleep. The next time I woke it was morning and… the items were still there.
Unhappily, I put on the belt with the rest of my gear, but the staff was of little use to me and went into my bag, leaving me wondering why I had been given it.
The reaction from Ilshin as I joined Asheka and him at a table for breakfast was… amusing. "Lolth? Really?"
Scoffing, I replied. "Not by choice. Got a job offer at… spider point?"
"Ouch." He conceded because… what else can you really say?
When a God tells you to do something, you either agree, or do what I did and agree. Really, what I did was stupid. I only got away with it because… who knows?
With a great sigh, I laid everything out. Well, not everything. Just some basic stuff. Ok, really only that Lolth wanted me to champion her in a coming crisis. Fun times.
After eating, we headed off for the Vault, the snow even with the blizzard mostly abated, was keeping people indoors. Unbeknownst to my companions, a Paper bird fluttered on it's way.
The City of the Dead was as desolate as you would expect from winter, and reaching the mausoleum was done in quick order. As we approached the entrance a fucking tree spoke! "Only those of Brandath blood are welcome here! Begone!"
Glowering at the tree, I wracked my brain for a moment before smirking. A hand dipped into my bag of holding, ignoring the others that were scattered across my body, and that everyone else held… what? It was a lot of Dragons. I pulled out a glass bottle of whisky with a rag in it. "We are here on City business. Let us pass or the bite of Winter will be the least of your worries."
The tree vibrated, and I could feel, see even, as it turned its focus solely onto me. "I fear not your tricks child of steel."
"Too bad." I declared as I lit the rag with a spark of lightning and threw a Molotov cocktail onto the Treants roots. "We will pass, and none shall stop us."
In a roaring pain the treant rushed us, forcing us to scatter. Even then, I begrudgingly pulled out another Maltov, hitting further up the treants body. "Any time guys, I only have so many of these."
"You crazy?" Ilshin called back. "We can't do shit with the tree on fire!"
With a put upon sigh, I got a <[Witch Bolt>] going, and prayed that it would be enough… heh, prayed to Lolth I guess. Seeing as she was the god looking over me, whether I liked it or not.
Five minutes of frantic running and zippity zappity lightning and the Treant finally died.
As we gathered together and headed into the crypt, I glared at Ilshin. "We are getting you a pointy stick for when something like this happened again."
"I want to say you're just paranoid… but Drow." he replied, pointing at himself at the end of it.
Asheka seemed a bit disturbed though, and asked, "Did… did we have to do that?"
Looking around the crypt, I spotted stairs leading down and nodded. "Yeah, well, maybe not. But it was the quickest way, and we don't have time to play around with this."
The second we approached the stairs, I pulled everyone to a halt. "From the sides of the stairs, there's something wrong with the first step."
Ilshin twitched for a moment, then asked, "How do you know?"
"Part of the upgrades I did for my new Chrome. I can feel magic around me in a thirty foot radius. Nothing specific, just if magic is there." I replied as I moved around the stairs and dropped down onto the steps from the side.
"Okay." Asheka spoke up as she followed, then Ajax, and Ilshin.
The underground crypt was… not completely dark, and as we passed a coffin I felt some magic within… "Hey, we grave robbing? Or leave it?"
Ajax chuffed indifferent while Ilshin shrugged, but Asheka shook her head. So, sense someone had an opinion on the matter, we left the coffin alone. From there we moved along until we found a collapsed ceiling and… I just kept walking, the others slowing down uncertainty. Of course, they hurried to catch up when it was obvious I was walking through the collapse.
And so we reached the great door… I mean, hells, it was impressive. As we approached, it was almost sickening how we just kept walking as the doors opened but… "How do we close the doors?"
As my companions gave me odd looks, Golorr replied. -Tell me of Cyber Ware.-
Frowning, I took a moment to outline the basics, and the Aboleth gave me my answer, so I spoke. "Azaam."
This is a very important lesson for all you would be adventurers. Close doors behind you! Don't want to risk something slipping in… or out.
Looking around the entrance foyer, I hummed before speaking. "This place has seen better days."
"Yeah…" Asheka muttered in agreement, but you could hear the wonder in her voice… and I guess the grand, read as massive, room with crumbling bridges overhead was impressive.
"Ok, spread out, but keep in sight." I called out as I moved off to check a door… fake.
"Right." Asheka and Ilshin agreed, and Ajax just kind of sat down and watched us.
So, we learned… the Iron doors were fake. Well, most of them. There was a beautiful Fresco that wanted to enthrall you if you looked at it, and some stairs that led up to the bridges.
The 'hall' that was connected to the bridges had a crumbling fresco and after some poking around we found two things. First… a Black Pudding, which led to a frantic fight where it was literally just me throwing <[Ray of Frost>] at it. No way did we want that thing to split.
The second thing though… was a secret room! Those were actually a thing!
The room hadn't been opened in… maybe a milenia? The dust inches deep, on raised platforms sat five copper urns that were so old they were completely green. Gems and coins spilling out of them.
We took some time to sift through them, finding a {Ring of Warmth}, assorted gems, Copper and Silver pieces, and a Nine inch tall statue of a Priest of Moradin.
