Frowning Governor Jahajx Jov examined the dusty tower that Agaris brought. “You said these have been found the swamps outside Trinisc?”

 

Agaris nodded, “The royal guard are following the tattooed man and picking the towers up as he placed them. It hasn’t been easy. The towers make the creatures go insane and more violent. They are attacking each other and thing else in the swamps.”

The Governor carefully ran his hand across the carvings, “One third of a secret word. Have you found the other two parts of the secret word?”

“No,” Agaris said shaking his head. “But we did find what was stolen from Vesper, a pendant. The jeweler said it was made of the same jade as the tower with carvings on it. I think they are connected. When I asked where he got it, he said an old man had brought it in to sell. What  was odd, he  said, he gave the man less gold than it was worth and it didn’t seem to bother the man.”

“What of Adrian and the thieves guild? Do we know more about their involvement?” the Governor asked?”

“While I managed to track down Adrian. He was not very forthcoming with information, but the Thieves Guild seems to want the pendant as well. He simply laughed and said he didn’t seem to know anything. He hadn’t cared why they wanted it and didn’t bother to inquire.” Frowning, Agaris added, “Which of course, means he knows exactly why they want it. Before I could find out more, he disappeared. Slippery fellow that one.”

“What news of the strangers,” Jov asked? “Have they been found or what they are looking for?”

“We haven’t learn much more about the 4 strangers either. Agaris replied. “The woman has been visiting Ter-Mur for several days now, coming and going out of the city. She visited the palace as well. It sounds like she is searching for something or someone.”

“Do we know who she’s been meeting in Ter-mur?” asked Governor Jov.

“Jov, that is the odd thing. She has been avoiding contact with almost everyone. The Gargoyle’s said she seemed curious but harmless.” Agaris answered. “We are hoping she would lead us to one of the others perhaps, a contact, or anything.

“Has the man with the book been found?” frowning Governor Jov asked.

As Agaris was shaking his head, a royal messenger handed him a note. Reading it, he looked at Governor Jov. “The mage with the book has just been found. He is at the west Bank in Trinsic.” Without losing any time, he opened a gate. “Approach with caution. We don’t want to scare him off before we get the book.”

Arriving at the bank, Governor Jov found the man looking at the bank and then his book. “Greetings stranger, what brings you to my fair city?

 

 

Looking up the mage replied, “I’m just meeting a few friends.” looking nervously around, “Such a fair city, Trinsic is. Even the Governor comes out to greet you.”

“Ah, well new comers are always welcome! Who are your friends that are coming? I might know where they are.” Jov watched the man peering into the book.

Tapping his foot, the man tried to smile, “Oh, they have never been here before. I wanted to show them around.”

Just then some one in the crowded shouted, kill him and take the book.

Hearing the mention of the book, the mage held it closer ,”You should do something about the riff raff in your city though. Threatening a man in broad daylight.”

 

 

Motioning to a city guard, Jov tried to reassure the man. “You have nothing to fear within these walls. The city guards keep a close eye on anything going on.

“We were looking for a particular place.” the mage said opening his book. “Its near here.”

“A particular place?” Jov ask. “very few know this city as I do. perhaps I can help.”

Bowing, the mage shook his head. “No thank you, my friend is bringing the location. I can see that this is a busy day. I take it, some kind of festival is happening near here? Perhaps I should make way for you.” He began to move down the street. His way quickly blocked.

“No festival. every day is a party in my fair city.” Jov said moving closer to the man. “”This just a busy market day

“So many people for market day, I really should move along.” looking slyly at the book, he opened it. “Oh, you want my book? Maybe you just want what’s in it…? He turned to a page and began to chanting a spell. “Well here is something to play with.”

 

 

Governor Jov and his friends were suddenly attacked by large black wolves. Jov made a grab for the book.

Summoning another wolf, the mage slapped Jov’s hand away, “Get your hand off that! He pulled a parchment out of his robe. Burning the marks on to it, he sealed it to the ground and jumped through a portal.

“Follow him!” Governor Jov shouted. “The city guard can deal with these wolves.”

 

Not wanting to leave the Governor and guard, it was decided that only a few of us would follow the mage. Stepping through the gate, we found ourselves at the Luna bank. The mage was busy marking another parchment. Seeing us, he quickly sealed the parchment to the ground and opened a portal. “So you want my book?  Try to get it.” laughing, he threw it through the portal.

