Chapter 3 - The Missing Delegation

Balak confers with his new band of friends: I think we should help these delegates out. Grimm, what are your thoughts on the matter?

Not sure Balak. My contacts tell me the delegation was also transporting the body of a knight who was killed fighting orcs in the Spine of the World. The knight was to be interred with honor at Summit Hall, the chapter house of an order called the Knights of Samular. It lies in the southeast Sumber Hills. Perhaps we should go investigate the hills and see if we can find them.

Ay. That sounds important. Let's do that! Balak says excitedly.

"An excellent idea, Sorgrimm! And what of the rest of you? Won't you join us so that we can do more good in the world?"

But of course! Dazzle responds to Xella with feigned indignation. He places a hand delicately on his chest and bows deeply. I am ever at your collective service.

He turns to Mhorva. I do hope you will be joining us? As we travel I look forward to learning from your stories and experiences.


You know, Dazzle muses at Mhorva as he regards the rest of the group. We each have something valuable to contribute, like threads in a tapestry. Together we form something much stronger than we could ever hope to accomplish as individuals. And after the bravery and magical prowess you demonstrated in the depths below this cursed village, Mhorva, I have no doubt that your contribution to our metaphorical wreath of heroism will be invaluable.

And before I forget, we should make sure to gather provisions before we go traipsing about the Sumber Hills. I've heard terrible rumours about most unnatural occurrences and sightings. Make sure that you are each carrying a couple of healing potions, and be sure to stock up on ammunition. If you need any help negotiating a fair price with any of the local vendors, I would be more than happy to assist. After all, at this point we are literally heroes to the commoners that have the misfortune of eking out their existence in Red Larch.

Though not his forte, Sorgrimm will have been investigating for the entire tenday. Ever diligent in his duties to the Order.

Mhorva, who came to Red Larch on other business, has spent the tenday wandering about town and the surrounding area. Sometimes through the markets, other times in the scrubby brush on the fringes of the hills. If anyone were to pay close attention, they might notice larger, more prominent patches of funghi adorning the land. Occasionally, she's seen by the other adventurers, and those encounters have brought her to this meeting today.

She stands just off to the side of the others, initially a little unsure of why she's been asked here, but listening to their words all the same. As Dazzle addresses her directly, she turns her head a little to him, listening to his silver tongue spouting the virtues of teamwork. The druid's fingers slowly massage her staff in a grip that oozes contemplation. She speaks with a touch of hesitancy.

All right, Master bard, if yeh don't stop gabbing, yeh're tongue's like to fall off. Yeh speak of tapestries and wondrous feats of heroism borne on the backs of friends and whatnot, and aye, maybe there's something to that. But don't confuse me fetching yeh from that sinkhole with some grand act of bravery - the townsfolk asked me to come get yeh, and so I did. When I did try to help with those rats, 'twas ineffective and that was that. Gross exaggeration breeds a black rot 'twixt people.

She rolls her shoulders and takes a deep breath, murky eyes looking around the group as if judging their individual character. Now then, if yeh see a need for someone the likes of me to accompany yeh on yeh're journey into the hills... well, I can agree t' that. Mhorva makes sure to look at everyone as she speaks. As she finishes, this woman, who has lead much of her life in long stretches of solitude by choice, feels an ever-so-small warmth bloom inside at the prospect of travel with a set of companions.

Dazzle beams at Mhorva. You are too kind! Do you really think my words can literally rot people to death? I just knew we were going to get along!

In any case, I discovered a number of leads for us to pursue. My love language is "receiving gifts", in case one or more of you want to show your appreciation in a way that will go straight to my heart.

First of all, the Mirabar delegation was last seen in the town of Beliard. I extracted this information from a caravan guard in the Helm at Highsun and verified it with an itinerant priest of Lathander in the Swinging Sword who just came from Beliard.

