Anari's Journal

Anari's Journal Session 1
Anari's Journal Session 2
Anari's Journal Session 3

Out partying with stormblades when I heard a fight - turns out Ord is being set upon by three people with their faces painted black and white. None of the others would help me so I had to go it alone. Then some

Khandalar fires some magic missiles from his hand seriously injuring the man, a point I cannot let go by and shout words of encouragement to Khandalar, and the rest of us rush forward, the second man falls quickly. By the time we attack the third man fighting Anari it is pretty much over.

The assailants all have their faces painted in white and black design that Owyn recognises as the mark of the Last Laugh, as thieves guild operating in Cauldron.

As we tend to the unconscious Ord a laugh can be heard from upon high, standing on the roof tops is a young woman with her brown hair tied into a ponytail. Her face is also painted in the style of the last laugh she shouts down to us, “Ha, ha well done, but take this as a warning Cleric; stop the investigations into the vanishings.”

I called to her to explain herself more fully but she was already running skilfully across the rooftops and away from us. Although the encounter with her was brief it certainly made an impression on me; what is it about women with brown hair that have my friends beaten up, that are involved in nefarious organisations and that can run across wet rooftops at night I find so appealing. I really need to talk to Tyron.

After the fight ended I turned to talk with Anari, who was standing sheepishly in the alley seemingly wanting to vanish into a wall holding her rapier behind her as if it wasn’t really there. Before I come berate her for being out so late, getting into such a dangerous fight and for having a rapier, the Town Guard appeared.

Why are they never around when you actually need them but arrive just after the trouble has been quelled? We quickly explained the situation and what had transpired, our case strengthened as one of the town guard was the same private that had been sent for by Terseon and knew we were an adventuring part, the last laugh painted ruffians and the unconscious and seriously injured Cleric of St. Cuthbert.

Private Skylar Krewis identified the three assailants as off duty members of the town guard, apparently also members of the Last Laugh. This seemed to trouble Skylar as much as it troubled myself and the rest of the party. The surviving assailants were taken off for interrogation and prison. We were assured by Private Krewis that they would be feeling the fully weight of the Cauldron justice; we wait to see.

My scolding of Anari has to wait as we carry Ord back to the Church of St. Cuthbert so that his injuries can be properly assessed and tended to. It is a sombre group that approach the Church; upon entering we are met by Lilah a young Cleric, who is shocked to see an injured Ord. After explaining the story to her, she thanks us for saving Ord from the gang that attacked him but is unable to answer any questions regarding Ord’s task or the Church’s investigation. Lilah suggests returning tomorrow to speak with Jenya at ten of the clock.

After the excitement and questions the evening has given us we decide it is probably for the best that we get some rest and meet at The Drunken Morkoth at nine of the clock before returning to the Church.

Anari and I head to the The Drunken Morkoth with promises to Khandalar, Cass and Kellen for cheaper beds for the night as they have no where else to sleep for the night. Owyn says he will see us in the morning as he is going to reintroduce himself to his mother.

I breathe deeply and close my eyes as I open the door to The Drunken Morkoth, the smells, sounds and atmosphere wash over me; I am home again with all the worries, troubles and happiness that means.

My mother greats me warmly and I try to ask about Anari’s activities, before I can get much further she asks me about the people with me. Remembering the rest of the group I introduce each in turn and explain a letter from Ord brought us together and prompted our return to Cauldron.

She greets each of the party warmly; Khandalar seems to attempt to flirt with her as only a clumsy teenage human can. Her smile and eyes tell the true story of disinterest while her usual manner portrays slight interest. Poor Khandalar doesn’t realise he is being gently played with, having lived in an Inn for all these years Anari and I have seem much more subtle and many more obvious rebuffs than this.

Our Mother obviously sees something in him that she likes, then she always has been able to see the spark of good in people no matter their manner. As she says sometimes, it is just a matter of finding the spark and feeding it to make it grow. Certainly something to consider, Khandalar returns my thoughtful smile with a puzzled look, may be I start looking tonight.

