Aporeu chronicles Issue 57: Trouble in Tembega town

Stories from the adventurers

This week

Being attacked by animals and an unexpected betrayal, two stories that tell the same story but with differing timelines. Whichever one is the correct one it's a story we can all learn from.

Trouble in Tembega town by Effie

So that took a nasty turn in the end. Curse Dane’s sudden but inevitable betrayal! And curse my stupid naivety. Should have known better than to trust whackjobs like him. The look on Alyr’s face when we returned just made my heart sink into my stomach with guilt. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I need to tell the whole story, so let’s start at the beginning.
My day started well enough, considering my dancing the night before didn’t go *ahem* flawless. I felt ready for some action and apparently I could use the practice, so I was glad to see a mission concerning some wild animals harassing a tiny village somewhere in the countryside.
When I entered the guild hall, there was only a handsome Tiefling waiting there. He looked slick with piercing red eyes. The dude had a metal arm that he was constantly touching and rubbing, as if it was aching somehow (the pretty ones are always nuts). As I walked up to greet him, his name is Aetvir, a tiny old man in colourful robes and a giant top hat walked in, muttering something about ‘youths’ and ‘respect’. He shot me a glare and heaved a sigh of disappointment. He didn’t seem impressed, and the feeling was mutual. However, from underneath his robes a tiny furry critter popped out. I didn’t want to show it to the old fart, but that weasel was as cute as any baby drake. Next was a dwarf who came in nibbling on his shield. The rest of him was covered in a helmet and a beard and he introduced himself as Brynjar. Then we heard a meow above us. A cute as hell looking cat had climbed up to the rafters and was afraid to come down again (why do they always do that?). I felt like I needed to prove myself so I climbed up super fast and when I got there, the cat was gone. I looked down and there, the tiny man called Whiltin held the cat in some kind of magical hand and was grinning at me. I was having a very hard time remembering to be respectful to one’s elders and he and I may have engaged in some light fire-slapping. Once the cat was safely on the ground, flowers started growing from its fur, turning into a whirlwind of petals and then into a girl. A young elven lady with auburn hair in a style similar to my own but shorter, she called herself Alyr and she seemed very ... sweet. I tried not to judge, only just having been underestimated by Whiltin, and it turns out I shouldn’t have, but she looked so innocent.
After Lornan, who seemed a little disorganized today, sent us off on our mission, we rented some horses and made for Tembega Town. The place looked like a dump, except for one big building, which turned out to be the local tavern. At least they have their priorities straight. The streets seemed rather quiet, so we decided the best place to talk to locals would be inside that tavern. Right inside the door was a fellow performer, who had been absently plucking at his instrument until he saw us, when he straightened his back and raised his voice in a jolly song. The tavern was rather empty, with only a couple of tables taken and the usual sleeping drunk in the corner. Behind the bar was a big man (I mean, flipping huge), cleaning glasses. Aetvir used his charms to ask for the house of the mayor and the tiny old fart had some words with the giant barman.
As we stepped out of the tavern, we heard screams coming from down the street. Being the awesome adventurers that we are, we darted off towards the sounds of danger. There was a river there, with a small boat on it that was being attacked by a crocodile. Inside the boat were kids, scared out of their minds. For Alyr’s sake we tried not to hurt the croc at first, but there was no stopping it from attacking the boat. Another crocodile shot out from the water and snapped at a villager standing too close to the bank. While we distracted the giant lizards, Whiltin teleported into the boat with one end of a rope. Gotta give it to him, that was clever. Brynjar effortlessly pulled the boat towards the shore and we saved the children. The croc managed to take a bite out of Whiltin as he jumped out on the sand. I may not like the old goat, but losing a fellow adventurer wouldn’t have made me look good either wouldn’t feel good either, so I jumped in between him and the beast before we scared both of them off. Alyr pointed out that the behavior of these animals was unusual. They didn’t focus on one quarry but rather snapped lazily at everyone and switched targets all the time.
After this, we finally got to the mayor, who promptly told us crocs were attacking a boat on the river in the middle of town. So yeah, we went back to the tavern, which was now filled with a crowd. The crowd was angry and terrified and they wanted to leave, but the mayor told them to calm down and let us, the awesome adventurers, deal with it. Some heckler in the crowd kept yelling “FUCK YOU!” to the mayor and us and everyone present and I can only admire his tenacity, even though it seemed to unsettle the mayor a little bit. After the mayor’s speech, an old man approached us and he and Whiltin started… talking. And then they started talking louder, and louder, with lots of “HUH?!”’s and “WHAT’S THAT?!”’s mixed in. The old man remembered that all the nasty animal business started after the mine was opened, or after Flavio entered town. He wasn’t too fond of this Flavio guy, as he was about “open love” or something, and the old man had his own opinions about that. Thinking this Flavio might be doing something to these animals, we went to question him.
