Preaching to the Choir
The party leaves the tavern and makes their way deeper into Gulltown. Their first stop is to purchase some warmer clothes for their upcoming trek into the mountains. Along the way they discuss some potential locations for this “Fire Lake.”
Upon entering a busier part of town, they come across a preacher standing on a crate speaking to a small crowd.
“There is a coming war, friends! Repent now, reaffirm your allegiance to The Seven! Those in the North with their Old Gods will descend their peaks and attempt to replace us! They will destroy us all without the Father’s justice for us in life as well as death…”
The group of listeners yell in affirmation.
“… the Mother’s mercy for our war to achieve peace…”
The group calls out with more fervor.
“… the Maiden to preserve our innocence…”
“… the Crone’s lantern to guide our way and present the right path…”
“… the Warrior to grant us strength and courage while in battle…”
“… the Smith’s blessings to give strength to our weaponry…”
“… and the Stranger…”
The crowd does not cheer this face of the Seven as emphatically. One man in the crowd scoffs loudly.
“Oh yes, friends! We must have the Stranger’s blessings as well! To spare us as he sees fit and to take the fallen through the unknown!”
He seems to have won the crowd back.
“Repent! Reclaim your Faith! All Hail the Seven!”
He then bows his head and speaks softly, forcing the listeners to focus on his words.
“Now, friends, we must get the best to fight this fight. As such, I must humbly ask for donations to build this force for The Seven… in the name of Arryn! For The Eyrie!”
A few people toss in some copper coins.
Aran is somewhat moved by the speech and tosses an electrum into the small pile of coins. The preacher thanks him.
PREACHER: All of you throw copper, this man throws electrum! Do I see any silver? Do I see any gold?
Much of the crowd disperses after this comment.
QARZ: The Faith of the Seven is quite strong here.
PREACHER: It is! Yes! You must be from out of town. Would you like to hear more?
Qarzdaq tells him that he would actually like to learn more about the Seven and the Eyrie. The preacher begins to tell him about the Seven, beginning with the Father.
QARZ: But, why not just have one god that does everything?
PREACHER: That is just not how it is. Why not have all of one’s family incorporated into a single individual? It is the group together that forms a family.
QARZ: Sounds complicated.
PREACHER: Perhaps a little, but so is life.
QARZ: Is there a temple for each one?
PREACHER: All Seven are worshipped at a single temple known as a Sept. It is a structure with 7 facets, each representing one of the Faith.
QARZ: I see. Would you know anything about Fire Lake? Or a lake of fire?
PREACHER: Lake of Fire. I have heard some stories, but they are just that. I’ve never seen it; I’ve never heard of anyone going to visit it.
Qarzdaq probes on what he knows, and the preacher tells him about something involving pillar fights… or something of the like.
PREACHER: There was one other one… how did it go…? Ah yes… Like kinds bring life within the Lake of Fire. I’m not sure what it means exactly.
ROLAN: Is that a R’hllor kind of thing?
PREACHER: R’hllor… the so-called fire god? No, no, no. I should think not. R’hllor does not exist in these parts, thank you much.
QARZ: No Lord of Light over here?
PREACHER: You say that with affection.
QARZ: I do! I’m rather fond of the Lord of Light!
ARAN: Blasphemy.
The preacher nods at Aran.
PREACHER: Blasphemy indeed.
Qarzdaq chuckles to himself.
ROLAN: Do you have any indication of where this Fire Lake might be, if it did exist?
PREACHER: I don’t. The stories go back quite a ways, but they’ve always just been stories.
QARZ: This whole Fire Lake thing sounds right up R’hllor’s alley.
PREACHER: That may be why no one’s ever seen it.
QHOR: Which of your Seven is the God of Fire?
PREACHER: There is no God of Fire. Fire is an element harnessed by many of the Seven. Fire gives us strength by The Father. Fire is used by The Smith to forge steel. Fire can bring death by way of The Stranger…
QARZ: But who produces the fire from the clouds?
PREACHER: The sun?
QARZ: Lightning.
PREACHER: Oh, well that is a matter of accumulated static electricity that, once the potential difference becomes great enough, arcs over a great distance over the path of least resistance.
The party laughs at this crazy notion.
QHOR: It is from the Great Stallion! He will soon mount the world!
PREACHER: The only thing the Stallion is going to mount is the Warrior’s fist!
Qhortho’s confusion turns to anger.
PREACHER: Look, if you’re not going to donate, I ask that you move along. I have a mission to fulfil.
ROLAN: Is there anyone else we could speak to about Fire Lake?
PREACHER: I can point you in the direction of the person who has talked about it most to me… For a donation to the cause, of course?
He jingles the pan of coins.
ARAN: I gave you an electrum.
PREACHER: Yes, and that was out of pure faith. And I thank you greatly! You will get that back for eternity!
Rolan tosses in a silver.
PREACHER: Thank you. Just head up to the weapon shop around the corner and tell him Jhynt sent you.
Rumors, Rumors
They leave for the weapon shop and once they arrive they take note of a bustling tavern across the street with a beautifully ornate stained-glass door.
Entering the shop, Aran heads straight for the man working.
ARAN: Good day. What is your best weapon? The good stuff. What do you have that’s amazing?
WEAP MSTR: Best? I mean… it depends on your fighting style. Let’s see, for you? I see you have a glaive.
ARAN: It’s actually a guandao.
WEAP MSTR: Oh from across the Narrow Sea?
ARAN: Yeah. I picked it up from a port town. Do you have anything made from Valyrian steel?
WEAP MSTR: I’m sorry I don’t. Those weapons are mostly kept by the major houses across Westeros and in Valyria.
Aran asks about magic weapons and anything that is out of the ordinary. The weapon master states that magic is not really his thing.
ARAN: I see. Well, Jhynt sent us here. He said you might know the answers to a few questions about the Lake of Fire.
WEAP MSTR: Oh yeah. I mean they’re just stories. Every now and then another rumor will go around. I’ve heard a few over the years.
ARAN: We’re actually in search of it. Can you tell us what you’ve heard?
The weapon master goes on to tell about a friend that went in search of it. He goes on to state the following riddle-like rumors:
- Pass through the portal and have a pillar fight at the Lake of Fire
- Like kinds bring life within the Lake of Fire
- Brimstone and pearl rest long alike under the Fire Lake
- Lake crafted of light leads to loss and grants renewal
- Stone carved and the unnatural sleeps within a lake made of flames
- Lakes of Fire, shapes of water, cold colors unite
- A giant’s eye provides the sight to fire in the snow
ARAN: I wonder if it has to do with a volcano or activity like that.
The weapon master tells of Dragonmont but adds that no one steps foot on that island.
ARAN: We’ve been there.
WEAP MSTR: Have you??
QHOR: Yes!
ARAN: There’s a dragon there.
WEAP MSTR: What?? Then the rumors ARE true!
ARAN: We saw him light some people on fire.
QHOR: And I killed a dragon.
WEAP MSTR: You killed a fucking dragon?? What the fuck?!
ARAN: Yeah, check out his armor!
WEAP MSTR: Holy shit!
QHOR: You’re dealing with some bad motherfuckers.
WEAP MSTR: They say that a man who has to say he is the leader, is not a leader.
QHOR: Yes. A man who must say he is king, is no king.
