Campaign: Dominion of Adventure 14/9/2023

While the other Renegades had travelled to investigate the monastary in search of Father Lucius’ son, Dorian and Gunnar had remained behind in Zargocotl in the hope that Luther might return. While the others had been battling zombies at the monastary Gunnar and Dorian had mostly been enjoying the peace and quiet on offer at the Lewd Bard, and had made themselves rather more familiar with the tavern’s selection of drinks. This day they had secured a table outside the inn which gave them a good view of the town square and monolith and were enjoying some ale while keeping an eye out for the lost bard. As Gunnar lounged in the sun he saw the monolith glow suddenly and a familiar figure stepped out.

Navarro looked around himself and spotted Gunnar and Dorian sat outside a yellow walled tavern, he strode towards them

“Greetings!” he called out, Gunnar raised his tankard in greeting

“Welcome back Navarro” said Dorian

“Where are the others?” asked the paladin, eschewing small talk and itching to get back to action.

“Some of them went to find Lucius’ kid” replied Gunnar

“Why aren’t you with them?” asked Navarro with a frown

“We’re waiting for Luther” explained Gunnar

“Where’s my squire got to now?”

“We don’t know, he lost him” replied Dorian nodding to Gunnar

“WE lost him” corrected Gunnar defensively

“Hmmmm” Navarro frowned in thought “Did we loose that Nick fellow too by any chance?”

“‘fraid not” answered Dorian with a grin

“Damn” with that Dorian explained to the paladin all he’d missed while he’d been conferring with Balasaar, being ripped out of the Nearith teleport stream and set upon in the wilds, their subsequent journey through the wilderness to Zargocotl and the details of how they’d lost his squire, though Gunnar noted that the cleric didn’t mention that they’d lost the promise during the ambush.

“I’ve been gone for a week!” cried an exasperated Navarro “is there anything else?”

“They lost the magic stone too” added Gunnar helpfully as he drank from his tankard

“WE lost the stone” snapped Dorian eyeing his companion darkly

“What the hells happened?” asked Navarro turning to Dorian

“I’m not really sure, we were attacked but I was unconscious for most of the fight”

“This is what happens when I’m not here to keep an eye on things” muttered Navarro

“It’s fine, we’ll find it again” said Dorian evenly

“How?” asked the paladin

“We just need a little faith, Helm will guide our steps”

Gunnar snorted into his mug at that but the others ignored him. Gathering their belongings they prepared to set off and join the others, delaying only breifly so that Gunnar and Dorian could purchase a pair of horses for the journey before they left Zargocotl in the direction of the monastary.

Meanwhile, at the monastary Sylas, Gregg, Hamlet and Iivan had come through their battle with the zombies relatively unscathed and were searching for survivors when a voice called out from an arrow slit in the sturdy tower looming over the building

“Hey! You down there – you need to get us out”

“We killed the zombies, it’s safe – you can come out now” called up Hamlet

There was a short pause before the voice replied “We can’t, we’re trapped in here….that’s why we’re calling for help”

“Hamlet, would you do the honours?” asked Iivan as he walked over to Hamlet holding out his gun to be unjammed by the warlock’s magic “I’ll go see what’s happening inside” he added after Hamlet had got his weapon back in working order. The warlock then clicked his heels and floated up the tower to see if there was any way to extract the trapped survivors through a window but was dissappointed to find the only openings in the sturdy stonewalls were the narrow arrow slits which, as the trapped survivors had hinted at already were too small to fit through.

Sylas watched Hamlet’s investigation with amusement from below, turning to Kevin he muttered “You picked the wrong master Kevin” and the cat meowed in seeming agreement before getting back to the serious work of licking his fur

Meanwhile Iivan and Gregg skirted the large building and slipped into a side door, eyeing the broken rood warily Iivan bagan to pick his way through the wreckage

“Be careful” shouted Gregg, his words echoing around the stone hall before a groaning creak announced one of the large timbers supporting what was left of the roof gave way, almost crushing Iivan who was able to leap aside at the last moment. Rising up from the other side of the fallen debris the drow shot a baleful look at the druid and placed his finger to his lips. As they moved through the building a growing sense of dread and nausea assailed them, forcing Iivan to retreat outside for some fresh air while Gregg identified the source of the malaise, a large stone that radiated a familar corruption and was likely the source of the explosion which had destroyed the roof.

