Session 18: Damarask

General Summary

The heroes dropped the chimera’s tail on the table in front of the Commander. Inspecting it with admiration, he pulled an iron badge from his belt and placed it on the table.   “This should expedite your way into the city, set you up with a week’s lodging, and give you reduced rates within the Armsedge.” Sliding the medallion closer to the heroes he turned his gaze to Shadow.   “What do you know of your people’s situation since they arrived at Damarask?”   “I don’t know much of anything” replied Shadow, “I’m eager to return to them and find out.”   Commander Trammel’s jaw tightened and he narrowed his eyes. “There are some things you should know before you reach the city gates.”   Leaning forward at the table, he explained that even in the relatively short time the Cherished Slopes Clan had been in Damarask, they had been beset with challenges. According to Trammel, the undead menace that plagued Grissom Vale was not an isolated incident. Months ago, at around the same time that Shadow’s Clan made their way past the City’s southernmost outpost, another wave of undead arose, attacking the soldiers and nearly decimating the Fort. Thus, when the tabaxi arrived at the City gates some of the commonfolk saw it as more than coincidence and blamed the refugees for bringing a curse with them.   But that was not all.   A few days later, when many of the tabaxi and yukisaru were awaiting assignment for indentures throughout the city a strange phenomenon occurred in the bay; hundreds of fish suddenly floated to the surface, dead. Seeing this as further sign that the misplaced clan was followed by ill omen, many of the people refused to bid on contracts for them, leaving the city with a problem of what to do with the refugees. In the end, it was decided that the tabaxi would be taken to The Wishbone, a prison island, where they would be indentured into service in exchange for food and shelter.   The Commander finished, “A cloak of suspicion still hangs on the tabaxi and yukisaru. When you do enter the gates, it might be best to try and conceal yourselves from the eyes of the ignorant, if possible.”   Taking in the heavy news, the Shore’s Light accepted the iron medallion and spent one more night in the shelter of the fort before heading for Damarask.   Traveling with a small group of merchants from the fort, it took two days (and a full moonlit night’s) ride through forested bluffs and valleys before they caught sight of the city. Built around and atop rocky bluffs that hugged the coastline, Damarask was the largest city that most of them had ever seen. Boasting tall towers, high walls, exotic domes, a bustling harbor, and a number of strange buildings that stood in contrast to one another it was easy to understand how it acquired the nickname, “The Patchwork City.”   Shadow and Omori pulled their cowls over their head as the Shore’s Light approached the main gate. Aaura tuned into the mental wavelengths of those around them and listened to the thoughts of a grey cloaked guard as he approached. Seeing the medallion (and accompanying writ) he ushered the heroes through the gate, oblivious to Shadow and Omori, and warning them to keep the peace while under the protection of the city’s walls.   The hustle and bustle of the people, the call of sea birds, the tang of dirty sea air, the long shadows of tall towers; all of these nearly overwhelmed their senses as they took their first steps in Damarask. Noticing how this group stepped warily through the city gates, our heroes were suddenly approached by a black skinned tiefling in a dirty leather duster.   “Ah! You are new to Damarask! You need Tiresius Kara-zeraii!” The extroverted nature of this unofficial tour guide instantly set Keokan on edge. “For a small fee, I show you the city! Where to go, where not to go, best places for ale, places to stay out of trouble…or make trouble if that’s what you want… but you need Tiresius!”   Although Keokan objected to this guide, Aaura helped convince the group to hire Tiresius. “We ARE new to the city” she countered, “And he’ll probably make it a lot more interesting.”   “Excellent!” Tiresius replied, “Now what can Tiresius show you first?”   The medallion from Commander Trammell entitled them to free lodging at someplace called the Ambassador’s Commorancy, so our heroes decided to make it their first stop. It was a short walk through the heart of the Armsedge, which Tiresius explained was the military district in the city, responsible for quartering, training, and rotating most of the standing army. Soon they stood outside a large, solidly built three story stone building, nearly ½ the size of a city block. Along the front facing wall, below the flag of Damarask, hung four large banners depicting the current factions visiting the city. Although some were new to the party (the standards of Sanctyra, and the Matrix Arcanum), Faelyn immediately recognized the navy blue Oryan flag, and the Crimson and white standard of the Jasper Covenant. Undeterred, they walked through the open doors and into the building’s marble foyer.   Tiresius waited outside while they procured rooms on the second floor. Taking a moment to themselves, they decided that the best thing to do would be to lie low and get something that could help disguise Shadow and Omori. Easily the two most accustomed to the pace of a city, Faelyn and Aaura set forth on a shopping expedition with Tiresius, who led them to a store in the Merchant's District known as the Knave’s Nook. After trading in some chimera scales, they left with a disguise kit.   