The druids headed by Centari were bringing Vega North East along
the Larch Path, headed into the mountains.
Their destination? The Plateaus of the Sumber Hills. Where they
would dispense justice to Vega the wereboar.
Vega was chained up in the back of the wagon that was being pulled
by “people”. There were two strong looking men, but there was
something off about them. Their eyes were flat, dead and
expressionless.
The servant that had been with Centari at the trial was none other
than Velvet- a friend of Vega's. She snuck glances, trying to catch
his eye.
Vega, stuck by himself, knowing what was to come reflected on what
a good run he had had as a member of the adventuring party. The cart
came to a stop after a bit. Centari directs the men to start clearing a
40x40 area.
Velvet looked around, nervous. She looked at Centari, keeping tabs
on her before looking over her shoulder.
Once the area was clear, Centari busied herself with drawing
something in the dirt.
The rest of the party, having regrouped after the trial traveled
quickly in hopes of catching up to them. As they pushed on, they saw
a light coming from up ahead. It was too steady to be fire...magic!
Vega was taken from the cart, picked up and placed in the center
of the circle by the dead eyed men. The circle was intricate with
swirls and symbols. Centari stood there, looking down at him. There
was no pity in her eyes.
“Alright so, the amount of effort that it would take to bring
you all the way back isn't worth it. I'll be handling your sentence
myself. Here and now.”
The glow intensified as plant like walls weaved their way upwards
guided by the outside of the circle, 20ft tall. White flowers grew on
it. Vega recognized it as Monkshood, wolfsbane. It was used to keep a
lycanthrope at bay.
As the party rushed closer,a deer jumped out into their path and
turned into Velvet. “You need to hurry. Centari's going to kill
him.”
“Show me the monster inside of you!” Another column of light
struck the top of the plant enclosure. A snarl erupted from Vega as
the radiant damage forced him to change into the wereboar. He
snarled, attacking her.
“Hmph” Centari held him in place, using Moonbeam to tear into
him.
The party ran. Once in range, Menelwen carved a chunk out of the
wall with fireball. Noticing that the cavalry had arrived to save
him, Centari hit Vega with Blight. The necrotic energy rippled over
his skin, tearing at it.
Theamen followed suit, fireballing underneath the first to create
an entrance.
Henry moved forward,hid and shot one of the guys. The guards saw
him, charged and transformed into elephants. They trampled Henry.
Lily looked back and forth between the fighters.
She cast Heroism on Thok.
Vega broke out of the hold.
Thok attacked the elephant. Menelwen attacked the elephant that
was on Henry with a fireball; sculpting around him.
Centari in a moment of desperation caused storm clouds to form
over them. A bolt of lightning struck Vega, in the shape of a bear.
Henry was down from the trampling. Theamen rushed to him,sliding
under the elephant's tusks.
Lily circled back to Thok, inspiring him.
In front of Vega was a brown bear. He went into a frenzy,
attacking it.
Thok, thanks to Lily's inspiration struck and downed one of the
elephants. Much like when Vega had transformed into an animal, he
anticipated this one to turn back into a person as well. It didn't,
but he didn't notice yet.
Menelwen covered Theamen's rush to Henry with a fireball. Theamen
reached him, giving him five points of health with Lay on Hands
before throwing Henry away from the elephant. He drew his sword.
Henry took a knee, regaining himself from being thrown.
Vega faced the Brown Bear in his frenzy. With the damage he'd
taken so far, he was no longer able to maintain his wereboar form.
Centari attacked, missing both times.
Henry managed to shoot at the bear. Centari saw it, snapping the
arrow in half. Vega, still in a frenzy attacked at her. The lightning
storm that had been raging over the arena vanished.
Thok cut in, dealing non-lethal damage to Centari. He had respect
for her, having only been enacting what she considered to be justice.
Centari went unconscious. He action surged, back handing Vega to
knock him out as well. He turned back to see that the elephant still
hadn't gone human, revealing that the elephants had been turned into
people, not the other way around as they had expected.
“Don't kill it!”
