Seebo: Annie Brookhollow

The inn was loud and full of life. Seebo sat with Rygorh and Neil at a table in the Pig & Whistle Tavern enjoying an evening ale. The two clerics were discussing something about their recent crafting activities. Seebo looked interested for the sake of the company but actually didn't hear a word they said.

His attention was focused on the patrons of the inn. He enjoyed watching people, see how they act and react. There was a table of dwarves regaling each other with tales of their bravery traveling from the nearby Underdell to Crescent City. They laughed and cheered each other on as each story was told. Neil's priest friend was at the bar talking to a few plain looking fellows while enjoying an ale. He was an odd one, Seebo mused to himself wondering about his particular ties to Jimmy the Tailor.

But the person that caught Seebo's eye was a smaller figure at the far end of the bar trying to get the bartender's attention. This person stood on the barstool much the same way Seebo had to when he ordered his drinks. A lavender cloak with the hood pulled up hid the frame and face of this unknown person. In such a place, that stood out quite blatantly but Seebo was still unable to tell who the person was. The bartender finally came over and spoke with her briefly. He motioned towards Seebo's table, the figure turned slightly but not quite enough to reveal who it was, and the bartender moved on to serve a paying customer.

When she turned, light auburn hair spilled from the hood revealing just enough to keep the mystery of who she was alive. She had small hands, though well groomed. She reached around and pulled her cloak tighter, jumping down from the barstool and moving towards the exit.

She was looking for them and she had found them. Its time to meet this stranger who seems so interested in us, Seebo though to himself. He stood and excused himself from the conversation, making for the door. He reached the exit but could not find the woman. Somehow she had managed to evade him while his back was turned. With a shrug, Seebo turned to head back to his table. His hand went weak and he dropped his mug of ale as he turned to stare in green eyes of a ghost from his past.

---

A shrill scream pierced the chill morning air. A woman cried in fear from behind the inn. She slowly came stumbling out of the side alley, her face ashen white. The constable came rushing to catch her as she dropped to her knees crying.

The sleepy town of Greenfield was unaccustomed to such things. Before long, the whole town had come out to see what was going on. Constable Kerny gathered everyone together and asked them to remain calm while he assessed the situation. He handed the shaken woman to one of his deputies and advanced into the alley.

What he saw was a disturbing scene. Three young halfling men lay on the ground with weapons beside them and a young girl lay next to the far wall. Kerny rushed to the woman to see how bad she was hurt. He body was covered in bruises and patches of blood but she had no visible cuts. The blood appeared to be from the two others. She still breathed, though very unevenly. He quickly checked the other three bodies, all dead. He lifted the young girl in his arms and carried her out to the street. "Get the healer, Annie needs some help now!"

A few people from the crowd ran off down the street. The inn door opened and a portly halfling came stumbling out holding the back of his head. A deputy rushed over to him, helping him steady himself. The man looked up seeing the constable carrying his daughter and cried in anguish, running over to him.

The next few hours were spent trying to figure out what happened. Annie was resting comfortably in a bed at the inn while Kari, the town healer, watched over her. Her father had suffered a vicious blow to the back of his head but suffered no apparent permanent damage. Constable Kerny talked to the distraught innkeeper trying to discern what transpired the night before.

"These four boys walked in and started poking around. They were after my lockbox. Before I knew it, one of ‘em had snuck around and clocked me in the back of the head. Everything went dark and the next thing I knew it was morning. One of ‘em said he was Seebo, it was the damndest thing."

"Annie looks like she'll be ok. I'll have to ask her what happened and who those other boys were when she wakes up if that's alright with you."

The constable and innkeeper talked for a few more minutes before heading up to check on Annie. Though weak she was coherent enough to give a quick description of what happened. The four boys had indeed stolen her father's lockbox. She had watched them attack him and then swipe the box. She had thought they killed him so she went and grabbed his crossbow and stopped them in the alley. She fired and took down one of them but before she could reload, two of the others had grabbed her and started beating her. The third walked closer and she could see his face. She recognized his voice. It was Seebo. She didn't understand what he was doing with these thugs. But it was Seebo that saved her. He turned on his two friends. He killed them before they could kill her. She went unconscious before the fight ended but she knew what he had done had saved her life.

The constable listened attentively to her story. He gave her a comforting pat and told her to rest. He would have this whole thing sorted out. He motioned for the innkeeper to follow him outside so they could speak privately.

"I'm not sure I completely believe her. It sounds like Seebo is the one who caused this whole mess but I know her judgment may not be reliable right now because of both what happened last night and her past relationship to the boy. I want you to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets better. I think I need to try and track Seebo down and see what kind of trouble he's brought down on us."

Weeks went by and Annie made a full recovery. She was a picture of beauty once more, spry as ever. She was not as cheerful though. In the weeks she had spent recovering, rumors of Seebo and the vile associations he kept floated through the town. The constable had found out the three boys that were killed the night Annie was attacked were criminals. Seebo assumedly was as well though there was no record of him. Annie was the only one in town who refused to believe he would do such things, commit such atrocities.

