Fallcrest, part 2: A new friend and a mission!

Chapter 2
The sun had just peaked above the far mountains when Cormick rose from his slumber. After waking all his life for morning prayers, it was a habit that he could not easily shake. Sitting at the edge of his temporary sleeping arrangements, he removed the sleepers from his eyes, and then used the small wash basin and soap to clean himself.

It was kind of the old man to let me stay here. He thought.

He retrieved his platinum amulet, bearing the symbol of his faith, from the small prayer shrine he had used the night before. As he fell to his knees to fulfill his morning prayers, he thanked the goddess for another day, and prayed that fate might protect those that he cared for most dearly. Afterwards he followed his prayers with his daily ritual of polishing his sword and armor. Removing the small polish kit from the backpack, he opened it and paused momentarily. Amongst the normal rag, polish, and files, sat a small carved raven made from wood. It had been a token from his former mentor, given to him on the day he was sent from the City of Hywind to find focus and wisdom. He sighed and then set the raven aside and began his work.

A half hour later his tasks were finished, and his sword and armor shone with a renewed gleam. Returning his polish kit to his bag, he donned his armor and sword and headed out for his morning exercises. The kindly old priest was inviting patrons into the Moonsong Temple, singing hymns, and welcoming people with a warm smile and small gestures of greeting as they passed.

“Good morning father.” Cormick said.

“Ah my son, did you sleep well? Did the gods watch over thee as thou slept?” The priest asked.

“Yes father, I slept well. And as to the Gods?” He chuckled, “They always watch me as I sleep.”

The priest grinned and waved as Cormick continued on his way. After a few inquiries as to where the city guards trained, he slowly made his way towards the training barracks to work out the tightness in his muscles.

As he approached the barracks training yard, he noticed several men of note rehearsing their crude styles in the morning cool. Yet none of them looked quite what he was seeking. Looking around the yard slowly he found what he was looking for, a much larger man sitting by himself off to the side. At the man’s side was a great sword of fine quality. Cormick approached him and said,

“Any chance you would be interested in some exercise?”

The man gauged Cormick, and then with a satisfied grin, nodded and stood up. He towered over Cormick’s 6’ 2” height by at least another six inches. His shoulders were broad and thick, and his bald head shone as if polished. He walked over to the sparing square and retrieved two wooden swords from a wooden locker and tossed one to Cormick as he casually strolled into a starting position.

Cormick shed his armor, shield, and sword onto one of the benches besides the square and took the wooden sword moving into his first stance. Cormick began with a display that showed a seemingly firm upper hand, he leaped, spinning through the air and landing, wooden sword swirling in a quick and deft strike that took the larger man off guard. The tall fellow took a step back, motioning for Cormick to hold. Seemingly weighing his opinions of Cormick as a fighter, he then set his feet and sword into a wide low stance and motioned for Cormick to attack again.

---

Baelor awoke to a not so friendly sound of his companion groaning. After the large amount of alcohol that Ben had consumed the previous evening, he was not surprised at his suffering. Furious that his sleep had been disturbed due to his companion’s incompetence, Baelor quickly rose and dressed himself, pausing only quickly enough to check the small vanity mirror on the desk to straighten a stray hair or two.

“I’ll be back momentarily with something to rid you of that headache, and me of your noise!” He growled, slamming the door behind him.

He stomped down the stairs angrily until the sweet smells of the Inns morning breakfast filled his nostrils.

“Well well, what do we have here?” He said as he surveyed the room.

The Inn’s common room was full of at least a hundred people, tables roaring with morning conversations. Serving girls made their way quickly from the kitchen to the guests, bringing with them what seemed like an endless flow of food and drinks. He watched for a moment as the large assortment of food passed before him. Venison, Pancakes, Omelets, Bacon, and Muffins were just some of the delicious food that moved quickly around the room only to be just as quickly eaten. Quelling his hunger he spotted the barkeep from the night before, still seeming to be cleaning the exact same mug.

“Morning!” Baelor said, “Where might I procure something to assist my unwise companion with his morning impairment?”

Gauging the bewildered look on the man’s face, Baelor rephrased himself.

“Ahem… Forgive me, what I meant to say was: Where can I find something to help with my friends hangover?”

“Ask one of the serving girls.” The bartender grumbled as he turned to put the mug onto a shelf behind him.

Little bemused by the bartender’s gruffness, Baelor quickly stopped the nearest serving girl and inquired about a tonic to cure a hangover.

“Five copper my lord.” She said holding out her hand.

Grumbling himself, he retrieved the five copper coins from his purse and placed it into her hand. She disappeared into the kitchen, returning within seconds and holding a large mug filled with a brownish sludge. He took it from her while raising an eyebrow.

“Hey it works! I just don’t recommend tasting it as you drink it.” She said with a smile as she turned to assist a different patron.

Ben awoke abruptly with a foul smell under his nose.

“Oh God! What is that smell?” He hollered as he turned over.

“Something that will make you useful to me for the rest of the day! Now sit up and drink it before I have to take more drastic measures for your impudence!” Baelor yelled in return.

Ben begrudgingly took the mug, then after staring at it for a second turned back to his friend silently pleaded to not drink the vile fluid.

“DRINK!” Baelor screamed.