Menelwen, Theamen, and Henry all held their attack as they saw the
remaining elephant's demeanor shift. It moved to its fallen
companion, mourning the loss.
They left Centari unconscious but stable, and dragged Vega away.
Menelwen and Henry gathered some of the monkshood in case they should
need it in the future.
With the battle complete and the party reunited, they made a plan
to check out the fire cult since it seemed like they were a circle of
druids. Maybe someone there wouldn't be a complete ass and would be
able to help cure the lycanthropy problem.
They traveled, covering their tracks as best as they could. The
party continued for a couple hours until exhaustion caught up to
them.
Thok dropped Vega unceremoniously onto the ground as he came to.
“Why...?” He asked. As in why not just kill him.
“Not done with you yet,” Thok bit out.
At that moment, Vega didn't know whether to fear Thok or Centari
more.
Vega, in an act of good faith healed Henry and gave both him and
Theamen darkvision for their upcoming watches. Watches were set for
everyone except Vega.
Towards the end of Henry's watch, he noticed a bird circling
overhead. A hunting bird. It circled and then headed east.
Upon waking, the group heads for Scarlet Moon Hall. It was an
encampment built in a mountainous area, scattered slopes and plateaus
allowed for campsites to be set up. A light smoke obscured the area.
Henry snuck ahead, scouting the area. It appeared to be populated
by hippie like druids. He informed the party about what he saw.
“What's a hippy?”
“Vega is not one.” Theamen pointed out.
“Between the
violence, and indulging in flesh...”
“And sex with animals!” Henry added.
After much confusion and clarification about Velvet, they
approached the hippie druids Henry had seen. They were relaxing and
welcomed the party to sit and have a drink. All except Henry and Lily
for the drink since they were a little young.
The druids told the
party that they had been there for a couple days having heard about
the Wicker Giant and Elizar Dryflaggon.
Menelwen asked what they knew about lycanthropes. “Well you want
silver or magic to kill one dead-” they told her.
“No no, to cure it.”
“Oh that? You want Remove Curse or Greater Restoration.”
Relief flooded her. “Oh good. Do you have either of those?”
“Nope.” They did however have a couple other scrolls for sale.
The party ended up hanging out with them. Menelwen especially took
advantage of the downtime to copy some spells over into her book.
Lily played some music, showing off her true skills as a bard.
Henry blushed furiously, unable to know just what to do with himself.
He went off to find Theamen.
Theamen was training with Thok. It was very much watching an oak tree versus a willow in how they moved. Henry asked if he could have
some magic practice when they finished. Thok shrugged, going off to
keep an eye on Vega.
Henry confessed that it didn't feel like he was getting a handle
on the magic.
“You are not given magic.” Theamen told him. “You earn it.
You cannot steal it, you need to work at it Magic takes patience.
Magic takes study. Magic takes time. Let's study together.”
They trained together for a while. “...I'm not as good at it as
you or Menelwen.”
“Menny has grace and precision with fire, my focus was on the
blade and expanding my magic through it.”
“But...what if I hit my limit and not able to do enough?”
“We rely on those we hold dear to fill in those gaps. It's not
about your limitations, but rather what you bring to the table.”
“...I...the trial, I tried and failed to convince the court.”
“You tried. And I thank you for that.”
Henry, overwhelmed ran up and hugged him. “Now now, what would
Lily say...?”
“Oh! Speaking of her...can....I ask your advice about girls?
Lily was playing and she sounded really pretty...and is really
pretty...what do I do?”
“Give her flowers. Tell her it was beautiful. Tell her that its
as beautiful as she is.”
He ruffled his hair. Henry ran off to find flowers before they
returned to camp.
~
Vega meandered up the path to see the Wicker Giant. Thok followed,
keeping within charging distance of him.
About halfway up the slope...
“ Hey you.”
“Yes?”
“Get over here. Have a seat.” Two large gruff looking men sat
by a fire. A hunk of meat was cooking over the fire. A hunk of meat
that was identified as ribs of moose.
“Alright.” Vega walked over and sat.
“What brings you here brother?”
