Amàrad 21-25, 653 DR. House work. Vorên exchanges messages with the temple of Nūlòpū. Zuroolly seeks a second secret. Silda and Vorén meet with Parrak at a riverside tavern and demand a high price to accompany a band of Dragul-hunters. Silda asks questions of the Run Sùlūð dockmasters. Ferveo is met by Night Lotus members outside Zuroolly’s. Bodies are disposed of. Silda mentions the Dragul offer.

Continued from Sinkhole.

Īrùlor, 21 Amàrad 653

Parrak slid a cabochon black gem across the tavern table. Silda and Vorén stared at the stone, and the mist-like purple colors that swirled within it. At least one thousand tala, thought Vorén. Silda recognized his expression and postponed the deal, explaining that they would need to talk this over with their companions. The cloaked man took the stone back, hiding it back upon his person. We will be here the next few nights as well he explained, we’re waiting for a few more of our numbers to arrive. As they stood and left the tavern, each wondered about what had just transpired. Hours ago they had thought five-hundred tala was an exorbitant price, but the man had hardly blinked at their counter-offer. Who were these “Dirímoryr” that they were dealing with? Did they really intend on slaying a Dragul? Was there enough talent and power within their group to do it? These and many other thoughts dwelled in their heads as they returned to Zuroolly’s.

Rodor, 22 Amàrad 653

The next morning, Silda ventured to the riverside and spoke with the dockmasters there as Vorén had instructed her. She spoke with three of the Nūð-masters and learned that none of them knew very much about the dull-violet slaves they employed, day after day without pay, food, or lodging for years and centuries on end. One of the dockmasters explained that not only were there fewer of the Nūð than years ago, but that they weren’t being replenished as quickly as before. The slave traders that brought them to the city every month or so, were bringing less and less with each visit. Silda also learned that the Nūð were not mute in their homelands, and in fact heard a story of how an Yrūn tribe waged war with the Nūð of that region, far east along the Run Sùlūð. The casual talk of slavery disgusted Silda so she returned to the house.

That evening, as Ferveo was returning from a walk of his own, he encountered three gentlemen approaching Zuroolly’s house. The leader of the trio carried an ovoid white stone above his head, which seemed to be leading him, and the group. Near Zuroolly’s front door the stone crumbled in his hand. He stopped and looked at Ferveo, asking for a “coin”. The men didn’t seem happy with Ferveo’s answers for the monk knew nothing of the coin they were asking for. As the men spread outward, one twirling a double-bladed Shar’an, Ferveo called into the house for assistance. Soon, the group spilled from the house with weapons in hand. Zuroolly cast spells from the vestibule. Though unarmored, the men fought fiercely, beating at the group with their fists and feet, similar to Ferveo’s fighting style. One kicked outward with golden blades attached to the bottom of his feet, cutting Ferveo badly across his chest. The leader concentrated on Silda, punishing her with a flurry of punches and kicks that she strove to fend off. Toward the battle’s end Silda gave a great yell and carved her sword down through the man’s shoulder, splitting his chest open. The barbarian woman stood there breathing quickly and staring wildly at the fallen man for some time before the rage left her. As night fell, Vorén stowed away, finding his way back to the Old City where he found someone to heal his wounds for ten tala. Back at the house, Zuroolly and Ferveo hauled the bloody bodies into the stone cart to transport them to the sinkhole. As they were preparing to leave, a neighborhood boy came over and poked at the bodies. Zuroolly scared the boy and he ran off. Near midnight, the monk and sorcerer found the sinkhole again and stowed the bodies under the vines. When they returned Silda sat down with Zuroolly and told him some about the offer that had been made at the tavern the previous day. Zuroolly’s eyes lit up as she explained the price they’d been offered, and didn’t hear her when she said that the hunters didn’t stand a chance.

Pador, 25 Amàrad 653

Days of much-needed mending ended with a knock on Zuroolly’s door.

Continued in Twelve Conspirators.

• Ferveo Cælestis
• Talôr Dal-Vorenen
• Silda of Wurm
• Zuroolly Hicubaba
• Aíran
• Aset
• Assir
• Iánū
• Urdhòm Irtan
• Kanin (Monk): killed
• Khnekha
• Llyàndra (Priestess of Baláras)
• Mordon
• Morgōmir of Sarat (Paladin)
• Müdan (Monk): killed
• Namban (Monk): killed
• Narsk (Warrior)
• Nōsère
• Halágir Nōst (Wizard)
• Palkàya
• Parrak (Rogue)
• Ralas (Monk): killed
• Sharmak
• Yansir
• Zargon

Played: 23 Feb 2001