Ebberon: The Age of Worms

Book 1: The Whispering Cairn - Chapter 5

2009-02-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

The group waled at a steady pace; Shidé lead, being the only one knowing the way. For a few hours they talked idly, taking the opportunity to get to know each other. Zadkiel kept his answers to questions of himself fairly cryptic, seeming to not be comfortable discussing his past just yet.

Kagami was very talkative, and seemed to enjoy the sound of his own voice. He had a lot of breath for someone so short. Shidé and Narr listened to it all, saying little. Ielena was enjoying the walk, having not been able to get away from the garrison for several weeks, aside form patrols through town.

About an hour away from the cairn, Shidé stopped, looking into the brush to their left. Narr looked at him slightly puzzled. "What is it?"

Shidé raised his finger to his lips, signaling they should be quiet. "We have company..." he said softly, "Two wolves. They've been following us for the last thirty minutes." He slowly readied his bow.

The rest peered into the brush, trying not to alert the beasts. Kagami also readied his crossbow. Kagami loosed his crossbow's bolt only a split second before Shidé loosed his arrow, and there were two simultaneous yelps about a dozen feet off the trail as both missiles hit their marks. The wolves bolted away, and on the opposite side of the trail three more ran. Shide and Kagami glanced at each other, a smirk on Kagami's round face. Ielena sighed slightly "Wow, a whole pack was on our trail..." she said, somewhat surprised no one else had noticed the animals sooner.

They continued on, arriving at the cairn about an hour later. The stone entryway had no door covering it; it stood ten feet high and the same across, with the 'door frame' about a foot wide all the way around, crafted in a simple Grey stone. About halfway up each side, bands of what appeared to be simple geometric designs running horizontally along, into the cairn. Kagami wasted no time trying to get a better look at the designs. His brow furrowed in mild concentration as he examined them. His wife looked at them beside him, admiring the artwork.

Kagami's thoughts were racing, as they usually did. Hmm... these designs are not as simple as they appear... I know that combination of symbols there... where have I seen it before... His eyes widened in realization. "Aha..." he whispered under his breath, "Auran... language of air..." No one seemed to hear him, and he couldn't be bothered to share the info yet. He made a mental note to craft a Scroll of Comprehend Languages when they were back in town to assist in further study.

Shidé pulled a small notepad from a pocket with a small piece of sharpened charcoal and started sketching as they slowly walked into the entrance. Not far in, the passageway branched into two small 'guard posts', one to the left and one to the right. Ielena and Shidé stepped into the short, left passage while Zadkiel and Kagami went to the right. the passages were short; Kagami and Zadkiel took one step in and found the passage completely barren.

Ielena and Shidé found a small bundle of old, brittle cloth at the end of the left passage. They crouched down, trying to examine it without actually touching it for fear of damaging it. Narr leaned over them, curious what it was they had found. Small wood shavings littered the floor around the bundle, which was the size of a halfling or an older child...

(I will be finishing this post as soon as time permits.)

Book 1: The Whispering Cairn - Chapter 4

2009-02-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

Shidé was mildly impressed. They had all shown up. About ten minutes early and fully geared to leave, even. Finally, people that were remotely professional. Taking on his "Frank" persona, he stepped out into the main square. There were a few drunks staggering from the Feral Dog, but the streets were relatively quiet this time of night.

"Thank you all for coming. I think you'd all agree we stand a better chance together than separate of turning any profit from this venture." Nods of agreement came from all the party members. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to accompany you myself; business matters require my attention here. My associate, Shidé, will be joining you. He should be arriving momentarily." The group looked slightly puzzled at each other for a moment, but there were no arguments. "If you have any questions, he'll be able to answer them." He bowed low, then walked off, turning a corner and quickly changing to his preferred working personae and switching cloaks. He quickly returned to the group.

Zadkiel noticed him approaching first. "Ah, you must be Shidé?" the large man asked.

"Aye, I am." Shidé said simply. "It's a long walk, we should start off." Everyone nodded, and they began the journey.

Book 1: The Whispering Cairn - Chapter 3

2009-02-07T16:38:00.001-08:00

So far, things were moving smoothly. Shidé liked it that way. This town was full of way too many... complications. Some were necessary evils, however. Like Working for Smenk, for example. Good thing his last job had gone so well, Smenk had 'given" him a few days off. And Shidé planned to put those days to good use.