Slightly confused, the weapon master states it more plainly.
WEAP MSTR: A man who must say he is badass, is not badass.
QHOR: Indeed.
Now more confused, the weapon master looks at him quizzically. He decides it is best to change the subject.
WEAP MSTR: Is there anything else I can do for you?
Qarzdaq shows his map of the region and asks for where his friend had been. The weapon master points out several locations and also shows where his friend thought it is likely to be. He says that the area had not been checked because it is in a treacherous area to climb and the area had not been scouted before.
Based on this information, they decide on a destination.
QARZ: I think that is it then. Please take this electrum for your time.
ROLAN: Actually, there is something else. Would you happen to have any weirwood bows?
WEAP MSTR: Ah, a man of taste. I actually do have one and I’d rather get rid of it.
They negotiate a price and complete the transaction. Rolan notices that it is much lighter than he expected, but it seems to flex quite a bit. This will probably take a little getting used to.
They leave the weapon shop and are about to enter the tavern across the street when Rolan speaks up.
ROLAN: We should probably stock up on potions. We have no idea what we’re going to face up there and we probably want to get an early out.
The group agrees and they head to the potion shop.
Weaselly But Helpful
Behind the counter is a weaselly man wearing a thin black cloak. He is wringing his hands slightly when the party walks in.
APOTHECARY: Welcome, welcome. What can I do for you, friends?
Rolan asks about the healing potion selection and is surprised to hear that all qualities of healing potions are available here. Before deciding on healing potions, Rolan enquires about poisons.
The apothecary looks around the shop at the other patrons and can tell they are not paying any attention.
They discuss Purple Worm poison, but the apothecary does not have any. He adds that if the party were to gather some, he would potentially be a buyer for his experiments. He tells them that the swampy area of The Neck is a known breeding ground for the great creatures.
He does, however, have a few other poisons; some for coating weaponry, some for ingesting, some for inhaling.
They discuss a few options with the apothecary and settle on 4 vials of truth serum, 1 for each of them.
They request a deal to “rent” one of the poisons.
APOTHECARY: Rent a poison?? You play with words!
ARAN: Well, we’re not really sure if we’re going to need it. If we bring it back within an hour, will you buy it back at a higher price than normal?
APOTHECARY: If it is within an hour and you buy more potions, then I will agree to such a deal. If you take more than one hour, the price will drop.
ARAN: We’ll see.
APOTHECARY: I may not buy it at all.
Aran laughs maniacally, for some reason.
The apothecary looks at him and joins in on the laughter.
APOTHECARY: I like your style…
The rest of the group looks slightly puzzled, but they move on.
They begin bargaining for bright red healing potions when Qhortho steps in. He tells the apothecary that they will tell of this shop far and wide if they could pay just a few gold less.
QHOR: You will have customers lined up out the door!
The apothecary is not swayed by the offer, but he does reduce the price slightly, but only if they buy more than 15 potions. They end purchasing 26 bright red potions in total.
APOTHECARY: I also have this potion.
He shakes it gently, causing it to sparkle.
APOTHECARY: It looks like a healing potion, but its effects are quite the opposite.
QHOR: Poison is a woman’s weapon.
He turns and briskly walks out into the street. The apothecary turns to Rolan.
APOTHECARY: He’s not going to tell anyone, right?
ARAN: Nah, he’s probably already forgotten.
Before they leave, Rolan asks about Fire Lake, but the potion dealer knows nothing of such a place.
QARZ: What about a pillar fight?
APOTHECARY: Pillow fight?
ROLAN: Yeah, do you want to pillow fight with us?
The man blushes slightly.
APOTHECARY: Oh no no no. No pillow fight. But thank you for asking!
The pitch of his voice raises at the end, indicating that he might be willing if asked under different circumstances.
ARAN: Sounds like you’re from the Grass Sea.
The man looks puzzled and uncomfortable. He thanks them for coming in and tells them they are welcome back if they need to restock.
ARAN: Great. Well we’ll see you in an hour… or two…
APOTHECARY: Nuh nuh nuh….
Aran smirks to him as the last walking out the door.
Travers and the Dark Stranger
They enter the tavern known as the Easterly Easy.
Rolan’s intent is to head straight to the toilets to make some more truth serum. However, upon entering, everyone except Qhortho notices a slender man looking at the group as they enter. He is sitting with a couple of other men and seems to recognize the Assembly, though none of the Assembly recognize him.
Rolan speaks up softly.
ROLAN: Hey guys, there’s a guy at a table over there giving us the side-eye.
Aran and Qarzdaq say that they noticed it too, but none of them know who he is.
The man gets up and strides through the crowd, directly towards the group.
STRANGER: Excuse me. Are you the group known as The Unlikely Assembly?
The man speaks in a slow drawl with eerily soft tones.
ARAN: Depends on who’s asking.
STRANGER: The name’s Travers. I’ve heard stories far and wide. If half the stories are half true, you are quite impressive!
QHOR: You are correct.
ARAN: They are probably half true.
QHOR: We are the Unlikely Assembly. It is one of our many titles.
TRAVERS: Ah, you have others? I’d love to hear more about…
ARAN: How have you heard of us?
TRAVERS: I’m a purveyor of information of sorts. Stories spread of a Dothraki, a Volantine, and a couple of Westerosi, it’s not so hard to pick you out in a crowd now is it?
ARAN: It’s funny because most people don’t seem to put the pieces together so you must be a wise man indeed.
TRAVERS: That actually brings me to why I come to you now. When I saw you, a thought popped into my mind. Maybe you are the solution to a little problem I have.
Aran looks over his allies’ faces, seeing light skepticism but no outright refusal.
QHOR: Some have called us the Gang of Solutionists.
TRAVERS: I see, I see. From Dorne then.
ARAN: Well, we’re travelers. I have not actually been there personally. I’d lik eto get there at some point but I hear it is a warzone right now.
TRAVERS: Yes, yes, it is. Just a moment.
He throws his arm up towards the bar and orders 3 steins of meade. He bows his head and lowers his voice.
TRAVERS: Look, I asked a friend to do this, but it seems like he’s flaked out on me… Not exactly out of character. Ok, here goes. You see those two guys at the table I was just at? Don’t… don’t… don’t look now. Well, they’re a couple of fairies… You know… fags… They’ve got my candlestick holders and they won’t give them back. Who the hell knows what they’ve been using them for… with these types, I never put nothin past them… Not to say there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just not my bag… We are all friends, I mean you can see we’re having a fine time. I think they’re holding on to them really…
QHOR: FRIEND! I don’t think you understand what kind of problems we solve!
His raised voice garners the attention of nearby patrons.
TRAVERS: Alright alright, I’m getting to…
ARAN: What do these candlestick holders actually do?
TRAVERS: Ah, right to the point. I like that. It doesn’t really matter what they do. They’re mine, and I want them back. I think they’re just keeping them from me to get under my skin in a snarky sort of way. I can keep them here for a little longer, but I want them back.
QHOR: Look. You need to talk to the town guards. We do not bother with such trivial tasks.
TRAVERS: Hold up, hold up now.
He seems to be getting a little agitated and is speaking somewhat more quickly.
TRAVERS: I don’t want to make this a whole thing. Come on fellas. You know how it is. You don’t need to go to the law every time there’s a little squabble, do you? Like I said, I had a friend who was going to do this, but he’s not here right now.
