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Post subject: Deciphering the Diabolicals
 Posted: Aug 25, 2010 - 10:08 AM
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Noble
Joined: Oct 16, 2009
Posts: 958
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End of the Full Blue Moon, Year 434
The Blue Moon Festival was petering out, and Shayde had finished selling her goods. Deciding that if she bought any more ferrite from her friend Whisp, she would be broke, the rogue decided to see what records she could gather from the Andrissian Library before returning to Mirith to compose her report for Senator Morgans. Actually, the report would be as much for her own comprehension of events as for anyone else. There had been so much happening lately, and through all of it many hints and clues had been found, not deciphered, and then half forgotten. But with the new information gathered this week at the Festival, some answers might now be found, and some of the puzzle put together.
The rogue had spoken to her friends, Cassandra, Sophina, and Lou Bene, and all three were more than happy to help with this puzzle. The problem was, where to start. Having everyone going through everything would be silly, so it would be best to at least make a timeline of events first. Shoving her hair up under her Jester Hat, Shayde began to dig through the recent news reports. Thank goodness she and her friends had been diligent about recording events; it would make things much easier now. After two days she surfaced, squinting at the sun, but with all but one of the relevant reports in hand. Perhaps she would be able to find the missing one at Mirith Castle, or someone else might have a copy.
A paper fell out of the folders in her arms and fluttered to the ground. Picking it up she frowned. This was that scroll Cyric had mentioned. Strange that he hadn't deciphered it himself....or maybe he had, and the younger rogue didn't know. Her guild leader hadn't been as chatty recently as he had been in the past. Something caught her eye...something about the signature.... "Jou##ey#an, #i###lic#l D##ices "
Could that be? She squinted a bit....yes it was!!!! Journeyman, Diabolical Devices!!!!!! It was a letter written by one of the Diabolicals!!! Setting the folders on a table, she sat down and sharpened a harpie quill. Dipping it in the ink well conveniently waiting on the table, she started to decipher. The sun set, night passed, and when the sun rose again the next morning, Shayde was exhausted but pleased. She had done it, at least most of it, and what she found when she read it over even made sense, thanks to the new information from Senator Morgans.
Report to Master Rem######,
I write with good news, my Lord. My team and I have isolated the area of interest to the lair of a particular Forest dragon, named #########. Though this is a strong foe, I am confident that with the correct preparation my forces are enough to defeat the beast and retrieve this valuable treasure. I have taken the liberty of withdrawing two medium protecting rings for myself and three rings of lightning bolt for my lieutenants. I have faith that with the beast destroyed we shall find its hoard, minus our particular desire, suffices to repay their worth and more. When the creature is slain I shall submit an inventory of recovered valuables.
I have slightly worse news regarding the location of the mage Alastor. While my attack on Gast proceeded well, the gain was destroyed by an incursion of adventurers, I believe to have originated in Andris. Melaka was held, as was our intention, but revealed little of practical use before the adventurers were successful in liberating her from our clutches. From what I can gather Alastor has not been seen in Gast for a long time, and it is believed by the locals that he lost his marbles' and it is to be hoped 'that he is dead in a ditch somewhere... you don't want that kind of person running around loose'. This is contrary to the best reports of our field agents, who believe he is alive, mental state unknown. There are rumors that efforts were being made to cure him before he disappeared from the record altogether in the year 430.
Valencius has been making his own attempts to elicit information, and no doubt has reported them to you. What he may not have told you is that he has been successful in obtaining at least one ransom, that for a young Andrisian citizen named Calindra, a relative of one of the Senate. His methods appear brash and are what I would have expected of one his age. His success so far would belie his flawed modus operandi. During his incursion into Andris, a tactic I myself believe far too bold, and far too likely to draw adverse attention (indeed I suspect if he had not made such a show of things I may have had more time in Gast, the Andrisians not being already in a state of wariness), he obtained two tomes from the shelves of their library, pertinent to our cause. He left them with me before continuing with his plan, I have sent them to you, and it is my hope you have them already as you read this.
My suspicion is that by not reporting this ransom Valencius is attempting to fund a continuation of your venerated though flawed predecessor's research into control of the golems. A frippery we can ill afford to waste resources on now we have the Staff Project to work on. Valencius has already retained a significant number of Alliance troops as his own personal army and is exceeding the recommended guidance on the use of Black Magic, one of my sources indicates he teleported the equivalent of a full raiding party upon finding one of his safe houses compromised. When I atttmpted to challenge him on this he only muttered something about 'manic empowerment' before shrugging me off. This could be another of his tangential projects: I do not believe the man is committed to your vision. Further to this paragraph I would like to add that my own relationship with a small group of the privateer faction is prospering, despite the Gast setback. Though it does not fall within our remit I believe there is a distinct possibility that in time they may be integrated into the Hand, for our common benefit.