Ben closed his eyes, pinched his nose, and downed the brew in a few quick gulps. Slowly his face turned shades from purple to red, and then finally to a pale shade of green. Baelor took a few steps back with a voice of concern.

“Are you going to be alright?”

Ben gave a moment for his stomach to settle and then said, “That has to taste at least a hundred times fouler than it smells!” He said. And then a surprised look came over his face, “Hey, what do you know! At least it got rid of the hangover!”

Baelor grinned in satisfaction, “Good, now hurry up and get ready. We have a lot to do, and I would like to get at least a little something to eat before we track down this Reith fellow.”

---

A tower of pale green stone stood high on a pillar of rock overlooking a valley. An ornate bridge of the same stone connected the pillar of rock to the rest of the world, and a young woman stood on the center of the bridge, her waist long hair blowing in the wind. She stood tall for a woman in this part of the world, and the silken night gown she wore hugged the shape of her delicate curves.

What looked like a village below seemed to be part in ruins, and the sun set slowly in the west casting long shadows. The sky shifted hues from lavender to orange gold, and a cool fall breeze prickled her skin. She clutched her arms watching the sunset. A knight in dark armor stood next to her. They stood there, saying nothing, until the last ray of light faded over the horizon. He was a man from a different dream, this was a vision, and even here he could not leave her side. She dreamed of him often, even more so as of late. He reached out his gauntlet and took her hand in his. She felt his strength, raw and primal. He always did have strong hands. He led her away from the sunset, and the vision shifted.

She now stood in a tomb, sandstone walls and floors covered in ancient runes. It was a long room lit by dim torches that seemed to be swallowed by the darkness. The shadows played with the light, making the shapes of the objects in the tomb seem to sway and move. She squeezed the knight’s hand tightly. He stood there silently; never had a word passed by his lips. At the far end of the tomb was bier with a large stone coffin. Letting go of the knight’s hand she began walking towards it, knowing that the knight would follow. The knight drew his shield from his back while simultaneously reaching up to close the visor on his helm. Next, his sword was drawn, a bastard sword that would be too large for most to carry single handed, yet he wielded it with ease.

As she approached the coffin she saw that the casket lid had been torn asunder, and now lay in two pieces to either side of the bier. All that remained in the stone grave was dust and spider webs. An unearthly scream screeched from behind her, she turned, falling to the ground, clutching her hands to her ears. She looked up to see the source of the scream and found a skeletal being looming in the entry way. He was clothed in ancient battle mail, the chain links broken and aged with time. Long white hair flowed from out of his helm, and dust and webs hung between his bones. In his hands he wielded a sword of glowing black obsidian, etched runes flowed down either side of the blade, and the hilt was silver and steel woven together by a maker of legendary skill. The skeletal king opened his mouth and again let loose a scream. He came at her, closing ground quickly in a deadly, yet unbelievably graceful, sprint.

Just as the undead king was about to bring his blade down upon her, a shield stopped it cold. The tomb echoed as a struck gong, the black knight knelt before her with his shield above his head. The sound of scraping metal of the shield and the blade shrieked in her ears. The knight leaned forward, raising his sword hand to lift his visor, and a whisper of a word touched her soul, “Go.” She stared, unable to move. The knight thrust his power against the shield, throwing the skeletal king back. The skeleton screamed as it staggered momentarily.

“GO!!” The knight shouted as his sword arched above his head.

The skeleton king was quick to recover, deflecting the knight’s blade easily, returning an attack with his own. The knight fought desperately against the onslaught of the undead’s attacks. Shield and sword moving in a perfect harmony of deflection, block, thrust, parry. Landing the shield against the skeleton’s flank, the knight spun around tripping the creature with the flat of his blade. He looked back quickly to see if she was still there. She was…

He took a step towards here, and paused to the sound of scraping steal. The black obsidian blade pierced through his chest, in a seemingly effortlessly motion tearing through the polished black plate armor. Blood slowly seeped from the wound and down the blade, dripping to the ground. The knight’s open visor let her see his paling lips move, with a sound barely escaping his lips.

“Please… Go…”

Keera awoke to the sound of Belarn gently raping at her chamber door, she laid in her own bed covered in a cold sweat.

“You know, just because you are the apprentice to Corwin does not mean you get to skip in your normal daily duties!” He said through the door.

Wiping the tears out of her eyes she leapt from her bed to open the door, “Sorry Belarn, Locke kept me up late last night working me through some of my exercises.” She said.

The door opened to reveal a youthful man in his late twenties, with a kind face, and simple blue robe. A soft smile lightened his face, she turned quickly from him and began slipping into her black leather armor.

“Of course, of course.” He said grinning, “I just want to make sure that Nimozaran doesn’t fret too much with the guild being late. He already thinks we don’t believe him due to his ever present senility that seems to be growing with him as the years go by...”

He paused, “You are trembling child, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just another nightmare. I’m sure I’ll be alright in a moment.” She said as she slung her spell book over her shoulder. The etched leather book hung on a matching leather thong, inlaid with silver runes.

Belarn clasped her in his arms, “It is not nothing child, when a student of mine is trembling. “ He let her go and turned her to face him, “Now hurry up and come, I’ll make sure you get a good breakfast before you set out. Nimozaran can wait an extra hour or two.”

He turned and left, closing the door behind him. She fell to her knees and wept.

