Dark's Age of Worms IC

[TheDarkDM]

Slipping out the northern gate, Reyunauld and Simone escort Constance behind the Spinning Giant while Rae circles around to the tavern door. Before ducking inside, she catches sight of two figures loitering across the street from the Midnight Salute. Their hulking stature and patchwork clothes betrays them as miners, but despite their proximity to a house of ill repute they have ugly looks frozen on their faces. As Rae watches, one taps the other on the shoulder, sharing a few hushed words before making his way inside the Salute. Sensing trouble, Rae doubles her pace.

Before long, Cordellia is left in the relative safety of the Giant while the rest of the party joins in the trek north. Passing through the untended scrub separating the houses along Company Road, you begin to climb the gentle hills that surround the town proper, eventually emerging onto Elmshire Road. A circle of ancient standing stones looms over you from the summit, only to be dwarfed by the forty foot tall tower of an ancient observatory directly to their east. It is at the base of the hill that holds these crumbling edifices that Constance comes to a halt.

"Down there."

She levels a finger at the rotting remains of a boarded-up mine shaft, surrounded by the same scatter of rusty detritus that characterized the area around the abandoned mine office. Picking her way down the overgrown work road, she continues in a low tone.

"No one comes around here any more - if they're not scared of getting caught in a cave-in, they're spooked by the tower. Here, let me just..."

She feels around the wooden boards walling off the shaft from passers-by, and eventually loosens the one at the very bottom. As she swings it up and away, you can track the telltale scrape of the nail, evidence of previous visits.

"Give me a moment."

She squirms into the newly opened crawlspace, and is swallowed by the darkness. The echo of pained grunts and scattering rocks escapes the portal, followed by the scrape of stone on stone.

"I've got it!"

The echo of the tunnel gives her voice a strangely hollow tone, as though she were speaking from a great distance. However, it is not much longer before a strongbox is thrust through the narrow opening, followed by a dust covered Constance.

"Sorry about that. I usually have a lantern with me for this walk but...circumstances."

She gives a shrug, attempting to make light of her circumstances.

"Now, let's all get paid."

Leaning down, she fumbles for a moment with the heavy padlock holding the strongbox closed. She pats around her skirt for a pocket, clearly less accustomed to her current rustic clothing, but eventually pulls a heavy iron key into the light. It takes several turns to fully release the lock, but it hits the ground with a gratifying thud. Four heavy purses sit inside the box, two of which she hefts up slowly before passing to Reynauld and Rae.

"For your trouble."

She secrets the other two away in her bag.

"Now, please. Get me to the docks."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld was growing increasingly incredulous at the behavior of this girl. He did not consider himself an especially smart man, and was starting to wonder whether he had been somehow duped. Was this all part of the girl's contingency plan? Was Alice's bracelet a plant?

As the girl emerged from the abandoned mine with her hidden stash, Reynauld seemed eager to leave. The dismal locale and the looming observatory unnerved him.

"...Have you considered becoming an adventurer yourself, Constance? You certainly seem to have a knack for it. Hidden treasure stashes, crawling into dangerous places beneath the earth... you'd be right at home in one of those trap-filled cairns.

*sigh* To the docks it is. I'll consider this payment a partial donation to the church of Pelor, and be glad for it."

[PepperP.]

Simone was happy for the donation to their church yet her pleasure was dampened by her ongoing concern for the woman. She had the urge to chastise Reynauld for putting dangerous thoughts of adventure in Constance's head, but she didn't wish to insult the girl by insinuating she was stupid enough to try cairn diving on her own though Simone wasn't certain she wasn't.

"Let's hurry to the docks, the sooner we're on that boat, the safer I'll feel on your behalf." Suddenly feeling responsible for the woman's safety, Simone was anxious to be done with her, provided they could get her to a safe house before they parted ways.

[Othniel]

Corinne

"Yes, the sooner this is taken care of, the better," Corinne agreed. "I'd rather not have any run-ins with mine manager goons, if that could be avoided."

[Jade_Tarem]

"Ahhh, why'd you have to jinx us?" Rae groaned. "I thought bards were supposed to be savvy to that kind of stuff."

