Shortly after Daynar's rescue, Daynar teleported Orath and Morganne to a shadowy enclosed section in the gardens directly behind Daynar's massive manse. The garden was enormously large, even by the standards of other houses and a confusing maze of towering topiaries, large gazebo's and squares where statues of Daynar's ancestors stood looking tall and dignified. Every so often you see a pair of house guards patrolling the garden grounds, oblivious to you and Orath's presence.
The two of you stole past several patrols, avoiding detection and entered through the servants quarters. One guardsman there Orath approached and talked to, a man with a slightly big stomach who spoke in a crude and uncouth manner unfitting of a worthy guardsman. The guardsman, named Ronick by Orath said "Daynar, err the fake one gots Aronis and Sable holed up in the dungeon. Now its making perfect sense why the master's been acting so damned coo coo. Not taking meals and having every prostitute in the city visiting him like he's the ugliest man in the world. I can go free your friends, for a slight fee heh heh...ought not be much of a dent in your wallet, sly boy...and a good return for all the gambling money you shorted me last time you were around!"
Orath rolled his eyes and nodded in glum consent, tossed a leather pouch at the heavyset guardsman and kicked him in the belly and knocked the wind out of him "You'd better make sure they're free and quickly or I'll take more than a few coins from ya...you son of an orc. Now git, fore I take a pound of flesh out of your ass, you fat fuck!"
Both of you proceeded to scale the side of the wall, having to hack past the animated vines that threatened to overwhelm and squeeze the life from you. You come to the corridor which leads to Daynar's personal bedchambers, seeing the cadre of elite Succundus soldiers there. Orath said via the cloak clasp: "Bypass the wall with your phase cloak, I will take the guards out and join you...open the door on the other side!"
Like clockwork, when you phased through the door and opened the latch, Orath had rendered the four guards unconscious. There was the fake Daynar, waking up from a deep nap. As you entered he got up, and you can definitely sense that this imposter was no novice or amateur. He stood up quickly, a dead calm look in his eyes. He suddenly ripped his own face off to reveal the visage of a different sort...just another man, possibly an agent or an assassin of some kind. He said calmly "They'll never let you take me in" he stated convincingly. You could sense that he believed his own words, whoever the man was.
"Shut up you little bastard" Orath hissed as he pulled out his dagger.
Just then 5 darts shot through the window and pierced the man in the chest. He blacked out, and you saw beneath that he wore a hidden elven chain hauberk.
Orath looked startled, and he said "Shit, there's four of em hovering outside!" he said excitedly. "This guy might have information, Morganne. What should we do?!"
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We capture one of them and then put the screw to him!!" Morganne says, pulling out her chain whip and tossing one end to Orath and drawing her blade with the other hand. "Hold on tight, you're going for a ride!" Morganne flies through the window to go after their attackers
You fly out the window, Orath in tow. The thief howled as he was dragged along, and you saw four figures hovering in the air ahead, floating above a dilapidated tenement. You saw that three were male and one female, and they were vampires. They also flew at you, and you saw a pale clawed hand grope for your throat casually. You sliced it off with your new blade, while the other three just observed as though amused by the action taking place.
The female vampire sneered at the one who'd lost his right arm, "Pathetic" she chided with a scowl, turning to face you. You noticed that Orath was suddenly flying on his own after downing a potion. The other 3 flew at the one who lost his arm, and they simultaneously bit into him…draining him of all his blood. The female vampire ripped the vampire's head off in order drink the last remnants of the doomed vampire's lifeblood, then they callously dropped him to the ground far below, elated and full of fresh warmth. The woman looked at you while wiping her mouth on her sleeve, and you noticed she had fresh dirt all over her body and realize she'd been sleeping beneath the earth for some time. She seemed to frown a little, yawned visibly as though bored and said "Oh look its some sweet little girl and her pet human" she said, not laughing and eying you with disdainful eyes. You saw that she had some kind of admiration, possibly envy in her dark black eyes, and she wasn't at all interested in any sort of skirmish but rather was seeking for something else.
She bursted in a uproar as she read some surface thoughts of yours…"Ah, this one's full of laughs" she whispered, "You can't kill me with those..swords. I'd half like to see you try, but it might be too vulgar for my tastes. Of course unless you want me to rip thy pretty head off?" she asked. You realized something all of a sudden, that these vampires weren't the ones who had assailed Daynar's imposter. Your suspicion confirmed it, as you noticed a barrage of deadly darts whizz through the air and into the window, striking at Daynar's imposter and killing him. The sniper you saw in a room in the tenement, tossing a blow-dart gun into a chimney and exiting the room. His face was masked by his hood, and his clothes looked as if they were woven with animated inky blackness.
