Post by Heret Velnnarul on May 4, 2022 7:26:18 GMT
By Derthaad and Jamie J with input from DM_Youki
6 Ches 1499 DR
After an unusually lively day at the Gilded Mirror, a dragonborn and a human can be found sharing a drink in one of the quieter corners of that establishment.
‘So,’ says Heret amid the clinking of glasses, the bubbling of voices, and the jaunty tones of an accordion from the cabaret stage, ‘You are a member of the Watch then? I met a colleague of yours, a sergeant Grimes, once.’
Derthaad, surprised but pleased at that statement, replies: ‘Sgt. Grimes, yes, he was my direct superior, respectable individual. How do you two know each other?’
‘It was a few years ago, one of our workers – at the Company, I mean – one of the timber men was killed in the street, very savagely. The man was known as “Brokennose”. Grimes was investigating and came to speak to me, though I think I was not able to shed much light on the matter. You've heard of the case?’
‘I've only been in Daring Heights for about.... 7-8 months? No, I have not heard of the case. Was it closed?’
Heret chuckles. ‘That is what I was going to ask you! We must both remain ignorant, it seems.’
‘One can only be interested in so many cases.’
‘Then what about this business of the theft of stone, is that a case that interests you?’
‘Ah yes,’ Derthaad replies, ‘the stone being stolen from Stoneleaf, I know about that case. All that I can say, and most likely what has already gotten out through gossip and other unofficial means, is that 3 subcontractors were charged with making deliveries from Stoneleaf Quarry to Daring Heights. They were discovered as being part of a group that were stealing some sunset stone. Sadly, they attacked us and two of them ended up being killed, the third was detained for further interrogation. Pretty sure it won't take you long to know that they were Hecate, Jocaste and Irene. Hecate was the one detained.’
‘Ah yes, those three. Stone is a strange thing to steal, don't you think?’
‘True. Yet again, I've weirder things being stolen, so stone seems normal. Maybe they wanna build a sturdy house, or something. Speaking of stone, what's OMTC's relation with Stoneleaf Quarry?’
‘The Company owns and operates the quarry. So the stolen stone was ours.’ The young man takes another sip of wine. ‘You see, we are the victim of the crime!’ he adds, raising his eyebrows and flourishing a hand like a stage actor playing a scene of shock and outrage, but his eyes are smiling as if to share a joke with his drinking companion.
Derthaad barely resists the urge to roll his eyes not only at the statement but also at the delivery. ‘Heard that one before’ he thinks, but says ‘And for how long have you known of these thefts?’
Heret quirks an eyebrow at the question but doesn't show any hesitancy about answering it. ‘A few months,’ he says. ‘When I heard of the incident I made enquiry of your Captain Thundercog and obtained some particulars.’ He gestures to a waiter, indicating that both his and Derthaad's glasses should be refilled. ‘So, your theory is that the ladies wished to build a house?’
‘A house would be too easy and would most likely not have caused so much fuss. Think bigger. Also, they had help and a reliable source from within Stoneleaf has told me that the thefts actually got more frequent and, while they may have a lookout on the place, they are stretched too thin and unable to capture whoever is stealing some of the stone.’ Derthaad takes only a sip from his drink. ‘Last we know, they are somewhere within the Sunset Spines.’
Heret looks at the watchman intently. ‘You believe that my company is still being robbed, then?’
‘Without you knowing? They've done it all this time, who's telling that they might not be doing it still.’
‘Indeed, one can never be sure that one is not ignorant of something,’ the human replies with a slight smile. ‘Naturally we took additional measures when we became aware of the situation, but... your “source” tells you that our vigilance is still too – what did you say, “too thin”?’
‘Spread too thin, yes. My source told me that since the hags were captured... well, one of them, at least, the cult have increased their activity within the quarry. You'd think that an increase in activity and an increase in security may lead to at least one of the cultists being captured and be questioned either by us or by you. But alas it seems not.’
‘Yes,’ muses Heret, ‘one would think that, wouldn't one? Perhaps it shows that, after all, Stoneleaf is no longer plagued with these... what did you call them, “cultists”? Which cult would that be?’