[TheDarkDM]

Hefting the substantially increased weight of her pack, Constance shoots Reynauld a quick smile. Somehow, despite her cheery demeanor in their initial meeting, it seems the most genuine expression of joy to cross her face in some time.

"We all dream of it, don't we? Hard not to, with all these empty tombs on every side."

While she had taken the lead in the approach to the abandoned mine, Constance begins to hang back more and more as the group makes its way south. At the first street marking the town limits, she stops pensively. Even at this distance, the lake is visible in the afternoon sunlight. But standing between it and the party is the tangle of Diamond Lake's muddy streets.

"How should we get through?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Rae eyed the streets as well before shrugging. "The shortest and most direct route, of course." The elf looked at the others. "The longer we take trying to be sneaky, the longer the mine managers have to catch on to what we're doing. Their goons know these streets better than we do, and however many of them there are, we'll be outnumbered. I don't think we can clever our way to the pier - our best bet is to just get there before any opposition has time to react."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld had been using his halberd as a walking stick of sorts, and after a moment of consideration nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Let us move with purpose to the docks. Raise up your hood, girl, and pretend like all is business as usual. If these mine managers are as petty and conniving as rumor suggests, they are welcome to test their coin and cutthroats against the stalwart shield of Pelor. Stay close to myself and Miss Rae, and let us seek an end to this affair."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Diplomacy check if this whore needs convincing: (1d20+6)[22]

[TheDarkDM]

Intent on reaching safety before Dourstone's men can organize, the party returns to the Vein. Wrapping herself tightly in her scarf and borrowed cloak, Constance keeps to the center of the group as you move south. Passing the Spinning Giant, you find yourselves once more in view of the Midnight Salute's stable. But now, the glaze of boredom in their eyes has been replaced by the gleam of curiosity. One girl in particular reacts to your passing, sinking back into the shadows and out of sight.

You quicken your pace.

Minutes later, and you've nearly reached the Lakeside Stables when someone emerges from the Salute. At this distance, it is difficult to make out any details beyond the man’s stocky frame, and none hear the sharp intake of breath as he catches sight of you. He locks eyes with Reynauld, duty and self-preservation warring in his stance, and eventually he turns and slinks east. Moments later, you are in the town square.

Even with the sun high in the sky, the central nexus of the Vein is alive with activity. Cuthberitine flagellants have just started to gather for their evening devotions, leather crops in hand. They are jostled rudely, here and there, by miners just getting off their shifts, hard men going in search of hard drink at the Feral Dog. The sheriff’s office is on your right as you skirt the square towards the lake, and some snippets of an argument drift out from the open door.

“What do you mean, you won’t go after them!?”

“Why should we care, Brokk? Chasing a gang of adventurers isn’t in our job description.”

“You were paid good money to care!”

“No, your boss paid us to look the other way when you cut up that whore. We’re not going to help you catch her.”

“But...”

“But nothing! Now get out of my sight before the Sheriff gets back.”

The voices fade in the distance, and suddenly the lake comes into view. The omnipresent haze above its rippling waters distorts the shape of the remaining docks. However, even the haze cannot disguise the ramshackle nature of the pier Constance points towards, an ancient sloop clinging to it like a cancerous growth.

“That’s Durskin’s boat, the Autumn Runner. I hear he only charges a silver, but he can’t know it’s for me.”

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld could feel the tension in his shoulders and neck, but it seemed they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Nevertheless, he kept an eye out toward the town.
"I'll pay the man a gold piece if it'll keep his mouth shut. No reason he needs to know your name at any rate. Shall we then?"

Reynauld strode up to the man and his dubious boat.
"You there, goodman. Are you called Durskin? We require passage across the lake. I'll pay you above your normal rate for speed and discretion."

[Jade_Tarem]

"With a ten percent cut for each question asked." Rae added.

