Meet 85, Adv 12, 4/13/24

It was Heatmonth the 13th and the party was trekking through the many small fiefs and demesnes in Freemantle. Some 316 of them. At this point we had stayed at Fargone Inn in the Fargone Demesne and were making our way through Melthas and Strang fiefs respectively. During the walk, the party had bandied many possible ideas around on how to enter Gamade’s Demesne and eventually Coverdale Ranch.

The consensus was that Godrick was the most “skuzzy” looking of the party (the word pervert was bandied about), and Dizzy would be acting as his Eunuch – a situation the bald dwarf had been accused of and derided for by the populace of Freemantle. They would enter the Ranch and arrange to discover the location of Elaine and Lori Miner and see if there was an easy way to spirit them out. The hope was to get them in the same room together. Once that was the case and we learned where they would and could be, the party would head back to Grymeria and Dizzy would get a Portal Stone from the Office of Portals. Then he would open a portal up BACK to Freemantle and Coverland Ranch, and spirit the 2 women away instead of running or trying to escape Fremantle with 2 zombie women on foot.

Sounds like a plan. Gryg would go with Dizzy and Godrick, but would be invisible and stay outside, seeing if there were other ways to enter and or exit the Ranch. At no point should we mention the Vanguards of Ragnarok or our real names – just in case anything had come across the border from Grymeria about us or our newfound fame and abilities. The other 3 of us (Thalin, Brading, and Captain Asher) would enter Gamade Demesne from the west and get a lay of the Demesne outside the Ranch if we needed to come up with another alternative. By 10:15, the dwarven ranger was made invisible and the party split up.

The 3 of them vaulted the low stone wall and found themselves @ Gamade. There were verdant fields here: hops, lettuce, and turnips. The peasants working the lands gave furtive glances at the group but ignored them for the most part. We traipsed along the area, nodding to the overseer and making a beeline for the main road. The center of Gamade had a grist mill, a trading post, an inn and a post office, as well as some dozen or so peasant’s huts. Beyond was a rise of a hill with 2 acres cordoned off with a 3 tier split rail fence. In the center of it was a 3 story building, a long stretch of outhouses, a hitching post, and a small 3 or 4 horse stablery.

As we were looking about, a local called to us and Godrick and Dizzy came over. He discounted Dizzy as a Eunuch and asked Godrick what his purpose was in town. The wizard indicated he was looking to get his ashes hauled and Coverland Ranch was supposedly the place to do it. The man nodded, identified himself as Hews, and asked, “And you are?”

“Godrick.”…”Fuck.”

“Godrick, eh?”

“No. I said Geldrick. Geldrick.” He pointed to the Ranch. “Just looking for some information is all.”

“No problem, Geldrick. Tell you what, give me 5 coppers and you can mention my name to help get you in.” Hews stuck his hand out, got the money, and eventually Godrick and Dizzy (and Gryg!) moved on. He apologized for his slip up, saying that it just fell out. They made their way through the “town”, seeing many feral cats, and eventually up the road to Coverland Ranch. There were 3 riders riding circle around the interior perimeter, clad in scalemail and sporting a lance. A pull rope attached to a chime was here and we rang it, alerting the closest horseman to close.

Dizzy spotted a 4th person on the roof of the Ranch who had glanced over and then dropped back down. In addition a 5th figure stepped out of the Ranch house , an 6 and a half foot tall scarred looking greenskinned half orc (heave on the orc part), with a heavy flatbow that he held at his hip, pointing skyward. The rider came up and we bandied some words about. Mentioned Hews’ name and that ‘Geldrick’ was here to sample the wares. The guard’s name was Zalor and after getting our particulars, advised us that no weapons larger than a knife was allowed past the front door. A box was there for any weapons. We agreed to the stipulation along with the follow up one – no harm to the girls.

He let us in and once inside Gryg faded away from the other 2 and took measure of the Ranch. The lower floor had standard looking windows but the 2nd floor had narrow slits less than a foot wide by 3’ tall. And the 3rd floor had only 1’x1’ windows – and none of them looked like they opened. 2 Chimneys, 1 was in use – the other not. There were 4 steeds at the hitching post, 2 mules, 1 donkey, and a tired looking nag. The path the riders took was an obvious trail of battened down dirt devoid of grass. Gryg tried to make sure he stayed on the lesser grassed areas and made his way around to the back of the ranch.