Looking at the bridges as we came back out into the main chamber I frowned. "I'm not so sure about those bridges. The middle one seems to be mostly intact but… I don't trust the others."
"I know jack all about stonework, but I'm finding myself agreeing with you." Ilshin muttered in agreement. Asheka just shrugging, and Ajax… piddling in a corner… of course. Feh.
Making our way across the middle bridge, I wondered if we would have to risk the others anyways? Still, as we crossed the bridge and entered the room at the end, we looked around and I couldn't help but frown. "Ok, so… Anyone read Dwarven?"
There was, at the back of the room large Dwarven text. Probably some hint of riddle? You know; Speak friend and enter.
"Nope." "Uh… no." *Chuff*
With a sigh, I moved closer, touching the wall before casting <[Comprehend Language>]. "A secret never before told will part Dumathoin's lips."
Frowning, I grumbled before looking over at the others. "Dwarven God of Secrets… so, anyone want to share?"
There was a long, long pause, everyone trying to gauge what they could possibly say. Then it hits me, something safe, but never before heard! A kind of secret. "I don't actually want to return to the world I come from."
At the admission, a trapdoor popped open and I had to marvel at it. I mean, I fucking walked over it! The damn thing didn't show up at all!
"Huh, really?" Ilshin prompted me, even as I moved towards the trap door and started to descend.
"Sure, the place is a hell hole. I mean… I couldn't even begin to describe everything that's wrong with it. Not in words you would understand anyways." I explained as we made our way down.
Ilshin gave me some kind of disbelieving grunt, but let it be. I'm sure he wanted to argue the point, and yeah, Drow land was a terrible place. But worse than Night City?
I couldn't help but blink at the sight that assailed me as we left the stairs behind. This deep underground and streams of sunlight slashed through the chamber illuminating motes of dust where the light pooled. The columns supporting the ceiling were surprisingly ornate, adorned with carvings of dwarves basking in the presence of their gods. More, in one of the deep alcoves lining the walls was a vast trove of gold.
Snorting, I nodded towards the gold, "Looks like we found the Dragons at least. Now, what's the catch?"
Out of the dusty gloom stepped an aged dwarf clutching a staff carved and painted to resemble a pair of entwined dragons; one red, one gold. Despite the dwarfs age, his eyes were steady and bright. Then with a voice that was maybe a bit too smooth he spoke. "I wasn't expecting anyone, as you can see, the place is a mess. Perhaps you should come back later, after I've tidied up a bit."
Shaking my head, I sighed. "If only it were so easy." As my words left my mouth, I could suddenly Fulgur in the back of my head, a presence that pulsed with warning… and hunger. You see, Dragon or no, we are here to retrieve those Dragons so that they may be returned to the people of Waterdeep."
"Oh, and why would you think it was theirs and not others?" The Dwarf that I was afraid was also a Dragon asked.
Rolling my eyes, I opened my mouth to reply, only to be beaten to the chase by Asheka of all people? "Is it not Right and Just? Would you continue to watch over this hoard of stolen gold?"
Putting a hand on her head, I picked up speaking. "The Former Open Lord Neverember embezzled this gold. You know it's true. I mean, he would hardly be the first to do something like this. But are you prepared to be accomplice to such a deed now that it has been brought to light?"
There was a thoughtful silence for a long moment that left us uneasy, but the Dwarf spoke, pointing out something I myself would find suspicious… if I was on the other side of this. "Your words ring true, and that fact does cause me grief, but I find it difficult to trust a Priestess of the Spider Queen."
Oh how I wanted to argue against that. I was no Priestess… but I kind of was, so I went with my only real option. The truth. "What can I say, she recruited me for a job at spider point. You know, on her giant web down below."
The Old Dwarf gripped the staff he held tighter and spoke, "What kind of job?"
Looking over at my companions for a moment, I sighed. "Well, something about the Cult of the Dragon trying something new? Things stirring? And of course, my purpose is to wave her flag in whatever coming catastrophe is on the horizon."
"That… is most troubling. Anything that would make her act in a seemingly altruistic manner bodes poorly for everyone." The Dwarf muttered, then eyed me again. "You wish to return the gold to the people of Waterdeep? What plan have you to see it done?"
"Hmm, well, there's a Drow hoping to use the return of the gold to curry favor with the current Open Lord. So, I'm going to help him." I replied with a wave of my hand, "But I'm not going into details about that now. More importantly, this Drow wants your staff there."
Eyes narrowing, the Dwarf almost snarled out, "I'm not of a mind to give it up."
I could feel my friends tensing up around me, and smirked. "Good, Lolthy doesn't want him getting it anyways. But perhaps other arrangements can be made, and I figure you can come with us to insure the Gold is handled properly?"
"Mmmm, Mmmm. This does neatly solve one problem, but what assurances do I have that you won't turn on me when you have more help? I am after all a simple Dwarf." The Dwarf asked.
Feeling Fulgur pulse harder in the back of my mind, I smirked. "That Gold Dragon in your pocket, obviously."
"Ah, not so blind then." The Dragon, Aurinax, muttered before nodding. "Even though you bare a blade of Dragon Slaying, you have been most courteous. I agree."