 

 

We ran to the portal trying to go through before it closed.” I see Ter Mur!” some one shouted. While we were focused on getting the book, he opened another portal and tried to slip away. We followed him through the gate. Arriving we found that Governor Jov and his guards had surrounded the mage. “Where in Ter Mur did you send the book?”

Smiling he replied, “Wouldn’t you like to know. Do what you want, but you won’t get it.”

Hoping to surprise him, Jov told him that the towers had been found and that Agaris has them.

It worked. He stepped away in surprise, demanding to know how we got them. “So your are the ones following us. ” Back off, the guild doesn’t take kindly to being followed.”

What guild could he be talking about, the thieves’ guild or another? Governor Jov decided to see if he could trick more information out of the mage. “You know we, of the thieves guild, frown on what you are doing. We know you took a pendant and demand you give it to us.” Unfortunately the ruse backfired. Instead of being surprised, the mage bowed, “Thank you for the information. Did you hear that Lira, you were right.” Then throwing down some powder, he disappeared.

 

 

Lira? Looking around the governor saw a small jade figure. The figure began to speak.

“So….you took my towers. Do you know how long it took me to carve them?” she demanded.

“Well since they were dusty, too long.” Jov replied. “They weren’t very well carved,” he added.

“Dusty, you’re calling my finest works, dusty? Lira the Cursed stamped her foot in rage. “I hand crafted them. You clearly know nothing of craftsmanship.”

“Out of curiosity, why did you carve them?” Lady Thalia asked?

Lira looked puzzled, “Why to spread discord. All those monsters killing each other. You can keep those statues… they were failures anyhow. They should have made the people attack each other… not the creatures.

“Why would want to use your art to sow discord?”

Frowning, Lira shook her head, “Only someone from Trammel ask that. Minax was right, you are all idiots here. I don’t know why they say we can find the artifact here.” she mumbled to herself. “Why place such a pretty chaos orb here.” She stopped remembering us, “Minax will not be pleased, I’ve said to much. No matter I can salvage this, I’ll kill all of you. Come my pets.”

 

 

Everything around us dissolved into darkness as Phantasmal Cu Sidhes’ burning eyes filled our vision. An infernal ooze setting equipment on fire.

Looking at us, Lira asked for us to attack each other as a teeny, tiny little favor. “Yes, all you have to do, is a poke here…a stab there and a few fire spells. It’s nothing really.

We moved to surround her. Lady Thalia raised her hand to slap Lira. “I’d rather smack you.”

Jumping back, Lira look slyly at us. “Wha… why not? We’re friends, don’t friends kill each other when they need to?”

“You don’t have to worry about Minax, you wont be making it past us.” Sad Panda replied,”

“How rude, Lira said backing way. Fine I tried to be nice and make things easy. But noo you wouldn’t just die. Now I’ll do it myself.” She summoned more Cu Sidhes.

 

 

Shaking his head in disbelief, Governor Jov signaled for the royal guards and spies to attack. The power of the Phantasmal Cu Shidhes was overwhelming. Regrouping, it was decided that the greater dragons and warriors would focus their attack on the Cu Shidhes. The mages divided their forces. Some took charge of healing while other directed their attacks on Lira.

 

Finding the battle was turning to our favor, she shouted, “You will burn to a pile of ash! while casting fire spells. When that was not effective she tried to bargain with us. ” Ouch that hurts! Hey stop that, this dress is new! Fine you can keep the statues, I can make more. Come on, pretty please, just die already.”

 

 

At last the mages’ poison spells over came her. Poisoned she sank to the ground

“Hey stop that! I’m not feeling so good…. Minax… isn’t going to be… happy….” her last words as greater dragon stepped on her.

 

 

 

After the battle we meet up with Agaris. He was disturbed when told that Lira had been working for Minax. “Did she make new statues? he asked. “I guessed it was only a matter of time, before Minax decided to start poking her head into Trammel  So… the chaos orb. That would explain why they did not take anything from the shops. If they are on an errand for Minax.””Have we found out what the parchments mean? Governor Jov questioned? “We were unable to get the book?”