I do hope that the alternate research paths I had proposed are proceeding well. Though I am loathe to give them up, I trust you have put them in good hands. I believe that the research into the phases of the moon especially is pivotal to our cause.
In your service,
Cal#enfir, Journeyman, Diabolical Devices
Gathering up her folders and placing the transcribed version of the scroll on top, Shayde left Andris Keep. It was time to find the others and figure this all out. Happy to have such an important and exciting task ahead, the young rogue grinned and broke into a run. |
_________________
Lady of Dragon's Gate
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 25, 2010 - 11:57 AM
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Noble
Joined: Oct 16, 2009
Posts: 958
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Sitting on the bank steps of Andris in hopes that a Royal Auction would be announced, Shayde began to make notes. She wanted to be prepared when her friends showed up. Not being a scholar like the mages, she sometimes felt inadequate when joining their study sessions. However, she did know that her observant nature and endless curiosity could be helpful if she managed to control her exuberance. Making sure her back was to the wall, so nobody could see her notes, the rogue began with the logical. Who were they dealing with and what was currently known about them?
Getting out four sheets of paper she scratched out a list for herself and each of her companions. They would hopefully have more to add when they arrived.
Black Hand:
One hand led by The Twins and contains the Alliance
One hand led by Marthonis and uses necromancy and Bone Lords
The Alliance:
-Brigands, Giants, Trolls, and possibly Privateers
-Fight together as directed by the Black Hand
-Some troops being used by the Diabolicals
Denreth:
-Druid of the Black Hand
-A trainer of of the Alliance Troops
The Diabolicals:
-Division of Diabolical Devices
-Faction of the Black Hand
-Also known as "The Enchanters"
-Study items of magic and artifacts
-Have interest in blacksmithing and enchanting, possibly to make weapons, magical and otherwise
-Ring Project, Tree Project, and Staff Project
-Uses Alliance Troops
-May be studying how to control Golems
-Led by Master Rem
Master Rem:
-Leader of the Diabolicals
Mr. Brownington, Mr. Bluerton, Mr. Rederton:
-Leaders of Brigand parties
-Black Hand / Diabolical Faction
-Killed
Lucien:
-Diabolical / Researcher for the Tree Project
-Killed in Raid
Riella:
-Cleric of the Black Hand
-Currently with the Diabolicals
Rethric:
-Blacksmith of the Black Hand
-Currently with the Diabolicals
Valencius:
-A Diabolical with his own agenda
-Masterminded kidnapping of Calindra for ransom
-Had books on Blacksmithing and Enchanting stolen from Andris Keep
-Has Alliance troops at his command
-Black Magic user
Apprentice:
-Thought to be working for Valencius, who is with the Diabolicals
-Magic user
Mages of Unknown Affiliation
Arelintha:
-Questionable artifact collecter,
-Has Shadowed Orb & has summoned liches with it - possibly by mistake
-Wanted Dark Ruby
-May want to take over Andris Magic Shop
Fortinbras:
-Semi-crazed druid/wizard
-Summons Sand Spiders and Sea Serpents
-Wants Shadowed Orb and can "feel" when it is close
-Interested in the Dark Ruby
-Terrified of the Undead
Telchine:
-Wizard, affiliation unknown
-Claims to know about the Dark Ruby
-Lives in Marali woods somewhere
-Is currently being held by the Alliance
-Can apparently "feel" the Dark Ruby when it is close
Others / Friends
Libe:
-May be an inside source of information about the Diabolicals
-Possible spell caster
-Has old storybook (suspect it may actually be spell book since the Alliance was after a chest it was in)
-Possible source of more information if she can be found
Calindra:
-niece of Senator Halbim
-has some ties to Gast(?)
-was kidnapped for ransom but suspect there is more to it
Lythette:
-Librarian of Andris (?)
-Magic user (?)
