The mist passed through corridor after corridor, then through the reading rooms, and into the great entrance hall of the House of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth
As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under. Then, gradually, it faded in to the realm where it could be seen. Patrons of the Houseplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth
As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under looked up as the unnatural mist passed overhead. A priest ran out of the room, and another headed calmly toward the main entrance.
As the mist made its belabored way towards the double doors, the priest pushed them closed. But it is all but impossible to stop something that is little more than air itself in a drafty temple. The mist slipped through the space between the doors, and was gone.
Outside, a strong breeze pulled the mist suddenly away from the Houseplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth
As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under. By the time the breeze let up, the mist had to travel down more than a hundred feet.
The mist, in its hazy way, looked up at the moons. Less than half an hour had passed since it first entered the Houseplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth
As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under in its human form. There was still plenty of time for its next task.
With the wind repeatedly pulling the mist off course, getting to Makierreiplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTrademaster Eiselon Makierrei
Description
Makierrei is a short man, about five two, potbellied and of medium build. His arms hang out a bit, as if he were a much heavier man than he actually is. He is balding and wears a moustache, which parallels heavy eyebrows. Almost comical when described, he is disappointingly ordinary in person.'s house took a long time, but eventually, it was able to take shelter under an awning. At the side of the house and in shadow, the mist took its human form and became Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. once again.
Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. looked around at the priests in the area, and decided he didn't have enough spells prepared to continue this evening, so he mentally signaled for Tah'iera to come and scout for him, helping guide him safely to the brewery.
Once there, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. sent Tah'iera back to the wall, then sat down in a corner, and took out the two books he'd gone into the Houseplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth
As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under for. The one he'd dropped was in three pieces now, and many of the old, dry pages were cracked. The other one, besides being just as stiff and dry as the first, was at least whole. Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. turned the pages carefully. Forgolonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigForgolon
Description
The minstrel was tall and well-built. He had a developed moustache, although not so developed as Sahlman's, and the beginnings of a beard. The man wore baggy pants, and a loose vest. There were numerous places where he could have been hiding a small dagger or knife, and had said one of these was a legal text, and the other was a history of some forgotten region. Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. couldn't make out nearly that much. He had never thought of the spell-runes as an actual language, so, while he could pronounce the words, he had no idea what they might mean.
Many of the symbols looked familiar, but none seemed to organize themselves into what Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. would recognize as a spell. After an hour of turning pages, his eyes were swimming with meaningless symbols. Then he noticed an indented passage, and he blinked several times to clear his vision. Many of these runes looked familiar; most even. This could be a spell. The writing went on for two pages before it became incomprehensible again.
Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. smiled at the book in front of him and took a moment to clear his head. He began the mental exercises he learned as an apprentice to understand new magics, but then remembered that he hadn't prepared himself for that today. Why hadn't he been taught to read these symbols as a language? It shouldn't require magic to read magic. Well, he could wait until tomorrow. He marked the page and continued on through that tattered section of the book. At the end of the second section, he found more words that looked like they could be magical, but part of the page was torn off. Then a single page in the third section was familiar once more.
Excited, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. went through the other book Forgolonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigForgolon
Description
The minstrel was tall and well-built. He had a developed moustache, although not so developed as Sahlman's, and the beginnings of a beard. The man wore baggy pants, and a loose vest. There were numerous places where he could have been hiding a small dagger or knife, and had mentioned, but found nothing, in his quick flipping through pages, that resembled a spell. Examining the books in detail to make sure he hadn't missed anything would take many hours.
Next, he picked up the book that had looked and sounded magical when he had cast his spell. This book was not written in any magical language, nor in a language Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. recognized. Half-way through, however, a ribbon, used as a bookmark, fluttered out and landed on the floor. It was about six inches long, and bright blue, its color far brighter and its material far more durable than would have been expected, given the age and condition of the book.
Finally, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. looked through the book that had been surrounded by candles. Again, the language was meaningless to him. There was a spell that could have helped with this, but alas, he didn't know it. Sighing, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. returned the books to his backpack, giving it the overstuffed appearance it had had before, and put the ribbon in a safe place. Then he double-checked his bandages. Fortunately, none of his wounds were too severe. They would be mostly healed in a day or two.
