Several weeks have passed since the party's successful foray into Longshadows' Tower, where they fought through numerous minions and overcame many diabolical traps, eventually vanquishing the vampire that had taken up residence within the crypts beneath the abandoned tower. Word of the adventurers' deeds, whether they like it or not, travels throughout the city's taverns, inns and guilds. Already known for their exploits against the Horned One, among other feats, this latest victory only steels the group's growing reputation as adventurers par excellence.

For his part, Eagle largely retreats from the limelight, driven by increased responsibilities within his circle. The druid has now reached a point in life where he must heed his own calling, which largely involves matters his companions might not find all that interesting. He is often found drifting about Godswalk Park, where he nurtures the flora and fauna that struggle to thrive within that tiny bastion of nature despite the encroaching rot and filth that clings to Stormhaven's mildewing walls.

The others--Ben, Galadel, Inas, Rath and Saliq--are still driven to adventure, and yet find little solace in the simple things of life. Perhaps their times will come, but for them, each sunrise offers the promise of new adventures.

True, each has amassed considerable wealth, surely a far cry from their humble beginnings with naught to show but a meager coin-purse capable of securing no more than a mean meal and modest accommodations at one of the city's many flophouses crawling with lice, mites, and disease.

Those days are gone. Each can now afford luxuries none, perhaps save for Saliq, thought possible. But in truth, the calling to adventure is about more than coffers overflowing with jewel and coin. It is about hard-fought glory and having one's life written into the flowing quills of bards and historians, their exploits captured by gold-tongued minstrels and perhaps, one day rising to the upper echelons of society.

With these thoughts in mind, the party spends their downtime attending to mundane affairs best left to the imagination.

At some point, as is often the case, the day-to-day drudgery is interrupted, when each party member receives an invitation to an audience with the Lord Mayor of Stormhaven. This news is delivered by none other than the Seneschal of Stormhaven Keep, Ingelbern.

"At personal request of the Lord Mayor of Stormhaven, you are hereby called to give testimony to your recent endeavors at Longshadows Tower. Your utter discretion is expressly warranted, as you can understand," the stately man says in an even, disinterested tone.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:11, Mon 18 Jan 2016.

There was a recent time when Rath would have met such an invitation with blusterous denials and, if lies failed, a knife to the gut of the messenger and a run to the woods to hide from the hangman, until desperation and boredom brought him back to the city.

He doesn't tell the Seneschal that.

Rath wonders for a moment, if this had been a lowly guard sergeant sent now to arrest a brute wanted for banditry and worse, would Rath have fought and fled?

Rath scratches his neck and tries to sound as disinterested as Ingelbern. "Discretion. Understood. When and where?"

Saliq calmly accepted the invitation, with all the dignity his princely blood demanded. He knew this audience would be difficult but while his magics afforded him an easier escape than any of the others he was not abandon his companions.

"Discretion? Of course. There are matters that certainly should be discussed."

Galadel settled in the first night, after taking a very hot bath, putting on fresh clothes, and having a light meal.  He was surprised he had any appetite at all, and yet he ate a steady meal, and usually an enjoyer of wine, he oddly had no taste for it.   He mostly expected not to sleep, but slept through the night, soundly and if he dreamt, he did not remember them.  Things went worse from there.  He awoke the next morning drenched in sweat and weak, it was as if he’d caught an illness but he knew it was not a normal one, he could cure those.  He spent the next few days going through a similar routine, his days spent weak, and dazed, his mind unfocused for much of the day, his nights full of nightmares, and his appetite disappeared, and he even tried one night to use wine to help fight the shakes, which just ended up making him sicker than before.   He tried to focus, to pray, to study, to make lists of what he needed to do, and even managed some short trips through the city to refresh supplies, make inquiries, but anyone who knew him well would inquire what was wrong, he clearly was not himself.

It was partly that he had expended every ounce of his magic, both arcane and divine, he had never done so much magic in such a short time and the impact was physical as well as mental, something far beyond what he’d ever experienced, but more than that, he was resisting releasing or admitting to his terror at what he’d seen, at how close he….they all, had come to death, or worse.  On the fourth night, he wept, openly.  He admitted to his fears, confessed to Ioun that he had been truly afraid and therefore, not had the faith he should have had.  The tension he was holding onto so tightly, unraveled.   That night he slept in peace and woke stronger, and hungry.   He went home the next day, and spent few days to visiting his mother and father, and by the time he returned, he looked his old self again.   He threw himself into studying the items they had recovered and studying the book most intensely.