And like that… we were making our way out of the vault, gold loaded into bags, the Dragon's gems tucked away in his own bag… or something?
Part of me really, really wanted to stab him and take them for myself. Such pretty baubles. But greed? That was something I had a handle on. Pity I didn't have a handle on the future.
With a whispered 'Azaam' the Vault doors opened to reveal… Two Manshoons leading a small hord of Thugs. "Well, that was unexpected."
As if waiting for my words, Jarlaxle appeared behind the mob and quipped. "He was a bit slippier than expected I'm afraid."
Frowning at the Gunners flanking him, one on each side, I sighed. "I thought you would have brought more people?"
Snorting in amusement, he shot back. "So did I, but Manshoon is surprisingly… problematic."
"And standing right here." One of the Manshoons declared… grumpily. What? He probably would have used a different word, but meh. "Hand over the gold and you may yet live."
Blinking, I looked at him, then turned to the Dwarf next to me, and asked. "So, how do we-"
"I'm sure that isn't necessary." Someone called out as they moved up next to Jarlaxle who raised an eyebrow at them muttering, "Well now." With this… portly fellow was Ranaer… so I would assume he was friendly for now.
The second Manshoon turned around and frowned at the group of six behind him. "You can't possibly believe you will survive with so few people."
"I am sure you believe that." A clear and beautiful voice cut through everything as Laeral Silverhand, the Open Lord of Waterdeep, and seven others slowly floated down from the ceiling. "I must admit, I was told something may happen here by a little bird. But I had no idea it would be such a marvelous party."
Eyeing the Open Lord, Jarlaxle sighed and king of slumped a bit before calling over to me. "Well played!"
Shaking my head, I called forth my cane, which surprisingly had Aurinax flinching back from it. "It's nothing against you, and I'm fulfilling the agreement. Just making sure you can't screw me… oh, and Lolthy said you can't have the Staff."
More than one person gave me an incredulous look before Manshoon, the original, threw a spell at Laeral. With a motion, I sent Ajax off to the right to come in at the flank, Ilshin pairing up with Asheka and wading into the sudden fight.
Aurinax stepped back and seemed to contemplate things for a moment before he suddenly started changing. The moment the Dragon showed his true form, one of the Manshoons cast something and… he disappeared.
I took a moment to assess the fight, and sighed. I didn't have much of it, just a few doses… and I'd been saving them. But if ever there was a time to pull out the stops…
Taking out an inhaler, I doped up on Kereznikov, and tucked it away. Then… then I moved. I operate at maybe forty or fifty percent my max speed. This is to aid in retaining my humanity, to push aside the frayed edges of Cyberpsychosis. With the Kereznikov, that speed doubles.
Two doses left.
My first action, as I blitzed through the melee, was to slip in and deflect someone's dagger from Ilshins back, then slam my cane through someone's chest. Following that, I became a moving storm of Lightning and Frost. My focus the underlings. Once the chaff was gone we could focus on the big bads.
Twenty seconds later and I was slowing down as my body started to feel the strain, and the drug wore off. Then Aurinax burst back into existence and glared at the Manshi.
Laeral, Jarlaxle, and Aurinax then proceeded to make short work of the Manshoons.
100000011101
Ilshin could see the dagger incoming, death, or at least a wound that would put him out of the fight. Then in a blur of Lightning and Snow it was deflected.
He had been sure she was holding back from the very beginning, but this much? No, it couldn't be this drastic of a change… could it? This was what she was like when she cut loose?
Pushing those thoughts aside, Ilshin parried blow after blow. This woman he fought was surprisingly good, if a little lacking in other areas.
With a sharp kick, he took her left leg out from under her.
Really, her problem was she fought pretty, where as he fought to win.
100000011101
Jarlaxle blinked, once, as the blur of ice and lightning moved past, dead falling to the ground in its wake. "Well now, I wonder how she does that."
It was an interesting question, and one he would have to look into, if not to use, simply to counter. Couldn't let the hired help get a big head after all.
Sidestepping a ray that killed the thug behind him, Jarlaxle closed in on Manshoon. Well, one of them, and wasn't that aggravating! Something to watch out for in the future!
Of course, Mirt, Jalester, and Laeral were all in fine form today. Even young Ilshin was doing well, and that child Jaeda had picked up besides.
100000011101
Once Manshoon and his Simulacrum died, it was a whirlwind of this and that before we all found ourselves in my Common Room above the Tavern. Those present were, myself, Ilshan, Jarlaxle, a man named Mirt, another named Jalester, the Open Lord herself, and of course Aurinax.
With a snort, Mirt broke the silence, "So, we have a Harper," he indicated himself, probably because most people in the room already knew… but not me or Ilshin. "Representatives of the Lords Alliance," he indicated Lady Silverhand and Jalester. "And of course the leader of Bregan D'aerthe. Did I miss anything?"
That… was impressive? "Yeah, the unwilling, non-Drow, champion of Lolthy, and a Gold Dragon."
"Ah, yes… the Dragon." Mirt agreed with a nod. Then asked, "How in the Nine Hells did you get sucked into being… her champion?"
