Disturbing News

[Ming]

Very troubling.

[Skirnir Ouija Glada]

Nimblesthought about the remaining scroll in her backpack and laughed.Adjusting the straps, she headed to the tavern in Augendel. Uponarrival, she looked about until she spotted an old friend, sitting ina shadowed corner. She walked boldly over and sat down.
“Hello,Bytsi.”
Bytsithe dwarf looked from her mug of tepid water. “Howdy, Nimbles,”she replied. She sounded somewhat despondent. “How ya been?”
“Nottoo bad, but you've sounded better. No luck finding a husband, huh?”
Thedwarf shook her head, the beads in her beard clacking together.
“What'swith the water?”
“Idon't have a husband and I'm out of coin.” She sighed sadly.
“There'splenty of coin to be made if your an honest, dues paying citizen....”
“No,thank you. I'm working on a real trade!”
“Youmean, you decided on being one of the Axe Wielding Maniacs?” Hervoice rose in surprise. Bytsi had always disdained being a warrior,though every member of her family had joined the ranks for countlessgenerations.
“Shhh!”Bytsi looked around furtively, motioning for Nimbles to lower hervoice. “Not a good thing to say around these defenders.”
Nimblessmirked. “Let 'em catch me. So, what's this about a trade?”
“I'mworking on confectioner, but I'm getting in debt.”
Nimbles'eyes widened and she whispered, “A professional one?”
“Yeah.”
“What'syour gran say about that?”
“She'sthreatening to boot me out, since no self-respecting female dwarfshould have a beard like mine,” she gestured to her neatly trimmed,intricately braided and beaded facial hair. “She should be married,and have her own axe to protect the kids and defend the home.Respectable females cook at home!”
“Hasshe discovered fire yet?” Nimbles raised a teasing eyebrow.
Thepetite dwarf smiled for the first time. “Nope. She borrows from theneighbors.”
Bothfemales laughed.
“So,what about a weapon to hunt with, and a place to live?” Nimblesasked.
“Itraded that rusty axe for a meat cleaver, but no place to live yet.”
“Howare you going to defend yourself?”
“I'mworking on Blood Mage,” Bytsi whispered, covering her mouth withher hand so that the other patrons couldn't read her lips.
“Wow,Bytsi! You're definitely off the chain! No wonder you can't get ahusband!” Nimbles teased.
Bytsisighed, shaking her head. “What do you want, Nimbles? I don't needmore grief.”
Nimblesraised her hand, calling for real dwarven ale. The tavern owner gavea big, toothless smile and plopped two deep steins of aromatic darkbrew on the table.
“Youdid want the house special brew, right?” he asked, holding out hispalm for payment.
“That'sright. I don't drink the human brew that's been going around the lastfew years,” Nimbles stated loudly as she paid.
Lookingpuzzled, the tavern keeper bit the coins and went back to his duties.A large group of drunken dwarfs checked their tankards suspiciously.
Nimblesopened her pack and gave Bytsi a neat, little scroll.
“What'sthis for?”
“Considerit payment for the huge favor you did me.”
“Whatis it?”
“Copiesof a scroll that I did a job for. The part of the report my employerdidn't get. I have to turn the others over to him. But that one hefailed to pay for.”
“Youin trouble?”
“Nah,just doing a bit of boot strapping.” She grinned.
“Whatdo I do with this?”
“Well,”Nimbles sagely pronounced, “it will get you a salary job, a homeand a shot at the future—guaranteed. All legal-like.”
“Oookay....What's in it for you?”
“Sweetrevenge, my friend.”
“Idon't understand.”
“Well,a gifted one bought a plot in North Crystal. One of the old guard.The little cretin, mentioned in here, is going to manage it.”
“Cretin?”
“Yeah—anidiot.”
Bytsinodded, holding the scroll with dubious care.
“Whywould I work under the cretin?”
“Because,this is going to have him shakin' in his boots. It's going to scarethe,” she coughed, “out of him.”
“I'mnot like you, Nimbles. I don't think I can do this.” She tried tohand the scroll back.