After arranging accommodation for Khandalar, Cass and Kellen and food for all of us we settle in for the evening. While we laugh and joke, with the exception of Khandalar who has again returned to keeping his distance form the group, even though he is sat at a small table with us all. All the while I plan my words with Anari which I intend to speak later.

I am disappointed Tyron is not in the Inn tonight, I hope he is not going to be away on business for long; I value his council as much as Ord’s.

Later on the door to the Inn opens and Owyn walks in looking ashen; after a mug of ale he retells the story of what happened to him after he separated. He returned home to find his mother has left the house, she has moved in with her husband Vortimax Weer.

After that shocking news and a few more mugs of ale to help him recover we all retire for the night. I follow Anari to her room to speak the words I have planned all night away from the others' ears.

The game is afoot

Wednesday 10th September

The morning is brighter, although fine drizzle has replaced the steadier rhythm of the rain; I sit in the common room of the Drunken Morkoth playing my flute and relaxing before they day, an odd ritual I do every morning. Khandalar is pouring over his spell books and furiously studying every symbol on the pages. I fancy we are polar opposites at that very moment; my calm to his tempest of activity.

Anari and Kellen are in the yard practicing with their swords, not something I or our Mum is too keen on but after watching her handle herself last night I must grudgingly accept she is quite adept with the rapier. I doubt Kellen is her first sparring partner, in all probability Tyron found himself teaching her despite his own reservations.

Cass is sat in the stables; she seems to like to meditate in the company of animals and away from people. Owyn moves between the various areas of the inn open to him studying the doors and windows all the time a penny tumbles between his fingers.

At nine we leave the Drunken Morkoth to visit Jenya at the Churchof St Cuthbert. On the way we discuss the events of the evening; the behaviour of the Guard towards Cass, the attack upon Ord, the vanishings and of course Owyn's family. That last topic brought a smile to every face of the group, except for one; Owyn just scowled and refused to engage with the rest of us, which only made the teasing worse.

Before we realise it we are again in front of the Church of St. Cuthbert, our jokes die in our throats as we approach the magnificent white stone building. The enormity of the building seems to represent the scale of the task ahead of us.

Upon entering we are again greeted by Lilah who, this time, guides us to a small office sitting in a comfortable chair is Jenya. She looks up from the tightly held papers her brows furrow for a second as she regards us, what looks like disappointment flashes across her fine features. As she starts to rise a warm smile has already become a mask to her true feelings. She asks us to sit and retakes her own chair, once we have all sat Jenya asks Lilah to bring the items that have been prepared for us.

Once Lilah departs Jenya leans forward, drawing us in, and starts explaining about the vanishing from the city. Starting three or so months ago the first person vanished from their bed, a few personal items were also missing but no one heard or saw anything. Each disappearance has occurred at night with some people going missing from their locked homes or even on their way home from an Inn or another house. The Town Guard are at a loss as they have been unable to link any of the victims, the vanishings appear to be fairly random in their locations throughout the city and there have been no clues left.

Rumours of mystical beasts, demons and even magical curses are coursing through the city and while Jenya believes these to be false there is no way of stopping them, without an explanation backed up with evidence.

More disturbing than the previous vanishings were the kidnappings of the ’’’4’’’ children from the Lantern Street Orphanage, the girl and three boys were taken form their dormitories. The rooms are on the first floor and secured at night with all the children of the same sex and similar age sleeping one room; none of the remaining children stirred during the night let alone woke.

The vanishing of these children has caused outrage in the city; as a patron of the Orphanage the Church of St. Cuthbert stepped forward to assist in anyway to could. Jenya pauses to sip from a cup on the desk before continuing, she had tasked Ord with the initial investigation. It was his idea to write to me for assistance as he felt the situation too great for just one person; his attack bore witness to this.

The attack on Ord has also further muddied the waters; what exactly is the involvement of the Last Laugh and are they responsible for the vanishings within the city?

Jenya rubbed he eyes, sighed and leaned back in her chair. She tiredly handed several sheets of paper to us, each page full of the names of people that have vanished from Cauldron. A tragic list if there ever was one.