Lady Silverhand gave a hum of interest, noting her desire to know the same… so well. "One of Manshoon's Simulacrums killed me the other day… she brought me back through one of her priests… then assailed me in a dream… or maybe memory, and gave me a job with pay no less."
Jarlaxle let out a low whistle, and proclaimed, "Well… must be one hells of a job. Especially if the Lady of Spiders didn't just stick a Drow minion on it."
Everyone, of course, nodded in agreement… so, drudging my memories, I replied. "She wants me to deal with whatever plot the Cult of the Dragon are brewing. Of course, this more than likely means Tiamat."
Aurinax let out a growl that shook the building, and everyone looked extremely unhappy. But Lady Silverhand spoke, calming things to a degree. "Let us table this matter for the time being and move to a more immediate one."
With a nod, I motioned to the pile of bags of holding. "On behalf of my employer as a mercenary, and as a private citizen of Waterdeep, I return to you the grand sum of half a million Dragon's embezzled by the previous Open Lord. May they be put to good use."
Nodding slowly, Lady Silverhand spoke. "In thanks for your effort and in light of what is on the horizon, I grant you one-tenth of this sum in reward, along with the status of friend of the Lords Alliance. Should you find yourself in need of aid, you need but ask."
Ten percent? That was… Fifty thousand Dragons. Hm… not bad. I could do a lot with that.
"Now, back to matters of the Cult of the Dragon. Are we all in agreement that it would be best to pool our resources to track them down and take action?" Lady Silverhand asked, turning things back to hand.
Looking around, I grumbled. "Fuck… I died didn't I?"
"Well, yes. But you managed to kill Manshoon, or a simulacrum of him, as well. So it's not terrible." The Cleric of Lolth who was standing over me commented off handedly.
Great, more Lolth. "I'm surprised Lolth would deign to resurrect me?"
"Hmph. It is odd, she was surprisingly quick to do so." The male cleric grumbled. "Jarlaxle wants to speak with you."
Sighing, I got up and looked around before following the cleric, with a wink at Asheka, to the captains quarters.
As expected, Jarlaxle was lounging inside, and waved as I was led inside. "I must say, this gun of yours is quite fascinating. Similar to what you gave me, yet…"
Of course, he was holding my gun. Something that made me a bit twitchy. Still, it was more than likely by his leave that I was resurrected. "It is what it is, and I would like it back."
"Most certainly. Though, perhaps after our talk." The Mercenary leader drawled. "So see, I'm fascinated with that stone you found, and wherever did you hide it?"
Looking to the side, I shrugged. "Around."
"Of course." He sighed. "I would like it. Not, as you would probably guess for the Dragons, but to return them to the People of Waterdeep."
Humming to buy myself a second, I thought that over. He wanted to return five hundred thousand Dragons? What did he gain? Leverage. But for… hmm. But what could I gain?
"Well, well…" I muttered. "I have a deal for you. 'Higher' myself and my band of merry men, to go and kill Manshoon. Give us some help tracking him and slipping in. It will allow you to keep your low profile, Manshoon dies, you get credit for making it happen. Then I can go retrieve that Dragons and turn them into Lady Silverhand on your behalf. Again you gain credit for making it happen."
"Ah, and you add weight to your name." Jarlaxle murmured as he sat up straight, a thoughtful look on his face. "There is merit in this… But I think Manshoon still outstrips what you can handle. We'll deal with him while you secure the dragons. But there is another thing, an item I would appreciate being retrieved." Well… I wouldn't be killing the fucking mage asshat, but… "The Dragonstaff of Ahghairon."
That… I had to rack my brain for a minute before I dredged up the snippet I remembered. It was some artifact linked to the Dragon ward?
Frowning at him, I asked, "You realize that with such a thing you could cause the destruction of Waterdeep? Seems irresponsible to hand it over."
For once Jarlaxle seemed a little annoyed. "Perhaps, but it can be used in so many other ways too."
Other ways… There was a Dragon who has something he wanted. More than likely a metallic, but not guaranteed. This was something I had to handle carefully… "If it is within my power, sure."
"Very good." He replied jovially, tossing me my gun. "I wait with baited breath."
I could tell he suspected I wanted to weasel out of it, but he so did love games. "If that's all then, I should get about it."
"Just one last question. Whatever happened to that cane you've been carrying around?" And it was with that question that I blinked… it was just right…
I reached out and my cane appeared in my hand… like it had always been there? That… wasn't what it had been enchanted to do. "Well, that's new?"
"How curious." He commented as I was ushered out.
100000011101
Sitting in my workshop, I looked at the stone I had secreted away into my arm. What! It's useful to be able to hide things. Anyways, while I studied the stone, I learned a few things. It was actually an outsider, and Aboleth. An abomination. But still, it was what I needed, and eventually, I managed to attune to it.
-Mortal! Show me all you know!-
Blinking at the domineering voice in my head, I scoffed. "No. Knowledge for knowledge."
-Show me!- And I could feel the wicked mind throw itself against my own will. Slam into me over and over again, but my {Ring of Mindshield} was doing its job nicely.
"Where is the Vault of Dragons." I demanded.
I could feel the Aboleths frustration and anger building, but it relented. -Under the Brandath family mausoleum. Tell me! How do you resist!-
Smirking, I replied. "A Ring of Mindshield. Now, how do I get into the Vault?"
