Helix: The Old Manse. (Lord Krothos)

[Spearmint]

"I know the Sauron was speaking the truth about at least one note that was sent along with a group of their kind. Though at the time I didn't understand any of what has been reported since. I saw the note personally, though it was written in a way that I couldn't quite comprehend. It did detail the egg, and the deal with the dwarves, I think.

Moriartus, the note found by Sven on his expedition is the note the Soothsayer was referring too but you can certainly advise caution in regard to conducting a mission's success. You can think that rumours of the dwarves having a dragon egg and by default a peace treaty with the elves being broken could be unwelcome news to some of those involved as some geo-politics get mentioned.

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

"Lord Krothos is a shrewd man and not above using us as pawns to further his own ambitions. Treasonous talk I know, but I trust him not and trust his advisors even less.

Dealing with the Nergal Knight is a noble cause but "

He refers to various rumours such as the Duke's knights going in a fool's errand only to die in the Barrow Mounds, Krothos ordered guards to burn down Paterson's farm and that 'hush' money was paid to the hospice blaze heroes who slew the beasts and rescued patients as the fire may have been deliberately started.

Moriartus too knows that Krothos was retescient in helping the druids due to the community being Herne in faith. And he remembers that Renata the brigandine had said she fought against Krothos for instituting 'ius primae noctus'.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

He chuckles at the nickname. "Sir Doozy...not bad. And don't concern yourself with that, I haven't fought any duels over words in at least a month."

"As for the slaughter and disposal of the Sauron, strong men can't resist a chance to prove their strength. It is only wise men who seek restraint. I don't suppose you have this letter or know what happened to it?"

Nodding at Moriartus, "I pray not, for my mission is to keep the undead from washing over the land. All creatures, Sauron, Elf, Dwarf, or Man benefit from that. It is only madness who seek that end."

The Knight listens intently to Vann's rumors. "Those are strong accusations, but telling in that they have spread throughout the area. Fortunately, it is not my place to trust or not, simply to advise and serve. Ygg will guide me, and him." You get the sense that he isn't dismissing the rumors, but is simply focused on his current task. Which is currently aligned with Kronos.

"So gentlemen. As you both seem to have an interest, would you do me the honor of lending aid to the task? As it was said, we need more information and you both bear the mark of learned individuals. Perhaps you could help find any information on the Nergal, those bronze doors, and the "Blossom of Death". We would welcome your company as we revisit the tomb as well, but I suspect that will be in a few days' time."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven agrees to research Nergal, any connection to the bronze doors, and the "Blossom of Death" while they are in Ironguard, happy the paladin didn't clobber him on his head.

"I will seek out the note, but I think I remember Steban saying something about destroying it to hide any evidence of the deed."

"If any of my former companions know more about it, or still have it in their possession, I will find it and bring it to you, sir."

The young mage keeps his mouth shut about the accusations against Lord Krothos, with a plan already in mind to speak with the mans father in the citadel.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

"Krothos is untested and desperately desires to prove himself worthy, not only as the Duke's heir, but as the hereditary war chief of the region. This means convincing the elves and dwarves to honor their ancient treaties of fealty to his title. However ... if what the shaman said is true, you should be wary of those around him, particularly those that give him counsel. There is one whose loyalty and ambitions may not be as pure as yourself, Sir Dewey."

[OGRE MAGE]

In his weird little way, Sven rushes off to his room again, looking through the personal items that belonged to their dead friends. Sure enough, he finds a parchment of vellum folded up in the pocket of the deceased Steban's belt pouch.

He hurriedly runs back to share this info with Sir Dewey and the others, half out of breath, explaining where he found it, and that they will need to understand the dwarven tongue to read it.

---

"My honoured adversary, (Ngenga)

It is with regret I must inform you that tensions are high (tsahey) and the forest will surely resonate once more with the sound of war. Unless you return the stolen egg, those recent captives (lom) will have their heads adorning our shrine and their skins dressing the drums (tsamkuk) upon which our fury shall be beaten.

It is not little thing to provoke the lament of widows and the grief of mourning orphans. Your fugitive priest will console those whose pain he has caused. May his god have mercy on an unrepentant soul.

In good faith we will wait three more days and then each captive, day by day will meet their doom, unless our demands are met.

May the Bridge of Peace span these troubled waters. (Ki'yevame). Meet there in three days.