Before settling down to wait for the others, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. took the ribbon out again. There were basic things he'd been taught as an apprentice, that could determine the properties of such things. Most magical artifacts were activated by one of a small set of actions – waving them in the air, touching them at a certain point, concentrating, even tasting them. Some had to be spoken to, and the words to speak were often written on the object, or would become obvious to the possessor through magical means.
Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. tried all these things and more, but couldn't figure out what the ribbon was for. It seemed to have no effect on a book, did nothing when he held it, made no subtle suggestions to him when he concentrated. Had it not been for the spell and the ribbon's durability, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. would have thought it just an ordinary piece of cloth.
Again disappointed, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. relaxed into a meditative rest, just short of sleep, and waited for the others to return.
Kreemon slowed his pace and made his way back to Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours.. Before setting out again, he took a few minutes to sift through the torn backpack. What he found wasn't particularly informative – travel clothing, travel rations, an ordinary quill pen. The box had opened and spilled out some of its contents, which explained the jingling. Had it remained closed, the wad of wool inside would have kept it silent. Kreemon took the wool out and poured the small, golden coins into his hand. His eyes widened. There had to be about a hundred and fifty attles here, well over a year's salary when he served under Baron Wently in Elgony. And it was all in gold.
Kreemon put the coins back into the box and stuffed the piece of wool in securely so there wouldn't be a jingle. Then he and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. headed back to Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index. On the way, Kreemon said, “You are going to need some warmer clothes due to the blizzard tomorrow.”
“Blizzard? But we had one a couple weeks ago– oh. This is all really weird, Kreemon. Ever since I saw that blue glow on Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style.'s hand, when you first rescued me, so many strange things have been happening.”
“They haven't felt the earthquake here yet either. Very weird. Speaking of weird,” Kreemon said, and told Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. what he learned at the camp site. “I wonder what the priests will think when they find out there is an army outside their walls.”
“You're going to tell them? Sounds dangerous.”
“Maybe not me personally, but I am sure we can figure a way to use the knowledge to our advantage… They had some markings on specific areas of the city wall. I want to investigate a few of those areas briefly as we return, so be on the lookout for any of the army scouts. We will need to proceed quietly, in case there is anyone in the woods watching the city.
“I wonder how the King knew to send an army,” Kreemon mused as they approached the walls.
“I bet Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. will figure it out,” Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. replied. “He's a smart guy.”
“Between him and Forgolonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigForgolon
Description
The minstrel was tall and well-built. He had a developed moustache, although not so developed as Sahlman's, and the beginnings of a beard. The man wore baggy pants, and a loose vest. There were numerous places where he could have been hiding a small dagger or knife, and, I'm sure they'll figure it out. We should probably be quiet now.”
As Kreemon suspected, there were scouts watching the spots marked on the map. They saw none in the first spot they checked, but Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. saw one in the second. There seemed to be no special features on the wall that marked these spots; they were merely close to the most empty areas of town, where one could climb the wall with the least chance of being noticed.
A third spot was very close to where they'd scaled the wall; possibly in the same place. Kreemon wasn't familiar enough with the layout of Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index to be certain.
Kreemon came to the edge of the woods and made sure the coast was clear before signaling to the bird. By the time he and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. had reached the wall, Tah'iera was waiting for them. Kreemon gave the hook to the bird, and motioned for it to carry it to the top.
Tah'iera grasped the hook in its talons and beat its wings, but it couldn't move; the hook was too heavy.
Kreemon frowned and whispered, “That figures.” He took a few minutes to tie some knots in the rope, the first one about seven feet from the end, and then another knot every three feet. “Well, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours., do you think you can climb up this side and place the hook again?”
Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. scanned her eyes slowly up the wall, stopping on the flat surface twenty feet above the ground. “Is there a choice?” she asked. Unlike on the inside, there weren't a bunch of conveniently placed handholds and footholds here. It was just a flat wall, designed specifically to stop people from climbing it. Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. did a few arm and leg stretches. “I just wish I wasn't so tired from all that digging. This isn't gonna be easy.”
Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. took a few deep breaths, attached the rope to her belt, and scrambled up to the first reasonable handhold, more than six feet off the ground. She hung there for a few seconds, looking for the next handhold, but then had to drop. She took a step back, examined the wall, and tried again. This time, she swung her legs around while hanging from the handhold, trying to reach a tiny crevice five feet up. She lost her grip and fell to the ground. She tried the same grip one more time, with the same result. “This isn't working,” she said, flexing her fingers, and took a few steps back to get a good, long look at the wall.
