Moonday Around Midnight, Fireseek 3, 591 Common Year

After searching the whole palace, no more assassins are found. It turns out that their bodysuits were not black but a burgundy so deep as to almost appear black in dim light. They were armed with blackened shortswords designed for slashing, not like the stabbing swords the Guard uses. They are also armed with short sickles and many blackened throwing stars, some of which were coated with poison. They also had bags containing caltrops, flash pellets, tools for breaking and entering, collapsible padded grappling hooks with silk rope, and trail bars. When their facemasks are pulled away it can be seen that they are all pure Suloise, with short blond hair and blue eyes. “These are almost certainly Scarlet Brotherhood assassins,” says one of the clerics.

Four dead assassins are found on the second floor. Two are found in the garderobe, where one was pierced in the chest with two of Noch’s arrows. The other two are in the hallway.

While everyone is occupied, Fingol picks up one of the grapples and winds up the silk rope. He also pockets some of the trail bars. He tastes one of them and finds that it has the flavor of bananas and nuts. Fingol makes a sour face. I love bananas! Why do people always try to do stuff to them?

Lorindel, Gar, and Aramek notice that Noch seems nervous around the paladins, and while they are investigating he does his best to stay to their rear. Gar wonders, Is he trying to hide something or is he simply a Chaotic kind of guy who is uncomfortable around these Lawful paladins? As the moments pass, Gar continues to be uneasy about Noch. Should I say someting to the Prince? Gar watches and ponders.

Lorindel holds back a bit as well and casually approaches Noch. “I saw the scoundrel with two shafts piercing his chest. Pretty fancy handiwork,” exclaims Lorindel. “I’m not one for the confines of court, but for now I guess we’ll need to make do.”

Noch just nods. “I’m a professional. I just do what needs to be done in the most efficient manner I can. Whether in a palace or out in the wilds, I make sure that I’m not the one on the receiving end.” He turns and walks away. 

Wakelin, the paladin in charge of the night security details interviews them all in their room to get the full story, while other paladins and clerics search the rest of the palace and the grounds for more assassins or else evidence of them. Once the interviews are complete, Wakelin asks them to wait for a while as he gives his report upstairs. A few minutes later, Sir Bodwyn comes down and asks Aramek, Noch, Fingol, Gar, Indranil, and Lorindel to come up to the salon on the third floor. When they get there, they see that all the everburning torches have been recovered and restored to their brackets, so it is well lit once again. Prince Prospero, Ragnbjorn, Sedara, and also Rain await them there amidst the bloody carnage. Throughout the room, but especially on the balcony, are dead assassins, pools of bloods, and broken furniture.

Before the others arrive, Rain retrieved her dagger from the assassin who had been holding it for her, wiping the blood on her victim’s clothing. She looks over their shortswords, but they don’t seem to be of particularly high quality, though blackened and made for slashing rather than stabbing.

With a faint smile Sedara said to her, “Wait until later, then we can distribute souvenirs. You’ve certainly earned them.”

Once Aramak, Noch, Fingol, Indranil, and Lorindel have entered the solar, Prince Prospero gives them all a brief smile but solemnity soon returns to his face. “I have all of you to thank for saving my life. The assassins below were probably hoping to cut off any reinforcement from the lower floors. Thankfully the poison was only a sleeping toxin, like those made by the Drow. Paragon Muire was able to counteract it. As you can see, Rain and I have fully recovered. You will all be richly rewarded for this – even you members of the watch who I feel showed exemplary courage in facing this threat.”

Gar responds, “Thank you, Your Highness. I am just happy that you are fully recovered.”

Indranil bows low to the Prince and says, “I am also relieved you are recovered.” Turning to Gar he says, “Father Gar, thank you for your healing powers. I am deeply grateful.”

Prince Prospero smiles graciously at them, and then he turns to Aramek and says, “There is one other thing however. I understand that you, Aramek, were the victim of a robbery last night, and that the rest of you were trying to find the culprit. Lady Sedara has found something of interest. Aramek, if you would do the honors, please open that assassin’s pack.”