Sighing, Agaris shook his head. “No and we still have no idea what they are for. They are marking those locations for some reason. I wonder if its some sort of… map or trail, but for who?

“The group seems to all be looking at separate things.” Thalia pointed out. “If they seek the orb, perhaps this is a trail that leads to it.

Agaris nodded, “It appears so, if they aren’t quite sure what they are after, could buy us time.”

We began tossing ideas out. “Wait a moment…What if the parchments… are more like a compass?” Agaris suggested.

“But most Compasses have 4 main points.” Lady Thalia said. “Perhaps with Luna as the center?”

Looking at his notes, Jov pointed out, “The parchment in my city, doesn’t fit with the others. Neither did the one found in Luna. Perhaps they message from the mage. He did seem panicked.”

“Excellent point, I don’t believe the Trinsic and Luna parchments were part of it. I think the Mage was trying to leave behind a message for the others. Telling them he was caught and had to abandon the search in Trinsic.

 

 

Looking at each other we all agreed that was possible.

“So… Trinsic was a message, and perhaps Luna telling them where he ditched the book? In case he was captured?” Agaris said while thinking out loud.

While continuing the discussion, Diggy brought up the idea that instead of map, they might be recall runes. “They are trying to open some kind of gate”.

“Aye,” Jov nodded in agreement.I was just thinking the same. thing. Or perhaps something similar to moonstones.”

“So…It is either that, or they need to open a gate in a specific place. “Yes, that would make sense.” Agaris said frowning. ” I’m betting it is something simple we are missing. I will send some spies into Ter-Mur to look for the book. on the off chance, that you were right.Suddenly he frowned, “That is going to be difficult. Relations are not bad by any means, but openly keeping spies in the Royal City? I’ll go inform the inform the King. He will be able to explain the problem to Queen Zhah. She needs to know that Minax is involved and that she has people looking for the Orb of Chaos.” still frowning Agaris left us. Our discussion went well into the night. But we were no closer to solving the mystery than before. At last each of us retired to our beds. Answers sometimes come in dreams.

Pitmuck Pirate Invasion

Pitmuck Island

February 7, 2015

By Riyana

Rumors of an impending attack on the island of goblins had been circulating for some time, and the notorious Holly Bloodhand herself had been spotted sailing toward Pitmuck. On Saturday, February 7th at 8PM EST, citizens from all over Sosaria gathered in the Vesper Auction House and Tavern to form a defense force and hopefully intercept Bloodhand before she could reach the island.

The group quickly traveled to a boat near Pitmuck, the captain of which claimed to know Bloodhand’s exact location.

However, an interception was not to be: before ever spotting Bloodhand OR Pitmuck, a Scalis Enforcer appeared! They hastily sailed on to Pitmuck, where they could form a solid defense against the Scalis, and no sooner had they defeated it than Bloodhand sailed up and boldly stepped off the ship to taunt the crowd.

Oddly, she was alone–the rumored fleet was nowhere to be seen. When asked where her fleet was, she had a peculiar answer:

Then she did something even more peculiar: she threw mysterious bottles at the defenders.

She then summoned a harbinger and sailed around the island while the defenders defeated it. Upon its defeat they followed her once more… to find a strange sight. What appeared to be an intact ship’s hold jutted out of the ground as if forced up through the earth. Bloodhand, clearly enjoying herself, made a few cryptic remarks about her so-called uncle, a mage known for his incredibly powerful translocation magics, having put it there for her… and that he could take it away.

And take it away he apparently did. The hold disappeared, and out poured well over a dozen rune beetles. Holly crowed on about how these were matured Pitmuck pinworms (perhaps all that remained of some of her missing crew?) as the pheromones she’d doused everyone with earlier drove the creatures into a frenzy.

She left the ship a few more times, leading the defenders on a wild chase around the island into two more harbingers and dozens of treasure guardians. It seemed almost as though she was toying with them. Then suddenly, she announced that she had what she’d come for. She sailed away, leaving the defenders confused.

The answer came quickly. A woman from Nujel’m hurried up to the crowd, out of breath and distraught. She reported dire news indeed: while Pitmuck was being defended, Nujel’m had been overrun by pirates! The group quickly made their way to Nujel’m to find that, indeed, a number of pirates had taken up residence in the city. They found Bloodhand again just before she sailed away, supposedly for a victory drink with her uncle.

