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From: [e-mail] (Fraser MacDonald MacKenzie)
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Subject: STORY: Fate's Fellowship - Chapter 16: Seeking Help and Answers
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Date: 13 Dec 1995 13:52:23 -0500
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Hi all, here is Chapter 16 of Fate's Fellowship.  Enjoy!


Fraser MacKenzie
http://www.achilles.net/~fraserm

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__________________|       Fraser MacKenzie      |_____oo0_(_)_0oo____
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   The characters contained in these writings and the writings themselves
   are copyright 1995 by Fraser MacKenzie.  Any resemblance to any persons
   or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental.  Copying
   and/or distribution of these tales is permissible only under the sole
   condition that no part of them will be used or sold for profit and that
   they not be altered in any way.

   I wish to thank Eric Lindsey, Seng Ann Mah, Ron Trimmer, Max
   Bullock, Charlotte Ashley, Tom DeSanctus, Bob Grob, Michael Clair
   Haflidi Jonsson, and Drew Lahaise for their immense input without
   which, there would be no story at all. ;)

   As well, one of the members of the Fate's Fellowship Mailing List
   has converted the Fate's Fellowship Saga from ASCII to Postscript
   files. I wish to thank Fabrice Uhl for his obviously enormous effort
   in conversion of the story which includes redrawing of maps so that
   they look professionally done.

   Enjoy!

                                  Fraser MacKenzie
                                  [e-mail]


   Note: You can FTP the chapters of Fate's Fellowship as they come
   out from ftp.achilles.net in the directory pub/users/fraserm or
   access them from my home page at http://www.achilles.net/~fraserm.
   You can also email me to get on my mailing list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Introducing the characters:

  Name      Race     Type
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
Tenbar   Human      Warrior
E'tharn  Elven      Warrior
Kelemvor Human      Spellcaster
Ssylth   Human      Spellcaster
Ginafae  Elven      Spellcaster




                             Fate's Fellowship
                                Chapter 16
                          Seeking Help and Answers




After Tenbar has released Kelemvor and they are talking quietly, there
is noise from the southwest corridor and they see the guard that
Kelemvor released earlier enter the room.  He bears several serious
wounds and carries what looks like Ssylth's sword.  As Tenbar rises,
drawing his weapon, the guard stops and in a familar voice says,
"No wait, it's me, E'tharn.  I used some of that dust to look like
the guard."  Managing to convince the rest of the party that he is who
he says he is, he asks, "What happened here?"

After hearing what happened to the rest of the party E'tharn explains
how he followed the guard to the west portion of the sewers.  There the
guard sounded an alarm.  Before others could arrive, E'tharn moved to
attack the man.  He managed to defeat him, but as you can see suffered
considerably himself.  When he heard others approaching, he decided to
return to the party.  Before he forgets, he mentions there is a trap at
the entrance of the room, where he confronted the guard, which they
should know about in case they decide to go there.

Kelemvor shakes E'tharn's hand and exclaims, "Good work, E'tharn.  At
least we know where their hideout is now."

Hearing that other guards may be approaching, Tenbar grunts, "We better
get our arses out o' this place quick smart, then."  He moves quickly to
Ginafae and gently lifts her to his shoulders, all the while gritting
his teeth against the pain flaring in his wounds.  He then salvages
everything he can recover from the room and makes way to the southeast
passage.  However, before everyone can leave, from inside his column
of light, Corporal Fellard says "What's going on here?"

Tenbar stops in his steps, realizing that he was about to leave Fellard
in the light prison, looking abashed.

Kelemvor seems very upset and shouts at Fellard "Damn you, Fellard!
I can't believe you!  I'm going to let you in on a little secret, OK?
HALF OF THE BLOODY CITY GUARD IS WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE!!!!  I don't
know how you got knocked unconscious without realizing it was done by
your 'friends'.  I guess we ought to let you go, though."

After hearing Kelemvor speak to Fellard, the burly forester nods and
says, "Reckon yer right. Let's get 'im out o' that."

Kelemvor then mumbles a bit, and says in a softer tone, "moron."

"Look Fellard, this all would have been easier if you would have
believed us, but you wouldn't.  I suggest that you help us out.  You
see, we don't like you, but it seems that we are on the same side in
this and you are the one that is going to have to clear our names in
this affair when it is over.  So speak up.  Tell us all that you know."

