Session 89 - Back in the Gritty City

General Summary

28th Planting

Not wanting to be shot at, Janora landed outside the gates of Dreford around mid-afternoon and directed Forest to join the traffic making their way through. Unsure of where to find a magical tattooist, the witch decided that the best thing to do first was to head to the Three Bells Inn and secure a room.
The scruffy innkeeper, Kif Lonewhirl, smiled when Janora approached the bar. Handing off the beers he was pouring and scooping up the coins that had been left in their place, the middle-aged fellow turned to greet the witch. "Mistress Janora," he said, "pleasure to see you again. Can I get you a room, or were you just coming in for a drink?"
Janora nodded, "Something to warm me up would be lovely. And yes, I will need a room for tonight as well as stabling/dinner for my furry friend outside."
"Just yourself, or will the rest of your party be along as well?" asked Kif, pushing the glasses up his face as he turned to pull a bottle out from under the bar. Retrieving a glass, he poured two fingers of a golden liquid and sat it in front of the witch.
"Just me for tonight," Janora said, picking up the glass and taking a sniff, "the others will be along sometime tomorrow and we'll probably want a suite for a few days, but Ell's the one with the deep pockets. A single room for myself will be just fine." The liquor had a sweet smell with smoky undertones. Raising the glass, she asked, "Do I sip this or down it all at once? And what do I own you?"
Kif shrugged, "Folks drink it both ways, but I've always preferred to sip it. Guess it depends on if you like the taste or not, tis a bit strong. Room and board for you and a mount and the drink, call it two gold."
Janora pulled out three and slid them across the bar before taking a sip of the drink. It was thicker than she had expected and the only way to describe the flavor was sun-kissed grass, but it warmed her throat and into her core. She grimaced, "It's warming and I can say I've never tasted anything quite like lt, but I can't say it's one of my favorites."
"Then I'd down it quickly," said Kif with a wink. "I’ll just go get your key."
Tossing the drink back, Janora felt the warmth spread through her chest. Kif returned a moment later with the key and the stable chit. She went outside and got Forest settled before doing the same for herself. After taking a moment to wash her face, she went down and asked the innkeeper about this rumored magical tattoo artist. He actually did know and armed with directions the witch headed towards the docks in search of Black Pearl Ink.
She found it, nestled between a rowdy bar with the sounds of music spilling into the street and what seemed to be an office of some sort. Black Pearl Ink proved to be a wooden building with large glass windows and you can see inside that there are a number of pieces of parchment up on the wall with various artwork. The interior was mostly open, with half walls creating stations that had chairs, stools, and other equipment. Two people were occupied, but there was a younger woman with purple hair, sitting at a counter who looked up as the witch entered. "Oh hello," she said, "how can I help you today?"
"I do hope so," replied Janora, "I have heard rumors of someone who does this craft and can imbue spellwork into it. I was hoping to see about getting a piece."
"Ohhhh, you'll want Master Tod for that," said the girl, "let me go get him for you." With that she vanished through a back door. It took a few minutes but the door opened and an enormous seven foot tall tortoise man edged himself sideways through before slowly making his way over to the witch. "Good afternoon," he said, "I hear you are looking to get a special tattoo."
"Indeed," replied the witch, "I was hoping to get an arcane tattoo." She looked around before asking, "I do appreciate you coming out and meeting me, but is this the best place to talk? Perhaps something a bit more private."
"Of course, of course," laughed the large Tortle, "Why don't you come back to my office and you can tell me what you have in mind?" Turning he began lumbering toward the back as the girl opened a gate and waved Janora through. Pointing the witch to a chair, he turned and addressed the purple-haired girl, "Jennifer, can you please bring us tea?"
As she closed the door and ran off, he settled into a low stool and grinned, "Allow me to introduce myself, Master Todagog Squidsail at your service, now what did you have in mind, perhaps you would like to increase your wisdom or mayhaps you need to increase your strength...I can do these."
"Actually," said Janora, leaning forward, "I'm looking for something quite unique. I am something of an arcane practitioner as well. I'm curious what could be possible if we worked together."
Tod's eyes narrowed in thought as his hands pulled out a pipe and began to pack it as Janora leaned back into her chair. He took a pull and blew out a smoke ring. "Might be we can," he said, "why don't you tell me more about what you have in mind."
The pair spent the next hour or so going over Janora's concept, both the art as well as the spellwork. The Tortle explained a bit about the process as he had learned it and how the spell was integrated into the artwork itself both in design and through the materials used.
By the time the witch was ready to go, she had been supplied with a list; both for powdered lapis lazuli and a handful of ingredients to make a special magical ink. Looking over the list, she asked, "Where should I bring the ingredients once I have collected them?"
"Just be bringing them back to me," said Master Tod, "I have a friend who will be able to mix it right up."