“There it is. Watch this,” she said. A few feet from where she had been climbing, there was a more accessible spot. At least, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. thought so; Kreemon couldn't tell the difference. But before he knew it, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. had scrambled half way up the wall. At that point, she was in trouble. The next handhold was just out of her grasp. She counted to five, and then sprung for it, but a piece of stone flaked off in her hand, and she tumbled to the ground, rolling to absorb the impact.
“Just a few scratches,” she told Kreemon. “I'm going to give it one more shot.”
Again, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. scrambled quickly up the wall, but this time, when she reached the difficult spot, she crept slowly upward with her right foot, trying to get just a little higher. Then she slipped on something Kreemon couldn't see, and fell again.
Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. lay panting on the ground, nursing her bruised leg with stiff fingers. “Now what?” she asked, looking up at Kreemon's face.
Kreemon took a minute to check Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours.'s leg. “That was a good try. Are you okay?”
“I will be. Just let me lie here a minute.”
“It might be a long shot but let me try throwing the hook. If that doesn't work, I have another idea that might pan out.”
Holding one end of the rope, Kreemon choked up on the other end and swung the hook in an arc, letting it gather speed through a few revolutions. Then he released it, sending it toward the top of the wall. The hook hit the wall several feet below the top, and caught briefly on a few spots before scraping down the wall, filling the air with a noise that made shivers run down Kreemon's spine. He gathered the rope for another toss, when he saw the lights of the patrolmen moving in their direction from atop the wall.
Kreemon and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. slipped back into the woods as the lights approached, then sat and waited. The guards met about twenty feet from where Kreemon had thrown the hook, and spoke to each other for a while, peering into the woods and down over the side of the wall.
After a few minutes, Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style.'s bird passed overhead, screeching its demonic squawk. One of the guards aimed his crossbow upward, but the other stilled his hand. The guards watched the bird fly off, then moved off in opposite directions.
Kreemon waited another fifteen minutes, watching and listening, to be sure that the guards were far enough away. As he stood to give the hook another try, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. said, “Kreemon.” He turned around, and saw a man wearing the uniform of the Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index guard, coming out of the woods.
Kreemon sighed and muttered, “What now?”
“Wait,” the man said when Kreemon poised himself to fight. “I'm not going to turn you in.” He moved his hand away from the hilt of his sword.
Aloud, but not loud enough to carry too far, Kreemon said, “We got stuck outside after dark; just making our way back inside the city. What are you doing out here?”
“No need to make excuses; I'm glad I found you. I was just doing my normal patrol, when I spotted an army camped in the woods, right down that way.” He pointed in the direction of the king's army. I've got to keep an eye on them, but I also have to get word to the town guard. If there's any chance you could deliver a message for me, I can promise you'll be rewarded.”
Kreemon didn't follow the guard's pointing, but kept his eyes on the guard. “We saw the army too. They belong to the King. Evidentially he isn't too pleased with the rumors of instability here in town. Matter of fact, there are a few of the army scouts scattered about in the woods here, probably observing weak points in the security of the wall.
“But you already knew that, didn't you,” Kreemon added.
“I suspected it,” the guard said without batting an eye, “but I haven't seen any of them yet. Wait – you aren't one of them, are you?”
Kreemon, now convinced that the guard really was from the city, let out a low chuckle. “If I was, you'd already be knocked out and hog- tied. No, I did a little investigating to see if they were a danger to my charge.” Kreemon took a half-step to put himself between Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. and the guard. “Having brought her this far, I could not take the chance of something happening to her. You do know who Townsman Ulan was, right?”
“Of course. He used to be one of the most powerful townsmen in Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index.”
“But I bet you never knew that he had a daughter,” Kreemon said, glancing back, seeming to ensure Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours.'s location and safety before returning his full attention to the guard.
The guard glanced at Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours.. “I never knew that much about him.”
“With the current instability and rumors flying around, you can understand why we were trying to enter the city unannounced.”
“Of course. Like I said, I'm just glad I ran into you.”
“So I would be happy to pass along a message if you can guarantee her safety in entering the city and with whomever we deliver your message to.”