“I was curious about the rite...you?”
They said that they were eager for the rite themselves. It would
fix the land for hunting. It came to his realization that these two
were lycanthropes. Ones who had embraced their gifts.They were
dangerous, aggressive...and believed that Vega was a fellow hunter
like them.
They asked about Vega's hunting ground.
He tried to send them to the Underdark. No go. They weren't that
desperate for elf flesh, as delicious as it was. “I'll see what I
can find out.”
“You do that. We'll be here. You're always welcome here.” Vega
excused himself, regrouping with Thok.
“So who are your new friends?” As they walked back to the
camp, they heard a different instrument being played. Theamen was
playing, armor off and leaning back. The tune was jovial.
Menelwen got to enjoy his music when she finished copying spells
over.
Vega and Thok suggested the group take a walk away from their new
druid friends in order to speak. Vega filled them in about the
lycanthropes on the hill.
Theamen suggested weaponizing them to help wipe out the cults. “It
would be evil killing evil.”
A good pragmatic idea, but he sounded
like his father. The same father that was willing to put his son to
death only days before.
Henry pulled Menelwen aside, expressing concern about this
darkness that seemed to be consuming Theamen more and more. Something
that worried her as well.
They pull Theamen in for a word between the three of them. It
ended with her taking the locket off, casting light and folding it
into Theamen's hand. “Remember...my light doesn't stretch as
far...but don't give in to the darkness more than it can shine.”
Thok on the other hand thought it was brilliant.
“Thank you for
suggesting it. We'll keep it in mind.”
“...I feel cruel.”
She squeezed his hand.
Next...the would make camp and explore more about Scarlet Moon
Hall and the supposed ritual...
~To be Continued...~
Due to the nature of the political system, there was a few days
between when Vega and Theamen were arrested and the actual
arraignment.
They were thrown into jail. Theamen was stripped of his armor,
Vega had a metal collar clamped around his throat before they were
locked in cells across the way from one another.
“So, what's the chance one of the others will try to be
valiant?” Vega asked.
“I'm more worried about Menelwen being unreasonable....or rash
and passionate.” Theamen grimaced.
“Speaking from experience?”
Theamen paused. “Well...how much do you remember from your
little escapade?”
Vega frowned. “Not much. I remember the night sky on the
boat...and then I woke up bound by Thok.”
“I see...well, she had the idiotic idea of dropping a fireball
on you. But couldn't do it on the boat...so she dimension doored to
shore. With you. Alone.”
Vega sat there, digesting that.
“Fortunately, she's still alive.”
“Well...I didn't think it would end up like this.” Vega
gestured around them. “And if this is the worst case...”
Theamen gave him a flat look. “We're going to die. Though...I
will admit...part of me wanted you dead. If I had...I don't know what
I would have become.” He withdrew, leaning his head against the
corner of the cell. He glanced at the anti-magic runes the lined the
cell walls, wearily trying to find sleep.
~
The next night, Henry snuck out of the Swinging Sword. He cast
invisibility on himself, managing to successfully pick his way into
the jail. As the door opened, he froze as a half orc was standing
there.
“Hello? Hello??”
Upon seeing no one, the half orc shrugged and stepped back in.
Henry tried to slip in, taking a point of damage as the door
caught his heel. He managed to keep his concentration on the
invisibility. Once in the room, he saw that the half orc figure was
Grund. He was sitting at a table in the middle of the room, cutting
into a slab of meat with two daggers.
Henry snuck past, unlocking the door behind him to slip down the
stairs. He carefully found his way in the darkness to the cells.
There were barred windows letting in moonlight. The jail had six
cells, three on each side. Arcane runes glowed from one on the right.
Theamen was leaning back against the wall dozing. Vega curled up
like a cat in his cell. Henry threw a copped coin, it plinging off of
Theamen's forehead, He started.
“Who is it?”
“Who do you think it is?”
“If it's Henry...I would remind him he's invisible.” Theamen
winced, getting up and moving closer to he bars. He tossed the copped
coin at Vega before squinting in the near darkness. “Where are?”
