Chaos Revealed - Entry 2

Entry 8

The next morning, Ariel and I find our two new “friends” already in the common room at breakfast. Gayland, approaches a local trapper named Boris, that most of the rest seem to be avoiding and offers to buy him a drink. I notice many of the patrons seem uneasy at this, and the Elf from the night before is sitting in the same corner watching and laughing silently. I dislike this man called Boris, as he reeks of blood and death. He is a trapper, hunter, poacher and I feel he enjoys it with no regard or respect for the forest or the animals he hunts.

As he is talking to Boris, he manages to convince the surly man to part with some information and to get a piece of venison for his breakfast. Boris tells him about the evils lurking on the estate and a serious note of disdain creeps into his voice when he speaks about Tristan Duvall.

I decide to approach the Elf, if he was so interested in me last night, perhaps he might be willing to speak with me this morning. I notice Ariel approaching Duvall. From what I know of her personality, she’ll be able to get information from him easily.

As I walk up, the Elf immediately invites me to sit and join him. He tells me he is traveling, studying the magics of various areas. He immediately notes that my companions and I are from somewhere far from this place. I tell him about the temple and how we came here. When I mention the Harpers, he reacts with slight recognition. He is even more sure he has seen members of this group in the town of Raspa when I describe the crescent moon and harp device they wear. From what Marlene told us last night, Raspa is a very important town and one where the patronage of a noble would be of tremendous benefit. I find myself wondering if this Tristan could provide this patronage, but do not ask this question. My friend notes the Unicorn medallion I wear as well as my clothing marking me as a ranger and asks about my deity. I explain that the Unicorn is the avatar of Meilikki and the medallion is also an amulet of natural armor. He nods and looks confused at the mention of Meilikki. I explain that she is also called the Lady of the Forests. He tells me she may then be comparable to the Goddess Artemis here. I hope to find out more about this Goddess.

After a private conference, we decide to help Tristan, I still have my reservations about this, but understand that finding a mage to do the teleportation will difficult and expensive. Tristan is offering us 1000 gold apiece plus anything we wish to claim from the estate. We are also disturbed to find out someone may have hired an assassin to kill Tristan. So not only will we be helping him to cleanse his estate, we will need to act as bodyguards.

Tristan has left the Inn, when we come back down. Marlene tells us he is out looking in the shops. One of the first we come to is a shop of miscellaneous trinkets and collectables. I offer the green small shield I found in the temple to the Gnome shopkeeper. I see he is immediately interested in the item. He spends a great deal of time examining it. After several minutes, he tells me he has an item that might interest me, as he does not believe he has the gold to offer me what the shield is worth. He offers me a Bag of Tricks, which he says will allow me to call forth several different animal companions. However, he is not sure, he is willing to make the trade. I then offer the two extra masterwork short swords I am carrying. He quickly agrees.

Ariel sells him her short sword of elven make and then negotiates to have a small amulet made using the sapphire she found in the temple. When the Gnome asks if she wants a gold or silver setting, I suggest the silver, as it will accent with the blue better. She agrees.

Leaving the shop, we see Tristan across the street. Without warning, he is hit by something and falls. Gayland, apparently seeing were the shot came from, takes off for the woods. Not wanting him to have to face the possible assassin alone, I follow at a considerable distance as he outpaces me.

We are well into the woods, when we lose all trace of sound or movement. Gayland, who is about 60 feet in front of me, and I both stop dead and begin scanning the area. The assassin pops up next to me and catches me unprepared. I take a several serious hits, although, I do mark him once, before Gayland is able to move back to my position. The weapons the assassin is using are also poisoned and I concentrate on fighting them. The assassin manages to use a potion of gaseous form and moves away from us.

Xander, as Ariel found out his name, has joined us after Ariel began healing Tristan. He uses his skills to heal my injuries and we return to the town. I still carry one of the assassin’s daggers. My constitution is strong enough, that I am able to fight off the effects of the poison, this time. And, apparently Ariel was able to help Tristan fight off the effects of the poison he was struck with. Poisons are a nasty business and I now want to visit the shops to see if we can add a few cure poison potions to our supplies before we leave for the estate.

With our wounds healing, we return to the inn to rest and regroup.
Xander and Gayland take the dagger I “retrieved” from the assassin to the Gnome’s shop to see if he might be able to identify it. While there they meet up with another person, who managed to invite himself into our group. I am not sure I trust this Sabin, as he is a bit too smooth and his interest in Ariel seems a bit too much. Natural flirt that she is, she has been enjoying his attention.

