Shackled 02 - Life's Bazaar and Why Not
General Summary
Our epic story continues, where was I.. Oh yes, our mighty heros were in the middle of a horrendous battle with the acient red dragon, Sorilith. The dragon had just sent it's breath weapon over the fighters as they charged into where their weapons would be of use. The air was filled with arcane and divine power as spells and chants filled the air. At this moment...aw crap.. wrong group. Yeah, fine, even the all seeing and all knowing can get things mixed up.
So over to our motley crew, they had just reached the gates of Cauldron after a week's travel inland from Sassarine. And yeah, as soon as they get there, they are looking at how to steal the city's coffers and get into the city without paying. So you see where this story is probably going. If you said straight to a tavern to drink, dice and stealing, then you would not be far off at all, acually your be dead on (Why did I pick this group.. I asked myself that all the time).
Well let's get to it..
It is to the west gate that our crew comes, and low and behold Lars Dino is sitting there, outside the gate waiting for them, having scouted out the city for the group before they arrived. After some friendly(!?!) banter about how Lars was not around to protect the one person who he was there to protect, they then engage with the guards on why they need to pay to get in while others appear to not have to.
Lyskor tries to follow a couple of them and chases them down the alley across from where the attack took place, only to be confronted by another person from the last laugh. Perched above him in an overwatch position with a bow pointed at him, he finds a smiling woman in the same face paint calming watching him.
Once the dust has settled, Rufus (the cleric who was being roughed up), explains how the church is investigating four missing children from the local orphanage. He was just walking back to the church when he was attacked. After, the crew splits into two with Lars and Eolas escorting Rufus back to the church, and the rest looking for a patrol to hand over the corrupt guards. The local patrol that shows the captured guards just what they think of them. Once the patrol has the culprits, the rest head back to the Slipperly Eel for a drink and bed.
Cauldron
City of Cauldron, is a city of a several thousand people that sits in a old caldera. It was originally settled to protect the residences from attack several hundred years ago. It has 4 gates to from which winding roads lead from towards the Lucky Monkey and from there to the cloast road to Sasserine . Cauldron's walls are build from Black Malachite, a hard stone not unlike grantite but with a black sheen almost like obsidian. The wall circle the top of the Caldera creating an impressive defensive display that looks like it could be backed up with actions. It is a bustling city as it is the region's economic power with all other setttlements being small farming and mining villages.I was scouting the city, and you were there to protect the church's charge, so stop moaning.The guards explain the dues for visitors to get in the city, and after trying not to pay; our poor, cheap crew pay and enter the city proper (this is when some of the crew start getting the idea of stealing the entrence tax from the city guards). This is evenually dropped after they decide certain death is not really condusive to being able to enjoy the spoils. Once in the city the crew breaks off into smaller groups to get some individual activities seen to:
- Eolas and Lars Dino walk off to the Church of Saint Cuthbert.
- Ragnarock, Skullgrin, Flysikor wander to the Slippery Eel.
- Naldon, heads towards the Bluecrater Academy looking to reconnect with an old mentor.
The Slippery Eel
The Slippery Eel is one of the many inns and taverns in town. After listening to Lars, it was decided to head the the Eel as that seemed to fit the mood of the group best. Skullgrin, Ragnarock, and Lyiskor all settled in for some rest and relaxation. This included insulting each other, dicing and trying to get the others in the bar to dice and arm wrestle, to no avail. That didn't deter them from having a good time on their own though.Naldon Looks into his Past
While some of the others are carousing after their long journey, Naldon headed to the Bluecrater Academy where his old mentor Jasper was teaching. He had received a letter talking about the academy and how it was a hidden gem and should Naldon ever find his way down to Cauldron, to some and spend some time at his home and study with him. He will vouch for Naldon so he can get at least some limited use of the facilities there. After ariving and presenting Jasper's letter, he is led to one of the administrators of the academy; Samantha. It was her that Naldon found that his mentor has been abducted from his home, and it looks like it was rough. Hearing this news shook Naldon, even though he had not seen his mentor in years. To have this violence happen to this wonderful man was sad. He also learns from Samantha that others thoughout the city have also going missing. After some discussion, Samantha decides to honour Jasper and allows Naldon a small research room and access to the main floor library for research. Once this is settled, Naldon heads back to find the others.Absolution, Almost
Eolas and Lars head over to the church of St. Cuthbert to introduce themselves. Once there, Lars, decides that he would rather wait outside while Eolas does his thing inside.I'll wait outside, while you do your thing inside.Inside the grand cathedral (and it is grand), Eolas feels the weight of his god. And that weight has been heavy since the Lucky Monkey, and its weighes even more here. So much that after introductions, he asks to atone and be absolved for helping in the act of stealing. Eolas is lead into an absolution room where the "cleansing" ritural is performed. Once done, Eolas can feel the weight lifted somewhat and a new sense of purpose build within him. Once done, Eolas is told to come back tomorrow and that he will speak to Jenya the acting high priest on his absolution task. Eolas then leaves with Lars, and does some city exploring themselves.