"Excellent," said Janora, standing and moving toward the door, "thank you for your assistance and hospitality, I'll be in touch in a day or two most likely."
Opening the door, Janora turned on her heel and started making her way out quickly. She almost ran into the girl, Jennifer, who was bringing a tea tray toward the door. "Oh," she exclaimed, "I'm so sorry miss, did you still want tea? I'm so, so sorry, one of the boyos had hidden the kettle and One-eyed Molly had decided to take a nap in it."
Janora noted the scratches on both the girl's arm and face. "Oh, thank you dear," replied the witch, "I appreciate the effort but I really must be off. Your Master Tod is quite a fascinating individual but I'm afraid I've got to go." Pushing past the girl, the witch swept out of the shop and into the overcast dusk.

29th Planting

Back in Wexwood the rest of the party gathered in their common room, Ell yawning widely in the pre-dawn light. "Are we taking the mounts?" he asked as he accepted a cup of kava from Tear.
"I want to take Ironheart," said Jilken, "and didn't you say we're looking at the villages around Dreford? If so we'll need to travel and that would be easier with mounts."
"We could," began Denye slowly, "We likely wouldn't have a problem getting them onto the boat, but getting all of them down from Karobark's tower might be a bit of a challenge."
Ell shrugged, "We can always rent horses or a wagon if we do need to travel."
"I'd still like to bring Ironheart along," said Jilken. Pulling a necklace out of a pocket, she added, "I have this amulet that you looked at the other day, Denye. You said that it is supposed to hold a creature, but can you tell if something is inside it right now?"
"Couldn't you have asked me last night," grumbled Denye, "no, it's fine, I can take a look." Taking the amulet, the wizard used her Appraising Eye to examine the minute arcane runes. Doing so caused a migraine to bloom behind Denye's left temple but she controlled the wince and said, "There is actually something in there, but I can't tell who or what. Where did we find amulet again?"
"It was those ugly frog demons," said Jilken, "I think one of them was wearing it."
"So whatever is in there probably isn't very friendly," said Ell with a touch of alarm, "don't open it up here."
"That's a good idea," agreed Jilken, "let's take it down to the stable yard, that will give us some more room."
Denye nodded, "Sounds reasonable. We might as well grab all of our stuff and all head down. I can cast Teleport Circle out there as easily as I can up here."
As they got outside, Ranunkel pointed over to one of the new basements, "What if you do it down there, it might help to contain whatever is inside."
"Good idea," said Jilken, "Denye, if you want to stand on the edge and trigger the amulet, I will go down there and be ready...just in case."
Once Jilken had jumped down and engaged her spear, Denye spoke the word to release whatever was held inside. What appeared hovering about 5-6 ft off the ground was a 3ft round ball of glowing white light, occasionally shot through with red or black lightning. Four purple tentacles appeared out of the light and to the ground where they began questing around, feeling the earth.
Jilken looked surprised, but wary, and called, "Hello there, are you friendly?" The chaos quadrapod didn't really seem to respond, other than to slowly begin floating in the Aiel's direction. Jilken tried similar statements in all the languages she knew, but it continued the slow drift forward. As it got close, it lifted one of the tentacles and tried to wrap itself around the elf. That was enough for Jilken and with a cry, she leapt out of range and slashed at the thing with her spear, leaving two deep cuts that oozed a multicolored fluid.
"What the fuck is that?" exclaimed Ell, stepping up to the edge. Raising a hand he Banished the creature before looking around to the others. "I stopped to let the staff know we would be gone for a couple of days. I assume that was whatever was in the amulet?" At Jilken's agreement, he added, "Well it's gone for a bit. I can bring it back if we all want to hit it at once or if I keep concentrating for a full minute it will just go back to where it came from."
"I think we can just let it be," said Denye, "it clearly wasn't from this plane and it didn't actually hurt anyone."
"It tried to grab me," objected Jilken, climbing a handy nearby ladder, "but you are probably right, sending it back to wherever it came from is easier." Flashing a grin she added, "Besides the only meat were those tentacles."
"Fine, fine," laughed Ell, "then nobody hit me. In fact, I'm going to go sit down on that bench under the tree."
Watching the young man walk away, Denye turned back to Jilken and held the amulet. "It's empty now, do you want to go put Ironheart in it while we wait."
Jilken shook her head, "Before I do that, will you put me in it? I want to make sure that it is actually safe."
"If you like," agreed the wizard, lifting a wing in a shrug. She touched the amulet to Jilken's chest and uttered the command word once more. The Aiel was surrounded in a silvery glow before vanishing into the amulet. "Might as well let her stay there for a minute," muttered Denye, rubbing her temple and going over to join her friends.
A minute later, Denye said the command word again and Jilken reappeared. She looked confused for a second and asked, "Did it not work?" Looking around she added, "Wait, weren't we over by the dig site?"