-You need three Keys.- it replied before hitting me with a question. -Where are you from?-
"Night City. What are the three keys?" I shot back.
-A Silvered Warhammer, an Animated Construct, and a Cask of Dwarven Ale. Where is Night City.-
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Earth."
Getting up, I headed down and pulled everyone together. "Well, I know what we need, Ilshin, go find us a Silvered Warhammer."
We didn't actually leave until morning the next day, which gave me plenty of time to scribe down the foundations of weaveless magic pumped from Golorr in exchange for material science. Oh, and I was some kind of Fox, Dragon, Elf Chimera by it's thinking. Using Elf as the core and foundation.
More disturbing than my interactions with the Aboleth… was the dream I had that night.
I found myself standing on a large round bridge… no, strand of a web with a massive spider slowly descending down to look upon me. She… Lolth, had the body of a truly massive and monstrous Blackwidow with the upper body of a gorgeous female Drow instead of a spider's head.
"Well, fuck me running." It just kind of flowed out of my mouth. I didn't think about it, I didn't have a chance to stop it… it just fell out.
The laughter my words provoked was both terrifying and breathtaking. The voice that came after was… more so. "The little fox has fallen into the web, and now you see what has you at it's mercy."
Looking around, then back at Lolth, I nodded. "Sure, a giant spider. But Mercy has never been your thing. So, what's the score? You going to demand I kill Mystra or some bullshit?"
Again the laughter. "How precious. No, I have more reasonable goals for you. Seek out this treasure you so chase, do as you will, but Jarlaxle is not to have the Dragonstaff."
Well… that complicates things? "I'd rather not make an enemy out of him…"
"Hmm, I'm sure you have an idea of how to accomplish such a thing without doing so." The Goddess purred in amusement. "But what comes next is what matters most."
Gulping, I made sure to pay the fuck attention. I was about to get marching orders from the scary one. "The Cult of the Dragon is planning something new. You will investigate, you will fight them, you will fight more, and you will do it in my name! You will be my champion on the world stage, for something stirs. Do this, and I will personally reward you."
Squinting at her, I carefully chose my words, "With more work? No, I'm a mercenary. What would you offer? Should I present you as trying to be good? Details."
The goddess before me scoffed, but replied, "Few mortals get to live after showing me such disrespect. But a contract is agreeable. Champion me, but I am no 'good' deity, I simply can see the long game. Present me as you will. As for payment, I will aid you in traveling to… Earth."
The next thing I know, I'm waking up soaked in sweat and heart hammering… but it's worse. There's not one, but two things sitting on my bed. The first is a Staff, smooth with holes all over it, and… dear Gods help me, spiders sitting in each hole. Watching me! The second was a belt, kind of a two belt thing. One part was a thick leather with Spiderwebs etched into it, and studded with rubies, the other part was a set of fine mithril chains with that were anchored to the belt and ultimately held a Holy Symbol of Lolth, the old eight pointed star one, on my left thigh. And even that wasn't free of influence, I could see ghostly spiders crawl over it. Strange mechanical ones that flicked in and out of the Material plane.
I immediately knew what they each did. The belt was pretty straight forward, it was a Divine Focus, allowing me to spontaneously cast Cleric spells, but only half as many as the arcane ones I could bring to bare. In addition to that, it allowed me to speak with spiders, and gave me regeneration. Not just me, but my Chrome too.
The staff was something else. It allowed me to call up swarms of spiders nearly at will, and it had more hidden away from me.
Shuddering, I eyed the items before sighing. I didn't have a choice here… did I?
Getting up, I moved the items off to the side, before checking the time, thank you Chrome! And fuck you Lolth! I had only been asleep for a few minutes!
With a disgusted snort, I collapsed back onto my bed and did my best to sleep. The next time I woke it was morning and… the items were still there.
Unhappily, I put on the belt with the rest of my gear, but the staff was of little use to me and went into my bag, leaving me wondering why I had been given it.
The reaction from Ilshin as I joined Asheka and him at a table for breakfast was… amusing. "Lolth? Really?"
Scoffing, I replied. "Not by choice. Got a job offer at… spider point?"
"Ouch." He conceded because… what else can you really say?
When a God tells you to do something, you either agree, or do what I did and agree. Really, what I did was stupid. I only got away with it because… who knows?
With a great sigh, I laid everything out. Well, not everything. Just some basic stuff. Ok, really only that Lolth wanted me to champion her in a coming crisis. Fun times.
After eating, we headed off for the Vault, the snow even with the blizzard mostly abated, was keeping people indoors. Unbeknownst to my companions, a Paper bird fluttered on it's way.
The City of the Dead was as desolate as you would expect from winter, and reaching the mausoleum was done in quick order. As we approached the entrance a fucking tree spoke! "Only those of Brandath blood are welcome here! Begone!"
Glowering at the tree, I wracked my brain for a moment before smirking. A hand dipped into my bag of holding, ignoring the others that were scattered across my body, and that everyone else held… what? It was a lot of Dragons. I pulled out a glass bottle of whisky with a rag in it. "We are here on City business. Let us pass or the bite of Winter will be the least of your worries."
