Sapphire:Sessions:20170812
Azzhik the potion-maker has arrived in Sapphire and settled in near the docks.
Ahn-Lee finishes looting Near Stars, leaving the paymaster's chest alone. He mentally divides the loot, then goes out and checks his drops.
Chalker enters the temple of Asseraah (which is rather crowded today), glances around to check the priests' reactions (by now they all know him by sight) and performs observance. People stare at him as he begins walking around the altar, speaking conversationally to seemingly no one. "Well, Father, I have something to discuss with you. I think you are being supplanted as the Big Kahuna of Chaos. And I find it interesting that I have run into a number of individuals who are devoted to Chaos but not to you. I'm trying to understand this. Are you aware of this phenomenon?"
Feeling an itching sensation at the nape of his neck, Chalker glances around and notices a woman standing in the back, her eyes locked on him. Chalker continues, "This group calls itself the Pandemonium Dagger Guild. People in it are very devoted to this guild, and devoted to Chaos, but not to you. Odd, that these people embrace Chaos but don't embrace you. It's almost as though you don't even exist! Now, I have killed quite a few of these people, though not because of you... that was just a side benefit for you. Are you weakening? Is there something I can do to help you? I know we haven't been on the best of terms lately. Do you have any guidance? Any instructions? Any wisdom that you wish to impart to me to help guide me in my dealings with these people who don't seem to need you?"
Chalker begins to itch all over, feeling as though his skin is covered in static. "And see, as usual, Father, you get mad at the messenger. Now, calm down. I'm merely informing you. There's no reason to be upset with me over this, no reason to try to eat me right now. But I thought I should tell you, your status as First Chosen of Chaos seems to be weakening! That was it. If you have nothing to say, I'll leave you to it."
Chalker continues in silence for a few more circuits, then approaches the altar once again. This time it is the High Priest who performs the responses to Chalker's observance. As Chalker departs, he walks past the woman, who approaches and says to him, "He knows. He is moving in his will toward a goal you will become aware of. You will be involved, as will many people. Your survival is not guaranteed. Also, you've got to deliver that message sometime." As the woman walks away, Chalker mutters, "I hate Mensep."
Azzhik visits a dockside tavern and tells the barkeep, "Give me the thing that can kill." He takes the drink to his table and mixes several other ingredients into it.
Chalker leads General Burns and Felicia Strada back to his house, then to the gate along with Branamin and Trace. The mage Branamin has hired is led blindfolded to the Lone Mountain so as to cast Scryfool on that gate. The Idrians will be awakened in groups of 50 to 100 according to a pre-made list. On the Dolyenan side, Seman will oversee the military Idrians, and Farrel the civilians. Ahn-Lee, observing the awakened civilians, takes Chalker aside and points out three or four Idrians he reckons are "pros," either thieves or assassins. By sundown 500 Idrians have been awakened and transferred to Dolyena, and the operation is closed down for the night.
Chalker: "I have a ship to acquire... I need to contact that Lavinian merchant house and say I'm taking the ship in lieu of payment." Sylvia Quiz is still alive and in jail; Ahn-Lee offers to "take care of it," but Chalker says, "I need to find more info. Let's see if she'll talk. If she won't -- I'll petition for her freedom, and when she walks out, then we'll kill her. She's between me and my goal; either she helps or gets out of my way."
Azzhik visits the alchemy shop; his potions have been selling well, and he wishes to collect his profits. The proprietor (who happens to also be Ahn-Lee's poisons supplier) tells Azzhik that someone wants a less-lethal variant of the Pandemonium Dagger Guild poison that causes agonizing pain. "No rush, though." Azzhik asks, "Have you seen Jorel?" "Haven't seen him in a week." "Ehh, he must be dead." Jorel owes Azzhik a sum of gold.
