{"id":1739,"date":"2019-10-24T22:29:44","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T20:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/?p=1739"},"modified":"2020-04-01T19:17:19","modified_gmt":"2020-04-01T17:17:19","slug":"referat-symbaroum-the-darkest-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/?p=1739","title":{"rendered":"Referat Symbaroum: The Darkest Star"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><br>\u201cSouth fled the trodden and vanquished,<\/em><br><em>with darkness behind, with warmness and sunlight ahead.<\/em><br><br><em>A fortress they raised on the lowlands, a wonder of stones,<\/em><br><em>on the Guardian\u2019s bones, storing the relics of Symbar.<\/em><br><br><em>But blighted and torn were their bodies.<\/em><br><em>The sins of the fathers echoed in flesh,<\/em><br><em>and darkness devoured them all.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Act 1: Fire over Yndaros<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The tablet from Karvosti reveals the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;When Lindaros had grown strong and powerful, a military force was sent back to the &#8216;crushed heart of the empire&#8217; to retrieve the remains of &#8216;the Guardian&#8217;s Favored, the lord of lords&#8217;.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The symbol known to represent &#8216;Symbar&#8217; seems to be referring to the emperor as well as the place from which his remains were taken &#8211; as if the city and the person were both named Symbar.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The remains, and the belongings\/treasures which had been buried with them, were brought to &#8216;the people&#8217;s new home&#8217; (presumably Lindaros) to be &#8216;sent out on the Sea of Eternity&#8217;.&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>The sentence is followed by possibly damaged or crudely drawn symbols: &#8220;from the larders\/bards bloom\/womb to where the deer\/it of Symbar was effect\/bent to the time\/as<\/em> text\/nest.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p>At the Victory Vault in Yndaros, you meet with someone who may have information about the underground ruins from the days of Lindaros.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the Lindarians, underground construction was apparently as natural as raising structures on the surface \u2013 as a result, Yndaros rests upon a subterranean maze of ruins, many of which are both grand and well-preserved.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ordo Magica is currently conducting two major excavations: one beneath Old Kadizar and one on the fields just south of the palace. Rumor has it that another excavation is also underway in the Palace District itself, but this is not something that I can confirm.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, there are several people digging on their own initiative, often starting out in their cellars. Some do so in the hope of finding valuable objects, while others just want more space or seek to satisfy their curiosity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And then there are the smuggling routes \u2013 criminals use these passageways through the ruins of Lindaros to avoid having to transport sensitive goods (or people) right in front of the City Watch. Some say that the smuggling tunnels extend like a vast spider web, probably starting at the cargo docks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Master Ma&#8230;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But the meeting is cut short as flaming meteors come crashing down over Yndaros. <br \/>You rush to the meteor site and witness the destruction of the Cathedral of Martyrs. There you face a number of challenges.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/1.-The-Cathedral.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1761 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/1.-The-Cathedral.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"594\" height=\"747\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/1.-The-Cathedral.jpg 594w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/1.-The-Cathedral-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" \/><\/a><br \/>You do battle with fire-possessed citizens. In the chaos, a nearby man, also fighting, tells you to knock them out instead of killing them. <br \/>Afterwards you witness the death of Grand Master Seldonio as he is engaged in battle with a sword-wielding giant.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Death-of-Seldonio.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1759 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Death-of-Seldonio.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"817\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Death-of-Seldonio.jpg 817w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Death-of-Seldonio-300x191.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Death-of-Seldonio-768x488.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\" \/><\/a>Hariatma holds the grandmaster in her arms as he manages to wheeze a few last words before closing his eyes forever:<br \/>\u201cThe prisoner, you must\u2026 lord, he is free. You\u2026 The eternal night, night, ni\u2013\u201d <br \/>\u201cArtel, it was Artel. His revenge.\u201d <br \/>\u201cPromise me, find them, stop them. Promise!\u201d <br \/>\u201cMy fault. My\u2026 faaault\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hearing a plea for help, you pull a badly injured Duchess Esmerelda from the crumbling wreckage of the Cathedral.<\/p>\n<p>As you exit the Cathedral, more giants have appeared from a nearby fissure in the ground. They have a brief look around, but do not get far before Pansar Captain Livia Arobel and her troops arrive. The Captain acts as expected, rushing toward the threatening giants in a thundering charge. One of Livia\u2019s soldiers is killed instantly by one of the giants as seven burning humans charge toward the Pansars from behind!<\/p>\n<p>Alderan protects the Duchess as the rest of you protect the Pansars from an attack from the rear.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ripe.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1780\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ripe.