Corporal Fellard is taken aback by the anger of Kelemvor's outburst.
He shakes his head and mumbles "I don't know, I just don't know."  He
seems to be talking half to himself as he recites events that have
befallen him over the past twenty four hours.  "That woman, Salmistra,
appeared in the prison through a tunnel we didn't know was there.  She
said two men had attacked her, then Tenbar, who we've been searching
everywhere for, sticks his head up.  I took some of my men down to
search for him.  We came to a room and suddenly half of my men turn on
the rest of us.  I get knocked out and the next thing I know woke up
here imprisoned along with my men who turned on us.  Some more of my
men show up, attack you and release the others but not me.  Then they
run off with those two men I've never seen before."

He pauses for a moment still shaking his head, then continues half
heartedly  "Maybe you cast some kind of spell on them, or maybe this
is some elaborate trap to trick me.  I remember you said something
before about someone else being behind the murders, but you resisted
arrest and attacked me.  Ohhh, I just don't know."  The man is
obviously confused and seems to have lost some of his hostility toward
the party.  When Kelemvor suggests he help the party, he replies
reluctantly "I want to get to the bottom of this and for that reason
I will help you.  However, if I find out that you are behind what's
been going on or have some part in it, however small, I will be swift
to carry out justice.  And I will not forget what you did to me back
at Jooom's shop.  But for now I will help - just to find out what's
going on."

After listening to what Fellard has to say, Tenbar nods slowly.
"Perhaps we have wronged ye, eh?  We thought ye be in league with them
as belong'd t' th' Death Cult.  I been told that t' sherrif and most
o' his men were members o' t' cult, which was why we couldna trust
ye... but it seems that things be now even more.. well.. muddled."  In
a clumsy way, Tenbar tries to explain to Fellard the complications
which have recently surface about the guards having their own agenda
and using the cult only as a 'front'.

Kelemvor moves to release Fellard and once Fellard is out he then
moves to examine the seven new bodies, looking at each man's face and
giving them a name.  He says all were city guards men, but he did not
recognize the two spell casters who stayed in the doorway.  He also
spots Crowe's body over against the wall and says "What a shame", but
without much remorse.

The guards had on them:
2 longswords
5 crossbows and about 140 bolts
3 suits of chainmail
3 knives
2 handaxes
3 ropes
2 lanterns
2 flasks of oil
47 sp
23 gp
a silver belt buckle
an ear ring

The silver belt buckle is in the design of a rampant, stylized dragon.
Tenbar attaches it to his belt.  The earring is of an electrum spring
clamp with a chain holding a cresent moon and E'tharn asks if anybody
minds if he takes it.  When no one objects, he picks up the earring and
places it in a pouch.

After getting the groups permission, Fellard looks over the armor and
weapons and chooses some for himself.

Kelemvor, feeling guilty, appologizes to the group, "Man, I don't know
what came over me back there.  I told you spellcasters were powerful.
Speaking of spellcasters, E'tharn, have you seen Ssylth?  He
disappeared and has not come back.  I hope he did not run into trouble.
Well, I'm sure Valeska is teaching him a lesson.  We might want to look
for him."  After finishing, Kelemvor turns to Corporal Fellard and
asks, "Do you by any chance know somebody who might be able to help
us?"

Fellard replies, "Do I know anybody who can help?"  He shrugs his
shoulders and says, "Before this all happened I would have said inform
the sheriff, but now I don't know.  What you say also makes me wonder
about some things that have happened the past couple of days.  About
two days ago the sheriff took some men and arrested Imreaell the
merchant.  The sheriff said he had evidence that Imreaell was involved
in a plot against the duke, but I never saw it.  Then there's the
battle of magic between Romdril Moke and Thornwalden.  The high priest
of Merlock claimed that Thornwalden was using his power as head of the
magic user's guild to organize an army in the great marsh to attack
Burkden.  Romdril confronted Thornwalden and a battle resulted.  The
wizard's guild was a wreck and Thornwalden hasn't been seen since.
Romdril said something about banishing him to another world."

Tenbar gasps when he hears of Thornwalden's fate.  Visibly disturbed by
this news, he looks from Kelemvor to E'tharn, then finally to Fellard.
"Thornwalden was a friend, a good 'un, and I'll not stand idly by while
he's in a spot o' trouble.  This jus' goes t' show that summat's rotten
in this city and we be right in the middle o' it.  Yon Romdril's part
o' the Death Cult too... he one o' the bosses, I heard tell.  Looks
like t' cult's gettin' rid o' their enemies... first Imreaell, now
Thornwalden.  I says that we trust no one but ourselves.  Fellard, if
ye knows o' anyone ye c'n get t' help us, this be the time fer it.  I
knows we ent never lookd eye t' eye before, but I'm willin' t' let
bygones be bygones.  There be more important matters t' be dealth wit'
now.  If ye c'n get us t' the duke, mayhap, so much t' better.  He
ought t' know what should be done."