Drennai, Exalted (tsamsiyu) among his brothers, Humbled only before his Queen."

---

(the dwarven is interspersed with Sauron script)

"I think Drennai is the name of the war chief. His Queen is likely referring to Tiamat, a dragon goddess."

"Not sure if the 'honored adversary ' and 'fugitive priest' are the same person."

"I wonder if Karl Barrelgut, as priest of Moradin, is the priest alluded to."

"The Bridge of Peace has gotta be the Old Dwarf Bridge" (built to enable trade to be conducted from the Moon Peaks to Ironguard but it spans the Moorwash which was once considered lizardman territory).

The young mage just stands there looking concerned, hoping this will help his new friends with their next foray to the mounds.

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

He looks over the note, unable to read Dwarven but soaking it in all the same. "Interesting. At the very least this may help in conversation with the soothsayer. Thank you, Sven, for finding it. This priest that it speaks of, You suspect Barrelgut. Has anyone found him or confronted him?"

The Knight listens intently to Moriartus. "I've found that there are always ambitious people flitting about a Lord. Power draws them in like honey. Trouble may only arise if the ambitious ones grow impatient and greedy. I fear I do not have his ear right now, but perhaps that will change. I will meet with his counselors and see if they are worthy."

"Are you both going to Ironguard, then? Safe travels, and be sure to visit the Red Dragon Inn. Lovely place, but keep an eye out for that rouge, Vasilly or something...he is rumored to have an unnatural taste for flesh."

"Let's talk again when you return. Hopefully, I'll have some good news."

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Concerns and counsels shared, the group meet at odd times over the next few days in the tavern.

Lord Krothos aims for the expedition to set off in three days so you have until May 25th to organise any plans.

The Soothsayer Bharazd'had will be kept confined to the cells but unshackled, though watched throughout. The gibbet erected for him still standing but currently unused.

As he did with supporting Foxrell, he will do for you also, supplying a cadre of conscript militia that bear lance and sword, carrying his pennons and wearing his tabard. Of the officer himself, it seems he has been given his commission back and with reputation seemingly restored, is assigned to another venture.

I will close the Soothsayer interrogation scene here.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven takes his bodyguard friend Orgoth along with him to the Manse to pay their stupid taxes.

Explaining to the guard at the gate that they are on official business form Duke Kell himself, he requests an audience with Lord Krothos and his advisor so they may present them with their sealed decree.

The crafty young mage carries a single sack of 200 gold coins along with him as well.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth accompanies Sven, trying to make sure to look neat and tidy.

[OGRE MAGE]

Are you still thinking about this one?

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Enry' & Bert lean on their pikes, chewing cud.

They comment to each other than wave Sven & Orgoth through the gates and another escorts you through to the reception.

As you go you can see in the courtyard several lowered flags, flying at half mast. A more sombre atmosphere around the place.

of course you arrive here a week or more after the Soothsayer/Nergal expedition left, so the mood may or may not relate to that. Best not to ask.

Presenting the sealed scroll to Ollis, he reads it then looks up, tucking it under his arm.

"You have been busy boys haven't you.", he says. "Come this way." he stands and leads you into the larger hall and passes the scroll to Lord Krothos who is addressing various village petitioners.

"You have my Father's ear. I am glad you turn his attentions to this humble corner of his Duchy."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven maintains all the respects and rituals one pays to such an important figure, especially in front of others.

“It was important to us that you be pleased with the amount of the taxes, my lord. The allocation was not our idea, however, I assure you. And I wouldn’t say we have the Lord’s ear, exactly, but he did seem quite pleased with the tapestry during the few moments we spent with him. Extremely pleased actually.”

“I mentioned that you yourself had initial interest in it, but you acquiesced that his lordship should have first dibs, as it were. It seemed like he appreciated that a good deal as well, my lord.”

“I have one more tax payment to make sire, from some money we made on the sale of a few gems we found.” He produces the bag of 200gp he brought with him. “And I don’t care where this gets allocated, but I did have a…….proposition to make, if I may be so bold, my lord. It involves the future exploration of the mounds.”

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

"You butter us with words and bribe us with gold?" Lord Krothos says, raiding an eyebrow. He weighs the drawstring bag of gold in his hand, tossing it to Ollis.

"Commendable. Politics and diplomacy is a fine art to paint. A skill I lack myself being more forthright and deliberate.

Speak freely. Your gift opens ears and thatches the hospice."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven acts surprised.

