The Starsong. (A Diabolical Campaign)

[The Demented One]

David

The soldier follows suit, laying aside his implements and hefting his sword. "Gentlemen, I believe we'd best set out now. We have a star to kill."

[DiabolicalFurby]

The guardsmen, upon hearing David's proclamation of killing a star, stand there rather slack jawed for a long moment before one gets a hold of his senses and steps forward. "If you will follow us, we will take you to the Lord Justicar now." the young guard says, turning and heading towards the door, holding it open respectfully so the others may pass.

The morning air is cool and crisp outside though a murky overcast covers the sky, revealing blue only for a moment before the gray clouds rush in to cover the opening. Snow lays on the ground in a thin, frozen layer that crunches quite audibly as you walk over it and the more practical minded of you can't help but think that the snow will at least make it harder for anyone to sneak up behind you.

You are lead through the winding streets of merchants quarter, the streets winding to and fro with no sense of order and those of you who know this place know that this is confuse attackers if they breach the outer wall. The buildings here are large and well made but a bit simple, the first floor being made of pieces of stone mortared together while the upper floors are made of solid timbers coated in white plaster and as you pass you idly wonder who lives in these buildings, because for all the time that you have walked Valorin has appeared to be a ghost town with the few people on the streets keeping to the edges, as if afraid to appear brazen by walking down the center of an avenue.

Soon you reach a massive stone gate set into a massive interior wall at least the size of the exterior wall you passed through only last night. Unlike last night though, the portcullis is up and your escort leads you through unharassed by any fat gatekeepers.

The buildings on the other side of the wall tell you that you must be in some sort of nobles district for the buildings are solid stone and even larger than those in the merchants quarter. Many of the buildings bear flags draped from the walls bearing the insignia's of the House that presides in them and the dying gardens that surround such manors seem to your eyes that they would be magnificent in warmer seasons.

As you head deeper into the district you pass a massive stone building with a large wooden sign that bears four interlocking rings, with each ring facing one of the cardinal directions. The north, east, and southern rings seen to have been inlaid with iron but the western ring blazes golden and bright upon the wood and though there is no letters written upon the sign you wonder if this could be the Westring House that the warrior told you he was hired from.

A moment after you pass the buildign with the sign you come to the entrance of a massive building that looks more like a temple than anything. The building is made of solid stone, sheathed in marble and is some four stories tall and built on a small hill in the district. The steps leading to the front of the building are broad, some fifty feet across and lead up the forty foot incline of the small hill to deposit you in front of the building. From where you stand the building looks to be shaped like a 'T' with the entrance at the bottom of the 'T's leg. The buildings massive stone doors stand open and inside you can see all manner of people walking too and fro, the only constant among them as that they appear armed, armored, and rather busy.

"This is the Hall of Valor, home of the Justicars and the Midnight Guard." the young guard who held the door open for you states, looking a bit nervous to be standing infront of the building. "We... Aren't allowed in." the guard says, sounding rather sheepish. It is apparent that you have been given permission to enter, but your escort has not.

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"The architecture's a bit heavy, isn't it?" Aelen comments, staring up at the Hall. She is very still for a moment, lost in thought, before being shaken out of her reverie by the guard's words.
"Thank you for the escort. Before we go in, is there anything you could tell us about the Lord Justicar?"

[Jokes]

Aldrok

"Bah, this is nothing, me buddy and I once stumbled upon a temple 3 times the size of this, made by the drow for Lolth. At least we are welcome here." Aldrok shudders. "So many spiders..."

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

Aelen twitches slightly at the mention of drow. "Really? What did you do there?"

[Jokes]

Aldrok

"We ran! There's no sense hanging around a temple full of spiders."

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"Do you think you'd be able to find it again?"

[Jokes]

Aldrok

Aldrok rubs his short beard thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose I could, but that's not really the problem. The only way I know of to get there is through my old Clanhold," he coughs, "bastards. And I'm not particularly welcome in those parts. But one of these days, I'm going back there to take care of unfinished business. You are welcome to join me."