After Xander returned the dagger, I approached my Elven friend from the other night to see if he could add anything new, to what the Gnome had relayed. He added nothing, but did confirm that the blade was of Elven make and that the runes appeared to be a corrupted form of the symbol representing the Reverie.

I return to my friends and let them know that he has confirmed the Gnome’s information. During our conversation on what we what to do next, the senior cleric of the local temple bursts into the tavern. He claims to have been accosted in the temple by a man demanding to be healed of some pretty serious wounds. Based on his description of the man’s injuries, we are pretty certain it was our assassin.

Knowing the assassin to be at large in the area and now healed of his injuries, we are not sure what our next step should be. We don’t need to have him dogging our steps all the way to the estate. Nor do we want to be picked off one by one in town.

We sit down to dinner, Sabin joining us. After a few minutes, Ariel went berserk, attacking Gayland. I knew she was still anger over his taunting comments regarding her behavior, but I was still surprised by the vehemence in her attack.

As we tried to restrain her, most of us received a few lumps and bruises, but nothing serious. Gayland finally had enough and hit her with a chair, knocking her out. I took charge of the situation sending him to make reparations with the tavern owner for the damage done. I also wanted him as far away from Ariel as possible when she woke up.

While we were trying to figure out what had happened, the Watch arrived and took Ariel into custody for the fight. I made certain to take all of her equipment before they took her. Not, that I don’t trust the watch, but …

They escorted her to the stocks for the night. Xander checked the food and dishes from out dinner and found a toxin on the goblets that contained only water that caused Ariel’s reaction.

After we conferred, we decided to put Gayland guarding Tristan and Xander and I would try to get Ariel out of the stocks. Knowing the assassin is still in the area, he is probably the one who poisoned the water goblets.

We are leery of leaving Tristan with Gayland as his only guard, but we need to get Ariel away from the open area where she is an easy target.

As we approach the area, we see Sabin, our newest “friend” already working on the locks and failing. He leaves for a moment and returns with a large ax. I stop him from swinging as I am worried about Ariel’s safety. He then explains what he is going to, I step back, but am still worried.

Xander send his hedgehog to the edge of the forest to check for watching eyes. There are none at this time. No signs of the guards that should be here either. This is beginning to feel like some sort of set-up.

I again stop Sabin. This time I convince them to do nothing but stay with Ariel for now. I hand Xander Ariel’s healing potions and scrolls and ask him to heal her while we wait. I explain that if we are to start out on this quest to help Tristan, we will still need to purchase supplies. Our suspicions indicate the major may be one of those responsible for the attack on Tristan and we don’t want the town closed to us. I hope that once he realizes we will be going to the estate with Tristan he will allow us to take Ariel, purchase what we will need and be on our way.

On a hunch, I decide to go visit the Hedge Wizard Kressan. Even through I am not skulking through the woods, I am very alert to my surroundings. I catch a sudden movement to my right and ahead of me and immediately go on guard. I hear the creak of a bow being drawn and step into the woods, readying my own bow. I watch for any signs of movement. Without warning, an arrow flies by me – several feet away. Either my opponent is a lousy shot or I have hidden better than he could follow.

I bring my own bow up, taking careful aim when my opponent steps out of the shadows. “Half-Elf you are not alone,” he shouts. “There is someone following you.”

I catch my breath and swallow hard, without seeing this person; I know it is the assassin. Someone I don’t want to face alone. I listen carefully to the sounds of the woods, but hear nothing – not surprising.

Suddenly the door to the cottage flies open and Kressan steps out. He motions to my opponent and indicates he should enter the house. He then calls out to someone behind the cottage and tells them to enter. I step out of the shadows, my bow still nocked but held in a low ready position. “Kressan, I have come to speak with you.” He nods and gestures to the open door. I hurry across the distance, my skin prickling as I am being watched.

Inside the cottage, I note the unusually loud floorboards, until Kressan enters that it. Nice alarm system, I think.

The first thing Kressan does is confront someone who is apparently invisible. This person holds out a cup he took from the cottage. Kressan tells him to keep it for now so we know where he is. The mage then turns to me. I slowly requiver my arrow, shoulder my bow then hand him the dagger.

He looks at me strangely, then asks if I got it from the assassin in the woods. I say I did, after I removed from my side where he left it. Kressan raises an eyebrow and slowly looks me over again.