It had become increasingly clear during the adventure that Eagle was spreading his wings in a new direction, so Galadel sought out some other means for healing this group if they decided to make another quest.   Although he had some minor gifts, without Eagle, they would need others.  He hoped they would seek more, despite his experience this time, they had struck a serious blow against evil, true evil, and that was worth the risk of his own life.

When the Ingelbern, Seneschal of Stormhaven Keep, makes his invitation, Galadel is surprised, “I am shocked the Lord Mayor knows of my existence, I shall of course accept at once”. He makes only a short trip back to the inn to put on his finest clothing, make himself presentable, and then will make his way to appointment.

Inas merely shrugs.  He doesn't say anything; his companions have spoken for him and there is no need for him to add anything.

A new outfit for himself, and a new outfit for each of his siblings was the first thing Ben purchased with his... his... he struggled to find the opposite of 'ill gotten gain' but the concept was foreign to him. It mattered not, all that, plus the pearl nighty and a new dress for his mother was where he began.

The giddiness of his success was numbed however at the loss of little black George, his five year old brother, who had survived only a few days after the blow delivered to his head by fate, in the form of a startled horses hoof. The family had been denied a funeral however, as the body had vanished from the doctors office where he had been taken, a mystery Ben attempted to solve, to no avail.

Still, death was part and parcel of life in these times, and even more so in this place, and as was the case when death was no stranger, his presence was soon put behind them all. Life had to go on.

Ben spent time checking his various investments, the few businesses he had fostered, the charities, and even a few street vendors he had subsidized. Though not all were profitable, the average was good, gold was coming into the families coffers, day by day.

He invited the party to dinner at his mothers house, including The Eagle whom he still considered a good friend, if no longer a traveling companion. He made special effort to introduce Saliq to his third eldest sister (the eldest being married already, and popping out babies of her own, the second being a Paladin, and a bit stuffy at the best of times.) He had high hopes of finagling a prince into the family, and even invited the master of illusion along on a picnic to the exterior of the tower, to show it all off to his family, stressing his hopes that the tower might someday belong to the prince from an exotic land.

When the invitation came, Ben leapt at the offer.

"I will be there, Master Ingelbern. Thank the honorable Mayor for the invitation." He had hoped for the proper occasion to brandish a potent 'I told you so' about Lord Myron, this seemed a likely time, both for a tad bit of gloating, and a chance to work on his plans to bring the tower of his vanquished foe into the fold, so to speak. His adventuring was all well and good, but someday, the Black Queen willing, he would want to retire, and when he did he wanted to do it as respected and well off member of the Stormhaven population.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:09, Wed 01 June 2016.

The party accepts their invitation (does anyone truly have a choice in the matter when personally requested by the Lord Mayor of the City?), and are led to Storm Heights, site of the formidable castle which occupies the upper slopes of the highest hill in the city. The streets of Storm Heights are a far cry from the rubbish-strewn narrow lanes of the Lower Districts.

Here, the streets are well-kept and tidy, with neat raised flower beds lining either side. Beyond, majestic manors and condominiums with polished marble edifices and statues flanking their entrance denote a district swimming in the successful commerce of the city. Here dwell men and women of consequence, each retaining their own private guard, to ward away would-be burglars and trespassers. Here too, the Storm Sentinels, Stormhaven's elite city guard, are regularly seen patrolling the streets, their red-plumed helms, ceremonial capes, and gleaming mail standing in contrast with the town guard responsible for patrolling the Lower Districts.

Eventually, the party beholds Storm Castle ahead, its upper spires protruding above the impressive outer bailey surrounding the inner keep. A few guards stand watch at the barbican, they being ready to receive the party upon their arrival. After a short exchange between Ingbern and a stoic guard, the portcullis is raised and the group is led inside the castle, through a narrow courtyard, and into a great hall.

Here, several courtiers are lingering about a tapestry-filled hall dominated by a regal throne at its far end. Seated there, in anticipation of the party's arrival, is none other than the Lord Mayor himself, Lord Eradan Thyrandas the Third. Sunlight filters in through a majestic stained glass window, casting colored rays of light over the scene, adding to the hall's ambience.