Godrick and Dizzy entered and were met by the proprietor, a grinning somewhat sleazy looking frat boy named Garrin Coverland. He was happy to meet with “Geldrick” and had only scorn for Dizzy as the Eunuch. They were escorted into the main room past a number of couches where patrons were relaxing and smoking and drinking. We could see the great hall with various women (and a few men) scantily walking about. Alcohol and pipes were in abundance. A jester was dancing a jig and there were at least 2 tables playing cards.

Godrick allowed Garrin to direct the conversation about types of girls and eventually brought up undead girls. He said he had 6 on premises – 5 women and 1 guy. Talked about the proximity to Grymeria and that he has special aid and dispensation from Lord Gamade to house and offer the girls here. So Godrick asked for a review and was given a price of 20 nobles for 20 minutes. How about a 3some? Maybe – let’s see what we got.

We went up to the 2nd floor and it was hot up here – temp was over 80, and it was stifling and smelled of body odor and sex were prevalent. Took us to a room not too far from the end of the balcony and showed us “Mildred”. She was in her late 20s and was not either of the 2 girls we were looking for. There was a chain around her ankle, tight, mabe 2-3’ in length and chained to the bed. And the bed was bolted to the floor. Fuck. That makes it difficult. She was also starring sightlessly, something…white. Coming out of her mouth, and was left in whatever used position her last customer had left her in. Room was small – 8’x8’ – with the bed, a chair, and a hook on the wall – that was it. Oh – there was also an open tub of greasy butter by the headboard.

Godrick indicated she had looked beaten up a bit and Gerrin let us know she had been here some 6 to 7 months so far. Anything else? Maybe…fresher? He nodded and led the 2 of them up to the 3rd floor to go see “Betty”. Another small room here and we looked in – the figure was younger and the description matched what Charles told us of his daughter Lori. Hoping to find the room again later, Dizzy tried to rip off a piece of his tunic but made too much noise. Garrin was angered and wanted to know what was up. Dizzy made a show of holding up the fabric and Garrin wanted him out of the room. So he made an attempt to toss it under the bed and it was seen.

Garrin now wanted him out and told Geldrick not to bring him back. Also, the price has now gone up 50% and it was time for them to leave. Godrick kept trying to redirect the conversation but Garrin was having it and had Thrag, the half orc at the front, to lead them out and make sure that “HE” (Dizzy) is never allowed back in. They were taken out and Dizzy used the medallion of telepathy to inform Thalin and then Gryg what had gone on.

Meanwhile Gryg had gone around to the back of the place earlier in his scouting and the grasses here were taller and more wild, in addition there were an abundance of flowering wild plants and flowers here also. No cats or dogs, but he felt field mice were all over the place. There was a Bilco door here, thin and unlocked, leading down to a basement below the Ranch. He got a heads up from Dizzy at this point and watching them leave, stayed on the site until he could sneak out on his own.

As for the rest of the group, they entered the town proper from the main road and looked at each location as they walked along. The road was room, rutted ,and had horse dung aplenty in it. They walked on the edge if at all possible. The trading post had maybe 20 or so simple items in bulk for trade and they passed on. The post office was willing to send a letter anywhere in Freemantle and even a few places beyond the border. But it was the Gamade Inn where they stopped.

The common room was small – 20 people tops could fit there. It was also mismatched and smelled of body odor. We had gotten way too used to Grymeria and it was showing. The proprietress, a 5’4’ woman over 200 lbs with blond/orange hair and a too tight corset with much breast fat spilling over, got our names (lots of “Smiths”) and allowed us to rent a room for 5 coppers. It had a bunk bed and a full bed, a table, open shuttered window with wide mesh screen and little else. Lunch was either braised goat or tuber salad – each was a copper. And they had a local brewed beer for another copper. We ordered lunch and took the room and waited.

Eventually we heard from Dizzy about their predicament and told them where to find us. On entering Dizzy said hi and was given a silent admonishment that we were not supposed to know them. So he played it off in Brading fashion. Gryg eventually came in as well and Godrick was able to get a room. His Eunuch can eat on the floor. We snuck some food to Gryg (still invisible) and Dizzy let Godrick know that he needed to look like he was disciplined if the ruse as a Eunuch and Garrin and Coverland was going to hold.