‘No idea. What we know is that it's something to do with the hell hags.’ Derthaad pauses for a moment and looks at Heret. ‘I assume that all of these questions are for a reason. If you want to help, I would suggest to either try and capture one of the cultists, unless they've lost interest in the mine, then I would suggest trying to find where they might be hiding. We've got information that the cult is planning on bringing more hags from hell into the Dawnlands. My fear is that it may not stop at just the hags. A little over a month ago, I was in a party that stumbled upon another powerful fiend that was trying to breach into the Dawnlands, and there are the record that say that a couple of years ago there were attempts of a devil invasion.’
Heret chuckles. ‘I was there, friend, I was there! But are you surprised that I ask questions? You've told me you believe people are stealing from me, naturally I am interested! And yes, naturally now that you've told me this, I shall take some action. I am most grateful for the information. Is there anything else I should know, to help me succeed in this effort?’
‘Regarding where to find them? Sadly, you know as much as I do. I would say somewhere in the Sunset Spines, but even that I am not sure of. But it does seem the most likely.’
‘Well, I am sure that if we both apply ourselves to this task we shall make short work of it! This was a welcome and –’ the young man gives a wry smile as he raises his glass ‘– perhaps overdue conversation, and I thank you for it.’
29 Tarsahk 1499 DR
The room is small and relatively bare, with only a table and chairs and a single door. More comfortable than a cell, Heret imagines, but probably less comfortable than the officers’ common room or whatever such space is set aside in the Watch House for members of the constabulary. Not a room that lends itself to pleasant small-talk, but perhaps that is for the best. Once the blue-scaled sergeant has closed the door and seated himself opposite, Heret broaches the business he has come about.
‘Well, sergeant, I think you were right. This sunset stone operation, whatever it is, seems still to be running through Stoneleaf. I have been conducting some investigations and surveillance of my own since our last conversation. First I came by this document.’
He unfolds a paper and shows it to Derthaad. On it is written:
The young man studies the detective’s face as the latter reads the note.
‘Tiny Tim's Team,’ says Derthaad. ‘Yes, they were the ones responsible for ambushing the caravans Hecate and her sisters were contracted for. They were also victims to whatever the hags were doing. In fact, Stan, one of their members, was found in a basement where some rituals were being conducted. He was fine, his friends... were not. I kept contacts with them, in the hopes that we could help each other in dealing with these hags. Their leader, Tim, seemed on a quest to kill them. Sadly, this letter describes about where the trail ran cold. I even interrogated two of their members, two students from the academy. They confirmed that the cultists were using teleportation magic to escape and not be tracked back to wherever their hideout is.’
‘I see,’ muses the human. ‘Well, I think I can shed some more light on the mystery of the hooded figures. They have been secretly visiting the Factory – that is my Company's compound just outside town here. They come by night, sometimes in pairs, always hooded but seemingly never the same individuals. They visit a particular part of the exterior wall of the warehouse building, remain for a short time, and leave again.’ He seems to have more to say, but pauses to observe Derthaad’s reaction.
‘Hmh, interesting, have you managed to get a good look at that particular wall of the warehouse? When I asked the two academy students, they said that they were meeting with someone by the name of Derick who is good with teleportation magic. Maybe that's their hiding spot? The general idea is that the two were responsible with distilling paint from a particular type of concentrated version of the sunset stone, one with an intense orange hue to it. The paint is what they used to draw the runes and summoning circles to summon the hags. The fact that you said the two figures never seemed to be the same, and the fact that they're still present means that they have not finished what they were planning and that they're desperate enough to look for knew individuals as to not get caught. Hmh -’ Derthaad gives a small smirk ‘- it means that they are prone to mistakes, and mistakes lead to trails.’
Heret nods slowly as he listens to all this. ‘Yes, a dozen or so different individuals that we know of. There may of course have been more who were not observed. And yes,’ he smiles, ‘I got a good look at the wall, and so did our company mage.’ He takes out an oblong case. ‘It has been painted with an image that can be revealed only by magic. I have made a copy.’ He opens the clasp at the side of the scroll-case and takes out a large scroll, which he unrolls on the table.