“Iknow, dear. You don't need to read it. In fact, you're justdelivering a message for a friend.”
“I'lldo this because you're a friend of mine.” She still sounded unsure.
Nimblesdropped a few coppers and silver pieces into Bytsi's small hand.
“What'sthis for?”
“Seethat silver piec with the mark on it?”
“Yes.”
“Givethat to your last trainer for the prestige school.”
“Why?”
“Everythingis going to be just fine. Don't worry! Oh, and Bytsi, tell him he canpay you what he owes me—50 silver. Then, you can give it to yourgran.” Nimbles grinned and walked to the proprietor. “Gotsomething for you.” She gave the old dwarf a small, neat scroll.
“What'sthis for, youngster?”
“Youdo want to know who broke all your windows, right?”
Thevandalism had been the talk of the town for a fortnight.
“Oh,yes!”
“Thename is in that scroll. Feel free to spread the word, quietly, ofcourse.” Nimbles noticed a human male walking out of the back doorof the tavern. “You see that man?”
“Yes.He's the ale distributor out of Dalimond.”
“Youbetter check the ale...carefully.”
“What?Why?”
“Ihave on good authority that those humans water the ale.”
Witha roar and a scowl, the tavern keeper rushed out the back.
Nimbleslooked at Bytsi and motioned for her to leave out the side door. Asshe moved to follow her friend, a nearby dwarf called out to her.
“Whatwas that you told the keep about the Dally ale?”
Acalm smile settled on her face. “You are all hard working dwarfs,mining the metal and gems. You deserve better.”
“Idinna understand.”
“Well,gents, there's a rumor around, told to me by Wind Dancer, by a dwarfnamed Reebdoog. You remember them?”
“Irecollect him,” another dwarf said. “He was a hard working,harder drinking dwarf who worked with me in the mine. Haven't seenhim in a dwarf's age.”
“That'sbecause he's dead.'
“Dead?”The dwarfs shared a horrified look.
“Yeah,he found humans were watering the Dalimond ale. They call it dwarvenale, but it's not true ale. Clean the casks,” she whispered,disgust tinging her voice. “His tale was made famous after hisdeath. The fellow at the fall festival still tells it.”
“WindDancer,” the first dwarf mused. “I know that name.” Hescratched his head thoughtfully. “Married to a dwarf, as I recall.”
“That'sright.”
“Where'sshe?”
“Shedisappeared shortly after Reebdoog's death.”
Suddenly,the tavern keeper rushed in with the human ale distributor. The Humancut and ran away. The tavern keeper ran out, shouting. The dwarfsstood as a group, looking confused, brandishing their axes. Theyfollowed the old fellow out the door.
Hestood by his back door, shaking his fist, weeping freely. “Thehuman sold us watered down ale! Oh, the shame of it!”
Inthe blink of an eye, the tavern emptied as the dwarfs pursued theunlucky human.
Nimblessashayed out after the assurance of Free ale in the future. She heldup her tail held proudly. Finally a bit of Justice she thought, asthe Iron Guard shouted in the distance. They'd have a time quellingthe riot in the middle of the city. Already, the dwarfs had caughtthe human and were threatening to hang him from the statue in themiddle of the city square.
Consideringit a job well done, she buffed her nails and climbed the wall towatch the proceedings from a safe distance.
Idiot humans! Obviously he and his gang had not figured out a fewfacts yet. You Always do the paper work, You Always pay the fee, andyou Always have the job okayed _first and foremost_. Otherwise youand yours got Sanctioned by the Grey Council with a death bounty, awarrant for questioning or turned in to local law enforcement. . Counting up her future payment for today's hard work, her debt wouldbe paid to the Grey Council. The tavern would stop selling thatswill from Dalimond. The windows here would be repaired The rest ofthat human gang would be taken care of in due time, unless the TazoonMilitary got to them first.
Grinningbroadly “ Definitely!! Job well done,” she thought with a smile.