Chalker and Ahn-Lee dine at the Boar's Head. Ahn-Lee gives Chalker his cut of the money and gems from Near Stars. Chalker tells him, "In the morning, you and I will meet with the factor about the boat. If we finish early enough, I want to show you the Virtual Keep." Chalker intends to acquire the property ("Should be cheap, there's nothing there anyone else wants") and search the Keep for valuables.
Early next day, Chalker and Ahn-Lee seek out the residence of Ander Solomon, the local factor for the Lavinia Seafarers Guild. The butler ill-conceals his displeasure that they have come so early, and to the factor's abode rather than his office. They are shown to a sitting room, but offered no refreshment. A quarter-hour later Solomon enters, red-eyed, and greets them. Chalker gets right down to business. "Bad news -- the leadership of Near Stars is in custody." Solomon: "It was a long night. I summoned a healer so Sylvia Quiz could talk again. She will be interrogated today. It has come out that they tried to harm you." Chalker: "The ship is in the Empire's hands." Solomon: "Your group killed all except Sylvia Quiz." Chalker: "That was an error." Solomon: "She claimed that a compulsion caused her to stand and approach you. They told me she is a strong mage -- to my surprise. The authorities confirmed that I did not know what was going on." Chalker: "I am going to ask the empire to give the ship to me." Solomon: "May Delsa go with you." Chalker: "Oh, no, Delsa is mad at me.... If I had wanted to harm you, Ahn-Lee would have come here alone. ... Maybe we can do business later." Chalker mentions that they were not offered hospitality; Solomon says he will speak to the butler about that.
Azzhik orders "the thing that kills" and uses it as a base to blend his morning "energy drink." He is angry that Jorel has not shown up. He goes about his business, mixing up several batches of poison.
During the day's transfers, Ahn-Lee spots an Idrian man skulking over to a shelf of equipment, taking an ivory vial from a box, and sneaking back to his place. Chalker taps the man on the shoulder, then grabs him by the shirt and moves him aside. "What do you have in your sleeve?" The man, who gives the name Ned Isom, replies, "It's a device that helps me with my trade, which is information gathering." Chalker warns Isom that he's been marked as a thief; "If I hear your voice again, I'll have someone stab you, because it hurts."
Chalker informs General Burns that the equipment and goods remaining in Lone Mountain belong to the Idrians. "You may contact Melcor to help you get it moved out."
Ahn-Lee reaches the alchemist's shop right at closing time and shows him the ivory vial, which contains a truth potion. Just then Azzhik enters, and the alchemist introduces them to one another. Azzhik takes the ivory vial and examines the contents. Ahn-Lee: "Hey, now, what are you doing?" Azzhik: "I make potions and unusual cures." The alchemist assures Ahn-Lee that Azzhik is one of the best alchemists in the city. Azzhik tastes the vial. "I could make ten times better. Twelve gold for best truth potion." Interested, Ahn-Lee bargains the price to nine gold.
Azzhik hands Ahn-Lee a small sample of reddish-gold liquid. "Drink this." Ahn-Lee hesitates, then sips the potion. He feels his saliva heat up." Azzhik: "Go aaaaahhh." A six-foot-long jet of flame issues from Ahn-Lee's mouth. "When does this stop??" "Ahh, soon."
Azzhik: "You look like one that kills. This one help." He gives Ahn-Lee a sample of pain potion.
Ahn-Lee takes Azzhik to dine at the Boar's Head. Azzhik orders a Bajeeter Special. He shows Ahn-Lee his curved dagger, engraved with snakes and a lizard's skull. In the course of conversation, Ahn-Lee learns that it was Azzhik who created the bear poison.
Azzhik asks Ahn-Lee to be on the lookout for Jorel, a burly man with long dark hair and a large black mustache who frequents the docks. "If you find him, you not have to pay for poison, plus there is bonus for you."
Next day, Chalker goes and inquires about Sylvia Quiz. She is being held under high security. Captain Harlock has sent word that Chalker will not be allowed to attend the interrogation. Chalker lodges a grievance against the ship.
