The Heroes of Dyvers Chapter Six

[Tellerian Hawke]

Lady Abigail Responds To Sylvar Again

“...Lady Abigail, do you also have items or tomes that I could purchase that would increase my prowess in combat, what I mean to say, my speed, and motility?”

Lady Abigail goes to the same chest that she used for Tam’s items, and pulls out a pair of boots.

She says, ”These boots were my very first attempt at crafting a magical item. They have great sentimental value to me. But I have since made a pair of boots even more special than these, so take these boots, and use them well. They will size to fit you perfectly, and they will make you swift and fleet. They are a gift, but if you’d like to compensate me for them, then bring me the head of Brunk.”

GM: Lady Abigail tells you that these are her “Boots of Swashbuckling,” and that they grant +2 Dex, +10 ft. to land-based movement, and grant a +10 competence bonus to balance, jump, and tumbling. They are black leather, and have folded top flaps; they are, in essence, Pirate Boots.

 

[Aust Thale]

A Good Ten Months...

~ Clangeddin help me, enchant this armor ~

Vale prayed patiently, as divine energy pulsed from his hands through the elven chainmail. Vale worked quietly, admiring the elven handiwork. Light and nimble, the armor wasn't designed for dwarves. He was doing this particular bit for the group. The chainmail was from the treasure captured from the Ogre and Giant patrol on the road to the Steading. Whoever these folks were, they had as expensive tastes as their judgment was poor. They should have known better. He was not completely convinced the leftover hill giants sent to Moresby Hall were able to be reformed. He fully expected to return to Dyvers and find them having crapped everywhere except the Lou.


He had worked nearly two months on the chainmail. He had completed three of them, and he was working on the last one. The last nine and half months had given him much time in front of a forge. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed it, and he prayed daily for guidance in building tools, weapons, and enchanting items, weapons, and armor for his friends. Friend: underrated word. It did his heart, mind, and soul good to get to know these people and to provide for them in the ways he had learned to do so.

He very much liked the four newcomers. The bronze blade brothers were especially entertaining. They had discovered a latent draconic heritage, and they were supremely tickled with it. And he was tickled with them. Duncan seemed a most precise person, not the least bit trivial, but not disposed to spectacle. His lady Ebony was simultaneously tough but kind. And hopeful. Supremely hopeful. She and Nel seemed to get along well, and even Abigail seemed to enjoy female companionship. He supposed that being a woman was something universal to most species.


He had gotten to know the dwarven lass from the Steading as she recuperated. He kept his distance, as she was clearly grieving the loss of her mate to the giants. Early on, she stood off, healing from her own wounds. After awhile, she would visit him in the forge, and he wound listen as he worked, as he had done so many times before with his own legion as their quartermaster. His mission was to supply, resupply, and seek out resources. As a practical matter, he was an effective sounding board to dwarves who spent so much time fighting, they often forgot why they fought.
Contrary to popular opinion, dwarven warriors were not two-dimensional. Looking death in the eye routinely required a particular touch.

Early in their stay, he had Respen ask Laramon to inform his order that he was delayed once again, and to relay the same to the Dyvers temple who had lent him the magic undead-killing mace.
Laramon took it upon himself to seek and receive dispensation on behalf of Vale. The Order would need to fulfill the appointment in Greyhawk (which disappointed him), but they would be willing to appoint him a special envoy at-large. Effectively, any compensation he would have received from the military or clerical order would be suspended, but he would receive an increase in rank (Envoy), and continue to have access to resources at temples and outposts. Vale sensed that his place in the order would be made or broken by his current and future adventures. He was melancholy for several weeks, but Duncan, Respen, and Dewydd had taken the time individually and together to wrench Vale's thoughts to more pleasant pursuits. Vale loved being in front of the forge, especially during the colder months, and he aimed to do what he could to return the favor the best way he knew how.

When Respen's twins were born, he even prayed the birth prayer of the dwarves, a special honor to non-dwarves, and even respected by the evil Duergar. Nel was profoundly moved, as she had never seen it before. Even Abigail was struck by his act of respect, having been the only person in their company who had ever seen it before. Vale had kept his distance from her. He wasn't sure what to make of the dragon, and he was intimidated by her presence. Dwarves and dragons were a curious, and often combustible combination, and dwarves were typically the ones combusted. He was polite, but he made no small-talk, and he did not ask her for anything except a single encounter where he asked her leave to use her forge, located in a large building adjacent to the tower, accessible by underground tunnel and whose interior was not unlike a cave. The forges were advanced; high-end. Multi-faceted, easy to fire, and with very flexible temperature controls. Vale could smith tools, molds, and weapons, the latter at Masterwork quality with any number of materials. And the forges were so sophisticated, he could cook meat pies to perfection in minutes.