So he had Godrick go with him outside to the slit trenches and told him to punch him in the nose. Hard. Godrick took aim and smashed Dizzy in the chin. Ouch, fuck. No, he said rubbing his face, my nose. So I look like black eyes. Got it. Godrick took aim again…and rolled a 1.

Dizzy got punched in the throat and gasped hard, choking and falling back (rolled a 4 on his Reflex save), and landed in the slit trench, shit and piss from his mid spine down his left ass cheek to mid thigh. He rolled to his knees and needed 5 minutes to get his breath back (yes, it hurt) with Godrick really sorry. Not wanting to risk getting punched again, he instead went to the back door, placed his face at the jamb, faced the door edge – and smashed himself in the face with it.

Sif DAMN it!

It didn’t quite work so hurting and bleeding out of his face – he did it again and this time his nose broke and he’d have 2 black eyes. HE then went out to the rain barrel and cleaned his ass. He had the group make a distraction inside so he could sneak past the proprietress and upstairs to change into clean clothes.

We went upstairs in 2 separate groups until we were sure not bothered and then all got together to discuss the entire day and the plans so far.

We agreed we’d have to go back, Thalin would go with Godrick after making it look like they bonded as strangers over cards in the common room here at the inn. Dizzy would stay outside and visible with Brading watching him as Dizzy would pretend to be sad and forlorn. Gryg would remain invisible and at this time we weren’t sure what Asher’s role would be. But getting back to Coverland and seeing if we could find Elaine or not and arrange to get all together was our next mission. It was about 1 PM on Heatmonth the 13th and we were getting ready for the next phase.

Meet 70 - 84 (15 sessions), Adv 12, 10/21/23 - 3/30/24

As mentioned in the earlier post - this the write up I did, paraphrasing the 15 sessions as told by the Necrolord of Grymeria, Lord Duncan Eternal. No pictures went with this post report - sorry!

Follows:

The spectral glow of the Nightwood’s made light clock gave a pulse twice before muting back down, only the faint metallic tick tick tick of the gearworks within gave testament to the time piece’s operation. Necrolord Duncan Eternal, ostensibly the most powerful undead in the realms, took a deep breath into his lungs and let out a rather living sounding sigh.

“Something bothering you?”

He looked around his chambers, features shrouded behind a wall of negative force, seeing nothing but knowing he was not alone. “Not bothering me so much as perhaps reminding me of things…long unwelcome.” The timbre of his voice was deep like an ebon baritone, hinting of a greater power. His eyes were darker fields under his cowl but still undefined. “I don’t like things I cannot…control.”

“Hmm. That was always your problem.” The other voice was female, but seemed to match the Necrolord’s, an alto compliment to his deeper tone. There was a playful sound to her voice, but it did not diminish the gravity of her strength. “Is it our visitors?”

“You know it is.”

“You could have had them denied entrance when they first came to Slumber.”

Duncan gave an imperceptible shrug, his shoulders barely rising but it was enough to let his unseen companion know that he was emotional. “I know. I know. But it has been some very long spell of years since anyone from Erylond had come. And adventurers as well.”

“Do you miss it?”

He laughed, a roiling sepulchral sound that was still rich in mirth. “No. Not a chance. Days of hardtack and marching, nights of watches and ambushes. The gritty feel on the back of your teeth after your 6th day on the road. Rooting around the fallen foes for trinkets and body fluids. Cold nights, hot days, and the constant need of oil and torches.” He waved and free hand absently. “No. I do not miss my adventuring days. You know for me they were a means to an end.”

“I know. Better than most.”

“Hmm.” He rose from his chair and moved to a mid-sized table map, his fingers graced the tops of the flags. “The scholar in me knows that there are people like that, unable to adhere to the order of things, ever curious, ever questing. I was one for a time and had many friends, long gone now, who were as well.”

“So the issue is?”

“I don’t have one.”

“You are lying.”

“You are wrong.”

“And now you are being belligerent as well.” Her voice scolded him but there was no malice in it. “The people seem to be appreciative of them and their efforts.”