---

Kalen clasped the last piece of his spaulders in place, and then he splashed water from the wash basin over his face, sweeping his medium length white blonde hair back behind his ears.

“Bahamut, what is it that I should be seeking?” He prayed silently.

He had slept restlessly as he did every night. Shadows of his forgotten past always seemed just outside of his grasp. He picked up his mace and clasped its hilt to his belt and headed out into the cloister beyond his door. The temples hallway seemed empty, though he could make out the morning prayers being read from the main sanctuary. Exiting the inner cloister he saw the old priest leading a procession into the sanctuary for morning worship. The devout took their places at the low pews, kneeling in reverence and asking the gods for their blessings. Kalen took a seat at the front pew, marking the symbol of Bahamut across his forehead.

The service ended just a little more than half an hour later and the worshipers filed out of the temple. The old priest was still at the pulpit putting away some of his religious paraphernalia.

“Good morning father.” Kalen said with a slight bow.

“Ah good morning my son, did you sleep well? Did the gods watch over thee as thou slept?”

“I slept as well as is to be expected, and may Bahamut guide me as he always does.” He bowed again.

“Hmmm there is a strange aura around you which I did not sense before, where do you come from?”

“I come from the Temple of Silver Fang, near the city of Telumut.”

“No, not where you came from, but where were you born?” The priest said in a gentle tone.

“Oh, that I do not know, I have no memories as of four years ago.” He said softly, “My past is as much as a mystery to me as the direction that Bahamut has asked me to take.”

“I see,” said the priest. “Well then I shall pray for you my son, for both your past and your future.”

The priest took Kalen’s hands into his own, and offered a small prayer to Bahamut and to Corellon.

“Thank you father,” Kalen said after he had finished, “Might I ask you where my companion might be? I have a few questions I wish to ask of him.”

“Ah the Son of the Raven? He left this morning seeking the training barracks. Exit the temple and follow the road to the right. Take your first left and then the next left and you will find your friend.”

“Thank you.” Kalen bowed even deeper than he had before.

The old priest followed him out and waved as Kalen went on his way, “The keeper of keys indeed, your name speaks well of you, and your destiny greater than you could imagine.” He smiled and went back to his duties.

Kalen found the training grounds bustling with activity. It seemed that the entire city garrison was surrounding the sparing square where two fighters were moving around with what seemed like lightening speed. As he got closer he recognized one of them to be his new friend.

The fight seemed to be of a serious nature as the two men moved with grace and violence. Cormick spun slashing low, while the large man he was fighting leaped to dodge the blow. As he landed his dark skin gleamed from his perspiration. The tall fighter stabbed towards Cormick as the Raven knight’s blade arched a second time towards the fighter’s neck. Seemingly at the last instant both blades missed their targets, Cormick swept his body to the side as the fighter tilted his head just outside of the blades reach. They back away from each other with each step accounted for, modified their stances, and both moved together in unison for another onslaught of attacks.

Kalen joined the other soldiers as they watched the fighting intently. The wooden swords slapped together in a steady tapping, as both men took full advantage of the large sparing area. For the most part both men seemed to fight equally as well, on the occasion one would gain a slight advantage a score a hit. Then they would back up, reset their stances and go at it again until another hit was made. This continued for a good forty minutes until both men were completely drenched in sweat, and tired out. At the end, they both nodded in agreement to end the fighting. Cormick bow with his sword in a salute, and the fighter returned the gesture. Then both men clasped arms.

“You fight well.” The fighter said, “My name is Duncan.”

“As do you,” Cormick replied, “My friends call me Cormick.”

“Then I shall count myself lucky to be called your friend, for I would hate to be opposite your blade on the battlefield.”

The crowd began to disperse, and Kalen approached the two men.

“Well done, I am impressed.” Kalen said.

“As you should be!” Cormick said with a loud laugh as he shook Kalen’s forearm.

Duncan walked over towards the small horse stable and picked up a bucket. Dipping the bucket into the water trough he emptied it over his head. He then refilled the bucket and walked back towards Cormick, handing it to him.

“Many thanks!” Cormick said, “This is my new friend Kalen, Priest of Bahamut.”

Cormick lifted the bucket over his head and emptied it. The water was cool and refreshing. Kalen extended his hand to Duncan.

“That was some impressive fighting between the two of you. Where are you from?” Kalen inquired.

“Me? Oh here and there, I originally come from Mecca, but it has been many long years since I have seen that place.”

Turning to Cormick Kalen asked, “So do the two of you wish to join me for breakfast?”

“Aye, that sounds lovely!” Cormick said.

“I would love to, however I have other duties that I must attend to here.” Duncan said, “Perhaps another time my friends.”

“Ok then, at the very least would you mind telling us where we might find some good food?” Kalen asked.

“Hah! Of course, I would suggest the Silver Unicorn. It is at the main gate of the city, very easy to find, and the best food you could hope to get!”

Duncan clasped each of their arms once more, and then headed back towards the barracks.

Cormick shook the rest of the water off of his face, and then proceeded to redress himself in his armor. After he was ready to go, he and Kalen made their way towards the Silver Unicorn Inn.