QHOR: Have you tried kicking their asses?
TRAVERS: No, I don’t want to have a whole confrontation. They’re keeping them purposely to provoke that. Plus, that’s not my style. I want them to know I was able to get them back and there was nothing they could do about it.
ARAN: Why would they be doing that?
TRAVERS: It’s just these types… you know these types…
ROLAN: What are you hoping that we will do?
TRAVERS: I just want them back. So if you just go over to where they live, I know where they hide their key, it’s just under the mat. No one will ever know. It’ll be the easiest 2 silver you’ve ever earned, but your gonna hafta go now and do it quick. I don’t know how long I can keep them here.
Upon hearing the bounty, Aran spontaneously erupts in laughter.
ARAN: Two silver?!
Aran snatches 2 silver from his bag and throws it on the ground.
ARAN: You think I give a shit about 2 silver?!
Travers recoils slightly as the others laugh at the spectacle and draw even more attention.
ARAN: This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
TRAVERS: Perhaps I do you a favor instead. You have anything in need of doing? I’m pretty good at gathering information.
QARZ: Maybe the location of Fire Lake?
Travers tells them that he can find out what they need within a couple of hours, but he would need the candlestick holders to divulge the information to them. They agree and Travers provides additional instructions.
TRAVERS: Now remember, it’s an apartment in the residential building around the corner and it’s the unit labeled with an X and an I. They leave the key under the mat, so it should be easy to get into.
Travers walks back to his table with his 3 drinks.
Rolan and Aran leave for the restroom to make truth serum. Seeing it as currently empty, they immediately pour all 4 vials into the Grail of Julian and slowly pour it into empty vials, giving the Grail time to fill back up. They fill 13 vials then empty the remaining into the corral of piss.
While they are gone, another patron leans over to Qarzdaq.
STRANGER: Did I hear you talking about Fire Lake?
QARZ: Yeah, do you have information about where it might be?
STRANGER: Unfortunately not, but the stories always interested me. I mean, with so many rumors, it’s gotta exist right?
QARZ: That’s exactly what I’m thinking. If you were to go looking for it, given the information you know now, where might you go first?
The man reasons through some of the rumors and says he believes it would have to be an actual lake and that limits the terrain a bit. He says that it could be molten rock, which would literally be a liquid embodiment of fire, but he seems to think it might be a lake that can actually catch fire.
QARZ: I was thinking it might be a cave somewhere.
STRANGER: Ah, yeah that’s a thought. Somewhere in the mountains then.
QARZ: This whole place is mountains though!
STRANGER: Exactly – probably why no one knows its location!
QARZ: Someone has to have been there to tell the stories though.
STRANGER: This is true. So you’re going to seek it out?
QARZ: Yeah, it’s the kind of thing we like to do.
STRANGER: Ah. What else do you like to do? If you don’t mind me asking, that is…
QARZ: Ah, well, you know. Buy potions, drink ales.
STRANGER: I don’t care for potions much myself. I don’t want to waste time drinking something that isn’t going to make me drunk.
QARZ: You ever hunt purple worm?
The man is completely surprised by the question.
STRANGER: Whoa, ha! No way! You crazy?? Those things are huge!
Aran and Rolan walk up as the conversation continues about purple worms.
They decide it is time to leave and bid farewell to their new friend. As they are leaving, Qhortho is last out the door and finds his arm hooked by another man’s arm. Qhortho is caught off-guard by this but ready to deck the guy who thinks he can lay hands on him.
The slim man wears a dark gray floppy-brimmed hat. In a deep scruffy voice, he asks Qhortho if he’d like a drink.
QHOR: Uh…
The pause is enough time to create some distance between himself and the rest of his group who are now out in the street.
QHOR: Who are you?
STRANGER: My name is Dexanger.
QHOR: Yeah, alright…
They both approach the bar.
DEXANGER: Barkeep, 2 of your finest brown.
As the beer is being placed in front of you…
DEXANGER: You know, on second thought, perhaps another time. Be careful out there.
He slides a small object about an inch in diameter to Qhortho and gets up with his beverage. He then walks over to the same table where Travers is sitting where they greet him as a friend.
Qhortho looks at the object more closely before leaving the bar. It is a small glass object with some fresh scratches.
Qhortho leaves the bar and notices his friends entering the potion shop.
The Apartment
Aran is the first into the potion shop.
ARAN: We’re back! And here are your 4 potions.
APOTHECARY: Ok, a deal is a deal. I am believing that you did not tamper with them.
They leave the potion shop just as Qhortho approaches.
QHOR: As we were leaving the tavern, some guy grabbed my arm, offered me a drink, then changed his mind. But he gave me this weird glass coin thing. He was with that other guy.
He hands it to Qarzdaq.
ARAN: You check your pockets?
Qhortho scrambles to check for his belongings. He does not notice anything missing.
ARAN: Are you sure he was with them?
QHOR: Yeah, he sat down with Trav… Travis… whatever his name was… and the other guys. He sat down with them after he gave me that thing.
Qarzdaq gets the feeling that this is a lens of some sort. He looks through it and doesn’t see much magnification, but the scratches on the surface definitely make this worthless as a magnifier anyway.
QARZ: I don’t know what this is, but I have a feeling we should hold on to this.
ARAN: Yeah, this is getting a little weird with these guys and this job.
They discuss some options for getting the candlesticks then leave to find the apartment building.
When they round the corner, it’s fairly obvious which building it is. They enter the unlocked building to find it in pretty bad shape. Entering the main hall, many pin holes in the ceiling allow sunlight to stream down. They immediately begin looking for the apartment marked with an X and an I – number 11 for the learned.
ROLAN: Guys…. Traps. Keep an eye out.
They cautiously proceed, finding nothing obviously trapped, and it doesn’t take long to find the apartment. In front, a mat; under the mat, a key with an unusually wide round loop at the end. It looks as if the loop was recently attached to the key with some shoddy attempt at metalwork.
ROLAN: Hey. Does that glass object fit in that opening?
They put the glass object up to the loop and it fits very well. They snap it into the key and find nothing else to do except open the apartment.
Aran inserts the key and turns. He immediately notices one of the pinholes in the ceiling shine light directly on his hand. Before pushing open the door, he moves his hand away to allow the light to shine on the glass.
On the ground, the light projects a crude drawing of a tea kettle on the floor.
Rolan and Qarzdaq also notice it just as Aran push the door open.
The 40 foot by 60 foot single room apartment is dark room as heavy drapes cover the single window just above the mattress in the corner.
A few items are scattered across the floor as if someone was searching for something but stopped midway through. They either found what they were looking for or were interrupted. There don’t appear to be signs of a struggle.
Aran closes the door behind them, throws up his awareness Ioun Stone, and pulls out his guandao.
ARAN: Guys, there was a tea kettle projected by that lens, I think that’s what we’re looking for. I don’t like that this place looks a little roughed up though.
Qarzdaq, with his darkvision, sees the disheveled rug in the middle of the room and searches under it.
Rolan tries to get some light in here and opens the drapes. Where a window should be is completely bricked up. A hole drilled in the brick sheds light on the entire bed and about a foot around it.