Denye nodded and confirmed, "You were in there for a minute. Ell's spell finished and I think we're just about ready to go."
"Weird," said Jilken as she stretched, "I swear it was only the blink of an eye. There must be some sort of statis...that shouldn't bother the battlemare too much." Taking the amulet, the Aiel warrior vanished into the stable.
While she was gone, Denye began to chalk her teleport circle and was only halfway through it by the time Jilken rejoined them, patting the amulet around her neck. "This will change some things," said Jilken grinning, "we have an emergency warhorse now...never know when you might want an emergency warhorse."
That was when the spell triggered and it flared up wrapping them in light before they were stretched and vanished from Wexwood. A moment later the light died away and the party found themselves standing on the permanent circle near the top of Karobark's tower. The walls were open and revealed a gray, misty fog and a bitter wind.
"Ahh," boomed a deep voice, "it wasn't yet late enough to worry, but I had begun to wonder." Turning, the party saw Karobark Waverider, a tall half-orcish wizard, wearing robes of various shades of gray and pale green, both of which complemented his blue tinted skin. With an impish grin he teased, "You are always early for everything, little Songbird."
Denye's feathers all slicked down in embarrassment but nodded, "Sorry about that Master Karobark. We had a thing to take care of. I can tell you of it, but first let me introduce you to my friends."
After introductions were done, the elder wizard grinned and said, "Welcome to you all, now I've got a hot breakfast laid out downstairs, what say you we adjourn for a more comfortable venue?"
That seemed like a great idea and the party followed Karobark down several flights of steps before he led them into a dining room. Two people were already seated at the table chatting. One was a halfling and Denye recognized her as Tagani Longrock, Karobark's apprentice. The Corva wizard rushed over to say hello to her friend and took the chair next to Tagani.
The other figure was a tall thin elf with greenish skin and Karobark introduced her as Venwynn Fuvathrastrin, a visiting apprentice. Turning to Denye, he asked, "Would you like to do the honors?"
Clicking her beak in amusement, Denye lifted one talon and snapped three times. The table, which hitherto had been set beautifully but devoid of sustenance, was suddenly covered in bowls and platters of steaming breakfast foods. There were a few moments of chaos as everyone filled their plates and then everyone was quite focused on the food.
When the first rush had been satisfied, Denye began telling Karobark about the party's latest adventures. He was fascinated to hear about their adventure within the Glass Castle, but frowned in concentration when the Corva wizard talked about the Moonlight King. Denye finished by saying, "And that's why we need to go back and either clear him out or find a way to break the connection so others don't get stuck inside."
"You might be right," agreed Karobark, "I have heard of this forgotten relic and we are lucky that it's story has not spread further. I think the best course of action would be to find some way to destroy the physical bridge." Cracking a smile he added, "I'll add that to the list of things you've given me to research. I'm still working on the things you sent me, this orb of death for example. I have never heard of such a thing, but a name like that does not engender pleasant feelings." Taking a sip of his tea, he finished off with "I believe that I may have to risk a visit to the Sunken Trove...even Secret of the Bluff knew nothing about this artifact."
"How is Master Secret?" asked Denye. "We saw him last Falling, there had been a meteor strike and we escorted him out to inspect it. It was fascinating, but we didn't have time to stay and help with the research."
Karobark laughed, "Still running headfirst into the future in search of knowledge? But yes, he has been quite worked up about the whole explosion. They have managed to identify three non-terrestrial energy signatures. One of them he's calling some sort of proto-Weave, but he and the rest of the team are still working to identify more."
"Proto-Weave?" asked Ell, quizzically, "Hasn't the Weave always been there?"
"Almost forever," said Venwynn, speaking for the first time in a soft voice, "according to the earliest legends arcane power used to flow directly from the gods when they still walked among mortals. The Weave was created along with the Divine Gate when the gods and goddesses withdrew to the Havens."
"Really?" said Denye excitedly, "that's fascinating, I've never heard such a thing, I would love to hear more."
The pale green elf smiled shyly at the other wizard, "That's not all that surprising, it's quite ancient history, at least 7-8 millennia ago. And this land hasn't had access even to the Weave for some years."

---

Janora woke in her room at the Three Bells a few hours after dawn. She had come home after her visit to the tattoo artist and taken a long, hot bath. The rest of the evening had been spent digging into The Secret Tome of Nora Crowcaller. Over breakfast the witch decided to take advantage of the weak sunlight and run a few errands. After making a few inquiries at the bar, Janora headed out to procure the ingredients needed for her new tattoo. Her first stop was a jeweler's. According to the barkeep it was the most fair and reputable such shop in the city. The witch hadn't gotten the name, just directions with a "you can't miss um."