The Necrolord turned from his map and walked to his bookshelves, gloved fingers tapping the unlabelled spines of the chained tomes. “If it wasn’t for their appreciation, I would have them removed from my lands.”

“Have they broken any laws? Damaged the fabric of society? Stolen away with ill gotten goods?”

“No. None of those things.” He turned and pointed roughly south and west. “They are actually well behaved and have done what they can to fit into our land and our way of doing things. They haven’t abused our good will or trust, and have taken much personal hurt and loss to address the issues my councilors have brought to them.”

“Then what?”

The air around him grew darker and there was an undercurrent of some vibrating sound before it faded away. “It’s the mercenaries and fools that will follow them after they leave here with their bags of lucre.” He walked back to his chair and lowered himself onto the seat. “Adventurers, sellswords, they will come here after seeing the riches there Vanguards have amassed and will want to try their hand and luck within our borders.”

“If that happens, you can address it then.”

Duncan gave a shake of his head. “It’s not that easy. The moment I expel or reprimand some half imbecilic group of murder hoboes, the last 16 years of goodwill we have worked to build up with the other Sovereign Lands as well as the Duchy of Rand ends. We will be once again, ‘that steaming shithole filled with zombies’ and every outreach, trade route, treaty, pact, and contract that goes beyond our borders is in danger.” He spread one hand and pointed behind him. “Grymeria works because of a very rigid structure that I have worked tirelessly to keep in place to keep every citizen here, animate or living, safe, happy and healthy.”

“And they all love you for it.”

“And it can all end after this Captain Asher Reed and his party leave our borders and return to Erylond.”

“You are right. It can.”

“Hmm.” Even under the cowl, it was obvious he was scowling. “I feel a rebuke to that statement coming on.”

“Strange you should mention that,” she answered with a short laugh, “shall we add divinicist to you ever growing list of skills and talents?”

“Make your case. I actually want to be convinced.”

“I know. Let’s take it from after they resolved the issues with the warring bakeries.”

“Adjunct Rawanis had that one as his longest running problem. I’m glad it was taken care of. He deserves a shot at the next election for an Outer Circle seat.”

“That is true.”

“And…the…you know…” The Necrolord’s voice grew uncertain.

“Your problem? What about it?”

“He took care of it. Correct? I don’t know WHERE it is and I am both relieved…and wanting to look upon it one more time.”

“I have heard that he took care of it and testament to him, he has said nothing to anyone about it. The only hint I had heard about it was one of the Woodwards in the Timbers, Larogius, guided the Vanguards deep into the woods and then left them. And that was only noted because he was late returning to Vitalia that day and he logged the encounter.”

“I should ask the Vanguards to check on my property then.”

“Your constant checking and meddling is what brought you to this point and why the edict was issued to seal and spirit the issue away.”

He thumped the desk with his index finger. “Last I checked, I’m the Sovereign here.”

“Last I checked, you come to me for advice and guidance.” Her voice took on a smirking quality. “Behind every strong powerful man, is a woman who is just as equally great.”

His stance softened. “As you often remind me. Thank you.”

“Understood.” She paused for a moment and then resumed. “Anyway, after the bakeries the Vanguards were given a task where they had to resolve the stolen machinery, stores, and product from Goliene the Basketweaver on 3rd and 18th. His entire shop had been robbed of everything and he was in danger of defaulting on his loan contract with Lord Gatraise.”

“A nasty bit of an affair,” Lord Duncan commented. “I have had a meeting with Lord Gatraise a week ago and had to explain to him that the loan contracts should not be manipulated in a way that it unfairly traps the signer in an indentured situation.”

“True. The Vanguards not only uncovered how the machinery was taken, but also the deeper meaning as to the why of it all.”

“Controlling interest in a potential gold mine.”

“Exactly. Their efforts stymied the plot and foiled Lord Gatraise in this matter. And we also learned that there was a corruption of lawfulness in our Constabulary.”

“Something that we had until now been unable to truly identify.” He leaned back, steepling his fingers. “It’s one thing to suspect there is a flaw in the system, it’s another thing to learn of it.”

“Flaws can be fixed.”

“It’s what I do.”