Aramek does so, and in addition to the assassins standard equipment he finds a journal and an object wrapped in parchment. It is indeed the missing journal and statue. Aramek gasps in surprise as he beholds the objects stolen from his room.

Rain openly smiles, to most looking like she is pleased that the items are being returned to the rightful owner, but in fact she is thinking, Nice, very nicely done my Lord, by whom she means Prince Prospero. Well wrapped up and nobody will be the wiser.

Aramek opens the parchment wrapping to inspect the statue, even though he’s already sure it’s the one stolen from his room. He then turns to the Prince and Lady Sedara and says, “My lord, my lady, my master will be very relieved to have recovered these items. They belonged to his son, who disappeared during the Brotherhood’s occupation. His journal here says that he would not rest until he found a way to strike out against them. I suspected there was more to last night’s break in than simple robbery.”

Gar gasps as the others instantly recognize the statue as the dreaded Nerull, the ancient Flan god of death and destruction.

Prince Prospero says, “Let us move to one of the spare rooms. Sir Bodwyn will make sure no one else enters here until the rest of the bodies have been searched. We need to talk, and this is no longer a secure or pleasant place to do it.” He then leads them down the hall into an unoccupied bedroom.

Once everyone is settled the prince continues, “What I am about to say should not be spread beyond those in this room. First of all, let us make sure that everyone is known to each other. Now I know that everyone here knows who I am.” He turns to indicate Sedara, “This is Lady Sedara, my aunt who is here to assist me. She is a member of the Order of the Lightning Fists, a Heironean monastic order based in Niole Dra. This is not really a secret, but it is also not widely known. We would greatly appreciate it if you all kept this to yourselves.”

The Prince indicates Ragnbjorn, “This is Sir Ragnbjorn, a senior member of the King’s Rangers, who has most recently been conducting a survey of the marshes. His companions are the two brothers Sir Indranil also of the King’s Rangers,” he indicates the taller half-elf with emerald eyes, “and Sir Lorindel of the Scout Corps,” here he indicates the shorter dark-eyed brother, “and finally Rangbjorn’s son Sir Fingol of the King’s Rangers.”

The prince indicates Gar, “This is Father Gar, a priest of Obad-Hai, sent here as an emissary by the Great Druidess of the Sheldomar Valley who resides within the Dreadwood.”

Sedara then speaks up, “Allow me to introduce to the rest of you three members of Sir Bodwyn’s troops.” She indicates the guardsman with dark blond hair and dark blue eyes who used his longbow so effectively against the assassins.”This is Noch, a veteran mercenary, who has served with Sir Bodwyn since just before the liberation of Westkeep.” She next indicates the green-eyed light blond half-elf sorcerer with the ferret dressed in the watch tabard. “This is Aramek who recently joined the Guard.” Finally she indicates the dark blond young woman with pale blue eyes, attired like Noch in the armor and red tabard of the watch. “This is Rain, also a recent recruit, who truly outdid herself in our defense against these assassins.” She smiles especially warmly at Rain. At Sedara’s introduction, Rain inclines her head slightly to everyone.

Prince Prospero then says, “Both Sir Fingol and Father Gar arrived in court two days ago, on Fireseek the first to warn us of the restiveness of the lizardfolk. We took this as a sign that something must be done to secure the peace with them. That is when I had Paragon Muire send for Sir Ragnbjorn. I have decided to send a delegation to the lizardfolk to negotiate a treaty with them. I have asked Sir Fingol and Father Gar, in his capacity as a representative of the Great Druidess, to act as go betweens. I will also be sending representatives from our fishermen and the Fishmonger Guild, those most directly affected by any agreements made with the lizardfolk. Sir Ragnbjorn will act as both guide and translator, and Sir Indranil and Sir Lorindel will assist him. Now Sgt. Apone’s squad, of which you three, Noch, Rain, and Aramek, are members, will be reassigned to provide security for this delegation.

The Prince pauses and then continues, “But there seems to be much more involved. Now ordinarily, I would not involve members of the Guard in this. It appears, however, that you are already involved. At least two of you are.” He looks to Rain and Aramek. “I will include you as well Noch, since you have so ably defended us from this attack and are a proven veteran.”