The courtiers take note of the party's progress into the hall, led by Ingbern the Seneschal, passing hushed whispers to one another as they pass.

Arriving within 10 feet, the Seneschal addresses his lord, "Lord Mayor. The adventurers are here, as you requested. Do you require anything further, my lord?"

"That is well, Ingbern. Well done. Nothing further. You may leave us, to attend to your other duties, if you please."

The Lord Mayor is a man of middle years, though still retaining some of the muscular, healthy form of his younger years. The man has keen, active eyes, like a hawk studying the horizon for prey. A jeweled scepter is seated across his lap, a magnificent sword within easy arm's reach. Looking around, the party sees no fewer than a dozen mailed guards standing watch over the proceedings.

"Welcome to Storm Heights!" the Lord Mayor intones. "You are no doubt wondering why you have been called here. Relax. None of you are wanted for crimes against the city," he says with the hint of a smile.

"The opposite in fact," he cuts in. "I have brought you here to thank you for your actions at Longshadows' Tower."

He leans forward slightly, "I have been led to believe the culprit of the recent murders throughout the Temple District were carried out by none other than a scion of House Talas. Is this correct?"

The Lord Mayor then awaits the party's account.

Stepping forward Ben, freshly washed, hair trimmed and scruffy beard trimmed in a middle-class fashion, bowed low, feathered hat in hand gently raking the floor.

"Your honor, if I may."

He may have looked odd to his comrades, clean and dressed in tailored finery. He looked like nothing more than a prosperous businessman.

Perhaps disguise was one of many skills?

Standing straight, holding his hat in hand before his chest, he continued.

"My name is Ben Scritos, Squire, of sorts, to Prince Saliq Musfara, and these others are our companions." [Private to Saliq Musfara: He does not mention his hopes of becoming said Prince's brother-in-law as well. It seemed premature. ]

Ben introduces them all. If The Eagle is here he adds the Druid Masters title, if not he will apologize for his absence, explaining the holy man of the lands responsibilities.

"In short, the answer to your question regarding the murders seems to be yes, Lord Myron was, as I had long suspected, the villain. He had become an evil being of much power, the term 'Vampire' may be familiar to you. The battle was dire and dangerous, but in the end we succeeded in putting an end to his reign of terror."

At this point the little thief paused to see if his honor had any questions, or his comrades had anything to add.

Saliq bows lightly, a mark of courtesy rather than subservience. "Lord Mayor, it is an honour. I am Saliq, nephew of the Sultan Baraz of Al Alayai Herat. My companion here gives an able account of all that has transpired."

Addressing the lord mayor directly: "By good fortune we had amongst our number a priest and a druid; the honourable Masters Galadel and Eagle. Even so your excellency, I would reccomend a detail of the city clergy investigate the tower, both to confirm the horrors we found there and to make sure the vampiric creature that Lord Myron became, or perhaps always was does not rise again."

He shuddered at the memory of the vampire and the thought of him coming back.

Inas is not unwilling to talk converse with nobles, but neither is he particularly eager to do so.  He's a loner at heart, and if his companions are willing to carry the conversation then he is perfectly content to let them do so.

Ben steps back as Saliq steps forward, then speaks again when his companion is done.

"In addition, we would be willing to volunteer to take over the tower, as there are uncharted depths beneath it which, I imagine, should be well guarded."

After a seconds pause, he continues.

"If you do send a party to scour the tower, I would ask they be gentle with the sole remaining inhabitant, Madame Drucilla, who takes the form of a speaking portrait. We have?" he glances at the others, uncertain of the parties thoughts on this, "We have promised her succor, and decent company, which again, we would be glad to provide."

Rath remains, to his own dismay, somewhat at ease. Sure, he's in a social circle far beyond his own, but the mayor no doubt has low expectations from adventurer rabble, so he can't go wrong if he just keeps quiet and lets Saliq do the talking.

And then, of course, Ben steps forward and take the lead, and Rath listens and watches with quiet amusement and more than a little admiration and only the barest hint of a smirk.

Galadel stays to the back, and is quiet, avoiding most any eye contact, even with his fellow....