When she had recovered, she vowed she would find him and find out the truth. She spent a few days gathering her belongings and made ready to head out. Her father vehemently opposed her leaving but there was little he could do to stop her. Not wanting her to leave on bad terms, he made his peace and let her go, giving her a kiss on the forehead and telling her to come home safely. She set out to find her childhood friend, Seebo, "The Knife."

---

The hours passed by and the two halflings continued to talk well into the evening. Seebo sat with Annie Brookhollow, the girl he grew up with, the girl he had loved, the girl he had though he killed. Years of pain and guilt were washed away at seeing her alive and well. He told her everything that had happened. He wanted her to know everything that had happened to him. She was his salvation.

Likewise, Annie wanted to tell Seebo everything that had happened to her. It had been a long and very dangerous journey trying to find him. She had followed the path of "The Knife" the entire way. From Chillhame to Crescent City, she had followed the rumors, eventually tracking him down to this inn. She told Seebo of all the rumors about "The Knife" as well as a ship captain named Seebo too. Annie was pleasantly surprised to find out that Captain Seebo was in fact the same Seebo that sat with her.

It was like old times. Annie and Seebo laughed and talked through the entire night. For the first time in a long time, Seebo had found his happy. The darkness of his past and future didn't seem so dark anymore. He felt at peace with himself and able to face whatever was to come.

Late that evening, Seebo escorted Annie to his ship where he introduced her to his companions, the Starborn. He showed her to some quarters and told her she's welcome to stay until they left town. Little did he know that she had no intention of leaving now that she had found him after searching for so long. His future was to be her future as well.

Seebo: Reflections on Leadership

"I didn't want to be a leader. I'm not a leader. I just want to do what I want to do. I never asked to be here. I never asked to be a Starborn or to try and stop this invasion. I'm an insignificant nobody from a small island in the middle of nowhere.

"But if I don't do it who will? We've managed to skate by barely surviving sometimes. We spend countless hours arguing over what to do and never coming to a concrete decision yet we complain that we take too long to figure anything out. I was sick of it so I took the reins.

"Rygorh didn't want a leader so I never told him about it, I just did it. He didn't seem too unhappy at following my direction when I made the final decisions for us. No, it worked like a well greased gnomish contraption. We accomplished so much under my direction. But I didn't want it, I'm not a leader.

"So why did it bother me so much when Rygorh tried to step up and do what I had already done? Why was I so threatened by someone else wanting to be a leader? I keep saying it, I didn't want the job. It was my chance to just hand it over to someone who did.

"I don't know if you used to watch me when I was younger, probably not. Well, there was this one time when me and the boys were doing an odd job for Knuckles. He said we just had to go see a guy about some money that was owed. It seemed easy enough. We walked in this guy's place of business and no one did anything. We stood there almost a full half minute before I stepped in. I do it because no one else will.

"And now I'm the target. I want to just disappear in the crowd and be another nameless face among the greater mass. But I can't. I have an obligation, I have a duty. For once in my life I'm going to do the right thing not because its easier or because I'll find fame and recognition for it. No, this time I'm doing it because it has to be done and we're the only ones who can do it."

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (the drow are coming!)

Crescent City, June 29 - July 8

On the morning of June 29 all of the tower bells in Crescent City are ringing and criers are calling out the news of the day: King Titus has announced a full alliance with the drow who will assist in the war against Ghael! The drow have asked only that they be allowed to live and worship freely within the bounds of Caldraza. In exchange they will provide military assistance in the war against Ghael.

The people of Crescent City are of two minds on this issue, each diametrically opposed to the other. Some who most despise the people of Ghael and will not forgive them for the murder of Prince Rufus call this alliance a great thing. It is long past time that Caldraza found real allies . . . the elves have never been of any use to anyone and the dwarves of Underdell have refused to help in the battles against Ghael. The drow are ready and willing to throw in against Ghael.

Others who have a bit more memory of the history of Ashfar mutter darkly that no good can come of this alliance. The drow are a dark and evil race that seek only to subjugate others. How King Titus could turn his back on the dwarves of Underdell and take sides with such an evil race is unfathomable, but it is what it is . . .

Over the next few days the elves of the city quietly pack their belongings and leave Caldraza for other more pleasant climes. The swamp elves stay behind . . . they are slaves, but all others flee the lands. They cannot stay in a country that allies with their greatest enemies. One notable exception is Ruthven Calamus, the propritor of the Crescent City Central Bank. He's going no where, but has spent some time and effort fortifying his place.

Neil and Rygorh finish up some additional magical item crafting while the rest of the Starborn investigate the face thief murderer . . .