Also, a dozen beautiful old books written in Dwarvish showed up in the cargo of a shady keelboat skipper in Womford. I heard about this from Endrith Vallivoe, a local shopkeeper drinking in the Swinging Sword, who bought one of the books from a merchant recently arrived from Womford.

Finally, four new graves -- simple rock cairns, really -- have appeared on a windswept hilltop in the Sumber Hills, a few miles outside of town. The shepherd Larmon Greenboot found them, and he has no idea who would have been buried out there in the last few days. Larmon hangs around Gaelkur's. He can guide us to the site where he found the graves, but he insists on waiting until morning.

Anyone have any strong feelings about which way to go? I have opinions, obviously, but this is a team effort!

Felicia disappeared somewhat quickly when they settle in for the night. Making her rounds to some vendors in town, she gathers up the herbs and coals that her patron flooded her mind with, along with a small brass brazier. That night, before settling in for rest, she kneels down the bowl and etches out a set of chalk drawings on the floor, with the bowl of herbs in the middle. Mystical words flow forth as she spends an hour chanting phrases not of her own design. The chanting turns into an almost singsong kind of pattern, as her bodily motion resembles a dance she learned as a child. At the end of an hour, a poof of smoke erupts from the bowl and a diminutive green figure with long whip-like antennae stands in front of her.

Thats a good bit of information. I think we should check out the graves first and then if we don’t pick up any good information or clues there we head to Beliard.

Aye, the graves might be a promising start. If'n there's naught to be found, as Sorgrimm says, then we move on. I'll wager there's something t' learn, though - the dead tend to speak volumes. Yeh just need to know how teh listen. She taps one ear and chuckles dryly.

A moth flutters past Mhorva like a tiny leaf caught in the wind and opts to land on the brown, tattered shawl that spans her shoulders. She regards the grey winged thing with a keen interest, whispering quietly and nudging it gently with a finger.

Dazzle points to Xella, Felicia, and Balak each in turn. Graves? Graves? Graves?

Ay! Let's go!

Felicia smiles as the eager creature looks at her, rubbing it's slightly insectoid limbs together.

Well met Demon. My name is Felicia and by powers eldritch and profane I have called your presence from the very depths of the Abyss as a familiar and associate. I will not cause you needless harm, provided you obey my commands utterly. If you disobey, I will see you cast back into the arms of the fiends in your former home. However, if you obey, I will see you raised to levels you can only dream of. Now, so I am not increasingly rude, Demon, by what name can I call you? she thinks into the creature's mind.

The creature stares at Felicia, antennae twitching and circling. A chittering screeching sound fills her mind.

Yessss, freedom is mine. Fell-eeee-shee-uh. I will follow you, for you are powerful indeed. I am called Xestras, and I am your humble servant. How can I best serve you, Master?

This makes me very happy Xestras. I wonder, do you always look this way or is there a form you can take that draws less attention on the mortal planes? she asks, this time her voice out loud, but soft.

Mmm, yes. Forms and shifting, I can do this easily. Disappearing too, we are good at that. Perhaps a small bat works best for you, yes? he says and in a small poof, the quasit changes into a bat, wings fluttering keeping it aloft.

Oooh, very good Xestras. Sit here on my shoulder, and watch everything always. There will be times that I bond my mind with yours to use your eyes. Remember your oath, and I will ensure you stay safe. Disobey and you remember your punishment.

The bat lands on her shoulder and nods at her, little toes digging into the fabric of her cloak.

Her familiar well in hand, she cleans the floor quickly, stowing the remnants in her bag before setting out to find the others. A few minutes later, she finds them as Dazzle recounts his knowledge gathering exploits. At the question of the graves, she smiles and nods.

Oh yes, the graves are definitely the best first stop. Additionally, I'd like you to meet this little friend of mine I made over the past few hours. It's name is Xestras. I will be able to investigate things nearly anywhere, provided Xestras can gain entry. Keep this one safe, and it will be VERY beneficial to us as we lend our helping hand. she says, emphasizing the last word as she glances at Dazzle.

"Well, isn't Xetras just lovely!"