Tag Archives: Sutheron

Do All Cities Stink? Does Aegier Even Have Sewers?

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Inside the confines of the Mithril Lord’s estate, not long after after Gus brings up feeling uncomfortable in Sutheron, Rask asks in Gus’s direction but to everyone:

“What’s Aegier-Aegier, yah know Aegier-city like? Does it smell like a battle, a brothel, a well-used latrine, a garbage dump, and fish harvest… all at once, but worse, too?”

He wrinkles his nose, and pauses for a moment.

“Are there Temples to Raiden there?” He asks disbelief.

His eyes widen, his mind realing, he look more seriously at Gus and Ca’armine. Raiden is a god of battle and protection, and… Aegir…

Songs in the Key Of Raiden

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Since arriving in Sutheron, Rask and Ca’armine and occasionally Ethelred, have been singing hymns of Raiden together. At first none of them really remember the words very well, and none of them are trained singers, but Rask and Ca’armine are fervent, and Ethelred is a true Aegierien, so they persevere.

“I wonder if there is anywhere we could show our faces and sing songs of Raiden with a big group again?” Rask wonders wistfully to the whole team while settling in for bed after the most recent session

A little later, after realizing that, without talking about it, they have all been editing Aedelfrid out of their renditions, he sleepily adds,

“Could we pay Grimsby to write and sing songs about Aegir and Sutheron and Raiden without Aedelfrid in them? Or a song about Aedelfrid the Pretend Raiden? Grimsby sang about Fjellsby, isn’t that where… the leaders of the Rebellion were from?.”

Shared Security Agreement?

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Rask asks Alexis, “Alexis, if you are going to continue to nurture our connection with Lady Alba, I would like your permission to establish a security sharing agreement with Ser Olvar. I was thinking I would start by offering a short threat assessment based on our recent investigations.”

Rask has another messy draft document in is hands and the he shows to Alexis.

SER OLVAR:

GIVEN THAT ALEXIS MY LEIGE AND YOUR LIEGE HAVE BEGUN NEGOTIATIONS ON CONTINUED ALLIANCE, I AM GRANTED LEAVE TO MAKE THE FIRST OFXXX SHARE THE FoLLOwING INTELLIGENCE SHARED AS IT RELATES TO THE SECURITY OF OUR POTENTIAL SHARED OPERATIONS.

WE HOPE THAT LADY ALBA WILL ALSO GRANT YOU PERMISSION TO SHARE INTELLIGENCE THAT THAT SHE DEEMS APPROPRIATE WITH US AS WELL.

  • INTEL:

THALINDRA OF THE COLLEGIUM KILLED ALERIC TREVAYLEN AND TRIED TO FRAME LADY ALBA. THIS WAS DIRECTED BY “THE SPIDER” AN AGENT OF THE DARK HAND.

HOUSE LASCARIS HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY THE DARK HAND.

THALINDRA IS NOT No EVIDENcE oF CONNECT TO HOUSE LASCARIS.

?WARDER AND ALTHORIN ARE LIKELY CORRUPTED BY THE DARK HAND OR OTHER FORCES MOVING AGAINST US ?

  • RECONNAISANCE OF SUTHERONI SEWERS HAVE REVEALED THE FOLLOWING:

           DARK HAND AGENTS USE THE SEWERS

           GOBLINS & GIANT LIZARDS INHABIT THE SEWERS – THREAT ASMT: HIGH

           DWARVES WE ENCOUNTERED MAY BE CONNECTED TO MOUNT SUTHERON

           HALFLING  ?

  • THREAT ASSESSMENT – THE DARK HAND – EXTREME THREAT MAXIMUM CAUTION

MOTIVE: SEEKS ANCIENT ITEMS OF POWER

USES POISON, MURDER, EVIL MAGIC, NON-HUMAN ALLIES

KNOWN OPERATIVES: THE SPIDER, THE SNAKE, THRAAN LASCARIS, SHYEENI, VARISIMUS, BANDESING, BRIN

KNOWN ALLIES: VORTIGERN SHADOWBLADE, THALINDRA

  • THREAT ASSESSMENT – HOUSE LASCARIS – HIGH THREAT

MOTIVE – SEEKS ANCIENT ITEMS. GLORY. ALLIED DARK HAND.

