Loose threads What has the armies of the Pact frightened? Skadi's Chosen knows of the portal near Roanokae Camp. Can the Living Rumour be considered "dead"? Why does Olog wish to meet with Stewart?
Participants Stewart Kristoffen Elric Leonard Leighton Yrwin Shynntara Ultima Toy the Toymaker
Locations Thunderveil
Short summary:
Following the news of the conquest of Gildenwind, Stewart has gathered a party with the intention of acquiring favor with the Pact through show of goodwill and negotiation. Through a simple negotiation we have acquired access to the city under the watch of a wizard by the name of Murob, and have subsequently joined ongoing festivities.
With a show of skill, we have found recognition among the common folk, while also helping certain rumours in order to find a way inside Pact's internal affairs. We have found such a way, in the form of a strange creature presumably borne of rumours. An unknown adversary was found to be kidnapping people, and city watch was at a loss. Luckily, we happened across one place that had signs of recent activity. After convincing guardsmen to allow us to pursue these leads. Following them we found ourselves faces with a strange, almost spirit-like creature, though closer inspection suggests it to be closer to an illusion.
Upon dealing with the creature, victims were found, their wounds tended to and subsequently reunited with their families and friends.
The following day, The Henge has requested our presence, as they have made a decision regarding our proposal:
Rather than commit to a proper alliance, Explorer's Guild has gained access to cities within the Pact, and members - a status of mercenaries, provided they meet certain conditions.
Full Report
In favor of saving time, yours and mine alike, let us proceed to therelevant parts immediately.
It was early in the morning that we had reached the gates of Thunderveil, having spent the previous night in the ruins of Kheggon's Oath. As expected, our visit was anticipated. Immediately upon arrival, city watch has informed us that we are to attend an audience with The Henge - a council overlooking daily lives and affairs of the city and Pact at large. Prior to this meeting, a sliver of a report to one Skadi's Chosen has been overheard:
I'm telling you, its presence frightens our squadrons. The eagles refuse to fly near, and Olog won't listen...
The audience has been quiet, focused on discussing the possibilities, benefits and options of the treaty. In that time a new discovery has been made. Skadi's Chosen has, in no unclear terms, informed us of the fact that they are aware of Guild's frequent use of the portal near Roanokae Camp. Their word is, joining Pact in an alliance would deny the Guild this passage. There may be truth to this claim, however it is not an issue at the current date.
Ultimately, no alliance would be signed that day, as doing so would require presence of Chieftain Olog. With that revelation, there was no need to continue the discussion, and so we have decided to leave, for the time being. Once we were promised a swift answer, following The Henge's internal discussion, we were given an escort and a guide in the person by the name of Murob.
In a welcome coincidence, it happens that Thunderveil would hold celebrations, which we gladly partook in. Seeing how Pact views strength, a decision to participate in a gladiatorial fight was obvious. Fight would be quite simple, and resulted in our victory. On the following day, we have participated in yet another competition, involving building and then racing a hand-made canoe. Despite the challenge, we have achieved victory there, too. This competition appears to be the one that citizens of Thunderveil hold closest to their hearts, earning us favor and friendships among the commonfolk.
It was only natural to use that fact to our benefit.
A word here, a complaint there.
In order to acquire the means of involving ourselves in Pact's internal affairs, I have decided to begin spreading rumours, sowing distrust. Doing so has proven successful, for better or worse. These rumours have begun growing at a rapid pace, only to eventually find their way back to us in the form of a victim, near dead and suffering from wounds we could not understand.Upon expressing the will to assist in the matter, we were lead by Murob to an entrance to the city sewers, closely guarded from the mob gathering just outside. Complaints of city watch's impotency were loud, yet nothing was done to help presumed victims. In that scene we have also noticed several trails, suggesting that something may indeed be kidnapping people.
Upon convincing watchmen to allow us passage, assuming any responsibility that may arise from them disobeying orders to not allow anyone through, we have found ourselves marching through the sewers. Eventually we found our way to a chamber, with a crying kid in the middle. Kid, however, was not a kid at all, and rather a strange spirit-like creature. Or at least that is what it appeared at a glance. It was something more closely resembling an illusion than a ghost. A rumour made flesh, this beast would feed its strength upon the rumours among the people, eventually to become tangible enough to become real. Simply dispelling the ideas from your mind, of how terrifying this creature can be, was enough to deal with it, at least for the time being.
Solving this mystery has, subsequently, earned us higher favor with The Henge, swaying them towards signing an agreement between the Pact and the Explorer's Guild, though one of limited benefits:
Mercenary Contract between Olog's Pact and Explorer's Guild Upon signing of this document, Olog's Pact, later referred to as simply "Pact", agrees to accept members of the Explorer's Guild, later referred to as "Guild" as Mercenaries.
Mercenaries who disregard these conditions will be considered "Rogues". A channel for communication is to be established, and the details thereof shall become an addendum to this contract. Signed: 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝒦𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑜𝒻𝒻𝑒𝓃 𝐸𝓁𝓇𝒾𝒸 𝐿𝑒𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝐿𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑜𝓃 𝒴𝓇𝓌𝒾𝓃𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝓃𝑔𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 |
Should this action be confronted with the Guild's Stance on Olog's Pact, I shall continue to advocate for its use as means of espionage.
Signed:
𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝒦𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑜𝒻𝒻𝑒𝓃 𝐸𝓁𝓇𝒾𝒸 𝐿𝑒𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝐿𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑜𝓃 𝒴𝓇𝓌𝒾𝓃