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"408\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ripe.jpg 408w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ripe-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ripe-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><\/a>Suddenly a thunderous roar rises over the crash site, in a deep voice. The sound makes the giants stop fighting. <br \/>A second shout, this time in broken Ambrian, causes the Pansars to react: \u201cLower weapons!\u201d Ripe, the Eternal Executioner of Yndaros, emerges through a drift of fog and smoke while he finishes the remaining fire beings.<br \/>He then walks up to the others, nods to the giant warriors and turns to Livia Arobel, saying: \u201cLeave to me. They brothers. Not fight.\u201d<br \/>And so, a soothing calm sweeps over the disaster. The Pansar captain assumes command, ordering incoming reinforcements to form a perimeter around the crash site and stay clear of the ruins.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Esmerelda.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1779\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Esmerelda.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Esmerelda.jpg 407w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Esmerelda-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Esmerelda-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\" \/><\/a>The Duchess calls you \u201cher heroes,\u201d and praises you. Finally, she asks you to investigate why an attempt was made on her life. She doesn&#8217;t trust the \u201cfools of the City Watch\u201d nor the \u201cambitious nobles of the Royal Sekretorium, whose conclusions are always influenced by politics and self-interest.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I was at the cathedral to rehearse my upcoming wedding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The event was supposed to be conducted by the First Father, but my sister called Jeseebegai and First Theurg Peonio to an emergency meeting at the palace. Consequently, the Queen was not present, though she was meant to be.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rehearsal was instead held by an ordinary liturg. I don&#8217;t remember his name, but he was apparently in charge of the practical arrangements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other participants were my husband-to-be, Thabor; mine and Thabor\u2019s bodyguards (four honor guards); and Grand Master Seldonio who, along with Korinthia and the First Father, was supposed to participate as a ceremonial witness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were also a couple of low-ranking priests, as well as the Cathedral Manager and his two aides. Exactly what roles they would play in the wedding are unclear to me, but I assume that they were to assist the liturg with the practical arrangements. Twelve people, myself excluded.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I cannot recall anything suspicious happening during the rehearsal, and remember nothing of the attack itself, other than the bang, the light, the pain and terror.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a teary-eyed plea she says:\u00a0&#8220;Please, I beg you; help me figure out what happened. You saved my life, but someone tried to kill me. Someone who killed my future husband and ruined what would have been the most important day of my life. Please, find out why I fell victim to such a fate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Before entering the crater inside the Cathedral, you discover the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You find a member of one of the Noble houses of Ambria; Lugander Galeia. Alderan saw him at the Queen&#8217;s Legation on Karvosti. Searching his clothes you find a key with the letter X on it.<\/li>\n<li>A female assistant of the Liturg appears to have been moved. On her body you find a long thin dagger with an ornamented handle, and hidden in one of her boots is a leather pouch containing four shiny gold coins.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>The coins bear no mint marks whatsoever. They are probably worth about 30 thaler a piece.<\/li>\n<li>The dagger\u2019s ornamentation on the button on its hilt is decorated with a golden bird of prey which seems to be diving. You recognize the hawk as the Vearra family sigil.<\/li>\n<li>One of the Cathedral Manager&#8217;s two aides has an Assassin\u2019s Blade hidden between the man\u2019s shoulder blades and a garrote sewn into the right arm of his coat.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As you enter the tunnel five meters down in the crater, Lomander feels that powerful protective mystical energies have recently been dispelled from the area.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1775\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"617\" height=\"562\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg 617w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Beneath-the-Cathedral-300x273.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You discover a bedroom, a studio and a dining room. You also find some paintings, a bit of jewelry, clothes, food and a peculiar light source.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jewelry-beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1776\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jewelry-beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"146\" height=\"189\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Source-of-light-beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1777\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Source-of-light-beneath-the-Cathedral.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"147\" height=\"174\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Leaving the crater and the Cathedral, Alderan follows some tracks outside. You come upon the elven envoy Elori, who aided you against the fiery beings. He explains:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It would take exceptionally powerful magic to tear the sky asunder, and more powerful still to direct its fragments toward a specific target.