Drawing on years of experience in tabaxi pantomimes as a child, Shadow proved deft with the disguise kit, altering the wardrobe pieces and ensuring that she and Omori would only be noticed by the most trained eyes.   Having been told of Shadow’s hopes to see her people, Tiresisus explained that if they wanted to visit The Wishbone, they would have to take it up with the Sea Warden in the Brasspot district. At the moment, getting to the district was harder than usual as the main byway was closed off with preparations for the upcoming Harvest Festival. They would have to go the long way around the city, through a district known as the Sideways Warren.   “Don’t worry!” the tiefling assured them, “Tiresius knows all the places!”   The heroes were soon cutting through the Sideways Warren, a labyrinth of streets, alleys, and canals that soon caused them to lose their bearings. With the smell of the sea air now closer, Aatavi asked the others if they could stop and look out over the bay, a heartfelt request that the others quickly agreed to.   Standing atop a pier the heroes looked over the harbor at low tide. Beneath the waves they could see a submerged structure that extended far out into the bay, close enough to the surface that crabbers and oystermen could wade out to examine their empty traps. Here and there peaks and steepled structures, slick with algae, protruded from the water and allowed some of the more adventurous fishermen a place to cast their lines. Only a few managed to pull meager offerings from the water; most found nothing but empty nets.   “For months now, the fish have been missing, or worse” said Tiresius. “Damarask still has many farms around the city, but many peoples also rely on fish. These times are not so easy.”   Aatavi nodded grimly. “It is like this for Mysati too.”   As the group looked out, they noticed a peculiar sight. Out in the bay, one of the black robed wizards of the Matrix Arcanum had waded thigh high into water. Scanning it for several minutes he cast a spell that brought a large fish up from below the surface. Levitating it through the air with one hand he made his way back to the harbor’s edge and climbed up. Although the motive behind this was odd enough, the heroes could tell instantly that something was wrong with the fish. Its scales were a dull, almost translucent grey, its eyes milky white. Although it moved and twitched, it did not seem to struggle or even breathe as it was suspended out of the water. With another quick move the wizard entered a nearby fishing shack with his catch, and shut the door behind him.   Something about the city’s fishing problems had struck a familiar chord with Aatavi. Seeing the strange fish pulled out of the water had only piqued his interest more. He boldly strode to the shack and knocked on its door.   The door opened a crack and a wizard with shocking white hair and piercing blue eyes arched an eyebrow at the party. Somewhat irritated about having been taken away from his work he dismissed Aatavi and the others before shutting the door behind himself and getting back to his research.   As Aatavi stewed with frustration Keokan closed his eyes and breathed deep. Focusing on his connection to Dathar-Kane, he extended his primeval awareness outward, attempting to detect the presence of the unnatural. The tremor he felt from below was like nothing the goliath had ever experienced. They were standing atop something big. Something out of tune with the natural world. Something undead.   “Hey! You are all looking upset. Tiresius knows how to cheer you up! Tiresius knows good place, maybe you want to come and have drink? Maybe eat? Always good to make you feel better. Follow Tiresius!” Before turning back into the maze of streets Tiresius flashed a quick hand sign to Shadow which she recognized as thieves-cant, the secret language of rogues. “Follow. Good things” it promised.   Tiresius led them to a large Victorian looking house, four stories tall and topped with a variety of rooftop platforms to watch over the bay. Inscribed in bright letters on a swinging sign above the main doors was the name “The Widow’s Walk.”   “Best place in Sideways Warren for drink. Also, maybe find other things here too.” Leading them inside they saw a multitude of customers of different races, all mingling about. A bard in the corner was piping out a mournful shanty. Behind the bar a black skinned female tiefling, horns adorned with a number of gold hoops and chains, eyed the party. After some harsh words for Tiresius, she introduced herself as his sister, Ophelia Kara'zeraii “but around here I’m known as Ms. O.” When Tiresius explained why these strangers had come to town, Ophelia took Shadow behind the bar and through some doors into the kitchen.   “How do you feel about getting your paws wet?” Ophelia asked.   “I’m not crazy about it” Shadow replied.   “This one also doesn’t like it so much.”   Shadow’s heart leapt. At the far end of the kitchen, drying off a plate, was Many Beans, one of the kits she had rescued that fateful night on the Cherished Slopes. Many Beans quickly recognized Shadow and ran over to embrace her. Nearby was Chiba, an elderly yukisaru who moved to Omori with tears in her eyes.   A heartfelt exchange took place as Many Beans recounted the past months in Damarask. Her indenture had been bought early on by “Ms. O” and although she had been treated fairly, she missed the others and longed to return. Suddenly, her eyes widened, “Do you have it? Did you get it?”   Shadow revealed the funeral lantern where the Hua Linghun flickered inside. Many Beans eyes glistened with tears.   “Home” she cried, “We can go home.”