It is a map. A map of the western Dawnlands and a stretch of the Sunset Spine beyond. Heret points a finger here and there, drawing Derthaad’s attention to key features and explaining his conclusion: that this map (or, rather, the original of which this is a copy) deliberately charts a clandestine route from Daring Heights to a mountain labelled as ‘the Hollow Spine’ – probably a volcano, if its shape has been drawn correctly. At every point along the route, markings point out populous and guarded areas and how to avoid them. Where the route passes through Stoneleaf, there are extensive notes on how to pass the small settlement without being noticed by the OMTC’s guards or by Tiny Tim’s people, as well as an instruction to ‘grab a red rock if you see one’. From Stoneleaf, the route to the Hollow Spine is similarly elaborate – a further two days of travel, Heret estimates, when a more direct route would probably take only one. The drawing of the Hollow Spine itself is accompanied by details of how to scale the slopes and where to use climbing gear. Evidently it is not an altogether easy ascent.
‘So it seems your fears were correct,’ the well-dressed human says finally. ‘Despite my efforts, the thieves are still passing through Stoneleaf undetected. I have not taken any steps to change security arrangements yet, and I have had our mage conceal the map again. I thought it best to consult you before doing anything that may tell the thieves they are discovered.'
Derthaad sits back. ‘Wise decision. Although it doesn't directly help in stopping them, since by continuing their activity they could finish their preparations, it does help by not giving them a reason to take extra precautions that may make our lives difficult. Huh, with this information we can either go straight up to them, or we can sneak in as cultists, but judging by what you just said, they seem to always be in pairs, so if a group of us suddenly show up... hmh. I'll have to think about this.’ Derthaad shifts his gaze from the map to Heret and spots him looking intently. ‘Ah, right, something arrived that might interest you as well. Your finding is of the most opportune moment.’ And thus he hands Heret a letter:
It is Heret’s turn to say ‘hmm’, and he does. ‘Infiltrating their society could be difficult as we know little about them,’ he continues. ‘I have also had mixed success in my past attempts to gather helpers with the necessary skills for delicate subterfuge. Perhaps it would be best to prepare for a confrontation. Though if this Evira's information suggests another course of action, plans can be changed at that point. Do you know anything of this person?’
‘Only thing I know about her is that she was researching sunset stone from way before Daring Heights. In fact, the latest evidence I was able to find in the Academy library was a journal entry from 200 years ago. This letter is fresh and it's supposed to be from her.
I have a feeling that whatever we find in Hallow Spine is gonna be pretty interesting.’
‘Before Daring Heights? She is a native, then - from Galavir perhaps, if she has lived so long.’
‘Seems so. Guess we'll find out more once at Hollow Spine. I suggest you pack up and get some pitons for when we'll be departing. I'll be off to post about this on the notice boards and see who else is willing to join.’
‘Very good,’ nods Heret. ‘Have you means of communicating over miles? I can instruct my men to keep watch all along the route marked here and, as soon as they are told that the need for pretence is over, they will apprehend any of these hooded figures they find. But I myself have no means to give them this signal at such distance.’
After thinking for a few seconds, Derthaad responds ‘I believe there are means, but sadly I know of none at the moment. However, I don't think we'll need such means.’ Derthaad examines the map further. ‘I've been to the Sunset Spines on foot about 3 times now. You arrive at the foot of the mountains at the end of the second day and, depending on the terrain, you can reach whatever it is you're looking either on the third or the fourth day. What we could do is, as we pass outposts, you can instruct your men to start apprehending the hooded figures on the third day. This way, if any of them escape and manage to teleport to Hollow Spine, we would already be there. And in case we arrive on the fourth day, I don't think they can get word fast enough to mobilize everyone, I may not have the knowledge of these spells, but I'm pretty sure they can't use too many, these spells usually take a toll and thus it's quite hard to use them multiple times without proper rest.’
‘A sound stratagem, sergeant. I shall make the arrangements. With luck, we shall... what was the metaphor I heard of late? We shall “roll up” this larcenous enterprise,’ Heret says, grinning as he lets the map curl back into its cylindrical form and places it back into its case. ‘Unless…’ he adds, casually, ‘Unless it is a trap, of course.’
To be continued in The battle of Hollow Spine…
6 Ches 1499 DR
After an unusually lively day at the Gilded Mirror, a dragonborn and a human can be found sharing a drink in one of the quieter corners of that establishment.
‘So,’ says Heret amid the clinking of glasses, the bubbling of voices, and the jaunty tones of an accordion from the cabaret stage, ‘You are a member of the Watch then? I met a colleague of yours, a sergeant Grimes, once.’
