'This is a long way from the road... are you sure you know where you are going?'
'Agreed. How much farther to this place?'
'Not far... for we are already here.
This is Eridis... the "Maiden's Glade" in the tongue of Harbormen.'
'Let's save the lore for another time and keep moving.'
'Very well, then. The animals here should keep us safe fr...'
'Uh, you mean those animals?'
Some raging wolves burst out of the woodwork.
None of them pose a serious danger to the travelers and are lastly dispelled.
'The animals here are frightened... and I know not why. There is usually at least one druid in the glade, and they should be aware of the beats... and us.'
'Well,
I say we avoid any wolves or anything trying to kill us.'
'I say we fight them - they attack us, we attack them. 'Sides, could use new boots.'
'If any animals come at me again, I'll kick them down.'
'I'm with you on that.'
*Influence gained with Khelgar: 1*
Rebecca is soon to discover that the wolves that were able to flee have been killed by an unknown party.
'Whatever is wrong must be here in the glade... I thought the Circle of the Mere would be aware of any disturbance here, but now it seems the task must fall to us.'
'Why? Let's just go. I'm done stomping through these groves and animals... and letting her pick the trails.'
'Elanee's right, we should see what's wrong.'
*Influence gained with Elanee: 1*
'You have my thanks. I would hate for whatever pursues us to be at our back.'
'Exactly, speaking of which, look out!'
Their initial terror before this wall of muscles and furry turns into bafflement as the bear suddenly tries to speak.
(horrified)
'Kaleil?'
Bear:
'I... I... came here, came here to try and find you, Elanee, to try and escape the Mere... to seek refuge here... '
'The Mere? What is wrong?'
Bear:
'The Mere, it speaks with different voice now... and its waters, once clear to the Circle, are now dark... and run deep, so deep...
Vashnee and the others... they are lost.
Only you remain... I thought I could find you, or Naevan... but what claims the Mere overtook me... clouded my vision with shadows and blood... trapped me in this form to slowly perish...
Do not return to the Mere, Elanee... do not, or you shall fall to its corruption as I did.'
*Bear dies for no apparent reasons*
'I... Kaleil, he's... dead. It was he who caused such unrest here... and why the animals attacked us.'
'Would you please stop those overdone "..." pauses and explain to me what that Circle is you kept on jabbering about?'
'Yes... the Circle of the Mere...'
'I told you to stop it.'
'The girl is in a shock. Leave her be.'
'I... I have been away for some time.
Kaleil and I are part... were part... of the Circle of Merdelain, the Mere of Dead Men. If the elders, if Vashne is lost... and Naevan is lost... '
'Great, I hope she doesn't start crying too.'
'I have been away too long. But this would explain why I could not feel the Circle any longer... and as for the land...'
'That was one dot too much for me. I'm out of here.'
(recollects herself)
'But we should press on. I promised to lead you to Highcliff... and to safety, and so far, this path has proved longer than I wish.'
(from a distance)
'You're coming then or what?'
'Highcliff, at last. And look, there are the docks. That Captain Flinn my father was talking about can't be far away.'
They hear a loud bang from off shore.
'I just hope it's not his ship over there.'
'Looks like our journey will be delayed, again. Keep moving, we must find the Captain.'
The dockworkers direct them to a nearby pub where they immediately get riled up by more Thugs upon arrival.
Thugs:
'Well now, what is this? A traveling Circus?
Seems like there's the making a joke in you four... a dwarf, tree-worshipper, demon, and a swamp smelling Harborwoman walk into a tavern...'
'Well, now, we may have walked in, but seems to me someone's about to go flying out.'
'You all do realize that we are standing outside the tavern, right? Anyways, you meatheads are in for a lesson, eh Khelgar?'
'Now we're talking my language. Come on, let's see how these fools like taking an early nap.'
*Influence gained with Khelgar: 2*
'There is no reason to fight. This is ridiculous.'
*Influence lost with Elanee: -1*
'Too late now, we made the mistake of letting Khelgar opening his mouth.'