Right after we knocked on the door of his colorfully decorated house, another cry for help rang through town. Flavio opened the door and gave Alyr a dirty look as if he wanted to drag her inside for some loving. Upon hearing this was angry animal business, he promptly closed it again. A man came running up towards us and told us there had been a cave-in in the mine. Arriving at the mine, we could see that indeed a tunnel had collapsed. There was a small peephole through which we saw a flipping Elemental being made of stone! I don’t know what she was thinking, but Alyr transformed into a cat and tried to wiggle her way through the hole, her hind quarters got stuck in the formation, tiny little paws flailing about wildly. Aetvir pulled her out and me and Brynjar started working the stones with crowbars. I couldn’t get the rocks to budge, and I felt my head turning red as I saw Whiltin’s disapproving look. Brynjar on the other hand quickly tossed the boulders out of the way to make a hole large enough to move through. As we rushed through, Whiltin shot some kind of spider silk through our legs, covering the big hulking thing in sticky webbing. Aetvir took a potion from his belt and poured it down his throat, looking even more confident after that.
The dwarf walked up to the elemental, looking to challenge it. The thing leaned forward and just started roaring towards him. I was sure the elemental was done for, issuing such a challenge to a dwarf with so much beard. But the dwarf just opened his gullet and belched out a warcry straight back at it. It seemed to hesitate for a moment and the movement from this caused him to slip on the banana peels that were all scattered at its feet. I don’t know where those came from, but dang did that come in handy. I rushed towards the villagers and yelled at them to get the flip out of here, before blasting the thing with an inferno. The spider silk proved to be flammable and the creature roared in pain as the flames swept over it. Should think twice next time before doing that to things much bigger than me, as the last thing I saw of that fight was stones charging at me and clobbering me.
When I came to, the thing was completely gone, Whiltin looked disapproving, and the handsome Tiefling looked cocky. The dwarf looked bloodied too, but he was right back to nibbling his shield. Behind the elemental, in the cave, we found the body of one of the villagers. Sadly, it was too late to save him. Deeper into the mine, Whiltin found a tunnel supposedly made by a badger that they say was in the cave. So he sent Pop, together with Alyr, who had turned back into the cutest little cat, down the badger hole. The old goat started yapping, his eyes turning blank, as they were exploring the tunnel. They end up somewhere outside in the forest, and apparently the badger tracks had turned into human tracks there. Something like what Alyr can do it seems. We decided to head out and inform the villagers about the conjured elemental and the badger. Once outside, a tiny little bird came down towards us, a note tied to one of its legs. I took the little birdie into my hand and untied the note. Turns out there are druids here who don’t like folks messing with the mine.
We went deeper into the forest, first to where Alyr was waiting, and then ever further. We kept going until we came to a clearing where 3 figures stood. One of them was Dane, an absolute ass of a man, a dwarven woman with a foul look on her face named Seske and a Tiefling lady, who called herself Cura the Soulless. Turns out that mining for copper in a forest disturbs nature and pollutes the environment and these folks didn’t appreciate that. At all. It was them who sent the animals after the villagers, but they said their intention was only to scare them off. We tried to reason with them and eventually they agreed to come talk to the villagers to look for a solution.
We took them straight to the mayor, and once inside, we started making progress on a harmonious solution, until the Tiefling tingled my ears by whispering into them. Something about Dane not being truthful. I have to admit, he seemed straight enough to me, but I know now that that was naive of me. I don’t sense those things, maybe we could have prevented what happened next if I only had felt it too and didn’t hesitate.
The mayor gathered the villagers in the square and Dane started talking. However, instead of trying to be nice and find common ground, he insulted the people and conceded that they would never learn. As he spoke, he grew angrier and angrier. And with his anger, the sky became darker and darker. And then a flash. Thunder. People dropping. I dash around and flames burst from my hands to engulf the three of them. Screams. Cries. People running. Curra summoned tigers that started attacking Dane and Seska instead of us! She begged Dane to stop. But there was no stopping Dane. I swung with a cartwheel and a somersault on top of one of the tigers and used it’s bulk to help my spear hit home. Magics flew in and out of the chaos, hitting the druid and the dwarf and eventually Dane started backing off. He summoned two tigers of his own and he and Seska made for the horizon, leaving a devastated town behind. We returned to Arnheim safely, but I felt horrible we couldn’t bring Dane to justice. So many dead, many more injured. If I ever see that druid again, he won’t get away again, that much I know for sure. Next time, we’ll get him. The only good thing to come out of this is the friends I made. Alyr is such a sweet girl, Brynjar seems like a great sport for a drinking contest and Aetvir is a handsome sweet talker. Even the old goat, Whiltin, has grown on me. His constant disappointed looks drive me to try harder and be better. And he’s sweet when he’s talking to Pop. I hope to see them again on the next adventure!
Effie Zinariya of the Cinderborn.