Derthaad, surprised but pleased at that statement, replies: ‘Sgt. Grimes, yes, he was my direct superior, respectable individual. How do you two know each other?’
‘It was a few years ago, one of our workers – at the Company, I mean – one of the timber men was killed in the street, very savagely. The man was known as “Brokennose”. Grimes was investigating and came to speak to me, though I think I was not able to shed much light on the matter. You've heard of the case?’
‘I've only been in Daring Heights for about.... 7-8 months? No, I have not heard of the case. Was it closed?’
Heret chuckles. ‘That is what I was going to ask you! We must both remain ignorant, it seems.’
‘One can only be interested in so many cases.’
‘Then what about this business of the theft of stone, is that a case that interests you?’
‘Ah yes,’ Derthaad replies, ‘the stone being stolen from Stoneleaf, I know about that case. All that I can say, and most likely what has already gotten out through gossip and other unofficial means, is that 3 subcontractors were charged with making deliveries from Stoneleaf Quarry to Daring Heights. They were discovered as being part of a group that were stealing some sunset stone. Sadly, they attacked us and two of them ended up being killed, the third was detained for further interrogation. Pretty sure it won't take you long to know that they were Hecate, Jocaste and Irene. Hecate was the one detained.’
‘Ah yes, those three. Stone is a strange thing to steal, don't you think?’
‘True. Yet again, I've weirder things being stolen, so stone seems normal. Maybe they wanna build a sturdy house, or something. Speaking of stone, what's OMTC's relation with Stoneleaf Quarry?’
‘The Company owns and operates the quarry. So the stolen stone was ours.’ The young man takes another sip of wine. ‘You see, we are the victim of the crime!’ he adds, raising his eyebrows and flourishing a hand like a stage actor playing a scene of shock and outrage, but his eyes are smiling as if to share a joke with his drinking companion.
Derthaad barely resists the urge to roll his eyes not only at the statement but also at the delivery. ‘Heard that one before’ he thinks, but says ‘And for how long have you known of these thefts?’
Heret quirks an eyebrow at the question but doesn't show any hesitancy about answering it. ‘A few months,’ he says. ‘When I heard of the incident I made enquiry of your Captain Thundercog and obtained some particulars.’ He gestures to a waiter, indicating that both his and Derthaad's glasses should be refilled. ‘So, your theory is that the ladies wished to build a house?’
‘A house would be too easy and would most likely not have caused so much fuss. Think bigger. Also, they had help and a reliable source from within Stoneleaf has told me that the thefts actually got more frequent and, while they may have a lookout on the place, they are stretched too thin and unable to capture whoever is stealing some of the stone.’ Derthaad takes only a sip from his drink. ‘Last we know, they are somewhere within the Sunset Spines.’
Heret looks at the watchman intently. ‘You believe that my company is still being robbed, then?’
‘Without you knowing? They've done it all this time, who's telling that they might not be doing it still.’
‘Indeed, one can never be sure that one is not ignorant of something,’ the human replies with a slight smile. ‘Naturally we took additional measures when we became aware of the situation, but... your “source” tells you that our vigilance is still too – what did you say, “too thin”?’
‘Spread too thin, yes. My source told me that since the hags were captured... well, one of them, at least, the cult have increased their activity within the quarry. You'd think that an increase in activity and an increase in security may lead to at least one of the cultists being captured and be questioned either by us or by you. But alas it seems not.’
‘Yes,’ muses Heret, ‘one would think that, wouldn't one? Perhaps it shows that, after all, Stoneleaf is no longer plagued with these... what did you call them, “cultists”? Which cult would that be?’
‘No idea. What we know is that it's something to do with the hell hags.’ Derthaad pauses for a moment and looks at Heret. ‘I assume that all of these questions are for a reason. If you want to help, I would suggest to either try and capture one of the cultists, unless they've lost interest in the mine, then I would suggest trying to find where they might be hiding. We've got information that the cult is planning on bringing more hags from hell into the Dawnlands. My fear is that it may not stop at just the hags. A little over a month ago, I was in a party that stumbled upon another powerful fiend that was trying to breach into the Dawnlands, and there are the record that say that a couple of years ago there were attempts of a devil invasion.’