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such extraordinary magic torments creation, provoking its wrath and vengeance. It can be seen at the crash site; it is probably even worse at the place where the assailants performed their destructive deed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The power required to achieve the effect and endure the consequences can hardly be carried by a single soul, unless it is of an eternal or already corrupted nature.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This incident will surely lead to further violence directed at groups which are being portrayed as enemies of the Ambrian realm \u2013 barbarians in general, the witches in particular, and not least the elves of Davokar.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Elori leaves you as twenty pansars enter the area with First Theurg Peonio in the middle,\u00a0 protected by four theurgs and a blessed shield.<\/p>\n<p>You follow the tracks to two burned bodies. They are dressed as ordinary townsfolk, but stand out by lying on top of the rubble and, on closer inspection, by wearing the medallions of Ordo Magica (adept) in chains around their necks. One of them carries a rolled-up letter in a belt bag underneath his scorched clothes. The note reads:<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TDS-Note-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1782 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TDS-Note-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"416\" height=\"597\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TDS-Note-1.jpg 416w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TDS-Note-1-209x300.jpg 209w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px\" \/><\/a>Hariatma notices that the crumpled paper is of high quality; a single sheet probably costs more than most Ambrians make in a week. The letter also reveals a watermark; a diving bird of prey. The sigil of House Vearra.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"rich-text editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-rich-text__editable is-selected\" role=\"textbox\" contenteditable=\"true\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write heading\u2026\"><strong>Act 2: Fallen Stars<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>You head to Fina&#8217;s Bakery in the Bohemian Quarter. Along the way you hear a town crier yell: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Extra, extra! Yndaros in a state of emergency; curfew in\u00a0force between midnight and the fifth glass of the\u00a0morning; all violations to be punished severely.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>At Fina&#8217;s Bakery you question the goblin Buhuluk.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I went down to get a bag of flour when the backdoor burst open and two of \u201cthe owner\u2019s henchmen\u201d stepped inside.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I&#8217;m terrified of the owner, so I dove down behind the flour bags.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The owner is a dwarf, but I don&#8217;t know his name or which family he belongs to.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was not long before more company arrived. I did not see anything, but I heard them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They talked about hiding a prisoner, and which route to take to \u201cPlob 17.\u201d I have no idea what Plob 17 is, but it was mentioned several times.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also mentioned the Steam Bath by the harbor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the Steam Bath, you get a hot bath for 1 thaler each. You won&#8217;t pay 10 thaler to see the manager.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>You return to the Cathedral of Martyrs, but are not allowed through. As many as 50 giants are now standing near the fissure.<\/p>\n<p>You decide to investigate Fina&#8217;s Bakery once more and visit the owners home upstairs. The dwarven Patriarch Pietero lives there in a luxurious apartment. It is empty, and it appears that the owner has grabbed all valuables and left in a hurry.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Grimorio.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1797\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Grimorio.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"403\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Grimorio.jpg 403w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Grimorio-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Grimorio-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 403px) 100vw, 403px\" \/><\/a>It&#8217;s late afternoon now as you pay 10 thaler to a staff member at the Steam Bath to see its manager, the changeling Grimorio Abramelin. His office is complete with a steaming hot pool, a desk nook, and four divans where he receives his guests.\u00a0<br \/>Regardless of your payment of 10 thaler, Grimorio says that he neither wants to nor has to answer your questions; however, when you ask him about Plob 17, he makes you an offer: \u201cYou look capable; I could use your help with a small job, something my\u2026 employees have a hard time handling&#8230;\u201d<br \/>In short: if you grant him a favor, he agrees to answer one question. One!<\/p>\n<p>The favor is to bring back a small wooden crate containing eight small flasks from a storehouse near the harbor, and burn the building down. You agree to the task.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Warehouse-Sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1799\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Warehouse-Sign.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"118\" height=\"119\" \/><\/a>The storehouse has an old worn Blue Moon Trading Company sign on it, however it has been scratched and burned over with a newer and perhaps more ominous sign.<\/p>\n<p>Inside are five guards demanding you leave. You don&#8217;t. It&#8217;s a tough fight against stilletos and cheap tricks, but you overcome them. However, one guard manages to escape.<\/p>\n<p>Grimorio is pleased and gives you the following information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPlob\u201d is what the dwarves call the tunnels (or roofed alleys) running through the buildings, thus linking the streets, in New Town.