KNOWN MEMBERS: LORIANNA LASCARI, THRAAN LASCARI

  • THREAT ASSESSMENT – THALINDRA – MODERATE THREAT

MOTIVE UNKNOWN. COLLEGIUM MEMBER. WILLING TO USE POISON

END REPORT.

IF YOUR LIEGE ALOW WE WELCOME ANY INFO YOU HAVE ON THESE TOPICS OR oTHERS THAT YOU DEEM oF IMPORT TO MUTUAL INTEREST. MAPs? BoOOKs W INFO?

RF – THE CRIMESON CAULING

Rask muses as he looks at his work, “Why do you think they chose to frame Lady Alba? And who chose? Was it Thalindra or The Spider?”

The Tangled Web – Crafting the SitRep

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Rask approaches Alexis with a piece of parchment in hand, the parchment has several things written on it, many of them crossed out. Rask’s hand-writing is rough, bur the all caps simple style is readable, where not blotted or marked out.

“I want to send a message to Captain Blackwood, my old CO. Cedric Ironjaw is still alive, Maris Bloodbane is too, if Mavon’s intel is correct… Ironjaw said the Captain still believed in me…

“I’d like to see if I can get him to back off, maybe sow some dissention, and warn him about the corrupting influence of the Dark Hand… I’ve been trying to remember the ciphers, but I don’t have a Code-Book…”

“Anyhow, here’s what I was thinking.” Rask hand the parchment to Alexis.

STAT-REP – CIPHER 3-BLACK – TS/NTN

FROM: SGT. FELMAR TO: CPT BLACKWOOD

GLAD YOU ARE ALIVE. CHAOS-FIRE-CURSE BATTLE RESULTS UNKNOWN.

I HOPE LT. E.N. SGT K.S. & CPL. L.S. ALSO STILL LIVE.

NTN/TS: I AM ON A MISSION FROM RAIDEN THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY

THE DARK HAND HAS CORRUPTED COMPROMISED THE KINGS DOGS.

CPL CI FOUND ME OBSERVING OPS OF WORKING TO INFILRATE SUTHERON SHADOWBLADES LOCAL MOCKERY OF OUR UNIT *sHADowBLADE THAT HAs pROPERTY

VORTIGERN IS CONECTED TO THE DARK HAND IN SUTHERON. sEEkS

NORTHBROOK IS CENTER OF KI-DARK HAND’SG GS DOGS IN SUTHERON

^ DO NOT TRUST ^ WALDER – LIKELY COMPROMISED INFEKTED

DO NOT TRUST ALTHORIN – LIKELY COMPROMISED

I WILL FIND YOU WHEN THIS MISSION ENDS. PRAISE RAIDEN. FOR AEGIR.

“I want to try to let him know that the Dark Hand has corrupted the Raidensblud and to not trust Warder or Allthorin. If we do it right, maybe we can see if he tells them something or not? Maybe get them to focus on Vortigern?”

There are several notes, and a rough cipher, but sections seem to missing.

“Can you help me with the cipher?”

Rask is also clearly asking for permission and help crafting the message as well.

“Wait, what if… ” Rask crosses a bit out and adds a rough edits, “I share that Vortigern has an item the Dark Hand wants? And we ask the Bloodfangs to keep an eye on Vorty’s warehouse? See who rolls up on it? Maybe even we could get Marcellus to raid it with not-us…”

Rask looks at the red uniforms Mavon procured, signature outfits of the of Crimson Calling.

“and signal that we are going to be there to Cap, and if they or the Red Cloaks show up, I’ll know where I stand with my old unit.”

Alexis can tell that Rask means he will know how many of his old friends he might have to kill.

Second Missive- From Hood’s Library

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To Alexis,

Your message reached me in good order, and it is clear that you and your companions stand at the center of a web spun by dangerous and duplicitous forces. The Dark Hand’s schemes, their assassins, and their thirst for relics from ages long past have indeed become a menace to all who would serve the greater balance of life and death. 