[TheDarkDM]

The pier creaks alarmingly as you set foot on its weathered beams, but miraculously supports your weight as you near the edge of the sloop. An old man in ratty clothes lies on the deck of the boat, a quartet of empty bottles at his feet. His eyes flutter open at Reynauld's voice, but the only reply he can muster is a poisonous belch. This close to the vessel, the stink of urine is unmistakable, and as the old man rises to his feet you swear you see fleas and sea mites dropping from his clothes like dander.

"Aye, I'm Durskin. I can take you 'cross on m'boat."

His foot pounds the deck, and the resultant bobbing nearly trips him over.

"The Runner's a fine ship. Fine ship. I used to sail for the navy, you know. Hard work, but a man could live a life!"

Durskin teeters on the edge of a rambling story, but remembers himself.

"Oh, but, aye. Six of ye? We've only room for six. Lucky coincidence! Come aboard, and tell ole' Durskin where you're headed."

[Jade_Tarem]

To the bottom of the lake, most likely. Rae lets their guest answer, though.

[Othniel]

Corinne

Content to remain in the back of the group, Corinne wrinkled her nose and kept a wary eye on the vermin the old man shed as he moved. She wasn't sure about boats, though it had to be less dangerous than the cairn they'd partially explored.

[TheDarkDM]

Silence hangs in the air after Durskin's invitation, the party awaiting Constance's instruction and Constance unsure of her footing. She fixes a hard gaze on the boatman, and it takes Corinne's cough of distaste to propel her forward. The voice that emerges from the shadows of her hood is husky and raw - the woman clearly has some practice.

"We're going across the lake. To the Cairn of the Green Lady."

Durskin's nose wrinkles at the destination. Hawking, he launches a wad of dull yellow spit into the water.

"The Jasers, eh? What, can't-"

He stops before finishing the question, greed serving him where memory and sense had failed.

"Right. No questions. Climb aboard, and I'll get you safely across. Oh, but..."

He holds out a calloused hand.

"Money first."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld dug into his coin pouch and deposited three gold orbs in the boatman's hand, thankful for his thick leather gloves to avoid skin contact.

"There's more for you when we get to the other side. Passage for myself, my lady, and our young guest," he said, motioning to Simone and Constance.
"We'll rejoin the rest of you upon our return. You should perhaps make sure our... wizard friend is well?" he said to Louise, Rae, and Corinne.

[PepperP.]

Simone

Simone said nothing as Reynauld once again offered payment in her benefit, silently pledging to make it up to him somehow.

"Alright then, payment is settled. Let's not waste any time." She motioned the others into the boat and gave Corrine a commiserating glance, sorry to saddle the woman with the drunk wizard.

"We'll be back as soon as we can."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise blinked as it was suggested she head back.

Feels like I've been out of commission for weeks...

"Actually, I should go on the boat. I've been to the Cairn before. I can help ease the transition."

[TheDarkDM]

The old man's eyes boggle out of his head at the sight of gold anywhere near his rotten pier. Another belch of noxious gas escapes his gaping mouth, and it takes the rank smell to restore his faculties. He reaches forward hesitantly, but when Reynauld doesn't withdraw his hand Durskin snatches the coins up with alacritous greed.

"Right you are, young master. Right this way."

The ship's deck crunches alarmingly as you step aboard, decades of layered grime and the ever-present vermin the inevitable victims of stout boots. Reaching behind one of the long benches abutting the port and starboard rail, Durskin pulls a rusty boat hook from its holster and shoves off from the dock. Despite his feculent appearance, he moves well once the first breeze off the water hits your faces, the years melting away from his body as he slips into the old motions of a practiced sailor. Grey canvas unfurls from the mast and catches the wind, and the shore slips away with surprising speed.

Minutes pass, and as Diamond Lake vanishes into a haze the opposite shore becomes ever clearer. While there is no doubt the water beneath is poison, the infection only lessens with distance from the town. In fifteen minutes, you reach the heart of the lake, only to find yourselves followed by a pair of sinuous gar. Their jagged maws break the surface, and they seem ready to take chunks out of the hull before Durskin appears, boat hook in hand. One swipe takes an eye from the lead fish, and before it can regain its bearings its companion is upon it. They vanish below, leaving only the bloody churn of the aftermath. Watching with strangely-clear eyes, Durskin crows with joy.