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was the dwarves who numbered the Plobs, in the order in which they were built. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He unrolls a map of Yndaros on his desk and points out where you can find number 17.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1802 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"497\" height=\"202\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17.jpg 497w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-300x122.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/a>So the tunnel mentioned by the dwarves at Fina\u2019s Bakery turns out to be located deep within New Town, near the riverbank. There you face the challenge of entering Plob 17 as it is heavily guarded by over ten dwarves, but with no weapons. Strange right ? <br \/>You enter Plob 17 from the roof without making too much noise, thanks to the cunning and savvy of Iqubus.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-streetview.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1807\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-streetview.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"991\" height=\"521\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-streetview.jpg 991w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-streetview-300x158.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-streetview-768x404.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 991px\" \/><\/a><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Warehouse-Sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1799\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Warehouse-Sign.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"118\" height=\"119\" \/><\/a>At the foot of the stairway in the sunlit courtyard is an iron-clad oak door with two lock casings. Behind it is a cellar. It contains ten wooden crates stacked on top of each other, roughly two meters wide and half as tall and deep. An emblem has been burnt into the rough wood \u2013 a grinning skull with two daggers through the cranium.\u00a0<br \/>The crates contain tained dirt. Alderan touches it and feels a strange tingling on his skin. He is quick to wash as much of it off as he can.<\/p>\n<p>One of the other passages down reveals another locked door. The lock is no problem for Iqubus, but the door is stuck and requires more strength to open. Daimei steps in. Behind the door you find a passage down and a tripwire. A rope ladder leads to a demarcated basement complex roughly four meters below the surface. However, Alderan manages to scrape his greatsword against the door frame just when everything was going so well and the dwarven guards are alerted to your presence.<\/p>\n<p>You try and bar the door, but instead make a run for it and dive down the ladder. Alderan makes a quick decision to pull the rope ladder down with you.<\/p>\n<p>Scouting ahead Iqubus finds your target; a large vault. Three dwarves can be seen and the voices of two women can be heard.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-hideout.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1834\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-hideout.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-hideout.jpg 780w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-hideout-300x260.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Plob-17-hideout-768x665.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There is little furniture, other than the stool on which a prisoner is sitting, a table with chairs by the entrance, and a tool bench which reveals the main purpose of the chamber \u2013 pliers, struts, forks, knives, clamps and other instruments. Probably when dealing with reluctant sources of information.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-prisoner.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1818\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-prisoner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"972\" height=\"632\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-prisoner.jpg 972w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-prisoner-300x195.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-prisoner-768x499.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Two female order adepts wearing simple, dark blue order cloaks are here. Mentalists! They adopt a defiantly arrogant attitude as they prepare to toy with you on the battlefield.<\/p>\n<p>The three unarmed dwarves seem less of a threat \u2013 but you are sorely mistaken\u2026<\/p>\n<p>An extremely tough fight ensues where the odds very quickly shifts out of your favor as Alderan&#8217;s will is bent and Lomander is wrestled and struck down by one of the dwarves. By sheer will and a little luck you manage to turn the fight around. Iqubus dodges most of the mystics magic while Daimei effectively casts brimstone cascade on the dwarves. In the end the enemy surrenders; one order adept and a dwarf.<\/p>\n<p>While keeping your eyes on the two remaining enemies you quickly steal a glance towards the prisoner at the end of the room, who watches you from deep within his hood. He rises on shaky legs, hands tied behind his back.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander starts questioning him, but he interrupts with: \u201cWhat do you want with me?\u201d He speaks in a strange dialect, or rather an accent, as if Ambrian is not his mother tongue. He continues: \u201cWe can talk, but not here. We must go to a secure location, shielded from eyes, ears, and mystical perception. You and me, no one else. Now!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You notice that where the prisoner was sitting is a Magic Circle.<\/p>\n<p>Finding a trapdoor to the underworld you decide that going further down is preferable to meeting more of the highly battletrained dwarves. But maybe better the devil you know&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>You bring the one surviving Ordo Magic adept Melea with you along with the other prisoner, who still hasn&#8217;t spoken much.