[Ming]

If I didn't know what you recorded was real, I'd say you have a great imagination.

[Skirnir Ouija Glada]

The journey was long and arduous to North Crystal. Between uncooperative, hostile imperial army guards, excessively priced portals and undeadpacks... “What was Tazoon thinking? I'm a commoner, not some rich gifted who can even make money outliving their mistakes,” Bytsi thought. “This is not a good day.”
Hunting and foraging had slowed her down. Misdirection by imperial idiots had not helped.
“My feet hurt!” she exclaimed loudly as she stamped her foot on thedusty road. Twisting her ankle, she fell to the dusty road, cursingher bad luck.
“You really should not curse like that. Tis bad luck!”
Bytsi looked at an horizon of sand, then up further still, lighting the serene and peaceful face of an old dwarf.
“Ah,well, yes, Elder but....” she stammered.
The old dwarf cut her off. “Ye seem to be a bit in need of assistance. I'm somewhat pressed for time.”
She looked at the cargo disk. “It's one of those....”
“Yes,yes, of course it is.”
“I've never seen one, is all.”
He squatted down and grasped her ankle, passing his hand in the air. She felt the spell release. It smelled like flowers and springtime, with a light breeze. The excrutiating pain was gone. Bytsi gasped in shock.
“So,why are you traveling alone in a hot desert, thirsty and hungry?”
Bytsi jumped up, blustering nervously. The older dwarf ignored it, giving her a once over.
“I see that apprentice mage staff and that blood doll in your pocket. Are you a criminal on the run from the Iron Guard? By the way, I like your beard.” He chuckled. “Maybe there is hope after all....”
“You like my beard?” Bytsi stammered.
“Tsktsk, you should listen,” he said, looking at her searching, still squatting on the ground.
“It's not my fault. I headed north like the Imperial human guard told me.”
“So, it is your fault that you followed an imbecile's directions, instead of planning your adventure in advance. You have not a drop of water, no food and you're using that staff and blood doll will kill you before the fight begins, being so depleted.” Suddenly standing, he rummaged in his backpack, pulling out a mug of ale, bread and cheese. “Here, eat and drink,” he commanded emphatically.
“Listen, great elder,” Bytsi began.
The old dwarf cut her off abruptly. “Where are you headed?”
“North Crystal. I have a scroll....”
“North Crystal?” he thundered. Suddenly, the wind picked up to a howl as he gestured without thinking. Seeing her cowering under the disk, he caught his breath. Once he was serene again, the blowing sand settled. “I'm sorry about that. So, why did you leave Aughundell? Did you cause that riot in the city?”
“No.No!” she stuttered. “My grand threw me out...you know, the beard, no husband, no kids, no axe, bloodmage....”
The dwarf coughed politely to stop the complaints. Bytsi looked away, embarrassed.
“Ahem...well,do you need a ride?”
“How?”
Hesmiled mischievously. “Get under the tarp, gal.”
“But that's....”
“Shushnow. I pay Tazoon enough in taxes.”
She climbed in.
“Quiet now, we'll be there in a little while.”
Bytsi dozed off, listening to the hum of portals and hails from various Imperial officers. She woke suddenly, with a touch to the shoulder.
The dwarf whispered, “Get out quietly. Stay behind me. He said his papers are in order, but I have my doubts,” he said, sounding dubious. “Laslo, where are you?” the dwarf shouted.
“Here I am, sir,” a gnome said as he ran up from the Guild House. The plump, little gnome had a hat that was even larger than he. He stopped by the dwarf, a disk, with a large pile of casks, followed him.
“Laslo!”
“Sir?”
“You were complaining about not having a cook.”
“Well, sir, yes, but I was going to contract...”
“This female dwarf right here, is young, healthy, has all her teeth and is a certified master confectioner. So take care of her.”
“But,of course, sir.”
“Ah,whiskey I see.”
“Yes, sir. Just arrived.” Skirnir took off swiftly down the road with one of the casts in the crook of his arm. Laslo went to follow with the casks trailing behind him. He stopped, whirling around to look the dwarf female over. “You will call me Mr.....”
“Laslo,”she interrupted.
Blinking, he took a deep breath.
“Who is he?” she asked, pointing to the dwarf as he trotted away.
“That's Skirnir Ouija Glada,” he said without thinking. “One of the Old Guard. Now, as I was saying....”
“So,where is he going?”
“Probably going off to do an errand for the Guild Master. They're thick as thieves and not even Skirnir would ** that High Elder.”
“Do you call them by their first names?”
“And get fried for by a lightning storm for bad manners? Surely you're joking.”
Bytsi gave a winsome smile. “Good, then we are in agreement,” she said softly. “You are Laslo, I'm Bytsi.”
Suddenly, Laslo felt the staff between his legs and a blood doll glowing underhis nose.
With squinting eyes, the petite dwarf rumbled threateningly. “You will keep your eyes and hands to yourself. You will treat me appropriately, or you're going to get acquainted with this little doll that has your name on it.” She twitched the doll under his nose. “Do you understand?”
“Yes. Yes, I understand.”
“Good. Here is a message from a close friend of mine. She sends her regards, and said to consider this a professional courtesy.”
Laslo took the sealed roll she handed him. “Ah, yes. Could you please....” He pointed to the staff.
“Why, certainly.” She pulled it away, but it had snagged on his clothing. Doing her best to untangle it, she kept talking. “We'll talk about my salary and other things.”
“Certainly. Certainly,” he squeaked as the staff pulled free. He sneaked a peek at the scroll, reading it as the sun set.