He had a healer and a swordarm; time to add the magic prowess. Wizards were scarce in Diamond lake; Alustan was practically the only one, and he was no adventurer. That left little options... so few, that only one person came to his mind.

Kagami, the gnome artificer.

Shidé made his way through the streets to the garrison. The gate guard on duty was awake and alert; considdering the last war had ended about five years ago and there was very little fighting happening, this was a bit out of place... untill Shidé saw how young the man was. Probably a new recruit trying to impress the suuperiors and get transferred out of town.

"Halt! State your business." Yup, the guard was deffinitely young.

"I have business for the artificer." he said simply. The guard eyed him up and down, then opened the gate and stood aside.

"Very well. Make it quick, though; we have maneuvers in a few hours." Shide nodded and continued through. He'd been through the garrison hundreds of times before, in his form of 'Charlie Gibbens', the local messenger boy. The form served it's purpose very well, he had used it to gather useful information many times. He quickly made his way to the garrisons private quarters and found the room he was looking for. He'd never actually met the artificer, but understood he lived here with his wife, whome Shidé had also never formally met. He knocked on the door and waited.

After a moment the door opened, and the first thing he noticed was the beautiful elven woman laying wrapped in the blankets on the bed. Even he had trouble hiding his surprise. He quickly recovered himself, though. "I-I'm looking for the artificer."

"And you've found him." A voice near his feet said, somewhat playfully. "I'm down here, dipshit." Shidé looked down, realizing that the door had been opened by the short gnome - who was even short for a gnome.

"My appologies. I meant no offence."

The gnome snickered. "None taken, friend. If you plan on having dealings with me, you'll get used to my... rudeness. There are few in this town who can actually be labeled as even remotely intelligent, so just as you're used to taller people, I'm used to stupid people. Now, if you're done oggling my wife, we can get down to business." The short man smiled broadly.

Shidé was very much surprised. "That's your wife? I... um... Right, business."

---------------------------------

The gnome and the elven lady both looked to each other, considering the offer. They quickly noded to each other, turning back to Shidé. "Ok, I'm in; but under one condition."

"Name it." Shidé wasn't sure he would like what they would ask; the gnome was a curious fellow, and it could be anything.

The gnome looked longingly at his wife. "Ielena comes, too.” He turned back to Shidé with a serious expression. “I won’t do anything this potentially dangerous without her to watch my back. No offence, but I don’t know your capabilities yet; I know hers.”

“Fair enough, and agreed. I’d probably ask the same." Shidé stood, and the two men shook on the deal. “Meet me in the town square at midnight and we’ll head to the cairn. It’s a six hour
hike, so be ready.”

Book 1: The Whispering Cairn - Chapter 2

2009-02-07T16:37:00.001-08:00

Shidé walked down the street away from Allustan's home, shifting his appearance from that of 'Frank' as soon as he was confident no one was within view. He'd have to thank those fools from Sharn for the idea of raiding the Cairn; after he'd raided it, of course.

The foolish adventurers had shown up two weeks before, and hadn't bothered to keep quiet about their intentions. The trio, comprised of Auric (a large fighter with the Sharn Arena Champion's belt always around his waist), Kellek (a grumpy looking wizard, the real brains behind the group) and Tirra (a lovely elven rogue with a penchant for games of skill), had been spending the last 2 weeks trying to find passage across the lake and being very leigurely about it. Of course, they were ignoring anyone who tried to tell them the cairn was already raided more than once ofer the last 200 years and was likely empty by now.

Taking on the 'Frank' form once again, he made his way towards the Hungry Gar. The second member of his 'team' would be found there...

Being a changeling had some definite advantages; Shidé had found out about the 'Whispering Cairn', as it was called, from several of the local kids. Children were quite a useful source of information, one which it seemed the rest of Diamond Lake chose to ignore. All the better for Shidé.

As he stepped into the front door of the Hungry Gar, his nose was assaulted by the aroma of freshly baked cookies and his mouth imediately started watering with anticipation. Making his way towards the back, he passed the barkeep. "I'm here to see Narr," he said, and the Barkeep just nodded towards the kitchen.