'How often does this happen?'
'Trust me, things were slowing down a bit before we came here but now it's about back to normal.'
'Whose kidney is this?'
'Maybe he's just hanging around with the wrong role models.'
Another Thugs bites the dust.
'Now then, that was a fine bit of sport, wasn't it?'
'It was good to release some steam, I confess.'
'Of course it was! We make a good fighting team!'
'We didn't need to fight, Khelgar. Next time, rein it in. It's hard to steal from someone when they think you're going to attack them.'
'If we're done making more enemies, let's move on.'
'Moving on is a sound plan.'
'Fine. I say we try and find another tavern. There's bound to be drunks needing a punch or two.'
One of the tavern's patrons leaves the establishment to throw up and stand around with an empty gaze.
Drunk:
'If you don't mind, I'm trying to drown my sorrow here.'
'I was told to seek out a Captain Flinn here at Highcliff. Is that you?'
Drunk:
'Captain of a ship that can't sail, that's me.'
'Good, we need you to get us to Neverwinter.'
Captain:
'I'd be happy to grant you passage, but as you can see we're all stuck here for now.
No ships in or out of Highcliff, on the account of the attacks from lizardfolk.
What the hells they're doing this far north is beyond me, but they're certainly causing enough trouble.
I've already had to repair my ship
twice now but each time they punch another hole in the hull without so much as a sound! Which means I've got a shipload of cargo rotting here at the docks until this mess is sorted out.'
'Any idea from where they are coming from?'
Captain:
'I don't know. If I did you can bet I'd be telling the village elder to go after them.
The old man doesn't want to risk the village though, so here I am...
still.'
'You just stay here. I'll have this sorted out in no time.'
Rebecca seeks out the town elder for more information, only to find him in an unpleasant debate with a mad
Housewife.
Elder:
'I'm doing the best that I can, but we can't risk exploring the outskirts at this time.'
Housewife:
'But where else could William have gone, Elder? You
must do something.'
'What seems to be the problem here?'
Housewife:
'See? Even a complete stranger is able to muster more compassion than you do.'
Elder:
'It's no concern of yours.'
Housewife:
'My husband disappeared two days ago. He was heading outside the village to gather some stones to expand our home - a foolish thing to do with the attacks going on.
It just must have been the lizardfolk. But this man here refuses to send out a rescue party to save him.'
Elder:
'I won't let anyone risk their lives as long as we don't know anything for certain.'
Housewife:
'See?'
'It's all right. I'll do anything I can to rescue him.'
Housewife:
'Oh thank you! I don't want my child growing up without her father... even if William
does have his weaknesses, he's better than nothing.'
Reassured that situation will be handled, the
Housewife finally leaves.
Elder:
'Thank you for getting her off my back.'
'You were lucky that she believed me. I want to gain passage on a ship to Neverwinter.'
Elder:
'Sadly, that's impossible right now. Every one of our ships has been damaged - none are safe for sea travel at the moment.'
'I already heard about the lizardfolk. How do I stop their attacks?'
Elder:
'As I said, I don't like sending anyone into danger but maybe you could be of great help in these matters.
You certainly travel with interesting companions, so I suspect you are quiet capable of handling yourself.'
'Hey! What's that supposed to mean?'
'I think we've just been insulted.'
'Just take it as a compliment, you two.'
Elder:
'I did not mean it as an insult. In fact, I assume that you are all quiet remarkable individuals to be able to get past the typical prejudices and band together.'
'Oh. Well, that's all right then.'
'Let's keep our minds on the task at hand. Where could we begin our search for the lizards?'
Elder:
'The lizardfolk have been concentrating their attacks on the farms outside the village and the only farmer left is Shandra - she's too stubborn to leave her home, even with the attacks. You should start there.'
'That is sufficiently vague to be important. We'll look into it right away.'
But as it is often the case with quick departures, the travelers are intercepted just before they can get past the city walls. An oddly familiar looking Couple starts a conversation with them.
