The carriage driver leads the way into a large stone ceremonial hall. Inside, the party sees a large chair sitting on an elevated platform. Before anyone has a chance to stop him, Wet Wizard saunters directly up the stairs leading to the chair and sits down on it. He puts his hands down on the arms of the chair and looks over the room. "What are you doing in my chair?" A tall lord stares down the dragonborn encroaching on the intruder. The driver clears his throat, causing the dragonborn to step down and join the rest of the party before introducing the lord as the King. He takes the package, opening it slowly and after inspecting its contents, hands it to Artimus and directs him to leave through a secret door. "I am grateful for your effort in bringing this to me. I will make sure you are fairly compensated for your time. However, I also have heard from my sources in Brass Wood that you are the cause for the changes I have had to make to my plans for that town." "Frederick never told us that you were in control of the lord and his manor..." Ignoring the interruption he continues, "Similar to Brass Wood, I have thieves and spies hidden all throughout the country but there is a particular lord that has been causing me trouble. I have tried to have him killed several times but he has fled to eastern border of Broajan. He is staying in a human stronghold in the dwarvish territory. If you can solve this problem for me, all will be forgiven." "And if we refuse?" asks Wet Wizard. "I will have you executed." "But you are not royalty, are you? Who are you exactly and what gives you the authority to be judge, jury and executioner?" "I am the King of Night. I am the head of a secret global organization and it is the influence that we hold that would give me that power. Do you accept my terms?" The party looks at one another silently and all nod in agreement. "These rings will help identify you as friends to any members of our organization. The driver will give you the rest of the details for your mission at the tavern in which you have been staying and Atticus Rantier will report on your progress as well as accompany you on your mission. Now get out of my house." Another human noble steps out of the shadows and comes up to the driver, greeting one another like old friends. "Great. Another rogue to join the party," remarks Wet Wizard in disgust.
The party discusses their plans as they are driven back to the tavern and find a small chest of gold in their room. They divvy up the payment and discuss their various needs and weapons they would require to accomplish their mission. They all decide to head to a nearby apothecary and to the blacksmith shop they met before. When they arrive at the apothecary, they replenish their stocks of health potions and as they talk to the chemists, they about many other herbs and poisons. "It is not legal to sell those kinds of elixirs so do not ask," the chemists warn. "We are simply looking for antidotes so we can heal any one that we might find in our adventures that may have been attacked by a poisonous beast. We are not looking for anything deadly but only potions that would cause disorientation or paralysis." One of the shopkeepers motions him closer, "We do have some potions that you might be interested in. I would be happy to trade." They exchange some money and the assassin is able to purchase 5 vials of basilik venom and 5 vials of boggle venom.
As they move on, they find a huntsmen and blacksmith. The monk heads to the blacksmith and starts looking among the apprentices and sees the man he had fought the night before. "Where are my gauntlets boy?" he growls. The young man seeing the half-orc towering above him makes a small yelp and before running away replies, "I will go find them in the back! I made sure to make the adjustments just as you requested." As quickly as he disappeared, he came scampering back with the gauntlets in hand. Thokk inspects his purchase, noting the improved craftsmanship and the strong adamantium metal. His companions are a few shops away. As Thokk finds his party, he sees the tiefling trying on a pair of fingerless leather gloves as he grips his boomerang, "Much better. No damage whatsoever!" he remarks as he stabs his weapon into a wooden wall. Nearby, their new companion Atticus and Wet Wizard are haggling with the huntsman. They again replenish their ammunition and then suddenly the huntsman goes back into the storage area and returns with two crossbows. "The cost for these crossbows will be quite large. Magical weapons are hard to come by. I will be selling the only ones I have left in stock." "What are their magical properties?" "They both fire magical bolts. One produces magical fire damage and the other produces cold damage," replies the merchant. "We will purchase them both," says Atticus. The party takes their new acquisitions back to the tavern as they wait for the driver to arrive. Once the carriage pulls in front, the group piles in and within the hour the driver has passed through the front gates of Shurdrax on his way to Broajan. The driver presses on both through the day and through the night. The forest grows thinner as they near the dwarven lands. The mountains rise up out of the earth and the plant life changes from full leafy trees to tall strong pines the deeper they go.
