Sapphire:Sessions:20200725
Chalker picks up the twisted rod. The metal content is the same, but it no longer feels "strange." He puts the rod into a bag, then tries to sense more of the metal; in one of the newer buildings he senses a tiny amount, less than an ounce. He feels that "something flashed" outside of town to the SSE.
Everyone in the group is brought back to consciousness and healed.
Intrinsius' Essential Flame diminishes but he wills it back. He feels that it will only burn what he wills it to. He places it on his left shoulder. Loop nervously backs away.
Shawna finds nine more of the leather-clad mercs, unconscious. Searching one merc, Don Marley, she turns up a coin from a private guild on Myretrius. She suggests that Chalker question the merc to find out why they hired out to the dark halflings. Chalker has Cal and Loop gather the mercs' weapons and stow them in Tiny Wagon.
When Chalker awakens Marley, the latter's eyes immediately glance over at Intrinsius, who is sitting nearby with the Essential Flame cupped in one hand, heating the blade of one of his big knives. "What's he doing?" Chalker: "He's the backup plan. If you don't talk to me, you'll talk to him."
"Alex" is the mercs' captain. They were hired "a while ago" and brought "a long way" on a fast ship. Their orders were to serve as security for the town, and that there was a trap for a high-ranking person. Their second-in-command is Lt Winston Hale, and the highest-ranking merc in the building is Sgt Harry Loftus.
Chalker puts Loftus in the chair and wakes him up. "You're the man in charge?" "What do you want to know? ... We were waiting for a magical signal." "The other six of you are dead, so you're in charge now." "I know some stuff but you're not going to get deep info. I'll share what I know; I'm not being paid enough to be tortured." A crew of DHs ran the ship. They docked at Gu-Win and marched overland accompanied by three DHs, sometimes at night over "weird terrain." The strategy seemed "crazy" to him. Chalker: "Where are the other two dark halflings?" Loftus: "One of them checked something, then left before the trap was sprung." "Was the trap for us?" "I don't know who the trap was for. ... The ship was a very fast schooner, with a crew of at least ten. There were another dozen at the dock in Gu-Win."
Sgt Loftus' Aura is consistent with being a mercenary, callous and greedy. Chalker detects a "weak spot" around the left side of Loftus' head of a sort he has never seen before.
Loftus continues, "There were 30 in my company, and we all came to Ashley. Six were with the greeting committee, six were their reinforcements, nine are here in this building, and I don't know where the other nine are."
Chalker: "Fire mage, we're going to tie everyone's feet and go look for the rest of their crew." Intrinsius sets his red-hot knife in front of the mercs as Loftus assures Chalker "I won't cause any trouble."
Shawna locates the town's administration building where she finds a short, slightly-built man slumped over a desk. He has been "touched heavily" by the DH. Scattered on his desk are letters addressed to the mayors of towns mainly to the north and west to "receive representatives ... to recruit for an opportunity" to be presented by someone called Siveth. The letters are signed by Jadon Wise. Shawna reasons that Siveth must be a dark halfling. She picks up the list of towns and a sample letter, and slings the clerk over her shoulder.
Shawna drops the clerk at Chalker's feet and summarizes her findings. The clerk's aura has a weak area with "hooks" held by a DH. Chalker sits on the clerk's chest and hands Intrinsius a knife; "Can you heat this up?" Chalker takes the heated knife and presses the red-hot blade into the clerk's forehead; the clerk wakes up screaming. His name is Alan Briggs. Chalker: "Where are the dark halflings?" AB: "I don't know." Chalker again presses the knife to his skin; "I thought I was clear." AB: "I really don't know -- They went to coordinate this plan -- One planted the wand, another said 'Perimeter check,' they said something I didn't understand, then the mayor left." Chalker: "Tell me what the letters are about." AB: "I was finishing them up, to go out tomorrow -- to bring all towns into an alliance... Ashley will serve as the center... Ash appeared and supported this plan." Chalker: "You actually saw Ash." AB: "Of course... over six feet tall, fire-red hair and beard, red and gold flaming leathers..." Chalker: "You've been very helpful." He searches AB, taking 3s 7c but leaving the town's signet ring, then marches him over to where the mercs are and ties him up.
Chalker asks Sgt Loftus what his company's fee is; the number quoted is rather high for this area. Intrinsius has heard about this mercenary guild; they are considered elite and have a good reputation, though the "trap" was "militarily inept." Intrinsius says, "You're not worth that much money."
Shawna becomes aware that the DH is shielded and is at least three miles outside of town to the SE. She senses five people in the town with DH influence, four weak and one strong. She heads toward the "strong" influence, coming to a newly-built building, its doors closed but its windows shattered. Drawing her sword, she shoulders open the door. Inside she finds nine mercenaries around a table. The one with the heavy DH taint is slumped at the head of the table, one hand cupped over a small, smooth pebble. The other eight all had their swords drawn. All nine are wearing rank insignia. An object 8.5" x 11" had been bolted to the wall but has been removed.
