A4 – For Hire

Skeggi: We made certain to raise a Lustrian flag on our boat to discourage pirate attacks (who focused their raids on ships from the old world). While in town, we were hired (100g plus any treasure found) by an elf (eyes black like a shark) named Urial Nightseer to sail him northwest to the Mirror-Pool of Tepok. He hoped to find guidance from the pool guardians as he looks for his artifact (Armor of the Gods) stolen during a pirate raid. 

We Sail in 2 Days: Without advance pay to buy an anchor, and unwilling to pay dock fees, we hired Conrad Dietrik to watch our boat as we beached it outside of the city. It was a 4-day sail around the peninsula and into the northern bay. It quickly became apparent that Urial looked down on humans as stinky creatures. Fishermen we are not: no one could catch the elusive Daggerfish (flying fish); at least no one fell overboard.

On Foot: After beaching the boat and leaving Conrad in charge, we trekked inland until Urial paused at a clearing, “The lizardfolk are skittish creatures. We must be invited in.” On cue, the underbrush bristled and small Skink lizardmen came forth. Bo’at’l spoke Saurian with Urial before leading us thru the forest to a stone archway. Beyond was a perfect circular lake surrounded by a forest void of all sound. We joined in the ritual of dipping stone cups into the lake. 

Soon, a large snake-like creature (Coatl) appeared on flapping wings. The god-like creature and Urial spoke in elvish for a long time before the creature flapped its wings and was gone. Urial looked puzzled and confessed, “He told me Alarel Elfinblade (a dark elf) marched to the City of Chotec but never reached it. He gave warning of a great plan and seems troubled about the world:” 

Beware the advance of green on the soft tissue. Its advance is a testing but will soon be perfected. Once unleashed all flesh must burn. Seek the forgotten city mapped by the ancient beards. Lord Tecciztac has the ancient map. Haste results in doom, the blade must be sought from the grave that is not occupied. Then the blade must be imbued with power at the unseen citadel.

The King: Urial offered another 50g for us to hasten back to Skeggi so he could research in the King’s library. It was unsettling to see King Adella for the first time: a Tzeentch worshiper covered with a thousand mouths! “King (queen?) Adela will see you now.” Access to her library came at a cost as all the mouths spoke at once, “What can we do for you? What can you do for us? Take care of that upstart Jager Heimstein who threatens to dethrone me. He lives in a hut outside town.” 

When did we become Assassins? Gossip within town weakly supported King Adela. As for Jager: a renown sailor who could drink sea water and live. Never took prisoners but kept their skulls as tribute. We scouted his stone hut on the beach framed with stacks of skulls (human and lizardmen). We watched as 3 men wandered the area, occasionally entering the hut. As most paused to plan an attack, Ranulf and Rufus approached the door and spoke to the one henchman, “Rumor says Jager seeks the crown. We seek audience to gather his views so that we might spread his good works and bolster his image within the city where the people tire of the current king.” 

They were ushered in and were quickly assaulted by the smell of iron (blood) from recent sacrifices as smoke wafted from the fireplace. Jager (a large man in plate armor) challenged their intent, “Hit me.” While Ranulf paused, Rufus swung and drew blood which pleased the would-be-king. Both noticed the horn helm placed on a table and gasped at the throne: its armrests made of actual human arms! Jager spoke easily of his arrival months ago, “Adela has ruled for a decade, relying on trickery/deceit/magic to maintain control. I would rule by might per the blessings of Karnath who recognizes strength and bloodshed. Yes, most would be the bloodshed of my enemy but that could also be citizens who don’t see the true way… of sacrifice.” 

Rufus admitted, “She offered to pay for your head” to which Jager laughed, “A surprise. I didn’t think she had the balls for such direct ideas. Help ME to dispose of the king; are you up to the task?” Ranulf spoke of their group assault on Port Reaver where their recently took down a Stormfel temple. “That was you?” Ranulf signed for the others to come forward, “Come meet the new king who asks for our aid in removing the current king.” 

[Intuition- 01] Jager was no fool: he already had his axe up and swung a mighty blow at Rufus who blocked it. Lemmy entered and cast, only to realize the hut was bathed in anti-magic aura that weakened the results. As others jockeyed for position in the fight, Ranulf rushed to jam the door shut with his dagger to keep Jager’s other henchmen out of the fight. Even outnumbered, Jager gave as good as he got…until Kruger [critical defense] hit him in the eye, blinding him. 

When the minions finally broke down the door, they found Jager beheaded. Ranulf defused further combat proclaiming how Karnath was pleased by such bloody actions. How they too could join in the bloody sacrifice to follow. Both threw up and admitted they were only in it for gold, “Karnath is not our god.” Both Rufus and Dargo convinced them to join our crew, “If it’s treasure you seek.” 

King’s Hill: Adela sat on her throne wearing a new belt with an eye that blinked (or was that a wink?). Dargo held up Jager’s head to which she replied, “Followers of Karnath are never prepared for contingences such as I. Had you returned without the head, you would have been shot one-thousand times before you even set foot inside my halls.” 

Library Access: Task completed, we entered her library to aid Urial’s research (except Lemmy who sought spells). Soon, Urial spoke of the City of Chotec, which we knew as Hexoatl on our maps… “Near the Stellar Pyramids of the Southern Sky.” 

Which reminded us of a prior rumor about another party escorting a wizard to the Pyramids… who never returned! 

Cross-Country: 2 days in a thin mist only made it that much easier for the trio of velociraptors to surprise us. Nasty claws that weakened the party until one fled at the sight of Lemmy’s magic. The others ran when they suffered grave wounds. The elf came forward to take stock of our wounds…and directed others to do the healing. Kruger did more harm than help. 

It was mid-day when we came upon the clearing and the large ziggurat, fronted by large lizardmen statues. Until we got closer and realized they were actually living 10ft tall guards! Smaller skinks came forth to converse with Urial as Ranulf listened in on their Saurian speak. Urial mentioned the dark elf Aleral and was soon let into the ziggurat… alone. Hours waiting gave Ranulf time to converse with another skink to expand his Saurian Phrase Book. 

Urial finally emerged with news, “Orcs from the Stone Snakes tribe took him. Let us be on our way to hunt for my armor.” 

NEXT SESSION: A5 – Damn Annoying Elf