---

The portal shimmered to life. Nimozaran straightened himself, his silver hair falling over the finely laced shoulders of his finest green robe, one marked with station and honors. He prepared for whoever should come through. He had expected the Mages Guild to respond to his plea for assistance, yet he was not sure who yet they would send. Nimozaran was a aged old man that had seen well over two centuries of time pass, the magic that flowed through his veins kept him youthful enough to continue to be the Master of the Jade Tower, yet his memory wasn’t what it used to be, and the other members of the guild had noticed him slip more than once. They now attributed everything he said to his senility. But he knew that he was still young enough to master this tower for another fifty years at the least.

A few moments past and then the silver mirror like surface of the portal shifted, and out stepped something he did not expect. A woman dressed in black leather robes, with raven black hair down to her waist. Her skin a pale white, her ice blue eyes highly shadowed, and her lips as red as cherries. In her hand she carried a long smooth black staff with a small red gemstone fixed into a circular piece of metal covered in runes. Around her neck was the official seal of the Mages Guild, a pendant with the symbol of Ioun encircled with runes of power, and three rare stones marking station.

An Apprentice!? Nimozaran screamed inside his head, they dare send me an apprentice?? And WHAT is she wearing!?

“Good morning, my lord.” She said with a small bow.

Nimozaran took a few steps back, “Good morning indeed, and who might you be? I was expecting a member of the mages guild.”

She straightened her posture and her eye gleamed with defiance. “I am Keera Psyche, a member of the mages guild, and apprentice to the Arch Magus, Corwin Du’Brey.”

“You are what...” His words failed him, he stood in total shock. “Apprentice to Corwin? I guess his standards have lowered over the years.” He said faintly under his breath, just audibly enough for her to hear.

“I assure you that I am well versed in my craft, now what is the problem that you have requested assistance with?” She said with a stern look.

The portal shimmered and dissipated, leaving them alone in the pale magical light garnished by the scones set into the walls.

Nimozaran shifted himself towards the doorway, “Perhaps I should show you to your room, then we can discuss downstairs the matters at hand.”

She nodded and he led her through a doorway and around what seemed to be a circular corridor than spiraled downward through the tower. They came to a door with symbol etched into the doorway that resembled a triangle. Nimozaran fiddled with a large ring of keys, found a key, tried it in the door. Nothing… He fiddled again with the key ring, found a second key and tried it in the door. Again nothing…

Keera looked at him in his advanced age with a small amount of pity. She had remembered what she was told by Belarn during breakfast. He had once been a great mage lord, well revered for assisting in the Mage Wars, and given master over this tower as thanks for his many efforts and sacrifices for the betterment of the realm. But now he was an old man that was barely holding on to his senses and his station, threatened by the younger mages in a city dwindling from power.

“Need a hand?” She asked in a subtly mocking tone.

Nimozaran looked at her quickly, and then back to the ring of keys.

“Uh no. Not necessary at all thank you.” He said, “Triangle for triangle, ah hah! Here it is!”

He took a small key with a symbol matching the symbol in the door. The door clicked open to reveal a small chamber with a small corner desk, a dirty sleeping mat, and a small footlocker.

“This was my last apprentice’s room. It should serve you while you are with us.” He said as he handed her the key.

She looked at the room with a small amount of disgust. “Um, my many thanks.” She held her tone level, not to allow her sarcasm drip too much into each syllable.

He then led her down the hallways and down some stairs to the main entry hall of the tower. The large room was crafted out of a pale green stone. The flags of the various realms mage guilds hung around the top of the hall. At the center of the hall was a flag much larger than the rest. It bore a golden sun and a red background. She remembered from her studies that it was the symbol for the city of Fallcrest, the city in which she now resided. She noted that the hall was empty, as well as every other part of the tower that she had been led through.

“So I’ll ask you again, what are the details for the problem that you have requested assistance with, something about kobold acting slightly out of the norm?” Keera inquired.

“Ah yes of course, and it is not slightly out of the norm, child.” He corrected her, “The kobolds have been much bolder than they usually are. Normally they only attack those that enter their territory, yet now they seem to be attacking caravans on the King’s road to the North West.

While this isn’t extremely uncommon by itself, as they are known to attack caravans during exceedingly hard years, they have attacked six times in the last month and a half. Which is an excessive amount even during a hard year, and this year is not one I could consider hard in the least.”

“I see,” she said. “So where shall I start my investigations in this matter?”

“I would suggest you talk to Lord Markelhay, and … is there something funny my dear?” He asked.

Keera chuckled at the name, “Nothing sir, just an uncommon name is all.”

“Hmmm I see,” he said. “Well I suggest that you show him due respect, he is the lord over this region of the Nentir valley. Now I would suggest that you talk to him about this issue, he has offered a reward of ten gold for each dispatched kobold. Additionally he has offered a hundred gold to any party that brings proof that the threat has been cleared out. Perhaps the bone mask worn by the kobold leader?”

“Hmm, a hundred gold you say? That does sound tempting. Is there anything else I should know?”

“You are a member of the mages guild aren’t you? How about you go do what you’ve been sent to do, I have other things to get done.” And Nimozaran turned to return up the stairs.

“Well is there anyone else here that I can talk to for more details?” She added quickly, “This place seems pretty dead for a guild mage tower.”

He turned back to her and said, “We have been in a kind of off season as of late, most of our primary mages are not currently here in the city. I’m sure you understand.” And turned back towards the stairs and ascended them.

Keera let out a long slow breath. This is going to be harder than I thought. She said to herself.