“We have long known that Amedi warriors, orcs, and goblinoids from the scattered forces of the Scarlet Brotherhood are lurking in the Hool Marshes. Sir Ragnbjorn came across some of them yesterday. But last night he and his companions were attacked by ghouls who came from a mass grave left by the Scarlet Brotherhood not a day’s journey from this city. And now we find that Scarlet Brotherhood assassins are operating here in Westkeep itself. The final piece of the puzzle may be this statue that was stolen from Aramek’s room. It is a statue of either Nerull or of some other quite like him. If they are searching for a way to gain power from this god to use against us, then we may be in greater danger than we knew. Of course things were perilous to begin with.”

Sedara speaks again, “Aramek, we need to learn more about what this statue may be and what you all need to look out for once you go out into the marshes. We also need to know what this son of your master’s was doing with it and what he knew. If you come across more signs of this death god’s power or servants, living or undead, you will need to be prepared. Could you please tell your master that the items have been recovered, but that for the time being the Prince has asked him to allow us to keep them until this mystery is solved. This is a ‘request’ from the Prince, and his cooperation will be greatly appreciated. We ask this for the sake of the security of Westkeep and perhaps all goodly folk.”

Prince Prospero adds, “Yes he would have my gratitude. Also, do not speak of this journal or statue to anyone else. Not even other members of the Guard. They have caused enough trouble already. We shall examine these things and gather you all together once more before you set out to discuss what we find.”

Gar tentatively raises his hand. When acknowledged, Gar drops to one knee. “Your Highnesses,” Gar begins haltingly, “I may be way off track here, but today’s events all bare the earmark of the presence of a cell of the Horned Society working in tandem with the Scarlet Brotherhood in Westkeep. It may or may not be so, but I do believe you should take such a possibility into account in your examinations.” Gar remains in this position with his head gently bowed in respect, awaiting their response.

The Prince raises his eyebrows in surprise. “The Horned Society! They were those among them who worshipped Nerull, but they were destroyed eight years ago when Iuz annexed their lands. I suppose it is possible that their agents may still be around. All the worse for us, and that makes it even more important that we follow up on any clues this statue or this journal may give us as to what is going on.”

To Gar’s interaction with Prospero, Rain listens but her mind wanders for just a bit. Hmm… I sure hope I never feel so subservient to another that I have to drop on one knee. How humiliating…

“You probably won’t find them in the city,” Fingol mumbles, “or else they wouldn’t have needed to bring food with them.”

Rain quietly responds, “Good point.”

The Prince says, “Well, these are all possibilities to keep in mind, and all things to be wary of when you go out into the marsh. Any of these factions may also be trying to stir up trouble with the lizardfolk as well. It is late now. I think we should try to get some rest. We’ll have the solar cleaned and secured by tomorrow night. I would like to ask all of you to please meet me there at noon the day after tomorrow. By that time, we may have more information to share. I will also ask Sgt. Apone to join us. So for now, I thank you all for your great courage and bid you goodnight.”

On the way back downstairs, Fingol returns Indranil his bow and quiver, “Thank you for your patience. I would not have taken these without great need and if lives were not at stake. I am so sorry I was not able to prevent your injuries.” 

Indranil takes back his bow and quiver and replies, ”Fingol, no apology necessary! When in the heat of battle, please consider whatever weapons, defenses and tools I own that are accessible to you yours to use without asking. Your kind thoughts are well regarded and graciously accepted. I consider myself lucky to be alive to talk with you!” 

“I am afraid using the garderobe again will not be done without some fear of what is under the seat! It gives new meaning to the old expression, ‘it scared the crap right out of me!’” Indranil laughs loudly.

Gar laughs as well.

Aramek goes over to Rain and says, “Gods that was scary. And you – I was so worried. So tell me what happened up here and I’ll tell you what we went through?”