The directions led Janora to an intersection and indeed found a large two-story stone building with gold pillars framing a heavy oak door as well as barred windows, displaying a variety of sparking jewlering. Looking up at the sign over the door the witch read, "Grumpy's Emporium - Gemstones and Goldsmith." Sighing, she shook her head and pushed open the door.
The interior was well lit and there were a number of glass display cases holding rings, necklaces, cuffs, and even tiaras. There were two other patrons being helped by shop employees, but as Janora spotted a dwarven fellow working at a nearby bench.
As she approached, he laid down his tools and turned to flash a welcoming smile, "Good morning to you mistress, welcome to Grumpy's Emporium! What sort of beauty can we help you find?"
"And can I presume that I am speaking with Grumpy?" asked the witch, with a slight edge to her voice."
The dwarven fellow laughed, "Oh no, Grumpy was my granddad. Bit of a family business, you see. My name is Slightly Miffed."
Under her breath Janora muttered, "That makes two of us." In a normal tone she said, "I seem to have a need for a quantity of powdered lapis lazuli."
Slightly Miffed's eyes darted up to the pointy hat and smiled, "Ahh you must be a caster. I've a few customers who come occasionally to buy components for their spells. Lapis you say, there isn't much to be found around here, we usually import it from Arborlisle Harbor. But aye, I believe we have some, how much do you need?"
Janora consulted her notes, "About two pounds of powder."
"If it's powdered," began the dwarf, "I don't imagine it would matter if the stones have some impurities or cracks in the stone."
"I shouldn't think so," agreed Janora.
"Excellent," replied Slightly Miffed, clapping his hands, "Just me a moment and I see what we have in stock."
He vanished through a door into the back. But true to his word, he was back before even Janora began to get impatient. He was holding a padded tray on which a pile of stones had been laid out. "This should do," he said, "if you would like, I can even powder it for you and have it dropped off or ready for pickup tomorrow."
"That would be wonderful," said Janora. nodding, "Now the important question...how much gold will you be wanting for those stones." The dwarf named a price and Janora frowned. It was more than she had on her, but then she recalled that Ell would arriving sometime this afternoon. Sighing, she said, "That's a little more than I have on me right now, but would you be willing to hold it and I shall come back this evening or tomorrow morning."
That was perfectly fine with the goldsmith and Janora headed back out into the streets. She still needed deathwort mushrooms, Widoweel blood, and oak, redwood, and ghost cypress wood. Recalling that Grendaline Misthallow had dried deathwort mushrooms in her shop so would like be able to tell Janora where to find some. Mounting Forest, the witch headed off in the direction of her shop.
The herbalist was in and quite happy to see Janora once more. Not only did she know where to find the mushrooms, it was in her own gardens back at home. It was just about lunchtime, so Grendaline suggested that if Forest could carry her as well, they could go pick fresh ones.
Janora was amenable and Forest trotted down a few streets until he found somewhere with a clear view of the sky where he could rear and leap for open air. It was a matter of moments before they had broken free from the tangle of roofs, chimney pots, and smog. But the dogesus was swift and they soon landed at the ruined monastery with the surrounding gardens.
Grendalline led Janora into one of the more intact sections of the ruin and down into a basement with a number of cells with heavy, wooden doors. Pushing open one she made a face but pointed inside. Janora stepped up and discovered why as the smell of death and rot engulfed her. It was a small room and the body in the corner was covered in the lacy, pale white blooms of the deathwort.
"That's perfect," said Janora, "do you mind if I just take an arm? I was told to have them as fresh as possible when I deliver them to my lovely inkmaker."
The herbalist's eye twinkled at the mention of an inkmaker, but she shrugged, "Please, go ahead, I'm glad to help a friend."
Janora pulled out her obsidian multi-tool and shaped it into a large cleaver. Going down on one knee, the witch brought the cleaver down with a heavy thud, severing the left arm at the shoulder. Wiping the tool clean, Janora dropped it in a pocket before pulling out a cloth to wrap around the arm. Standing, she offered Grendaline a smile, "Thank you for that, I am very much in your debt. Is there anything that I can do in recompense?"
"Oh, no no no," replied the herbalist, "it has been a quiet Nadir, but the shop is profitable and I am fine. Just come and have tea and tell me what you have been up to." As she started up the stairs, she added, "I'm sure the things they're saying aren't about you and your friends aren't true."
"Pardon me," said the witch, icily, "what did you say?"
The younger woman stopped at the top of the stairs and sighed heavily before turning around. "I shouldn't have said anything," she said, worrying a hem, "but well, word on the street is that a group of people were starting fires in towns about a day or two out of Dreford. It probably wouldn't have even made gossip except that they were a very distinct group and one of them is a bird-person and another an old woman who wears black..." Grendaline added something under her breath before whirling and running up the last couple of stairs.