She exited the tower to find herself standing on an ornate bridge wrought out of a pale green stone, she turned back towards the tower and found herself as she was standing in her dream. The town below the bluff looked partly in ruins. She shivered slightly in the cool fall breeze, and turned back towards the road.

The town was divided into two sections, Hightown and Lowtown, separated by a large bluff. The tower was on a large pillar of stone that stood towards the south end of the bluff, a good thirty feet from the cliff side. The bridge connected the stone pillar to the rest of the town.

Keera made her way through town towards the Moonstone keep that stood at the northern most portion of the wall that surrounded the city. Along the way she found a few fruit stands and picked up a few apples. Placing three of them in her bag, she played with a fourth deciding whether or not she was hungry enough yet to eat it, thinking about her dream and how it might relate to the events that were currently taking place.

---

Cormick strolled into the Silver Unicorn Inn with Kalen right behind him. The two stood slightly dumbfounded at the busy common room. Not a single table left.

“Why isn’t this lovely.” Cormick said.

Ben noticed the two companions at the front door, and motioned for them to join Baelor and himself. The two holy men made their way slowly across the room to the last two chairs in sight.
“It’s quite crowded in here isn’t it?” Kalen said looking around the room.

“Yes, well, how’s the food?” Said Cormick as he greedily, eyeing the food on nearby tables.

“Quite good actually, I would have tried something a bit more satisfying, but as the oats and berries seemed to cost two silver, I decided to hold off on ordering more.” Baelor replied.

Cormick motioned for the nearest serving girl, who quickly responded, “Yes my lord?” she said with a small curtsy.

“Um yes, I’ll take the largest slice of venison you have, along with eggs and… well now, do you have those potato things that halflings usually make?” Cormick questioned.

“Not quite my lord, but we have something very similar I think.” She said.

“Very well then, I’ll have some of those and some biscuits.” He looked towards Kalen, “Anything for you?”

Kalen surveyed the surrounding tables, “Sure, that sounds fine, I’ll take the same.”

“Very well my lords. That will be two silver each.” She said as he headed towards the kitchens.

“Well had I known everything was two silver, I would have chosen something with a little more meat?” Ben said looking down at his bowl of porridge and fruit.

The rest of their breakfast went without incident, and once they were finished they picked up their belongings and headed towards the door. Along the way Cormick spotted a serving girl with an insanely large muffin on a tray.

“Excuse me, yes.” He said to her as she passed by, “Um what is that, and how much is it?”

“That is our house blueberry muffin sir, and it costs three copper.” She replied.

“Very well, here you go.” He said as he tossed three copper coins onto her tray and grabbed the muffin.

“Hey!” She said with a start, “That was for another patron.”

“Yes, well, tell them you’ll get them another one!” He retorted and continued out the front door.

Outside in the main square, the morning bustle was just beginning, with the party trying to figure out what their next step would be.

---

Keera had finally made the decision to take a large bite out of her apple when she spotted a tall knight in gleaming black plate armor. Against her will, her apple slipped from her hand and fell to the dusty path. She quickly recovered in, in hopes that no one had noticed it fall to the ground. Her heart skipped a few beats as she recognized the knight.

Cormick and Kalen stepped out of the Silver Unicorn Inn with full bellies. The morning sun slowly climbing into the sky as the town square became a bustle of activity.

It can’t be him, it just can’t be. He should be hundreds… no thousands of miles from here! Keera said to herself. Picking up her apple, she attempted to make her way inconspicuously across the town square towards Lord Markelhay’s keep.

Cormick and Kalen made their way towards the main gate, with Ben and Baelor walking briskly behind, when Cormick noticed the crowd stepping out of the way of a lovely young woman wearing dark leathers and carrying a tall dark staff tipped with a recognizable symbol, the Mage Guild of Hywind.

“Excuse me.” Said a voice that Keera recognized intimately, “I recognized your station my lady. Might I ask your business here in town?”

She turned around slowly, trying to control her features, trying not to respond to him. He stood but a few feet from her with a casual stance and a kindly smile.

“Well who says it’s any business of yours?” she replied in a condescending tone, turning to walk away she added, “I am here on business. There is a kobold problem in the area, and it is my understanding that the Lord of this town has offered ten gold crowns per head, and an additional hundred crowns for proof that their infestation has been exterminated.” She smiled as she continued to walk away.

Gold has always gotten his attention before, why would it be any different now? She thought.

Cormick’s eyes widened, “Ten gold crowns per head you say? And a Hundred…” He turned to his companions. “Hey Kalen, this lovely mage has told me a way to earn a bit of coin to assist in the funding of our quest, interested?”

“Sounds fine with me.” Kalen said.

"Me too!" Ben Chimed in.

"Very well," Baelor said with a grim expression, "Only if it doesn't take too much time."

Keera’s heart raced, He didn’t recognize me! Well of course he didn’t recognize me, he hasn’t seen me in nearly three years. And I’ve changed so much since then…

“So, do you mind if we join you then?” Cormick said as he hustled into a stride beside her.

She shrugged, “Just don’t get in my way, if you can actually offer assistance it might be worth it to bring you along. But only just worth it. I plan to acquire more information from Lord Markelhay, so don’t lag behind.”

And with that she took a deep bite out of her apple and increased her pace to a brisk walk. Behind her she could hear the group of men following her. She tried to maintain her focus, maintain everything she had been working so hard to gain.