As the next day begins to end, the carriage slows. The driver knocks on the roof and says, "Where do you want me to leave you? We are close to the stronghold. Do you want to be left at their front gate or a little ways away in the forest?" "We want some distance so we can scout out the area and find our best approach." "That is wise. I will pick you up here as well. When do you want me to return?" "Give us two days time and we will find you here." "Very well," replies the driver as the party leaves the carriage gathering their supplies. The party makes their way through the forest until they near a small clearing. In the center, they can see the lord's stronghold. It has tall strong walls of timber and ramparts and towers atop the perimeter walls. There are a few guards patrolling and watching from above. Karr walks forward, "I will go and see what we are up against. Do not leave. I will back." With that, the druid changes into an owl and flies off into the night. The druid is gone for hours as the rogues stealthfully patrol the woods looking for different ways to enter into the building. Then as quietly as he left, the druid returns with a rat in its mouth. As he changes back into his original form, he does his best to calm the rat in his hands whispering into its ears. "What did you find?" "Not much," replies the druid. "There are a few patrols on top of the walls so you will have to approach with stealth or find some other way inside." "Well that's not a lot of new information. We were able to spot a small grate on the outside wall. It doesn't seem well guarded but it looks like it's still a way in." Before Wet Wizard and Shireling can go investigate the grate from the shadows, there is a call from the towers of the stronghold, "Who goes there? What business do you have here?"
Atticus walks out of the trees and approaches the walls, "Oh merciful and honorable lords, I am a noble and these men are part of my household. We were traveling in the woods when our carriage was attacked. We fought off the raiding party but we need assistance. Can your house provide us shelter and food?" "How many of you are there?" "It is myself Atticus Rantier and my four associates." "I can only see three. Where is the fourth?" "He must of have gotten lost in the woods. Spare us some torches and we will go search for him." The guards leave for a moment and then there is a creaking sound as the front gate opens just wide enough for a single man to walk through. A guard approaches and gives the party a few torches. "We will be back shortly. Can you go get your lord for us? We would like to request him to extend his hospitality to our party." "I can tell you already that I just returned from him now and he will allow you to sleep outside of the walls with some tents that I will fetch for you but no one will be permitted to sleep inside the stronghold." "This is outrageous! I am a nobleman! I must be received and be given audience with your lord," replies Atticus. The soldier is taken slightly aback and Atticus continues to walk right through the front gate. The soldier looks at the rest of party and then back at this stranger walking into the stronghold, back at his party and then goes running after Atticus. "Let's go find Karr real quick," murmurs Thokk.
They reach the edge of the woods and find their druid friend trying to comfort his new pet rat. Apparently during the yelling over the ramparts, it had scurried out of his bag and fled back to the wood but he had found it once again (or at least it appeared to be the same rodent). "Well what happened? Where is Atticus?" "He walked inside after trying to talk his way out of getting us all captured. Apparently we are his entourage lost in the woods after being set upon by a small raiding party." "So he is inside! Why are you here? Let's go follow him!" The monk sighs and looks at his keg, "I need to be more drunk to do this..." The party reaches the walls as they can hear Atticus talking with a few guards inside the walls.
He soon is escorted outside to meet the rest of the group. "Now what happened?" "I was allowed to go to the restroom. I saw the main hall and noticed a few guards here and there but the servant went up the hall and ran up some stairs. I think the lord is there. They aren't going to budge on the sleeping outside thing," as he shows the tents he is now carrying. A soldier comes to the gate to shut the door as Thokk quickly approaches and puts his hand on it keeping it open for a moment. "We have been on a long journey. Is there any way we can be given some whiskey or ale? With the events from the raid, it has been a long day and we need to calm our nerves," he stares intimidatingly down at the small human. The half-orc is sobering up and the human can hear the danger in his voice and clearly calculating that the immediate benefits would outweigh the costs of complying with the request he disappears to fetch a small keg. He gets back as Atticus finishes reporting on his findings, "The guards also said that the grate is a poor place to set up camp as it is a drain for the kitchen and attracts animals due to the smell. The only other things I noticed was that this lord appears to be wealthy but I didn't notice anything of actual value in the entry hall - nothing but poor looking tapestries and old rusting suits of armor - there was a candlestick or two and some china farther in near the dining hall that looked like they could be scalped for a few pieces of coin. This must be simply an outpost or the valuables are farther inside," he says as he rubs his hands together. They set up their tents and even make a small fire. The soldier comes back with the half-orc's keg of fire whiskey. He drops the barrel on the edge of the circle, clearing his throat and then runs back inside and closing the front gate so quickly that bangs open ever so slightly.