Spoiler

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You can read Aldrok's backstory for some insight (warning, it's pretty long). You can assume he's told you all about how he came into his power.

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"Should things go well here, I think I will take you up on that."

[Sucrose]

Ikhnaton

Allowing the arcanists to converse betwixt themselves, Ruyake asks more of the guards.

"As my compatriot was saying, I'd appreciate it if you'd let us know anything that the Lord Justicar is particularly sensitive about, or really any facets of his personality that may not be apparent."

[DiabolicalFurby]

The young guard shifts his stance when asked the question, a puzzled look scribed upon his face as he lifts his right hand to scratch the back of his head. He thinks for a brief moment before he speaks and even then is words come slowly. "Well. He's old, really old. My grandfather was an acolyte for a decade when he was a little older than me and Lord Mavyr was the Lord Justicar then too."

The young guard looks up at the party, still trying to remember anything else then the youth's eyes darken. "I.. I don't know the man personally. But his son was one of the twenty that ventured into the Starsea and didn't return."

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OOC
And I forgot that I do have a map of the area most of my games take place in and am willing to either email it, or post it somewhere once I figure out how to upload pictures. If you want me to email it to you, say so in the OOC. If I figure out the whole picture upload Ill put it up in the OOC.

[Bandededed]

"Tch. Who cares? Let's just get on with it. I'm tired of waiting around," Odin says grumpily. He moves slowly forward, and stops just after entering the doors.

"Are you coming or not?!" he growls

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"Of course we're coming, Odin, but it wouldn't hurt to know a little about the Lord Justicar before we meet with him." Aelen turns back to the guards. "Thank you for your escort, and do please forgive my companion's harsh words. I hope the day goes well for you." She walks up the stairs and into the Hall.

[Sucrose]

"Thank you for the information, sir. You've been most helpful."

With that, Ruyake follows Odin into the Hall of Valor.

[DiabolicalFurby]

The group steps through the massive stone archway and enter the Hall of Valor, their boots clicking loudly on the stone floors as they do so but with the amount of people present and the noise echoing throughout the hall it would seem like a heavily laden horse could sneak through the hall at present. No sooner than you have taken a half dozen steps you ate stopped by a tall elven woman wearing a rather form fitting robe of heavy red wool trimmed in brown leather bearing a vine and leaf design. She carries a twisted wooden staff topped with a golden eagle, wings spread as if it is soaring.

"You!" she says, stepping before the party, holding out her staff as if ordering them to stop. "What business do you have in our hallowed hall?" she asks, planting the butt of her staff in the ground with great force as she stands there, gaze roaming over those present.

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"The Lord Justicar requested our attendence, in regards to the fire and other events last night."

[Bandededed]

"What she said lady," Odin says without stopping, "Now get out the way,"

[Jokes]

Aldrok

"Don't tell me we all got woken up early this morning, come all the way down here, and you don't even know who we are?" He shakes his head, tsk-ing.

[DiabolicalFurby]

The woman holds out her staff, forcibly stopping Odin as he tries to walk by. She smiles a small, pleasant smile at the shifter, almost as if daring him to do something foolish. After a brief moment she turns her attention back towards the group, straightening her robe with her left hand. "If are here to see the Lord Justicar then your appointment will be logged." she says, turning her back on the group and walking down the hall. She stops after a few steps and turns sharply, the hem of her robes swaying from the motion. "Follow me."

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"Could you please make an effort to remember that these people are our employers, not our enemies? It won't do anyone any good if they run us out of town for insulting their officials." Aelen hisses quietly over her shoulder as she falls in behind the elf.

[Bandededed]

Looking at the women in surprise - she was far stronger than she looked! - Odin growls and mutters obscenely under his breath, but gets in line, ears down and slightly red-faced.