“Thanks, Aramek, I am glad we all made it through that one alive. We fought multiple assassins as they poured over the balcony into the room, Fingol’s father was quick enough to get the Prince out of the room quickly then the three of us continued to take them out. Somewhere in that I managed to be hit by one of those stars. I didn’t really notice till we were approaching the remaining assassins holding the Prince down the hallway. I guess I passed out at that point, and then woke up several hours later safe in bed, thanks to the clerics.”

Noch says, “Well Aramek and I were just guarding the stairs up to the solar and the third floor. That’s when we saw Sir Indranil here head to the garderobe. The next thing we knew he was on the floor trying to get out of there with Scarlet Brotherhood assassin all but on top of him. Aramek and I took out a couple of them but two more came out after us. Sir Fingol was good enough to make an attempt to toss Sir Indranil his sword, and Aramek took out another with his sorcery. That’s when we heard the prince was in trouble and at Aramek’s urging I headed upstairs.”

Then Aramek says, “I really knew there was more going on than some random robbery. I need to get back to Master Parwyn and let him know what the Prince said. I can’t tell him everything, but at least he’ll know that I have an assignment that will take me away for a while. And he’ll also be able to rest easy about any repeat of last night. Oh, and I guess I better make sure I’m outfitted for the swamps.” Aramek starts to leave for the shop.

Fingol adds, “I think a few of us should check on Master Parwyn. His safety should not be forgotten in the joy of knowing our Prince’s person is secured. Let us muster up in haste.”

Indranil says, “I would like to help escort Aramek if you have need of me.”

“As will I,” offers Lorindel, ”safety in numbers. Unless you think it prudent I remain at the keep.”

After a slight pause, Lorindel adds, “In light of the night’s events brother, I think my bow will remain strung for the duration of our stay on Westkeep.”

Indranil clasps Lorindel on the back, “Brother you have that right. Here I thought we could enjoy a bit of peace and rest while inside the palace! And come to find out it is more dangerous here than in the Hool. I would like your company while escorting Aramek.”

Gar says, “Who needs sleep? I’ll join you too. I could use some fresh air about now.”

With a rueful smile, Noch adds, “I suppose I should come along with you all. I’ll feel bad if I skip out on all of you now after all that we’ve just been through.

Rain moves up close to Fingol and says, “Hey, maybe your group here in the palace and Aramek, Noch, and I can meet somewhere tomorrow to talk, maybe the same place we met for a drink the other day?”

Fighting the temptation to slip his arm around her, Fingol says to Rain, “Absolutely, this time I buy the good beer! I would like to practice with the Guard again in the morning. How about after that?” He musters a friendly smile.

Rain responds by holding out her arm in the warrior fashion of shaking by clasping forearms and says, “We will see you in the morning then at practice – and you are on about the beer.” At this Rain smiles back.

Fingol takes her arm firmly. “Then, and now, I suppose. It sounds as though all of us are bound to check on Master Parwyn. I pray we will be unneeded. For if we are, it will already be too late! Come let me arm myself and we will go!”

Rain turns to the two brothers, “Indranil, Lorindel, we were introduced upstairs but let me offer my arm in meeting” Rain offers her arm to each. “I look forward to getting to know you both better when we head out into the marshes,” and gives them a curt smile.

Indranil returns Rain’s clasp in kind and nods back with a smile. “I look forward to getting to know you.”

Lorindel also responds with a hearty shake.

As they walk out of the castle, Gar moves away from Noch and instead walks next to Lorindel and in not a quiet voice says, “Good Sir Lorindel, perhaps you and I should visit the Street of Red Lanterns tomorrow  to, uh, wet our whistle before our next excursion? Please excuse me Lady Rain, though we might have similar taste…”

Rain responds, “No excuses needed. You do as you will and I will as I.”

“That would not entirely be unwarranted,” replies Lorindel to Gar. “I could possibly accomplish two goals. The exploits of the Red Lanterns being one, the other would be to seek our Fergus. I’m sure news of the assault has already hit the street. Perhaps he might be able to supply some additional information.”

Rain raises an eyebrow at this comment. Ah crap, here we go, she thinks. In reply she asks, “Interesting, what business do you have with Fergus?”