He tells me I am very lucky. He then tells me the symbol on the dagger represents the Reverie – a secret organization of Elven purists. He warns me that I am in particular danger as a Half-Elf. “He will do everything he can to kill you.” Kressan sets the knife down and turns to the hooded figure.

“You are also in great danger,” he says. “Your kind are only legend, but he will target you also, as an abomination.”

The hooded figure pushed back his cowl and I step back reaching for my sword. A Drow! But unlike any I have every seen. Instead of the dark skin, his is ivory white – matching his hair. The red-flecked amber eyes betray his heritage despite his unusual coloring.

He introduces himself as Artemus and I feel another wave of anger. That this creature should have the name of the Goddess is unthinkable. I only stare at him, not giving my name.

As I try to absorb the information he has given me, Kressan changes from a full elf to a half-elf. An illusion he maintains to protect himself it would seem. He then tells us that this society killed his mother for marrying a human. I thought the humans of Luthcheq and Waterdeep were bad in their prejudice against Elves, here it would seem it is the Elves that match or exceed that hatred.

I try to talk to Kressan about getting some sort of protection spells or items he might be willing to sell or trade, but the Drow monopolizes the conversation.

He does tell me that he is aware of only one other Elf in the area. I freeze for a moment, stunned. The traveler who claimed he was studying magic and seemed keenly interested in me when we arrived. The same Elf who told me about Artemis and acted the friend.

Knowing this might give me a slight advantage, when I meet him again. Of course, if he was hired by the mayor, it might be difficult to prove he tried to kill me earlier if they don’t like me killing him on sight.

The Drow finally has enough of the conversation and heads for the door, which is still locked. He glances at Kressan, who only nods, and the door opens. He steps out of the house and yells a challenge into the night. He dares the assassin to face him and makes several disparaging remarks on his ancestors.

I shake my head at the boldness of his move. I then ask Kressan if there is anything else he can pass on to me and he says there isn’t. I thank him for his time and assistance then let my feet fly out of the cottage back toward town. Wearing only light armor, I pass the Drow and easily outdistance him. Though I don’t see him, I know that the invisible person with the cup is running beside me.

As I approach the town square, an arrow flies past me, striking the Elf, who has finally become visible. I ignore him and continue toward the Inn where Gayland and Tristan are. My instincts warn me I may already be too late. The Drow is still yelling his challenge.

As I pass through the square, I am surprised to see Crystal, Gandolf and Hermoine are there. I hesitate as I pass Crystal and slap her arm and yell at her to follow me. She does so without question. A comment on the trust we have in each other.

As we approach the Inn, we see someone jump out of a window, carrying another person. It is Gayland and he has Tristan. Amazingly, neither one is injured in the move. We join him and hurry back to the square.

As the Drow comes into the square, he is again yelling his challenge. Crystal turns to face him and immediately readies her crossbow. She orders him to stand fast and the Drow ignores her. The Paladin fires dealing a strong blow to the Drow. The Drow then rushes toward her, both of his weapons drawn.

Ariel, still in the stocks has come around and tries to cast a Hold Person Spell on the Drow, but fails.

A crowd begins forming around us and we notice that a fire has started at the Inn. None of us are very concerned about that as the original members of our party are more concerned about our friend.

I note that both Gayland and Xander have drawn their weapons and are watching the Drow closely also. I tell them that the Drow did warn me about the assassin following me in the woods, and Gayland holds his fire, for a moment. We both call to the Drow to stand fast, he ignores us and Gayland looses an arrow. As the fight continues, I notice Gayland and Xander moving back into the crowd with Tristan. Guarding the noble and getting him out of the area, where a single person with a well placed knife could take him without us noticing.

Crystal deals the Drow a critical blow and he falls as the Watch arrives and begins dispersing the crowd. I note that the Mayor’s son is with them. When they order her to drop her weapons, Crystal immediately complies. The watch also stops Gayland and Tristan. It seems they want to accuse Gayland of arson in regards to the fire at the Inn. Gayland tries to tell them it was the Assassin (the wandering Elf mage – as I suspected). They take him into custody. Crystal they take into custody for murder as it was she that fired first and no one can provide evidence that the Drow was acting aggressively. I carefully edit my testimony, in order to try and help her. I know her and know she wouldn’t attack unless she sensed evil from the Drow.

She asks me to stand as her representative for the trial tomorrow and I agree. Gayland asks Tristan to do the same for him.

That night, those of left in the square go to Kressan’s for the night and he agrees to let us stay there, as he gives some stern warnings to not touch anything and to not light any fires.