After all is said and done the heroes determine that the murderer is actually a ghost who possesses random passersby and uses their bodies to commit the murders. Jocelyn Turvey has killed dozens of people over the last several months . . . but it all began with her husband. The heroes learn that a couple of weeks before his death, Segmund Turvey, the landlord of the Laughing Lord tavern, lost his wife. She left the city to live with her mother. Two weeks later Segmund was the first victim of the face thief.

The heroes venture into the Laughing Lord tavern and get permission to search the residential floor. There they find the body of Jocelyn Turvey with massive acid burns on her face. She has been folded in half and stuck into a small box. Rygorh uses speak with dead to determine that her husband killed her in a fit of jealous rage. She wants to be buried her family's plot in the town of Carroll which is north of Crescent City.

The Starborn take the body to the Church of Marius, tell poor Jocelyn's story and see to it that Elizabeth Saunders is set free. The Church agrees to see to Jocelyn's proper burial.

While Neil finishes up creating some magical items the heroes debate their future plans. Having heard additional rumors about the goings on in Beacon City they begin to doubt that the king is still alive:

• Princess Romilly refused to convert to Marianism when the rest of the court did. She worships Firinna, the goddess of battles. She has expressed contempt for all men and has said that she will never marry, no matter what her father wants.
• It is said that she used to sneak out of the palace at night to a secret pagan chapel, though nobody knows how she did so without being detected, or where this chapel was located.
• King Titus has ghastly body odour. It is said that he never bathes, as an act of mourning for his dead son.
• A person who has seen the King up close claims that he looks slightly different, but he cannot put his finger on exactly what is wrong.
• King Titus’ body odour has mysteriously gone over the last couple of days.
• Word from the fort at Pengallin is that Princess Romilly has gone missing in the Forest of Meere – if she is not found quickly, there will be no hope for the royal line of Caldraza.

The heroes determine to set out south by ship to Delta City at the mouth of the River Meere. Crescent City has become distinctly uncomfortable . . . there are a few dozen drow soldiers operating as night patrols in the city. Governor Malthus has sworn his support for king and country and for the alliance with the drow. The Church of Marius has no official position on the treaty, but will support whatever brings stability to the land. Alev learns from Archbishop Vigilance that there are some great misgivings about the situation within the chruch, but that the church will not act in an overt way in the politcal arena . . . thus they are neutral. The heroes plan to take passage by boat from Delta City to Pengallin where they can find Princess Romilly and then work things out from there.

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PC Fiction: Chapter Eleven

This is an archive of the past player-posted fiction from Chapter Eleven:

• Neil: Magic Items
• Seebo: Reflections on Leadership
• Seebo: Annie Brookhollow

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Neil: Magic Items

Magic items . . . the power of spells permanently imbued into physical gear. Nothing feels like a new piece of equipment being suffused with magic. The glow and pulse of the energy. The echoes of spells cast and prayers chanted. The scent of fresh incense burning in the censer. And then . . . birth is given to a new device.

Spells are great; don't get me wrong. They are the conduit of magic for most creatures. But they are fleeting and temporary. Magic gear on the other hand may radiate its power and be utilized for hundreds of years. Not for a few mere minutes per day, like spells. No, these items function all day, every day.

I've imbued several items myself. Yeah, really. Cloaks and amulets and bracers . . . some are defensive, some heighten a persons natural abilities and talents. But these are all minor items in the grand scheme of the world, trinkets with minor powers to aid those who wield them.

I still depend on others for some spells needed to craft. Heakun, why are these arcane and druidic magics denied me? Are you not the god of magic? I would never abandon you to learn these things, but I think you should consider granting your followers a broader range of magic. Yes . . . I suppose I do ask for too much. It's not that I'm ungrateful. I just wish to become a better example to the world. A true disciple of Heakun, who can accomplish anything with magic. I wish to show the world the power and beauty of our beloved energies.

I'm also ready to imbue stronger magics such as these boots of speed, which Rygohr wants. My understand of how to imbue magic into physical objects has grown immensely over the last few months. Given the time and funds (and your blessings Heakun), I think I . . . I mean we . . . could make some damn powerful items. But despite my desire, these items would still be inanimate & unconscious.

Heakun, when will you share the secrets of imbuing life into my work? I can heal people and repair objects, but when do I get to create life, an intelligence in and of itself? Or even something like my new Starborn amulet? It's amazing! A magic item that grows in power as the wielder grows in experience and ability. This must be some powerful magic!

But someone, somewhere has surely aspired and succeeded in accomplish such feats. You guide me & share your wisdom, but sometimes I think you drop me into bad situations on purpose. Is this to build character? Or make me stronger, the whole "what doesn't kill you" thing? I suppose you have your reasons. My abilities to control the energies of the universe are growing. And some day I will learn these secrets. If I have to journey to every corner of the world & read vast libraries, I will learn to bestow life into my creations. The secrets are out there, somewhere. And I will find them.