“I’ve been thinking about your friends.” Fingol says, with the distracted air of someone thinking aloud, “I think tonight further exonerates our maligned locksmith. He may be guilty of other crimes – or not – but the little band claims to be a resistance group, first against the Scarlet Brotherhood and now against Prince Prospero – whom they perceive to be no more than the latest conqueror of their homeland. 

It’s apparent that the same group of Scarlet Brotherhood assassins that attacked our Prince did the break-in at the shop. The journal and the statue were found on an assassin matching the height and weight of the thief at Master Parwyn’s. Assuming that all this can be taken at face value that would say to me, that the gang you met up with would no more assist the Scarlet Brotherhood than would any of us.

“I would imagine Prince Prospero would like to know more about this group; but I hope that he would bear them out with patience and the hope of winning over their loyalty. Coming down hard on them would seem to be, well, something Brother Burne would recommend. So let’s keep all this to ourselves for now. Until we have something to say to the Prince that would protect them from zeal borne of fear – or our own fears overwhelm our hopes. 

“I may not have much chance of winning them over myself, but I do admire their independence and love of country. If we arrest them for that, then what we would say is a tragic misstep would be proven true. We would in fact be no more than the latest conqueror of this land. I hope, and have some cause to hope, that the Heironeans are much more than that.”

He mutters after that, mostly to himself, “When lenience and cruelty play at dice for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner.”

Seemingly out of nothing but casual interest, Rain responds “Well put. So who is this band you mention?”

Fingol answers, “Fergus and the men that Lorindel found in his company.” Fingol flushes a bit, though no one notices in the dark and thinks to himself, I thought I was, if not clear, long winded enough to let people figure it all out by the pedantic end.

“I have no business with him yet,” responds Lorindel. “I made his acquaintance, and those of his friends Dion and Cole, by chance at the Murky Archer. He is a man of the streets with access to people and information someone like me would have trouble getting close to.”

Hearing this arouses a great storm within Rain, Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap – did Dion and the gang join with Fergus? Is that a good thing? Did my leaving start this? 

“I’m not so foolish as to trust this man blindly, Rain,” continues Lorindel, “but if he believes I have something to offer him, I don’t think he’ll steer me wrong. He’s a businessman after all. Knowledge is power to a man like Fergus. Perhaps, though, you can give me some insight to strengthen my hand.”

Rain smiles slightly, with just a hint of the devil in it, and then responds, “Sure, how about I come along with you tomorrow to meet with him.”

“So, Rain,” Gar butts in, “how do you know Fergus?”

“Old friend – won’t be good to see him again.”

Chuckling, Gar responds, “Then would your lovely presence be helpful in extracting information from him?”

Rain responds, “Heh, lovely presence, eh? Well, I’m not exactly sure, but at least I may be able to see through any bullshit he’s trying to spread. I think I’ll go hooded at first though, just to check things out.”

Aramek, who is walking next to Rain says, “So, what’s with this Fergus guy?”

Just then, as they are passing the Heironean mission on the Processional, they notice that it is very dark and still inside. There are no guards to be seen near the open doors. There are no fires inside. It is possible that they are all sleeping, but it seems truly abandoned now. The lanterns in the temple district are almost completely burned out, but there is still enough light to see what appears to be a head resting between the broken doors of the temple. Suddenly they hear a hideous screech from overhead. A bat with a body the size of a horse swoops down from the top of the temple past their heads and then flies off out of the city and into the marsh.

“Whaddafukwhazzat?” stammers Fingol looking up at the bat-horse-demon thing.

Upon seeing the giant bat, Lorindel readies his bow. ”This night becomes fouler by the hour.”

A dagger appears in Rain’s hand as she responds, “Too true, Lorindel, I wonder what we will find inside?”

Gar ducks away from the giant bat, then stops walking and says a little prayer as he looks toward the mission and he rubs his little Green Man. “Sir Fingol, it looks like it’s gone now. What’s in the doorway? I’m dying to know.” With that, he cocks his head with a smile and slowly slinks toward the door, dagger tucked up his sleeve in case he needs it, keeping all of his senses in heightened alert.