<\/p>\n<p>While trying to get some rest below, you question Melea, who is still upset that you killed her friend and colleague Lorenda:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Until three months ago, we were working as teachers at Ordo Magica, but were also part of a group that met at night to plan an expedition into the depths of Davokar, preferably to the city of Symbar itself if we could find it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We used to meet at a tavern called the Mystic\u2019s Apprentice in the Temple District, and it was there that our current master found us. He knew a lot about Symbarian history and the dangers of Davokar, and quickly became a frequent guest at our table.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once he had gained our trust, he introduced himself as Artel and offered to take us under his wing, as a teacher and guide in our search for the heart of Davokar.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He did not answer questions about himself or his past, but we assumed that he really was the arch mage who crushed the Dark Lords during the battle of Haaras, but was sentenced to death as the side-effects affected a large number of nobles. Apparently, the sentence was never carried out.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artel was often absent for long periods of time, and regarding the events of today, we did not know exactly what he was planning; only that we would gather at a certain place, ready to perform a number of predetermined tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not know who the prisoner is, only that he is crucial in our search for Symbar.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the past month, the Master has on several occasions said that we will soon be leaving Ambria; that he will soon know the way to Symbar.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Darkling.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-1832\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Darkling.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"405\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Darkling.jpg 430w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Darkling-284x300.jpg 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px\" \/><\/a>You barely escape with your lives from the underworld as you are chased by darklings through the tunnels beneath the city. <br \/>Severely wounded in battle and corrupted from using too much magic and elixirs, you come upon a dwarf behind a small portcullis.<\/p>\n<p>He agrees to let you through, but you must accept a coin of agreement first. Alderan takes it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After a long walk through the sewers you are led up into an extravagant mansion belonging to the dwarven Patriarch, Artek Valotzar. He agrees to let you rest, eat and have a bath before letting you go on your way. He is not late to mention that the coin you received is a bloodcoin. The meaning is not lost on you. On one side is a handshake, on the other a noose.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artek-Valotzar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1840\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artek-Valotzar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"406\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artek-Valotzar.jpg 406w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artek-Valotzar-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artek-Valotzar-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px\" \/><\/a>He mentions that he heard about some troubles with the Vanoviz family in New Town. Hired muscle, without his knowledge. The family head being Pietero Vanoviz.<a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Bloodcoin.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1842\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Bloodcoin.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"155\" height=\"163\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While taking a much needed bath, Melea escapes captivity. You search for her near the docks of Yndaros and in Beren&#8217;s Berth but to no avail.<br \/>Instead you decide to question your mysterious prisoner. After setting up the ritual Sanctifying Rite, he has the following to say:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My name is Kalthar, but you will probably know me better as the Dark Lord, head of the Order of Dakothnic and ultimately responsible for the destruction of Lyastra.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I got to know Korinthia during her imprisonment; after she was freed, I offered to serve as her adviser and have been locked up ever since, first in Kandoria, then in the cell below the cathedral where I was taken in year 8, according to your new calendar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I hope to stop Korinthia from repeating my own calamitous mistakes; get her to recognize and accept the omnipotence of Creation and learn to live in harmony with its laws.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I am prepared to help capture the person behind the attack, but in order to do so, you must tell me more about what happened. You must also keep me safe in the meantime, and then return me to my prison cell \u2013 I am not done speaking with Korinthia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>He asks you about the ritual used on the Cathedral of Martyrs and says:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is as I feared: the person behind the attack has reawakened ceremonial magic, clearly for the purpose of shattering the protection around my prison, and possibly to kill the Ambrian monarch.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I can disclose that both sides used ceremonial magic during the Great War, and that it always came with terrible side-effects. That is all I will say about it; knowledge is a weapon that must be handled carefully.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are clearly looking for a group of humans, at least one of which is a powerful\/well-trained mystic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When asked about &#8220;Creation&#8221; he asks if you have heard of Aroaleta, a barbarian witch. She describes the principles of the world:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201d\u2026 and at the dawn of days was Wyrhta, the power that creates.