Drinking and Dicing
So two other things of note happen at the Eel: Lyiskor tries his hand at gambling on his life, by stealing another purse. The gamble pays off, this time. The other thing of note, was Ragnarock fishing for information about town. He hears about:- a weird tale of a monster living in the Cauldron lake
- that a magical disease is making everybody disappear, just like the gnomes did about 75 years ago.
- someone is minting another currency with a laughing joker on one side, and ends up with one of those gold coins
Life's Bazzar or maybe just Bizzare?!?
After A walk about town,Eolas and Lars find a shop called Weer's Elixers. Walking in, a very heavy sulfur smell attacks their senses jarring them. It is a small shop, with noticable soot buildup on it's floors and shelves. From a back room, they here a small old voice, "Be right there". From the back comes a an old gnarled gnome, with wild white hair and bushy white eyebrows. It is also very noticable that on his left hand, his 2 last fingers are missing at the knuckle. After a wild conversation, it is determined that the prices for potions they want are too much for the group and they leave, before somthing in his backroom helps them leave with abrupt efficiency along with a wall or two.Roughed Up!
Meeting backup at the Eel, the crew is hanging outside to get some air (maybe not, but even i do not understand the minds of these guys..if I'm honest, not sure what's up there sometimes). While this is happening, Lyiskor sees a lookout in a alley watching the stree. After quietly talking to Lars, they both decide to try and get a better look by sneaking closer themselves. Things go well, until Lars sneezes and the lookout and Lars make eye contact. The lookout bolts into the ally. The team gives chase where they encounter six ruffians who are yes, you guesses roughing up someone in the ally. All of the ruffians have their face painted in 1/2 black and 1/2 white paint. The crew ends up roughing up the ruffians, who then try to run away. Skullgrin attacks one with the goal of capturing him and trying to job his memory but it does not go exactly as planned.I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean to jog him so hard.Most of them run away, but two of them are captured and squeal like pigs. It turns out they are guards that were hired by the thieves guild "the Last Laugh" to rough up the priests of the St. Cuthbert to get them to stop investigating the missing children. They do not know anything besides being hired by a woman named Jill.
Take these words back to the priest's temple. The children are lost and no longer St. Cuthbert's concern!Lysikor, as well stands there calmly replying to this woman (who they later find out her name is Jill). After a bit of back and forth, Jill smiles and says, "I'll see you around, elf." and then scales up the wall and disappears.
The Request
With Rufus a little jittery, Eolas and Lars escort him back to the Church of St. Cuthbert to Inform Jenya Urikas about the attack. After arriving and making sure that Rufus was taken care of, Lars and Eolas are introduced the Jenya, the acting high preist while he is in Sasserine for extend work. Jenya is a good looking human woman in her 30's, black hair with peppered with grey. Jenya, as she listens to Eolas and Lars describe the attack; she gets visibily more and more upset. Her eyes show that just like St. Cuthbert his priests, while just, will dole out justice in equal measure. After Eolas is finished, she explains that three days ago, two boys and two girls went missing from the Lantern Street Orphanage. And that for the last few months there have been a string of abductions in town. But the kids were the last straw. The church has publicly voved to find the culprits, save the kids, and deliver justice. She then turns to Eolas and asks:Would you like to do a sevice to complete your absolution that you came in her for earlier?Eolas feels like it not the kind of question he can say no to, and in his heart, he does not want to either. He worships St. Cuthbert for a reason. Eolas reponds simply.
Yes.
Sure, why not. I'm here for the church anyway.Jenya thanks them both and then explains that the church will of course compensate them and their friend's for their efforts. To the tune of 2500 GP for the safe return of the kids. She also explains that with the help of one of the church's holy items, she was able to do a divination to try and find the kids. She then says it's late and they can discuss the rest tomorrow once their companions are also present. after Eolas and Lars ask for lodging, she offers sinple, but clean and functional rooms for both of them to rest in. The meeting then wraps up for the night as Lars and Eolas are led to their rooms. Let's leave our crew here, and see if they start to show the redeeming qualities that I know are within them, (hopefully). Until next time.
The Motley Crew
- Eolas (Human Cleric of St. Cuthbert) - MIA
- Lysikor Stickyfingers (Half-elf Rogue) - MIA
- Lars Dino (Woodelf Ranger) - MIA
- Naldon Amakiir (Eladrin Wizard)
- Ragnarock (Human Barbarian)
- Skullgrin Bonesnapper (Half-orc Fighter)
- Graye Damyrus (Tiefling Druid)