Janora followed iand n a stern voice called, "Stop!" The message seemed to reach Grendaline's feet without going through her brain and she froze in place, breathing heavily. In a very slow deliberate way, Janora walked up and stood in front of the girl. With careful and precise speech Janora asked, "What was that last thing you said, an old woman who wears black what?"
Grendaline shook a bit, but in a quiet voice said, "she wears black, including a tall, pointy hat." Her eyes darted back and forth as the shadows began to darken and wrap around the elder witch.
Recognizing the girl's discomfort, Janora took a deep breath and let it out slowly, visibly calming herself. "Your pardon," said the witch, "I absolutely mean no ill will toward you. Where have you heard this?"
The local herbalist took a breath or two as well, grounding herself in her own surroundings. In a slightly stronger voice, she said, "Well, you've told me about your traveling companions. The bird wizard kinda stands out in a crowd, but that nobleman and the goblin aren't exactly common either." Shrugging her shoulders she went on, "As I told you last time you visited, there have been stories that you and your friends were involved with that Taken business and all the sudden deaths. Most of it was good, calling you heroes and, uh, the like but then these fires started happening and well, the descriptions of the vandals was a bird wizard, a elven warrior a mad Goblin, a young man and an elderly woman in a pointy hat."
"You said that before," said Janora, the temperature of the room dropping, "and again I must insist, where have you heard this?"
"In..In the market mostly," replied Grendaline, "the local farmers bring in news from the countryside and then you know how interesting stories travel. There haven't been many fires, I've heard of three, no four, Old Lady Helmreaver told me about a new one in Kessforte only a few days ago. The earliest was just after Longest Night, I think....the name of the town was Dorford or Dwarfward, something like that."
"I see," said Janora, glancing at the doorway, "and do you know if the local authorities know of this?"
"I think so," said Grendaline, "I recall that a Watch squad went out to the third one, but I wouldn't know anything about what they found."
Janora nodded, "Fair enough. Thank you again for your help, I do owe you quite a bit, but if you will excuse me." Without waiting for a reply, the witch strode out into the afternoon sun, cradling the arm of mushrooms. Mounting Forest, the dogesus took off at a run and headed in the direction of the city.
The witch headed directly for the main Watch house, Heathrow Yard. Flying above, it was clearly bustling with guards heading in or out and rather than provoke them, she directed Forest to set down on a nearby bridge. Telling him to find somewhere to wait, Janora made her way to the Yard and through the open outer gates.
As she did so, utilizing the earrings, Janora told the others, "I've just learned that there are potentially imposters passing off as us making ruin to places around Dreford. I'm walking in to speak to the Watch now." With that she began actively blocking the connection so the others couldn't stop her.
Still holding the dead arm, Janora marched into the Watch house and confronting the first watchman she saw she demanded, "I need to speak with whoever is in charge, please."
The young man saluted almost by habit and bit off "Yes, ma'ma," before running up the stairs and into one of the doors along a second floor balcony that ringed the large room. Janora waited without moving so much as a finger, although she was still quite aware of the looks she was getting from the other watchmen. It was only a minute or two before a mountain of a man emerged from the same door and began making his way down the stairs and toward the witch.
Easily over six feet tall the youngish man had blond hair, broad shoulders, and a breastplate so shiny you could use it as a mirror. Approaching Janora he flashed a smile and said, "My name is Captain Tato, Commander Rimes is out this afternoon, but perhaps I can be of assistance?"
"I do hope so," replied Janora, flatly, "I have been told that there is someone who may match my own description that is wreaking havoc around these parts. Have you heard this?
Captain Tato's eyes had drifted down to look at the dead arm covered with mushrooms. The witch's words caused his eyes to narrow for a moment in thought and he nodded, "As a matter of fact I have actually, it's quite good of you to come in. May I ask if your friends are in town?"
Janora pursed her lips but then said, "Not yet, I had some business of my own but I heard about this travesty and needed to make sure it was being handled competently."
"I see, I see," replied the tall, blond officer, "well then, please, why don't you come back to my office and we can discuss rather than here in the hall in front of god and man."
Janora nodded and fell into step with the captain. She asked, "Out of curiosity, which god?"
"Well," replied the good captain, "I am a dwarf so I was raised as a follower of Tak, the Allhammer. But you are free to acknowledge whichever deity you wish." He led Janora up the stairs and through a door into a medium sized office with a desk as well as a roaring fireplace. The witch noted a large wicker basket next to the fireplace with a large bone laying on a fluffy basket.
"You have a dog?" asked Janora as she settled into a seat in front of his desk.
Captain Tato's eyes darted to the basket and a look of some sort flashed across his face, but he controlled it quickly and nodded, "You could say that, but you wanted to discuss the fires."
"Indeed," agreed the witch, "what can you tell me about what's been happening here."
The captain had pulled out a file and perused it as he spoke, "We've gotten reports from four villages, including the town that was struck just a few nights ago." Janora held her hand our for the file, but Tato shook his head, "I'm sorry ma'am, this is an official Watch investigation, and that would not be proper Watch procedure."