Ahn-Lee tells a "copper kid" to spread the word that he is paying well to learn Jorel's whereabouts. Not more than an hour later, he receives word that Jorel is hiding from some faction of the Thieves Guild.
Around midmorning in a marketplace, Ahn-Lee encounters Chalker and starts telling him about the "extremely interesting alchemist" he'd met, a lizardman. Suddenly they both notice sitting against a wall a little girl sobbing. Her face, ragged shoes, and plain clothing are streaked with dust and dirt. A bag on the pavement beside her contains seashells, some shiny pebbles, and four fine pearls. Her aura indicates distress, swirling turmoil, and what Chalker thinks may be magic or psionic influence.
Chalker says "hello" and begins questioning the girl. Her name is Tina, she is eleven years old, she lives in Taybor Cove, a small fishing village north of Sapphire, and she came to find "someone to tell." Her speech becomes halting as she struggles to express herself. "It's a wondeful day and it's better when I can talk to people... they don't hear what I need to say... even Daddy doesn't hear... I'm trying to tell you what... I need to know, but... it's not pleasant enough for you to hear it." Chalker assures her he'll take her to someone who will hear exactly what she has to say. Tina takes Chalker's hand trustingly.
Ahn-Lee stealthily takes a thief's pouch, then taps the man on the shoulder; "You dropped this. By the way, I need to talk to your boss." "How urgent is this?" "Now. And I'm not here for anything bad. It could be profitable."
A little later, Ahn-Lee, Chalker, and Tina are seated in the Braced Bucket. Chalker asks Tina if she's hungry, and she exclaims, "I haven't eaten in forEVer!" As Tina digs in, a man walks in, makes eye contact with a few others, then seats himself at their table. He has no obvious weapons. Without preamble he says, "Whatcha need?" Ahn-Lee: "I understand we're both looking for the same person." "Jorel. Yeah, I know who you're talking about." "Just out of curiosity, how much does he owe you? Maybe we can both get a good deal out of this." "Eh... he owes somewhere in the neighborhood of eight gold." "Hm. That's not quite the profit margin I was looking for... If I find him and bring him to you, what would that be worth to you?" "Well, part of my intent is to make him work it off. He's a decent alchemist." "Okay, that's your business. But he owes you eight gold." "Okay, I could add this to it. Two gold, if you bring him to me." "That's fair." "He knows his way around the docks, and he knows how to hide. He's slippery.... You didn't come here just to get a contract to find somebody, did you?" "Not exactly, but I'm in a rush and I wanted to locate him." "It's a good outcome for me. I can get ten gold out of his hide one way or another." "Well, if there's nothing else, we'll leave you to get on with your day." The man glances over at Chalker, who says, "It was nice to finally meet you." (No names were exchanged.) As the man leaves, he signals to a group of three other people.
Ahn-Lee goes off to look around the docks. Tina asks for pie for dessert, but Chalker says no. "Have you ever met a lizardman?" "No." "Me either." At the Mage Guild an apprentice leads them to Sybonne's workroom. She is studying some books. The black sword in its scabbard rests on a table. "What can I do for you, and your guest?" Sybonne says with a smile at the little girl. Chalker: "Tina has something she wants to tell you. But there's something either making her say it, or making it to where she can't say it, so it's coming out garbled." Sybonne briefly chats with Tina while casting some kind of spell, then directs the girl to a sideboard with bread and cheese. Sybonne says to Chalker, "Do you want to do a reading on her?" Chalker: "I want to know what it is she's trying to say. She told me it isn't pleasant enough for me to understand." Sybonne: "There's not really a spell on her, but there's a magical effect."