Couple:
'Gera, look who it is. Ilmater has answered our prayers.'
'Do we know each other?'
Couple:
'You probably don't remember us. You saved our lives back at the Weeping Willow.'
'Could be, I can hardly recall anything what happened that night.'
Couple:
'We don't want to impose but we could use your help again. We... we could pay you.'
'I'm listening.'
Couple:
'Our children are missing. They were forbidden to leave the village but they slipped away without us noticing. It is hard to keep an eye on them all the time with all the troubles about.'
'I see. If I find anything outside I'll let you know.'
Couple:
'Thank you! We're both so worried. With the attack on our ships and William disappearing, we've been at wit's end. Anything could have happened to them. We will await your return.'
'Why are we wasting our time looking for two kids? We have more important things to do.'
'Then it's a good thing that you're not making the decisions, isn't it, tiefling?'
'Don't start with me again, dwarf.'
'I've made up my mind, all right?'
'Gee, no need to be so mad about it.'
*Influence lost with Neeshka: -1*
'Was I? I though that this was supposed to be the reasonable dialogue option.'
'I'm sticking with you, even if I do think it's a dumb idea.'
'I, for one, approve. The Mere is not an easy place for children, and suspect the wilds of Highcliff are no better.'
*Influence gained with Elanee: 1*
'I just hope there is some gold in this for us. My purse isn't as full as I'd like it to be.'
So Rebecca leaves the arguable safety of Highcliff to the nearby farmlands.
They reach a small farm only a stone's throw away from the village. It appears abandoned.
'Hnh. Looks like this is the place, but where's -'
The door to the hut opens.
Farmer:
'Whoever you are, you look a little too important to be wandering out here on your own bothering the common folk.'
'I'll say. We've gone too far out of your way already.'
'Not too far for a fight, I hope.'
Farmer:
'Maybe you all better tell me what you're doing here. There's been too many visitors lately, and I really don't have the patience for it anymore.'
'We don't have time to waste either. We're here to help against the lizardfolk, so tell us what we need to know, and we'll be on our way.'
Farmer:
'Fine. I think the lizards are striking from the ruins nearby - it's probably not their main lair, but it might be a staging camp.'
'What ruins are you talking about?'
Farmer: (points to a nearby hill)
'The ruins up there are of Highcliff Castle, destroyed in a war some time ago. Lots of magic was thrown around, even talk that demons and devils were summoned and fought each other.'
'I though I felt something. It's in the ground beneath my feet, traces of it, anyway.'
Farmer:
'There's lots from the war still buried around here. Some farmers can't take a plow to their fields without turning over an old weapon or two, but that's not what got me worried.'
'What do you mean?'
Farmer:
'Well, I suspect that there's a reason that place was never rebuilt; it's always had a strange history. Everyone in Highcliff knows to leave it alone.
And there's more than lizardfolk troubles nowadays - at least from the tales coming from the southern road, don't know if you've heard.'
'Most likely, but please go on.'
Farmer:
'There have been sightings of forms walking in graveyards, strange shadows... some of it could be just local drunks talking, sure, but I've heard tales from merchants as far south as Fort Locke.'
'Are there any graveyards around here?'
Farmer:
'Plenty, but no marked ones - so many battles were fought here, if the dead decided to walk, there'd be an army in no time. That huge gravesite near Fort Locke, that's one of the smaller ones from the war.'
'I think that's enough foreshadowing for anyone to grasp.
Anything else you can tell us about the area?'
'We were talking about lizardfolk, weren't we?'
Farmer:
'Oh, right. Speaking of which, I better get back to keeping watch, before-'
Farmer:
'My barn! And the harvest...'
'Quickly, maybe we ca-'
*Psht*
‘Wow that was quick.'
Farmer:
'I let my guard down for a second - and they were waiting for it. Waiting until I got distracted.'
'Look, you're not safe here - you should head to Highcliff.'
Farmer:
'And I'll be safe in Highcliff? Where no ship can leave because the lizardfolk are destroying them?