The tree vibrated, and I could feel, see even, as it turned its focus solely onto me. "I fear not your tricks child of steel."
"Too bad." I declared as I lit the rag with a spark of lightning and threw a Molotov cocktail onto the Treants roots. "We will pass, and none shall stop us."
In a roaring pain the treant rushed us, forcing us to scatter. Even then, I begrudgingly pulled out another Maltov, hitting further up the treants body. "Any time guys, I only have so many of these."
"You crazy?" Ilshin called back. "We can't do shit with the tree on fire!"
With a put upon sigh, I got a <[Witch Bolt>] going, and prayed that it would be enough… heh, prayed to Lolth I guess. Seeing as she was the god looking over me, whether I liked it or not.
Five minutes of frantic running and zippity zappity lightning and the Treant finally died.
As we gathered together and headed into the crypt, I glared at Ilshin. "We are getting you a pointy stick for when something like this happened again."
"I want to say you're just paranoid… but Drow." he replied, pointing at himself at the end of it.
Asheka seemed a bit disturbed though, and asked, "Did… did we have to do that?"
Looking around the crypt, I spotted stairs leading down and nodded. "Yeah, well, maybe not. But it was the quickest way, and we don't have time to play around with this."
The second we approached the stairs, I pulled everyone to a halt. "From the sides of the stairs, there's something wrong with the first step."
Ilshin twitched for a moment, then asked, "How do you know?"
"Part of the upgrades I did for my new Chrome. I can feel magic around me in a thirty foot radius. Nothing specific, just if magic is there." I replied as I moved around the stairs and dropped down onto the steps from the side.
"Okay." Asheka spoke up as she followed, then Ajax, and Ilshin.
The underground crypt was… not completely dark, and as we passed a coffin I felt some magic within… "Hey, we grave robbing? Or leave it?"
Ajax chuffed indifferent while Ilshin shrugged, but Asheka shook her head. So, sense someone had an opinion on the matter, we left the coffin alone. From there we moved along until we found a collapsed ceiling and… I just kept walking, the others slowing down uncertainty. Of course, they hurried to catch up when it was obvious I was walking through the collapse.
And so we reached the great door… I mean, hells, it was impressive. As we approached, it was almost sickening how we just kept walking as the doors opened but… "How do we close the doors?"
As my companions gave me odd looks, Golorr replied. -Tell me of Cyber Ware.-
Frowning, I took a moment to outline the basics, and the Aboleth gave me my answer, so I spoke. "Azaam."
This is a very important lesson for all you would be adventurers. Close doors behind you! Don't want to risk something slipping in… or out.
Looking around the entrance foyer, I hummed before speaking. "This place has seen better days."
"Yeah…" Asheka muttered in agreement, but you could hear the wonder in her voice… and I guess the grand, read as massive, room with crumbling bridges overhead was impressive.
"Ok, spread out, but keep in sight." I called out as I moved off to check a door… fake.
"Right." Asheka and Ilshin agreed, and Ajax just kind of sat down and watched us.
So, we learned… the Iron doors were fake. Well, most of them. There was a beautiful Fresco that wanted to enthrall you if you looked at it, and some stairs that led up to the bridges.
The 'hall' that was connected to the bridges had a crumbling fresco and after some poking around we found two things. First… a Black Pudding, which led to a frantic fight where it was literally just me throwing <[Ray of Frost>] at it. No way did we want that thing to split.
The second thing though… was a secret room! Those were actually a thing!
The room hadn't been opened in… maybe a milenia? The dust inches deep, on raised platforms sat five copper urns that were so old they were completely green. Gems and coins spilling out of them.
We took some time to sift through them, finding a {Ring of Warmth}, assorted gems, Copper and Silver pieces, and a Nine inch tall statue of a Priest of Moradin.
Looking at the bridges as we came back out into the main chamber I frowned. "I'm not so sure about those bridges. The middle one seems to be mostly intact but… I don't trust the others."
"I know jack all about stonework, but I'm finding myself agreeing with you." Ilshin muttered in agreement. Asheka just shrugging, and Ajax… piddling in a corner… of course. Feh.
Making our way across the middle bridge, I wondered if we would have to risk the others anyways? Still, as we crossed the bridge and entered the room at the end, we looked around and I couldn't help but frown. "Ok, so… Anyone read Dwarven?"
There was, at the back of the room large Dwarven text. Probably some hint of riddle? You know; Speak friend and enter.
"Nope." "Uh… no." *Chuff*
With a sigh, I moved closer, touching the wall before casting <[Comprehend Language>]. "A secret never before told will part Dumathoin's lips."
Frowning, I grumbled before looking over at the others. "Dwarven God of Secrets… so, anyone want to share?"
There was a long, long pause, everyone trying to gauge what they could possibly say. Then it hits me, something safe, but never before heard! A kind of secret. "I don't actually want to return to the world I come from."
At the admission, a trapdoor popped open and I had to marvel at it. I mean, I fucking walked over it! The damn thing didn't show up at all!
"Huh, really?" Ilshin prompted me, even as I moved towards the trap door and started to descend.
"Sure, the place is a hell hole. I mean… I couldn't even begin to describe everything that's wrong with it. Not in words you would understand anyways." I explained as we made our way down.