Aran puts the lens up to this hole, which projects a large tea kettle on the bed. It’s clear that this was a very rushed attempt, though certainly good enough to identify the object.
They search under the bed and do not find anything. It seems like it hasn’t been moved in quite some time.
They all start searching the pots and pans that are scattered around the room before moving to the cabinets. In one of the cabinets Aran finds a tea kettle, undisturbed, with 2 candlesticks behind it.
Aran grabs the candlesticks, but as he does, the tea kettle disappears in a puff of mist.
ARAN: I’ve got them guys, let’s get out of here! We did it!
The Coolest Guy in the World
They turn towards the door and watch the mist that was the tea kettle transform into a man blocking the door. The tall man is well-dressed and seemingly unarmed.
ARAN: What was the deal there? What just happened?
QHOR: Who are you?
Qhortho immediately places his hand on the hilt of his blade.
The man clears his throat.
STRANGER: What, may I ask, are you doing in my home?
ARAN: This is your home?
QHOR: We were sent here to recover stolen property.
ARAN: Someone told us these were stolen from him.
STRANGER: Stolen?
ARAN: That’s what we were told. Is that not the case?
STRANGER: Obviously not. They are sitting in my cupboard.
ARAN: You live here? We were told a couple of other people live here.
STRANGER: I don’t know what to tell you about that.
QHOR: HOW THE HELL DID YOU TURN INTO A TEA KETTLE?!
STRANGER: I did not turn INTO a tea kettle. I turned FROM a tea kettle.
ARAN: Our intent is not to steal from you.
STRANGER: So what brings you here then?
Aran tells him about the job they were hired for with Qhortho jumping in here and there.
STRANGER: So then there is no reason for you to be leaving with MY candlesticks.
QHOR: As far as I’m concerned, you’re a thief!
STRANGER: The only thieves here are the ones I see before me.
ARAN: I have a truth serum. Would you be willing to take it? We want to do the right thing, we just don’t know what the right thing is… and now I’m confused.
STRANGER: Well, I’ll clear it up a little. You’re not leaving with those candlestick holders.
QHOR: We’ve already got them.
STRANGER: You’ve not left here yet.
In an attempt to calm the situation a bit, the man continues.
STRANGER: Look. We’re just talking.
ARAN: Yeah… but… you’re like this weird little thing…
STRANGER: Little?
ARAN: I mean, you’re bigger now, but you were just short and stout.
The man lets out a soft burst of laughter.
STRANGER: You seem like capable fellows. It would be to my liking if you’d be MY protectors, but…
QARZ: I don’t think we caught your name.
STRANGER: Ah yes, it is Vyctor. And yours?
Qarzdaq, Aran, and Rolan each introduce themselves, but Qhortho remains silent.
ARAN: I just want to find out more about what’s going on.
VYCTOR: I’m not sure who sent you, but you are not leaving here with those candlesticks.
Qhortho asks about the guys who sent them again. Vyctor looks at him blankly.
ARAN: But since the candlesticks are yours, you know what might be so special about them. Could you tell us something so we can put the pieces together about why these other guys might want to steal them from you?
Vyctor looks at Aran and realizes he needs to divulge more than he has.
VYCTOR: I’ll level with you. I am bound here to protect those.
ARAN: Do you want to be bound?
VYCTOR: Perhaps we can work out a deal. If you can get the owner of the apartment building to invite me into his residence, I’ll be able to walk out of here.
ARAN: Does he have to explicitly invite you in? Or can I have the teapot in my coat?
VYCTOR: He must explicitly invite me in or else I cannot enter that area.
ROLAN: Are you a vampire??
VYCTOR: Hey, hey, hey now. Let’s not throw around derogatory terms here.
QHOR: Yeah, I mean he does seem like a good guy.
Rolan backs up slowly and sits on the bed in the stream of sunlight.
VYCTOR: And as long as you don’t leave with those candlestick holders, then you are free to leave. I won’t stand in your way.
ARAN: I mean, I guess that seems fair.
QHOR: Those guys obviously lied to us.
ARAN: They definitely lied to us. That guy was sleazy as hell. We should just leave the candlesticks here and go talk to that guy. We can always come back.
QARZ: Yeah, maybe that makes sense.
VYCTOR: Like I said, if I am able to leave, what you do after that is on your own accord.
ARAN: So would we then get the candlesticks?
VYCTOR: No, but I would not be here to witness what might occur. So though I am bound to protect them, I get the sense that you have seen these belong here and that you would not come back. Isn’t that right?
ARAN: Definitely.
VYCTOR: I’ll admit, I could really use a drink though.
ROLAN: I bet you could.
Vyctor disregards the comment. He takes the candlesticks from Aran and places them back in the cupboard.
QARZ: Before we go, I’d like to know more about why you cannot enter the apartment building.
VYCTOR: Oh… it’s a zoning issue of sorts… They placed a bed in one of the back corners and the owner claimed it as a residence, separate from the residences of the apartment holders. As such, I cannot be invited into that area, and I have no other way of leaving this room.
ARAN: So if we knock out that bricked area, you would just leave?
VYCTOR: In a heartbeat.
Aran walks back to the cupboard and removes the candlesticks.
VYCTOR: I said you are not leaving with those. Kindly place them back where they were. You are making me second-guess your intentions and if I do not believe you will leave them here, I am still bound to protect them.
Qhortho looks at the bricked-up window and charges at it, kicking it with all his might. As he makes contact it momentarily glimmers brightly. Qhortho falls onto the mattress.
ARAN: Let me get a go at it.
Aran slams the wall with the blade of his guandao with extreme force only to be rebounded with as much force. The wall glimmers as it did before. In looking at the guandao, the staff is now partially cracked.
Qhortho retrieves his wand of detect magic and finds that the bricked-up window is magically-infused. He also notices that the rest of the walls appear to have the same treatment.
QHOR: We got some special stuff here guys… something’s fucky fellas…
Qarzdaq retrieves his cracked Chime of Opening. He points it at the window area and gives it a good ring. It gives a solid and resounding “BONG” but nothing happens to the wall. The Chime doesn’t crack further, so he’s got that going for him.
QARZ: Hey, what happens if we just move the bed from the hall so it is no longer a residence?
VYCTOR: Hmmm… I am doubtful, but if you are willing to try…
They leave the room and find the bed. They drag the bed into the apartment and ask Vyctor to try leaving the room. He tries, but he is stopped in his tracks at the doorway.
QARZ: Maybe the alchemist has a potion of dispel magic or something.
ROLAN: Maybe he has some wooden stakes…
Rolan is met with Vyctor’s gaze.
VYCTOR: Now I’m not so sure about letting you leave…
QHOR: Rolan… come on… we don’t need anything like that. He’s been quite cordial.
ARAN: Yeah, seriously. What are you thinking? We’re in his house.
Qarzdaq thinks he just saw Vyctor charm Rolan. He thinks quickly, joining the side of those that want to leave immediately.
QARZ: Yeah, I agree. Let’s follow up with Travers and see if we can find something to dispel this window.
VYCTOR: Hold just a minute. What is this you said about stakes?
ROLAN: Stakes? Oh that was just a joke. But thinking of steaks, maybe we could bring you back one?
VYCTOR: I’ll take mine rare.