After letting that information sink in, Fellard continues "I'm not sure
who to trust.  I'd say a safe bet would be the duke himself, but how
we'd get to him I don't know.  Maybe I should go back to the jail and
try to find out exactly what's going on."

Tenbar agrees "But ye be careful and tell no one 'bout us.... if ye can,
come here at night and tell us what ye discovered."

Kelemovor thinks on what Fellard has said for a few seconds and then
snaps back to reality "I think we ought to go back to the mansion and
rest.  It seems like about the safest place to go.  We need to get away
from this room because I'm sure they will be back.  I also need to bury
these people sometime.  Why don't we head back to the mansion carrying
as much stuff as possible.  Then, you guys can rest there.  Fellard and
I will come back to this room and carry more bodies back with us.  We
will keep making trips back and forth until all the bodies have been
collected.  If Ssylth comes back, I'm sure we will run into him.  If
after we are done, we have still not seen Ssylth, I will go look for
him."

"We also need to decide if and when we are going to the hideout.
Tenbar, it will probably take me two or three days to heal you and
Ginafae up even if I used all my spells for healing.  I'm just not
that good at healing."

"If Fellard and I come back here, could we have some of that magic
dust?  It might come in useful if we run into trouble."

"On second thought, maybe Fellard should go to the surface and try to
get some help.  There have to be some people on our side.  Fellard,
you could even just try to convince the guard to investigate their
hideout, but make sure you have people go that you can trust.  If you
have a whole bunch of guards go, it might be an easy way to see which
guards are on what side.  We could time it so that we are there at the
same time."

They then begin discussing a plan.  It is clear that E'tharn, Ginafae
and Tenbar need rest and healing.  Kelemvor suggests returning to the
mansion, but also likes Fellard's offer to go find more information
adding that maybe he could get together a group he can trust and storm
the hideout E'tharn found.  Tenbar, grimicing in pain despite having
bandaged his wounds, voices his opinion that everybody should return
to the mansion immediately, before more guards arrive.  "There's nowt
else we c'n do here," he sighs, "An' I reckon we been lucky in that
fight.  If it warn't fer my friend, yon cloud t'ing, we be goners fer
sure."  Realizing that they would be in a bad position if their enemies
returned, the rest of the party agrees, deciding to continue making
plans in the relative safety of the mansion.

Before leaving for the mansion, Kelemvor says, "Oh, I guess I should
tell you where the actual Death Cult is located.  They are located in
the old catacombs about nine miles north of town.  There is no good way
to reach there by the surface so you must travel through an underground
tunnel reached by crossing the bridge of bones."

"One other thing, we have been getting in many battles.  Any one of us
may be killed.  You might want to tell me what you want done with your
body and things if you don't make it.  Also, if anything should happen
to me, please bring my body and things to a temple of Valeska,
preferably the one in Lamyth.  The priests will know what to do.  You
guys can have any money on my person and any items that we have
collected since travelling together. This is very important to me and
I am trusting you in this.  Also, you must tell them where the Death
Cult is located."

Tenbar glares up at Kelemvor darkly.  "What yer gondering about now?"
He seems disturbed, but sighs and nods wearily.  "Ay, yer right.  There's
a good chance we won' see this through.  Well," he shrugs, "I allus
thought I'd die at my home, but that seems so far 'way now..." he rubs
a tear from his eye."  If there be a patch of sunny land here 'bouts,
then that's where I'd like t' lie in me grave.  Me belongings, I'd like
tak'n t' me kin up in the nor' forests.  I got me a wife there, though
she be now 'wife' t' some odder man, so's I guess they should go t'
her, money and all.  She not a bad wumman, I's reckons..." he seems too
caught up with his emotions to say anymore and it's a bit strange to
see the gruff, burly man struggle with his tears.

E'tharn adds to the morbid sight by asking, "Guys.  If I should die.
Please take my body to the Silver Glade and ask Father Tercell to bury
me beneath the old oak there.  You can have all of my belongings but my
gold.  Please give it to the homeless children of Burkden so that they
might be happy."

Recomposing himself, Tenbar carefully lifts Ginafae's slight form to his
shoulder and takes up her staff.  Under Kelmvor's direction, E'tharn gets
Crowe's body, while he and Fellard take two of the 'good' guards and all
the weapons and armor from the other bodies.  Together they then head
back toward the mansion.