Narr was just pulling a fresh batch of cookies from the oven when Shidé enterd. The large warforged noded in greeting, his metalic voice resounding with a slight echo as he spoke, "Fred."

Shidé nodded a greeting in return. "Narr. Smells good. New recipie?"

"Yes" Narr took a spatula from a hook nearby and began moving the cookies to a cooling rack.

Shidé watched Narr for a few moments, enjoying the lovely aroma of the Warforged, unofficially the best baker in all of Diamond Lake. Unofficial, because the owner of the Hungry Gar insisted that it was his cooking that was the best in town, trying to take all the credit.

"I'm going on a bit of an excavation; could be dangerous. Could use a cleric of your skill."

The Warforged just noded, aknowledging he'd heard Shidé.

"So... Will you join me?"

Narr paused a moment, then turned to look at Shidé. "Yes."

Shidé smiled. "Um... might I have one of those cookies...?" he asked, somewhat sheepishly.

Narr looked at the cookies on the rack, picked one up and handed it to the changeling. "Yes."

Shidé smiled broadly, taking the cookie. "Owch..." he nearly dropped it as it burned his hand slightly.

The Warforged seemed to blink. "It is hot." He said simply, then returned to his work.

Book 1: The Whispering Cairn - Chapter 1

2009-02-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

Sweat dripped from Zadkiel's brow as he exercised, his movements fluid and well-practiced as he performed his daily Kata's. Allustan had been very kind to him, giving the Asimir a bed and a place to train. His Dragonmark had guided him to this small, pimple of a town called Diamond Lake; for what reasons he still did not know. But he always followed where the Fates directed him; his path would reveal itself soon enough.

The sun was warm, a nice change from the cold that had been lingering since winter. Zadkiel stepped to the side in perfect measure, bringing his hands up as if to slowly parry an unseen combatant. He'd been practicing this dance of death since he was of age, and the movements were second-nature now. as he completed the set and came to rest standing straight with his hands relaxed by his side, a quiet applause came from by the side of the house. Zadkiel spun, immediately in a combat stance.

The short man smirked slightly at Zadkiel, seeming impressed. "I'd come hoping Allustan could recommend a few people to assist me with a... project. Perhaps my timing was lucky and I can do away witht he 'middle man'. My name is Frank. Frank Furter."

Zadkiel laughed. "Is that meant to be a joke, or were your parents really that cruel?" He relaxed his stance, but kept his eyes on the man.

"Perhaps both," The man chuckled. "I'm looking for a few strong men. I don't suppose you're looking for a bit of work?"

"I might be; depends on the type of work." Zadkiel's gaze became sturn, showiing Frank he was not interested in anything illegal, which seemed o be the usual type of work available in Diamond Lake, aside from working in the mines.

Frank feined an injured expression. "Oh, how rude." He smiled, "It's all above board, i assure you. I'm looking for a few people to assist with the... excavation of an antient cairn a few hours travel from town. I have it on good athourity that the true tomb has yet to be opened, and there's the possibility of great wealth and antient treasures not seen since the Demon Wars millenia ago. Interested?"

Zadkiel thought it over a few moments, then closed his eyes. There would be one thing that would make the decision for him. As he pondered the offer, he felt the slight burning in his dragonmark, the sign that the Fates had plans for him. This? This is the path I am to follow at this time? To an antient long-forgotten burrial place? As of in responce, the mark burned slightly hotter. That settled it.

He walked casually over to Frank, extending a hand to seal the deal. "I'm in." He held Franks hand a moment longer than needed, looking sternly into the mans eyes, "But if you cross me... I'll slit your throat."

Frank noded his understanding, "Fair enough." And with that, the short man left.

Prologue

2009-02-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Skivvy was dying. He knew it, knew it as soon as he’d started vomiting all that blood three blocks earlier. His mind raced, trying to understand what was happening as his body was wracked by yet another massive spasm of pain, knocking him to his knees for the second time in the last ten minutes. Had he somehow caught the Red Death? No… It couldn’t have been the Red Death; there hadn’t been a case of that in Diamond Lake in nearly 20 years. He stood, continuing to try to make his way to the Jurasco Healing House, cutting his way behind buildings and through back alleys. Not the safest thing to do in Diamond Lake, but he was confident the blood and vomit that covered him would turn up any muggers nose. Was this something new? Had he caught something from one of the Midnight Salute’s sluts last month?