"Not today, you muck born bastards! These old bones will die dry!"

There is no further disturbance on the second leg of the journey, and before long you see a small pier jutting out into the water. Unlike the rotting docks left in the wake of Diamond Lake's guttering fishing industry, the boards of this pier seem in good repair, braced on a stone foundation and covered in a thin layer of sand. Durskin pulls alongside and throws a rope across, looping around one of the main beams and pulling his boat snugly alongside. On the shore, you see a path bordered by small stones leading further into the surrounding hills, and though it loops out of sight you catch the faint wisps of cook fires over a ridge.

"Alright, ole' Durskin will wait here for you. Take your time, young masters."

Constance has not sat the entire voyage, the prospect of infestation far outweighing the stiffness in her legs. She is the first to disembark, before turning to offer her hand.

"It's not far now."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld stepped ashore, and gave Durskin a nod. He turned his gaze to Louise.
"You said you have had dealings with the Jasites, Ms. Louise? I will follow your lead, then."

The crusader turned to look at Diamond Lake on the opposite shore, fists on his hips. He frowned, and let out a sigh of resignation.
"...My thanks for holding here, goodman Durskin," he said, "We don't plan on tarrying here long."

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise nodded at Reynauld.

"I lived with them for most of my life, actually - my mother and I were the servants to one of their number, an old wizard named Cornelius. I returned to Diamond Lake when he passed away a few years ago, and have been in Allustan's service ever since. I left the cairn on reasonably good terms, so, knock on wood, there shouldn't be too many problems."

[PepperP.]

Simone

Louise's assurances set Simone's misgivings at ease, even if she did believe the woman would be better off with her parents in the temple.

"That's helpful." She smiled at the older woman.

"We'll follow your lead in that case."

[TheDarkDM]

Taking the lead, Louise retraces her steps from long ago. The path has changed little in the intervening years, the attentions of the cultists having prevented the worst encroachment of nature. It is a gentle rise from the docks, skirting the worst of the jagged hills in a serpentine route. As the lake disappears behind a bend, the stones flanking the path become more elaborate. Here and there, they have been painted an emerald green, and a few even bear faint etchings of Wee Jas' holy symbol. Louise recognizes a few as her own handiwork, each stone left behind as part of a yearly ritual of celebration among adherents of the Green Lady. They are soon joined by wildflowers that seem out of place on the grim slopes, another sign of the cult's devotion. Their fragrance washes clean the lingering stench of Diamond Lake, and eventually intermingles with the smells of an early supper. Rounding a final bend, you see an ancient cairn jutting forth from a hill face directly ahead, its design ancient yet somehow less alien than that of the Whispering Cairn. A scattering of log cabins is spread out around the opening, along with a small granary and even a palisade enclosing the compound. A narrow watch tower rises alongside the open entrance, where a green-robed acolyte begins ringing a small bell to announce visitors. By the time you've reached the camp, a welcoming party has appeared.

There are three of them, all human, and all dressed in identical robes. The green fabric is a shock of vibrant color in the drab landscape, and despite the marks of frontier living each is meticulously groomed. Two are women, the third a man, and all look upon your small group with a wary eye. That is, until one of the women catches sight of Louise. She is older, perhaps of an age with the factotum, and her thin lips spread into a smile.

"Louise!? Goddess, it's been too long. What are you doing here?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

As Louise wound her way up the path, her heart ached with a mix of longing and nostalgia. With as many times as she had taken it before, she knew that she could have traced it blindfolded if need be. In short order, she found herself in the middle of the compound once more, the party in tow. At the woman's greeting, Louise smiled broadly.

"Merida. Blessings be upon you." Louise approached her and clapped her hand upon her shoulder in greeting. "As much as I wish otherwise, I am not here for personal reasons - I am actually here on business."

Louise stepped to the side, gesturing toward Constance.

"Merida, meet Constance. Constance, everyone, this is Merida, assistant to Lady Amariss, the leader of this humble compound." She turned back to Merida. "Constance has found herself dealing with some trouble, and wishes to plead for lodging here."