---

As the group approached the main gate to the lords keep they noticed two guards standing sharply on duty. The keep was of an older style for this region, yet it seemed well maintained, and its rampart and large oak doors looked to be well reinforced from the iron stud work that decorated them.

“What do we have here?” The taller of the two guards said, “Anything I can help you folks with today?”

Keera opened her mouth to speak, but shut it quickly as Cormick replied, “Yes my friend there is. We come seeking an audience with his lordship, to inquire about the kobold problems.”

“The kobold problems you say? Well isn’t that just lovely?” The guard retorted, “We’ve had plenty of adventurers come seeking the bounty. Most of them return with one or two heads, the rest of them don’t return at all. Wait right here while I go in and see if the Lord is available.”

With that he knocked twice on the small door inset within the larger door and it opened. He disappeared inside.

“Charming fellow, isn’t he?” Kalen said with a small grin.

“Very.” Ben replied.

After a few moments there was a large clinking sound and the double doors parted and opened outwards. The guard strolled out and said, “If you will, this way, the Lord will speak with you.”
The party followed. The guard led them into the main courtyard of the keep, which contained a small smithy and about a dozen pens for horses. Ben stopped momentarily to watch the brutish armor smith hard at work attaching a new horse shoe to one of the stabled beasts.

“Ahem! This way sir!” The guard motioned for Ben to keep up.

They went through another set of double doors, and then a large passageway with another set of double doors exiting into the secondary courtyard.

“Wow, they sure do like doors here don’t they?” Kalen commented.

The guard then led them up a wide set of steps to a fourth set of doors that entered into the main keep. Cormick paused before they entered the building and turned his face to the sky to let out a short whistle. As the party stood waiting a large raven dropped out of the sky and landed softly on Cormick’s arms.

“Now that’s a big bird.” Ben said as he followed them into the keep.

Inside the building they took a small turn and were led into a large hall. Half the hall contained a large dining table, while the other half, at the far end, had a raised dais with two exquisitely crafted chairs.

“The lord will be with you momentarily.” The guard said and left them.

“Well isn’t this a pretty place?” Ben said with a slight whistle.

Elaborate tapestries covered the walls, with a large one hanging just behind the two exquisite chairs in the colors and emblem of the city of Fallcrest. The room had five sets of double doors, each of which had full suits of plate armor on stands. Each set of armor was placed in a stance of salute with great swords raised to the sky. There were paintings on each of the walls not covered by tapestries, depicting figures wearing fashions of ages long past.

Ben took a seat at the table, and began twirling his dagger in a bored manner.

“You sure that’s a wise activity?” Baelor asked him, “That tables seems to be made of oak, slightly pricey and all.”

Ben shrugged and continued his activity.

About ten minutes later the doors to the left of the dais parted and a Lord and Lady entered. He was quite stoic looking, a middle aged man that was balding. Wearing a decorated red jacket and black slacks, fringed with subtle threads of gold. His companion was obviously much younger than he was, and had an elegant grace about her. She seemed very cool and reserved

Cormick smacked Ben slightly, and as he noticed the entrance of the Lord and his Lady Ben accidently scratched the oak table with his blade, sheathing his weapon quickly. With a panicked look he moved his arm to cover the scratch and then made himself look comfortable in his chair, attempting to hide his nervousness.

“My lord,” Cormick said with a bow, “And my lady.”

“Good morning, I am to understand you come seeking information about our kobold problems?” The lord asked as he ascended the dais to his chair.

“That is correct my lord, we understand that there is a reward for every kobold that we kill, and a bonus for removing the problem entirely?” Baelor said with a small flourish of his hands.

“That is correct.” The lord stated.

“Is there anything specific in relation to these kobolds my lord?” Cormick asked.

“Why yes, there is in fact. The kobolds have been causing troubles along the King’s Road north east of here.” The lord said as he leaned back into his chair. “I would suggest following it about five miles out of town to see some of the remains of the last caravan. The kobolds reside around that area, where exactly I am unsure of.”

“And the bounty, my lord?” Keera asked.

“The bounty is ten gold per kobold head, and an additional hundred gold for proof of their lair eradicated!” The lord declared.

“Very well my lord, but wouldn’t toes or ears be more practical? Carrying that many heads might prove bothersome.” Cormick inquired.

“Fine. Fine. Although I am not sure that kobolds have ears, but I will accept their toes instead of their heads. I guess it would be hard enough to convince one to part with their toes as it would otherwise.”

“And might we take one of your guards with us, my liege, Just to ensure that we have adequate proof of their complete demise?” Cormick said with another bow.

“Hmm you are sure of yourself aren’t you?” The lord said as he rested his chin on his fist, “Very well, take one with you, I would be very glad to be rid of these troublesome pests.”

The lord’s lady stepped forward and pulled Keera slightly to the side. “I have noticed that you have come from the city of Hywind, when was the last time you were there?”

“Why just this morning my lady, I too noticed that you wear the symbol of Ioun around your neck, were you once a student at the Tower?” Keera asked politely, momentarily losing her practiced coarse mannerisms.

“As a matter of fact, I was many years ago.” She said with a small smile, “Please give my regards to Locke. That is if the old buzzard is still floating around that place.”