“We need to get those people out of there” said Gregg after making his way back to the others

“I can’t go near that place” gagged Iivan, still struggling to control his nausea “here, take this” he gasped between retches passing a crowbar to Gregg

“Ugh, come on give me a hand” said Sylas striding towards the barricaded tower doors, Iivan began clapping while Hamlet summoned his mage hand for Sylas who shot them both a dark look before leading Gregg towards the doors.

Behind them, Navarro appeared on Rocinate from the forested path, Dorian and Gunnar following behind on their less noble steeds.

Seeing Navarro Hamlet waved “Navarro, I’ve learned a lot from you on leadership and we put it to good use in the battle here”

“Well done Lieutenant, you can fill me in on the details later – it seems we have people to rescue?” replied Navarro

Gunnar slid off his horse and pausing only to help lift Dorian down from their horse wandered over to Sylas and Gregg to help clear a path through the barricades. Between them they were able to haul away enough of the rubble to open a path for the survivors to clamber down from the tower to freedom.

The group of survivors were mainly young acolytes and were being looked after by two older monks, a Brother Ash who seemed to be in charge and his assistant Brother Juke. Sylas offered to help them gather and bury their dead and the monks offered him their thanks

“How did this stone get here?” asked Gregg pointing to the still radiating stone

“It was delivered to us” replied Brother Juke

“Who delivered it?” asked Hamlet

“A man, he wore a brown suit and drove a cart – I think he’s called Dave and he sometimes delivers supplies from the town”

“How long ago did it explode?” asked Dorian before Hamlet to reply

“Oh, I think maybe a day or so back” began the monk before an ear splitting boom thundered in the air causing some of the younger children to call out in fear

Turning towards the sound they saw Iivan, cuts across his face step through the lingering smoke with a satisfied grin as he slung his blunderbus over his shoulder, having clearly shot the stone at point blank range. As the wave of corruption spread across the clearing Navarro and Gregg both doubled over and retched their breakfasts onto the floor. Gunnar patted the hunched druid on the back and handed him one of his remaining zombie bite potions with a sympathetic smile.

“Brother” began Dorian turning away from the commotion

“Brother” replied Brother Ash on reflex

“Brother” began Dorian again before pressing swiftly onward “Do you have Father Lucius’ son here?”

“Callum? Yes he’s safe with the others” and the monk pointed to one of the youngsters

“Thank Helm for that” sighed Dorian

“Dorian, send word to Father Lucius” ordered Navarro

“He couldn’t even message him from town” said Gunnar gesturinbg towards Sylas

Dorian, paused thoughtfully and then raised his ring “Nick, why don’t you ever answer my calls?” he sent to Sylas’ ring

“I was busy fighting zombies at the time” came the peevish reply

Eventually, they managed to send a message to Father Lucius to let him know that Callum was safe, Father Lucius thanked them and ordered them to return to Zargocotl where he would arrange for an escort to take the survivors off their hands.

Hamlet walked over to Navarro “We’ve missed your leadership Navarro” he confided to the Paladin

“I understand there have been some” he paused searching for the right words “…setbacks recently”

“Hey, at least we saved the monastary” put in Iivan with a smile

“Bits of it” muttered Gunnar

Iivan looked like he would respond but a deep rumbling sounded and they all turned to watch as the tower and monastary buildings collapsed into a dust wreathed mound of rubble. Some of the younger acolytes began to cry

Dorian, turned back to the group a cheerful grin plastered on his face for the benefit of the youngsters “Sylas, be a lamb and go fetch a cart or something would you?”