Duncan had expressed the Mayor's appreciation for their efforts in the Steading, and Dewydd had shared Abigail's request to find a Druidic staff. At the end of the day, Vale pulled Respen and Nel aside while each held one of the twins. " Pardon me m'lady, could I have a word with Respen? Daddy Elf, can ah ask a favor of ye? Can ye bring Gus to us here in Hochoch? I miss my dog. " Respen nodded. " Laramon wants an audience with me. Perhaps he can bring Augustus to us. I shall send a message to him tomorrow morning."

Vale keeps the heads of Nosnra, Kraven, and Delliak in a constant suspended state w/ Gentle Repose every nine days for the entirety of their time in Abigail's tower. He had put the heads in their leather sacks and then into a wooden crate in the building with the forge. Once every month to six weeks, Vale would question each of the heads, each time asking five questions. At Dewydd's sharing of Abigail's, Vale repeated the exercise.

OOC: DM NOTE: Between the three heads, and multiple castings of the spells, Vale obtains the answers he seeks. Questions: 1) Who compensated the orc army? I did (Nosnra.) 2) How was the orc army compensated? With the signing of an alliance. 3) How many levels of dungeon are under the steading? Just the cellar, although there are deeper natural caves. 4) Who will replace you now that you are dead? Nosnra's Daughter will become the new Hill Giant Queen. 5) If you had to leave the Steading in retreat, where would you go? Southwest, into the Crystalmysts, to the Glacial Rift. 6) What is the least defended entrance to the steading? The rear entrance. 7) Who are the spellcasters in or near the steading? Vulka, Darris, Quinnlan, Varnella, Vlagg, Cyndalla, Morienne, and Lorella. 8) What is Glimval's most significant weakness? I do not know who Glimval is. 9) Where is the treasure room under the steading? Near the bottom of the stairs, behind a secret door. 10) What traps are set to protect the treasure room? There is a pit trap. 11) What will the other giants and orcs do now that you are dead? Continue the war to reclaim our ancestral lands. 12) How much treasure is in the treasure room? A fortune in gold and magic. 13) What will the trolls do if the underground is invaded? They will fight to the bitter end, and savagely kill any invaders. 14) What will draw the trolls out of the underground? The Trolls go where Brunk commands them to go. 15) Who is in command of the red orcs? Lieutenant Gozer of Brahnn. 16) What will happen if Steading is attacked from the outside? It will be defended. 17) What different ways exist to enter the steading? Front, back, and side. 18) Who are the giants' allies? The Drow, The Jarl, The Fire King, The Pomarj Orcs, The Skull Seekers, The Arm Breakers, and their master, Myth. 19) Who are the giants' enemies? The Humans, Dwarves, Halflings, Elves, and Gnomes of Geoff. 20) Where are the giants' allies? The Drow are below, The Jarl is in the Rift, The King is deep within, The Orcs are on the move, the Bugbears and Trolls are with us. We do not know where the master is. 21) Where are the giant's enemies? Everywhere. 22) What is the plan for the steading? Expansion and reinforced fortifications. 23) Do you have spies? Yes. 24) Who are your spies? The Drow. 25) Where are your spies? Everywhere. 26) How did you obtain the Helm of Veldomar? It was Kraven's reward, for serving the Drow mistress. 27) Will anyone attempt to locate the Helm of Veldomar? I don't know. 28) How did you obtain the Staff of Krigala? Queen Vulka ripped it from a dead Druid's hands. 29) Where is the Staff of Krigala? In the cold bowels of the Rift. 30) Who has the Staff of Krigala? The Great Jarl of the Rift.