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Trouble in Tembega town by Whiltin

To the South of Arnheim, a new settlement has formed over the last 6 months due to a large copper vein being discovered in the nearby caverns. The town has been dubbed Tembega Town and during the last months, miners, builders, crafters, and traders from all throughout the region have been flocking to Tembega Town to practice their livelihood in or near the mines.

But, trouble started brewing not long after the town came into existence. Different creatures have been coming out of the forest, terrorizing the town.
The Adventurers Guild has been hired to go out and dispose of the animals threatening the town, and to figure out a way of keeping the settlement safe from future attacks.
I wander into the guild for the second time. Even though the dangers were real last time, I learned so much. So i guess it’s worth trying again. My eyes glare around the room, and I see a devilish person, Tiefling, if my mind is correct. But this guy has some artificial arm, made from metal and such. I presume he can smash faces pretty well if needed to be. In contrary to him, who’s called Aetvir, I also see this girl, who's certainly sick! She has scales growing out of her arm. A red tabby cat is here too, with quite odd sparkly eyes, as being slightly oversized compared to its head. Odd, but I do love all them little furballs. But first let me check out this girl, who’s named Effie. I just want to scale her strength, if she has any, but she starts arguing with me, and even trying to set me ablaze. Luckily a very strong specimen walks in, Brynjar, a full bearded dwarf, clad in full armor, and armed to the teeth. I greet him while I quickly test out his armor by prodding him with my walking cane. Yes, very well. We're interrupted by effie trying to climb up some pillar to get the cat down, though even she gets up there quite easily, I intercept as I focus my mind, and the cat can been seen floating up, glistening with a blue and silver hue, and then softly landing on the floor. I grin at Effie, “what a waste” I think by myself. I ignore the deadly glare that she gives me back. But before we end up in a new argument, the cat shifts and morphs, until another young girl, Alyr, stands in the hall. She seems young, and so harmless, but oh my, what a talent! All pleasantries set aside, Aetvir takes lead and takes the quest from Lornan. It seems like a long walk, so we hire some horses and set course. I take a seat behind Brynjar, just after I conjure my own little saddle. If anything would happen, he has enough bulk to stop whatever is threatening me. Pop keeps watch as he peeks over Brynjar’s shoulder, so now and then switching sides.
All goes well and we make quite some miles. Until, Effie, thinks its a fine idea to start singing. My ears, the HORROR! I don’t want to see her dead, why is she coming with us! Finally she shuts her mouth as we enter the village of Tembega. It’s quiet, not much of a bustling here. The people are active but seem to keep to themselves. We figure we should start in the tavern, the best looking building in the whole village. Same inside, several people can be seen, but no much joy to be seen. A minstrel plays his violin while mumbling his song. Until he notices us, the music speeds up, and his voice booms through the tavern. “That’s how you do it” I say confident while I prod Effie’s calf. Again I’m greeted with her deadly glare, which I casually ignore. Youngsters now a days, can’t even handle some criticism or self reflection. Once again Aetvir takes lead and he informs with the bartender. Basically, a lot of words, but nothing really said. Just angry beasts, everywhere, since 4 months ago. Alright, enough jibber-jabber. “Any strange lads that came in here just before that time” I interruptedly ask the bartender. “Aye, This Flavio settled here back then, he seems to be pretty strict with whom to love”. I get a bad feeling about this. “Should pop be concerned?” I ask while I point to pop’s face sticking out from my robes. “Aye, you should watch that fella”. I pat Pop on his head “ I”ll keep you safe from the dirty man.