<\/em><br \/><em>Where Nothing had reigned supreme, Wyrhta gave life to All;<\/em><br \/><em>shaped here and there, spawned now and then,<\/em><br \/><em>formed the one and in chorus the other.<\/em><br \/><em>And where attraction arose,<\/em><br \/><em>the wild thrived and multiplied \u2026<br \/><\/em><br \/><em>\u2026 but out of the untamed Wielda appeared, the power that rules:<\/em><br \/><em>the power of willful violence, that bends here and there,<\/em><br \/><em>that curves now and then according to ideals and cravings;<\/em><br \/><em>that harvests the one and rejects the other.<\/em><br \/><em>With time, Wielda\u2019s appetite grew,<\/em><br \/><em>and the birth was inevitable \u2026<br \/><\/em><br \/><em>\u2026 because violence begets hate begets Wratha, the power that reacts.<\/em><br \/><em>Born of Wielda\u2019s hunger for Wyrhta\u2019s design, Wratha is everywhere and nowhere,<\/em><br \/><em>always close where mother meets mother,<\/em><br \/><em>always mounting in strength with the force of the violence.<\/em><br \/><em>The arrival of the black fruit is fated,<\/em><br \/><em>as inescapable as terrible \u2026<br \/><\/em><br \/><em>\u2026 and it happens, has happened, will happen again,<\/em><br \/><em>that Wratha grows boundless, furious, blind in her hunger.<\/em><br \/><em>It happens that the blackness grows flesh and spirit and the sharpest of claws,<\/em><br \/><em>that the fruit sheds seeds that poison the first,<\/em><br \/><em>in the aim to suppress the second.<\/em><br \/><em>Then dies All\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>You return to your rooms at Zoltar&#8217;s Inn just before curfew. During the night someone sets fire to the inn. You manage to escape with a few burns. Guardsmen escort the surviving guests to another inn nearby.<\/p>\n<p>The next morning you are stopped by some veterans recruited as city watchmen. They demand you follow them to Commander Alvo Steelneck as you were seen entering the Cathedral yesterday.<\/p>\n<p>On the way to the City Watch HQ you hear a town crier:<br \/><em>&#8220;Greater powers for the City Watch; individual watchmen must be obeyed; the state of emergency grants them impunity for actions performed in the line of duty.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>After the Commander is done interrogating all of you, you are let go, but are told not to interfere with the investigation.<\/p>\n<p>More town criers yell news as you walk through the city:<br \/><em>&#8220;Zoltar\u2019s Inn and the Depth of the Titans in flames; all guests cut down before the fire; perpetrators still unknown, but presumed to be troubled citizens.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;The elves\u2019 Legation attacked; several dead; Envoy Elori missing; Black Cloaks responsible; witnesses accuse the Whip of Prios.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>You return Kalthar to the queen. You also send a message to Esmerelda.<br \/>With no response from either you decide to split up. Lomander goes to the refugee camp and are beset upon five thugs. He miraculously fend them off. He also learns that the theurg Ladisa and liturg Arieno and their families are killed. And Algon, also called Little Sarvola has been burned.<br \/>Hariatma searches the Library of Anearia and discovers some secret information.<br \/>Alderan is at the the Pansar headquarters; the Fortress Doudram.<br \/>Iqubus asks around at the Mystic&#8217;s Apprentice where Melea and company met with Artel.<br \/>At the triple tower of Ordo Magica, Daimei learns that a ritual expert, Farvano Kaldel, is coming to the city, but that he would probably prefer to stay in the outskirts.<\/p>\n<p>Some commotion at the Vearra residence in the temple district quarter gets your attention. When you get there a neighbour says:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My name is Lomunda, and like the rest of the gathering, I am a neighbor and close friend of the Count and Countess.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our worries have nothing to do with the Cathedral of Martyrs, but concern a homing pigeon that crashed to its death a couple of hundred meters from there, right in front of two youngsters living in the area. The rumor spread like wildfire<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have not seen it, but the pigeon itself was said to be grotesque \u2013 with its head feathers replaced by pointy horns, puss-filled boils on its lower body, and eyes as black as tar.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The message read something like this: &#8220;Help. The estate is under attack. Count Demetro lost in the Eternal Night. Everything is dying.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both the pigeon and the message were handed over to the Countess.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Alderan gains access to the Vearra residence and meets with the beautiful Countess Dolora<a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Countess-Dolora.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1864\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Countess-Dolora.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Countess-Dolora.jpg 407w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Countess-Dolora-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Countess-Dolora-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\" \/><\/a>. She explains:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My husband sent his family away from the estate over a week ago, saying that they should be in Yndaros preparing the city residence for all the upcoming wedding festivities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Count Edogai Brigo arrived on the morning of the day when my son Heredo and I left the estate; he seemed stressed, only greeted them briefly and said that he would see them the day before the great ceremony.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lately, my husband has been gloomier and more withdrawn than usual, probably because of the wedding. It is no secret that he, like his ancestors, has always yearned for the throne; Korinthia\u2019s alliance with the barbarians may be good for Ambria, but it is not something in which Demetro can rejoice.