[sblock=Vale Monthly Activities]
Outset: Purchase Warhammer +2 for Dwarf/Goldbeard Clan(8312 gp); Ring of Protection +4 (32,000 gp); Potion of Hill Giant Control (600gp)
Month 1 Craft (w/ Respen Blessed Book (10 days);Message to Laramon for Gus' through Respen; Visits Hochoch's Dwarven Temple;Prayer; Speak w/ Dead; Craft w/ Respen
Month 2 Craft Dwarven Mithril Full Plate Armor +5 (14 days); Craft w/ Respen
Month 3 Craft Dwarven Mithril Full Plate Armor +5 (22days(of 36)); Speak w/ Dead
Month 4 Prayer; Research into Planes, Planets, &Powers; Architecture; Speak w/ Dead; Craft w/ Lathir & Respen
Month 5 Prayer; Research into Planes, Planets, &Powers; Architecture; Speak w/ Dead; Craft w/ Party as required
Month 6 Craft Potions, Wondrous Items, and Arms/Armoras needed by party & Abigail & Collin; Speak w/ Dead
Month 7 Craft Potions, Wondrous Items, and Arms/Armoras needed by party & Abigail & Collin
Month 8 Craft Magic Elven Chainmail +3 (x2) 29 days;
Month 9 Craft Magic Elven Chainmail +3 (x2) 29 days; Speakw/ Dead
Month 10 Craft Potions,Wondrous Items, and Arms/Armor as needed by party & Abigail & Collin
[/sblock]

 

[Aust Thale]

OOC: Sylvar's Activities for the 10 months

…

Sylvar visits with Respen about teleporting him to the temple in Dane so that he may complete the ceremony required to become Uller's champion.

…

Respen answers early in their stay: "It'll take some doing, perhaps a week or two, but if Nel and Abigail are willing, then yes, we shall do it. Ask Collin if he would like to go with us. "

 

[Sylvar B.]

Sylvar gladly accepts the boots and thanks Abigail profusely. He complements her on her graciousness and generosity. He also purchases a Tome of Leadership + 4, leaving him with 40k gp. As soon as he is back in his rooms he excitedly dons the boots and absorbs the information in the tome.
After speaking with Respen, Sylvar finds Collin. " Respen and I must travel to Dane, we will be gone about a week perhaps a week and a half. Would you like to accompany us? It would be an honor to have you along and a pleasure to speak with you at length on a variety of topics."

 

[Waynan]

Tam spends his days riding great mastiffs and cross bred dire wolves with standard wolves. He learns attack and defense tactics on his "steeds".

He also uses the Boots of Elvenkind to see how well he can sneak up on his comrades. Some understand and laugh off their surprise at Tam's agility. Others, however...

 

[Sylvar B.]

Addendum: Sylvar gives his armor and 4500 gp to Vale so that the armor can be enhanced. He spends 2 weeks with Vale, hanging out and helping with the armor. Sylvar also buys a +4 Tome of Leadership from Abby for 110k

 

[Damionte]

Marshalling Support

A few weeks after arriving in town.

Duncan looks down at the directions he’d been given then up to the sign signifying that he’d arrived at his destination. He’d wondered what type of location his friend had suggested for their meeting but he knew he shouldn’t have wondered. The mans tastes were well known and “The Gorean Gnott” had the look and smell of a house of pleasure. You could smell the sweet perfumes and hear the muffled sounds of music and merry making from the corner.

Duncan held up his invitation as his instructions bade, and passed a silver piece to the burly guards at the front door. They allowed him entrance with no fanfare or even a word. Walking in he understood this was a high class institute. It was warm, comfortable and well appointed, with heavy furs on the furniture and floors.

Noble patrons were seated around the place while scantily clad specimens of various races and genders strolled about carrying drinks or lounging on the arms of the guests.
Duncan stood in the entrance allowing his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light when one such scantily clad hostess approached him. She reached out a hand to take his invitation flipped it open and then gestured him to follow her. “Thank you for visiting the Gorean Gnott. If you would follow me I’ll escort you to your party.”

Duncan gave her a nod in appreciation and followed. They didn’t travel far. The far side of the room is where they found his friend who was strangely enough drinking alone. On Duncan’s approach the man jumped to his feet grinning form ear to ear.


”Lord Duncan Moore if I live and breath!”

Duncan answered him as if they’d practiced this.

“Lord Rogers Kwuest such a fine gentleman!”

The two embraced in a fit of laughter. Kwuest broke them apart and looked Duncan up and down. “Look at you, all crimson and gold straight out of a story book!”

”Look at us!” Duncan replied. “Country Gentlemen of the new order.”

“Don’t let these old money elites hear that.”