Rare Scrolls and Rarer Meat
They leave the apartment with Aran, Qhortho, and Rolan all speaking about how Vyctor was a really nice guy. Qarzdaq is now putting the pieces together that all 3 of them might be charmed. Shit… How long will this last? He knows he can’t mention anything about killing Vyctor now or else he might have to fight a vampire AND his allies. There’s no way he can win that fight.
They enter the potion shop, but the apothecary directs them to a shop around the corner that scribes arcane scrolls.
In the course of the conversation, Qhortho and Aran tell the apothecary about this great guy that lives in apartment XI around the corner.
QARZ: Do you have any potions to wake someone from being charmed?
APOTHECARY: I’m sorry, but I do not.
The apothecary thanks them for the information and they make way for the scroll shop.
QARZ: I’d like a scroll to dispel magic… and also, could you point me towards the local butcher shop?
The scribe writes out the scroll and provides the directions to the butcher, where they arrive minutes later.
QARZ: You got, like, a really rare steak?
BUTCHER: Well, they’re all really rare… which I suppose makes them quite common!
The butcher finds himself very amusing having thought of this all by himself.
QARZ: Yes, well… Could I get some blood sausages and perhaps a jug of pig’s blood? We’re making a traditional Dothraki dish tonight.
They finalize the transaction and once back out on the street Qarzdaq addresses the others.
QARZ: I’m going to run back to the apartment and give Vyctor the blood, just so he knows we’re on the up and up. Do you guys want to go find Travers and Dexanger?
QHOR: Yeah, that sounds good. Tell him I said hi!
QARZ: Will do. I’ll meet you back at the tavern.
Veracity at Last
Aran, Qhortho, and Rolan walk into the Easterly Easy and see Travers and the 3 other people sitting at the same table where they were earlier.
Aran strides in with great authority. As he walks up to the table, he retrieves a truth serum from his bag and attempts to jam it down Travers’s throat. Travers squirms at the last moment and it spills all over him.
Dexanger jumps up and takes a step backward. The other two men at the table are caught entirely off-guard. None of them make any move to arm themselves.
TRAVERS: Hey, hey, hey fellas! What’ going on here?! Take it easy guys…
ARAN: You’re coming outside with us right now.
Dexanger slowly shakes his head in disappointment.
Qhortho points at Dexanger.
QHOR: You outside too!
They follow Aran’s orders without hesitation, but Qhortho grabs Dexanger’s arm to ensure compliance.
Aran demands Qhortho’s truth serum then pins Travers down. Although Travers continues to struggle, it’s of no use. Aran promptly administers the serum to Travers.
He sputters and chokes.
TRAVERS: Fellas, I’m not sure why this is necessary…
Aran holds up a piece of green cloth.
ARAN: I am going to kill you if you say this is green. I am going to kill you if you do not answer. Now… what color is this? All you have to do is say this is blue. But what you say must be the answer to my question. What color is this cloth?
TRAVERS: But, it’s clearly… Why would I? … B.. b… but…
ARAN: Say it now or you’re dead!
TRAVERS: Well alright, it’s bl…
He looks a little bewildered.
TRAVERS: It’s bl…
He knows exactly what’s going on here now. He has no choice…
TRAVERS: it’s… it’s… but it’s not blue though!
He trails off and looks to the side, scrunching his eyes. His body relaxes beneath Aran’s weight, surrendering to his fate.
Aran relaxes as well and stands up.
ARAN: I’m sorry I had to do that Travers. I’m not going to kill you. I just had to make sure the serum was working.
Travers gets up and brushes soot off his clothes.
TRAVERS: This is NOT ok with me!
QHOR: Well, we’re not ok with being lied to! And being sent on some petty mission!
TRAVERS: P…. petty mission?!
ARAN: You sent us into somebody’s house and he’s obviously living there!
Travers looks around nervously at the random faces turning their direction. He lowers his voice.
TRAVERS: Look, fellas, do we have to make this such a big spectacle? Let’s bring this back to civility alright?
QHOR: You made this a spectacle when you involved us!
Rolan is just leaning against the tavern wall, taking it all in, while quietly greeting patrons as they are about to enter the establishment.
Aran and Qhortho continue barraging Travers with various questions and demanding answers immediately without giving Travers any time to do so. Although he is under the effects of the truth serum and cannot tell a lie, he is under no obligation to speak an answer. However, Travers is clearly flustered at this point due to the hostility and, combined with his verbose nature, winds up being good for the Assembly’s cause.
ARAN: Who do those candlestick holders belong to?!
TRAVERS: They… They’re… They’re m…
He can’t seem to get the next word out of his mouth. He gives up and when he does, the word “Jarhuyn” comes from his mouth. He immediately looks into Aran’s eyes with shock.
ARAN: Jarhuyn huh?
TRAVERS: Wait just a minute now…
ARAN: Who is Jarhuyn?
TRAVERS: He’s the one that lives in that apartment…
ARAN: Who is that guy?
TRAVERS: The owner of that apartment.
Aran’s annoyance at that answer is plain.
TRAVERS: I’m not sure what you mean.
ARAN: He was inside a tea pot.
TRAVERS: A tea pot? You must be mistaken.
QHOR: Where is Jarhuyn?
ARAN: Is he in that apartment right now?
TRAVERS: Well, no, I don’t think so.
QHOR: What do you know about him? TELL US EVERYTHING!
TRAVERS: Uhhh, well, I know he’s a magic wielder…
QHOR: Is he a real pale fella?
TRAVERS: Not especially that I’ve noticed. I wouldn’t say that. What are you getting at?
Qhortho looks at Aran for a moment.
ARAN: What else?
TRAVERS: He was an adventuring type and has since hung up those robes, so to speak.
ARAN: What’s with these candlesticks? What do they actually do? What are they?
TRAVERS: Fuck it. It’s not the holders I’m after, it’s what’s in them. There are a number of diamonds in there. He keeps them because they are used in resurrection magic or some shit like that. Other than me saying they were mine, everything else I said was true. I asked a friend to do it, as my skills are more on the schmoozing side of things, and he agreed. He disappeared as he sometimes does, and I saw you right before my very eyes. I figured, why not? My friend showed up just after you left and I told him to forget it. Turns out he went over there, but he thought things were a little weird.
Aran turns to Dexanger and asks what he knows.
DEXANGER: Everything he just said is accurate… I did go up there and… Can we talk somewhere else…?
TRAVERS: Look, guys, I’m not sure what else I can tell you.
Rolan approaches aggressively.
ROLAN: TELL US WHERE FIRE LAKE IS!
TRAVERS: I don’t know, I haven’t had enough time to find out. You only gave me, like, 20 minutes and you haven’t upheld your part of the bargain.
ARAN: You were supposed to find out. Why weren’t you out finding that information?
Aran demands to know what he knows about Fire Lake, but Travers simply does not have the information yet.
ARAN: Ok, Dexanger. Let’s go speak around the corner.
They all walk around the corner leaving Travers in front of the tavern. He looks through the stained-glass door for a moment and decides he’d rather not go back inside to his 2 other friends right now. He walks down the street and turns a corner.
ARAN: So what’s your story? How’d you come across that piece of glass?
Dexanger looks over them before answering.
DEXANGER: You know, you guys don’t really measure up to what they say about you…
QHOR: If you want the experience of the rumors, we can just kill you.
As if his point was just proven, he continues.