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, he has often been visited by an unpleasant fellow \u2013 aged, imposing, dressed in simple garb but with something wild in his eyes. I have not been allowed to meet him, but I assume that he has spent nights at the estate, maybe even lived there for a while. When I asked about him, Demetro referred to the man as &#8220;his friend and teacher.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Countess concludes the conversations with a desperate plea: I have sent word to Colonel Esmunda at the Vearra Garrison, asking her to send troops to the estate, but almost the entire garrison has been dispatched north toward Karvosti; the ones who remain have no experience of true evil, true darkness. Please, save my husband. I\u2019ll give you anything. Anything!<br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Another homing pigeon arrived after the first one with the message:<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pigeon-Note.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1866 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pigeon-Note.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"371\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pigeon-Note.jpg 371w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pigeon-Note-300x251.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 371px) 100vw, 371px\" \/><\/a>The Countess gives you a map of the estate.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-map.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1871\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-map.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1107\" height=\"791\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-map.jpg 1107w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-map-300x214.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-map-768x549.jpg 768w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-map-1024x732.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1107px) 100vw, 1107px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On your way to the Vearra estate you meet some people fleeing from the west \u2013 first lone riders, then wagons of farmers and landowners followed by servants (farmhands, housemaids, stable boys, and so on) on foot. One is willing to talk:<br \/><em>\u201cIt was a few hours after dawn; two of our horses had turned into monsters, real monsters. They started attacking the other horses, stomping, biting, tearing them apart. Our homestead borders on the Count\u2019s seat; the paddock lies near the border wall. Something happened in there, something terrible; I didn\u2019t get a good look before fleeing the place with my family, but it was black in there, the ground and the trees and everything, as if there had been a fire.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1869\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"820\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate.jpg 820w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-300x156.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Estate-768x399.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/a>Entering the estate you fight abominations. The entire area is soaked in corruption.<\/p>\n<p>Rescuing a small band of scouts from the nearby Vearra Garrison and a local group of farmers, stablehands and workers, you find the following clues. First among them is the tale of two servants hidden in the loft of the guest villa of the estate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That night, all servants were ordered to remain indoors in our quarters.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Captain Adorna said that whatever happened, no matter what we heard, we must not go outside until the master of the estate said differently.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are certain we heard some kind of strange song just before dawn, but otherwise everything seemed normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We thought it was all nonsense and decided to disobey their orders; we snuck off to the Little Villa to begin the monthly cleaning of its fourteen fireplaces. At the time we heard nothing but the whispering wind; all was still<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suddenly the world shook, as if there was an earthquake, but only for a moment. We were both knocked off their feet, and it felt as though our bodies were on fire. We looked at each other \u2013 one with blackened, secreting mucosa; the other with hair falling off in chunks. Terrified, we immediately fled to the attic and pulled the ladder up behind us.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have been sitting here ever since. We did not see much, but we could hear \u2013 the monster dogs on the floor below, and the screams and roars from outside.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We glimpsed the &#8220;Count\u2019s guest&#8221; from afar, but we know nothing about him, as we only work at the Little Villa \u2013 where a group of barbarian warriors have resided instead. All we know is what other servants have told us: that he is &#8220;quiet, haughty, and has scary eyes.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Miralba.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1885\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Miralba.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"405\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Miralba.jpg 405w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Miralba-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Miralba-298x300.jpg 298w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px\" \/><\/a>When you get closer to the ceremonial circle near the river, an eagle swoops down and transforms into the barbarian Keeper Miralba, a close confidant of the Huldra Yeleta of Karvosti. She was sent here by the Huldra because of a vision she had:<em> \u201cThe plunging hawk, rips stones from the sky, hurls them at the sun below; darkness spreads from the hawk\u2019s nest like a fever in the earth, in the flesh of the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><br \/>She describes the area of the ceremonial circle, before you are able to tamper with the evidence:<br \/>At the center of the circle lies a dead young bull, still chained to a massive metal ring which has been drilled into the rock. The bull exhibits no external injuries; it seems to have died quite suddenly.