Sybonne calls Tina back over. "Can you tell me what you tried to tell Chalker?" Tina's eyes widen. "Okay. It's like this. Several days ago, coming into the sun coming up, on a beautiful day, and made very interesting shadows over the docks..." Tina stops, and Sybonne says gently, "That's not what you wanted to say, is it, honey." Tina shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm going to try some magic to help you do that. Don't be scared." Sybonne casts a spell, then tells Chalker, "I tried a Divination and got a garbled return. But somebody is holding her village enthralled or hostage, and it's been at least five days. This young lady walked from there, and has been wandering the city streets for the last day, trying dozens of times to tell people, starting with the city guard. They must have thought she was just a child playing games. But something is definitely wrong in her little village, and someone is strong enough in magic to do this to her."
Chalker calls Tina's name, and she looks up, swallowing a mouthful of bread and cheese. "So, your village where the good thing is happening that you've been trying to tell me about... was this good thing done by one person, or was it done by many people?" "Yes. There were... sev-er-al." "And this good thing happened five days ago, on a sunny day." "And it's... it's still sunny." "And the good thing is still happening?" "Yes." "Is the good thing making people feel good?" "Nnn... yes." "Has this thing made some people feel so good they're not alive anymore?" "Some people have gone on holiday, and I don't know what they're going to do when they see that I have gone on holiday. Unless they think I went on holiday. But they didn't put me on holiday." "These people on holiday, did they go visit Dara?" "We have a shrine to Dara in the village."
Chalker: "Would it be okay if I went to the village to see this good thing on a sunny day? Would that make you happy?" Tina: "That would make me very sad, probably. Then I would be grieving for what would not happen to you." "In your village, are there many pearls?" "I don't know how many. They find them from time to time.... I came here looking for someone, and I didn't find the one I wanted, but I guess you'll do." Chalker, wryly: "I feel honored." Tina: "I came looking for the Protector, but I can't find her. So I started telling guards and everybody, and they just wouldn't listen." Chalker: "What does 'her' look like?" Tina: "Well, I prayed to the gods that favor Sapphire, and I had a dream, and that's why I ran away to come to Sapphire, to find the lady. She's very beautiful, with lovely hair, and pointed ears... imposing." Chalker: "I don't really know anybody that fits that description." Tina: "Oh, well. But you'll do. You understand." Chalker: "I understand."
Chalker: "I will contact the Protector. You won't owe me, okay? But that guy we were just with, the pearls will at least make him think about it." He writes in his journey book: The village of Taybor Cove needs the Protector to protect them. And Ahn-Lee, there is payment in pearls for you.
Chalker, Ahn-Lee, Azzhik, and Shawna assemble quickly, and after a fast 45-minute ride they near Tina's village, Taybor Cove. The streets appear deserted, until one man emerges from his home. His name is Sean Murray, and he is Tina's father. He manages to tell the group that there are three outsiders in their community building; others go out daily with the fishing boats, and still others make daily trips to the county seat. Shawna tells him to go back inside with Tina and hide.
Chalker peers through the front of the community building and reports that there are two people in the front room: a woman (W1) with low magery but high psionic potential, strong-willed, and with a nasty temperament, and a man (M1) with mid-level magery and low psionics. Chalker uses his TK to unlatch the front door, then goes around back. On a count of 10, Shawna and Chalker kick in the doors. Shawna leaps inside and punches W1 solidly in the jaw. Chalker enters a small back room where another man (M2) is arranging some items in crates.
M2 clenches his right fist and concentrates. Shawna whirls and strikes M1 with her sword, stunning him. Chalker rushes M2, driving him into a wall. Ahn-Lee and Azzhik run toward the back door.
Shawna swings at W1, who now wields a psionic construct which looks like a sword made of "dark light". W1 parries, but looks concerned; she assumes a defensive stance. Chalker hooks a knife and stabs M2. M1 comes out of his stun. A "dark light" sword appears in M2's fist. Azzhik stops just outside the back door.
Shawna casts Blindness on W1, who tenses and steps back. Chalker fast-draws Dink-Dink and chops at M2's hand. M2 stabs at Chalker, who parries. Ahn-Lee fast-draws two knives and throws them into M2's chest, telling Chalker "You're welcome." M1 creeps along a wall, mumbling.