”Ha they should be so inspired. Our titles were won the old fashion way. With blood, deed, and sword. We’ve earned our tittles and our lands”

”Yes and a converted haul of slaver gold didn’t help.”

”Dead pirates don’t need gold Kwuest!”

”True true ahh it’s good to see you my captain, sit please.” Kwuest looks playfully over Duncans shoulder as if something about Duncans appearance troubled him.

Duncan self consciously wiped his nose… “What … is something on my face?”

”No it’s just that you seem to be missing your shadow?" Kwuest smirked at him.

Drops down onto a nearby stool. “Ha … Ha… Ebony is taking care of other business right now. You know, I am, capable of independent action.”

“I’m gonna tell her you said that.”

“Oh you tell her.” ….. .…. ….. “Actually if you don’t mind, don’t actually tell her that. Anyway speaking of business I’m hoping you have news for me.”

“Yes sir I do.” Kwuest leans back in his chair with a grin. "I dispatched some eyes and ears to take a look at these orcs you mentioned in your reports to the mayor. Up and coming adventurers are always good for this sort of work. One of the groups actually came back with some news. It seems your orcs have scattered.”

”Scattered could be good, but could also just be more trouble. Any news of disturbances in the outlaying villages.”

”Nope seems the orcs scattering was very organized. Individual groups seem to have dispersed back into the deep woods or the hills. Still and this part stays with us, there are many who are worried at how such a force could so easily come together so close to home. I mean that’s a large force to have appeared inside our borders with no one being the wiser.”

”Drow were involved.”

”You didn’t mention that before.”

”Didn’t I?”

”Anyway, these is some talk about putting a putting a force together but since the orcs have dispersed on their own no one seems to be worried about it right now. At least not worried enough about it to throw gold at the problem. Speaking of which, you owe me 200 gold.”

”200 gold! Who the hell did you hire.”

”Hey even newbie adventurers are not cheap to hire. Military scouts would have been best but that’s another situation all together."

“Local politics…?” Duncan asked amused.

”Local politics indeed.” Kwuest grimaced.

Duncan returns the grin. ”You wanted to be a noble!”

”No this was your idea. I just wanted to be rich. Work and responsibility was always your thing.” Kwuest tries to feign annoyance with the world.

Duncan looks around. “You seem to be enjoying yourself Lieutenant.”

Kwuest smirks and replies. “What can I say, membership has its privileges.”

“Speaking of which I need to be going.” Duncan pulls a small coin purse from his belt and stands.

Kwuest spreads his arms… “What .. aww you just got here."

Duncan tosses him the purse. “Yeah if I come home smelling like this place Ebony will gut me.”

Catches the purse then stands up to shake hands. "Couldn't you just do that thing... " Kwuest wiggles his fingers feigning the efforts of a spell caster. “Where are you staying?”

”She always seems to know!" Duncan looks inquisitive trying to figure out how she does seem to know these things despite magic. "We’re guess of the Lady Abigail.”

”The lady Abigail…… Mmmmmmm now there’s a tower I wouldn’t mind climbing.”

”She’d probably eat you.” Duncan smiles.

”I would be so lucky! Give my regards to your mate.” Clapping Duncan on the shoulder.

”Ofcourse. I'll be in an dout of town over the next few months we'll meet up.” Duncan leaves his friend and makes a hasty escape. Once clear of the place he uses a prestidigitation to scrub the smells away then goes about his day before returning to the tower.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Dame Clare Makes Contact With Respen

During the last month of the party's downtime, Respen receives a mental message from Dame Clare.

[sblock=Dame Clare's Mental Message to Respen]
"I have been working on a spell lately, which has consumed much of my time. That is the reason I have been out of contact. I noticed that you are in a location that cannot be scried by normal means, so I invoked the power of the Orb; your hostess, Lady Abigail, is quite impressive. She must be ancient indeed, to be so beautiful. The humanoid forms of metallic Dragons get more comely with age, and judging by her angelic appearance, I would surmise that she is no younger than 2,000 years in age. Take my advice, learn all that you can from her, she is a powerful ally to have. And do not tell her than I am able to fully scry her domicile through my connection with you; she might not take too kindly to that knowledge. She knows of the Orb, but it is probable that she does not know the extent of its powers, else she would have banished you from her tower."