Well, that was a question, fellow what?  He'd been commanded here, true enough, and by mutual interest, they had recently done some good at the tower, but...but...let it go....

Now was now, Galadel watched with great interest the Keep, he was almost rude in his slowness to be moved forward as he studied the great tapestries along the way.  The amazing stained glass.  The works of stone.  Great histories were laid down in such weave and artistry.

He listened, and stared about, it was very lovely, except, he noted, the guards.  Such wealth, or power, demanded a sacrifice.

Once in audience to the Lord Mayor, he stays quiet, and listens.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Mon 25 Jan 2016.

The Lord Mayor listens to Ben and Saliq's tales with great interest, nodding at key moments, but allowing both men to finish their piece without interruption. He hangs on to their words, his keen eyes watching each member's body language during the exchange. It is clear the news troubles him and he weighs each fact both on its own merit and in tandem with his own knowledge, of which he does not freely share.

Finally, when the party has relayed their accounting, he addresses the group once more:

"Indeed. You bring troubling news, but it is not wholly unexpected to learn of House Talas' possible connection to these ill tidings," he explains.

The Lord Mayor continues by stating his long-held suspicions about the powerful house, particularly in their assent from a noble house clinging to rapidly dwindling fortunes carried over from the Old Empire, to their recent windfall of riches that they have used to build influence among the craft guilds. While such political matters are somewhat obscure to the adventurers, even they could not have failed to notice the rising dissent and subsequent skyrocketing of commodity prices within the city.

He beckons the party to advance closer to the throne and continues in a half-whisper:

"I believe your encounter with Lord Myron is but a shade of the taint of this half-blooded House of questionable peerage," he adds with a distasteful sneer.

"Just recently, a The House of the Sun fell victim to mercenaries I believe to be Talas operatives!" he spits out in irritation.

The Lord Mayor further explains that The Temple of Pelor, of which he is a proud adherent, was attacked by foreign mercenaries aided by powerful magic. Their purpose: to steal three golden sun disks, holy relics of The Order of the Invincible Sun. The brave men and women of that order valiantly defended their relics, but in the end were overcome by their attackers. The Sun Disks were stolen. These Sun Disks, the Lord Mayor claims, are key to the city's continued prosperity under a wise and benevolent ruler.

"Should they be in the hands of House Talas," he adds in, "there is no end to the misery and suffering that they will inflict upon the good people of our beloved city!"

He then requests the party's aid retrieving the Sun Disks and helping bring to justice, whomever is responsible for their theft.

Galadel listens intently.

"Lord Mayor, if I may, there is something in the tower you may wish to have retrieved. While the House Talas' actions could be just a wish for greater wealth, there is fine woven carpet on the lowest level of the Tower, in Lord Myron's private rooms, it depicts a huge serpent crushing a tower with a hippogriff upon it.  It is a disturbing scene though finely crafted".

He suddenly seems aware he is talking to a Lord Mayor and fades back a step.

"Your Excellency, I am a wielder of magic myself and at least technically a foreigner in your country. Could you tell us more of these strange and formidable attackers?" Saliq stroked his trim beard, lost in thought.

"Could the House of Talas be working with, or perhaps for, a rival power?"

Lord Thyrandas' displays great concern upon hearing of the tapestry within Longshadows' Tower, and suggests similar displays have been reported elsewhere, though he does not share how these reports have come to his attention.

Answering Saliq's query, he responds, "Those few who survived the assault claim to have seen a horde of reptilian attackers, led by sorcerers cloaked in shadow."

He pauses a moment, then continues, "A terrible stench filled the temple as the battle waged onward, overcoming all but the hardiest of defender. The attackers showed no mercy for those who succumbed to the stench, moving through the temple and executing any whom they crossed."

The Lord Mayor further explains one of the sorcerers was heard to loudly proclaim, "The reign of the Slithering Overload is nigh! He will not rest until the usurpers have been made to bow before him, renounce their God, and swear total allegiance to their new master! All Hail the Slivering Overlord!"

"The leader of the Order, Rothgar, was captured during the battle, along with his trusted lieutenants, Galafried and Walafried. I shudder to think of their fate while in their clutches..."

This message was last updated by the player at 04:57, Wed 27 Jan 2016.