“Gar! Wait!” Fingol whispers harshly, ”What can you see with your elven sight, Lorindel? Can you say what is in the doorway?”

Gar pauses, hunched over, and looks back at the group, first toward Fingol then Lorindel.

“It’s the head of a statue,” Lorindel whispers to Fingol.

Indranil peers into the darkness and exclaims, “It is indeed the head of Heironeous covered in bat dung. The vile beast has desecrated the statue. Whatever evil is descending upon Westkeep, it is closing in on us!”

Having been raised in isolation, Aramek is quietly observing both of the half-elves to see what they will do. He is naively fascinated by their presence.

Gar wrinkles his nose at the revelation and quietly exclaims, “Ew! Should we take it? Anyone want head?” Gar giggles like a girl in the night as he walks back to the group.

Fingol slaps the back of Gar’s head, “That’s not an appropriate thing to say.”

“Yes, Sir!” Gar tries unsuccessfully to wipe the smirk off his face.

Indranil grimaces to himself finding Gar’s humor distasteful. He then moves to the rear of the party where Lorindel had already moved back alongside Noch to keep watch on their trail and whispers, “Father Gar is… irritating.”

Welcome to my world, Fingol thinks to himself upon overhearing Indranil.

“He’s a bit unrefined I must admit,” chuckles Lorindel. “Still, he seems to do well in a fight.”

Fingol says to the others, “There will be plenty of people rightly offended by the desecration of the statue. I wish the best for the Olman refugees, but I think the best thing would be to get them away from Nauyotl. I am confident that beast is eating other souls than the Olman’s.”

Gar says, “I do hope those nice people are okay and not bat dung themselves by now. On the other hand, if they come back in the morning, it would lend credence, Sir Fingol, to your idea that Master Nauyotl is raising the dead out in the marsh at night. Either way, I am not so inclined to walk into that mission at night, as I would in the daylight. Perhaps we should pop by here tomorrow as a courtesy call to see what may be seen?”

Fingol responds, “I don’t remember who came up with the idea that Nauyotl is raising the dead out in the swamp, but it wasn’t me. I was more inclined to think that if he left his mission-turned flop house he would be discovered by the paladins of the town. It didn’t take long for Sir Jankin to see his nature,” replies Fingol, ”but it does raise questions why, on this night, so much is happening at once. The Prince was nearly abducted, and the mission abandoned. I am inclined to think this is not happenstance. For now, let’s plan on coming back at first light. And we’d best bring Sir Jankin with us. I think he may be useful. He certainly has a strong stake in the matter.”

They finally arrive at Master Parwyn’s shop, where all is safe and sound. The family is asleep and so Aramek bids Rain and the others goodnight.

While walking back to the castle, Gar turns to Rain and asks out of the midnight blue, “Did you last see Fergus when you left the Thieves Guild?”

Rain doesn’t even flinch at the question. She is becoming used to Gar’s lack of tact, and responds casually, continuing to look forward as they walk, “I was never officially a member of Fergus’ organization. He did me a favor once and I spent the next couple of years paying him back. It will be interesting to see him again now… things being different.”

“But,” Rain says with emphasis, and then pauses for a few seconds, “there is no need to let anybody else know of my past dealings with him or his. I am willing to help discussions for the sake of our current situation, but I would appreciate a modest amount of discretion on this from all of you. Agreed?” At this she stops and turns to catch everyone’s eyes with her own, the question not exactly being a
command, but certainly with more authority than one would expect coming from a girl or a common member of the Guard.

Fingol stops, “Rain, I hope that each of us can keep all the matters discussed here discrete. I certainly, will not break any trusts.”

“Nor will I,” says Noch. “You’re with the Guard now, and as long as you do your duty and look out for the rest of us, we’ll be looking out for you. Your past is not our concern unless it interferes with duty.”

Fingol stops, “Rain, I hope that each of us can keep all the matters discussed here discrete. I certainly, will not break any trusts.”

“Your secret is safe with me as well,” joins Gar, “And yes, I do believe you will be helpful with Fergus. At the least, it will be entertaining.”