Ilshin gave me some kind of disbelieving grunt, but let it be. I'm sure he wanted to argue the point, and yeah, Drow land was a terrible place. But worse than Night City?
I couldn't help but blink at the sight that assailed me as we left the stairs behind. This deep underground and streams of sunlight slashed through the chamber illuminating motes of dust where the light pooled. The columns supporting the ceiling were surprisingly ornate, adorned with carvings of dwarves basking in the presence of their gods. More, in one of the deep alcoves lining the walls was a vast trove of gold.
Snorting, I nodded towards the gold, "Looks like we found the Dragons at least. Now, what's the catch?"
Out of the dusty gloom stepped an aged dwarf clutching a staff carved and painted to resemble a pair of entwined dragons; one red, one gold. Despite the dwarfs age, his eyes were steady and bright. Then with a voice that was maybe a bit too smooth he spoke. "I wasn't expecting anyone, as you can see, the place is a mess. Perhaps you should come back later, after I've tidied up a bit."
Shaking my head, I sighed. "If only it were so easy." As my words left my mouth, I could suddenly Fulgur in the back of my head, a presence that pulsed with warning… and hunger. You see, Dragon or no, we are here to retrieve those Dragons so that they may be returned to the people of Waterdeep."
"Oh, and why would you think it was theirs and not others?" The Dwarf that I was afraid was also a Dragon asked.
Rolling my eyes, I opened my mouth to reply, only to be beaten to the chase by Asheka of all people? "Is it not Right and Just? Would you continue to watch over this hoard of stolen gold?"
Putting a hand on her head, I picked up speaking. "The Former Open Lord Neverember embezzled this gold. You know it's true. I mean, he would hardly be the first to do something like this. But are you prepared to be accomplice to such a deed now that it has been brought to light?"
There was a thoughtful silence for a long moment that left us uneasy, but the Dwarf spoke, pointing out something I myself would find suspicious… if I was on the other side of this. "Your words ring true, and that fact does cause me grief, but I find it difficult to trust a Priestess of the Spider Queen."
Oh how I wanted to argue against that. I was no Priestess… but I kind of was, so I went with my only real option. The truth. "What can I say, she recruited me for a job at spider point. You know, on her giant web down below."
The Old Dwarf gripped the staff he held tighter and spoke, "What kind of job?"
Looking over at my companions for a moment, I sighed. "Well, something about the Cult of the Dragon trying something new? Things stirring? And of course, my purpose is to wave her flag in whatever coming catastrophe is on the horizon."
"That… is most troubling. Anything that would make her act in a seemingly altruistic manner bodes poorly for everyone." The Dwarf muttered, then eyed me again. "You wish to return the gold to the people of Waterdeep? What plan have you to see it done?"
"Hmm, well, there's a Drow hoping to use the return of the gold to curry favor with the current Open Lord. So, I'm going to help him." I replied with a wave of my hand, "But I'm not going into details about that now. More importantly, this Drow wants your staff there."
Eyes narrowing, the Dwarf almost snarled out, "I'm not of a mind to give it up."
I could feel my friends tensing up around me, and smirked. "Good, Lolthy doesn't want him getting it anyways. But perhaps other arrangements can be made, and I figure you can come with us to insure the Gold is handled properly?"
"Mmmm, Mmmm. This does neatly solve one problem, but what assurances do I have that you won't turn on me when you have more help? I am after all a simple Dwarf." The Dwarf asked.
Feeling Fulgur pulse harder in the back of my mind, I smirked. "That Gold Dragon in your pocket, obviously."
"Ah, not so blind then." The Dragon, Aurinax, muttered before nodding. "Even though you bare a blade of Dragon Slaying, you have been most courteous. I agree."
And like that… we were making our way out of the vault, gold loaded into bags, the Dragon's gems tucked away in his own bag… or something?
Part of me really, really wanted to stab him and take them for myself. Such pretty baubles. But greed? That was something I had a handle on. Pity I didn't have a handle on the future.
With a whispered 'Azaam' the Vault doors opened to reveal… Two Manshoons leading a small hord of Thugs. "Well, that was unexpected."
As if waiting for my words, Jarlaxle appeared behind the mob and quipped. "He was a bit slippier than expected I'm afraid."
Frowning at the Gunners flanking him, one on each side, I sighed. "I thought you would have brought more people?"
Snorting in amusement, he shot back. "So did I, but Manshoon is surprisingly… problematic."
"And standing right here." One of the Manshoons declared… grumpily. What? He probably would have used a different word, but meh. "Hand over the gold and you may yet live."
Blinking, I looked at him, then turned to the Dwarf next to me, and asked. "So, how do we-"
"I'm sure that isn't necessary." Someone called out as they moved up next to Jarlaxle who raised an eyebrow at them muttering, "Well now." With this… portly fellow was Ranaer… so I would assume he was friendly for now.
The second Manshoon turned around and frowned at the group of six behind him. "You can't possibly believe you will survive with so few people."
"I am sure you believe that." A clear and beautiful voice cut through everything as Laeral Silverhand, the Open Lord of Waterdeep, and seven others slowly floated down from the ceiling. "I must admit, I was told something may happen here by a little bird. But I had no idea it would be such a marvelous party."