The mention of Lorianne of House Lascaris is intriguing. If she is tethered to the Dark Hand by mere sentiment, by loyalty to Thraan, then we may have an opportunity to use this connection to unravel some of their plans. Love, after all, is a weakness that can be exploited, a lever by which great powers can be unseated. I will see to it that my agents quietly gather more information on her movements. As for Thraan Lascaris, he is a skilled and dangerous figure. He seems to have a knack for survival, suggesting that he still carries some amount of Hood’s grace. Perhaps he can be turned to our cause and we can put his fearsome reputation of the blade to better use.

Your suspicions regarding Vortigern are most warranted. His relationship with the Dark Hand is complex, and though he acts as their tool now, I suspect he is not a willing participant in all of their designs. Leverage is a powerful weapon, and the Dark Hand wields it with expertise. Should Vortigern become a liability for them, I would not be surprised if they ensured him a quick journey to the Gate. His destruction of Marcellus Veronis’s family was brutal, but it was the act of a man driven by fear of the shadows chasing him. You may be able to turn this fear to your advantage or use the Dark Hand’s fickle nature to dispose of him quickly.

The Spider and the Dark Hand continue to work through intermediaries, relying on puppets like Vortigern and others to shield themselves from direct confrontation. The relic you carry from the temple is clearly of great importance to them and you should deliver it to the Temple of Hood in all haste so that we may properly protect and study it. You are right to be wary but understand that we of Hood have no love for the Dark Hand, nor for the vermin they employ. If their assassins continue to strike at us in their lust for power, they will face our retribution—a retribution that comes silently and without warning.

As for the Hammer and Crown you mentioned—treasures of the old world, now held in the hands of the Collegium—these objects will no doubt attract the Dark Hand like moths to flame. The Dark Hand will stop at nothing to claim them. If these relics fall into the wrong hands, those who guard the Gate feel the consequences will be dire, not just for Sutheron, but for the balance between life and death itself. The Collegium is weak and can not properly secure them.  You should reclaim the items and bring them to me at once.

Regarding your encounter with the dwarves, Domdir and Draego, I know little of their kind, save that they are likely agents of something darker than mere greed. These creatures you describe possess powers unusual for their kin, and such power does not come without a price. Whether they are tied to the crypt of Drayak or they are a scouting force of evil non-humans trying to disrupt Sutheron, I would advise caution. Their ability to disappear and alter their form marks them as beings that may have connections to forces even more ancient than the Hand or the Collegium.

As for the scroll of Arcane Lock you seek for the crypt of Drayak, I have already seen to it that one has been applied to this strange location. The Order has no interest in leaving ancient doors unguarded, especially when such powerful entities have set their eyes upon them. It is disappointing you were not able to use your previous allies to do this yourself.  Guarding the Gate is demanding and you must do better if you are to serve the god of Death.

We of Hood watch carefully, Alexis. Know that your struggles have not gone unseen, and we begin to see value in your continued pledge of service and servitude. The enemies you face are not just your own now, and in time, when the darkness closes in, you may find that you are not alone.

May Hood guide your steps and steady your hand in the trials to come. You and the Crimson Calling have chosen well to serve the Gate. May you find comfort in the shadow of the ever-yawning portal until you are blessed by Hood to pass through.

Morel Richter
Undersecretariat of the Librarian of Hood

Missive from Lady Alba:

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To the Honorable Alexis and the Crimson Calling,

I received your missive with considerable interest, and I must admit, the developments regarding House Veronia and the unfortunate death of Master Alaric Trevelian have certainly given me pause. The implications of such a connection are indeed troubling, and I appreciate your diligence in keeping me informed of such matters.

However, while I understand the gravity of these political intrigues and the machinations within the Collegium, I must be forthright in my own priorities. You ask whether I have chosen to pursue the path of the warrior or the Collegium, and yet I feel this question overlooks the path that I have already made abundantly clear: my heart and my ambitions lie in the unearthing of ancient knowledge, the pursuit of mysteries long forgotten. The archaeological site, with all its secrets, remains my primary focus.

It is not the clashing of swords or the weaving of spells that drives me, but rather the promise of discovery—the thrill of uncovering the past and reshaping the present with its revelations. This is where I require your talents. Alexis, you and the Crimson Calling possess the skill, the courage, and the expertise to navigate the dangers that linger beneath the surface. What I want is your cooperation, your guidance, and your protection as we return to the site, which I believe holds the key to knowledge far more significant than petty politics or personal rivalries.