[Skirnir Ouija Glada]

Fingers partially turned to catch thefading sun and obscure the text from Bytsi's curious eyes. As heread the report his left eye begin to twitch and he had difficultybreathing.
Both eyebrows got higher and higher ashe perused the document.............


Department of Archeology


Report on Evidence #023441
See also supplemental #023441A from theDepartment of Arcane Blood Studies per protocol requirement.


(hand written in report was thatthis department refuses to comment on Supplemental)


The fragment of parchment found atTargoth written in Elvish is authentic. However, the elven script wasnot written by an elf. The script on the fragment was written in“ancient” elvish. The Elven Historical Society in Feladinverified this fact. The elvish city government cannot verify if thescript is from one of its residents at this time. Both city andhistorical society did agree that the script was written in the lastfifty years.


The parchment paper itself is indeedancient. Alchemical analysis revealed that the parchment had been“cleaned “ for reuse using a modern technique. This particularparchment has been verified to have come from a desecrated burialvault. (See the attached document via messenger pigeon coming toyou.)


The scorched burned areas on theparchment, as well as burned-through areas, were made by acombination of high intensity fire and arcane fire. (See classifieddocument # 110001) These burned areas appear not to be intentional.The blood on the parchment is Human as verified by the Department.


Though burned, some of the areas havebeen partially filled back in, as the evidence allows, for yourreview. The areas designated by parentheses are gone orindecipherable.


Document as follows:


Eighth Day Memo Supplemental.


In sum this (----) individual is farmore than just a deviant with mental abbreviations. (---) is to bebrought to the (---) before this governmental body for (---),interrogation,payment of fines, fees, compound interest of fees and(---). Judgement will be carried (---) (---).


Let there be no doubt, this case is notnormal, not typical and may have a future historic value in ourannals to come.


The very fact that a Withered Aegisrepresentative stands before us demanding retribution is a fact that(----------------------------------------------------------------------------------).A large amount of gold has been deposited with this Council to assurea swift resolution concerning (-------------------) to the sum of onethousand tainted gold coins in full, correct weight.


Therefore, let it be known throughoutthese lands that a (---) on the head of one gnome going by the nameof (---) (---) will be paid in gold upon the arrival of saidindividual to stand before this council. Furthermore we will considerthe demand of (----------------------------) that this individualwill be handed over forthwith and that(-------------------------------------->


(rest of document was torn away orseverely charred with scorched blood and dirt obscuring any furtherscript.)
Sincerely,
(scrawled signature)


*hand written in –Lets have Lunch!Hope to see ya soon!!)