I’ve made my mind up, if someone is doing the dirty with all these animals, no wonder they are angry! But the others just keep asking these questions with no answers. “Shall we?” I call out, as I hold the door open wide. Ughh, finally they’re coming. We head up to a little wooden shack just at the edge of the town, where presumably Flavio lives. We knock and a bare chested man opens up “yes?”. From out the village center we hear some screams, and we notice a man running up to us. Before we can get a good conversation with this dirty man, the other man stops near us panting, and catching his breath “adventures, beasts are attacking, children are in danger!” We quickly make our way back and find ourselves on the river bank, where we notice a small boat with a couple of children, being swatted by an enormous crocodile! Everyone gets in to action, and I lob a blob of acid to the crocodile, but doesn’t seem to be doing much. The boat starts breaking under the crocodiles strength.I change tactics, I look for the others and see Brynjar carrying a big rope on his side. As I walked to him, a dimly glowing grappling hooks starts to appear in my hands which I quickly fasten to Brynjars rope, we lock eyes and I nod “get ready!”. With a blue sparkling mist I vanish and reappear in the boat, and I lock the hook in place “PULL!!”.
The others keep distracting the crocodile, while Brynjar runs in a better angle, I fall backwards, as I’m surprised by the pulling force of this lad. I hold on, but this guy is too strong. With a last strong tug part of the boat breaks and let loose, as water starts slowly pouring in. I grab a paddle laying on the floor and start paddling as fast as I can. With a thud, the boat stops as it hits the banks, I leap out followed by the children. Water splashes into my face, as a crocodile quickly emerges from the water and hits me with full strength, I stumble and fall, my vision going dark.
A serene sensation washes over me, as I’m in an old forest, with bright colors surrounding me. The leaves rustle slightly in the wind, but no other sound. I turn around, and a squirrel darts among the forest floor, holding an acorn in its jaw. Our eyes cross for a moment, as the squirrel turns back and starts digging and drops the acorn, looks over its shoulder to me again, and runs off into the tree’s.
I gasp and inhale the cold air, sounds are coming back, sounds of battle, screams, and chaos. To my side is Effie, dueling with the crocodile. I regain my senses and while swinging my cane towards the croc in defense, I slowly stumble and get to my feet and gain some distance from this monster! Just mere seconds later, the crocodile sinks beneath the surface and a small rippling can be seen as it moves away. With haste we get back to the town center. The mayor of the town comes out and addresses the townsfolk. They seem angry, and this is exactly what they were warning us from. Even though they are angry and upset, doesn’t mean they have to be rude, as some drunkard calls out the F-word several times. Eventually I swat him with my mage hand. “Hush! Furthermore, this doesn’t seem the work of a dirty man. We finally come to the conclusion we probably need to head out to the mines, which we do, as another alarm is struck. One of the mine shafts have collapsed, imprisoning some miners within.
Inside Brynjar gets to business with a crowbar to loosen up some rocks, I also hand a newly made crowbar to Effie. While they work the stone, we catch several glimpses of what’s behind the stones. A large stone like being, just standing there glaring at us. Brynjar is making quite some progression, and I start readying a spell. The moment the rocks fall and make enough room for us, webbing shoots from my fingertips engulfing the stone creature. With a roar and a swing it breaks free, and the rest rushes in. Brynjar goes head to head with it while the others start encircling it, and I conjure banana peels, whom appear above the creature and start dropping around it’s feet, making it slip and cracking its head, it howls as it tries to get back up while being battered by the combined force of the others. Eventually it falls, and big chunks of rocks clatter the floor. To our right is another room, and I notice a body laying behind the spot where the stone creature was initially standing. Just a body, nothing more, I feel slightly saddened we couldn’t save him. Aetvir calls out that the stones from the creature have vanished. Only the imprints of where they were are visible. “We are probably dealing with an other conjurer” I tell him. Recognizing the symptoms of creatures vanishing into thin air.