[TheDarkDM]

Merida's hand finds Louise's shoulder in an identical grasp, her grip as firm as when they were young. However, she looks on Constance with old eyes, shadowed by disappointment and betrayal.

"Oh? One does not run to the Cairn Hills on a whim. What trouble do you bring with you, girl, that you should give me a false name?"

Constance’s expectant smile withers under the new scrutiny. Caught up in the thrill and danger of her escape, only now does she seem to realize the terrible weight of her actions. When her voice emerges, it is neither panicked nor confident, but the whisper of a girl who has lost her way.

"My name...I wasn’t always Constance, ma’am. I used to be Hannah Boyle. The Lady Amariss was there when my pa died, and she..."

Hannah swallows hard.

"She was kind to me. She knew I was all alone, told me there was a place for me here. But I didn’t listen. I thought I could take care of myself. That I should take care of myself."

She and Merida lock eyes, and the older woman’s gaze pierces her like lightning.

"I was wrong. There’s nothing left for me Diamond Lake, nothing but bad memories. Please, I know I have no right to ask, but if there was a place for me back then, maybe..."

She trails off in a silent plea, held transfixed by the older acolyte. Slowly, Merida blinks, exhaling hard as she does so.

“That’s not my decision, girl. It was the Lady Amariss who extended her hand to you - only she can choose to do so again. Follow me into the sanctum, and she’ll sort out everything. The truth. The past. The future.”

Merida looks back towards Louise.

“This shouldn't take long. Feel free to join the others in the main hall, we were just about to gather for supper.”

Merida offers Hannah her hand, and the younger woman clasps it gladly. The two ascend the rough trail towards the ancient cairn, eventually vanishing into the shadowed archway of the barrow’s antechamber. In their wake you are left at the center of the Jasidin settlement as more than two dozen green robed acolytes begin emerging from tents and cabins. They stare at you with no small amount of curiosity, and though the Pelorite symbols on Simone and Reynauld’s clothing draws some hushed whispers several of the cultists beckon you towards a low, peat covered longhouse that dominates the camp. Several long tables line the interior, more it seems than the cult truly needs, for they are able to leave a comfortable space for you to take your leisure. A stew pot bubbles over a central firepit, and the cultists form an orderly line, earthenware bowls in hand. The first ones in line do not claim their stew for themselves, however - they place the bowls before you and rejoin their fellows.

Half and hour passes, surrounded by the low murmurings of the insular cultists. Every now and again, you catch a snippet of conversation. They wonder at your purpose. At the beautiful stranger led up to meet their leader. At how heavily armed you appear, despite the relative peace of the area. For all their curiosity, though, none works up the courage to approach you directly, and you are left to yourselves until Merida steps through the longhouse door. You are easy to spot amid the sea of green, and she approaches Louise with a wan smile.

“It’s done. That young woman told quite the story, with enough truth in it to impress the Lady. Seems you’ve taken up with quite the heroic band, Louise. Hannah has been granted sanctuary, but she’s in seclusion until we figure out if she’s still being hunted. Goddess willing, no one will think to look for her out here. Most people find us too uncanny.”

She waggles her fingers slightly in jest.

“She asked me to convey her gratitude. I think you’ve shown that girl the first kindness she’s known in quite some time. The Lady Amariss also sends her thanks. You are welcome to return at any time. Especially you Louise.”

You part with a smile, and Louise even rates a hug from her old friend. The trail back to the shore is shorter, somehow, than when you arrived, and Louise could almost swear she sees the stones gleaming with faint emerald light at her passing. Surely, just a trick of the light. Miraculously, Durskin and his boat are still waiting for you, and the old man is even sober enough to see you safely back across the lake. The fume of Diamond Lake curls over the surface of the water to welcome you back into its bosom, and you are soon surrounded once more by the malodorous scent of the town. Tying off his boat, Durskin reaches beneath a bench and brushes some lice off a bottle of whiskey before popping the cork and raising a toast.