She continued. “After that they were given the next matter to take care of. The betrothal between the Mason and the Chimney family. Leeann Mason of legal age called off her 4 year betrothal to Ostant Chimney and fled the familial estate to take up residence and safety in…”

“Relent.” The Necrolord muttered. “And Lord Recian.”

“Yes. Your longest friendship and trusted companion.”

“Who hated me ever since I became lord here.”

“True. Because he was not given a choice.”

Duncan growled. “If I hadn’t given him some of my life force while in that fucking Hellhole to keep him alive he would have been dead. On his way to Nifelheim and lost. I sacrificed for him.”

“A situation that I am sure weighed on him constantly. Here he was, imbued with the maximum amount of negative energy that can be absorbed into a single form and having the aversion to sunlight, garlic, and the need to feed on blood. He did not see it as a gift.”

“And for that we did NOT talk for 12 years.”

“Until the girl.”

Duncan calmed down. “Until the girl. And once again, the adventuring party.”

“By their actions they had managed to head off an assault on a Lord of Grymeria, certify the love affair between the two figures, Leeann and Lord Recian, and by my count, gave you an audience with your erstwhile friend for the first time in many a years.” Her voice grew softer. “I think that in and of itself should have you also look fondly on the Vanguards.”

“And there was the matter with Irwin Venter next.”

“When an august family that has done so much for Grymeria and you would be torn apart from internal family strife, it shows that your need to have order sometimes causes chaos.”

He whipped his head around and again the air grew dark about him. “That is NOT my intent.”

“Be that as it may, it did indeed happen. You have a personage who demanded to not be raised upon his death nor to be disturbed and through an idly placed request YOU made to him, you circumvented your own laws and made a paradox.”

“Stop it.”

“Chaos.”

“Enough. Don’t chide me.”

“Silencing the truth does not make it any less true.”

He stewed quietly for some time, counting off the ticks of the light clock before finally speaking. “My Inquisitors have made restitution to the families that had been injured and/or slain during Irwin’s rampage.”

“That’s good.”

“And their member, Dizzy, did an admirable job in defusing the situation.”

“Correct.”

“So much so that there is thought from all 12 Inquisitors as to the true nature of Irwin and his current actions, but even they are unsure of the reality of Master Venter’s existence and charge and have adopted Dizzy’s explanation as the fact.”

“So it is ok.”

He sighed again. “Yes and no. It’s a fact based on a false truth. It’s not real.”

“But enough people say it is and to them it is indeed the truth of it. Irwin Venter is not present and it was a singular aberration brought on by his new wife and his offspring.”

“And what if the Vanguards speak of the truth then?”

“My Dear Duncan. The Vanguards of Ragnarok have so far kept your council without you even needing to ask it of them. That should be another point of resolution for you. Regardless of your past experiences, not every adventuring party is in for the gold and glory. There is some honor, some chivalry to them. And it is in their trust that must continue to believe in and have faith in.”

“You speak of faith with a quick tongue,” he grumbled.

“And you know why I speak of it so easily,” came her retort. “Because without it nothing else can follow.” She paused, allowing her words to sink in. “And then they were placed in harm’s way.”

“Not through our direct knowledge.”

“I know. So do you. But they were indeed done so and from what we understand, in the one place that can undo everything you have built here.”

Lord Duncan turned northward, looking through the curtained windows into the night sky. “Shadowthyrst.”

“They went to Gruff to learn as to what was going on with the caravaneers and their seemingly accostings. So close to Merryn’s realm, far past The Dreads, where even the dead go to die. They went there and placed themselves out as bait and were taken.”

“I did not want that to happen to them.”

“No one did. But the Illithid? Operating here? And for how long? Glibtok they called it, a creature once of otherworldly cunning and power but now also twisted with the negative energies that enspelled it. A creature undead, far from the sun, 500 feet below the surface of Shadowthyrst, feasting on the mental energies of your people to constantly try and reach of its home hive and effect a return.”

“I had commissioned a picture from the artist Givraine in Relent of the battle as had been told to Inner Circle Councilor Marrions. I’m going to hang it in the main foyer.”

“Sounds nice.” She paused and continued. “As for the battle, it drained their group. I understand that it was a trying ordeal that bordered on their death.”

He nodded. “And their escape took them through the actual lands of Shadowthyrst.”

“No mean feat. Very few could make that trek.”

