* IN BEFORE THE LOCK *

* IN BEFORE THE LOCK *

I am the last minute king. Seriously though, pretty much the last two hours of the recording is the discussion on what to do with various things. Condensing that was hard…

Session 70 – Summary

I took to the back of the party as he headed up the Raptor’s tunnel to reach the surface, mostly so my ancient Dwarven armour didn’t cause any issues. It wasn’t exaclty subtle stuff, and the gods know I was making quite the racket, but I couldn’t help but feel extremely powerful within it. The odd display on the visor-less helmet would take some getting used to though, as would the ancient language the suit spoke in.

I made a note to learn some ancient dwarven when I get the chance. It’s long been a point of embarrasment for me not to know the language of my ancestors, especially with so many of the non-dwarven members of are group knowing it. Perhaps I’d ask Finklemur to teach me, the old wizard knows more than many would realise.

Speaking of the old man, he’s been worrying me of late. A lot of his usual exuberance has disappeared, and although he still assists the group with the old spell and his new familiar, it’s still disconcerting and I wonder if the man is feeling his age. Feels odd to say, being as the wizard is only a few years my senior, but humans don’t enjoy our longevity. Even Starchie seems to have faded into the back of the party, the loyal canine is probably worried for it’s master.

It was nice to see him break out the old charm spell though. The elf myself and Chuq had caught tailing us was now quite happily leading us up the tunnel, firmly decided on joining us and earning some riches. He leads us into the Raptor’s hideout, warning someone there of our approach.

The Raptor waiting is a human female, Piroska, somewhat unsurprised at our arrival. Chuq asks after Holliever, who is out but should be back soon. It seems the Raptors are in final preparations to leave. As usual, the party is utilising the mind-reading helmet, and Chuq seems to be employing that to test the woman.

We decide to wait to meet him in the dining area, and the party spreads out in preparation. Piroska leaves us to go continue packing, and we decide to send Pons out to scout, letting Socrates out in the process.

Before he leaves, he tells us Tomas is dead, killed in some altercation with Holliever, leaving the second in charge of the Raptors. Once outside, Socrates’ link with Finklemur confirms that the Raptors are packing to leave, a large wagon being loaded in the yard. Belroar, Sturloc and Kottar head upstairs to set up an overwatch in the upstairs windows, whilst Chuq and Thorfus check out a number of the ajoining rooms, including one used by Holliver personally according to Pons, although they don’t find much of note. I personally take position right in the centre of the room and fold my arms, looking as imposing as possible. I imagine it looks quite unnerving. It helps that the armour allows me to stay perfectly still.

We spend some time discussing our options for leaving the city, and what to do with the Raptors and other groups on the mountain. Eventually, Belroar spots Holliver returning. When he enters the building, he seems surprised to see Chuq and Thorfus waiting for him, but heads into the dining room. Chuq shuts the door behind him, seperating him from his entourage, but he pleads accompaniment, fearing magical coercion on our behalf. I let Thorfus and Chuq take the lead in the interrogation, they’re the ones or primarily dealt with the dealings in the upper city.

There is talk of negotiating deals for information, and thankfully he is unaware of the golden helmet still perched upon Chuq’s head, though I’m not sure how much it helps the conversation. It’s easy to see Holliver is wary though, a lot of distrust on both sides. They decide to deal with him though, and allow him to have a partner enter the room, and Belroar calls out to a guy called Roland. In return, Finklemur and Fitz leave the room, heading upstairs to wait with the Belroar. Holliver and Roland take seats at the table, and even compliment my suit. I take the time to activate the threat-detection aspect of the armour, which labels them as ‘potentials’. It also speaks to me, so I try and memorise what she said so I can get a translation later.

The meeting begins, and we promise gold in exchange for information. They start by talking about Vargan. Chuq apparently sees in Holliver’s mind that devilfish are still at large, and large humanoids, possibly giants have been seen also. He also sees Alain Grell. Chuq asks about Grell’s Lambs, exchanging Thorel’s voucher. Holliver notes that he’d recently received a letter of introduction to Thorel from Marchmain coincidentally. We learn that Alaine has begun pirating, captaining a vessel in the bay and capturing several ships in order to build a fleet. He’d been enslaving the sailors aboard, and if any women were found, he shaved thier heads and branded them with a paw print. We receive this with some disbelief, our dealings with the Grell’s predate our groups now-famous name, but it couldn’t just be chance. I try communicating mentally with Araquiel here, but it seems the devilfish spirit no longer has the ability, or otherwise chooses not to reply.