Department of Arcane Blood Studies


Report #023441A. Supplemental toevidence #023441.


As the Department Head of this Agency,I was horrified to receive the memo/report through common channelsafter the rumors were already buzzing in the hallways andprivies of this government!


This evidence has no true archeologicalvalue whatsoever. This blood drenched, scorched,burnt and tornparchment, is concrete evidence to a series of major capital crimesand probable criminal conspiracies. Rather than this Department, theevidence should have been routed to the Law Enforcement branch of theImperial Army. I refuse to have this Department embroiled in anofficial capacity in reference to an obviously classified event orseries of events, complete with prosecutable evidence.


With this being said, I will make somepersonal observations with a short testament of facts for this memo.A far more extensive report will be sent to the appropriateauthorized Departments. Furthermore , I have invoked the Secrecy Actfor classified materials/ events/ documents. I have already sent outmemo's to all offices in this department to stop some of the burningforests of gossip, in various groups of employees, in multipleagencies.


Simplified Summary of observations.


I set out with one master classscholar, two spiritists, two sorceress, two druids and one masterclass alchemist equipped with a full field kit. We went to thediscovery site with the poorly written up report from the Departmentof Archeology. Though normal in appearance, the entire area wasdrenched in the residue of combat magic with scattered areasof high density large blood splatters.


Gaius was in a spiritual frenzy. Noanimals were in sight. The yew treants were keeping their distance.The entire area, according to ------ had been spiritually “cleaned”.Apparently huge undertaking at this site, according to the expertsthis Department employed.


The spiritists were able to calm Gaiusdown and refocus him back on his horde. The druids interviewed theold and massive treants. Bits of melted armor, weapons and threetainted gold coins from the desecrated Ashland vault were recoveredand sent to the Department of Archeology for authentication.


Simplified Summary of facts concerningevidence #023441.

1. Much more than just human blood was on the parchment. There were not less than six races. (two races were not identified).
   
2. The saliva of a dragon was on the parchment as well.
   
3. What was thought to be dirt was in actuality charred bits of undead flesh and bone.
   
4. The parchment was obviously from a burial vault and cleaned for reuse. The fact that the coins were from Ashlander's vault is immaterial as the practice is sadly common place though not typically referred to in polite circles.
   
5. The blood reeked of cold malevolence, horror, vengeance, incredible anger,and unbridled fury.

Special note

1. An ethereal message was found attached to the parchment probably related to the emotions associated with the blood soaked areas. Ethereally written in ancient Fiendish, I was told that it seemed to be referring to some kind of ignominious event. I was told and I quote “.......something about the Withered Aegius, a sergeant out of Kion, a gnome scout,a poor shot and an arrow caught in the rear pelvic bones...... Also something about a risen Cleric being sent to investigate from the eastern deadlands..........”

Without further additional funding tothis department the full import of the parchment and ethereal notewill remain a mystery.


I wash my hands of this matter. Routeall further enquiries to the appropriate Law Enforcement authorities.


Scribbled name


Department of Arcane Blood Studies

[Skirnir Ouija Glada]

Misadventures Part 1

Turning pasty white, Fingers put the scroll away in his backpack. He took out a dirty handkerchief and wiped the dripping sweat off his face and neck. With a trembling voice he said, “Got to go now I...I have to ….”


Bytsi interrupted saying, “ You looks sick Fingers. What is that Awful smell? Did you eat something bad last night? I have a tonic I can give you from my gran.”
Fingers interjected,” Have to go to take care of my contracts ......


Bytsi stepped up closer to the disk reaching to lift the new tarp that had been laid on top. “What a Really Horrible smell” she thought.


Fingers yelled, “Get Away from that!, I say. It is a dead animal found on the road,” Fingers sniffed. ”I am doing my civic duty and I am going to bury it in the woods and help the trees get growing better.”