The journey is slow going, but eventually they make it all the way back
to the crypt room with the passage leading to the one-way secret door.
Just in front of the secret door they find something unusual.  It is the
body of what looks like a small human, 1ft tall, wearing baggy clothing
and an ill-fitting leather helmet.  Closer inspection reveals that the
baggy garments are actually the creature's lumpy and many folded skin,
while the helmet is in reality its pointed head, all leathery and smooth.
The limbs of the creature are knotty and bowed, with hands and feet tipped
with thick, knife sharp nails and it appears to have been killed by a
dagger wound to the chest.  There are several traces of blood on the
corridor's floor.

Tenbar turns the little corpse around with the toe of his boot. "Looks
like one o' our little thieves," he grunts, then eyes Kelemvor. "Looks
like Ssylth's work d'ye reckon?"

There are still some logs keeping the door from closing which Tenbar is
able to pry it open. The party enters the next room and as they move
from the crypt up to the cellar, Tenbar searches along the floor to see
where the traces of blood lead.  He reports that it forms a trail to the
ladder, up into the cellar and then up the stairs to the library.  He
also says it looks like whoever it was paused at each place, making a
couple of trips to carry several objects along with them.  E'tharn makes
a quick trip up to the library and reports that it is daylight outside,
getting close to noon as well he adds, "There are signs that someone
came this way recently, and they were wounded."

Kelemvor asks for some of the magical dust from Tenbar and then he and
Fellard then return to the sewers to retrieve more bodies.

Tenbar and E'tharn do what they can to set up camp and afterwards
E'tharn takes off for a quick scout around the mansion.  Tenbar fills
one of the empty wine barrels with water from the fountain and cleans
his wounds and then Ginafae's.  He then moves to the library and makes
a crude bed from linens and fabric found in nearby rooms.  Carefully
placeing Ginafae's on the bed, he takes a seat on the floor nearby
where he can keep a lookout through the window.  Shortly thereafter,
E'tharn returns to report seeing no activity around the mansion.

Eventually, after several trips, Kelemvor and Fellard manage to bring
back all the corpses that seem to have piled up from the groups
adventure thus far.  Kelemvor makes sure the secret door is closed
behind them.  He and Fellard then join Tenbar and E'tharn in the
library to discuss plans and everyone seems to agree that Fellard
should go try to find out what he can and possibly get help.  Tenbar
admonishes him to tell no one of the groups location and to return at
night with his information.  Kelemvor agrees and also provides him
with a small portion of magic dust to disguise himself and as well,
requests that he bring back a couple of shovels.

The corporal isn't very enthusiastic about using the dust, but they
have no trouble convincing him of its necessity by reminding him how
his men turned on him.  He goes ahead and sprinkles the dust on himself
before leaving so the party members will recognize his disguise.  Tenbar
then escorts him to the gate, reminding him again to be careful.

Back in the library, Tenbar offers to let Kelemvor and E'tharn get some
rest first but Kelemvor says he first wants to try his luck at the fountain
so the three of them head for the cellar.  Thankful for the notes he took
the last time everyone used it, he first pronounces the WATER rune to fill
the fountain.  Next, he pronounces SIGHT which creates an image in the
water of the cellar with you three standing around the pool.  Next he says
FAR, and with a flash the image changes to show the same older looking
priest seen when Kelemvor said this rune before.  It is the high priest
of his order back in Lamyth and he is again performing some kind of
ceremony over a dead body.

Kelemvor then says DANGER and the scene changes, but again everyone has
seen it before.  It is the same forbidding looking temple room with the
black alter, the grotesque statue and the pentegram in the center of
the floor.

Next, he moves to SHORT and everybody stares in surprise at the image
revealed.  They see Ssylth kneeling on the floor of some room in front
of five small creatures like the body of the one they found in front
of the secret door.  All of the creatures are bound, hand and foot,
and Ssylth is waving a dagger at one.  Ssylth wears several bandages on
his legs and arms stained by blood.  His location seems vaguely
familiar, but nobody can see enough of the room to tell for sure.  They
watch for some time as he moves from creature to creature waving his
dagger, until finally the image fades.

Tenbar frowns.  "What's he up to, I wunner," he mumbles to himself.
"Reckon he's somewhere upstairs," Tenbar notes, turning to E'Tharn.
"D'ye reckon we ought t' have a scrat up there?  No tellin' what he
c'n be up t' but it looks like he's caught hisself our little thievin'
buggers."

Finally, Kelemvor says TIME.  The image changes to show a dark scene,
apparently outdoors on moonlit night.  You see Kelemvor busy with a
shovel digging a grave with Fellard alongside him and nearby lie the
dark forms of several bodies.