He fell down to his hands and knees again in a small alley, only 2 blocks away from the Jurasco Healing House. His stomach heaved, and out came more blood and vomit. So much blood…

“Poor Skivvy… I don’t think you’ll make it.” A voice said from the shadows, only a couple of feet from where Skivvy weakly knelt in the alley. The weakened man jumped in his skin, shocked that he wasn’t alone. He weakly tried to stand again, a defiant grimace on his face, but his legs would not obey and he fell again onto his side, vomiting more blood. A dark figure stepped from the shadows; a man Skivvy didn’t recognize.

He tried to speak, his voice hoarse and weak from all the vomiting and running. “Who… who are you…? Wh… What do you… want…?” Skivvy knew the stranger was right. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, this man was all too right. He wasn’t going to make it. He was going to die right there.

“Oh, my friend, you don’t have long, but you have long enough to piece together this puzzle. Look closer…” The man knelt down beside Skivvy, making sure not to kneel in the blood. As Skivvy stared into the face of the stranger, the strange mans features seamed to shimmer and contort slightly, and suddenly Skivvy was looking into the face of the Barkeep’s new assistant! Skivvy stared in shock, horrified as realization seeped into him.

“The… Barkeeps… By the Sovereigns… Bloody Changling… Y-you did this… Didn’t you…” His breath was wheezing heavily. The ‘man’ shifted his image back to the stranger.

“It was you, yourself, who did this, Skivvy. I’m simply the instrument of your fate. You should not have crossed Mr. Smenk. Now you’ve forced his hand, made him turn you into yet another example, another statistic.” He pulled a hand from the shadows of his cloak, revealing a small vial, eyeing it thoughtfully. “Fascinating, isn’t it? How just a few simple herbs, in just the right amounts, just the right combination… can cause such huge amounts of damage to the human body…?”

He gazed a moment at the now empty vial, then turned back to Skivvy, roughly shoving the man’s shoulder, rolling him to his back just as another wave of pain wracked his body and he vomited. The dying man started choking on his blood. The assassin smiled. “You should be thanking me, Skivvy. Choking will be a much faster death than what the poison has in store for you.” Skivvy tried to reach up and grasp the man’s collar, but the Changling swiftly and expertly grasped the man’s hand and twisted, the crunch of his wrist breaking quite noticeable. “There’s nothing you can do, Skivvy. The Traveler will soon be with you, guiding you on your journey to the Keeper. Oh, and when you’re asked who it was that ushered you through Death’s Door, tell them you were sent by… Shidé(1)!”

With a couple final gurgles, Skivvy’s eyes glazed over as his heart ceased to beat. Shide` stood, the corpses hand flopping lifelessly to the ground. There, that’s that completed. He turned slightly to look down the alley; one of Smenk’s lackeys was there, just as Shide` had expected. He nodded, and the goon nodded in return, turning back down a side-alley.

From around the corner down the main street, voices signaled that people were coming, and fast. Drunks from the Feral Dog, by the sounds. Shide` slid skillfully into the shadows, his breath in the cold air nearly nonexistent. Five drunks came stumbling past the building, turning into the alley where they nearly tripped on Skivvy’s corpse. “Sheit! Gawddamn, Skivvy! Whuthuhellsh ish you’s doin there?” The men waited for a response from the corpse, then started nudging it with their boots when no response came. “…Skivvy? You okay, man?”

One man went sheet white and exclaimed, “He’s dead… He’s furkin’ dead!” Another said “By the Sovereigns, lookit all the furkin’ blood…”

Shide` smiled quietly to himself. The message had been delivered, as Smenk had requested. No doubt the fat man would pay handsomely for the colorful example this was becoming. Shide` silently slipped through the shadows, distancing himself from the scene. Within fifteen minutes, he was in his shack. Sure enough, there was a large pouch waiting on his make-shift table. I’ll definitely need to invest in a lock… His gaze went across his little hovel of a home. Well… after I can invest in a home worth locking…

(1) Pronunciation: Shidé = Shee-Day