DEXANGER: That doesn’t solve anything, does it?
Qhortho looks at Aran with his “thinking face”. Aran looks at Qhortho briefly then to Dexanger.
ARAN: No, it doesn’t. But it would make me feel better.
As he watches Aran’s words, Qhortho’s mouth widens to a smile then he quickly looks at Dexanger as if he just came up with an amazing comeback.
Dexanger looks at Qhortho, shakes his head slightly, then looks to Aran and Rolan.
ARAN: What was going on with the tea kettle. Why not just tell us the situation?
DEXANGER: I did what I could with the short time I had. I thought it was actually quite good – and if you had been as clever as I thought, we would not have involved Travers or made a show out of the whole situation. There is something to say for tact, fellas…
ROLAN: So you were keeping this from Travers? Why?
He thinks for a moment, coming up with the right words.
DEXANGER: Amongst our types, there is no honor.
ARAN: So you wanted to take all the diamonds for yourself.
He gives a sideways nod, as if to say, “yeah, of course”.
DEXANGER: Plus, I wanted to test you. When I saw the chance to test The Assembly, I thought, ‘wow, this could be amazing!’ Clearly, I set my expectations too high. Do you even realize the clout you have in the Guild?
ARAN: Well, that tea kettle turned into a goddamn vampire and we’re not dead!
DEXANGER: This… is true. Wait, a vampire? Interesting. I just saw the tea kettle and knew it must be a trap then figured out a way to draw your attention to it. I do give you credit for finding the symbol in that shoddy lens I put together.
ROLAN: Yeah, and we fucking killed it!
DEXANGER: Oh? So you have the candlesticks then?
ARAN: No, we thought there was more going on to this story so we left them!
ROLAN: Listen here! You know more than you’re letting on even still!
ARAN: Yeah! Like where is the owner of that apartment?!
QHOR: If you don’t tell us everything, I’m going to trample you!
Dexanger looks at each of them, not flustered in the least.
DEXANGER: You are so full of shit. You are all so full of shit! You did not kill that vampire or else you’d have those candlestick holders. There is literally no scenario I can think of where you fight and win and leave those behind. If no one was there to guard them, then Travers could be over there right now snagging them! You were afraid and you got out of there.
QHOR: We were not afraid!!
Qhortho’s voice becomes much gentler.
QHOR: He’s actually a very nice guy.
ARAN: Ok fine… so where is this Jarhuyn guy?
DEXANGER: Not sure exactly, which was why we had to move quickly.
To The Vyctor…
Qarzdaq stands outside the apartment building and adds his truth serum to the container of pig’s blood. He approaches the door for Apartment XI, takes a breath, then opens it to find Vyctor cleaning up the cluttered room.
VYCTOR: Ah, you’ve returned. I presume you’ve found the building’s owner?
QARZ: Well, no, but I may have a way for you to get out of here. I’m doing this only to free you. My friends have confronted the men who sent us here earlier and we have no desire to take the candlestick holders.
Vyctor nods.
QARZ: Oh and I brought you something better than a rare steak; I’ve brought fresh pig’s blood. It should tide you over.
Vyctor’s mouth swallows involuntarily with salivation. He takes a step towards Qarzdaq and within a split second, Vyctor blurs past Qarzdaq and closes the door.
VYCTOR: That is very kind of you.
QARZ: Yeah, I figure I can just get you out of here and I’ll be on my way.
VYCTOR: Then I’ll be able to have fresh drink soon enough. I do appreciate the offering. Have you really come alone?
QARZ: Yes, but they know I’m here.
Qarzdaq is getting a weird feeling so he approaches the window area and casts dispel magic from his scroll. The bricks within the window frame glow brightly then slowly fade.
QARZ: Ok… I was hoping that would remove the bricks, but I think we just need to break out these bricks. Do you think you can do that?
VYCTOR: I might be able to do that. Let me see…
He walks slowly over towards the sunlit area and suddenly turns to Qarzdaq. Qarzdaq quickly casts Shield, but it is no use. Vyctor passes through it and grapples Qarzdaq. He pauses for a moment then digs his teeth into Qarzdaq’s neck. He takes a mouthful of blood and swallows. He shudders with pleasure.
Qarzdaq fights off the panic and attempts to use telekinesis to push the bricks out of the window. He uses all he can muster. Just before Vyctor bites down a second time, the bricks in the window blow out the side of the room with a sound resembling an explosion. Vyctor looks over at the opening then back to Qarzdaq. He bites down again taking a healthy slurp of blood. He tilts his head back slightly, relishing in the feeling of fresh drink.
Qarzdaq attempts to use Hold Monster, but it fails against someone as wise as Vyctor. Qarzdaq struggles to get free, but Vyctor only holds him tighter. He moves to bite Qarzdaq again, but stops himself. He releases Qarzdaq and pushes him a few feet away.
Just as Vyctor is about to speak, Qarzdaq blinks out of existence. Vyctor looks up, as if speaking directly into the ether.
VYCTOR: You have done as I have asked. I will live by my word.
He walks into the large sunlit area of the room, wincing as he does. He peeks around the corners of the window. Seeing no one in the vicinity, he climbs through the window and hastily walks down the street.
Qarzdaq blinks back into existence still inside the apartment. He dashes towards the cupboard with the candlesticks, grabs them and runs to the door. He is startled when he opens the door to see his 3 friends standing there, Qhortho about to kick down the door.
QHOR: What the hell happened?? We heard this loud explosion and thought Vyctor… … … and you … might be in danger!
Qarzdaq regains his composure quickly and pops his collar up to hide the bite marks.
QARZ: Don’t worry about the vampire. He’s gone. I have the candlesticks.
QHOR: Aww, I didn’t get to say goodbye! He was such a cool guy!
ARAN: Nice job. There are diamonds inside those things. That’s what Trevor wanted.
They cut open the bottoms of the candlestick holders to find a total of 8 diamonds, each worth about 50 gold.
Classic Guild
They discuss how to deal with Travers and decide on leaving one diamond in each candlestick holder and keeping the rest, assuming he has no idea how many were in there in the first place. In return, Travers owes them information on Fire Lake. Qhortho objects to leaving any for Travers because, as he says, “that guy don’t know shit!” In the end, he agrees.
QARZ: So that’s 1 diamond for each of you, and I’m keeping the other 3 because I was the one that secured them.
QHOR: WHAT?! If we had been there…
QARZ: If you had been there, what?
QHOR: Well, I don’t know… he was a pretty cool guy. FINE!
ARAN: How about you keep my diamond to pay back some of my debt?
Qarzdaq agrees without hesitation.
ARAN: Let me see those candlesticks for a minute.
He walks off with them, towards the tavern. He sees the 2 guys that were with Travers and Dexanger sitting at the same table as earlier. Aran walks up to them and places his hands on the table, leaning towards them.
ARAN: You tell those other guys, I have what they were looking for.
The two men look at each other then back to Aran. One of them shrugs and simply says, “ok? I guess I’ll let him know when I see him next.”
Aran returns to the group and they find another, less busy tavern to wind down.
After about an hour from them meeting Vyctor, Qhortho, Aran, and Rolan fall out of the vampire’s charm spell. Qhorhto happens to be in mid-sentence.