Still holding her hand out, Janora asked coldly, "What does that have to do with me? Now, hand me those papers."
"I can't, especially before I've gotten your statement," Tato insisted. Pulling a blank sheet he picked up a silverstick, "Now as I said, the most recent was on the 26th, we just heard about that two days ago. The Commander sent out a squad to investigate, but I've heard it was quite tragic. Now can you tell me where you and your friends have been for the last sennight?"
"North," spat Janora.
"North," repeated Captain Tato, "can you be a bit more specific?"
"What, exactly, is happening here?" growled Janora, giving the young man her coldest glare.
He met the look and blinked, before breaking into a wide smile, "Oh, I'm taking your statement ma'am. I need to take your statement if I'mg going to be able to add it to the investigation and so we can get to the bottom of this whole mess."
"I see you miss understood me," said Janora slowly and with a cutting edge to her words, "I am here to solve your problem, not to give you words." Standing she leaned forward ominously, "Now give me those papers and I will leave in peace."
"I can't do that ma'am," replied Tato calmly, "now there's no reason for this to escalate, we can just have a civil conversation. Please sit down and let's continue."
"I agree," replied the witch, "let's be civil. Now drop that paper onto your desk." As she spoke, she cast Command and was shocked when nothing happened. She tried to cast Darkness, but again nothing happened. Unsure of what was happening, but assuming there was something in the room, Janora growled, "We're done here!"
As she turned towards the door, Captain Tato sighed and pulled open a drawer. Janora pulled the door open but found the way blocked by a pair of dwarven watchmen. She started to push past but felt a large hand on her shoulder and before she knew it there were a pair of manacles around her wrists. The interior was lined with sharp points that bit into the witch's wrist and with a chill she realized that she felt completely cut off from her magic.
Janora turned her sharpest glare on the good captain as he said, "I really am quite sorry about this, but we need to have our conversations and finish up our investigation. I'm sure this will all be cleared up quickly, but as you said, you do fit the description of one of the perpetrators. Now, you have the right to remain silent."
He continued to tell the witch her rights as he escorted her down the hall and down a couple of flights of stairs. Eventually they arrived at a small cell with a stout wooden door and heavy lock. Inside there was a small table and stool as well as a thin, barred, clerestory window.
Pushing Janora inside the Captain closed the door. Looking through the small barred window in the door, he said, "This shouldn't take long, I just need to fill out a bit of paperwork. Then we can have a nice conversation and I'm sure you can be on your way."
He vanished and Janora could hear him walking away, the other dwarves following him. She looked at the cuffs on her wrists and ground her teeth. They were made of some dull metal with the occasional red sparks. Recognizing that if she could get them off she could use her magic once more. Gritting her teeth, she tried to pull one hand free, but it was just too tight and she couldn't get her hand free. Swearing to herself she took the stool over to the window and wedging her hand between two bars, she stepped off the stool and let gravity break a few bones.
After catching her breath and quelling the nausea, Janora pulled at the cuff and ignored the pain and the scrapes that dug deep into her skin, ripped her hand free. She reached out to her magic, but while she could sense it once more, the witch still could not reach it. Snarling, she knelt and placed her still cuffed hand on the stool. Taking the other cuff in her broken hand she slammed it down on her thumb. Everything went white-hot for a moment and the witch found herself curled on the floor in the fetal position. Gritting her teeth, Janora pulled her hand from the cuff. As it came free, her magic flooded into the witch and using the pain, cast Raven Step.
There was a puff of feathers and Janora appeared on the far side of the window in the back courtyard. The witch had appeared in the shadows and she crawled even deeper when she realized that there were several watchmen in the courtyard. None of them seemed to notice her, so Janora took a moment to assess and consider her next step.
"Damn it," she muttered to herself, "they took the arm, now I am going to have to go back to the girl." Shaking herself she focused on the situation. The back gate was only 150 ft or so away and stood open, but there were at least six watchmen visible, several who already held heavy crossbows.
Considering the spells available, Janora made her decision and pushed herself to her feet. Looking up, she closed one eye and made a mental note of the eaves. Sending a mental command to Forest, the witch took two steps forward and cast Reverse Gravity, centered on herself. The witch flew up into the air, followed by a handful of boxes, a wagon, several very confused chickens, and two equally confused watchmen. As Janora swept upward, she heard thumps and cursed through open windows as half the spell area was inside the old manor. With a small smile of satisfaction, she reached the ceiling of the spell and looked around.
Forest came flapping over the manor and taking Janora's shoulder in his teeth, he pulled her free and flew off over the city. Once the pair were outside the walls, they set down just long enough for Janora to climb into the saddle. As Forest took off once more, the witch actually tied herself in before directing the dogesus toward the nearest forest. Finally turning her attention back to mental link with her friends, Janora sent, "Things with the Watch did not go well. I...I need to go home, I will be back in a while."