DECISION
Morganne considers her options, and what has just happened, casually sheathing her blade she smiles "...I never did mind the little things.." she smirks "...My business was with that imposter and the man hired to kill him before I could" willing herself to casually float backwards away from the woman and the other vampires she motions to Orath "...get after that one with the blow gun! He'll bbe able to tell us more than these three!" Morganne keeps her eyes on the freshly risen Kindred "..What brings you up from your slumber?"
"Hootin n hollering" the raven haired vampire said with a smile, you sensed great power flow out of her. She then tore through the night, cackling with mad laughter…"We shall meet again some other time!"
Orath searched thoroughly but came up empty handed. He returned with a scowl worn on his face, saying "This guy was good, not a damned trace, not so much as a imprint in the ground…must've been a bloody elf. Go over there and sniff around, with that nose of yours maybe you can catch a scent?"
You did catch something, the smell of recently woven magic dangled in the air and shone like a thousand fireflies in the air where the projectiles were shot from.
Upon your return, Lord Daynar came. He spent two days alone in his bedchamber before condoning any company, even his closest of advisors. Until finally, he summoned an ensemble of all his cabinet at a great feast he had arranged. It was a private affair, and no outside guests were allowed admittance or even word of the social occasion. Daynar even had some of his most fanatically elite guard as the security force for the event so that all in attendance would be at ease.
Seated in his throne-like chair, Daynar was gnawing on a large drumstick and half heartedly listening to something Aronis was saying. He called you over to his side and said "Enjoying yourself then?" he spoke softly, and then leaned over and said "I've a mission which ought be suited to your talents, if you would be willing to undertake it?" he asked more than commanded by his tone. He drew a dagger mysteriously, drawing attention to himself…then casually threw it at a map on the wall. Where it stuck appeared to be a range of mountains you were familiar with, the Gates.
"There's a dragon that dwells there" Daynar stated. "It is a neutral creature, neither evil nor overly good. Capricious beast, formerly an ally of Nyr's last ten kings. Well, it has somehow acquired an object that has sentimental value to me. It was my late father's ring. This ring serves as a key to his tomb, of which I am seeking to gain entrance. It is well fortified magically and full of Dwarf-made traps" he took a deep swill out of a crystal chalice…"Your mission is twofold…see if this creature can be swayed toward the side of good and be made a protector of our land once again, and to gain the ring through diplomacy. Be forewarned, this creature will see you coming no matter what level of stealth you can call upon. Please take Orath and Garosh and a few soldiers of your choice"
"....never a moment of rest eh Lord Succundus!" Morganne says with mile irritation. "..you and I will have some words one day..." Morganne says coolly, remembering the look on his face when she'd referred to him as her father. "...If this creature is to be made an ally, then why bring so much muscle with me? Did you even think about the information in my report? There are forces allied against...your house, wouldn't my...talents be better served there than simply playing diplomat? this creature will recognize me for what I am and who I travel with and will more than likely resent our presence as much as take it as a veiled threat! No, Leave Orath here with you, I don't need a thief with me, I need Tenspells or one of his caliber. Garrosh..fine.." Morganne says harshly under her breath so that only Daynar can hear. "...There's a new group of Kindred operating in the area that need to be watched as well..."
Morganne stops abruptly and shakes her head "...forgive me, I forget my place. I will of course do as you..command. Garrosh and I along with a Magus Aronis can recommend and a Lorian cleric is all i need to come with. Maybe two others a ranger or a few promising house soldiers who could use some field work perhaps.."
Daynar nodded solemnly as he drunk in your words..."The added muscle isn't for the dragon, its for the perils that lie in hiding in the Gates. The dragon isn't one to make snap judgements, so fear not what company you travel with. I can't spare Tenspells, so take Sable with you"
Aronis: "Aye, her magic has increased in its potency since last time you've seen her"
Garosh: "Mi'lord Daynar, I'll gladly go along on this mission for you my liege. I'll have that dragon back to doing good things for our kingdom once more. I only pray its not a female dragon, they tend to find me quite irresistable"
Daynar said "Do your best, you might not like this particular kind of mission but it is of greater benefit to our house than it seems. I've gained word that a party has been assembled by various enemies of the kingdom to coax the Dragon to a different side. The queen herself has handed this to me personally and many other houselords would gladly take the prestige that comes along with the success not to mention the honor"
sitting back in her chair she mulls over the scenario in her mind."..I see, then perhaps another team might be needed as well! The first team to parley with the Wrym and the second to deal with anyone else who'd like nothing better than to see us fail.."