In one wall is what looks like a metal door only 4' high. A dangerous/creepy/unholy feeling emanates from it. She kicks the door twice and it swings open. She ducks and steps in. The room beyond is 10'x10'x10' and completely dark, the floor covered with soft carpeting that lacks any impressions except a 1'x1' square. Two chairs to the left and two to the right are placed against the side walls. Across from the door is a squared-off chunk of stone. [Though it is featureless, lacking any furnishings, symbols, or carvings, the GM repeatedly calls it an 'altar.'] Shawna feels it is "an affront to the Chosen."
Chalker enters the same building and picks up the pebble. "Dark copper" is at its core. Shawna (having smelled his cologne) calls him into the small room. He activates his Penetrating Vision. The altar "feels bad" to Chalker. It appears to be made of marble and "might have been" a portal. Something was "written" on the top and "on the front under the lip" [wtm] but "scraped clean" although it is stone. Chalker also sees a very small door on one wall that Shawna says might be for a pigeon (or bat).
Chalker ties up the merc who had the pebble (who, it turns out, is Lt Winston Hale) and slings him over his shoulder.
Shawna detects a "mild" spiritual component related to "a deity that deals in darkness" similar to Asseraah. She will be able to recognize this "signature" whenever she encounters it. She wonders if the stone of the "altar" is native to Erethel, and finds that it is "mixed" with an "outside" marble that "entraps part of a deity." "Santash, Solash, I seek your counsel." "Yes..." Shawna feels led to touch the altar and feels "a questing" and an urge to put her back against the far wall. Solash: "Info gathered... truth more clear... time has come..." Shawna feels an urge to cast Lightning, which disintegrates the altar. The room fills with the power of Santash and Solash along with "the wind of Yasseph."
Chalker places Lt Hale with the others. He looks into the pebble and sees nothing unusual besides the dark copper core. He shakes Hale awake.
Intrinsius is moving through the town. "A sense of fire" draws him to the west and north. His flame points the way. He moves toward a house that "feels of fire" to him; fire is "sparkling" around the house. Taking his flame in hand, he tries the door, which opens. "Hello?" he calls, stepping into a cozy, firelit room (there was no smoke from the chimney). Sunlight streams through a window. A high-backed chair faces the fireplace with empty chairs on either side. Seated in the middle chair is a man with red hair and a close-cut red beard, wearing red and gold flame armor and holding a goblet of wine. He smiles at Intrinsius, who says, "Hello, Ash." Ash: "I think we have a chance to talk now. Your companions are so protective." Intrinsius moves to one of the empty chairs but does not sit. He thinks, Ash doesn't seem hostile but his intentions are not good; Ash seems curious, amused. Ash: "I'm sure you have a question, Sir Intrinsius -- I'm sure that's what you go by." "I'm not a knight. Even fire can be turned to do what's right. What do you want from me?" "Assist me with the 'unusual halflings'. They are from 'otherwhere'. You don't want to trace them through Dar's realm. It's a political maneuver to allow me to test the waters... I want to do a good thing to show my father I am reformed. This land is so chaotic, its rulers changing... I would bring outside forces and show my worth to them. It is inappropriate to talk to my father... unless you want to be my emissary. Your group and i could mold the halflings into a force to unite the land."
Intrinsius: "I care only for justice. These halflings have been nothing but trouble. If you can demonstrate that they aren't as evil as they appear, maybe we can come to an agreement."
Intrinsius feels a "tug" at his mind (an inclination to accept Ash's words as truth) and shakes it off, saying, "Try that again and your father's fire will destroy you." Ash: "You definitely have his attention." Intrinsius shapes his flame into a quarterstaff; "I guess he doesn't trust you, either."
Ash: "I can't stand against you, so I will bow out of this. I warn you, the unique halflings are courting many of the descendants of the First Chosen. Please tell your companions I apologize for the trap; I was merely providing the bait." He hands Intrinsius a ring. "I know you feel this could be used to track you, but you can concentrate on this ring and call my name and I will come to you as soon as I can." He gives him a cloth and explains that covering the ring with the cloth will block the ring from calling him. "In a place of power, you could even summon me. ... I aspire to be 'more' ... I only chance this because the Chosen are busy ... There may be impostors of me; you killed one today." Intrinsius: "You think you know me." Ash: "You've used many names. You may be running, toward or away." Intrinsius: "Who knows?" Ash: "Your draw to justice is stronger than your draw to power." Intrinsius: "Please do not aid the dark halflings any more." Ash: "I won't."
Ash walks into the hearth and fire rises to engulf him. The house reverts to its real appearance, its two occupants unconscious on the floor.
Lt Hale claims, "We are mighty." Chalker: "You are lucky." Hale: "Either Siveth or Omed gave me the pebble. I sensed power in it. If I had met the dark halflings before we were hired, we would not have worked for them. We were hired by Nathaniel Hess of Hillford. He signed us for a year, got us to the coast. I assume my captain is dead. ... I don't want to answer what I was doing with the pebble... it is used to establish contact with a 'being' in Gu-Win... You didn't have the main target [Belandrie] with you... Something had linked and was going to use me to search for the elven warrior; I can't remember the name... It is a communications beacon and maybe more; it has magical/spiritual properties."