Perhaps some day I will even channel your blessings into a new place of power. A place where our brethren can come to worship you and delight in your presence. A place awash with the energies of the universe, healing, blessing & attuning visitors to magic. Something with the power of these nodes, to restore life to broken bodies. A living, conscious temple, where everyone can revel in the power of magic.

How does that whole coming back to life thing work anyway?

More incense? What? Oh yea . . . I've gotta finish this amulet today. Very well, back to the present. But some day . . .

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (a dream)

Crescent City, midnight June 28

You feel as if you are falling down an endless tunnel, with walls of rough rock. Bats whirr through the darkness and strange, vast fungal growths bulge from the damp stone. You suddenly realise that you are dreaming but the realisation does not wake you. You are being whirled through the air at tremendous speed, down and down and yet further down. Then there is a dizzying moment of plummeting through pitch darkness; and then you are hovering in a chamber that seems horribly familiar, as if you had seen it before, though you know you have not. A mass of black stone fills the centre of the room, so dark in hue that it seems to devour the light and to exude darkness like smoke, though its edges are perfectly distinct. You know instinctively that this is the heart of a power as vast and cold as space, a power that despises you simply because you dare to exist. Were you truly here, you feel, it would leech the life out of you. The stone has been chipped in many places, as if flakes have been chiselled off and taken away as relics. There are eight figures here, conducting a ceremony of some kind. The figures have manes of white hair and ink-black skin. They wear robes of translucent fabric and move with the slow, patient grace of spinning spiders, placing ritual items in their places – a platinum skull that steams with blue mist, a chalice carved from a single gigantic ruby, a crystal disc engraved with a complicated web. As to what the purpose of this ritual may be, you cannot guess. There are voices speaking from somewhere nearby – a female and a male. The male speaks: 'You are watching them?' 'I am,' the female responds. 'It is confirmed, then? The one they call the Terror has begun her campaign?' 'She has. Already she has taken one circle. I confess, I am a little impressed.' 'A Node, corrupted? Without access to the Altar? How?' 'It seems House Arakh retained fragments from the end of the last war. With those, she broke the hold of the star-bitch over the stones. There is no doubt that she is of us, of the Host. Her followers have grown strong. Even the grey ones bend the knee to her. None of us foresaw it, but House Arakh is indeed favoured of the Dark. Perhaps it is the will of the Dark that we admit them back to the Ennead.' 'It could be an aberration. House Arakh lost the last war for us. Why should we ever forget that?' 'I do not intend to forget any details of the last war, brother. Unlike you, I was there. I think we shall watch this Terror that Arakh has bred for a while longer. She has not called for our help yet, and for that I respect her, if for nothing else. Let us see how she fares. Let her prove what she is so desperate to prove.' 'Where is she now?' 'Let us find out. I see her… in council with her generals. They are speaking of Caldraza, of some subterfuge. Curious. What is the creature plotting? Let me listen… Ah! Cunning indeed! Even now, while her diplomats are awaiting audience with the King of Caldraza, speaking of treaties and compromise, the subtle knives of her other agents gleam in the shadows! Oh, she will have her treaty, right enough, whether King Titus wishes it or not… and by the time anyone detects her, the damage will be done… hold! There are other eyes here! Who observes us?' With that, you awaken suddenly, with a lingering cold in your bones.

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Map of Caldraza

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (rest and research)

Crescent City, June 22 - 28

Yet another week of crafting for Rygorh and Neil:

• Neil finishes crafting Dinah's gloves of dexterity +2.
• Neil crafts bracers of natural armor +1 for Alev.
• Neil crafts a cloak of charisma +2 for Alev.
• Rygorh completes Ashton's flaming longbow +1.
• Rygorh begins enchanting his armor to +2.

Meanwhile, others of the Starborn investigated the goings on in Crescent City and followed up on rumors about the politics of Caldraza.