Daynar deeply drank out of his cup before setting it down..."Huh? Well, good luck assembling said team my dear...and by the time that happens, every other competitor, and there will be some will have made it to the Dragon's lair. No, resources are tight and you'll have to rely on whats at hand. However, if you come across any rivaling parties be sure to deal with them through whatever means are at your disposal...particularly with that beautiful new sword you carry"
Drumming her fingers on the table, the realization of the situation that House Succundus is in became clear. For the past few years, Morganne had been able to draw on a near inexhaustible amount of funds and resources but it seemed these few months, this business with the Doppleganger has put a strain on House Succundus. "...but of course, I have no intention in allowing anyone to get in my way" Morganne rises from the table "..Garrosh, Orath, Sable and I will leave immediately.." Morganne bows her head slightly and making eye contact with Garrosh and Orath, also nods her head and leaves to her room to gather her few possessions and to see the quartermaster about provisions. The sooner they departed the better.
Daynar smiled despite a tired look on his handsome face, and he clasped you on the shoulder…"Go to Rook in the lower level, he can outfit you for the journey with some new toys to play with, and he may even be of some use on this mission if you decide to let him tag along. Nobody knows the Gates in Lor better than he. Take heed, the Dragon's one obstacle, but my father's ring may draw heat upon your shoulders from my rivals…don't put it past them to try and steal it right from underneath your nose…in fact, I am pretty damn sure that such a move will be played…count on it. "
Morganne smiled "..Rook has been great to me since i first began to work for you years ago! I'd be happy to have him with us! I know that things have been..difficult for you and for all of us who love you but not to worry, anyone who crosses my path on the way to parley with the Dragon will not be dealt with tenderly! I intend to move quickly and sharply, once the ring is in my possession and the Dragon...." Morganne rolls her eyes "...the dragon will most assuredly have some test or mission for us to undertake. I will send word back the minute the ring is ours..."
Morganne retires to her quarters to begin making a list of provisions and sending letters to her order to update them on her situation.
Aronis said "Mi'lord, the dragon will require a great gift for Lady Morganne to even be granted an audience with it…and an expensive gift I might add. One does not simply walk into its lair empty handed, it may just kill any messengers out of caution"
Daynar nodded, sighing then nodding an understanding to the mage, "So be it, my master spy Orath here has acquired some sweet treasure on his last mission for me, courtesy of Lord Rannard, my political foe at council. I had only wanted to steal something of minor worth to him, as a come uppance for his slights against me in the halls of power that governs Lor…but I hadn't anticipated Orath here would have abducted Lord Rannard's daughter during the process and stolen one of the most sought after portraits in the entire kingdom. Morganne take the painting and guard it carefully"
The Duke rose from out of his chair, saying "Aishhhh, I have a sneaking suspicion this whole quest thing is going to require more resources than I initially thought. Aronis go along with Morganne, also have Rook, Orath, Garosh, and Sable in your party. You'll go by way of the Dark Elf Lands, there my friend Artinol, a High Elf will await your arrival…he would be with his sister and some of his cousins. They'll get you to the Gates through one of their moongates, which will be ready for use in?"
Aronis: "The huntress and tranquil will align perfectly in two days time, if my prediction is on the mark"
Orath: "It usual is"
Garosh: "Aye, except when his overly expensive love potions get poured into the wrong drink! I hate half-orc wenches!"
Everyone burst into laughter all of a sudden at Garosh's expense…but the fighter sighed in silent annoyance.
Orath eyed Daynar narrowly for a moment, "We don't really need to go that route do we? We're heading southward only to venture north? And we don't need Elf-folk aid…no, no, no…we ought have Aronis simply teleport us straight there and be done with it…travelings exhausting, and I don't want to mess with any orcs, dark elves or trolls on the way"
Daynar "Ordinarily I would say very well, go as you please…but this route has been suggested by many to me, old friend. And this has been given me by the Lorian clergy who has decided to support our house in this mission above all others"
Morganne looks up and smiles at the banter going back and forth. It was good to have a moment of levity before once again heading out into the waiting maw of the unknown.
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