After viewing the images in the fountain, the three return to library
to check on Ginafae and discuss their plans.  They discover that she is
awake though somewhat groggy.  Tenbar squats down beside the winsome
elven maid and hands her a small cup of water from the fountain.  "How
yer feelin' lass?" he asks in a gruff, if gentle voice.  "'Twas a big
blow ye took on yer noggin' there."  Ginafae replies, "I am fine, but
I do have quite a headache."  As they are talking, from the window
Tenbar spots someone coming up the path from the mansion gate.  They
recognize the disguised Corporal and Tenbar growls something about
telling him not to come back until dark.  Together, they move to the
entry hall to meet him.

As he enters, he sets down two large sacks and a pair of shovels.
Seeing Tenbar's scowl, he holds up his hands in a placating gesture and
says "I know you said to wait until night to return, but I've got news
that you have to hear, the worst kind of news.  It seems last night the
death cult struck again.  There was an attack on Throcken's armory.
Some how the guard found out about it before hand and made it to the
scene while the attackers were still there.  A fight followed in which
the death cult members fled and were pursued by the guard.  They chased
them out of the city, but somewhere between the eastern gate and
Dewomer forest the guards was ambushed or something and over half the
men were killed.  Now the sheriff has declared martial law in the city
and is bringing in mercenaries from somewhere to replace the lost men.
No one is allowed in or out of the city without express permission from
the guard."

He pauses for a moment to let that sink in, then continues "But the worst
news, for you, is that the members of the death cult they were chasing
were you... or looked like you I mean.  I know it couldn't have been you
because I was with you last night.... or so you say.  No, no, I still
believe you, but there were witnesses who saw you at the armory and now
there isn't a person in this city who wouldn't attack you on sight.  A
lot of good men died in that ambush.  They are calling your group 'the
hand of death'."

E'tharn exclaims angrily, "I'll hand of death them!!!  What kind of
stuff is going on here...I think we may be way outclassed here
guys...and gals."

After a few minutes of stunned silence, Fellard smashes his fists
together and says vehemently "We've got to do something, but what!?!  I
don't know who to trust and there is probably no way we can get to the
Duke now.  What if he is in danger!"  After a few minutes of pacing and
fretting, he calms down enough to show them the supplies he brought.  In
addition to the shovels, in the sacks he has food, wine, extra clothing,
clean bandages, forty-five arrows for Tenbar, backpacks to replace those
that have been ruined and torches.

Tenbar grabs himself some food and wine and proceeds to wolf them down
hungrily.  E'tharn follows Tenbar's lead and enjoys putting the food in
his empty stomache.  Tenbar then discards his torn and filthy garments,
checks his wounds, removing the crude bandages, washing them again,
then wrapping them up in fresh bandages, and finally puts on clean
clothing.  While he is doing so, he listens to Fellard's speech and
agrees.  "No point worryin' 'bout the duke now... he c'n take care o'
hisself, I'm sure.  We got to make sure that we clear our names, first
off.  We be in deep enough crud orready and it seems t'me that the crap
keeps comin' in."

He then puts forth a suggestion. "I reckons we should git t' the root o'
this problem, and that means we gotta go back down t' sewers and scrat
out their hideout.  E'tharn, ye said ye followed the big ugly bugger
down there.  Did ye see much o' it?  Were there many odders there?

E'tharn replies, "Tenbar, I think that I was at the outer guardpost.  At
least four sets of feet came after the gong was rung.  I did manage to
kill the dirty bugger that rang it though"

Tenbar continues, "In t' meantime, we can do nowt else but rest here and
lick our wounds.  An' pray that somehow, alla this c'n be stopped."  He
sighs wearily and rubs is brows.  "By the whiskers of Kurvi-Tash, I said
I'd look fer adventure but I never thought it'd find me this way."  He
grins weakly, then adds, "I'd like t' have a look 'round upstairs.  I
reckons young Ssylth's up there, up t' no good as usual... what yer
reckon?  Anyone up t' comin' with me?"

Fellard says he has a friend who is a priest in the temple of Selena
who might be willing to help the group.  He thinks he can convince him
of their innocence or at least call in a favor the man owes him.  He
asks if he should bring him to the mansion.

Tenbar's eyes narrow briefly in suspicion.  Finally, he shrugs. "We c'n
use all the help ye c'n git us, friend.  I reckons that its times like
these that make strange allies, eh?  Aye, bring him here if'n yer sure
he c'n help us..."