Fortunately, many of the defenders were quite familiar with her “uncle”, and had even secured his current location beforehand just in case. They quickly regrouped and headed off in pursuit. Indeed, he was not far at all from Nujel’m…

Corgul the Soulbinder, or “Uncle Corgul” as Bloodhand calls him, put up quite a fight, but he was no match for the defenders. Unfortunately Bloodhand either never bothered to have that drink with Corgul, or her taunting words were just another misdirection–she was nowhere to be found.

It was also later discovered that she in fact had made away from Pitmuck with a large supply of ice cream, ostensibly when the defenders were under heavy opposition from her strange army of creatures. 

So the good news: save for the plundering of its ice cream stores, Pitmuck is safe. No permanent damage appears to have been done, and the island is free of pirates.

The bad news: the attack on Pitmuck was only a diversion, and now Nujel’m appears to be under Bloodhand’s control.

What is going on with these “Pitmuck pinworms” and the strange pheromones Bloodhand cooked up? What is she doing in Nujel’m? What will she do next? And what of the ice cream–could this be related to the ice cream theft in Jhelom? Only time will tell, so keep your eyes and ears open!

Unveiling the Evil

Yew

February 2nd, 2015

By Riyana

On Monday, February 2nd, citizens from around Sosaria answered the call of Governor Tehan of Yew. It seemed that Orcish Chief Crak’Trizh had made another threat on the city of Yew:

The volunteers assembled in front of the Empath Abbey and proceeded to the Yew prison to interrogate Orcish prisoners about Crak’Trizh… where they discovered that the prisoners had been transferred to Governor Tehan’s personal office in Dragon’s Watch.

After expelling an aggressive interloper who may or may not have been allied with Crak’Trizh, they they discovered that the governor had performed various forms of torture upon the prisoners in an effort to extract information… and only one remained alive.

Orcish prisoner Kipu refused to speak with Governor Tehan in the room, but when he grudgingly left, someone handed him a banana that he requested and he became a bit more forthcoming. He indicated that Crak’Trizh hadn’t just targeted Yew–he’d left a surprise for EVERY city governor. A quick search of the governors’ offices yielded a number of bombs! Each one had a letter incripted on it… and when all the bombs were gathered, it was clear that they spelled the word “justice”.

While there was speculation that this was some form of Orcish justice, some recalled that the last place Crak’Trizh was seen was near Justice Falls. The group followed Governor Tehan to a ship he had parked near there, and they shortly discovered what had to be Crak’Trizh’s hideout.

The door was barricaded, but the barricade was no match for the ship’s powerful cannon. The group entered the hideout and had to destroy another barricade with explosion potions. They’d almost reached Crak’Trizh… but he pulled up the rope ladder before they could get to him on the top floor. He ran into a death vortex within a blood pentagam and disappeared momentarily… and returned as a daemon!

He ran outside and summoned an ally to aid him–a harbinger. He then escaped in the confusion that followed. The group triumphed over the creature, but Crak’Trizh remains at large.

Many unanswered questions remain after the events that unfolded. What is Crak’Trizh up to? How did he get the power to transform into a daemon and summon such unholy allies? What more does Kipu know… and will he live long enough to tell it? We’ll have to wait until next time to find out!

 

 

 

 

December / January Obituary Column

.

Asian

.

.

Dirt Napper

.

DoCtOr DeTrOiT

.

Farimer Tensus

.

Lady Fraise

.

KaSeRoR

.

Kellusion / December

.

Kellusion / January

.

Dirt Napper, Kellusion and blanc De blanc

.

Lyna Isbane

.

Morgan

.

Mucklebones

.

Night Stalker

.

Olive

.

Quill Storm

.

Sass

.

Scarlet

.

Shadius

.

.

Wind of Hope

.

An Icy Investigation Part Deux

Jhelom

January 29th, 2015

Governor Scabby put out a call to arms, as he continued the investigation into the mysterious icy patches and moongate. It did not take long for a motley crew of roughnecks to descend on to the Hand of Death Guild Hall in Jhelom.

As the menacing group awaited the arrival of the Governor of Jhelom, they played a rousing game of Duck-Duck-Goose! 

Governor Scabby arrived shortly after and got everyone into place, He started barking out orders of the soon to be raid on Ice Dungeon looking for clues about the mysterious happenings.