• Seebo learns that Dark Mariah is offering a reward of an unknown amount for information about Magdalene's murder. The value may be as high as 1,000 gp. This reward may depend on bringing the murderer to justice . . . Dark Mariah style.
• Some rumor say that Magadalene was killed by one of the other crime lords or by Lord Malthus.
• Seebo correctly surmised that the three people killed and left with coins on their eyes are three muggers that were freelancing in Jimmy the Tailor's territory.
• There is no known guild that uses gold coins as a "calling card," however, coins left on a victim's eyes have been used in the past to represent a blood debt paid or a vengeance murder.
• None of the thieves' guilds appears to be making any "big moves" lately, but rumor has it that Lord Raglan has made some significant contacts with "outsiders" that may help him in the future.
• There have been two additional "face theft" murders in the last week.
• The face thief murders are as follows:
  • Segmund Turvey, landlord of the Laughing Lord tavern; found April 1 in a quay near the downtown docks.
  • Alicia Merrick, waterside whore; found April 5 in a sewer that feeds into the River Sappent on the north side of the city.
  • An unidentified woman; found April 7 washed up in the delta of the river.
  • Jimmy Stanton, son of a wealthy merchant and wll-known Reveller; found April 8 floating between two of the ocean-side docks.
  • Initially unidentified priestess of Marius; later determined to by Prudence Ancione; found April 11 in a quay near the downtown docks.
  • Alexi Demeter, a rogue belonging to Little Reginald's gang; found in a sewer pipe in Lord Raglan's territory on April 22.
  • An unidentifed woman; found April 27 in a minor tributary stream on the far south of the city.
  • An unidentifed dwarf male; found May 11 in the waterside docks.
  • Ariel Silverthorn, an elven merchant; found May 15 in the waterside docks.
  • Grant Trask, an unaffiliated rogue found May 27 in the waterside docks.
  • Everett Blake, a wealthy merchant; found May 28 by the Starborn when Elizabeth Saunders was taken into custody with the murder weapon in her hands.
  • An unidentified male; found June 9 in the waterside docks.
  • An unidentified female elf; found June 13 in a warehouse near the old elven quarter.
  • Jasc Tailor, a tailor, was found on June 17 in a warehouse near the old elven quarter.
  • An unidentified female; found in the streets of the old elven quarter by a band of Revellers.
• No one is sure who the king is negotiating with. Some say it is Jehannum. Others claim that it is the dwarves of Svarth. Some whisper darkly that it is the drow who have conquered Chillhame.
• A quick investigation of the warehouse using locate object reveals that there is no longer any drow sleep poison there. There is still some in or around Dark Mariah's tavern. No one has seen any unusual activity at either place.
• Princess Romilly is out of favour with her father, King Titus, because she has refused numerous marriages. She is a dedicated fighter and is respected by the men of Ghael. She is stationed near the forest of Meere, which is so full of monsters that neither the Ghaels nor the Caldrazans will enter it.
• Prince Caspar is kept locked in a special room in the castle, so that he does not injure himself. If he starts bleeding, it does not stop.
• The king's secret allies have said that they will help with the war against Ghael. Thousands of troops are being sent to the border, ready for an invasion. The big push into Ghael is coming any day now.
• King Titus has refused to meet his council lately, but has addressed the people of Beacon City from his palace balcony. There are secret ambassadors in the palace as his guests.

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (still resting)

Crescent City, June 15 - 21

As another week passes, Neil and Rygorh continue their work on crafting magical items for the Starborn:

• Rygorh completes work on Casey's armor . . . now +2.
• Rygorh increases the enchantment on Kettle's armor to +2.
• Rygorh begins work on a magical flaming longbow for Ashton.
• Neil completes work on Dinah's amulet of natural armor (with help from a swamp elf druid).
• Neil crafts a magical vest of resistance +2 for Alev.
• Neil begins working on magical gloves of dexterity for Dinah (with help from Rumus and/or Tilk).

In the meantime the city tries Elizabeth Saunders for murder. Some of the Starborn make appearances as witnesses for her defense. The judge does not seem convinced, but agrees to hold her without sentencing until such time as "the real murderer can be found." Some talk about a supernatural creature possessing or influencing her actions fans the flames of rumors in the city that vampires or worse are at work.

Rumors of war in other parts of the world cease. While the Starborn heard a great deal over a month ago about drow attacking various places, those rumors have been laid to rest. It appears that the only place the drow attacked was Chillhame. The drow still control Chillhame, but it appears that they are suffering heavy losses to guerilla warriors in and around the towns of Churney-on-the-Green and Hockton Barrow. Lady Arigane, formerly of the council of Saragost, leads a great host of druids, rangers, wizards and archers from the region in hit and run attacks on supply lines and such.

An underground rumor among the rogues of the city speaks of a reward offered by Dark Mariah for information about her lieutenant's murder.

Additional information about Caldraza in general:

• Caldraza declared war on Ghael last year after Prince Rufus and his wife were killed during a visit there.
• King Titus has sent his own daughter, Romilly, to the border fort at Pengallin, near the forest of Meere.
• Prince Caspar, the heir to the throne, ha some sort of sickness.
• King Titus converted to Marianism after his son's death and rejected the old pagan ways on behalf of the entire kingdom.
• Rumor has it that the king has been in negotiation to receive aid in the war against Ghael. Massive troop movements have sent thousands of soldiers to the Ghael border over the last few weeks.

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (a brief rest?)

Crescent City, June 8 - 14

The Starborn are spending some time getting some well-earned rest . . . well, most of them anyway. Rygorh and Neil are crafting magical items for the party:

• Neil completes a +2 Amulet of Health for Alev.
• Neil increases the enchantment on Casey's Cloak of Resistance to +2.
• Rygorh increases the enchantment on Tilk's armor to +2.
• Rygorh increases the enchantment on Dinah's armor to +2.
• Neil begins work on an Amulet of Natural Armor for Dinah.
• Rygorh begins work on increasing the enchantment on Casey's armor.

