[These both occurred before Session 25.]
Interlude 4
Wealsun 11, 621 CYCity of Greyhawk
The Black Dragon Inn
On the table before them was a hand-drawn map on parchment of the layout of Castle Greyhawk. Draxus, as dramatic as ever, stabbed the map with a knife on the spot where the long building along the south end of the curtain wall stood.
“There. If they aren’t in the dungeon, they must be holed up there.”
Tiffy, the hobbit who drew the map, sighed. She had put a lot of work into that. “That was my conclusion, based on my reconnaissance. I couldn’t get inside, but it seems to be them.”
The six founding members of the Band of the Black Dragon stood or sat together in the back room of the inn. Private planning sessions had become their thing before each expedition.
“Do we have any idea what their numbers are like now?” Crato asked.
“Not at all,” Hobar, their magic-user, said. “We should assume they’ve had plenty of time to recruit from the bottomless well of the castle dungeons. Who knows what manner of creatures may have allied with them by now?”
“I agree, we’ve waited too long as it is,” Draxus said.
“I don’t think that was his point,” Logos countered. “We need to spend a week hiring more men-at-arms. We are primarily a party of clerics, but what we need are men experienced in siegecraft.”
“What if we combined forces with the Company of the White Oak?” Tiffy asked. “They probably know the castle better than we do.”
Draxus shook his head. “I think they finished off the ogres only to clear a path to the dungeons. They don’t seem that much interested in clearing the upper works, which leaves more for us.”
“Then it’s up to us,” Crato said. “If the gods favor our efforts, we will finally put an end to the Hydra Company.”
Interlude 5
Planting 20, 621 CY
Duchy of Ratik
Quasqueton
A mouth appeared in the back wall of the east alcove and boomed in a loud voice, “Who dares enter this place and intrude upon the sanctuary of--”
Prospero finished casting Dispel Magic before he would have to hear the rest again. He was, after all, leaving and not entering. “Fool should have worded his spell more carefully…” Prospero grumbled.
It was not, of course, because of the magic mouth that Prospero was upset. He had come seeking Zelliger in his mountain stronghold because he needed more allies. Or, more precisely, he knew the Company of the White Oak would need allies. Fifteen days grilling the Augury Mask had told him that their best chance of stopping The Adversary lay with those novice adventurers out of Greyhawk.
But there had been no sign of Zelliger, nor his partner Rogahn, and their stronghold had been overrun with orcs (Prospero had taken care of that last part, though). And this was the third wizard Prospero had sought out who was dead or missing.
Prospero emerged from the entry tunnel into the light of day, in time to see the winged being descending towards him. Prospero smiled and waited patiently, while muttering to himself, “Well, well, it seems the cavalry has arrived…”
Duchy of Ratik
Quasqueton
A mouth appeared in the back wall of the east alcove and boomed in a loud voice, “Who dares enter this place and intrude upon the sanctuary of--”
Prospero finished casting Dispel Magic before he would have to hear the rest again. He was, after all, leaving and not entering. “Fool should have worded his spell more carefully…” Prospero grumbled.
It was not, of course, because of the magic mouth that Prospero was upset. He had come seeking Zelliger in his mountain stronghold because he needed more allies. Or, more precisely, he knew the Company of the White Oak would need allies. Fifteen days grilling the Augury Mask had told him that their best chance of stopping The Adversary lay with those novice adventurers out of Greyhawk.
But there had been no sign of Zelliger, nor his partner Rogahn, and their stronghold had been overrun with orcs (Prospero had taken care of that last part, though). And this was the third wizard Prospero had sought out who was dead or missing.
Prospero emerged from the entry tunnel into the light of day, in time to see the winged being descending towards him. Prospero smiled and waited patiently, while muttering to himself, “Well, well, it seems the cavalry has arrived…”
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