QHOR: Yeah, but I’m glad you didn’t have to hurt him, he was such a great… … … wait a second…
Qarzdaq picks up on this.
QARZ: Ha! I knew it! Yeah, that’s why I didn’t tell you my plan was to get those candlestick holders by any means necessary. I thought hard about giving him the touch of R’hllor, but by the Lord of Light’s blessing, I didn’t have to. And by the way, he bit me multiple times and drank my blood. He’s not that great of a guy.
QHOR: Wait, if he was a vampire and he bit you, does that make you…?
QARZ: Hmm… I hadn’t had time to think that through!
He digs in his bag and produces a small jar of gray sludge. He slathers a healthy dose of it on the bite marks then drinks the rest.
QARZ: A little Keog’s Ointment, just for good measure. That should do the trick. This stuff works on everything.
They spend the night in a small nearby inn. In the morning, Qhortho takes note that he does not detect and gold dragons in the vicinity. They have breakfast and settle on finding Travers where he least expects it: in the local Thieves’ Guild. Finding it will be tricky though; none of them know thieves’ cant and the symbols are different in every place and are changed every day; even if they knew the symbols from yesterday, it would not help them today.
ROLAN: I bet the apothecary would know. He was pretty shiesty.
They all agree and leave for the potion shop. Upon entering, the man immediately recognizes the group.
APOTHECARY: Ah, friends. What can I do for you?
QARZ: We’re looking for the local Thieves’ Guild, can you help us out? We’re members…
APOTHECARY: Uh… Yes… Well… How can I know that is…
Aran places the Guild coin on the counter.
APOTHECARY: Ah! Yes!
Aran pockets the coin and the vendor tells them the directions to a “brick door”. Qarzdaq tosses him a silver for his time. They follow the directions and arrive at a nondescript alley that ends in a brick wall, but no door.
QHOR: Classic Thieves’ Guild.
Aran walks up to the center of the wall and knocks. One of the bricks is pulled out from the other side. Two blue piercing eyes, unblinking, stare into Aran’s.
Aran holds up the coin in front of the orifice, which is promptly closed. Aran puts the coin away and looks back to his comrades. A moment later, the wall begins to grumble. It slowly opens up along the mortise lines. Inside is a fairly unpopulated room with a bar. As with most Thieves’ Guilds, it really gets hopping at night.
They step into the room as the brick wall closes behind them. Immediately they see exactly who they hoped to see: Travers and Dexanger. They are sitting at a small table with some drinks having an animated conversation.
Aran pays no mind as to what the others are doing. He strides up to their table and opens his jacket, revealing 2 candlesticks in their holders.
ARAN: Why don’t we talk about these?
He closes his jacket, grabs a chair from a nearby table and takes a seat with them. The other party members follow suit.
ARAN: So, do you have information for us?
TRAVERS: Well, how nice it is to see you all again. I did in fact learn some interesting information.
ARAN: Sounds like you didn’t learn enough useful information.
TRAVERS: Well, I like to deal in verified information, and I cannot verify this, but I can tell you what I’ve heard over the past several hours.
He pauses for effect. Aran looks at him impatiently. Travers looks at Rolan.
TRAVERS: This one don’t take to appreciating the intrigue in politicking, does he?
He doesn’t wait for an answer before continuing.
TRAVERS: I hear the place you’re looking for is northwest of Strongsong.
Rolan squints slightly, having spent a lot of time in Stronsong.
ARAN: Yeah, we were thinking it might be up that way. You’ve given us nothing.
Aran gets up to leave.
TRAVERS: But!
Aran turns back to see Travers with his index finger raised in the air. He motions for Aran to sit down and he does.
TRAVERS: It’s not as easily found as you might think. You’re looking for where all the light from the sun shines and reflects onto one small lake. I hear there’s also a hole in the mountain and, from what I gather in piecing together the rumors, I think the sun will shine through that hole as well, providing even more light onto the water. The Fire Lake gets is name from the fact that it looks engulfed in flame with all the light. I don’t know whether that means it is more likely to ignite or if it unlocks some higher mysteries or what-have-you, but it should help you locate it nonetheless.
The Assembly look at each other, nodding.
TRAVERS: Now. I have upheld my part of the bargain.
He motions to Aran’s jacket. Aran hands over the items that Travers and Dexanger have been after. Travers looks at the bottoms and sees they’ve been crudely cut open.
TRAVERS: And where’s the rest?
QHOR: You sent us after candlesticks and candlesticks you have. Our deal is complete. Shall we be on our way?
TRAVERS: The candlesticks were carriers for the rest of the package. These are damaged now and I assess this damage at 300 gold per candlestick.
QARZ: Well, here are 2 diamonds valued at 50 gold a piece.
TRAVERS: There was more in there, I know it.
QARZ: Yes, and there was also a vampire.
QHOR: That is payment for our services.
TRAVERS: Your payment for services rendered was in the information I provided, as per our deal.
QHOR: Your information seems lacking.
Travers’s face reddens with anger boiling beneath the surface, though he maintains a calm and collected tone.
TRAVERS: You are sitting in the Thieves’ Guild with another member of the Guild and you are trying…
ARAN: We are not trying shit. We gave you what you commissioned us to retrieve. You were not forthcoming with the information you provided and that is not our fault.
TRAVERS: We are going to have a problem here.
ARAN: You’re going to have to negotiate what you’re…
Travers looks away and lowers his voice.
TRAVERS: We are going to have a real big problem here.
Aran and Qhortho ratchet up the tension with Travers before Qarzdaq cuts through it.
QARZ: We don’t need to have any problems here guys. This is a simple misunderstanding.
Rolan had been standing behind his allies during this parlay, but he takes this opportunity to push through them up to the table. He slaps 40 platinum on the table.
ROLAN: We don’t need this shit guys.
TRAVERS: This will do. This will do quite well.
This somehow makes both Aran and Qhortho even more annoyed, but it is topped by Travers in his most sickeningly soft tone.
TRAVERS: You are free to keep those candlesticks if you’d like. You are free to do whatever you like with them.
Aran and Qhortho exchange looks that communicate, “Do we kill this guy now? Do we take the first action here?”
TRAVERS: I hope we’re not going to have a problem here guys and I hope we can meet again under good circumstances.
ARAN: I’ll tell you what, if we ever do see each other again, you owe us one.
TRAVERS: We’ll see about that.
They leave and get on the road toward Strongsong, which will server as their rest stop before venturing into the mountains. Along the 5-day journey, many a dick joke is made.
Rolan’s Stomping Grounds
They arrive in the sleepy mountain village of Strongsong. The brisk mountain air helps fill their lungs, but the altitude still takes its toll on all of them except Rolan. It’s a quick stop, only to stay overnight and discuss their plans in more depth in a warm inn before hitting the untrekked mountains. They make arrangements to keep their horses at the local stable.
Following the Rumors
The next morning, they follow one of the rivers that looks like their best bet to a lake in the northwest. Rolan helps guide them through the tough terrain. With Rolan up front, the others need only step where he steps. If it hadn’t been for the mountains being one of Rolan’s favored terrain types, they could never keep up this speed. And if they’d tried, there would have been several missteps, at least one with dire consequences.
After a few days keeping this pace, they still see nothing like the description Travers provided them. They are beginning to second-guess their efforts, but they push forward. The next few days are even harder than the previous ones. They continue into uncharted territory, Qarzdaq marking their way on his map as best he can.