In the meantime other members of the party bounce about town and learn some things of interest:

• Elizabeth Saunders will stand trial beginning on June 17 for the murder of Andrew Kallendale. She was captured by members of the city guard while standing over the body of the deceased. She held the murder weapon in hand and was soaked with blood.
• There have been two additional "face thefts" . . . murders in which the victim has his face cut away. These murders happened after Elizabeth Saunders was imprisoned.
• Dark Mariah's lieutenant, Magdalene, was found dead last week. Someone lashed her to the pilings of a pier in the river where she drowned.
• The city guard found a trio of ruffians with their throats cut near a city guard post. One of the ruffians was a known cutpurse and mugger. No one seems to know who the other two were. Each of them had a pair of gold coins covering their eyes.
• The drow on Chillhame have suffered some major setback near the center of the island.

In addition to current events, the heroes manage to learn a bit about Caldrazan history . . .

King Titus of Caldraza has ruled wisely and well for over forty years. He is an ancient man, and many fear that the line of great Caldrazan kings will soon come to an end. About a year ago the king's son, Prince Rufus, and the prince's wife, Anastasia, traveled to the neighboring nation of Ghael for a diplomatic mission. Some of the clans of Ghael had lately stirred up trouble on the border. This was not unusual. The clans of Ghael have raided the border of Caldraza for centuries. There has been open warfare between Caldraza and Ghael in the past, but it has been centuries since any serious trouble.

Now there is serious trouble. Members of the MacHalish clan murdered Prince Rufus and Princess Anastasia. When word of the treachery reached King Titus he immediately declared war on all of the clans of Ghael. He also abandoned the faith of his ancestors and turned to the religion of Marianism. He declared Marianism to be the state religion and demanded that all of the royal court convert. Since this time there has been a massive build up of troops along the border with Ghael and a great deal of fighting between the two nations.

The king's daughter, a fiery-spirited warrior named Romilly, refused to convert to Marianism. For her impudence she has been banished from the palace. Prince Rufus's son, a boy of eight years named Caspar, is the heir to the throne. But the people of Caldraza fear to hear of Caspar's ascendence. Caspar is a sickly boy who surely will not live long enough to produce an heir. Rumor has it that if he gets even the slightest cut he may bleed to death without immediate medical attention.

The fighting has been confined to border raids on both sides, but rumors persist of plans for a major offensive into Ghael soon. The people of Caldraza want revenge on the barbarians of Ghael. They loved Prince Rufus like no other prince in living memory. Now that he is dead they fear for their country.

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (the Valjean Plantation)

The heroes determine to save the swamp elves from the terrible vargouille infestation. Beforehand they decide to make a cursory inspection of the city for possible drow activity and to also work on keeping Elizabeth Saunders from standing trial for a murder they believe she did not commit . . .

Neil usese his magic to investigate the area. He searches for drow sleep poison while wind walking around the city. He finds two locations. One is the Lifeless Lass tavern which the heroes know is handout of Dark Mariah, the half drow leader of one of the thieves guilds in town. The other location is a warehouse near the old elven quarter. Seebo, Casey and Ashton stake out the warehouse for the better part of a day, but learn nothing. In the meantime, investigations into the place reveal that it is a customs house that receives all manner of imported goods through the port before passing them on to some other destination.

Rygorh has met with Lord Malthus and Alev met with Archbishop Vigilance. Both agreed that the lady Elizabeth Saunders will not be tried for murder immediately. Rygorh gave a speech to the swamp elf residents of Crescent City pleading with them to help defend the city in exchange for freedom.

On the morning of June 2 the heroes set out into the swamp east of Crescent City. They make for the destroyed village where Greenroot lived and then head north. After about three days and two nights in the swamp they find the Valjean Plantation:

This land was once a thriving plantation but now weeds grow in the unploughed soil and rusting tools lie among them. There is no clue to suggest why the place has been abandoned. The soil seems as good as any and the ground is firm underfoot. Ahead, the house itself sits empty as a skull, or so it appears. The windows are all smashed in, the rail around the porch has rotted and fallen away and not even the birds are coming close. Perhaps the explanation for this desolation lies somewhere inside.

Inside the building the Starborn find dozens of vargouiles . . . the creatures have been multiplying as they slaughter whole villages of swamp elves. They also find nearly a dozen howlers . . . foul creatures from the abyss! A full investigation of the upper floors of the place reveals little of interest except that the place was abandoned rather hastily and has been empty of all except the vargouilles and howlers for many years.

While the upper floors of the place offered little challenge, the basement as a different matter entirely. Seebo moved ahead of the others to check out the lower level. As he looked into the unnatural inky blackness of the place a horror fell upon him . . . a babau demon nearly laid the poor fellow low before Rygorh could move to his defense. Unfortunately, Rygorh's presence did not deter the beast as it sliced and bit Seebo, bringing him to the ground and then turning on Rygorh. As the heroes moved to dispatch their foe another, greater, danger appeared: a vrock demon laid into Rygorh wounding him severely.