After taking a little rest, we continue into the next room, which seems empty, but a small tunnel can be seen. Seemingly the others also noticed a Badger in here while dealing with the stone golem. “We better check where that leads to”, I conjure a glowing small stick with a fuzzy ball attached to it with a string, and hand it over to pop. I hold Brynjars shoulder for support as I place my consciousness into pop. his eyes slightly glowing. Alyr turns once again into a red cat with oddly big eyes. With pop on her back they vanish into the darkness of the tunnels.
We both get a strong scent of the badger and easily track its tracks until we see light at the end. Pop and cat-Alyr climb out and we figure that the tracks of the badger end here, but change into human footsteps! I try to coordinate where we are and Alyr slowly turns back and looks around confused. I order Pop to sit and wait, making as much effort to make sure Alyr understands too. I shake my head as I see Brynjar again. “I know where they are, the badger is humanoid, much like what Alyr does!”
I lead them towards where Alyr is waiting and we continue tracking. Just shortly after, we enter a small open area with a shack and 3 individuals waiting in front. An elven male accompanied by two females, a dwarf with a huge axe and a tiefling. They introduce themselves as, Dane, Seske and Cura. Mostly Dane talks, with the assistance of Cura. Seske just stands back with her arms folded in front of her. They say they are sorry for the death, and that they are the cause to it, but didn’t mean to. They want the people out of here as they are disturbing the natural way, and thus have been trying to scare them off. Again a lot of jibber jabber, a lot of talk and no real solutions, I'm surely getting tired of this. “Listen Dane, You’re feeling sorry, but no one is going to lay down with what you’ve done. I propose that you come with us to the village and compromise, help them with your knowledge of nature, and maybe you can help them transform this town into a more nature balanced resort.“ Luckily they agree and we head back to Tembega in good faith, except Aetvir, who starts whispering to us he doesn’t trust them. “Yes but can’t do anything about it, now lets see where this is going to take us”.
We get there and the mayor gets all the townsfolk together again. My fellow adventurers take stand behind Dane and his associates, and I get a better view from atop of a bench near the fountain. When most of the townsfolk are gathered, Dane starts speaking, but his voice is chilled and confident “I’m sorry for what we did, we didn’t mean to hurt them, but you guys will never change” with those words he starts a spell and a thick dark cloud forms over the people, a lightning bolt strikes several of them as they go down charred and smoking. Chaos erupts, as the townsfolk start running and screaming, and Seska swings out her axe and charges into Brynjar. I start lobbing my Acid into Dane, as he’s following up with new spells. Tigers start appearing but start attacking Dane as Cura calls out to him “ This is wrong Dane, We should stop right now”, but without any effect. We all gang up on Dane and Seska, until Dane starts backing out slowly and steadily. “Alright, you’ve won, I’ll leave you to it, I’ll leave” he summons two tigers with whom he and Seska ride off. Tired of all that has been going on, I, and seemingly the others let them go. We end up having a small conversation with Cura, and Alyr mentions a place with a dryad, that could welcome Cura there.
We eventually gather our stuff and rewards, and head back to Arnheim. I have changed my opinion on Effie slightly, she seemed to fare well in combat. Begrudgingly I must confess, I was the only person going down.
Whiltin Willowweaver, elder scribe, and associate Pop.

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On the next issue:

Call of the sea