They ask some more about the Raptor’s dealings with Marchmain, particular the changes incurred in the sudden change of leadership. Holliver is convinced we charmed Tomas into gaining the position we did. He points out the dealings that pretty much placed the Starchie Boyz as the only group with access to Xen’Khel. Talk turns more to Marchmain and the silver throne. We learn that some fire giants have reopened an old dwarven mine to the north, led by a genius of thier own kind with a penchant for creating weapons, and a number of slaves are involved and the entire operation is supported by the Silver Throne, which is sending equipment over from the Lonely Isle. They are building something.

We learn that the power-armoured dwarves are a special forces group from Xur’nost Khel. They didn’t really mix much with the other dwarves, but were under Marchmain’s direct command. There’s some worry as to thier location, and they’re overdue for return. The group of soldiers Lupaa killed were down there to look for them. Marchmain is quite upset at thier disappearance apparently, and the armour they wore may be quite new, if a little fancier than the stuff I wear. That is worrying, if the Silver Throne can build this stuff, it’d given them an edge, but it might also mean myself and Thorfus could get a hold of more power supply boxes.

Finally, he tells us more about Newton and the area around the Vargwater. Newton has been apparently cleared, but is still under siege. It’d be nice to head over there if we get chance, do something simple for a change. Death Gulch is having increasing problems with the simian automatons, who are attacking more viciously. The devilfish have moved up to attacking ships in Vargen’s harbour and fishermen in the Khelwater. Holliver also explains how he got Marchmains support and the letter, which was simply information.

Chuq heads up to ‘fetch the money’ from the party members upstairs, but instead drops the message that we’re gonna attack. We’ve got what we need from him, and he sold us out, so we decide to end it here.

When Chuq returns, we strike. Thorfus starts us off, whipping out his sword and going for Roland, whilst Chuq lashes out at Holliver with his fists. I charge into support Chuq, pounding across the room yelling ‘Threat Detected’. The armour responds with something I don’t understand, but with my augmented strength I cut the man deeply with my sword. Holliver yells betrayal, and whips out a dagger, swiping at the more lightly armoured Chuq, who goes back at him with the multi-tool, allowing me to deliver the killing blow. Roland fails to best Thorfus at all, and Derich confused by what is going on, launches himself at Roland fists flying. This is apparently surprising enough that Roland is quickly beheaded by Thorfus. We take the time to loot thier equipment, Derich accepting their clothes.

Outside, it seems Finklemur put most of the Raptors to sleep with his magic. Sturloc, Kottar, Talon and Belroar have taken care of the rest, killing two, one evidently mauled by Belroar’s dogs. The rest surrendered and have been tied up. We start bringing them inside to talk to, and take the time to check the wagon’s contents. We huddle the sixteen survivors in the dining room, disarmed, bound and under wathch, and we head into the other room to discuss our options. We have Holliver’s letter from Marchmain, confirming the latter’s intention to recommend them to Thorel, and also the actual letter of introduction, which even obliquely mentions us as ‘old friends’. We’re unsure whether we can trust Marchmain anymore, and escaping the city seems to be a priority. Doing so would be difficult, we’d likely have to leave much of our loot behind, and we’d also lose access to this tunnel as the dwarves have been systematically collapsing all the hidden entrances.

Thorfus posits it may be worth going to speak to the dwarven military commander from Xurnost’Khel. Other options are to try and hide and train within the lower city, find the Naga, or continue exploring, even try and track down the armoured group. Belroar points out that in worst case we could leave via the Skarnwode portal. Another suggestion is going to Marchmain with Holliver’s head, claiming him as crossing us and continuing to work ‘with’ the Silver Throne.

It seems for a long time we’re simply going to run, I’m not adverse to it, returning to Midmark, regrouping and resupplying, using what we know to gain a better position before returning. I myself am worried, everyone around us seems to be dying after dealing with us, it might look a little suspect. For the Raptors, we decide it might be best to simply let them go, pack them off and let them head to Vargen as intended, but with recommendation letters to the Mercer’s Guild rather than Thorel.

Whatever we do, Derich decides he wants to stay here with the Naga. He reminds of us of the plan to leave via the main entrance and continue playing along with Marchmain, as we discussed with Lupaa. We can foist off Brice’s death as collateral of encountering the Naga, dying alongside the rescue party that Lupaa had killed.

After a very long discussion, we decide to stay, heading back down into the city, meeting with the Naga, then heading back up to meet with Marchmain. After a brief helmet-assisted-interrogation to see what they know of the situation, we pack off the Raptors with thier newly written documents and some tips for Vargan, Socrates watching them leave to ensure they complied. Only Pons remains with it, the others distrusting him and aware of our charming of the elf. Once they’d gone, we packed up and started down into tunnels.