The dragonborn, tiefling and half-orc grab the barrel and start to pour themselves drinks. The druid and human get a small glass. They stay seated by the fire as the the dragonborn and tiefling start walking away announcing their presence loudly and appearing to be drunk too as they make their way around the front wall. The half-orc not wanting to miss any action leaves his two colleagues by the fire and follows after leaking whiskey as he walks all in front of the front gate. At first the draining looks completely unintentional until Thokk passes the door and proceeds to take the container and shake it all over, soaking the door before continuing around the corner. He finds them sitting with their backs on the grate and motion him over. As he arrives, they motion him to start making some noise as the dragonborn steps away from the grate and turns facing it as he takes off his cloak. He clears his throat and takes a deep breath and then leans forward to target the grate as he breathes acid all over the iron grate drenching it and making it melt. He takes his claws and begins to wipe off the melted iron clearing out an open hole large enough for one person to climb through at a time. The tiefling and orc are amazed because they hadn't seen dragonbreath performed before but quickly, Shireling's look of surprise turns into a mischievous smirk as he carefully begins to crawl down the pipe into the stronghold, "The noble is too prim and perfect to come this way; he will have to think his own way inside." Wet Wizard dons his cloak again and begins to follow the tiefling inside. Shireling's comment had reminded Thokk of his own plan. He starts to walk back to their little camp reaching into his pocket and finding a small tinderbox. He starts lighting small pieces of tinder and throwing them haphazardly in all directions, catching his trail of whiskey on fire. He starts heading out the forest continuing to use the alcohol and fire to cause as much havoc as he can.
When the small group had first slipped past the corner of the front gate out of sight, Karr and Atticus stand up and head back to the open gate. They both hide in the shadows next to the door, "Do you feel wet?" asks Atticus confusingly. They shake their hands that have been covered by the fire whiskey that has drenched the front door. They slowly sneak inside through the opening and hide up against the wall as they hear clanking metal approaching. It is at this time that they hear guards come running past as they head up to the ramparts. "Something must be happening," Karr whispers as they begin to feel heat from the door edge closer to them. Thokk has at this point lit the entire forest and front walls on fire. The stone doesn't burn but the large wooden door does. With no way out, the pair continue onward heading to the second set of doors out of the entry hall. Atticus is halfway there when from behind him he hears Karr cry out and as he does he hear his voice change into a growl as he turns to watch him turn into a large bear. He sees from behind him a large suit of armor with blade drawn reaching up above its head to strike him again, "I really do hate magic so much," as he turns and fires an icy bolt from his enchanted crossbow striking and slowing the creature.
Some creaking and ruffled movement is heard in the center of the kitchen floor as the tiefling rogue opens the grate and climbs out of the drain hole. He looks quickly around the room and seeing light coming from under the nearby doorway, slides across the floor under a table. He takes some basilik venom and wipes it across a dagger preparing himself for any hostilities he could encounter. As he leans up against the table legs he feels almost like a furry cushion and a small growl. The kitchen dog looks back at him as the assassin instinctively strikes with his blade. Stabbing it once, the poor hound bays out in pain and then bites its attacker in the shoulder causing him to bleed. A voice from outside the door yells for the dog to be quiet before Shireling strikes again, this time silencing the animal for good with a small yelp. The voice is joined by a more urgent one in the distance, this is followed by the footsteps rushing away. Wet Wizard climbs out of the hole and sees his injured companion and the dead animal. He smiles at his companion's misfortune and says, "Pass it to me. I can leave it in the hole so Thokk can cook it later. If you survive, maybe you can have some." The rogue gives him a death stare and shakes his head towards the door as the two quietly move across the room after disposing of the body. The reach the door and listen inside not hearing any sounds any more except for a flickering of a fire. They silently open the door and peer into the room. It is large open room with tapestries and the like and across the way there are two doors. One leading back to the main part of the stronghold and in another direction. They begin to head to the second door but it is slightly opened. They look inside and hear what the wizard recognizes as the chanting of spells and incantations in what appears to be some kind of ritual. There is a man on his knees praying with his back to the door. Shireling looks at Wet Wizard as he draws his crossbow causing his colleague to mimic his actions. They both take a small breath and exhale as they take aim through the narrow gap. The air makes a small whistling sound as two bolts cut through the room diving deep into the man's back killing him instantly and knocking his body prone. From inside the room, they hear the chant stop moments later and two more voices and they see one priest coming running up to his friend's corpse and another acolyte stand up in clear view both now looking at the cracked yet open doorway.
The dire predicament in the front hall has not gotten better as the fire rages on and Thokk returning to the gate door can hear swords against plate metal inside. He kicks it open and runs inside to find Atticus and the bear that he recognizes as Karr in mortal combat with two animated suits of armor. Swords strike the armor and metal fists are thrown as the two are beaten back. Thokk comes running towards them and Atticus seeing his friend charging to their rescue turns to try to work on unlocking the door that has had them trapped. The bear crunches down on the helm of one of the magical creatures causing it to scream before shuddering and having it fall apart into pieces on the ground. The bleeding animal seeing the orc running its way also turns and starts to charge the door that Atticus is desperately working on. He turns to see the beast coming his direction and rolls out of danger as it slams into the large locked doors. He can hear the lock break as the door cracks in different places from the impact but does not open. "Damn it," he exclaims as he walks up to the disoriented animal looking at the lock. They turn and face the sole suit of armor remaining and Atticus fires another frozen bolt into the eye slits of its helm. It continues to fight Thokk and in desperation he wraps it around the middle, lifting it off the ground and falls backward, causing the helm of the animated armor to hit the ground first and snap off as it would have if the head of a soldier had been broken from its spine from the unnatural impact of landing head first into the stone floor. Atticus strolls up and retrieves his bolts from the creatures as Thokk staggers to his feet. "Can you help us with the door?" asks the noble. Thokk sighs and then after a brief moment nods as he readies himself and goes charging at the door. "That is not what I meant..." This time the door breaks open as the orc barrels through it collapsing on the ground. "But that will work I guess."