“I can't do anything about getting you in without calling undo attention to myself – there are scouts around, like you said – but I promise she won't be harmed by Veleon. Here,” he said, handing Kreemon a sealed scroll. “You can find him in his apartment in the outskirts of the wealthy quarter. If you were at the Temple of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth
Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics, you'd go past the bathhouses, and straight down the street for about two hundred yards, then take a left at the big copper Sign of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth
Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics, and stop three houses past the jeweler's shop. He lives on the second floor. Don't worry about waking him; he'll want to be woken up for this.”
Kreemon took scroll. “Okay, I'll deliver it. Who should I say it is from?”
“Kull is my name.”
“And who is this Veleon character? Are you sure he isn't part of some faction that would be against Ulan's heir claming her inheritance?”
“I don't see why he would be. Veleon is affiliated with the town guard. He may have even worked with Ulan at some point, but he stays out of politics.”
“Incidentally, she doesn't mind if you let people know she is here in town. It would actually be better if people did know. Maybe it will help bring some order to the chaos around here.”
“Alright,” the guard said, smiling. “One good turn deserves another. I'll be sure to spread the word when I get the chance.”
“So, you got an easier, safer, and less strenuous way for us to get into the city?”
He let his eyes wander up the wall. “I wish I did, but I'm sure there are scouts watching the gates, and I can't risk being seen. If you end up held by the guard, I'll make sure to explain everything to them. Unfortunately, that's the best I can offer.”
“Damn. I was hoping for a hidden gate or something.” Kreemon offered his hand. “Try not to get yourself killed, Kull. The city needs more guards like you.”
Kreemon waved a short goodbye as he returned to the wall. Having a better idea of how much force to use, he swung the hook again in a circle, slowly letting out more slack until he felt he had enough momentum to release it. When he did, it flew up and up with surprising force. With the knots making the rope much shorter than its original thirty feet, Kreemon was soon pulled toward the wall, and it was all he could do to keep from losing it.
Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. watched from behind as the hook went over the top of the wall. She was sure it would be lost, but then Kreemon jerked back. The hook overshot by just a little, and caught on the other side.
Kreemon held onto the end of the rope with one hand, hoping the weight of the hook wasn't enough to pull it over the wall. It was just at the edge of his reach. But it was secure – that was certain.
“Hide on the other side after you climb down and wait for me,” Kreemon said to Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours..
With the help of the knotted rope, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. was able to climb easily. Once at the top, she adjusted the hook so there was no chance of it falling down the other side, and then climbed down into Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index. Kreemon followed. At the top, he kept low to the wall, looking left and right for possible guards before rehooking the rope on the inside. Then he climbed down, and signaled for the bird to remove the hook. This time, he tugged on the rope as it fell, so it wouldn't scrape against the stone wall.
Kreemon coiled the rope quickly and moved to a hiding spot to scope out the area.
Unsurprisingly, Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index was quiet. But there was still some movement. Even hours past midnight, there were priests patrolling in the distance. They had vacated the area around the Temple of Andrithaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism
Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).
Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of, though, and none were particularly close to Kreemon and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours..
“What did you think about that guy,” Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. asked as they dodged between buildings.
“I think he was telling the truth. At least he didn't call the guards in on us.”
“I guess… but something he said… I wish I could remember. Oh well. I'm probably imagining things. Walking around on legs that barely do what I tell them any more at whatever o'clock in the morning will do that to a girl.”
“Let's drop this message off and then return to our hideout.” Kreemon followed Kull's directions, keeping to side streets and alleys, and staying out of view of the priests. When they got to their destination, Kreemon banged on the door. “Veleon?” he called. He had to knock a few more times before someone finally came to the door.
“Veleon?” Kreemon repeated.
The man looked up at the sky through drooped eyelids. “What time is it?” he asked. “I'm going to give that Veleon a talking to…” he closed the door, and Kreemon heard the sounds of footsteps on a creaking staircase. It was another few minutes before the door opened again.
Veleon was a tall, bald man, just as tired as the landlord. He looked at Kreemon and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. with glazed eyes.
“Kull sent us with a message. He said it is important.”
“Kull?” Veleon asked, uncomprehending. “Oh, Kull,” he said, his eyes finally opening fully. “Come on in.”