Keera smiled gently, “As a matter of fact he is my lady. Who might I tell him sends her regards?”

“The Lady Allande Markelhay.” She said.

Keera bowed slightly, and then noticed Cormick watching the exchange intently, quickly recovered her façade.

Cormick stood stoic as he watched. For just a moment he saw something that reminded him of someone he had not thought seen in many years, someone that meant more to him than perhaps the whole world. He froze for a moment, then quickly turned and left.

“I wonder where he’s going” Ben said with a estranged look on his face.

“It does not matter,” Baelor stepped in, “My Lord, we had heard rumors of something called Moonbane, perhaps an obsidian artifact of some kind?”

“Moonbane you say?” The lord sat up in his chair. “That was my family’s ancestral sword, where did you hear of these rumors?”

“Oh Around, Ancestral sword you say?” Baelor said, “What matters is how much you would be willing to pay for someone that retrieved said sword?”

“Oh a few hundred gold for certain.” The lord replied.

“Only a few hundred gold for a priceless artifact, my lord?” Ben added.

“Mind you it has been lost for over a generation, other than an heirloom in a pretty shrine, it would do me little good.”

“Pretty shrine, my lord?” Baelor asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes,” He said as he pointed to one set of double doors, “My father kept it in there when I was a child, now is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No thank you my lord, that is all.” Baelor said with a gracious bow.

“Then I shall leave you to your task as I have more pressing matters to attend.”

Lord Markelhay made a small salute and then left from the direction in which he had entered.

Ben casually got up, leaving a gold coin on the table for the damages. As he did, Keera walked over and slid him his coin, while casting a small spell that removed the mark entirely.

“Just be more careful next time eh?” She whispered with a threatening glare.

He took his gold coin, nodded, and then headed towards the door with Keera just slightly behind. Baelor lingered momentarily to take a look at the shrine. Through the double doors that the lord had pointed to, was a small room with low candle light. At the far end of the room was a shrine depicting an Exarch holding nothing. It looked as though at one point there was a weapon of some sort within his grasp, most likely a sword. Casting a small incantation he frowned.

“Anything I may be of assistance with my good sir?” Lady Allande said.
Baelor gave a small start and then asked, “Is there anything magical about this place?”

“Only in my personal studies.” She said, “Now if there is nothing else perhaps I could escort you to rejoin your friends?” She motioned towards the door.

Baelor took one more quick glance at the shrine, “Worthless.” He said under his breath, and then nodded for the lady to lead the way.

---

The group congregated at the front gate to the keep. Cormick, who was sitting on a log seemingly deep in thought, stood quickly as they approached.

“So shall we head out on the King’s road then?” Kalen asked.

“The lord said that he was going to lend us one of his guards didn’t he?” Cormick asked just as the cynical guard that had originally greeted them appeared carrying a backpack and a spear.

“Are the adventurers’ ready?” He asked with a slight tinge of cynicism, the group frowned almost in unison and nodded. “Good! Follow me!”

The followed him out of the main gate and along the road North West for nearly two hours before he lifted his hands for the group to stop.

“Here we are.” The guard said as he pointed towards what looked like the charred remains of a few wagons.

“So this is what the kobolds did?” Cormick asked.

The guard nodded, “This and much more, most of the remains have been picked clean by travelers. Nothing remains after a few weeks. Scavengers pick the useful parts clean.”

Cormick studied the ground and then started moving towards the tree line.

“There is heavy traffic heading off this direction, and if I am right these tracks here belong to our kobold friends.” He said pointing to lizard size foot prints that looked to be the size of a child’s foot print. “Follow me, but be quite.”

They all followed closely behind, attempting to be as quiet as possible until about twenty minutes later when Cormick motioned for everyone to stop. “It looks like we found our kobolds lair.” He said.

To Be Continued...

Start in Fallcrest

We start our story with the travels of Kalen and Cormick. Their journeys both begin in the small town of Harkenwood, on their way to the town of Fallcrest. They independently learn that there is a small merchant train headed towards Fallcrest before the mid morning. Cormick approaches the head caravan master Eleon and stands idly by as the caravan master directs the packing of the wagons. Kalen is not far behind and asks the caravan master for work. Cormick chimes in and soon both Cormick and Kalen have agreed to guard the caravan for 5 silver a day and are headed towards Fallcrest.

Meanwhile Baelor and Ben are half way on their travels from Hammerfast to Fallcrest when they meet a strange old man with a small sparrow named Jack. The old man was sitting on a log next to the road playing a set of pan pipes. As the two travelers approach, the old man paid them a good day and offered the fairer of the two men a rose as if out of thin air. Perhaps not taken in all the best regards, Baelor blushed profusely at the gesture, "Ahem! I'm a man! But I thank you." The two quickly asked the man some mundane questions and then bid him farewell and a good day.

As sundown approaches both groups of travelers cross paths at the crossroads a half days journey east of Fallcrest. Ben, eager to make friends, and fill his stomach, starts waving intently welcoming the oncoming caravan. Baelor stood slightly behind Ben, but held a firm grin on his face in an attempt to seem good and friendly. The first in the caravan to notice the two travelers just so happen to be Kalen and Cormick, who invite the two to join the caravan, and to dinner, by introducing them to the caravan master. Eleon offered them 2 silver and food for the rest of the trip to Fallcrest, and they accepted.