Aura: Natural magic defense; "weak spot" (meaning enthralled by DH) not active ("snapped off" recently); damage to his aura was stopped. Magery 1 and a minor psi shield. Knows a few spells.
Hale: "I don't know where Siveth went. They don't want to be seen; they almost have to concentrate in order to be seen."
Chalker: "What's your current hire rate?" Hale quotes him a price "once our current contract is up or they release us," but he refuses to breach the contract "because word would get around... But they really are vile... I will try to help... I am already bending the guild's honor." Chalker: "You do what you think is best."
Intrinsius enters, fire staff in hand. Chalker: "Don't drop that, Intrinsius." Intrinsius: "Wanna hold it?" Chalker: "They say they won't break their contract." Intrinsius (to Hale): "You work for us now. I spoke with Ash." Hale: "We were hired by Nathaniel Hess." Intrinsius: "Your captain is dead, your contract is dead. Go home." Hale: "I give you my parole. We won't fight against you."
Intrinsius speaks privately with Chalker and Shawna. "I met with Ash in a dwelling special to fire. He called the dark halflings [he repeats a word in the DH's language]." He shows them the cloth-wrapped ring and describes its purpose. The ring is a powerful magic item, engraved with runes to communicate with or summon Ash; there are possibly other spells. "He wanted me to be a go-between between him and Phor. He called him 'father.' He called [Shawna] 'aspect of Delsa' and [Chalker] 'messenger.' He did not offer me anything." Chalker: "I think he wants you to be a bridge to Phor."
Chalker checks Intrinsius' Aura. He has a much stronger connection to Phor than before, and his strongest devotion is to justice.
In between moments, Mensep speaks directly to Chalker. "If you wish, take this message to the one who will become the new mayor of Ashley -- Zola Mydon. This town is now holy to the First Chosen, and a temple has been sanctified. If he honors the temple, the town will become prosperous and a shining beacon to this island." Chalker: "I will deliver the message. When will people wake up?" "They will awaken in two hours, at sunset. Will you consent to another message?" "Not at this time. I am thinking about it, but not right now. Do you know the goals of the dark halflings? Will you tell me?" "Domination of Erethel in this reality, to further their long-term goals." "We're about to kill all of them. If you want any of them alive, let me know."
Belandrie is still unconscious. Shawna has Tara and Solant take him to the holy room and stay to watch over him.
Intrinsius wants to see the holy room. Shawna explains that it is holy to all the First Chosen. Intrinsius prays to Santash, "Help me find the right path, to do what is right and just." He feels that his petition falls on favorable ears and that Santash will help him. He thanks Phor for his assistance, and asks a favor: "If you have plans for Ash that involve me, please let me know." He senses a response: "Yes, we will do that." ("We" being Intrinsius and Phor.)
In order to locate Zola Mydon, at Shawna's suggestion Chalker goes to the administration building's records room to examine the rolls for property belonging to the Mydon family. He finds a detailed map of Ashley and the surrounding area, and learns the name of the duke.
Zola Mydon is a tailor by trade. Chalker goes to Mydon's shop (next to his residence) where he finds a man at a loom, a woman behind the counter, a teenage boy near the door, and two customers, all unconscious. He wakes Zola up and Shawna casts Alertness. Chalker: "I have a message from the First Chosen. You're the new mayor." Shawna: "Like you, the people of the town were all knocked out. You must take care of them."
Shawna has Intrinsius show her to a large inn. She awakens the proprietors and has them start preparing a banquet to feed all the townsfolk. Then she locates the small clinic/temple of Zeph, informs the young priestess of the new circumstances, and encourages her to start ministering to the townsfolk.
Chalker returns to the mercs. He tells Lt Hale and Sgt Loftus, "You are to stay and guard the town for at least two weeks, then you are free to leave. I need your word." Hale: "I can stretch parole to cover that. We will accept room and board. Then we will go to another port besides Gu-Win." Loftus: "We'll want weapons other than daggers." Chalker: "If you don't keep your word, Mensep will tell me. You know what happens to oathbreakers." Sgt Loftus will be his go-between.
An hour past sunset, all the people of Ashley (around 700) come to the center of town for the banquet. Shawna, with the priestess of Zeph, offers comfort, financial assistance, and funeral arrangements as needed. Chalker gives a speech that can be summarized as "Zola Mydon is the new mayor; the evil influence is gone; tomorrow it's business as usual... I have arranged for armed guards to protect the town for two weeks." His speech goes over exceedingly well.
Shawna identifies those few who seem dubious and points them out to the priestess, telling her they are linked to the dark halflings so "they must be cleansed." The priestess wants four mercs to assist her, and Shawna arranges this with Chalker.
Rather than attend the banquet, Intrinsius goes outside the town to a clearing and practices his kata. The flame "tried to go away" while he was engaged in intense activity, but he reclaims it. He puts the flame aside with his gear, but it diminishes, so he puts it atop his head.
Being placed in the holy room has assisted the process, so Belandrie will "come out of his dream" around midnight.