Archon Basileus
First Post
GARMMÖRK/ARVID
To Arvid’s concern, the Lawgiver confirms four injured men, as well as a pair of deceased ones. Whether it’s the result of other confrontations or another trick of the Lawgiver, Arvid cannot say. For all that is worth, the Lawgiver ignores the number of attackers as well, allegedly because of contradicting testimonies from his men. After the hard news, the Lawgiver says his goodbyes, a promise resting on his lips to use his resources and share his discoveries for the benefit of Grandael. In this particular case, he lies, and Arvid knows it.
The task is demanding, but meticulous observation leads to solid results. Clearly, the complex does not receive all its movement from the surface. Sometimes, those who seek help spend days ‘under care’, supposedly never leaving the healer’s house. Nonetheless, Garmmörk recognizes and follows these men and women through the tortuous alleys of the southern city as they run errands, exchanging packs and harnessing information, above all concerning the eight fugitive brothers. After seeking for hidden ways out of the house, the beast uncovers a path leading to another two-store building, possibly opening to its basement. A second opening arrives at a concealed gallery by the northern bank of the river. The entrances are under constant, albeit subtle, watch, and as far as the beast suspects, they might have connections to other subterranean paths, leading outside the walls.
Inside the powerful walls that surround Grandael’s Hill, the woods lay in silence as the predator roams. The refreshing shadows are visited by the perfume of pine trees during summer, and even in starry nights a thick fog serpents among the oaks. Trails cut the grass towards wall and coast alike, turning the lonely old road into a stern grey face that cuts the mountains as it marches into the continent.
For days, no signs are found. It becomes quite clear that, if the cultists are still present in Grandael, they have become far more cautious. In fact, after almost a week searching, Arvid locates a set of scattered ruins within a clearing. Traces of blood and signs of fight are recent, as Garmmörk is able to confirm during a nocturnal visit. Runes, scorched areas and stranger signs confirm the pair’s suspicions even further. It is just a matter of time until they use the area once more for their nefarious purposes…
It is not hard for him to find a spot to watch both the city and the surrounding woods, paying special attention to the ritual clearing he uncovered. An opening within the wall, several meters above the woods, allow him to spot movement and move down with great alacrity and precision. Should any entourage leave the walls and try for the ruins, he’d be able to intercept them soon after their arrival, right in the middle of their services. Such efficiency bears almost immediate results. The following night, no moon in the sky, he sees the fog reflecting the blur of torches spiraling and twisting from the walls towards the ruins. The lights are numerous, far more numerous than he’d imagined at first. Still, it is a rare opportunity, especially considering the subtlety and cautiousness the cult has exercised for the last weeks.
[Go down, call for help, take help with you beforehand, …?]
@Neurotic @tglassy @Fenris @Queenie
"That is unfortunate, vinr, I'm starting to think them innocent. That is, they did attack and burn that ship, but it wasn't their will that controlled them. The priests talk about a healer from the south helping the poor. But some potions he offers weaken the will along with healing the sickness. He commands respect around Lavenders alley so it may be wise not to storm the place. But I would like your contacts in that part of the town to keep their ears to the wind. Are there any dead or wounded among your guards? Who and how many attacked them? Note that there might be some that will turn this against you, be extra vigilant in your duties and make Tyr and Forseti proud."
To Arvid’s concern, the Lawgiver confirms four injured men, as well as a pair of deceased ones. Whether it’s the result of other confrontations or another trick of the Lawgiver, Arvid cannot say. For all that is worth, the Lawgiver ignores the number of attackers as well, allegedly because of contradicting testimonies from his men. After the hard news, the Lawgiver says his goodbyes, a promise resting on his lips to use his resources and share his discoveries for the benefit of Grandael. In this particular case, he lies, and Arvid knows it.
That night and many others following, Garmmörk lurks around Lavender Alley, learning the ways of the healer and his companions, looking for secret places and entrances.
The task is demanding, but meticulous observation leads to solid results. Clearly, the complex does not receive all its movement from the surface. Sometimes, those who seek help spend days ‘under care’, supposedly never leaving the healer’s house. Nonetheless, Garmmörk recognizes and follows these men and women through the tortuous alleys of the southern city as they run errands, exchanging packs and harnessing information, above all concerning the eight fugitive brothers. After seeking for hidden ways out of the house, the beast uncovers a path leading to another two-store building, possibly opening to its basement. A second opening arrives at a concealed gallery by the northern bank of the river. The entrances are under constant, albeit subtle, watch, and as far as the beast suspects, they might have connections to other subterranean paths, leading outside the walls.
But what he was looking for was traces of blood, extra green grass in place where the blood was spilled.
Inside the powerful walls that surround Grandael’s Hill, the woods lay in silence as the predator roams. The refreshing shadows are visited by the perfume of pine trees during summer, and even in starry nights a thick fog serpents among the oaks. Trails cut the grass towards wall and coast alike, turning the lonely old road into a stern grey face that cuts the mountains as it marches into the continent.
For days, no signs are found. It becomes quite clear that, if the cultists are still present in Grandael, they have become far more cautious. In fact, after almost a week searching, Arvid locates a set of scattered ruins within a clearing. Traces of blood and signs of fight are recent, as Garmmörk is able to confirm during a nocturnal visit. Runes, scorched areas and stranger signs confirm the pair’s suspicions even further. It is just a matter of time until they use the area once more for their nefarious purposes…
It is not hard for him to find a spot to watch both the city and the surrounding woods, paying special attention to the ritual clearing he uncovered. An opening within the wall, several meters above the woods, allow him to spot movement and move down with great alacrity and precision. Should any entourage leave the walls and try for the ruins, he’d be able to intercept them soon after their arrival, right in the middle of their services. Such efficiency bears almost immediate results. The following night, no moon in the sky, he sees the fog reflecting the blur of torches spiraling and twisting from the walls towards the ruins. The lights are numerous, far more numerous than he’d imagined at first. Still, it is a rare opportunity, especially considering the subtlety and cautiousness the cult has exercised for the last weeks.
[Go down, call for help, take help with you beforehand, …?]
@Neurotic @tglassy @Fenris @Queenie