As the rowdy group was preparing to leave, they suddenly found themselves under siege by a group of unknown arctic creatures. 

The deadly fight quickly headed towards the mysterious moongate. The arctic creatures put on a valiant fight but were eventually defeated.

The exhausted group gathered at the moongate to regroup and catch their breath. It was there that they noticed that the gate had changed. It seemed alive yet gave off an icy cold aura, almost as if it were oozing death itself. As they looked for clues, they came across a book that had a strange an eerie sentence written inside. “All Hail the Arctic Tyrant” As Governor Scabby read aloud the cryptic message, he was suddenly transported from Jhelom to another area. After a quick recon, they found that they were outside Ice Dungeon, the very place that they had been about to raid. The coincidence was not missed by Governor Scabby and he quickly order his defenders inside the dungeon.

Once inside they quickly found a clue, it was a page torn our of a book!

After seeing the fiendish claw marks, they decided to head to the heart of the dungeon. Rumor has it that the a fiendish creature lives there and they needed to find out for sure. They battled their way through countless creatures and finally made it to the area they were looking for. Little did they know that the Ice Fiend had company!

After dispatching, the Ice Fiends and other creatures, the Arctic Ice Tyrant showed his face again and attacked the weary group. They put up a valiant fight and vanquished him with a vengeance! They started to explore the remainder of the rooms looking for clues when they came across something very strange. It was an ice cream recipe book owned by the Jhelom Ice Creem Shoppe located at the docks on the N/E side of the main island.

As they pondered on how and why it was removed from the ice cream shoppe. they were startled by the sudden appearance of another creature, the Glacial Lich. He let them know that he would never return the book and that they would suffer. As he disappeared, he left a small army of unfrozen mummies to keep the adventurers busy.

The worn out band of adventurers returned to Jhelom and decided to rest at the scene of the crime, the Ice Cream Shoppe. After recapping the events, they deduced that the Glacial Lich had stolen the recipe book from the Ice Cream Shoppe. They discovered that Governor Scabby had obtained the book from a wandering gypsy in Minoc who gave it to him in return for rotten food. It was also brought to light that the freezer had been designed and built by a tinker from Trinsic who had obtained the ice for the freezer directly from Ice Dungeon itself. Governor Scabby has pledged to find this gypsy by asking Governor Vic II of Minoc to assist. He and Governor Phoenix of Trinsic will attempt to locate and interrogate the tinker that had designed and built the freezer.

On a side note, it was commented  on that the cobblestone in Ice Dungeon was in much better shape than the loosely fitted stones that pass for pavement in Britain, Travelers in Britain beware!

 

Wanted for questioning: Four men and one woman.

One man, goes by the name Sivrane, has a tattoo of a bird on his left arm, and wears a hood. Do not approach as he is known to be dangerous.

Traveling with him a brown hair man, carries an important book needed by the Agrias.

Also a man with red hair. Little is know of this man.

Fourth man, Adrian, known member of the thieves guild. Has black hair and a winning way.

The woman has long orange hair, silvery eyes wearing a expensive black robe. After use of potions, Thought to be an alchemist and dangerous.

Needed code breakers to decode found parchments. Parchment postion marked by red ruby.

Found at Castle Blackthorn-parchment has two burned corners and three marks in the middle

Found at Vesper docks- parchment has three burned corners and 4 marks in the middle

Found at Vesper bank-parchment has one burned corner and 2 marks in the middle

Found that the south East Britian provsioner shop-four burned corners and 2 marks in the middle

Found at the Britian jewlery shop-parchement four burned and 2 marks.

If you find another, report it at once to Agaris.

 

Meeting with Agaris, usually brings ill tidings. I hoped that this evening would be different. A meeting of two old friends over a pint of ale, alas it wasn’t. Instead Agaris told me of strangers who had been sighted in both Britain and Vesper. While there had been reports of them breaking into buildings, nothing had been taken. “Tamias, I need you to talk to the witnesses. When Captain Corian or I tried to question them, they refused to talk to us. Someone has threatened them to the point they are scared to speak.”