---

The boat ride from Karobark's island had been smooth. A heavy mist hung over the water and fought with the weak sunlight, but there was also a steady breeze and the Silver Lady cut through the waves at speed. Denye had spent most of the day tinkering in her workshop. Jilken and Tear spent some time there as well, happy to listen to the wizard talk about her work. Ell had gone below deck and spent most of the day re-reading the book on Milani that he had received.
They were less than an hour out when Janora's first message came through saying she was going to speak to the Watch. Both Denye and Ell shouted that it was a bad idea and that the witch should at least wait for them, but it quickly became clear Janora was no longer listening.
Without a quicker way to get to the witch, Denye pulled out her spellbook and began muttering about tweaking the new Teleport spell. Not wanting to risk an untried spell, Ell went to speak to the captain about adding any possible speed. It seemed that it was as the wind picked up and Silver Lady shot ahead.
By the time the second message came through the party had just arrived at the docks. "Are you okay?" asked Denye as Ell asked, "What happened? Is it safe for us to go into the city?"
"I will be fine," sent Janora, "the captain of the guard and I were in a very tense discussion and he was being incredibly unreasonable."
"Did he arrest you?" asked Ell, appalled.
Janora sighed, "Yes, of course he did...and I had to make my escape. I don't believe that I left any, well I did leave behind an arm with mushrooms that I'll need back, but otherwise I don't believe I left behind any dead."
"Okay," said Denye slowly, "hopefully this can be cleared up with some communication."
"Good luck with that," said Janora dismissively, "that Captain Tato was very unwilling to hear my side of things and only wanted to focus on his investigation."
Ell sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before saying, "Let's find a place to lay low, possibly even outside the city until we know if there are warrants out for our arrest. Maybe we can send the Captain a note and get him to meet us at a neutral place."
"Didn't the stories say it was just the four of us, plus Tear," observed Jilken, "they didn't said anything Ranunkel. Maybe he could go in and talk to the captain."
"That's not a bad idea," agreed Ranunel, "I could say that I'm a traveling mason and I heard about the fires and wanted to learn more so I can go to the villages and offer my skills in the name of Tak."
This seemed like as good a plan as any, so Ranunkel headed off in the direction of the main Watchhouse while the rest of the group headed in the direction of the nearest gate to find someplace to camp for the night. It didn't take Ranunkel long to find the watch house, but he took several long moments to watch the comings and goings of the guards.
Taking a couple of deep breaths to calm himself, the stone dwarf made his way through the gates and into the bustling building. Stepping up to the desk Ranunkel was greeted by the desk sergeant, a cheerful halfling who asked, "Good afternoon, how may I be of assistance today?"
"I was hoping to get a bit of information," replied Ranunkel, with his best manners, "I've only recently arrived in town, coming down from the mountains, and I heard that there have been a rash of fires being started in the area."
The halfling watchman frowned, "Well, there are always a few fires here and there, I suppose. Haven't had anything really bad since the Great Fire about 30-40 years ago."
"Oh," said Ranunkel, "that is good to hear, the rumor I heard was that there was a gang of travelers burning down villages in the area."
The desk guard scratched his temple, "Oh aye, Commander Rimes was shouting about that the other day. Umm, he's not in right now, but I could get Captain Tato if you'd like." At Ranunkel's nod, he added, "What should I tell him your interest is?"
"Oh," said Ranunkel thinking quickly, "I'm a bit of a stone mason and I was hoping to volunteer my services in the name of Tak to those afflicted by these attacks."
"Ahh that is quite noble," agreed the watchman, who scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to another guard who vanished deeper into the building. Ranunkel only had to wait for a minute or two before the large Captain Tato, head and shoulders above the rest, made his way up to the front. The captain approached the stone druid and after executing a bow asked in perfect dwarvish, "Good evening, brother. I heard that you wished to speak to me, how may I assist you."
Ranunkel smiled and reached up to shake his hand. "I do hope so. I am new to the area, but have heard that there have been some local issues. I'm a follower of Tak and am looking for opportunities to help others."
"Ah yes," agreed Captain Tato, "it's quite different down here, may I ask where you are from?"
"Bel Redon," offered Ranunkel, "it's a little mine and grove in the northern Summerburg Mountains. If I may ask, where did you learn to speak such excellent Dwarvish?"
"Oh yes," said the Captain, "allow me to introduce myself properly, my name is Captain Po Tato Ironfounderson. My father runs a mine not far from Wexwood. Why don't you come back to my office and you can tell me more about you're looking to do."
Ranunkel was hesitant about that, but unable to figure out a way to say no, he followed the Captain back as he went on about the various types of rock in the mine and his early experiences working for his father. Eventually Ranunkel tried to redirect the conversation by asking, "What's the rock like around these villages that have been vandalized?"