“To you, great lords. You were never here.”

His wink is almost reassuring.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

In the two bags from Hannah's stash, you find a combination of 77 gp, 163 sp, and 330 cp.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld secured the bags of coin in his pack, his face a scowl.
"Ill-gotten gains indeed. Well, perhaps now we'll put this money to a better cause."
He strode away from the docks, keeping an eye out for lingering thugs or cutthroats.
"We should return to the others. I'm concerned about our wizard: she chose a poor time for a bacchanal. In the interim, we ought to plan on restocking our supplies and getting ready to return to our original task, yes?"

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

As the party left the cairn, Louise turned back to Merida, a sad smile on her face.

"If all goes well with our quest, Merida, I pray that I may never have to see Diamond Lake again - but regardless of what happens, I shall not forget the kindness you or the others showed me over the years. If we do see each other again, hopefully it shall be under good circumstances."

On the other side of the lake, she nodded at Reynauld.

"Now that we know there is at least something to be had, and we have a fairly decent amount of spare change on hand, I think we can stock up on an ample amount of provisions; enough, hopefully, that we need not make a return trip until we have combed the entirety of the ruins. As for Cordellia, I wouldn't worry too much - with the amount she drank, I'd be surprised if she could do anything more than just sit there sleeping."​

[TheDarkDM]

Inside the Spinning Giant, Corinne finds herself conflicted. Every performer in Diamond Lake has dreamed of commanding an audience's undivided attention atop the Giant's round. Unfortunately, the crowd barely fills one corner of the tavern. More unfortunately, the performance they find so engaging is Corinne's valiant effort to keep Cordellia from launching herself from a tower of chairs at the edge of the stage. The elven wizard had not slowed the pace of her private celebration with the departure of the party, and in the interim had become convinced she could survive any fall. Shouting the slurred words of a filthy elven drinking song, she strains with all her might against Corinne's hold on her coattails, pausing only to regain her increasingly perilous balance atop the chairs. Without warning, the door slams open, freezing the two women in tableau as a middle aged man in red robes beneath a stupendous beard strides inside.

"Cordellia? What in Boccob's name are you doing up there, girl."

The drunken elf's gaze swims between Corinne and Allustan briefly, and she straightens herself as if you respond with some dignity. But before she can speak, something hitches at the back of her throat, and a monstrous sneeze sends her toppling towards the floor. Only for her to be caught in gentle air as the feather-graven ring flashes with silver light.

"Cordellia? Cordellia!?"

His stern demeanor momentarily forgotten, Allustan rushes towards his apprentice's side. She lies unmoving on the worn floorboards, save for an occasional ugly snore. Asleep, only asleep. Crisis averted, Allustan's attentions rise towards Corinne.

"Forgive me, but who are you exactly?"

[Othniel]

Corinne

"My name is Corinne Vaillancourt, my lord," the Bard answered wearily. "I am a recent acquaintance of Cordellia. Is she always...this way?" Corinne gestured for emphasis at the insensate elf laying upon the floor.

[TheDarkDM]

The bearded man does not answer immediately. Instead, he ponders Cordellia's insensate form a long moment, a restless hand drumming absently on the table.

"Not always, no. She is capable of introspection and focus, but they do not come to her naturally. Elven longevity grants many of them a degree of perspective, but in Cordellia it has instead fed a sense of invincibility that I worry will be sorely tested."

He finally turns his attention fully to Corinne, his green eyes gazing deep into hers.

"But where are my manners? I am Allustan Neff, Cordellia's master. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Vaillancourt."

He casts a quick gaze around the room, though he studiously avoids the bartender's baleful gaze.

"I must say, it was something of a relief when they sent a boy to fetch me. Cordellia and my assistant disappeared several days ago on a rather vague errand, and I was beginning to fear for their safety. I don't suppose you happen to know..."

There is a low creak from the front door as it gives way to a heavy hand, revealing Reynauld with the rest of the party in tow. Having turned towards the sudden noise, Allustan's eyes widen at the sight of Louise.

"Louise? Well, speak of the devil. Where have the two of you been?"