Melaka:
-Blacksmith from Port Gast
-Kidnapped by Diabolicals for information
-Need more information on her
Alastor:
-must ask Cassandra for information on this one
-Wizard gone insane
-May or may not be alive and/or in treatment for his madness
-Black Hand has interest in him
At the end of the lists she added a request for her friends to provide any more information they might be able to find. Satisfied, she went to see the bank manager. Folding each paper crisply, she sealed them with some wax that was available on the bank desk, and pressed her ring of shadow in to make an official seal. Slipping the papers into her pack, the rogue went back out to play a final game of dice before leaving for home. |
_________________
Lady of Dragon's Gate
Last edited by Shayde on Sep 18, 2010 - 06:46 AM; edited 1 time in total
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Post subject:
Posted: Sep 03, 2010 - 07:25 PM
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Noble
Joined: Oct 16, 2009
Posts: 958
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After much sorting and re-reading of scrolls, Shayde sat in the Mirith Castle Library and made her outline for the report to Senator Morgans. She would copy it to the officials at Mirith and Marali as well, as they had a need for the information too. Her duty was not to one nation, but to the protection of all in danger, and she intended to keep it that way. To make sure she didn't miss anything, the rogue decided to make copies for her friends who had volunteered to help, and have them check the lists over...providing she could find them....Everyone seemed to have scattered since Blue Moon Festival and she could have sworn she hadn't seen hide nor hair of Cassandra for ages. Perhaps the Wizard was on vacation in Marali...she had ties there after all... Choosing not to debate on the strangeness of her friend's political moves, Shayde got down to the task at hand.
My friends, here is the best timeline I could compile of events to date involving the Black Hand / Diabolicals. Please let me know if I have missed anything that you are aware of. If you think everything is here, I will compose my report for the authorities as best I can entailing these events and their possible meanings... Any input would be appreciated. - S
Year 433
Fighting Moon
- Riella, Healer spotted on an errand
Sleeping Moon
- Alliance attack at 3 Rivers - after chest containing Libe's book, along with staff, and charm
Year 434
Waking Moon
- Apprentice met and fought by Aerowyn for killing her sheep
Growing Moon
Bleeding Moon
Red Moon
Harvest Moon
- The Dark Ruby is found and given to Cassandra's custody
- Alliance Attacks Lerilin
- Calindra kidnapped from Andris, rescued at Dragon Mouth Cave
- Alliance Attacks Mirith
- Alliance Attacks Marali
Dancing Moon
- Melaka kidnapped from Gast and rescues at Crescent Island
- Cyric finds scroll referring to kidnappings and projects
- Denreth met, tells story about Warrior and Ice Dragon
- Battle with Alliance at Marali Bridge - they get away with Telchine
- Denreth met in Tree Maze, mentions Diabolicals
Lucky Moon
- Brigs of the Black Hand (Marthonis' Emblem?) in ID - mentioning Diabolicals
- Brig Thug shopping for Ice Crystals from Arny (Twins' Emblem)
- Test Dark Ruby and discover it summons elementals, Alliance attacks - implied that Telchine is with them and said she can "feel" that one of us has it
- Cargo delivery from Mirith to Marali - attacks by 3 bands of Black Hand brigands, apparently from the ring project
- Makeshift forge found in Duldrus cave with note mentioning ring
- Brig camp found by Mercenary Cave with note about "the Duldrus Man"
Blue Moon
- Large Alliance camp found at Foehan including brackens
- Fight at Crescent Island / Tree Project / New information from Morgans
- Raid on Mercenary Cave / Ring of Life Taken / Other camps taken down / Magma Golem found / Libe found in one camp
Fighting Moon
Making 3 duplicates of the list, Shayde sealed each with some candle wax and made a seal with her Ring of Shadow. Sighing that she didn't have her engraved one any more after it inexplicably broke off her finger, she put this replacement ring back in her pouch. Summoning her couriers she gave each a token and instructions to deliver the scrolls to Cassandra, Sophina, and Lou Bene with all haste. Who knew when the next attack would be. This report must be completed soon. |
_________________
Lady of Dragon's Gate
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Post subject:
Posted: Sep 03, 2010 - 07:41 PM
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Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 2096
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She knew that day would come. One can't hide forever, not even in Marali. She had spent the most pleasing of holidays with only Antoninus, trees, and gapers as company. A couple of furtive visits to Mirith, to get her bow repaired by Sumac's skilled hands, or to drop another sugary treaty on Kwes' chest, but that had been it. Reading the rogue's letter, Cassandra was reminded of that horrible word. "Duty." She had one, and it was time to go back to it.
She considered writing a note announcing her return to Mirith. But half a moon away from the quills had made her vocabulary limited to the signs of alert given between a wizard and a cleric while fighting magical foes. "Weakened," or "paralysed," or even "this idiot just decided to disorient me." Not exactly what one would call a well constructed sentence.
On the other hand, a letter would make her return definitive. And she was still hoping she could spend a few more days in the north, while things were quiet. That was it. She would not write. She would buy a bunch of crystals (green and purple, just in case), and pay a visit to Shayde. She owed her that. |
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