Bytsi looked appalled. “You are carrying a dead animal's body under that tarp? The imperial soldiers will demand to see it when they smell it, and then the Small Furry Animal Society is gonna be after you after they make reports and send you to jail.”


Still patting his forehead and looking exasperated he said,”Well the smell will keep the robbers away on the road. “So please mind you OWN business!”, he growled threateningly.


Bysti advanced on Fingers. Taking several steps away from the disk and toward Fingers.


“Nimbles said you were a little cretin Fingers, oh high and mighty, the one and only FINGERS with a BOUNTY on his head!!!!!!!!!,” Bytsi ended with a shout. Wagging her finger under his nose she growled,“ I only glimpsed at that scroll, I need only say the word to the imperial solders OR the Grey Council and you are DONE!”


Bytsi took a deep breath and counted to ten. She understood now what Nimbles had been referring to.


“I am so sorry Fingers that was entirely wrong and hateful to say. Please forgive me. It has been a terribly long week getting here from Aughundell, and I had no right to make any assumptions about you or your business. I....I... am here to just have a job and a place to stay,” she said conciliatory manner.


“I accept your apology Bysti,” Fingers said magnanimously. “and I look forward to having you as the confectioner on this plot. Now you really must excuse me I must be heading to take care of contracts or nothing is going to be built here.....” he concluded graciously.


“Are you sure you will be alright? You are sweating, pale and shaky looking,” she said in a concerned manner.


Fingers thought furiously while keeping a pleasant smile on his face, ”She knows!! She knows!!..this is intolerable! Something MUST be done!!” he muttered, his thoughts running away from him.


Gathering his thoughts together quickly he replied,”I am fine you need not worry Bytsi, tis just a touch of a cold brought on by doing all this civic minded labor, which will always be rather thankless. But you have to remember, Bytsi, rumors of bad smells and dead animal carcasses out on the road in front of the plot will not help our future business, you understand yes?.... Now if you don’t mind?” He turned around abruptly heading for the somewhat distant portal without further adieu.


“Well he might be sick but he can still run like a rabbit even tho he was pulling that disk along.” She thought, watching the dust in the road behind him, Thankful that the dreadful smell was no longer around, Bysti picked up her bags and headed tiredly to the plot’s huge Guild House just a short distance away. Trudging along, she could see the beginnings of a lot of construction. Thinking of a hot meal and a safe place to sleep she smiled. “Home at last!” she thought.

[Skirnir Ouija Glada]

Misadventures Part 2

As Fingers rapidly closed in on the portal, he mind worked as quickly as his feet. “Assassins' prices are far too high, over 200 gold for a legal citizen....” The beginnings of a vague solution began to take shape. I need to have a legal professional. An all above board employee with credentials out of Tazoon to screen my activities. His mind in a whirl, he paid little attention when he reached the gate. He moved as fast as his short, Gnome legs could carry him. Distracted, Fingers mistakenly ported to Bristugo.


The port to Bristugo was quick, as his money pouch was lightened. Fingers hit the ground running. Flustered and not paying attention, he failed to notice the little wobbly and fumbling hatchling in front of him. Angered at being impeded, Fingers cursed out loud, as he brought his bow down on the hatchling’s snout. Stumbling from the sudden movement, he accidentally stomped its little clawed paw. The hatchling screamed in pain and fright. It lifted up on its hind legs, throwing Fingers in a somersault through the air. The large adult female Dragon rose up in rage, as she pulled her little one between her legs. Lifting her head, she roared in fury, and let loose a stream of fire across the open areas between portals. Targeting the Gnome, the flames tracked him. As he tumbled through the air the portals exploded one by one, engulfed in the powerful Dragon fire. Fingers screamed in pain.


Thinking he was dying, Fingers pressed the telling crystal into his palm saturating it with his own blood. The crystal flashed a brilliant red and white fire, sending its magical signal into the air. Theta Omega, the decades old plan and the single largest piece in his grand plan of events, was initiated. Fingers, with his clothes and flesh burning, ported randomly with his last conscious thought. The scorched and heated barrels on the disk followed him.