"Oh, not much mining down here on the plain," said Captain Tato, pushing open his office door and ushering Ranunkel inside. As he settled into his chair the officer went on, "It's mostly loam, which is wonderful for growing crops, I suppose. On the far side of the bay is good chalk country." Shaking his head the captain added, "But you were asking about the fires. It's quite good of you to be interested in helping rebuilt...I've always said dwarven culture is all about community."
Picking up a file the captain began to leaf through, "This has been quite frustrating for all of us, it's infrequent and no one has been able to catch the culprits in the act, particularly with the other..." Captain Tato stopped himself abruptly, but before Ranunkel could say anything he went on, "Ah yes, so the most recent village, more of a town really, they even have an actual Watch contingent, was Kessforte. The destruction was the worse there...and only a few days ago so I'm sure you will find a welcome for your skills."
"That is truly tragic," said Ranunkel, "I can't even imagine why someone would do such a thing. But Kessforte you say, I will head there directly and by Tak's hand I can be of help." The stone druid stood but suddenly realized, "Where exactly is this Kessforte? I don't suppose I will be of much help, just wandering the countryside."
"No, indeed, that would be quite bad," agreed the officer, his face going a bit pale, "I would recommend that you are behind stout walls after dark. Kessforte is a full day's ride, maybe two if you are walking. Though in that case, I would recommend finding a farmhouse for the night. But you just take the Trade Road north and turn east at the third crossroad."
"Wonderful," said Ranunkel, "I shall head there directly in the morning. Thank you very much for your help. Tak's blessing be upon your craft." He held his hand out and Captain Tato stood to shake it.
"May your hammer always strike true," said the Captain with a smile. Releasing the hand, the young man moved over to the door and opened it for the dwarf. Ranunkel took the offered egress and thanking the captain again, hustled out of the Watch house and back onto the street, where he thumped his forehead in exasperation.
Over the link, Ranunkel said, "That went better than I could have hoped for, but I forgot the arm. Should I go back and try to get it?"
"It's fine," said Denye, "we'll get another one for Janora."
"Or we can ask for it later," added Ell, "I think we'll need to have another conversation about Janora's incident, but that can wait until folks have a chance to calm down and Janora can fill us in on what exactly happened."
"Sounds good to me," agreed Ranunkel, "now where do I find you all?"
Following their directions, the dwarven druid headed across town and through the Western gate. The team had found a copse of maples with a small pond only a quarter of a mile from the walls. There was even a clearly previously used campsite and Tear had wasted no time setting up a small fire.
Without Janora they wouldn't have the Tiny Hut, but Denye suggested that they could probably all sleep up there. By the time Ranunkel appeared at the clearing, Tear was putting the finishing touches on a hearty mushroom and barley stew. The conversation over dinner was on what they were going to do next. Clearly they needed to go investigate this town and see if anything could be found about these imposters, but there were also things here in Dreford to deal with as well. In the end, the team decided that they couldn't do anything until Janora returned and they got more information.
Forest and Janora showed up just before midnight. She had heard the location when Ranunkel had been getting directions, but it wasn't hard to find. Jilken was sitting cross-legged in front of the glowing remains of a fire, with Ironheart standing nearby, munching some fresh leaves. The warmare turned to regard the dogesus and witch as they entered the clearing, but quickly winnied a quiet greeting.
Janora slipped off Forest's back and after removing the Egg, the dogesus went over to sniff the horse in greeting before settling to ground and wrapping his wings around him, went to sleep. The witch took a few more minutes and put up a Tiny Hut over the campsite before climbing the ladder up to the workshop.
Janora was surprised to see Denye sitting up in bed, a tiny spot of light curled in one claw, shedding just enough light to see what she was writing. The wizard was equally as surprised to see the witch, although it took Denye a few moments to even notice the witch, so engrossed in what she was writing. When she did look up, Janora had settled against a wall with the egg in her arms. The witch waved one handed, but didn't say anything, just removed her hat and closed her eyes to get some rest.

Character(s) interacted with

Todagog Squidsail - Tortle (he/him) - owner of Black Pearl Ink
Karobark Waverider - Half-orc (he/him) - Wizard and mentor of Denye's
Tagani Longrock - Halfling (she/her) - apprentice wizard under Karobark
Venwynn Fuvathrastrin - Sea Elf (she/her) - apprentice wizard under Karobark
Slightly Miffed Goldhammer - Dwarf (he/him) - Owner of Grumpy's Emporium
Grendaline Misthallow - human (she/her) - Owner of Mourning Gardens and protege of Janora's
Captian Po Tato Ironfounderson - Dwarf [by adoption] (he/him) - officer in the Dreford City Watch

Report Date

09 Feb 2024