This... this farm is all I have, and now that my harvest is gone and with winter coming...
Look, if you're going to help,
do it - I'm tired of Neverwinter, and Fort Locke, and the militia and the elder and all of them promising to help us out and nothing ever
happening.
Just once - just this once - if you can actually do something for Highcliff, for the farmers here, it'd be long past overdue.'
'I have no idea why I bothered to listen through all your rant. So yeah, I'll help.'
Rebecca and her companions make their way up the hill towards the castle.
'I can see a fire over there. It could be an advanced post of the lizardfolk.'
To Rebecca's great disappointment it turns out to be a dull campsite.
Camper:
'Who are you? How did you find me?'
'Pardon me?'
Camper:
'My wife sent you, didn't she? I should have known she wouldn't give up easily.'
'Wha.. Oh, I remember! The missing husband back in Highcliff?'
Camper:
'I just couldn't take it anymore. The farming, the child, never any time for myself. She wouldn't even let me spend a few evenings at the Blue Rooster. I decided to start a new life elsewhere. For now, this clearing will do.
How about you tell my wife that you've found me dead? Killed by bears or something.'
'Running away isn't the solution for anything.'
Camper:
'I disagree. You haven't spent the last 10 years with the woman I was cursed to call my wife.'
'With wolves and lizardfolk out here, you'll be lucky to survive another night.'
Camper:
'Your concern is touching, but I've survived this long. I think I can manage.'
'Very well then but you'll need to make this worth my while.'
*Your actions have shifted your alignment 1 point(s) toward Evil.*
Camper: (hesitant)
'I was hoping to use this gold for a fresh start, but I suppose making sure my wife stays away is a bit more important right now.'
He hands over a fat pouch of gold.
'She won't hear a word from my lips.'
Camper:
'Good. Now that we've come to an agreement, I'll wish you farewell and safe travels. I need to get this camp in better shape.'
The Camper is left behind and the ascent continues. Elanee yet again spots something strange going on in the woods.
'What are all these wolves doing up there?'
'It's the kids! Team! To the rescue!'
The children remain unharmed, naturally.
Kidz:
'Th-th-thanks for helping us stranger.'
'Are either of you hurt?'
Kidz:
'N-n-no. You're going to yell at us are you?'
'No. Why did you two come out here?'
Kidz:
'Well, Da' was tellin' us stories about someone he met in the Mere an' how they fought off a thousand lizardmen and evil dwarves an' stuff.
I didn't sound that hard, so we came out here and to look for some so we could fight them too.'
'He was exaggerating a bit, I think.'
'I don't know, lass. Maybe not a
thousand, but we ce-'
'Shhh!'
'Ow! What was that for?'
Kidz:
'But Da said he saw it with his own eyes!'
'Believe me, I was there and nothing happened. He's just telling you stories to amuse you, so don't do anything like this again.'
*Your actions have shifted your alignment 1 point(s) toward Chaotic Good.*
Kidz:
'Da wouldn't lie, he always tells the truth.
You're the one who's lying.'
'Believe anything you want. Now scram!'
The Kidz run away with tears in their eyes. They are almost at the castle now.
'You're pretty good at handling children.'
'No, only the retarded ones. It's the smart kids you got to look out for.'
'Bah. On the off-chance that I get tired of cracking skulls - I'll need to find a comely dwarven wench and make me a whole clan of Ironfists.'
'I
really don't want to hear this -
especially anything about comely dwarven wenches.'
'So says the girl with horns and a tail. Don't be judging by dwarven woman too harshly, what they lack in stature, they make up for in spirit.'
'Hush you two. We've almost reached our destination. Now all we got to do is break in, kill some lizards, find their main lair and be on our merry way.'
There’s fighting going on in the courtyard. A lonely lizardman is trying to hold his ground against amassing zombie hordes. He’s wounded and losing.
'Ok, it looks like things just gotten a little bit more complicated.'
TO BE CONTINUED