Session 45 – The Art of the Deal

Written by KoshcheiBessmertnyi

General Summary

Lhingril sees Glitterstem, and acknowledges him by saying that he was told the surface world is wide, and yet, it seems to be small enough that just after his ascent, he meets one of his acquaintances. Along with his attendants, he proceeds to D’kuger’s longhouse, where he is feasted, but also informed that there is now another aspirant for the position of shaman.
As the feast winds down late at night, Lhingril invites Glitterstem to walk with him to the outskirts of the village. He asks about the “king of the orcs”, and gnome’s current plans and well-being, but despite Enkidu’s disappearance, he appears pleased with the progress the Company has made on the mission he set out for it. After Glitterstem informs Lhingril that he is in Toothymaw to help the Dire Wolves with crops, and that he is considering becoming their shaman, Lhingril asks him what he wants from the arrangement. For his part, he has little interest in contesting the position with Glitterstem, provided Glitterstem generally continues to promote his goals. The gnome talks of his plan to settle his family in the forest, and of his desire to create a union of three shamans (including himself, Enmul, and the shaman of the Owlbears). Lhingril approves of all of these things, but when Glitterstem mentions that he does not want to inflame the war, but wishes to ensure that the native and the colonists stay on their respective sides of the pale, Lhingril says that the conflict must be decided in favor of one side or the other. Theobald, he says, errs in thinking he can bring the two sides to peace. Miletus has already made the compact with the Brotherhood problematic by refusing orcish hospitality at Mt. Hotenow, and murdering his keepers – a new revelation to Glitterstem. And movement across the frontier will continue – Brandon, at any rate, is now pledged to provide weapons to the Dire Wolves, and Lhingril encourages Glitterstem to aid him, and to fix the relationship with the Brotherhood, which alone can unite the natives. If Glitterstem continues to pursue the goals he lays out, Lhingril will step aside in the gnome’s favor, provided he has no objections to the dark elf leaving behind his attendants to watch the situation.
Glitterstem also inquires about the mushrooms – a question that has haunted him for some time. Lhingril explains that mushrooms are useful in a variety of ways to the dwellers of the underdark, but the pentagonal pattern in particular is useful in allowing one to transport quickly from one to another. He adds that he is currently working on protecting the pentagons from interference – Brandon suffered as a result of one such arcane protection.

* * *

Predicant Lorenz pays a visit to Miletus and Adrie at the apothecary’s shop in Claymore. There, he makes Miletus an offer – he must use his knowledge and connections to travel back into the Underdark to recover a relic of power – the Ring of Earth – an heirloom of the dark elves, one ring among four, and a powerful tool in the struggle against the Elflords of Erya. He implies, though does not openly state, that the wellbeing of the Company’s friends and relatives in Claymore depends on the successful fulfillment of the mission, and gives the pair the evening to think over his offer.
Both are inclined to accept, as going into the Underdark corresponds with their short-term plans anyway, though they discuss other things they would like to demand in exchange. Miletus wants Lorenz to help set them up in another town, with a home, or a business of approximately equal value to the shop in exchange for having to leave. When he returns, Lorenz rejects the plan on account of the fact that he lacks the funds, given Orin Vess’ departure from Claymore with the town’s treasury. He also rejects Miletus’ suggestion that by helping them, he would be raising his profile in the surrounding colonies, saying that his profile depends on principled opposition to the orcs, and leadership in the war against the natives. He does agree to look into the procurement of funds in the future as they become available, but he does agree to return the pair’s personal possessions, as well as to supply them with torches, a quiver of arrows, a scimitar, and first aid kits. He leaves it to the pair to recruit other companions (of which they suggest there are to be six), though he voices skepticism about Theobald, given his actions against Claymore.
While meeting with the pair, Lorenz is informed that the Brotherhood’s army is returning from a raid (on Triboar, as Adrie reveals). Success seems to have eluded Humbaba’s force – they are bearing many of their own dead, and seem not to have captured appreciable amounts of armaments. Adrie reveals that she sent a message to Triboar, warning her contact there of the impending attack – a revelation that seems to please Lorenz.
The following morning, Lorenz has the pair smuggled out of the apothecary’s shop in barrels. They opt to go west, and meet up with Theobald back at the mill, despite the fact that the orcs are crossing the river. Before departing, Lorenz has Miletus put on a necklace depicting a lion’s head in a sundisk – a symbol of the Harpers, which denotes his undertaking of a mission for them. The smuggled barrels are put on boats, and then rowed to the mill.

Report Date

04 May 2018