As she leans forward again, talking softly she tells us that we are to find the children at all costs. The Church of St. Cuthbert will support us in the task and reward us upon the successfully returning the children to the orphanage. The mention of reward certainly pulled everyone towards the cause and excepting the challenges and Jenya as she explains the steps she carried out last night to aid us.

Last night using The Star Of Justice Jenya was able to gain a vital, if cryptic clue using divination, Jenya looks defiant as she tells us that only the High Priest Sarcem Delasharn should used the Star of Justice but as he is away and these are exceptional circumstances she will answer to him and St. Cuthbert upon Delasham’s return.

With a positive energy to her Jenya passes a small piece of paper to me, upon which is clue provided from the Star of Justice:

As we read the rhyme though again trying to glean as much from it as possible, Lilah returned carrying a tray covered in small bottles each bearing the crest of St. Cuthbert. In turn we accepted the potions that would cure us of light wounds from Jenya as she said a short blessing to each of us in turn; it was quite humbling for most of us no matter what God you believed in, or not as the case may be. Even Anari managed to hold her tongue for long enough to receive the bottle, as for Khandalar I am not sure the front he projects allows him to remember what “humble” means.

With the potions in our packs, the words of the divination still tumbling around in our heads we set off from the Church of St. Cuthbert to Lantern Street Orphanage. We had discussed our destination briefly; no one was able to suggest a better starting place for locating the missing children than the place they went missing from.

Approaching the orphanage I was acutely aware of the fact I had never been here before, I have always known where it was located. I just cannot remember ever walking past the building or down this part of the street. I remember the threats of some of the more “noble” born children at the Blue Crater Academy teasing me that when my Mother died Anari and I would have to live there. May be that is why I never walked past this building, too scared that evil jaunts would come true and I would lose my Mother as well as my Farther; an icy chill runs down my spine and breaks my thoughts.

Looking over at Cass and Kellen I can see concern and trepidation bubbling under the surface. They were trying to hide it but Cass was betrayed by her colouring, red blushes had started on her neck. Kellen was betrayed by his jaw, the muscles constantly clenching.

As I leaned to knock on the door I looked over to them and gave them what I hoped would be a supportive smile. My knuckles hit the wood and the knock seemed to amplify within the door, surely I had not hit the door with that much force. Moments later the door springs open, for a second I was puzzled staring into space and then I looked down. The door was being held open by an old Halfling woman and looking quite unfriendly.

I gave her my best smile and explained to her that we were working on behalf of Jenya and the Church of St. Cuthbert, investigating the vanishings within the city and especially the abduction of the children from the orphanage. Her cold stare bored into me and slowly she asked for proof that we were indeed representing the church. A little taken-a-back, I looked to the group stood behind me for inspiration; to be honest an armed to the teeth, mismatched group such as us didn’t look like representatives of the church. In a vain attempt I pulled out the potion bottle that Jenya had given me and showed it to the woman holding the door. Upon seeing the crest of St. Cuthbert her face relaxed a little but the suspicion was still in her eyes, slowly she stepped back and opened the door to us.

We introduce ourselves to the Halfling women who tells us her name is Gretchen, she explains to us that the Mayor has already sent investigators to visit her; two Evlish gentlemen named Fario and Fellian, so she is a little surprised that the Church is pursuing a separate investigation. If I am honest with myself I am also a little surprised that the Mayor and Jenya have not pooled their resources to ensure a more swift resolution to the kidnapping of children.

Gretchen details the layout of the orphanage and the staff employed. The orphanage itself is a two story building with common, utility and staff rooms on the ground floor and then on the first floor the dormatories and a spacious bathroom. The girls dormatory is on one side of the hallway and the boy's is on the other. There are 19 girls and 31 boys.

The kidnapped children were taken from the dormatories, during the night without the other children being roused from their sleep.

I explain to Gretchen that we will need to see both the dormatories that children we removed from. She nods sadly and escorts us upstairs, as she turns her eyes settle on Cass and Kellen and narrow as if a little spark of recognition flared before burning out.

She talks of each missing child fondly as we walk up the stairs, her voice trembling throughout. Her distress is so obvious and genuine that it is impossible to believe that Gretchen was knowingly involved in the kidnapping of the children.