Eyeing the Open Lord, Jarlaxle sighed and king of slumped a bit before calling over to me. "Well played!"
Shaking my head, I called forth my cane, which surprisingly had Aurinax flinching back from it. "It's nothing against you, and I'm fulfilling the agreement. Just making sure you can't screw me… oh, and Lolthy said you can't have the Staff."
More than one person gave me an incredulous look before Manshoon, the original, threw a spell at Laeral. With a motion, I sent Ajax off to the right to come in at the flank, Ilshin pairing up with Asheka and wading into the sudden fight.
Aurinax stepped back and seemed to contemplate things for a moment before he suddenly started changing. The moment the Dragon showed his true form, one of the Manshoons cast something and… he disappeared.
I took a moment to assess the fight, and sighed. I didn't have much of it, just a few doses… and I'd been saving them. But if ever there was a time to pull out the stops…
Taking out an inhaler, I doped up on Kereznikov, and tucked it away. Then… then I moved. I operate at maybe forty or fifty percent my max speed. This is to aid in retaining my humanity, to push aside the frayed edges of Cyberpsychosis. With the Kereznikov, that speed doubles.
Two doses left.
My first action, as I blitzed through the melee, was to slip in and deflect someone's dagger from Ilshins back, then slam my cane through someone's chest. Following that, I became a moving storm of Lightning and Frost. My focus the underlings. Once the chaff was gone we could focus on the big bads.
Twenty seconds later and I was slowing down as my body started to feel the strain, and the drug wore off. Then Aurinax burst back into existence and glared at the Manshi.
Laeral, Jarlaxle, and Aurinax then proceeded to make short work of the Manshoons.
100000011101
Ilshin could see the dagger incoming, death, or at least a wound that would put him out of the fight. Then in a blur of Lightning and Snow it was deflected.
He had been sure she was holding back from the very beginning, but this much? No, it couldn't be this drastic of a change… could it? This was what she was like when she cut loose?
Pushing those thoughts aside, Ilshin parried blow after blow. This woman he fought was surprisingly good, if a little lacking in other areas.
With a sharp kick, he took her left leg out from under her.
Really, her problem was she fought pretty, where as he fought to win.
100000011101
Jarlaxle blinked, once, as the blur of ice and lightning moved past, dead falling to the ground in its wake. "Well now, I wonder how she does that."
It was an interesting question, and one he would have to look into, if not to use, simply to counter. Couldn't let the hired help get a big head after all.
Sidestepping a ray that killed the thug behind him, Jarlaxle closed in on Manshoon. Well, one of them, and wasn't that aggravating! Something to watch out for in the future!
Of course, Mirt, Jalester, and Laeral were all in fine form today. Even young Ilshin was doing well, and that child Jaeda had picked up besides.
100000011101
Once Manshoon and his Simulacrum died, it was a whirlwind of this and that before we all found ourselves in my Common Room above the Tavern. Those present were, myself, Ilshan, Jarlaxle, a man named Mirt, another named Jalester, the Open Lord herself, and of course Aurinax.
With a snort, Mirt broke the silence, "So, we have a Harper," he indicated himself, probably because most people in the room already knew… but not me or Ilshin. "Representatives of the Lords Alliance," he indicated Lady Silverhand and Jalester. "And of course the leader of Bregan D'aerthe. Did I miss anything?"
That… was impressive? "Yeah, the unwilling, non-Drow, champion of Lolthy, and a Gold Dragon."
"Ah, yes… the Dragon." Mirt agreed with a nod. Then asked, "How in the Nine Hells did you get sucked into being… her champion?"
Lady Silverhand gave a hum of interest, noting her desire to know the same… so well. "One of Manshoon's Simulacrums killed me the other day… she brought me back through one of her priests… then assailed me in a dream… or maybe memory, and gave me a job with pay no less."
Jarlaxle let out a low whistle, and proclaimed, "Well… must be one hells of a job. Especially if the Lady of Spiders didn't just stick a Drow minion on it."
Everyone, of course, nodded in agreement… so, drudging my memories, I replied. "She wants me to deal with whatever plot the Cult of the Dragon are brewing. Of course, this more than likely means Tiamat."
Aurinax let out a growl that shook the building, and everyone looked extremely unhappy. But Lady Silverhand spoke, calming things to a degree. "Let us table this matter for the time being and move to a more immediate one."
With a nod, I motioned to the pile of bags of holding. "On behalf of my employer as a mercenary, and as a private citizen of Waterdeep, I return to you the grand sum of half a million Dragon's embezzled by the previous Open Lord. May they be put to good use."
Nodding slowly, Lady Silverhand spoke. "In thanks for your effort and in light of what is on the horizon, I grant you one-tenth of this sum in reward, along with the status of friend of the Lords Alliance. Should you find yourself in need of aid, you need but ask."
Ten percent? That was… Fifty thousand Dragons. Hm… not bad. I could do a lot with that.
"Now, back to matters of the Cult of the Dragon. Are we all in agreement that it would be best to pool our resources to track them down and take action?" Lady Silverhand asked, turning things back to hand.