The new group of friends was intrigued to find a large group of halfing cooks in the caravan, and some of the best food that any of them had had in many months. Snooping by the cooking supplies, several of the party members helped their bags to a few helpings of nuts and berries for the sake of additional travel rations. The rogue, Ben, also attempted to help himself to the silver of the traveling merchants by playing a few gambling games. Fortunately for him, and for the merchant travelers, all bets ended the night dead even. The travelers also attempted to gain some small reconnaissance about their destination, but gleamed very little, as these were traveling folk, and not the kind of people that stayed long in any kind of towns or cities.

The next day, after a short morning walk, they reached the city of Fallcrest at noon. The two tall gate towers at the Knight's Gate gleamed in the mid day sun. The banners of Fallcrest waved in the light breeze, shimmering red and gold. The symbol was a golden sun. As they entered the town the group of travelers received their payment from the caravan master, with Cormick attempting to get into line twice for double the payment. It is amazing how one could attempt to be unrecognized when they are the only one standing over 6 foot tall, and wearing dark black plate mail with a shining symbol of the Raven Queen etched in silver, black hair, black eyes, and pale complexion. Such an easy individual to forget?

From there they split their ways, Kalen headed for the temple of Bahamut to beseech his god to remind him of the finer details of his quest. Cormick, without a temple in the town, decided to go to the closest place that he could consider a temple. The city graveyard. Meanwhile Baelor and Ben decide to try and find some leads on Baelor's missing family heirloom by following a shifty looking dwarf that was strolling through town. Following him from a staggeringly obvious seven feet behind, as seen by the dwarfs other companions, they pursued him into a dark ally, only to find two knives in the back of Baelor and a small crossbow leveled at Ben.

Quickly dismissing the notion of other reasons for following the hefty dwarf, Baelor inquires him about anyone in town with an obsidian pendant. Barstomun Strong Beard introduces himself, and has his companions drop their weapons in an attempt to start a business transaction. He invites the two companions to the Blue Moon Ale House for a drink, and a much finer place to discuss such matters.

As Cormick ventures into the graveyard he notices the looming trees impeaching over the graveyard wall, and is determined to beat back the forest from encroaching on his Queen's hallowed place. To the confusion of the grounds keeper, he borrows his axe and starts a several hours labor to remove several of the larger trees, and to turn them into fire wood. By the time his is done the entire back wall of the groundskeepers cabin is surrounded by wood, enough to keep him warm all winter long. Cormick then tosses him a gold and insists that he keep the trees at bay. Still confused, but immensely grateful, the groundskeeper takes the gold coin and swears that he shall do as the knight asks.

After several hours of prayers, Kalen is granted a vision of his quest to more detail. He knows now exactly what is needed of him to appease the great Lord Bahamut. He asks around town about a symbol that he is seeking, and is directly to the Blue Moon Ale House.

At the Blue Moon Ale House, Ben and Baelor enter into a negotiation with Barstomun for information about the missing pendant. They find out that a man named Reith came into town a week prior looking for obsidian artifacts. Specifically one of which being an obsidian blade. Through heavy bartering, Barstomun parted them of their hard earned cash, only to tell them that they could find Reith and his companions out near the Gardmore Abbey.

Kalen and Cormick seem to be guided by fate again, and end up outside of the Blue Moon Ale House nearly a the same time. Cormick spends some of his soap and a bucket of water to wash away his sweat, and then joins Kalen inside to discover something about his quest. As it turns out both the Raven Queen and Bahamut have sent the holy men seeking the same symbol, and as the two appraise the ale house common room, they notice upstairs a well groomed dwarf wearing the Fallcrest guard tabard drinking ale with a few of his younger guardsmen underneath the symbol that their gods had sent them seeking.

Cormick approaches the dwarf and tells him flat to his face that he has some information that the Raven Queen sent him to retrieve. Confused at this statement Sergeant Murgeddin introduces himself, and invites the two men to join him at his table, and as he is the proprietor of the Ale House, invites them to drink with him on his coin. The two holy men accept, and Cormick retrieves his other two new friends from the common room to join them.

After several rounds of drinks, Murgeddin shares a story about how the old Lord Markelhay fled during the Bloodspear War to the crypt under the Gardmore Abbey, and was never seen again. He had taken the Markelhay ancestral sword "Moonebane" with him. A sword made of a strange black stone.

Kalen and Cormick, satisfied that they had found the next clue in their divine quests, decide to call it a night, and head towards the Moonsong Temple to seek shelter for the night. Once there they are greeted by a kindly old priest that quickly invites them in, and showing a great warmth to both the Cleric of Bahamut, and the Knight of the Raven Queen, gives them both private accommodations for the night, and shrines at which to let them pray.

Meanwhile, Baelor and Ben decide to call it a night by heading to the most secure Inn in town. As they enter the Silver Unicorn Inn, they are greeted by the bartender as they seek room. No longer ready to part easily with their gold, Baelor barters for a single room, and then drags the be-drunken Ben up three flights of stairs before calling it a night in a lavishly comfortable feather bed.

To be continued...

Merging of the Shadows, Part 1

Welcome to the "Merging of the Shadows" Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition Campaign Game. This game meets twice a month and focuses on the greater events of The World, and the unexpected travelers that prove themselves able heroes or villains.

Your DM
James