So far there have been no ransom demands, the children were not connected in anyway nor were they particularly remarkable; just normal children that were snatched away cruelly from everything they know. As I considered the plight of the children my hand tightened on the grip of my sword until it cramped.

~~Work in progress and notes--~~

investigation of orphanage

We find that all the locks come form one source - first part of riddle

leads to people being obsessed about curtains - second part of riddle

building very secure apart from locks

children playing at being Stormblades - Anari tells one of them that they don't want to be Todd... he isn't very nice

Cass and Kellen meet an old friend, Patch the half-Orc and get some information regarding the kidnappings

Leave to visit Keygan, on route visit with Vortimax Weer, Owyn sees his Mum and we get more potions for an amazing price

We follow, finally, the clues to the locksmith Keygan Ghelve

All this over a darn rat familiar called Starbrow?

I kill a creature called a skulk as it attacks Anari, again getting her out of trouble.

We discover stairs going down under the shop leading that according to Keygan Ghelve is the entrance to Jzadirune - behind a curtain.

Entering Jzadirune

Wednesday 10th September

We descend into Jzadirune

The folly of youth springs a trap (Khandalar turning sconce... stairs into slide)

The slip of a finger springs another (corrosive gas)

The doors with teeth are shown to us, solving another part of the riddle

A battle is started and ends, trouble is sure to follow it (two skulks engage with Anari and Owyn before retreating)

Bran Journal Session2

Human Male Fighter

09/01/2006 14:40:03 - Mark

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25/01/2006 12:38:26 - iain

Believed to have been founded by Surabar Spellmason, Cauldron is the most populous area in the Cauldron Region

09/01/2006 14:38:55 - Mark

Captain of the Cauldron Town Guard

06/11/2005 11:57:45 - Iain Norman-80.3.0.42

Captain of the Cauldron Town Guard

06/11/2005 11:57:45 - Iain Norman-80.3.0.42

Anari Lannister

06/01/2006 17:40:45 - Mark

Anari Lannister

06/01/2006 17:40:45 - Mark

A thieves guild in Cauldron

19/04/2006 14:41:00 - Mark

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31/03/2006 17:15:49 - iain

A thieves guild in Cauldron

19/04/2006 14:41:00 - Mark

Anari Lannister

06/01/2006 17:40:45 - Mark

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06/04/2006 09:45:26 - iain

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28/10/2005 15:38:38 - anonymous

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28/10/2005 15:38:38 - anonymous

Human Mage

18/04/2006 10:29:50 - Mark

Human Sorceress

13/01/2006 13:11:18 - iain

To be completed

24/01/2006 12:15:18 - Mark

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13/04/2006 13:58:30 - Mark

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28/10/2005 15:38:38 - anonymous

Human Male Fighter

09/01/2006 14:40:03 - Mark

Click to read this topic

13/04/2006 13:57:58 - Mark

Click to read this topic

03/11/2005 11:19:57 - Mark Hutton-83.244.131.179

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03/11/2005 11:19:57 - Mark Hutton-83.244.131.179

Click to read this topic

06/04/2006 09:45:26 - iain

A large white building with slashes of blue running through the stone

10/04/2006 17:03:12 - Iain

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06/04/2006 09:45:26 - iain

Maintain law and order in the city of Cauldron

10/04/2006 11:50:04 - Mark

A thieves guild in Cauldron

19/04/2006 14:41:00 - Mark

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31/01/2006 14:09:28 - iain

High Priest of St Cuthbert

09/01/2006 13:55:16 - Mark

One of the tallest buildings in Cauldron, Bluecrater Academyis also the primary place of learning

09/01/2006 12:06:45 - Mark

Elvish Investigator

19/04/2006 14:55:23 - Mark

Elvish Investigator

19/04/2006 14:55:42 - Mark

Click to read this topic

13/04/2006 13:57:58 - Mark

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28/02/2006 11:18:25 - Mark

Click to read this topic

28/02/2006 11:18:25 - Mark

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30/03/2006 20:10:21 - iain

Session 2

17/04/2006 20:18:58 - iain