Heret chuckles. ‘I was there, friend, I was there! But are you surprised that I ask questions? You've told me you believe people are stealing from me, naturally I am interested! And yes, naturally now that you've told me this, I shall take some action. I am most grateful for the information. Is there anything else I should know, to help me succeed in this effort?’
‘Regarding where to find them? Sadly, you know as much as I do. I would say somewhere in the Sunset Spines, but even that I am not sure of. But it does seem the most likely.’
‘Well, I am sure that if we both apply ourselves to this task we shall make short work of it! This was a welcome and –’ the young man gives a wry smile as he raises his glass ‘– perhaps overdue conversation, and I thank you for it.’
—:[]:—
29 Tarsahk 1499 DR
The room is small and relatively bare, with only a table and chairs and a single door. More comfortable than a cell, Heret imagines, but probably less comfortable than the officers’ common room or whatever such space is set aside in the Watch House for members of the constabulary. Not a room that lends itself to pleasant small-talk, but perhaps that is for the best. Once the blue-scaled sergeant has closed the door and seated himself opposite, Heret broaches the business he has come about.
‘Well, sergeant, I think you were right. This sunset stone operation, whatever it is, seems still to be running through Stoneleaf. I have been conducting some investigations and surveillance of my own since our last conversation. First I came by this document.’
He unfolds a paper and shows it to Derthaad. On it is written:
Saw strange hooded folks heading south of Stoneleaf. Will follow. Update when find something out. TTT.
The young man studies the detective’s face as the latter reads the note.
‘Tiny Tim's Team,’ says Derthaad. ‘Yes, they were the ones responsible for ambushing the caravans Hecate and her sisters were contracted for. They were also victims to whatever the hags were doing. In fact, Stan, one of their members, was found in a basement where some rituals were being conducted. He was fine, his friends... were not. I kept contacts with them, in the hopes that we could help each other in dealing with these hags. Their leader, Tim, seemed on a quest to kill them. Sadly, this letter describes about where the trail ran cold. I even interrogated two of their members, two students from the academy. They confirmed that the cultists were using teleportation magic to escape and not be tracked back to wherever their hideout is.’
‘I see,’ muses the human. ‘Well, I think I can shed some more light on the mystery of the hooded figures. They have been secretly visiting the Factory – that is my Company's compound just outside town here. They come by night, sometimes in pairs, always hooded but seemingly never the same individuals. They visit a particular part of the exterior wall of the warehouse building, remain for a short time, and leave again.’ He seems to have more to say, but pauses to observe Derthaad’s reaction.
‘Hmh, interesting, have you managed to get a good look at that particular wall of the warehouse? When I asked the two academy students, they said that they were meeting with someone by the name of Derick who is good with teleportation magic. Maybe that's their hiding spot? The general idea is that the two were responsible with distilling paint from a particular type of concentrated version of the sunset stone, one with an intense orange hue to it. The paint is what they used to draw the runes and summoning circles to summon the hags. The fact that you said the two figures never seemed to be the same, and the fact that they're still present means that they have not finished what they were planning and that they're desperate enough to look for knew individuals as to not get caught. Hmh -’ Derthaad gives a small smirk ‘- it means that they are prone to mistakes, and mistakes lead to trails.’
Heret nods slowly as he listens to all this. ‘Yes, a dozen or so different individuals that we know of. There may of course have been more who were not observed. And yes,’ he smiles, ‘I got a good look at the wall, and so did our company mage.’ He takes out an oblong case. ‘It has been painted with an image that can be revealed only by magic. I have made a copy.’ He opens the clasp at the side of the scroll-case and takes out a large scroll, which he unrolls on the table.
It is a map. A map of the western Dawnlands and a stretch of the Sunset Spine beyond. Heret points a finger here and there, drawing Derthaad’s attention to key features and explaining his conclusion: that this map (or, rather, the original of which this is a copy) deliberately charts a clandestine route from Daring Heights to a mountain labelled as ‘the Hollow Spine’ – probably a volcano, if its shape has been drawn correctly. At every point along the route, markings point out populous and guarded areas and how to avoid them. Where the route passes through Stoneleaf, there are extensive notes on how to pass the small settlement without being noticed by the OMTC’s guards or by Tiny Tim’s people, as well as an instruction to ‘grab a red rock if you see one’. From Stoneleaf, the route to the Hollow Spine is similarly elaborate – a further two days of travel, Heret estimates, when a more direct route would probably take only one. The drawing of the Hollow Spine itself is accompanied by details of how to scale the slopes and where to use climbing gear. Evidently it is not an altogether easy ascent.