The opportunity awaiting us beneath those ruins is far more valuable than courtly intrigues or even the whims of the Collegium. There are truths buried there that could alter the course of history, and that is the path I have chosen—one of discovery, enlightenment, and a legacy that transcends the fleeting ambitions of men and mages alike.

You offer to teach, and I appreciate your generous spirit. But what I desire is not instruction in arms or arcane arts. What I seek is partnership—your expertise as adventurers, your knowledge of hidden dangers, and your ability to see this endeavor through to its glorious conclusion.

Let us return to what is important. If we can unveil the secrets hidden at the site, we will stand on the precipice of something truly great. Join me, Alexis, and the Crimson Calling, and together we will leave a mark on this world far beyond the concerns of politics and murder investigations.

I eagerly await your decision, though I trust you will see the wisdom in returning to the task that matters most.

Yours in anticipation of great things,

Lady Sophia Alba

Explorer of the Unknown

As for the scroll of Arcane

The Confusion of the City

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Gustav gets up the morning after going through Malkar’s crucible. He got plenty of sleep, but looks exhausted by anxiety. The large gleaming crow keeps poking at Gustav’s side since it hasn’t eaten yet and is hungry. Gustav ignores the crow and mindlessly throws some hard tack pieces and a bit of leftovers from Mavon’s dinner the night before on the ground. The crow quickly plops down to the ground and eats the kernels of food.

Gustav sees Ethelred is up and inventorying his remaining equipment.

“Ethelred, Do you like being in the city? I am getting confused.

There are so many people, so many factions all in such a small area. Gangs, Guilds, Collegiums, Temples, Stores, Taverns, Stalls, Houses, Barracks, Briggs, Jails, Mansions, Palaces. Then there are Thieves, Priests, Scholars, Brigands, Mercenaries, Soldiers, Dogs, Rats, Cats, Barkeeps, Torturers, Executioners, Nobles, Mongers, Engineers, Mages and Morticians. And we have met and dealt with many of these just in the last few days.

Sure, I meet these people and factions over time out across Aegir, but it takes years and many miles of travel. Most days out in the real Aegir are just travel, eating, talking to your team, sharpening weapons, shaving coins. Every once in a while meeting another group of travelers. And then repeat the next day.

I wonder if Sutheron was created by evil magical forces as a way to enslave a large amount of people to keep them busy arguing and fighting against each other. There are small groups helping each other, but usually created in opposition to another group. Gangs created to protect their neighborhood eventually take to stealing, blackmail and the “protection” racket in their own neighborhood. Before Aegir took over Sutheron and before Aedelfried and the Red Cloaks took over, was Sutheron a wonderful place where everyone helped each other? I doubt it. I suppose that is a question for Alexis.

I feel lost in Sutheron. I will stay and help as long as Alexis needs. But this place is well outside my heart. What do you think about Sutheron now? I know you are interested in becoming a member of the Collegium as there are many gifts of knowledge of materials for pit fighting they can give you. But what about after? Are you getting used to the city, do you like staying here? The rat is good I guess.

Perhaps this is just a reaction to Malkar’s Torture and I am feeling down today. Ignore me if I am talking nonsense. But I do miss Aegir.”

Ignobility of a Jail Cell

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Ca’armine does not like being caged, he discovers. On reflection, he realizes, neither does he prefer being ambushed. Or, violating the sanctity of the Collegium, which he can’t help but respect and even fear. He muses, “I can forgive myself for drawing my weapons when the enemy attacked, since they were in earnest about killing us. But I am doubtful the Collegium will overlook the transgression.

He paces. Back and forth in the cell, stepping around his companions, watchful. He has not been traveling with them long, but he feels sure they will not harm him nor help themselves without aiding him too. However, he is learning that they are not infallible.

“Who is?” he chides himself. But he realizes, in his longing to join a group, to take up the cause and make meaning out of the exile in which he found himself, he unwittingly created in his mind, a vision of these heroes (surely they deserve that title!) as larger-than-life.

“They are powerful, certainly, but they do make mistakes.” He thinks about the nonchalance with which Alexis led the stopover at the Collegium today. “Rask didn’t even put on armor! As if he could blend in with the crowd. As if any of us could!” He shakes his head.