Sighing I agreed to speak with them. People, even scared, will often speak to a bard. His look told me that there was more he wasn’t telling me. “Agaris, what are you keeping from me?” Looking around, he told me that strange parchments had been found. On them a code of some sort. He then showed me the one in the Castle Blackthorn’s courtyard. “None of our spies have been able to decipher the messages. Looking at the parchment, I made a drawing of it.

I found the first witness waiting for me in the hall. “Greetings Elona, I understand you saw a strange man. Could I ask some questions?”

“Who… who are you…” she asked looking around the room. Seeing us seemed to make her feel a little safer. I told her that Agaris had sent us to find more of what she knew. ” He, he could not… oh…I saw him only out of the corner of my eye. I barely saw anything honestly. But, you don’t want to know… what… what happened? I can leave?” she pleaded. “You will be protected. Even now Agaris is placing guards. We must know what you saw.”

 Nervously she told us what she had seen.  “Well, I was walking down by the library to deliver bread,  from the shadows, he was staring at me. I thought he was somewhat handsome, but then he gave me an odd look.”

“Don’t be nervous,” I tried to reassure her. “How was the look odd?”

“He just kept watching me… was toying with his blade. It made me nervous. Never said a word, just toyed with that wicked curved blade.”

“I can understand why he made you nervous. Was there anything special you noticed?”

“No, Except… for that tattoo… It was… a bird.” After thanking her, we turned to leave. Touching my arm she whispered. “He wasn’t alone. I don’t remember how many there were, but there was a woman. She told them to go to the Vesper by docks. Please don’t tell anyone what I told you.”

It was decided to check out the Vesper docks. The docks seemed normal, until we reached the end. There was Arame, a fisherwoman, trying to avoid us. Seeing that she couldn’t get by us, “You’re here for fish right? Could some of you, maybe wait until the fishing boats come in?” When we told her that we hadn’t come for fish,  she tried to sell us bait and poles. I asked if she had seen any strange folks. She shook her head, ” No, I have been here all day. Just the docks, nowhere near the buildings north of here. Here all day.” Jittery, she glanced at the buildings north of the dock. Reassuring her that she was safe, I asked what was special about the buildings. Looking around, sighing, she continued. “Did you see what they did? They broke in…They broke into one of the buildings north of here.

“We have had other reports about strange men. Did you notice how many there were?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She nodded ,” Yes, Three men, and a woman. One had a hood and a tattoo his left arm, he was, nice looking but mean. Asked if they wanted some fish and he told me to shut up.” Stamping her foot in anger, “No reason to be mean, I was just offering to sell fish. The nice lady came up to me and apologized for the hooded man. Pretty she was, long orange hair with an expensive black skirt.” They went towards the bank.

Thank you for your help, I have one more question,”Did the man seem like a bodyguard?

” Shivering Armane answered, “No not a bodyguard, a killer, he was. Heading towards the bank they were, I will be glad not to see them again.” As we began to walk to the bank, she called me back. “Before they left, they dropped the parchment.”Noting what was on it, I copied it.

 

Arriving at the bank, I saw the others had begun to question Thomas, another witness.

 

Like the others he didn’t want to speak with us, instead asking for gold to buy a drink. Jingling some coins, I told him the coins were his after answering some questions. “Ques… tions for gold? I will tell you all about Vesper! he babbled. “This here is the Vesper bank. Over there is a mage shop. Lets see… that lamppost is my favorite.” Hiccupping he held out this hand. You wanted to know about Vesper, right?”

I shook my head, “No, we need to know about any strange people you have seen. A tattooed man and a woman with orange hair. Did you see them?”

Thomas’s hiccups grew worse, ” No… no one… not a thing… I said I saw nothing!” I noticed that he was holding his arm seemly cut by a sword.

“Thomas, did the man with the sword cut you?”

He looked at me in surprise. ” He… cut me for watching them. Told me to go fall over in a ditch, and forget what I saw.” After his wound had been bandaged, he told us that there had been three of them, two men and a pretty lady with orange hair. She had odd silvery looking eyes… it was… haunting they were. Worried he pointed towards the jewelry shop. “I saw them break in. The brown haired man came out with some thing small. I thought he put it in his bag. When he dropped it, i looked inside. I swear, I wasn’t thinking about stealing nothing, I just was curious.” he eagerly told us. “The bag, it had something stitched into it. I went over and picked up the bag with the initials LER.