“Only cart is under that” replied Sylas pointing to the ruins

“Well, it will be slow going with these little ones on foot. But we must make haste men come on” ordered Navarro

Seeing the children’s distress Gunnar, lifted three of them onto the back of his horse and plucked another to sit atop his shoulders as he led his horse after Navarro. Hamlet turned to Gregg “Remember our deal, I get to ride you”

Gregg thought for a moment then walked away from the others and transformed himself, not as Hamlet had expected into a horse but rather a gigantic wooly mammoth, the creature turned it’s massive bulk to the Renegades and lifted it’s trunk to trumpet a call to them. Grinning, the others scrambled up the mammoth’s woolly flanks and settled in as best they could on it’s broad back for the long ride back to town, the remaining children perched on various adventurers. With another ear splitting fanfare Gregg began to lumber after Navarro on Rocinate towards Zargocotl.

After an hour of travel, Sylas grew bored sat atop Gregg and seeing Hamlet floating alongside at the end of his tether, decided to have a little fun

“Hey kids” he whispered to the young acolytes, who turned eagerly at the change to break up the monotony of the journey

“Here, take these” he passed out a handful of small pebbles among them “I give you a gold piece for every time you can hit him” gesturing to Hamlet. The children laughed and quickly began throwing the stones at the startled warlock

“HEY!” he called out after being dinged by a well placed stone

“KEVIN! STOP THEM, IT HURTS!” he commanded, but Keving merely opened one eye, and seemed to grin as he took in what was happening

• Suck it up Princess came the cat’s voice in Hamlet’s mind

With the whole party now watching the kids with indulgent smiles and ignoring the increasingly desperate pleas of their comrade for help the kids continued their attack, one stone sailing through the air and striking Hamlet in the face, the impact knocking him insensible and breaking his control over his levitating boots. He dropped out of the air and thumped into the dirt of the track they were following with a crash. The children’s gleeful laughter (echoed by Kevin and Sylas) began to fade as Hamlet remained unmoving and was dragged along the roadway behind Gregg. Sighing Navarro spurred Rocinate towards the unconsious warlock and, leaning down from his saddle touched the immobile Renegade and pulsed a quick burst of healing magic into him. Hamlet clicked his heels and floated back into the air, beginning to use his magic to clean the dust and from his clothes while staring darkly at the still grinning Sylas before launching a beamn of energy at his tormentor.

“We have plenty more stones…and coins” called out Sylas, winking to the kids after shrugging off the eldritch blast, much to the youngsters amusement.

Before Hamlet could respond the sounds of cavalry reached them and Gregg lumbered to a halt as a troop of well appointed armoured knights clattered down the road and surrounded them. A knight with elaborate plumes fixed to his helmet pushed forward and called out

“Are you the Renegades?” he called

“I am Sir Navarro, and these are my Renegades” answered Navarro proudly

“Then we are here to relieve you” replied the knight

“Hey, things are looking up” grinned Gunnar, earning a sharp look from the knight

“Watch your tongue Orc” snapped the knight before turning back to Navarro and explaining that they had been sent by Father Lucius to take possession of the survivors and return them to safety. The party said goodbye to the two preists and their young charges and the knights led the back towards town. Night was closing in as the Renegades finally reached Zargocotl and they headed for the Lewd Bard to seek food and beds for the nigth. Inside they found only the staff who were in the midst of cleaning and closing the pub for the night, Navarro spying the tall elven woman took a moment to try and woo her but she rebuffed him gently enough that his pride wasn’t too damaged and revealed she was the owner of the establishment. With her agreement they were able to secure rooms for the night and some left over food they could eat in their rooms but no alcohol. This last revelation seemed unnecessarily cruel and uncivilised to Iivan and Gunnar, so after the others had retired to their rooms and the sounds of activity downstairs began to fade the pair crept out of their rooms to the stairwell. While Gunnar crouched in the shadows Iivan slipped down to the bar silently and liberated a bottle of fine elven brandy, then paused and left what he felt was a fair price in gold on the bar before sneaking back towards the stairs with his prize. Their heist was working perfectly until Iivan climbed the stairs and Gunnar emerged from his lookout spot, the big orc’s sudden appearence startled his partner in crime and the bottle slipped from Iivan’s fingers. Desperately, Gunnar dove after their loot to try and catch it but fumbled it, sending it spinning noisily across the wooden floor, where miraculously it came to rest un broken. Hearing calls from below the pair quickly retrieved their prize and returned to Iivan’s room to enjoy their victory.