Kelemvor agrees saying, "First off, I think we are going to have to
trust this priest of Selena.  I know a little about the order.  This
priest will at least be able to heal you.  Fellard, why don't you go
back and get this priest and convince him of our innocence.  Get him
to come with you to the mansion.  But, we must be very careful; it
seems we really cannot trust anyone.  So, after he agrees to come with
you, do not let him go speak to anyone.  If he comes with you to the
mansion and he will not help us, then we can at least deal with one. But
if he goes and tells somebody and then we end up getting ambushed, we
are finished."

E'tharn looks at Corporal Fellard and says, "What information did you
find out about you and the guards that went down into the sewers with
you?  Are you outcasts, are there lies about you also?  We have to get
to the bottom of this and bring to truth to the people.  I would be
more than happy to have the help of another priest....so long as
Kelemvor doesn't mind."

Fellard replies "I almost forgot.  The story has been spread that I and
my men were captured by the death cult, or more specifically your group.
Supposedly, that is how the guard learned of the raid on the armory.  One
of my men escaped from you and made it back to the prison with the
information."

E'tharns asks Fellard what would happen if he were to just show up an
tell the truth.  Fellard replies "Ordinarily that is what I would say
to do.  But right now I'm not sure who to trust.  If the sheriff is part
of this group calling itself the death cult, as events seem to indicate,
then you would just be turning yourselves over to them.  If there was
some way to get to the duke he might be able to do something, but then
again if the city guard is in control he is likely to be powerless and
you'd just end up in the hands of the cult.  If there was some way to
rally the townspeople or alert them to what is going on that might work.
But I'm not sure how you'd go about that without being discovered before
enough people could be told.  If just one wrong person was contacted the
cult would be on to you.  I just don't know.  There are several possible
options, but they all have their dangers."

When E'tharn clarifies that his question refered to Fellard revealing
the truth, the corporal replies "I'm afraid the same sort of thing
applies to me.  I wouldn't know who to tell the truth to.  If I reveal
myself, I'm likely to disappear without a trace.  It's not that I'm a
coward you understand, I just want to stop these people and I can't do
that if they end up capturing me again.  Still, if you think it will
do some good, I'm willing to try to make it to the duke with the
truth."

Tenbar responds saying, "Do what ye reckon is right, Fellard, but I
don' think ye should take any risks.  We be up 'gainst a very unfriendly
situation, and we'll need all the friends we c'n get. I's sorry that we
thought ye were part o' the Death Cult, and I 'ope ye'll count us as
yer friends fer now, so long as we're all in this muckamuck together."

E'tharn paces around and then asks, partly to himself, "What do we have
or are capable of doing that makes us such a threat?  There are only
six of us including Fellard.  Why go to all the trouble of making us
outcasts and putting the city under martial law?  I think there is far
more to this than meets the eye.  Ginafae, can you somehow contact your
school of magic and ask for help?  Kelemvor, is there anyway you can
contact your church for help?  This death cult is giving the Priesthood
of Valeska a bad name."

Fellard shakes his head and says "I've been trying to figure that out
myself.  You must have done something to make them mad or maybe they're
just looking for scapegoats, they seem to like blame their crimes on
others.  Can you think of any reason they'd be so against you?  As for
putting the city under marital law, it seems obvious they don't want
anyone leaving the city.  But why?  What are they working at?"  Growling
in frustration, the says "We just don't have the information we need".

E'tharn vents, "The question we need to ask is, where can we get the
information that we need?"

Fellard shrugs, but says "The only accurate source of information would
be one of the leaders of the cult.  But right now we're not even sure
who they are, besides our chances of capturing one are slim and none."

Kelemvor says, in answer to E'tharns question about getting help from
the priesthood of Valeska, "I am afraid that I do not think we can get
any additional help from the priesthood, at least not any in time.  My
priesthood is not very common in this part of the country.  I might be
able to send a message to my church, but it would be quite some time
before they could send anyone."

"I am very concerned about the actual Death Cult, not only this operation.
In fact, I was hoping that you guys would help me investigate the Death Cult
hideout after we clear our names with this.  I know I should not think that
far ahead, but that is the reason I came to Burdken.  E'tharn, you are
exactly right.  This Death Cult is giving the priesthood a bad name."

Everyone in the group seems to share his frustration and you discuss
possible plans, but it seems to come down to your having to return to
their hideout in the sewers.  However, you realize this will not be possible
unless something is done about those injured.  Reluctantly, you agree
that Fellard should go to his priest friend and bring him to the
mansion.

Kelemvor requests, "Fellard, try to get at least one good net, as big as
possible.  Also, try to get as much of that flaming oil as possible.  I can give
you some cash for it."