As Shireling and Wet Wizard reload their crossbows, the tiefling face lights up and gets the dragonborn's attention as he steps back into the shadows, dropping his crossbow and drawing his rapier. Wet Wizard steps forward and pushes the door open to see an acolyte and priest coming to the doorway. The priest draws his weapon and comes charging toward the killer as the acolyte makes a quick motion and speaks an enchantment. Wet Wizard is a mage and his mind is strong enough to deflect the magic but the other attacker strikes true with his dagger. Out of the shadows, darts a blade quickly stabbing the unsuspecting priest in the neck. His throat pours blood as he leans on the dragonborn until he falls unconsciously to the ground. "Now charm him," whispers the tiefling. Wet Wizard focuses all his arcane power and with his complete control moves his claws through the air as if it was water until he swiftly pulls them together and clenches his fists in a single motion. "You're mine," he calls out. The acolyte stops standing in his pose readied for another enchantment and dusts his shoulders off and stands perfectly tall and begins to walk forward calmly. The dragonborn draws a dagger ready to assassinate his newly created pawn but the tiefling calls out after looting the dead priest's body, "Don't kill him yet. He will have information that we could use first." Shireling takes a small pair of rings that are connected to a chain and bracelet from the priest's hand and puts them on his own wrist and then starts looking through its cloak for a coin purse. An evil look crawls across the wizard's face of excitement as he pulls his spellbook from his bag and puts his arm around the acolyte, "You are going to tell me everything you know and I mean everything..." They sit down next to the alter at which they were praying beforehand and the acolyte begins to outline the stronghold as the assassin drags the dead body back into the small room and closes the door behind them.
Thokk, Karr and Atticus hustle down a small hallway and pass a few small doors as Atticus says, "Those are the bathrooms. We should find a place to regroup. Where did the other two go?" They see a short hallway with stairs leading upwards and another door off to their right. He points in that direction and just as they reach the doors, Thokk sees them open and an acolyte appears. He quickly reacts and tackles him to the ground and before smashing his face into a pulp the tiefling reappears underneath the orc with hands over his face, "It's me you idiot! Get off me! Where did you go?" The orc confused stands up and pulls his friend to his feet. Realizing it was in fact Shireling gives him a hug and turns to tell his companions of what he found. "I was using the rune ring I found on the captain. It allows me to, in this case, waste a minor illusion spell. Wet Wizard charged it for me. We are back here. Follow me but quietly." The party once again reunited returns to the alter room and close the door. They see the wizard with the acolyte on the ground writing spells into his spellbook. "Did you get any more new information out of him?" asks Shireling. "Nothing you didn't already hear. I am busy learning spells. You tell them." As Shireling recounts the floor plans of the stronghold and magical rune traps that have been placed on the stairways to the second floor and on the doors themselves, Thokk begins to circle the alter. Uninterested in details, he studies this religious symbol and looks round until he sees the body of one of the dead priests. He pulls it near and starts chopping it into pieces. He begins to desecrate the holy sanctum with the blood and body of its disciples. The candles flicker and a small ghostly breeze swirls in the room. The party begins to watch him as the orc continues like an artist that only works in red and then he stops studies his work and kneels down to begin offering a prayer up to the Drunken Lord of Brawling.
"My Lord, we have defeated these fanatics of Pelor, desecrated their unholy alter, and now I ask that you give me power to not just defeat my enemies but to be imbued with your strength. I do this only to please you and so I can become your avatar and prophet here in this land." From the darkness comes a voice. "I am pleased." Thokk is startled and rises to his feet. "I will not give you this power. You are not strong enough to possess it. Build me a religion and I will help you in your path as my prophet and in time I might grant you what you seek." The candles return to their natural glow as Thokk looks around the room gleefully looking from companion to companion not really noticing their shocked expressions but looking for approval. "What in holy hell was that?" Karr says.
It is then that Shireling hears again the sound of approaching metal footsteps. He stands up and touches his ring. A shimmer passes across his body as he transforms into one of the acolytes. He clears his throat grabbing his party's attention and then motions for silence as he walks to the door of the sanctum and slips outside. As he closes the door, a small patrol of guards jog over to his position, "Have you seen them? There are intruders in the stronghold!" Shireling turns closing the door behind him and looks up into the face of his enemies.
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