Veleon's apartment was small and tidy. The cabinet doors were closed, and none of the man's possessions were out in the open. Besides the cabinet, there was a small table with one chair, a cot, and a fireplace with a neat pile of dying embers. He stabbed at the embers, giving the room a burst of warmth that faded quickly. As if noticing the cold for the first time, Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. shuddered, and wrapped her arms around herself. The air felt fine to Kreemon.
“You didn't come here just to look around, did you? If the message is so urgent, give it to me.”
Kreemon pulled the scroll out and said cautiously, “To be sure I am passing this to the right person, could you please show me some means of identification?”
“My landlord recognized my name, didn't he? What other kind of identification do you want?”
“Your badge or insignia will suffice.”
“Fine,” he said, as if the request were totally unreasonable. He opened his cabinet and pulled out the uniform of a Maelbourgplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg
[This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.]
Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to maelbourg index guard. On the shoulder was a Sign of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth
Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics in silver, as was worn by some of the higher-ranking guards in the town. “Satisfied?”
Kreemon nodded his head and took out the scroll, but held it just outside of Veleon's reach. “Kull mentioned a reward as well…”
“Give me that,” Veleon said, snatching the scroll out of Kreemon's hand. “You'll get the reward you were promised after I read it.”
Veleon broke the seal and opened the scroll, so that the text was visible only to him. Kreemon wondered when Kull had the chance to seal the scroll, but he dismissed his suspicion when he remembered a small satchel the patrolman had been wearing. Kull could have been carrying around paper, ink and wax, and found some out-of-the-way place to melt the wax somehow.
Veleon read the message carefully twice, looking surprised, then satisfied. “Kull was right to send this to me,” he said. Veleon walked once again to his cabinet. He opened a drawer and reached all the way to the back. His hand came out holding a leather pouch. The scroll, he left inside the cabinet.
Veleon poured a small number of coins from the pouch into his hand and offered them to Kreemon. “Here. Five attles. Fifty times the normal rate for delivering a message. Have fun with it.” He walked to his door, and opened it for Kreemon and Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours..
“How much would more information about that army be worth?”
“I'm sure Kull can handle it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.”
“Kull also mentioned that you would give us a pass or authorization in case we are stopped by any guards. I cannot allow my charge to be embroiled in such encounters at this time.”
“You won't be bothered if you don't cause any trouble.”
“Both the guards and the priests seem a little antsy, so in the event we are stopped and questioned, we would like the pass that Kull promised you would give us.”
“Like I said, you won't be bothered if you stay out of trouble. I've been more than polite,” Veleon said, still holding the door open. “Now I'm asking you to leave.”
“I see. Well, now I know the worth of Kull's word and by extension yours, so I do not feel obligated to keep my word to him. Good day.”
Veleon didn't even seem to pick up on Kreemon's hint of betrayal. When Kreemon left the room, Veleon closed the door behind him.
'This guy is pretty thick,' Kreemon thought as he made is way down the stairs and out of the house. He pocketed the coins, marveling at his sudden windfall this past night, and led Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. through the deserted streets back to their hideout. He avoided the main streets, and backtracked a few times to throw off anyone following them.
Soon, they were safely back at the brewery, where they found Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. fast asleep, leaning against the corner next to a backpack that was overstuffed with books. The room smelled bitter and dusty, like an old forgotten basement. It reminded Kreemon a little of the claustrophobic nightmare of a crawlspace that saved his life in Huerten.
Strangely, Bork didn't notice them coming in. The dog lay peacefully at Ziedonplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon
Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style.'s feet.
Kreemon went to open the window.
“Come on, Kreemon,” Koriscaplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigKorisca Valym
Korisca would be a beautiful woman if she bathed regularly. Most of the time, her face is soot-covered and her hands are grimy. Her blue eyes stand out as the only colorful feature of her face. Her blond hair is full of dirt and ragged, and is never combed neatly. Even after bathing, which never cleans her completely, she seems to draw the dirt back onto her skin within hours. said softly. “It's freezing.”
Kreemon relented, but by morning, the window would be open once again.
Kreemon lay down on the floor, huddled up to Bork, not for warmth, but for the long companionship the two of them had shared. It seemed Kreemon hadn't been paying nearly as much attention to his wolfhound as he used to. That would have to change.