"Aye, and some arrows fer me too," Tenbar adds.  "Them curst jinxkins done
got most o' my arrows ruined."  He curses them again and promises that he
will exact terrible retribution on them.  "An' if yer c'n get us some more
food too... I got t' feelin' that we might be here fer quite some time."
He adds that he'd liks Fellard to get him a new weapons belt as his old
one has been tampered with by the jinxkins.

Tenbar then escorts Corporal Fellard back out of the mansion to the
main gate.

When Tenbar returns, he Kelemvor and E'tharn move to search the upper
level of the mansion but they get no further than the stairs when they
see a figure in a blue cloak descending toward them.  It is none other
than Ssylth, looking somewhat haggard and bearing numerous small bandages
on his arms and legs.

After meeting Ssylth, the three return to the rest of the party and then
everybody spends some time going over what has happened since Ssylth left.

Ssylth asks, "So, what did the death cult do to you guys anyways?"

Kelemvor replies, "Shortly after you left, we got attacked by six guards
and two spellcasters.  It was just Greykin, Tenbar, Ginafae, and me.
They cast a spell on me and I lost control of my mind and surrendered!
Luckily, just when we thought we were doomed, the smoky mist, Tenbar's
friend, came and rescued us.  They took the Greykin and rescued their
guards all except Fellard here.  Tenbar really took a beating, but he
did remarkably well for being outnumbered three to one!  Tenbar, I'm
glad you are on our side.  E'tharn arrived shortly after the enemy left.
He found out where their hideout is, but said there are some two legged
creature that helps these guys out and warns them when someone is coming."

"First of all, E'tharn, do you already possess a magic sword other than the
cursed one?  The only reason I took Ssylth's sword was cause I thought you
might need it.  Ssylth here says your original sword is more magical than
the one we found.  So why don't we let Tenbar use it.  Ssylth, I think you
suggested this.  It's a good idea.  Tenbar, you really should use a magic
sword; it'll work better than that sword you have now.  If you really don't
want to, I guess we should let Fellard borrow it for the time being."

E'tharn replies, "The only magic sword I have, other than the cursed one
is the one that you took from Ssylth."  Tenbar shrugs, "What c'n it do
that me own trusty sword can't?  Ye call it 'magic' what's 'magic' about
it, eh?  Don' seem to be nowt more than a reg'lar sword t' me.  Here,
give it here and I'll have a look see."  E'tharn consents and hands him
the blade.  With a few quick swings, Tenbar seems mildly impressed.  The
blade proves to have a nice balance and is surprisingly light in his hand.
Although he pronounces that the longsword is a fine weapon, Tenbar still
prefers his trusty old broadsword.  "This sword and me," he quips, "We
seen most of everythin' there be t' see."  He hands the longsword to
E'tharn.  "'Ope it brings ye luck, friend."

Ssylth tells the party about his escapades with twelve little creatures
that he calls jinxkins.  After hearing Ssylth explain about the Jinxkins,
Tenbar growls, "Take me to 'ems. I want t' have a few fierce words with
'ems as ruined our gear."

After everyone have talked for a while, Ssylth takes you upstairs to the
observatory where he holds captive five diminuitve creatures that resemble
the body they found in front of the oneway secret door.  E'tharn informs
the rest of the party that they look like the creature he saw run from the
room where you attacked the four guards with the two dogs, in the sewer.

Ssylth says he was planning to take the creatures outside in the sunlight
to question them, after he made sure the secret door in the crypt was
closed.  Tenbar endorses that plan with a vengful gleam in his eye, eager
to take part in extracting information from the little vandals.  Kelemvor
assures Ssylth that he closed the oneway door after his last visit to the
sewer.  His mind eased, Ssylth grabs up a jinxkin and heads downstairs.
Tenbar follows carrying two of the tiny men, with Kelemvor and E'tharn
also taking one apiece.

The party decides to head to the back of the mansion where it is less
likely that they will be seen from the street.  When they expose the
Jinxkins to the sunlight, the creatures sqirm and cry out in high
pitched squeals, trying to scramble back into the shadows.  Party members
question each jinxkin until they find one that seems to understand their
words.  Ssylth tells it that if he answers all the parties questions
and does not lie you will take him back inside.  The creature nods in
agreement and Ssylth asks him the following questions:

"Do your tunnels go all over the sewers?"
The Jinxkin nodds his head yes.

"Were you guys responsible for the destroying of our packs in the
garden and in the room with columns?"
Again it nods yes.