M1 is suddenly holding a sword across his body, staring at Shawna. W1 starts humming and steps back. Chalker raises Dink-Dink and punches M2 in the face. Ahn-Lee opens the door to the front room where he sees Shawna, M1, and W1. Shawna stabs W1 in the vitals. M2 swings at Chalker, who parries.
Shawna and Ahn-Lee dodge some sort of force that pulverizes the door. M2 swings desperately and Chalker parries. Ahn-Lee rolls to his feet, fast-draws two more daggers, and throws one, striking M1. Shawna stabs M1, who fails to parry and collapses. Chalker pulls a knife from M2's chest and jams it back in again, and M2 falls.
The group examines the three people and the various items in the building. One chest contains alchemical equipment, which Azzhik unpacks. He also finds various ingredients, most curiously several jars of fish bladders in preservative. Azzhik recognizes the peculiar smell from the fish bladders; he tastes them; he feels a brief "rush" as the blood vessels in his head swell, followed by a headache.
Shawna picks up an ornate jewel box which she recognizes as having been crafted by a well-known artisan in Wicera. Inside are four vials containing a milky brown liquid, and four empty vials. The vials are marked on their stoppers with the crest of House Dorsey of Gateway. Shawna keeps the jewel box and gives the vials to Azzhik to examine. W1 appears to be from Cleaveville, a coastal city in the Troubled Lands.
There's a timid knock at the door; Azzhik answers. Two townspeople convey that there are two "nice people" out with the fishing fleet, which is due back within an hour, and two other "nice people" will be returning from the county seat before long. Azzhik gives one of them men a taste of truth potion, and the man is able to describe how the invaders took the townspeople into a room where they fell into a waking dream.
While Ahn-Lee and Azzhik wait for the fishing boats, Shawna and Chalker ride along the road to the county seat until they see two riders approaching. They charge and strike them down. Chalker stabs one of them to death and Shawna heals the other, who appears to be a leader type, enough that he will survive. Chalker evaluates him as greedy and "not nice" with low magery and midrange psi. Their saddlebags contain trinkets, statuettes, and hair clippings.
The boats return early. Azzhik prepares by dipping his claws in a paralysis drug, and tipping Ahn-Lee's crossbow bolt with the same. Their two targets are a man standing in the prow of the boat (P1) and another hovering beside the mast (H1). Ahn-Lee fires from cover and P1 falls. As Ahn-Lee reloads, Sean Murray shouts, "He's coming in -- flying!"
H1 alights on the dock. Azzhik lunges and digs his claws into H1's skin. H1 takes one step, turns to stare at Azzhik, and falls. Ahn-Lee: "Not bad." Azzhik: "Efficient." Ahn-Lee gets the fishermen to carry P1 and H1 to the community building.
Chalker and Shawna arrive. Chalker obtains the paralytic antidote from Azzhik and administers some to H1. H1 gives his name as Steve Rains. Their group came here from Gateway to obtain the ingredients to make a drug called Crenolin, which enhances psi power two to four times and is highly addictive. Their chemist, Arthur, is one of only three or four people who know how to make Crenolin. They had been commissioned by Lord Dorsey's second son, Jimmy, to collect the ingredients. Their leader was the woman, Ruann Brinn. They came here in particular to harvest bladders from the "monster fish" which are found in only a few locations, including a short stretch of the Saracene coast.
The group had conditioned the villagers to give specific responses by rearranging their though pathways. Steve admits that he and Torey had killed two villagers because they were resistant to their psionic powers. Chalker: "You're not mad at me for killing Torey, are you?" Steve: "I didn't like him that much." Chalker: "Oh, but we're mad. You didn't have gold worth killing for. All we got were fish bladders."
The villagers, freed from the psionic compulsion, give the group a dozen pearls in gratitude. Shawna publicly praises Tina for her courage and resourcefulness. The group mounts up and returns to Sapphire.