QARZ: What’s that there?
Qarzdaq points toward a large flat face on one of the mountains in the distance. It appears to have a large whole hole carved out of it. The sun being above them, it’s hard to say for sure whether it’s a hole or if it’s just a reflection or some optical illusion. Having nothing else to go on, they continue following the river leading roughly in that direction.
After a few more miles, they are convinced that it is a hole, but as small as it looks from this distance, it must be massive up close. Hard to say whether it was made by man, nature, or the gods, but it does appear they are on the right track.
After a few more hours of hiking, they camp for the night. They next morning, they awake to see the sun shining through the giant hole. It’s not aligned with them, but if the rumors are true, it certainly points them in the right direction.
They head in a direction that intersects with the sun’s path and later that day, they see the signs of a valley in the distance. They push harder than before and are not quite able to get there. They immediately continue on their way at the break of dawn.
Finally, they arrive at a small lake. Nothing special. No fire. No statues. No witch to tell them they’ve found god. Nothing. In fact, it looks more like a pond than a lake. The sunlight reflects off all the nearby mountains and lights up the area decently, and that’s kind of cool in itself, but nothing that looks as if the lake is on fire.
- Qarzdaq recites the rumors for everyone’s benefit:
- Pass through the portal and have a pillar fight at the Lake of Fire
- Like kinds bring life within the Lake of Fire
- Brimstone and pearl rest long alike under the Fire Lake
- Lake crafted of light leads to loss and grants renewal
- Stone carved and the unnatural sleeps within a lake made of flames
- Lakes of Fire, shapes of water, cold colors unite
- A giant’s eye provides the sight to fire in the snow
While Qarzdaq is speaking, Qhortho examines the icy cold water. He dips his finger in and realizes it hasn’t killed him yet. Qarzdaq is going on about cold colors uniting or some shit when Qhortho decides he’s heard enough and is going for a swim. Aran sees Qhortho at the water’s edge and likes where his head’s at.
Just as Aran gets close, Qhortho steps into the water and immediately drops into its depths. He spins around and grabs at an edge that does not exist. He manages to get out the word “help” before his head sinks below the surface.
Aran jumps into action and manages to catch Qhortho’s hand and get him out of the water.
Qarzdaq immediately lights a fire to warm them up.
ARAN: Were you able to see anything?
QHOR: It was just complete darkness. And cold. Fucking cold.
Qarzdaq ‘s fire melts the snow in the vicinity. He picks up a fist-sized stone and closes his eyes. The stone begins to glow.
QARZ: Here, take this if you’re going back down there…
Qhortho looks at him blankly.
QARZ: You’re going back down there right?
Qhortho doesn’t want to answer. Given that the sun is getting low in the sky and is blocked by the mountains, they figure they should just make camp.
Into the Icy Depths
The next morning, they are anxious to see what happens when the sun shines through the holy mountain. It takes about an hour or so after sunrise, but as the sun approaches alignment, the area around them lights up significantly, as if they are in the desert mid-day. When the sun finally aligns, it casts its beam directly into the water where it reflects underwater, lighting up the entire lake. Fire Lake does seem an apt name.
Aran looks at Qarzdaq then grabs the rope from his bag, and ties it around his waist. He picks up the rock that Qarzdaq set aglow the day before and holds it out.
Qarzdaq causes it to glow again and nods. He grabs the rope attached to his backpack and couples it to the end of Aran’s rope just as Aran jumps into the lake with his full armor.
Aran sinks 50 feet to the bottom, passing the first coupling knot. As he falls toward the ground, the entire underwater area is well-lit even without his stone. He lands on the rocky ground and notices a wide tunnel in one of the walls about 20 feet away from him and about 5 feet off the bottom. He pulls himself up into it.
With the rope on the surface quickly running low, Rolan ties on the next 50-foot segment.
The light from the stone reflects around Aran, allowing him to see clearly at a range of about 10 feet or so. Better than nothing. He continues forward.
Traversing the tunnel about 50 feet, Aran comes to a fork.
As he does, another knot falls below the surface and soon stops. Why is he not moving?
Aran thinks to himself, “shit…I’ve been underwater about 20 seconds so far. I can probably go another 4 minutes, but where do I draw the line?”
The rope around his waist is tugged twice, calmly. He returns the signal, hoping that conveys that he is ok.
He takes a mental note of his surroundings and suddenly remembers his Delver’s Gauntlets. He looks at them and instantly knows, “go right.”
He continues for 30 feet without an end in sight. He pauses for a moment. “That’s it, I’m going forward. I’m either going to pass out and die, or I’m going to find my way to wherever this thing leads.”
Aran continues 45 feet. The next knot slides into the water. This is the last segment.
Aran is at another fork and, again, looks to his gauntlets, “go left.”
Following the advice, he arrives at a dead end no more than 10 feet ahead. For half a second, he thinks his gauntlets have failed him and that something must be wrong. Or maybe there’s a small crevice that leads to a secret room and he would never be able to fit through.
He looks to his gauntlets, “go up.”
“Up?”
He looks up to see the surface of the water not too far above. He climbs the wall and takes a deep breath of the cool, still air.
Aran looks around with wonder as he is in a wide-open cavern lit by small holes in the ceiling. Light reflects off the icy walls and pillars around the room to provide a decent glow all around. A series of pillars are haphazardly arranged about the cavern.
He takes a few steps and feels the rope tighten. That must be all there is.
Qhortho holds the rope tight, not knowing what to expect.
Aran does one long tug, then let’s loose: the signal to follow. He tosses his glowing stone on the ground, unties the rope from himself, and ties it around a stalagmite in the cave.
Back on the surface, they drive a stake into the ground and anchor their end of the rope.
They each descend into the water and follow the lead line. Finally arriving in the cavern, they see Aran already exploring the pillars.
ARAN: Hey guys, check out these pillars. They all have carvings.
Teeth chattering, Qarzdaq lights a small fire in his hands.
Upon inspection, the pillars are constructed of various materials and each and have a recess scooped out of it. The recesses have specific shapes: circle, skewed rectangle, thin spindle-like, oval, and triangular.
The pillar materials are hard to identify, but the colors are mostly distinct, with only a couple being harder to discern.
There are solid color pillars: deep red, rose, pink, pale green, pale blue, incandescent blue, dark blue, pale lavender, vibrant purple, and pearly white. One is even clear!
There are also a few marbled pillars: lavender-green, scarlet-blue, and pink-green.
Qarzdaq scoops up some water and pours it into one of the hemispherical cutouts with no noticeable effect. Not to be dissuaded, he attempts this with all of the 14 pillars, still to no effect.
They remove the water from all the pillars that do not have a shade of blue, still to no effect.
They go further and remove the water from any shape that has hard edges, still to no effect.
Qhortho picks up the glowing stone and goes exploring some of the underwater tunnels that they had not traveled. After finding nothing there, he heads back to the lake and explores it thoroughly, breaching the surface as needed to catch his breath. Though he is able to see very clearly and does not feel rushed for time, he eventually returns to the group with nothing else to show for it.
They continue to spend time in this cavern, thinking about what this could all mean. It is now early on Day 523. They’ve each gained 3,000 XP this session and have a total of 71,500 XP.