Henry leaned in, kissing Theamen on the lips. The invisibility
dropped as soon as he touched the sigils.
Theamen stared at him for a moment. “Well, I'm flattered-”
“That was from Menelwen!” Henry hissed. “Listen...I'm going
to get you guys out of here-”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?”
“I mean, even if you did we would all be fugitives.” Theamen
pointed out. “That's not fair to everyone else.”
“Do you know how frantic everyone else is?”
“Listen to me.” Theamen spoke, carefully choosing his words.
“The best thing you can do is prepare a defense. I know she's
frantic, and while her emotions are something I love about her...I
know if you give her a task that her intelligence will take control.
Prepare for our day in court. Fnd out about the rules and who we'll
be dealing with.” He glanced over to Vega who was haf awake. “I
don't think we'll have to worry that much about Vega's people's
laws.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Henry looked back at him. “Why
not tell them?”
“Because you need to be the voice of reason with this. Thok may
shut down. Menelwen might get frantic. And it's going to require all
of you to get us out of this. And Henry?”
“Yes?”
“Next time, just come during visiting hours.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Anything else?”
“...Yes. Can you ask Menelwen to bring me my spares?” He took
off his and Henry could see the cracks. “They weren't careful when
they stripped me of my armor...and I gave her my spares.” Without
his glasses, Henry noticed that he was quite handsome.
His cheeks flared pink. “Sure, yeah. And that kiss never
happened.”
A wry smile escaped Theamen. “Whatever you say Henry.
Henry nodded, leaving. He managed to sneak out undetected as Grund
was eating out the chicken, both dagger buried into the table.
Upon arriving back at the inn, he found Menelwen.
“Where were you?”
“None of your business.”
She twitched slightly. “You went to see them even though I told
you not to.”
“I'm thirteen, you can't expect me to listen to you.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose, refraining from scolding him.
“...I suppose. How did it go?”
“Don't ask me to do that again.”
“What....?”
“Don't ask me to kiss him again.”
A pause. “...You know the kiss was a joke, right?”
“How was I supposed to know that?!”
“Was it at least on the cheek?” She asked. Silence was her
answer. “Dammit Henry.”
“I'm sorry.” He looked at the ground, imagining things that
should never be thought of.
“...We'll deal with that later. How are they?”
“...As okay as they can be. Theamen said to set up a good
defense. Figure out the law of the land.”
Menelwen nodded, processing it. “...Alright. Thok and I were
planning on doing research later. Anything else I should know?”
“...He has soft lips.”
“He does.” Menelwen patted his shoulder three times. On the
third pat, she shocked him.
“Ow! Bitch.” Henry grumbled. “Oh, and he wants you to bring
his spare glasses tomorrow. Anyway, I'm going to go get some rest.”
He waved a hand, heading off. Before bed, he checked on Lily who was
fine, but not too pleased about being woken at this hour.
~
The next morning the group made a plan over breakfast. To mount a
defense, Menny was going to hit the bookstore to find out about
Faerun law. Lily and Henry were charged with asking around town.
With the plan in mind, they headed off their separate ways. On her
way out, Menelwen was caught by Kaylessa.
“I didn't want to do this dear. You know that. They're good men.”
“I-I know. It's not fair it's my-”
“Sh, sh. Don't say anything like that. Listen...they're bringing
in judges...I'll be one of five but I don't know who the others will
be. Just keep your head down...and everything will work out.”
“I hope you're right.”
“..Good luck.”
~
Henry and Lily investigated, finding out that the representatives
would be from the three most important houses out of Waterdeep. A
representative from the church, from law, and from the mages. Given
the scope of the trial, it would involve outside governing. And there
were rumors about the different kinds of execution that could take
place once they were found guilty.
~
After spending some time in the bookstore, Thok was able to locate
a book on applicable law. The owner was kind enough to give it to the
two of them for free, wishing them luck in the upcoming trial.
They traveled to the jail to see Vega and Theamen.
Grund was happy to see both of them. In order to go in, Menelwen
ha to wear a special bracelet to restrict her magic. “Precautions.”