The Starborn retreat to the ground floor in hopes of bringing the creature into a larger space where they can all bring their weapons to bear. This plan, while seemingly wise, was almost the death of the heroes. As they retreated the demon prepared himself for battle with mirror image and then used greater teleport to drop into the midst of the heroes. His spores seemed at first to be a mere annoyance. Little did the heroes know that this poisonous fungus would nearly kill them over the next minute. Fortunately a combination of ranged magic, arrows and sword blows managed to pierce the vrock's illusory guards and Tilk brought the creature low with a mighty blow from his greatsword.

The heroes spend a moment in terror as the spores from the vrock grow at a rapid pace, damaging all of them except Seebo who had a delay poison spell affecting him. Applications of neutralize poison and bless helped several of them, but not everyone. After a minute of agony the spores were finished and everyone had survived. The heroes drain many charges from their healing wands and set out to explore the basement.

There is a howling gale in this cellar room, tugging at your clothes and hair. The winds come from a black vortex in the south wall, only three feet or so across, through which you can dimly see the outline of strange thin mountains and distant figures that no sane mind could describe. Suspended in the air, half in and half out of the vortex, is the emaciated figure of a human being. His hands have been lashed to a support beam, so the winds keep him hanging in the air but cannot pull him all the way through. His face is almost that of a skull, but the sunken eyes that roll madly in their sockets are those of a living man. He tries to speak, his voice a thin whine above the roaring winds: ‘Listen! You must understand! I have been here for years, so many years, ever since it happened! The demon is keeping me alive! It brings me water and… food… scraps of meat… I dare not think where the meat comes from. I try to refuse it but the hunger is too great! ‘While I live, the gateway cannot close. They are using it, using it to cross between their world of chaos and our world. They want to make it larger. While it is small, only the heads can come through, but there is something beyond… something huge. It wants to tear the gate open and enter this plane. ‘I have become the gateway! For pity’s sake, kill me! Close the vortex and let me find peace!’

While the heroes were ready to engage in their standard "argue for hours" method of problem solving Alev takes matters into his own hands and fires an orb of acid at the man's hands and the ropes binding him. He flies into the portal, and the portal slams shut with a reverberating snap!

Seebo is a bit upset at Alev for taking such hasty action, but agrees in the end that it was the right thing to do . . . this time.

The Starborn search the house and the area for any additional dangers and decide to burn the building to the ground.

A few more days in the swamp and the heroes are back to Crescent City ready to face new challenges . . . it is the afternoon of June 7 when they reach Crescent City.

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Rygorh Rallies the Swamp Elves

Having gotten permission from Governor Malthus, Rygorh has determined to present a speech to the swamp elves of Crescent City in hopes of rallying them to help defend Crescent City from the drow. He has used his contacts among the elves to gather a great number of them near the central town square where they will hear his words and take them back to their villages:

Swamp Elves of Caldraza gather round and hear me; I speak on behalf of the governor of Crescent City . . . I speak to you of freedom. I speak to you of throwing aside your bonds of servitude and oppression. I speak to you of serving this city in its time of need. The Governor has graciously allowed me to come before you to deliver this message. Any of you who would be free, live according to the laws of Caldraza as any other citizen, who would save your children from bearing the yoke of slavery that has so long plagued your people, I call you to stand now! Stand as free men and women! Take up arms, but not in defiance of the the laws, not in revolt, but take up arms and defend this city, your homes and your people. If you would lay your life on the line for freedom's sake, if you would earn your freedom through force of arms, then serve this city in its time of need. The Governor Malthus has kindly offered those who serve this city lawfully . . . freedom. Freedom for their families, their children, the governor has offered to end this plague that has for so long oppressed your people. Your cries have been heard! Your governor has answered! Will you stand? Will you fight? Will you rally to the man who offers you freedom? Will you honor your governor? Will you now as free men stand and serve this city when the need arises?

The hundreds of swamp elves present take up the cry of "Freedom!" and begin marching throughout Crescent City. Word spreads like wildfire through the city. The slaves seek out the nearest guardhouses in an effort to join the city guard or otherwise fulfill this agreement of service for freedom. Over the next several days things are made more clear to the swamp elf slaves: when and if the city is under attack from an outside force any swamp elf that fights to defend the city will be granted freedom . . .

As there seems to be no immenent threat of attack the swamp elves dolefully return to their lives as slaves and laborers with little hope of true liberty.

Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends (scouring the city)

May 31, 998 CE

Neil begins an intensive search of Crescent City . . . he's attempting to locate any drow in the city by looking for poison and or holy symbols commonly in their possession. Air walk and longstrider provides extensive mobility while locate object spells work to pinpoint nearby items of interest. Neil initially concentrates on finding drow sleep poison in each of the four quarters of the city. He finds that there is drow sleep poison to be found in The Lifeless Lass bar near the docks and also in a warehouse near the old elven quarter. A return search to each of those two locations turns up no sign of holy symbols to the drow deity She.