Dame Clare pauses briefly, before continuing: "Things in Shalistaurimon are heating up. We've had an incursion by the Illithids recently, which resulted in one of the High Daughters of Lolth being taken captive by them. The fiends are demanding either a million pieces of gold, or a thousand male Drow slaves, for her safe return. I suspect that no Drow male who is not an only child will be safe from the Dark Sisterhood; they are loathe to part with wealth, but they will gladly give up expendable resources on behalf of a sister."

Dame Clare chuckles lightly, before moving on to the next subject: "Serindak is in trouble. He sent me a mental message about a week ago; he is helping me find an item of extreme importance, which I must have at ALL costs. All of my plans hinge on finding it. It is an artifact known as the Helm of Selreen. Serindak went to seek the aid of a Sphinx known far and wide as Khubsheth The Prophet, hoping he might know something about where the helm could be or about who could have it. Khubsheth attacked him, forcing him into gaseous form. Serindak slipped past the Sphinx, and discovered that the statue that he rests in front of conceals a hidden passage, which leads to some sort of tomb. Serindak decided to explore the tomb, in hopes of finding something there that might be useful. The last mental message that Serindak sent to me was that he no longer cared to seek Khubsheth's advice, when he could have the counsel of the Dark Queen. Then, I suddenly lost contact with my childe, and have not heard from him since. I can feel that his essence still exists, that he has not been destroyed, but also that he is no longer on the web of blood, i.e., I can no longer feel his thoughts, nor his blood connection. It's as if he no longer has a physical form. I am not sure what to make of that, except that it cannot mean anything good."

Dame Clare pauses again, before finally coming to her point: "I know that Abigail wants you to return to the Steading, and destroy Brunk and the other minions of her rival, and to find the Key of Krigala for her, but finding the Helm of Selreen is a far more important task, one that cannot be put aside. I would like for you to seek out this Khubsheth, and find out what happened to Serindak. I doubt he would attack one so amiable as you. I think Serindak probably fell victim to the prejudice borne of his eight-legged form. In that regard, I would surmise that you could succeed where he failed. The priority is to discover whether or not Khubsheth knows anything about the Helm of Selreen. If he does not, then your second priority should be to ask him about the tomb below the statue, and inquire as to what fate Serindak might have met by venturing into that place. The Perch of Khubsheth is at the base of a large, sandstone statue, in the Kingdom of Ull, in the hills just south of Kester. The statue is a remnant of a fallen kingdom; it is a depiction of the Sphinx Queen, Ankharet. I suspect that she might be the Dark Queen that Serindak was referring to, which probably means that she is some form of powerful undead being. Finding Serindak will be a dangerous undertaking, but it must be done, because Serindak is too important for me to simply abandon him. YOU MUST DO THIS FOR ME. You will be generously rewarded if you succeed; your party is now large enough that a few of you could split off to do my errand, while the others return to the Steading. Or perhaps you could talk all of them into helping you. Those matters, I will leave to your clever little mind."

Dame Clare continues, giving Respen more relevant information: "I have been scrying the Steading. There are a few things you should take note of. The Orcs were non-plussed to find most of the inhabitants dead upon their arrival. The entire force has left the canyon, and is heading Southeast, into the Stark Mounds, where there are known to be large tribes of Hobgoblins. My guess is that the Orcs are less of an attack force, and more of a recruitment force. They are carrying extra weapons and armor, which they could no doubt give as gifts to potential allies, and there are many expert soldiers among the Orcs who could train potential allies in the areas of weapon use and battlefield tactics. They're laying the groundwork for something big, and the Giants were only a small part of their overall plan."

Dame Clare's tone becomes more serious as she moves on to the next topic: "The three Drow Clerics in the Steading are gearing up for some major rituals. They are preparing to resurrect Delliak, Darris, Nosnra, and Kraven, along with three of the Hill Giant Commanders, but not in their original forms; having failed Lolth, they will likely all return to life as giant-sized Driders. They are also casting many divinations, and asking a lot of questions about the Lady of the Hool, which I believe to be a very old Black Dragon, from the way they talk about her. I'm not sure what they want with a Dragon, but it cannot be good for your newfound allies. YOU SHOULD USE THIS INFORMATION TO GAIN THE SUPPORT OF YOUR FRIENDS. Tell them that these rituals will require a lot of prep time, and that I will aid you in their defeat, if you will do this thing for me FIRST. And like I said before, all of you don't have to go; but some of you must. YOU YOURSELF MUST GO, FOR SURE. It would be wise for ALL of you to go, although I doubt that all of them would agree to act in my service. I must return to my spell now, but I will contact you later. Act in haste, my little Elfling, and do NOT fail me."
[/sblock]

RESPEN: What do you do?