Lord Duncan gave a single thump on the desktop with the back of his fist. “Captain Asher and his group did.”

“And once again, they did it and returned broken and hurt, but still able.” She lowered her voice. “So why do you still worry?”

“I worry because it is what I do. I worry about the over 26,000 souls that live in Grymeria. This place is a haven – unlike anything or anywhere else in all the realms. And I don’t want the balance to be upset.”

“You could ask the Vanguards…not…to talk to others of Grymeria. Or perhaps to downplay it.”

He chuckled. “A night of carousing and a sack full of gold when they return to the poverty of Erylond and there will be prying eyes and questioning voices as to their luck and riches. No, the bottle is open and the ink is spilled. It’s up to me to decide if the mess can be cleaned up and contained or if it threatens the rest of the document.”

“A very scholarly way of describing it.”

“I am still a student at my core.”

“True. And now? I understand they are once again, doing heroic things, seeking to affect a rescue of two of your citizens who had been taken against their will to Freemantle.”

Again, the air grew dark and the sounds around him vibrated strangely. “Spencer Thirdson. Avatar of Freya. How DARE he condone this assault? If it occurs once, what’s to say it won’t happen again?”

“You made your concern to Inner Circle Councilor Marrions very plainly.”

“And the man wrote a note. A note!? How was THAT going to fix the problem?”

“Then once again, it’s a good thing that Captain Asher and his people are here to take care of this.”

Lord Duncan Eternal, again the most powerful undead entity in the realm, sat back in his chair and seemed to deflate. “Is it wrong of me to hope that the matter escalates? Is it wrong of me to want the miscreants to be slain?”

“You made a vow to do no harm.”

“I know what I did.” He paused and scratched the surface of the desk with a gloved nail. “But even so, even if it is not my hand, can I feel…pleasure…in the hope and knowledge that those who dare to trespass against my people are made to pay? And made to pay painfully?”

The other voice was quiet for some time, only the faint ticking of the Nightwood’s clock sounding off. Eventually, after many minutes of silence, her voice returned and said simply. “Yes. Yes you can.”

He shuddered and lowered his head. “Thank you.”

“Any time. It’s that…passion…that should give you comfort…that no matter how long you have been the Necrolord, that deep down inside, you are still…Human.”

He gave a single bark of laughter. “Bite your tongue.” He sighed and straightened hiss robe and cowl. “Thanks for the talk. I have work to do still. There is a need for…adventurers here in Grymeria. And I am drawing up some plans for how I’d like the Councilors to design the guild. These Vanguards, they have lit a spark here that some of my people…those who are too restricted by the order I prefer. To exercise a small bit of chaos and mirror their ways and manners.”

“That is a good thing.” Her voice faded a bit as if she was leaving, the distance growing. “I’ll leave you to your work then. Will you meet with them upon their return?”

“Whether they are successful or not. Yes. I will.” He straightened a piece of parchment in front of him, squaring the edge with the blotter beneath. “I will make arrangements to do so.”  He tapped a fresh quill into the open inkpot and proceeded to write.

“That is good. Don’t stay up too long,” her voice chided him playfully.

“Thank you…Mother,” he replied with a chuckle.

“Any time…son.”

And then it was quiet again except for the scritching of his quill and the tick tick tick of the clock on the mantle.

Meet 69, Adv 12, 10/14/23

 I had gotten to the point that I was not going to do write ups anymore. Time constraints was the biggest contributor to this and I had quietly let them die off. But the group really appealed to me and asked me to restart them - so after 4 or so months I started them up again - this is the last write up before I stopped. Thanks for the patience and reading!

Follows:

With some time to kill, we figured we would go to the Horse and Hound, the inn and tavern that Bethen was at when we got killed. Get a lay of the land and feel of the crime scene. Before that we wandered over to Tennet’s place, the tenement home he was staying in. A 3 story structure, the landlord was a chatty fellow named, Menz. Tennet was a good tenant for the most part but was having a hard time making rent. He took in a roommate, a half-ogre woman named Brannade and the two of them were always half a day away from being poor. But they were not only friends but a couple as well.

As for Brannade, she was there when Tennet died and moved out shortly afterwards. She came into some coins, paid off her debts, and then took some of their shared furnishings and left. He doesn’t know where she moved off to for sure but he knows it was somewhere else in Grymeria.

