Well, they certainly know how to throw a party in Restov...
Arriving in the city on the 4th of Rova, we were welcomed by a contingent from Lord Jamandi Aldori, the reigning Sword Lord. Not sure exactly how he knew we were coming, but nonetheless, the group of young lords led us directly to the Sword Lord's castle where we were greeted by none other than Lord Aldori himself.
What an honor...and get this, we were to stay at the castle and take "full advantage" of his hospitality. You should have seen how puffed up Durvil got. As if he knew all along how important we were. Heh, I myself hold see no advantages to being "important". As long as there's enough money in your purse for a round of beer, you've got all you need.
Speaking of which, I did. So I decided to Seelah to the bar where I grew up and learned the way of Cayden Caileen. She was duly impressed, as expected.
Afterwards we met Elsbeth at an upscale clothier, where we commissioned suitable apparel for the party at Lord Jamandi's the following night. I'm not sure what got into our companion, but she paid for the entire thing. And looked stunning in the final product.
The evening before the party we had the distinct pleasure of meeting the other adventuring parties that had been hired to explore the southern lands. They ranged in experience from...well us, to very experienced (The Iron Council, whom by the way had a pair of very comely twins named Lidka and Irena). From small in numbers (us again) to horde-sized (Varnling Host).
It seemed that all the groups that had been sent south to explore had been gathered here for some sort of announcement. At least that is what I assumed.
And I wasn't far off in my guess. The next night's shindig proved quite opulent. Guests of all stripes were present, from the many adventurers to dignitaries and wealthy merchants. Daughters were on display...apparently this was deemed rich hunting grounds for available and well turned bachelors. Hrmph. Can't say I approve of that much. But in general it's not often that I understand what the upper class considers proper.
Not only was the party for us, but also for the King of Pitax, one Castroci Irovetti was in attendance as well, negotiating a peace settlement. So as you can imagine we were in good company.
Ha! Durvil's older brother was also there. Imagine Durvil's surprise. Seems they don't get along all that well. Durvil left home in quite a hurry and his brother doesn't agree with his methods. At least they could agree to disagree. Ah, sibling rivalry. Wish I knew what that was like.
We met a wide assortment of characters, amongst them were the following:
- Zivel Rotisel - a priest of Gorum and a member of the Iron Council
- Rodom Vena - a fighter by trade and member of the Iron Council
- Lidka and her sister Irena (whom I might have mentioned...) also members of the Iron Council
- Miret Velvason - a roguish sort and member of the Iron Council as well (warned us of the black dragon Ithuliak...now in the Slough)
- Zada Varn - The 18 y/o daughter of Megar Varn (single and quite pretty, as her father will vociferously point out)
- Lord Mayor Joseph Selmius
- Hanhs Drelev - An adventurer in the Slough(?)
- Willis Gunderson - A lore seeker as well as a wizard (told us of Rattison's Treatise...a book of summoning spells that was taken by Keal Garn)
- Belfor Vitanis - An aristocrat
- Theoric - Ix's instructor at the academy (Tasks Ix with finding a Dryad's tear and bringing it to Elga Veriax...whom he claims that we'll run into. Whatever)
- Satinder Morn - A priestess of Calistria (Funny to watch Elsbeth bristle at this woman...apparently there's no love lost w/in the clergy there.)
- Harris Drelev - An adventurer who founded Fort Drelev...how droll
- Harley Medvyed - Ah yes...Harley. We've run into this one before and he's NOT to be trusted. He cornered Durvil and said this, "You'll be handed the keys to the kingdom." And that he reserved the rights to a certain place. As if we OWED the man! Absurd. But I feel as if he has some type of hold over Durvil. I'm not sure what it is. I do know that Harley is some type of lycanthrope, a dangerous creature that must be taken very seriously. I'm not sure what he's up to, but I fear we'll cross paths with him again.
- Terriah Numesti - An associate of Harley's
- Berethran Stroom - A merchant
- Pareta - His daughter
- Grald - I met him...but I don't remember much about him. (I was christening the establishment you know)
- Shah Gelnarn - In the negotiations w/ King Irrovetti
Near the end of the evening we were asked to meet w/ Lord Aldori. For what purpose? I figured it was to report in person and possibly to receive or next set of marching orders. Turns out I was only partially correct. We were granted a Barony! Yes, if you can believe it, we are now "Barons". In name only at the moment though.
We keep what we can hold. In other words, it is by sheer will, strength of arms, and carefully made treaties that we will carve out our land. I propose to name it Free Beer....This way we can attract a hearty tax base. Ah I jest. But we do indeed need to come up w/ a name for our hatchling barony.
As we were in the Lord's office though, all hell broke loose. We could hear excited shouting from out in the main room as we emerged...and surmised that some merchants were attacked and nearly killed in one of the tower rooms, by gargoyles of all things! It's hard to imagine a beast like that "sneaking" into a room from a crowded party.
But I will admit, most of the festivities had moved over to the bar, which is natural. And as the night grows older it is quite common for those interested in imbibing Cayden's blessings to go just a tad too far in their appreciation. I completely understand that and heartily support it...but it was unfortunate never the less.
The attack was concerted and had a target: Zada Varn. Why? I do not pretend to understand, but the action might have been meant to disrupt the peace proceedings in the next room. Who would do this? War profiteers possibly? Again, I'm at a loss.
As one might imagine, Megar was quite beside himself, but came around when we told him that we were on the job and would return his daughter safely. Leaving the brute slightly mollified we tracked the beasts from the room whence they had kidnapped Zada, down the stairs and through a hidden door behind the wine racks.
Eventually this dumped out into the sewers. Why always the sewers? I'm not at all keen on those incredibly smelly, slimy, dark tunnels. We used them as children on occasion, but never willingly.
It was here that we stumbled upon some type of ferocious fecal dweller, what Ix called an Otyugh. Tentacles, teeth and horny ridges were all that were visible of this loathsome beast. Laying into us it pulled many of us into the viscous stew and nearly crushed the life from yours truly! But in the end we prevailed. And continued our pursuit of fair damsel in distress.
Eventually the trail led to an exit where the sewage fell 50' to the river below. And what do we see but a small boat pulled up to the shore and Zada being loaded into the bottom. We shouted to the sell swords below, but to no avail. They cursed us and laughed at our predicament.
Which was about to get much worse.
Three of the repugnant gargoyles swooped upon from on high, surprising us and making descent decidedly more difficult. Taking a cue from Elsbeth, I too leapt down into the river below, hoping the water was deep enough to arrest my deathly plummet. Indeed it was.
The frantic battle was joined and we were ill pressed to win past the gargoyles before the sailors had Zada ensconced and set sail. Durvil fought one on one above with one of the gargoyles while the other two kept us quite busy below. Unfortunately Seelah was trapped in an awkward position and couldn't effectively help the entire party. And her help was sorely missed.
Elsbeth nearly succumbed to the reaper twice, while Ix was also very close to leaving this mortal coil as well. But some quick thinking got us past the ill-begotten creatures just in time to make for the boat.
I swam under the water (luckily the current was with me, for I'm not the worlds strongest swimmer) to the leeward side of the boat and once there, I pulled in one of the sailors. Jumping aboard I fought with the other, eventually throwing him overboard as well. Soon we had won the Varnling's daughter free....
And I'm sure shall be well rewarded. Eh?
We shall see, for that is a story for next time.