 

[redraider629]

Thallok approaches Lady Abigial and says "Lady Abigial, I was wondering if I might be able to purchase the other blade from you. I think it might serve us well."

 

[Aust Thale]

Respen's Weeks 10 thru Whatever

~ ...can we meet at an alternative location...~

The end of the day having arrived, Respen excused himself from Vale. "It is time for me to take a trip. I'll bring Gus to you or bring word of his well-being."
Vale nodded, and Respen walked briskly down the hall toward Abigail's main tower and toward Dewydd's quarters. Stopping in front of the library Respen took a few minutes with Sylvar, instructing him to take the time with Vale and assuring him that he would be back after transporting Dewydd and meeting with Laramon.

Hearing noises in the ante-chamber to Dewydd's quarters, Respen found Dewydd stretching in a wholly unfamiliar martial stance. Respen winced. Humans, particular this human, was fond of martial training. "Dewydd, I am ready to travel when you are ready." Dewydd, without saying a word nor breaking concentration, extends his thumb in apparent agreement, followed by two fingers. Respen assumes it means "two hours", and he heads to his room to get his equipment and spend a few minutes with Nel. He told her of Laramon's last communique, and she reminded him to retrieve the two magical sending scrolls and two teleport scrolls he had made early in their stay. Fully stocked, he notifies Collin of his plans and itinerary and requests that he tell his mother so she should not worry. Respen will return in a matter of hours, perhaps a day if the meeting with Laramon ran long.

Middle evening, Dewydd is outside in the courtyard adjacent to the tower. Respen moves quickly down the corridor and into the corridor, casting a spell from his fingers and concentrating on Dewydd's home as he reaches Dewydd. Without breaking stride, Respen places his hand in front of him on Dewydd's shoulder and walks through him...purple and charcoal smoke swirling around him and a distinct "BAMF", the sound resembled a belt popping and book falling on a stone floor at the same time. He stepped forward on the manor's North patio, Dewydd in tow, the most significant difference being the humidity from the proximity to a wintery Nyr Dyv, snow flurries in the air, and the smell of fireplace smoke from the manor.

Respen smiled at himself in a quiet "attaboy", and admired Dewydd's home. He hadn't paid attention before, but especially in the winter, this place was exceptionally cozy and picturesque.

"Dewydd, take this. This is a sending stone. Do you know what they do? Vale created two pairs of them for the party. This is one set. You keep this one, and I'll have the other. When you are ready, use the stone and I'll respond. If you need anything in the meantime, I'll be at Laramon's. Be well."

Respen cast his own sending directly to Laramon. "I am here, Master Laramon. Dewydd manor. I shall be in your midst shortly. I wish to take in a cold walk to your tower."

Respen walks the distance to the gate, his cloak's shoulders collecting the flurry of snow. The ground would be covered soon, the Nyr Dyv's lake effect snow being something that Dyvers and surrounding areas could count on during the winter despite its relatively low altitude. He enjoyed it. He had learned a simple spell to tolerate the elements, but he had not prepared it, and he wouldn't have used it anyway. He misses the snow in the foothill mountains to the southwest of the Enllaves, where the dry cold air and the wet warm air would collide and produce snow as well. Not so dramatic as lake effect snows, but pleasant nonetheless. Respen enjoyed the silence of snowfall. He enjoyed the walk. The cold wasn't bitter, but just enough that a pot of stew and a pint sounded splendid. He walked up to the gates and presented the pass provided by Margull as a result of their transportation of an important prisoner and subsequent defense of Dyvers' city guard and court. The city guard waved him through, but only after a thorough search of his person.
The city was on alert. Suspicious. More careful. It was normal for winter nights to discourage crowds, but the city streets held precious few people. Something had the city guard, and thus, the rest of the city, in a pinch. As he made his way toward Laramon's tower, he saw mostly city guard on the streets. Things improved closer to the merchant district, but it was as if the city was pulling back into itself. After awhile, he arrived at Laramon's tower. He knocked on the door, hoping Laramon was home, as he hadn't heard a reply from him.