“Of course.”
They descended down the stairs. Vega was singing a bit, bobbing
back and forth in his manacles. Upon seeing Thok, Theamen spoke.
“It's been like this for hours. I'm almost wishing for the hangman.
I don't even care who he takes.”
Thok cleared his throat slightly as Menelwen reached through the
bars, handing Theamen his spare glasses.
“Oh...shit.”
Thok and Menelwen filled them in on what they found out so far,
picking Theamen's brain since he was more accustomed to Faerun law.
“I see...well, the churches they could draw from are Bahamut or
Bane. Bane would be the worst case scenario. The biggest problem will
be the burecrats. The mage they could pull worries me the most...they
tend to be chosen for political reasons, not just reasons. I've been
to a few cases in my time...and none end well.”
“...We'll get you two out.” Menelwen promised.
“If Henry decides to try and get us out...tell him that the
runes will explode and set off an alarm of opened without the right
key.” Theamen added.
Thok nodded, turning to flip off Vega as he stepped away.
Menelwen looked back at Theamen, lacing her fingers with his
through the bars. “Did you tell Henry to kiss me?”
“On the cheek, as a joke. I thought he was smarter than that.”
“You know you can't joke with him. He's a child.”
“Right.” She nodded.
“Can you make sure his lips aren't the last I touch?” He
asked. She kissed him gently before leaving.
Once they were gone, Theamen spoke to Vega. He asked about the
court system from his druid circle.
“...I don't really know. It'll most likely mean death...I should
just kill myself.”
“That is an act of cowardice. It's more important to do
something with your life.”
Vega leaned back, staring at the wall. “...I suppose. Taking
one's own life goes against nature anyway.” He folded into himself,
barely keeping himself together.
~
Henry looked for any possible signs that could lead to a contact
in the thieves guild. He wanted to send a message. He came upon a
barber shop.
The barber asked him if he wanted to do business.
Henry flashed his ring. “Come in, I'll wash your hair.” The
guy led him to the back room. He made tea instead.
“Brother, what do you need?”
“I need a favor. Two of my people are in jail for mass murder.
“Subtle as a flying axe boy. Learn to be more crooked.” He
stroked his chin. “We could ambush them in transit...but then
they'd be fugitives.”
“How much?”
“It'll cost you 12,000 gold or a favor.” He had a cousin in
Cthul who needed help. It would take him time, but he could make fake
ids and papers for them. He would have it delivered to him.
Feeling better with having a back up plan, Henry thanked him and
left.
~A few days pass~
Vega and Theamen got a chance to speak with one another.
“What was it like...training under the paladins of Mystra?”
Theamen compared them as soldiers in an ant colony. Working for a
greater purpose...but mindless.
“I guess we're a lot alike then.”
Theamen half smiled. “Two sides of the same coin my friend. Two
sides.”
Vega confided in him about the seven clans within his tribe that
comprised of warlocks and druids that followed the ideal that nature
was to be venerated. That there must always be a check against it.
“So everyone has a patron...and belongs to a clan.”
“I don't belong to a clan. I couldn't bring myself to make a
deal with any of them.” Vega pointed out.
“That's...a surprise,”
“Well, they're all bad deals. All one-sided...and we were being
groomed for it. That...explains my defiance.”
“Defiance is an interesting word for it.” Theamen agreed. “If
you had to choose, which would you go for?”
“Something...” Vega searched for the word. “mutually
beneficial. I've been fascinated with the fey, celestials, and
archfey for a while.”
“I suppose it really is a decision that can only be made if
that's in front of you.” Theamen nodded. “...Take your time.”
“I may not even need to depending on how this all goes.”
~the night before~
Thok visited the jail while Vega slept. He offered Theamen a
chance,,,if he would be willing to take a huge risk if things went to
shit.
After some assurance that they other would be safe...Theamen
agreed.
~Trial Day~
The next morning, everyone gathered in the town square. A long
table with five chairs was set up, next to a gallows.
Grund led Vega and Theamen up. Theamen's hands were bound in a
prayer style, and both of them were gagged.
