Chapter Ten: Seeking out Power (to Crescent City)

May 16

Late on the afternoon of May 16 the heroes come upon the remains of Greenroot's village. It appears that the vargouilles from the haunted plantation have struck en masse. There are no living swamp elves around, but plenty of headless bodies in evidence.

Moving on the party comes to another swamp elf village where they hear tales of the spreading meance of the vargouilles. Rygorh gives a stirring speech for the benefit of the swamp elves in hopes that they will take up arms to defend themselves. Several of the elves, impressed by Rygorh, take up their belongings and decide to accompany him in the future.

Another two days and nights of paddling brings the Starborn to Crescent City. They avoid the guard fort in the swamp bypassing it at night with help from Rygorh's swamp elf followers.

Once in Crescent City they use the Orb of Azurite to locate the local node. It is on the topmost floor of the city hall which used to be a temple to the elven god Brith:

The town hall is a palace-like structure with slender towers and high, thin windows. Anyone who has seen elven architecture before recognises the style instantly. Alcoves above the main entrance hold statues of human figures representing law and order, though it is obvious that they were not the original occupants; the style is very different.

The heroes make an appointment with Lord Malthus and seek entrance into the node above. Lord Malthus is a genial man who takes to the Starborn with ease. He talks with them at great length about the troubles in Chillhame and the heroes' exploits. Deep into the conversation they realize he is pumping them for information. Eventually he grants access to the node where Casey is raised from the dead. The guards and the governor are flustered by the event . . .

The party makes its way back to their ships where Seebo, Tilk and Ashton have been putting things in order. They determine to use the ships as their quarters for the time in Crescent City.

The next morning a handful of city guards arrive at the ships and demand that Seebo, Tilk and Ashton come with them to see Lord Malthus. They do not get to see the governor. Instead they are imprisoned . . . for a while. Lord Malthus calls on Tilk and sets him a fine meal and speaks with him at length about the Starborn. Tilk is very open and honest with the Lord Malthus and ends up telling him things that the others preferred left unsaid. In the meantime the other heroes make attempts to "rescue" their "kidnapped" friends. Several attempts at locating and eventually saving them fail as the city guards refuse to grant access and the heroes wisely refuse to spill the blood of town guards.

Tilk is released early in the afternoon. Seebo and Ashton follow many hours later having been kept in isolation with no food or water all day and into the evening.

The next day a page delivers a pair of "fruit baskets" to the ships for Seebo and Ashton along with a "thank you" note from Lord Malthus. Seebo and Ashton toss the baskets overboard.

The next couple of days are spent investigating rumors, running down information about the bank and Ombar Lutz, the rogue's maze and other such. Casey and Alev spend a good half hour in conversation with Archbishop Vigilence Derrick who offers them help and protection in exchange for their information and promises of assistance in "cleaning up the city." They have not yet made answer to the Archbishop.

Seebo spends some time trying to contact Lord Raglan at the Merry Jackdaw. He has confirmed that the guild leader is known to people there, but has yet to make contact. He promises to return . . . and does. So far no dice.

So, armed with information on where to find their Starborn items and trying to find the best way to go about obtaining them the heroes settle down for an extended stay in Crescent City . . .

So, what will you do next?

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