‘So it seems your fears were correct,’ the well-dressed human says finally. ‘Despite my efforts, the thieves are still passing through Stoneleaf undetected. I have not taken any steps to change security arrangements yet, and I have had our mage conceal the map again. I thought it best to consult you before doing anything that may tell the thieves they are discovered.'
Derthaad sits back. ‘Wise decision. Although it doesn't directly help in stopping them, since by continuing their activity they could finish their preparations, it does help by not giving them a reason to take extra precautions that may make our lives difficult. Huh, with this information we can either go straight up to them, or we can sneak in as cultists, but judging by what you just said, they seem to always be in pairs, so if a group of us suddenly show up... hmh. I'll have to think about this.’ Derthaad shifts his gaze from the map to Heret and spots him looking intently. ‘Ah, right, something arrived that might interest you as well. Your finding is of the most opportune moment.’ And thus he hands Heret a letter:
Dear Sergeant Derthaad,
We haven’t been properly introduced, but I’ve heard you’re familiar with my work. Not bragging or anything, just that’s where you might know me from…
Apologies for the awkward introduction, I haven’t spoken to people in a while, my social skills are a bit rusty.
Anyway, I think we can help each other.
Well, to be fair, you’ll be doing most of the helping.
You see, I’ve just found out that some of my research found its way to the very wrong people. Or, the way I’d like to put it, it found its way to people.
Can I trouble you with a request to meet me at the Hollow Spine?
At your earliest convenience. No rush. Just your usual catastrophic continent-wide event if not attended to. Actually, there might be a great deal of rush now that I’m thinking about it…
Well, see you in a bit! I hope…
Yours faithfully,
Evira Tivior
It is Heret’s turn to say ‘hmm’, and he does. ‘Infiltrating their society could be difficult as we know little about them,’ he continues. ‘I have also had mixed success in my past attempts to gather helpers with the necessary skills for delicate subterfuge. Perhaps it would be best to prepare for a confrontation. Though if this Evira's information suggests another course of action, plans can be changed at that point. Do you know anything of this person?’
‘Only thing I know about her is that she was researching sunset stone from way before Daring Heights. In fact, the latest evidence I was able to find in the Academy library was a journal entry from 200 years ago. This letter is fresh and it's supposed to be from her.
I have a feeling that whatever we find in Hallow Spine is gonna be pretty interesting.’
‘Before Daring Heights? She is a native, then - from Galavir perhaps, if she has lived so long.’
‘Seems so. Guess we'll find out more once at Hollow Spine. I suggest you pack up and get some pitons for when we'll be departing. I'll be off to post about this on the notice boards and see who else is willing to join.’
‘Very good,’ nods Heret. ‘Have you means of communicating over miles? I can instruct my men to keep watch all along the route marked here and, as soon as they are told that the need for pretence is over, they will apprehend any of these hooded figures they find. But I myself have no means to give them this signal at such distance.’
After thinking for a few seconds, Derthaad responds ‘I believe there are means, but sadly I know of none at the moment. However, I don't think we'll need such means.’ Derthaad examines the map further. ‘I've been to the Sunset Spines on foot about 3 times now. You arrive at the foot of the mountains at the end of the second day and, depending on the terrain, you can reach whatever it is you're looking either on the third or the fourth day. What we could do is, as we pass outposts, you can instruct your men to start apprehending the hooded figures on the third day. This way, if any of them escape and manage to teleport to Hollow Spine, we would already be there. And in case we arrive on the fourth day, I don't think they can get word fast enough to mobilize everyone, I may not have the knowledge of these spells, but I'm pretty sure they can't use too many, these spells usually take a toll and thus it's quite hard to use them multiple times without proper rest.’
‘A sound stratagem, sergeant. I shall make the arrangements. With luck, we shall... what was the metaphor I heard of late? We shall “roll up” this larcenous enterprise,’ Heret says, grinning as he lets the map curl back into its cylindrical form and places it back into its case. ‘Unless…’ he adds, casually, ‘Unless it is a trap, of course.’
To be continued in The battle of Hollow Spine…