There was a crack like thunder, the scent of ozone washing over
the crowd. A sigil appeared on the ground, a teleportation circle.
Seven forms appeared. Three of them were men in plate armor, symbols
of Mystra on their chests. Two of them were young, and the older one
resembled Theamen.
Menelwen's breath caught as she realized that this must be his
father.
Another figure was identified as a Red Wizard of Thay. She was
lean, with a shaved head and tattoos. Another woman was in furs and
robes- Centari. The leader of Vega's druidic circle accompanied by a
young girl. The last figure was an Elvish man in leather armor with a
white cloak, the rising sun of Arathus on his chest.
Kaylessa stood from her chair. The servant pulled a chair out for
Centari.
Judges
Kaylessa, Mayor of Red Larch
Centari of the Azure Star.
Solomen Summeridge, of the Order of Mystra. The two guards flanked
him bodyguards.
Kiara of the Red Wizards of Thay. She cantripped her own chair
back and sat.
And Timmons Fairweather, cleric of Arathus.
Everyone sits except Solomen.
“Bring the prisoners forward.” He read from a piece of paper.
“Vega of the Circle of the Azure Star you are charged with
slaughter, destruction, terrorism, lycanthropy, and...” a pause.
“Cannibalism. Theamen Summerridge, you are charged with murder,
destruction, terrorism, treachery, and treason to a goddess.”
Theamen glared at his father. It was very clear that there was bad
blood between them.
Solomen stared back unflinchingly. “We will hear testimony from
those who have testified to us.”
Henry nudged Menelwen. “Would his father sentence him to death?”
“...I...” She swallowed hard, staring at her other half.
Sial of Womford walked up, limping. He had burns over his body. He
spoke about their disregard for human life. “He's no hero, he's a
monster.”
Solomen stood as one of the knights of Mystra spoke. “The goal
of our order is to defend those who cannot in the name of the lady.
To defend those who fight for her, as brothers. He,” Ilthrin spoke.
“Fails to do that. He turned his back on his brothers, leaving
them to their death.”
Eldris Tantur, the blacksmith of Red Larch gave character
testimony on behalf of Theamen and Vega.
A blast of heat washed over the crowd as a tall woman with crimson
skin,horns and golden eyes stepped out. Vanifer, a pyromancer.
“He is a dangerous man...but he just needs training. He can be
great with control.” She spoke, referencing Theamen's preference of
fire magic. “Instead of killing him...I request that you release
him into my care.”
Henry stood next. Lily looked at him, absolutely terrified. He
stormed up to testify. “We don't have a name, we're from different
backgrounds, different places. By the graces of the gods, Mystra,
we've been together. Theamen has saved us multiple times. He is
selfless, he is noble...” He continued the speech.
(9 persuasion)
And in it was “An admission of guilt.” Solomen called out.
“That will be all.”
The judges deliberated for fifteen minutes in a bubble. After
coming to a conclusion, the cannabalism charge was dropped. Vega was
to be brought before his circle as per their customs and dealt with
as they saw fit. Theamen was to be executed.
Henry rushed forward. “He's your son! You can't do this!”
Solomen tried to use Hold Person on him.
Before any one else could react...
“I envoke the right of conscription.” Thok stepped forward
with the paperwork. “I'm conscripting Theamen Summerridge into the
Wardens.” The right was a treaty signed by the ancient wardens to
allow the conscription of great warriors. It was never used lightly.
There was no arguing with it, Theamen was saved. Solomen, Timmons
and everyone left. Centari took Vega with her.
~
The party reconvened with Theamen at the inn. They had one member
back, but still lacked one.
Henry found Lily frantically packing. “We're leaving? Good!
Let's go now. Let's go yesterday.”
When asked about what had her so scared, it was revealed that the
Red Wizard was her mother's sister. And she wants Lily.
“Why does she want you?”
“The same reason necromancers want anybody.”
“I'll keep you safe.”
Theamen was helped into his armor by Menelwen and Thok before the
party left. To pursue Centari and rescue their Druid.
~To be Continued...~