“No butter at all, my lord. And certainly no bribe. I understand that taxes are the lifeblood that serves the people. The Duchy is laden with many burdens after all, and the yoke must be borne by the many to secure the standing army, to build the roads, smooth the bureaucracy, restore the public domains. Unlike many other adventurers who prefer to ignore their civic duty, thumbing their noses at the crown, I remain willing to pay my share, sire.”

“Anyway, my idea is to create an Explorers Guild here in Helix, my lord. Since we know a way inside the Barrowmaze, I want to use that to recruit other groups willing to explore the tombs below the mounds. If we can get a few groups searching at the same time, we can accomplish much more in far less time. And of course we would set aside a small percentage of everything found for the crown, my lord. I would see to that myself. The more items that are liberated, the more taxes collected.”

“I haven’t worked out every detail just yet, but I thought it would be prudent to receive your blessings and permissions before getting too involved, my lord.”

[Rex]

Orgoth

"We take our civic duty very seriously my Lord."

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

Sven and Orgoth talk with Lord Krothos.

"An Explorers Guild? Hopefully more than a League of Ordinary Ungentleman such as Osen pesters me with.

I do like the idea, especially if such noble relics are recovered and we can curate the trinkets for posterity and interest in a more distinguished fashion than gathering dust and ash in the Strumpet niches.

And I do find that historians and archeologists are more learned men with an appreciation of the times and seasons. Not just vagabond grave diggers that disturb the dead and cause them to maraud upon the Moors seeking retribution. A guild might draw more to this corner of the Duchy and places if learning may abound as a consequence.

Such a guild will need a place. Taverns not the place for meditations and research and I fear Mazzah's tower as derelict as his mind. The vortex has not swallowed him yet, heaven knows why. But then heaven doesn't speak much , certainly few divine unctions and prophecies come from Vicar Othar . I believe his Bishop summons him."

Lord Krothos takes out a little map of the village, noting outlying farms, areas of patrol. A small circle is drawn.

"Rayo Paterson's farmstead. Horrible business. Place was burned to the ground as leprosy took the family out. No survivors save two children who slinked off into the forest. Not seen for a month. Presumed dead.

That being said, the land is cleared and has fresh water. His estate is in probate. I will get Ollisto furnish you some title deeds and you can build as you see fit."

It seems you have his permission to set up a guild that he can patronise and allows you to delve further with his blessing.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven looks up at Orgoth with a surprised expression.

“Thank you, my lord. I assure you this will be nothing like Osen’s operation, sire.”

“And it seems we are aligned in our desire for posterity. For I was thinking of a few other ideas that could eventually stem from this one, a Barrowmaze Museum being high on that list, my lord. That would bring learned folk from far and wide, I believe.”

“And respectfully keeping the dead interred and the undead cleared is going to be one of our most important tenets, sire. On that you have my word.”

He bows low awaiting any further instructions before leaving the lord to his duties. Once alone with Ollis again, Sven breaches a few more questions.

“Ummmm, leprosy took out the farmstead you say? Can we safely assume the priests have cleared it of any nasty residuals before we break ground on any new building.”

“When Lord Krothos mentioned Mazzah and the vortex, do you know what he is referring to, by any chance? I saw something weird in that tower and I wondered what it was.”

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Thank you my Lord. That is truly generous of you."

[Spearmint]

The Old Manse

He bows low awaiting any further instructions before leaving the lord to his duties. Once alone with Ollis again, Sven breaches a few more questions.

“Ummmm, leprosy took out the farmstead you say? Can we safely assume the priests have cleared it of any nasty residuals before we break ground on any new building.”

“When Lord Krothos mentioned Mazzah and the vortex, do you know what he is referring to, by any chance? I saw something weird in that tower and I wondered what it was.”

Ollis confirms that the guards burned the building down. He doesn't know of any lingering effects but advises cleaning the place thoroughly.

As far as Mazzah goes, the mad mage has been a permanent fixture in the village for decades. His tower crashed into the tree and stayed there. Of course going into the lower floor of the tower and you appear thousands of feet up over an unknown countryside. Mazzah is tolerated. He is an enigma of unknown power though subservient to the Collegiate Arcanium in Ironguard. While he is not considered 'a threat', his experiments have weird and wild consequences. A number of apprentices have been seconded to him over the years. The rumour is that he turns them into familiar animals if they displease him.