The New Taldor – Issue 5

Day 6 cont. - Somewhere (Sarenith 5, 4718)

Freedom

The protagonists' path to freedom was hindered by a chamber containing mushrooms and their poisonous spores. Dulgir also detected movement. Once again, a warning on the door spoke of a failed experiment. A coin enchanted with light illuminated the scene. Suddenly, a strange, spore-covered rat shot forth. It was vanquished, as was another rat that had been lurking on the ceiling and came charging after it. One bite, however, had poisonous side effects.

At the end, they found a stairway leading upward that appeared to end at the back of a secret door. With their combined strength, they managed to open it, for a heavy bookcase had been placed in front of it.

The Return to the Senate

The party emerged from the library. Noises could be heard - though fortunately not the din of battle. Two bewildered Ulfen Guards informed them, without much courtesy, that Baron Vinmark, the mayor of Oppara, had closed the Senate. Beyond them lay a makeshift morgue - with no shortage of occupants.

Lady Trant refused to be intimidated and wished to reach her father. Only after a woman intervened was she allowed through. Meanwhile, Arawyn kept the guards occupied and tried to obtain information. Valorant also recognized a priest of Abadar there - Roscoe Puran. The woman introduced herself as Niella Dimiri, Soulwarden of the Necropolis of Fate. The two provided news of a few individuals:

• No fewer than 4 Grand Dukes were among the dead
• The Lotheeds had apparently survived
• Baron Mauston Kustios had not made it
• Nor had Lord Leonard Centimus
• Kalbio, the Imperialists' candidate, also lay there - no one had yet mourned him
• The servants and other staff received only cursory attention - but Finton Wheaterby was present, while his wife Marcy Wheaterby was not
• There were more than 100 dead to mourn
• Grand Prince Stavian III had already been transferred to the temple of Abadar - while all the others had to wait here, where the priests were preparing them with due dignity

Some of the protagonists briefly bade farewell to one or another of the dead.

In the meantime, Lady Trant had concluded her visit and apparently taken possession of something of value.

The Way Out

Just before the Ulfen Guards could lose their patience, Kathann Zalar appeared. She accompanied the party and the rescued nobles toward the exit.

On the way out, she informed the group that Martella had disappeared and asked for help in finding her. Many factions were currently at work amid the chaos.

Should the protagonists wish to send her a message, she might be found at the Kitharodian Academy, a school for bards, or a message could be left for her there.

The Constables answered to Baron Vinmark; some of the attackers had been taken alive and were now imprisoned in Whitehall. To allow the company to move about despite the curfew, they were also given a sealed document bearing the Senate's coat of arms and guaranteeing safe conduct.

Imistos Gulbend offered to run errands and perform other tasks. He had no wish to go back.

Malphene Trant also handed over the snuffbox - it would prove useful - and the group set off for the Red Stag.

The protagonists named Garris of the Red Stag as a point of contact.

Fortunately, the document took effect at once, and for the time being, the company was exempt from the roadblocks.

The Return to the Red Stag

In the streets, the festive mood had vanished without a trace - they were deserted, damaged, and in places stained with blood. In the Canal Row district, there were even scattered bodies still lying about, or places where fires had burned.

Garris, the innkeeper of the Red Stag, opened the door, but he too had heard nothing of Martella. He also opined that everything had been well planned, since some of the attackers had apparently fled into the Narrows, where the Constables dared not venture. Warships already lay in the harbor. The rumor mill was churning. Either Stavian was responsible, or the princess, or the High Strategos.

Together, they raised a glass in remembrance of the many dead. As the company was very weary, they lay down and slept through the night.

Day 7 - Oppara / Opparos (Sarenith 6, 4718)

The Next Morning

The next morning, the group received leads and maps of buildings that might be searched. All hail Taldan bureaucracy and its comprehensive building register.

Merek, too, came down the stairs, looking the very picture of misery. Dulgir diagnosed filth fever.

Arawyn read something about a warehouse belonging to the Deristof family. "Poor Martella, she wants a dog ..." He recalled that she had a dog by that name. Cinnard confirmed that there was no noble family of that name in Oppara. Had Martella perhaps left a hidden clue in the message from Wyssilka the Fantabulous?

An "Envoy Ring" and the snuffbox went to Arawyn, while a ring of protection and the wand of shocking grasp went to Valorant.

The Dignified Repository

The group made its way to the Crownsgate District, Oppara's second-poorest, to inspect the warehouse. The warehouse was 40 feet tall. Its windows were also rather high up. Dulgir and Merek first wished to take a closer look at the building and tried to circle it. Two thugs were posted before a set of double doors, and two others patrolled around the building.

The thugs drove Dulgir and Merek away - only to pick a fight with the entire group afterward. One thug was put to sleep, while the other was sent to Pharasma by a masterful shot.

Arawyn called upon his powers and charmed the other guard. "Mr. Smiles" was apparently in charge of the operation there, and somewhat mad. It emerged that the guards were probably still only prospective members of the Brotherhood of Silence. He also said that some 12 guards and Mr. Smiles were holed up down in the cellar, together with Wyssilka the Fantabulous and a whole squad of guards. Smiles wore makeup and got inside other people's heads. Hail Norgorber.

All the doors in the upper alley were bolted from within, and only the guard Henson knew the requisite knock - but he was one of the others by the double doors.

There followed some conversation, which may or may not have culminated in a fight.