He is loathe to tell Alexis, or any of the group, what they should or should not do… but at the same time they would be wise to emulate his long habit of stealth and concealment. “What do we stand to gain, boarding in the gaudy manor of their friend the thief? Why are we operating in Suthron at all? I long to strike a blow at the Dark Hand, but it seems we are easily manipulated, by anyone who tells us we are getting closer to finding them. We are in truth pursuing the agendas of others, more interested in gold than in justice.”

True Sutheroni Treasure

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To the Esteemed Merchant, Marcellus Varonis,

I trust this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. My name is Grimsby Thorne, a humble bard and storyteller, and I write to you on behalf of a group of individuals whose skills and determination have earned my deepest respect.

These adventurers, whom I have the honor of introducing to you, are a formidable and resourceful group who have recently aided me in a matter of great personal importance. Their bravery and cunning are matched only by their integrity, and I believe they possess the qualities necessary to assist you in the delicate matters at hand.

These adventurers seek your esteemed guidance and the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest with Vortigern Shadowblade. I am confident that their intentions are genuine and that they can be trusted to handle sensitive dealings with the utmost discretion.

Marcellus, I have no doubt that you will find these individuals to be worthy of your time and consideration. Their journey has led them through perilous trials, and they have emerged not only victorious but also with a profound respect for the intricate dance of alliances and enmities that shape our great city.

I urge you to grant them an audience and to consider their request with the same fairness and wisdom that you have always demonstrated. Your support in facilitating their meeting with Vortigern could prove beneficial to all parties involved.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I remain, as always, your humble servant and admirer.

With deepest respect and regards,

Grimsby Thorne

An Important Missive to Alexis Laelius

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To the Most Esteemed and Valiant Alexis and the Noble Mavon,

It is with the greatest admiration and reverence that I, Lady Domatilla Alba of House Feronia, pen this humble missive to you, the illustrious paragons of adventure and discovery. Though but sixteen years of age, my heart burns with an unquenchable passion for the storied histories of the Second Age and the mysteries entwined with the old god Drayek. The tales of your unparalleled triumphs and your singular acumen in unearthing the most exquisite and rare artifacts have reached the most secluded chambers of my estate, filling my soul with wonder and delight.

Dearest Alexis, your reputation as a seeker of hidden treasures precedes you, casting a radiant light upon the endeavors of those who aspire to follow in your hallowed footsteps. The renowned Metius Minge, whose name once echoed through the halls of Sutheron as the quintessential adventurer, now pales in comparison to your illustrious feats. Your success in securing the most coveted relics, where others have faltered, is a testament to your unrivaled skill and indomitable spirit.

It is in this spirit of admiration and fervent hope that I humbly beseech you to consider granting me the unparalleled honor of acquiring any new and rare artifacts that you may wish to part with. As a devoted patron of the arts and an ardent collector of antiquities, my heart yearns to behold and cherish the treasures that you, in your boundless wisdom and bravery, have so valiantly procured.

But more than just a mere request for purchase, I write to you with a proposition that stirs the very depths of my soul. The ruins of Northbrook, a district of Sutheron long abandoned and shrouded in mystery, beckon to me with their ancient whispers. It is said that hidden within the labyrinthine sewers lies a ruined crypt, a relic of the old god of Betrayal, Drayek. The secrets it holds could illuminate the shadows of our past and unravel the mysteries of the Second Age.

I implore you, Alexis, to lend your unparalleled expertise and formidable protection to an expedition into Northbrook. Together, we can venture into the heart of these ruins, uncovering clues and treasures that have lain dormant for centuries. The coffers of House Feronia are vast and ever-ready to support the endeavors of such distinguished individuals as yourselves, and I would pay handsomely for the privilege of your guidance and protection.

Should you find it within your noble hearts to entertain my request, I would be forever grateful and shall hold you in the highest esteem, singing your praises to all who will listen. Please, allow me the pleasure of meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter further, and to express in person the depth of my gratitude and admiration.

May the winds of fortune ever guide your path and may your endeavors continue to shine brightly as beacons of inspiration to us all.

With the deepest respect and anticipation,

Lady Domatilla Alba of House Feronia