I also noticed another dropped parchment. I made my drawing before going back. The others had found out that Thomas had heard them arguing loudly where to go next. “The brown haired man, told them to meet at the Profuse Provisions, I think it’s in southeast Britain?” Looking at the gold I gave him, he added, ” They were talking something about a heist in Trinsic in a week, and depositing something in Luna Bank after the heist.

Trusting the others to find and question the next witness, I went to tell Agrais what we had found so far. Unable to find him I hurried to the shop. There the others had just finished questioning Miranda. They showed me the cutlass left on the ground. Its strange handle marked with the word “SIVRANE.

Inside the shop I found yet another parchment. After making my drawing, the gathering told me she said the three men and lady had headed into Britain. They were going to the jewelry shop.

 

Hoping to catch up with the four, we gated to the shop. We were too late. Standing outside the owner of the shop, Devrone, who tried to sell us lovely ring or necklace. When told that we were following three people, two men and a woman. He became nervous, looking around “Well at least you aren’t rude like the last people.”  He replied.

 

 “But there were four men not three.” The one seemed to be following them.

Hum, I thought to my self. Who was this fourth man. “What can you tell us about the first three men ?”

He thought for a minute, “Well, there was one called Sivrane. Shifty looking fellow, had a hood on couldn’t see his face or anything. I did see a weird bird tattoo. He was arguing with the other man. Couldn’t hear what it was about. Frowning he added, “The brown haired man left a parchment.  But the way that man was looking at his book, I am pretty sure there’s something odd about the parchment. He kept making sure he burned the right corners. Heard him cuss when he accidently burned the wrong edge, crumpled up the parchment and threw it away.” I went to copy it. “I wouldn’t touch it if I were you. That Sivrane guy, told me if I touched the paper, he’d kill me… so…I left it alone.”

 

When asked if he had seen a lady, he blushed. “Yes, a pretty lady, bright orange hair, really nice smile with slivery eyes. With the attention she gave me I think she was trying to distract me. Don’t know from what. She seemed disinterested in what the two men were doing.”

“Did they take anything from your shop?” I asked.

“No, they didn’t even go in, just stared at the building. Before they left, I heard one say they were robbing Trinsic, in a week.” Devrone, then  tod us that when they left the woman went a different direction. The men left towards the bank, But the lady went east. He said it was after they had left, the fourth man arrived. He was sketch and really shady. Nice fellow though, even brought a  silver locket. He seemed very interested in the parchment. Studied it, then followed the three men.  Asked to describe the man, all Devorne could remember was he had black hair and that he said his name was Adrian.

I started back to the castle. I needed to organize what I had learned. On the way I ran into Agaris hiding in the shadows. I told him what I had learned. He was surprised when I told him about Adrian.

“Hum, charming man, black hair, pleasant attitude named Adrian? Can’t be a coincidence. What is the thieves guild doing mixed up in this.” Unable to answer, I asked it he had seen the orange hair lady.

“Unfortunately I did. Ran into up by the sewers. She was asking me why I was following them… I told her she was pretty and I was in love, I think she believed it. But when I continued to follow here, Until she threw a bunch of purple potions my way in an alley and disappeared. Almost got me with one of them.” It was hard not to laugh his expression talking about the potions. I took my leave to organize my notes. I assured him, I’d have the descriptions in a couple of hours.

 

 

 

 

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This just in from EMElizabella …

Brialla of the Seven Tears was the first to chart the mysterious north lands of Britannia. Brialla set out from Yew, in her humble brown monk’s robe and bare feet, to push back the dark corners of the map. Her journals are rich with illustrations and detailed descriptions of the terrain, its plants and animals, and the nomads she met along the way. She even found the mineral deposits in the mountains by what would become Minoc.

 

 

Every year, in late January, the people of Britannia celebrate Brialla’s journey by donning monks’ robes and walking barefoot from Yew to Minoc. There, they toast to her memory in the tavern. All are encouraged to tell whatever legends they’ve heard of Brialla’s journey or to describe their own adventures.

 

 

Meet Louisa Clark in front of Empath Abbey on Friday, January 30th, at 8 p.m. CST. The traditional robe can be acquired, for a nominal donation, from the monks in the Yew Winery. This year, journeyers are asked to be armored and armed under their robes.