Khûm – Chapter 11

“Spring of 68. Second Age. The Roofbeams.
Well, the Commander’s Tent is back. Three cheers.
Forgive the note of cynicism in my voice, dear reader. Chimera’s favorites have gotten us out of quite a few of the jams that they got us into in the first place.
It’s not that I’m volunteering to get captured by the Mystriarchy or plunge down a bottomless well of blood or negotiate with undead dragons. It’s only that one wonders how necessary we even are – if they’re always whisking off here and there, on secret rendezvous this or covert strike team that. Gives you the feeling sometime that you’re nothing but a minor character in somebody else’s story.
Even when you’re the one with the quill and ink.”
–Beholder's Log, Hemson 48 68 2A

In the talons of four giant eagles, the Commander's Tent was borne away into the air, through the towering Roofbeams and towards Snowperch, floating high over its own mountain peak. Deposited on the roof without so much as an explanation, the mercenaries met Khosava Bracebow, the thane's wife, a master artificer and the inventor not only the modern crossbow but also the Messenger, the enormous ballista that made Snowperch famous. Umber's strength assisted her with her work and also bought them some grace when a squad of clanguard emerged to escort them – these four trespassers – before the thane.
The thane's reception was substantially frostier. Assisted by Brother Sorav, his Mystriarchy advisor, Thane Zazem Bracebow was not especially pleased to see these interlopers. While they tried to argue in favor of allowing the Menagerie inside, the thane and his councilor would have none of it. The mercenaries did manage to convince the thane to grant them three days of grace, to give Dûnya time to arrive and flatten his objections, but he made it clear they were to be under guard the entire time, prisoners in all but name.
Fortune swung in their favor upon their departure from the thane's presence, however, as Warmaster Dezori, commander of the clanguard, confessed her support for Dûnya. She offered to help the heroes invite the company inside but they'd need to flip votes on the clan's Peer Council to overrule the thane's dictum. She pointed out likely names of influential masters – Qelha, Yekab, Khosava herself – and promised that their guard escorts were loyal to her, not the thane.
The next morning, Remorhaz made his return to the camp, crossing the harrowing Killing Stair on his way down the mountain. Upon arriving back in the camp, he found Willow and finally performed his Vai Udhariad for her. When given the chance to consummate, however, he was distracted by the sight of an injured mercenary and left Willow in the lurch.
Meanwhile, in Snowperch, his companions went about their work canvassing votes. Umber spoke with Khosava and piqued her interest in actually firing the Messenger in anger. Griffon met Qelha in the commons and, when he failed to persuade her with words, managed to persuade her with his might. Mouse sought a moment of respite in the roots of the stronghold's signature camphor tree and there exchanged barbs with Brother Sorav. His parting comment made mention of the report he received about the Mystriarchy prisoners so recently escaped – that matched their description perfectly.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Hemson 48 – 49, 68 2A
Starting Point: Roofbeams
Player Characters:

• Griffon
• Mouse
• Remorhaz
• Umber