At the Horse and Hound we looked about. There was indeed a 2nd smaller door from the privies near the alley that was less lit. But we could see that someone standing outside could look through the transom windows. With the alley dark and the privies lit, anyone outside would be unseen. We were still on the idea that Bethen was killed and then tossed into the street.

Since the death, Henilla, the proprietor of the Horse and Hound, had made some changes and now the side door is monitored and a bell is attached to it to alert anyone within that it was been opened. The guard there inspired us to move on.  We went in and chatted with the locals and wenches. Bethen was well liked and worked for the Vitalia Clay Lorry Company as a loader and driver. He had a partner named Ergan, an animate half-ogre. They had been a team for some time. And when Bethen died, Ergan left that night and hasn’t been seen since. The locals miss both of them.

Hmm. Another Half-Ogre. Not at all a common race normally and less so here in Grymeria. And Lord Gatraise really wanted Gugg and/or any other half-ogre on his staff. The tentative theory was that either or both of these two, Brennade and Ergan, were involved in the deaths – it was just too pat. In our further questioning, we did learn that Ergan did quit his job as a driver for the Vitalia Clay Lorry Company, and emigrated to the far north western town of Somber; a small locale of barely 1,200 citizens on the border of Freemantle.

We discussed maybe splitting the party, half of them going to Somber to poke around, and the others heading off to the Hall of Records and seeing the other Lord who was looking to purchase the deceased bodies against Lord Gatraise – Lord Mergonius.

While all this was happening, the minstrel who was playing the concertina, tried to strike up a friendly “plus” conversation with Dizzy who after some time realized what was the ham handed attempt to make friends with him, got up and flat out walked away.

We went outside and met up with Dizzy after bidding our farewell to Henilla and made a trip back to the Heart of Vitalia. We decided to split up with Dizzy, Gryg, and Gugg going off to Somber early in the AM (3 hours walk at least), and the rest of the party (Brading, Thalin, Godrick, and Captain Asher) taking care of the situation here. We would then reconnect in the afternoon long before sunset and decide what to do next. So we slept and on the 28th @ 5:45 in the AM half the party left Vitalia out of the west gate and headed off, the road cutting cleanly through the Rises and the Grains.

By 8:30 they arrived at Somber without issue. It was a border town, maybe ¼ a mile from the barrier between Grymeria and Freemantle. Surrounded by a wooden palisade 15’ tall and a raised earthen berm, we entered without issue and were directed to the Magistrate, Fedoger. Fedoger was a half-oc, not an animate, a bit going to pot, but was very helpful. He was pleased that the adventuring party, already famous, had deigned to visit his town.

We talked about what they do. Most of their works were involved with imports and exports with Freemantle – but more importantly – handling the 7 active gold mines currently operating in the Rises – a section of low mountains just northeast of town. He showed us a map that had just about 100 pins in it – 12 red, 7 blue, and 71 yellow. The red were locations of gold mines that had been played out, the blue were mines currently under operations, and the other 71 were prospected sites of potential mines that were not being used yet.

This helped explain the gold standard being used in Grymeria. We then turned the conversation to Ergan and maybe Brannade? Yep – sure enough, both of them were here. They operated one of the delivery systems that ran supplies and goods back and forth from the various mines. They moved out here, Ergan had his own cart, and they purchased an old guard house and stables on the north end of town. Really?

We thanked Fedoger and went off to go talk to Brannade and Ergan. The thought was that Gugg would spearhead the conversation – being a half-ogre. And when we had a chance, would turn the conversation to the murders of the two men. At which time Dizzy would have a mind read spell at the ready and try to get a bead on what the two of them really knew. They would not be able to use the information legally, but it would let them know what was going on.

Most of the plan went fine in the beginning. Gugg presented himself as a wandering cleric looking to minister to the locals and maybe open a chapterhouse in the area. Brennade was willing to listen and Ergan, the animate, was just looking, when he got upset that Gryg and Dizzy were on the property and near his Lorry. “GETY AWAY!” he roared, chasing them off the property while Brennade wanted this to be over. She tried to end the conversation when Gugg brought up Vitalia and they had recently come from there. She got worried and Dizzy was able to tell that she was very upset and wanted some answers – and maybe someone would have to die.