In the morning the Renegades gathered in the common room for breakfast, it seemed there had been some kind of break in the night before as several of the staff were muttering about stolen stock and mysterious piles of gold being left on the bar despite no signs of broken locks or windows. Iivan and Gunnar kept their own council and the others quickly moved on to more important matters than the idle gossip of tavern workers. Their discussions were interrupted when the tavern doors swung open and a group of very heavily armoured Dwarves entered, two of the group moved to guard the door while others positioned themselves around the common room, checking for threats before their leader strode up to the Renegades

“Brother Dorian?” he enquired, planting himself opposite the cleric who, nodded slowly

“And who might you be?” asked Dorian, reluctant to have their breakfast interrupted

“We are House Katzoulus” answered the armoured Dwarf formally, the name sparked a memory in Dorian – House Katzoulus were the rulers of one of the larger Dwarven Sky Cities

“We welcome you House Katzoulus” came the formal response in perfect Dwarven from Navarro to the evident surprise of the noble Dwarf, who nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to Dorian.

“We believe you are in possession of some items we wish to buy” continued Lord Leve, for that was his name

“Oh? What items?” asked Dorian warily

“A compass, and an orb made of stone”

At this Dorian shifted uncomfortably and the other Renegades focused their attention on the visitor and gave up all pretense of being interested in their food

Eyeing the Renegades the Dwarf continued “Might we discuss this matter in private?” and he moved to sit at a table some distance from the Renegades, Dorian rose to follow him but felt a hand on his arm

“Just say….uhhh Plumbuss if you need help” suggested Sylas around a mouthful of toast

Wiping the crumbs from his clothes Dorian smiled “Ok thanks, that’ll be easy to slip into the conversation naturally” he patted Sylas on the shoulder and moved to join Lord Leve at the table.

“I shan’t waste you time or mine, in return for the compass and the orb I am prepared to offer you 10,000 gold and free use of one of our Sky Skiffs, which we will provide a crew for should you need it”

Dorian paused, shocked at the generousity of Lord Leve’s offer

“Why do you want the compass?” asked Dorian

Lord Leve gave Dorian a puzzled look befoe answering “Why, we want the compass to help us understand and explore the Nearith Transport Network”

“Oh” Dorian disassembled “…yes yes of course, but I’m not prepared to part with it – sentimental value, you understand I’m sure” rallied Dorian

“Hmm, my nephew said you’d be reluctant to part with it. I may need to rethink my position, but as you say…sentimental value is important – and the orb is an heirloom of my family. We believe it has been damaged, my people still possess the skill needed to repair it and prevent those trapped within it to escape into the world and bring ruin to us all. Give it to me and you will may have the gold and the ship, and you may rest assured my people will keep it safe and secure”

Dorian eyed the Dwarf for any sign that he was lying but saw they were dealing openly and honestly “…I hate to say no so often, but I must refuse your kind offer” replied Dorian, conscious that he and his comrades no longer possessed the magical orb to give but unwilling to let this information spread.

“You Hammerbeard’s push a hard bargin, very well for my family’s stone’s return you may have the gold, the sky ship access to one of my House’s fortresses and retainers and I will grant you command of a company of our finest troops to aid you and your companions in your endeavours and of course the protection of House Katzoulus”

“I have my own Clan for protection” replied Dorian evenly

Lord Leve sneered at that “Maybe, but your Clan cannot repair the orb and keep the world safe from it’s inhabitants – I assure you my people know the danger of the creature within and have no interest in seeing it freed”

“I am sorry, but the answer is no” replied Dorian, standing up and tossing a few gold coins on the table “for your time and trouble” he added before turning his back on the bristling Lord and returning to the Renegades. Behind him Lord Leve fought visibly to keep control on his temper after Dorian’s insult and stalked out of the tavern, through the windows the Renegades saw a large air ship settle into the square to collect the Dwarven noble before taking off again – though it was obvious that several Dwarves of House Katzoulus had been left behind and their attention was fixed firmly on the doors to the Lewd Bard.