[Jokes]

Aldrok

Bowing slightly at the woman, Aldrok follows.

Spoiler

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Yeah, third post... My brain is too dumb at the moment to think of something pretty, I just woke up.

[DiabolicalFurby]

The Elf leads you through the lower hall, winding her way through the people passing to and fro. Most of the people are adorned in the attire they see fit with little in the way of uniform or heraldry though most have an amulet or ring bearing an eagle in flight, the sign of the Justicars.

At the end of the hall the elf turns to the right and leads the group up a flight of stone stairs. As you head up you notice several banners bearing coats of arms hanging from the ceiling, making those who wish to ascend pass below the symbols of their lords and masters. The elf leads you up to the topmost floor before she stops at the topmost step and turning her head to take a long look at the five behind her she opens the door though she seems reluctant to do so.

Past the door is a large room with engraved oak paneling and a wall spanning tapestry showing the founding of Valorin on the wall directly across from you. A very austere desk sits in the middle of the room though nobody is present. A large door to your right leads deeper into this part of the hall but the elf doesn't lead you there, instead she heads towards the desk, sitting behind it and opening a drawer. She pulls out a large leather bound book and opens it towards its middle where she scans the pages.

"The Lord Justicar is available." she says, though after looking at the book in silence for a long moment after speaking she frowns. "It is written here that the meeting is to be held for an Ah-grue-lock." she looks up, a look of alarm set upon her face for the briefest of instances before her face settles back to her normal brooding features. "Which one of you is this ah-grue-lack?" she asks, slowly pronouncing the word with a cringe, as if she finds the sound distasteful. "Or am I to believe you all to be this... person?"

[Jokes]

Aldrok

Aldrok's face turns ashen. His eyes dart around to his companions. "Agulak's here?!?"

[Dhavaer]

Aelenrian

"Ahgrulak is an aberrant supernatural entity associated with a star. It is... somewhat implausible that the Lord Justicar would be meeting with it. Could the meaning be that Ahgrulak will be under discussion, rather than in attendance?"

[Jokes]

Aldrok

His sigh of relief practically echoes in the hall. He puts a hand to his heart. "Don't scare me like that. I thought those crazy cultists had drawn him close enough."

[Bandededed]

Odin's ears perk up at the name, only to flatten with a growl once he recognizes it. He doesn't say anything, though, listening to his companions and watching the elf for any giveaways.

Is this some form of treachery?

Spoiler

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Perception - (1d20+8)[15]
He's looking for any signs that she is faking her earlier response to the name

[Sucrose]

Ikhnaton

Ikhnaton massages his temples, quite irritated by the infernal bureaucracy.

"Does it really matter, m'lady? Please be assured that we have been brought here, at great inconvenience to our own persons, to meet with your Lord Justicar, regardless of what the logbook may say.

Now please just direct us to him, that we may be out of your hair, and you may return to more important matters than paperwork."

[DiabolicalFurby]

The elf woman smirks at Aldrok's outburst and is frowning by the time Ruyake is finished with his piece. She stands up, no longer hunched over the logbook, and straightens her outfit before she turns on her heel and heads towards the door to your right. "Wait." is the only thing she says before disappearing into the adjacent rooms. She is gone for a long time as you wait in the oddly ornate room, no doubt the Lord's waiting room.

Finally after several minutes she returns, her soft elven features twisted slightly, as if she has encountered a bad smell and longs to be rid of it. She heads towards you, her staff thumping the ground audibly with each step, She pushes past you forcefully, brushing those aside who cannot move fast enough. As you hear her footfalls upon the stone staircase behind you a voice calls from one of the adjacent rooms.

"You may enter."

[Bandededed]

Is that chick for real?, Odin thinks, Honestly, I think I might kill her next time

He turns around, though, and moves toward the voice, letting no small amount of annoyance seep into his voice. "So, have we finally found the Lord Justicar, or should be be shoved around a little more first?"