We left and they watched us as we went down the street – eventually getting to a point where we could see the house but they could not see us. We hoped they would leave so we could sneak in and look around. But Ergan eventually left the house and was stomping down the main road in OUR direction. A fast Hide from Undead, had the party hidden long enough to see Ergan head to the Magistrate’s office where he was gone a short while and then stomped back home – a younger man with a closed box and wearing the outfit a low level bureaucrat following. What was going on? They went to the house and were gone for a while before the functionary left and was heading back to the Magistrate's office.

They followed, asked what was going on, and was told they had requested a sending head and send a message to someone. Who? Not at liberty to say. Where were they? Not at liberty to say. What was the message? Not at liberty to say. We followed him back to Fedoger and managed to convince the Magistrate that we were on Adventurer business as well as OCC Mide – and we got the wind that the message was sent to A Lord Gatraise in Vitalia and that they wanted to know how to proceed and that if need be – would return to Vitalia if summoned.

We went back to keep watch and figured till 1 PM at the latest before we would head back on our own.

As for the other half of the party – they had gone to the Office of Records and looked over a few things, but with Adjunct Rawanis’ help to clear the red tape – they were able to look over the last will and testaments that both men had on file. Bethen’s was pretty standard, he did ask not to be raised about a year ago and noted it in his file, but that was about it. Tennet’s a bit different – he had a mutual living will with Brannade for the last 3 years and then a few weeks before he died, changed his will to “no desire to be raised”. Also, the paper wasn’t signed here at the hall of records – but was updated at the local Constabulary office. Really? And who took that information in? Once again, Constable Clamance’s name was on this. Godrick who had a forgery background – did not trust the signature and felt there was something off about it – like a copy from somewhere else.

We then went to the Constabulary office and talked to Captain Ariassant. We were able to look over various papers during that time and it seems that Tennet made a complaint that he was being followed or harassed and the Constable Clamence took that information down. And the signature? Was an exact match according to Godrick, for the one at the Hall of Records. Ok – this was closer but still not a smoking gun. We needed to eventually meet Clamance and shake him to see if we could coax a confession from him.

At 1 PM the other group left Somber and was heading home, no longer wanting to wait and not seeing either Brannade or Ergan leave.

The other party then went to Lord Mergonius. From the outside his place was less macabre than Lord Gatraise – but inside it was obvious – this was the home of some undead lord. All zombies and ghouls within. Fountain of blood. Real nice. And Mergonius himself? He was a Vampire. But he was approachable and was angered with Gatraise. He had only learned of the potentially huge gold mine after Gatraise purchased the first dead body at the auction – Bethen. It was obvious he wanted to circumvent any of the filing or sharing fees regarding the prospecting site – getting almost the entire profit from it. But he did not know enough of the situation until Tennet’s body was purchased.

If they could help disrupt the situation, Mergonius would be happy to partner with Gatraise in this endeavor. It wouldn’t be the first time the Vampire Lord and the Lich Lord were at odds with one another. Excuse me? Lich?

Yep – Lord Gatraise is a lich.

Just…great. We thanked Lord Mergonius who we exacted some commitment that if the Basketweaver could get out from under his dept, the Vampire Lord would make a sizable weaving purchase on commission from him. We then went to the gates, met up with the rest of the party, shared all we learned, and went to tell the increasingly worried Goliene that we were getting close to solving his dilemma. The Bastketweaver was hopeful as there was a bit over 2 days to go.

We figured that we would need to stay OUT of the Lich lord’s radar – so the hope was to lean heavily on Clamance and get him to crack as well as be the architect of it all – and have him be the figure that Lord Gatraise would be wroth at. We went to Captain Ariassant and got a description of Constable Clamence, confirmed with him that we would do all we could to wrap this up and get actual proof instead of conjecture against his Constable. In thanks and expectation of the problems to come, he deputized both Godrick and Thalin – being both were recognized mages and should an unauthorized Sanction occur –the two of them should be able to speak for the Captain and keep the Inquisitors off their back for a short while.

It was a bit after 6:30 in Birthmonth the 28th and we were going to go to Clamance’s beat area (he works from 3 to 11 PM) and see if we could find him and get him to talk.