Showing it a map of the sewers Ssylth asks "Can you read a map, where you
are?"
The jinxkin does not seem to be able to open his eyes in the sunlight,
but nods his head yes.  Taking him into some shadows he is able to open his
eyes slightly and look at your map.

"Is there anything dangerous in the cellar or crypt of this house?"
He shrugs and shakes his head that he does not know.

Showing the jinxking some money Ssylth asks, "Do your friends have any of
these down in the sewers?"
He nods yes.

Kelemvor then steps forward to ask him more questions about the map.
Pointing to what he believes to be the location of the cult's hideout on
the map, Kelemvor asks him, "Have you ever been there?"
The jinxkin nods yes.

Next, Kelemvor asks "Do you know who lives there and if they are bad
people?"
Again he nods yes.

Kelemvor then questions him about numbers of men there, enlisting
Tenbar's aid to represent different numbers.
The creature seems uncertain, but nods yes when both men hold up their
hands for 20 or more.

When asked if the men patrol rooms 5, 6 and 3 the creature nods yes.
Pointing to other areas he also nods yes except for the section of sewers
to the east of the river.

When asked specifically about the room of voices, if it is safe and
if the men go there, the creature nods yes to both questions.  When asked
to draw an outline of the room, he simply draws a square in the dirt.
When asked if there are things to stand on in the room he shakes his head
no.

When Kelemvor has finished, Ssylth picks up the jinxkin and carries him
to the cellar to continue the questioning, threating to take the
creature back into the light if he doesn't cooperate.

Ssylth takes the jinxkin down to where the secret door that they have not
opened is, and asks him "Is anything dangerous in there?"
The creature just shrugs and shakes his head to indicate that he does
not know.

"I will also ask if there is just one room behind the door?"
The creature just shrugs and shakes his head to indicate that he does
not know.

"Is there a way to the surface through the door?"
Again, the creature just shrugs and shakes his head to indicate that he
does not know.

E'tharn then asks "Can you turn invisible?"
At which the creature shakes its head no.

"Do you or your kin work for the men in the sewers?"
The creature shakes its head yes.

"How many spell casters are there?"
In response the creatures shrugs, but nods yes when E'tharn hold up two
hands.

"Do you play pranks on the men downstairs?"
The jinxkin shakes his head no.

Finally, E'tharn asks if he and his kin would like the sewers back to
themselves.  At first the jinxkin does not seem to understand, but as
E'tharn goes on to ask if he would like for the group to get rid of
those pretending to be the death cult the jinxkin nods his head yes.

Next Kelemvor questions the tiny creature.  Watching him, the rest of the
party members notice something unusual about the priest.  They aren't
sure if it is just the sunlight playing tricks on their eyes or what, but
Kelemvor's skin seems to have taken on a noticeable splotchy white
coloration.  His brown hair also bears streaks of white that everyboody
could swear weren't there a few days ago.  It is difficult to believe the
couple of days underground could have produced such changes, but then
again anything is possible.

E'tharn asks Kelemvor, "Are you alright your skin and hair seems to have
changed?", to which Kelemvor replies, "Oh!  You're right E'tharn.  It
seems that Valeska is pleased with my work so far.  There is nothing to
be afraid of.  My features will become more and more white, until all of
the coloration in my skin, eyes, and hair is gone.  Some individuals are
born with this condition; I believe it is called albinoism.  Priests of
Valeska, as they win the favor of the Goddess of Death, are blessed with
many new powers."

E'tharn says, "Ah...that would explain it.  I guess that this is good for
you as well as for us.  Although it will take some getting used to."

After hearing Kelemvor's explanation, Tenbar gives the priest an odd
look.  After a brief pause, he growls, "New powers, eh? Well, remind me
not t' please Valeska too much then."  He shudders and goes about his
usual business. It seems that the explanation has somewhat shaken the
usually imperturble woodsman.

The group listens as Kelemvor asks the following questions:

"How many men are on patrol?"
The jinxkin nods when Kelemvor holds up one hand.

"Do spell casters accompany patrols?"
The jinxkin shakes his head no.

"How often do they patrol the hallway close to the room of many voices?"
Here the jinxkin shrugs noncommitally, but nods when Kelmvor says, "Every
couple of hours?"

After they have finished questioning the creatures Tenbar makes sure their
bonds are tight and despite his earlier blustering about visiting terrible
fates on the little vandals, Tenbar seems to take pity on their plight and
suggests that they be locked up in the closet of the mansion entryway.
Ssylth says that they should kill the jinxkins but Tenbar opposes him
saying "Ay, well, they be little divils alright, but I don' reckon it be
right t' slit their throats or owt like that.  I just don' reckon it'd be
right."