Throughout this process Neil is well-protected by magic and Rygorh keeps an eye on him via the status spell.

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Chronicles of Rygorh: Personal Changes

I spent most of the next day or so to myself allowing the others to plot deviously by themselves if they so wished. My primary concern was to seek out new spells and the locations of the hidden shrines. I was also very concerned about these rumors of a slave revolt. Funny how a man can be completely changed as the Gods step in and direct their lives according to divine plan. A couple months ago had I walked into a place like this and hear of rumors of a Slave revolt by the 9 hells I would have been first in foremost in joining and even pushing for such a thing. Now however, I know that for slaves to revolt in this time of crisis for the surface world would not be a good thing. It could actually be bad under the impending Drow invasion, I have decided that I would enlist the aid of those swamp elves that have chosen to join me and seek out the leader of this revolt. I think that my background and experience in such things as warfare, I may be able to convince him that now is not the time for such an action. Now is prob. the absolute worst time for such a thing It would cost many lives on both sides lives that could help defend this city. I still find it hard to believe that me of all people am now attempting to end such action, sometimes it's difficult for me to accept but I know that this is in the best interest of the ongoing war. If I thought that these were the only things that were a bout to change I was wrong because as me and Ashton were headed back to the ship something happened, something I had never ever considered happening to me. A messenger came up with a message from the Governor saying that he wished to speak to me in private…… A ruling party or noble would never have sent me such a request in the past, me, a man who spurns local law and order and have spent my life trying to overthrow such self proclaimed authority to have received such a message. Out of curiosity I decided that I would go and meet with him although I know I must meet with my companions first and leave my sword on the ship since it is only one of the two Starborn Items we have recovered thus far.

Arriving on the ship, I immediately told the others of my meeting then went to my cabin to change clothes. Shortly after I could hear Alev banging on my door and asking me to join everyone on deck, sighing I told him that I would be there in a moment. I choose to dress in my formal robes that left no doubt in anyone’s mind that I was a servant of Firinna and one who relished in Chaos, Fire, War and Trickery. I figured that this Governor had wronged us by arresting our friends and I would make that point, by allowing the city to wonder why the Governor had requested a private meeting with such a person. When I stepped onto deck garbed in the vestments of my Goddess I saw many stares from the crewman as well as my companions. Alev was the first to ask me about my garments and upon understanding, I saw a satisfied glint in his eye, he it seems felt the same as I did. The others however were not so inclined and began preaching to me that it would be a bad Idea. Dressed as that and going to see him alone seemed to be the biggest concerns, some didn’t want me to go at all however they conceded that it was my decision. Most however were adamant that I take both Tilk and Dinah with me that I would not do! I did decide to concede and offered to take just Tilk after the Governor did seem to take a liking to him. All of course were against me leaving the ship in my robes to the goddess. Prior to meeting these people I would have never considered taking anyone else counsel especially about my garb however, I again conceded.

After removing my robes, I set out with Tilk and headed for the city hall for my first ever-private meeting with a city leader. I told myself over and over this is of course in the greater good or at least I hopped it was. Arriving at city hall, I cast Protection from Law on both Tilk and me just in case old habits die hard ya know. Besides, he, the governor, has not shown himself to be the most trustworthy soul. We told the guy at the desk that we were there to see him however it seemed that it was well past the appointed time that he expected me so we were asked to wait till he had a moment. After we waited, about 15 minutes and knowing that my spell had worn off the Governor still had not called upon us so I told Tilk that we needed to return to the ship. The clerk seemed surprised that we were leaving and I told him that we did have other matters to attend too and could not sit around all day. The Governor to this point had not solidified himself as an ally as a matter of fact he had betrayed us once in arresting our friends I was having serious issues of trust with him. As much as I seemed to have changed recently I have not changed that much, yet only the Gods know what we have in store.

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Chapter Eleven: Loose Ends

May 31, 998 CE

The heroes have regained their Starborn items and are ready to face the Host. There are a few loose ends to tie up. What will you do about the poor lady accused of murder? Surely she is not the face thief. What about the Vargouilles rampaging in the Swamp Elf lands? What about the possibility of the Swamp Elves revolting? What are the Drow up to?

Alev has arranged to meet with Archbishop Vigilance for later today. Rygorh has a similar meeting arranged with Lord Malthus? What are your plans? What are you trying to accomplish?

The accused murder is a waitress at a local tavern. Her name is Elizabeth Saunders. The deceased was a merchant and patron at the tavern. It seems they planned an evening tryst . . . they never made it back to her place. She was caught, quite literally, red-handed by the city guard. How will you protect her? Will you protect her?

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