<br \/>Around it lie several dead bodies, nine to be exact. On closer inspection these turn out to belong to three factions \u2013 four have the tattoo of the Sovereign\u2019s Oath on the inside of their wrists, two are wearing coats with the Brigo family crest, two have the symbol of House Vearra displayed on their tabards and shields. The ninth body (probably Count Edogai Brigo) stands out, due to the exclusive fur-trimmed coat with buckles of pure gold, the jeweled rings on his fingers, and the ornamented sword at his side. <br \/>An analysis of the various causes of death suggests that most were killed by massive claws, bites from bestial jaws or brutal blunt-force trauma \u2013 likely caused by one or more abominations. Two display deep stab wounds with burnt edges, the man with the golden buckles has had a sword thrust through his neck and one of the barbarians was burned to death. One can also note that everyone but the burned woman displays blight marks \u2013 glowing or bloody eyeballs, crater-like rashes, boils in the mouth, or similar.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Crest.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1894\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vearra-Crest.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"144\" height=\"183\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Brigo-Crest.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1895\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Brigo-Crest.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"146\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Sovereigns-Oath.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1896\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Sovereigns-Oath.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"167\" height=\"215\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Gringa.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1887\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Gringa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"404\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Gringa.jpg 404w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Gringa-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Gringa-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You rescue the chambermaid Gringa from the dovecote. Scared and tearsridden she tells you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I work at the residence as a chambermaid, not for the Count, but for his guests. My job is to help them dress, do their hair, and make sure that they are comfortable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have recently been attending to Count Edogai Brigo \u2013 usually a very pleasant man, but lately quite upset and irritable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Normally I sleep in the servants\u2019 quarters in the residence\u2019s basement, but since the Countess was sent to the city, all servants have had to sleep in the longhouse.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There has been plenty of nighttime activity up there; the Counts have been preparing something, maybe together with the guest at the cottage and possibly the barbarians who Count Demetro has kept hidden in the Little Villa for more than six moons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curious as I am, I have tried to figure out what is going on, but the Counts and their guests have been careful not to discuss it in the presence of us servants, and I have not found anything written down, either in Demetro\u2019s or Edogai\u2019s chambers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe the guest at the cottage, Artel, has left something behind? I can tell you how to get there.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oh, and I noticed someone on the beach that night as I was leaving the residence. It was dark outside, and I was far away, but I am pretty sure that it was Artel \u2013 easily recognized by his unkempt mop of white hair. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Gringa leads you to the small cottage near the river. You find two clues there; a strange map drawn on the underside of a jakaar pelt and a burned letter stuck in the chimney.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jakaar-Pelt-map.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1889\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jakaar-Pelt-map.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1367\" height=\"839\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jakaar-Pelt-map.jpg 1367w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jakaar-Pelt-map-300x184.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jakaar-Pelt-map-768x471.jpg 768w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jakaar-Pelt-map-1024x628.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1367px) 100vw, 1367px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Mother-letter.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1890\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Mother-letter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"762\" height=\"864\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Mother-letter.jpg 762w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Mother-letter-265x300.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\" \/><\/a>Some of you remember that the fortune hunter Elmendra, was also called the &#8220;Senseless&#8221;.<br \/>Late at night, you come back to Yndaros with Gringa. She leaves you and runs toward the mansion of the Countess Vearra.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2020_01_18_Yndaros.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2020_01_18_Yndaros-300x209.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"404\" \/><\/a><br \/>Alderan: &#8220;Kortet under Artels gulvt\u00e6ppe lagt ovenp\u00e5 kortet over Yndaros. Det er vist ikke n\u00f8dvendigt med yderligere kommentarer; det er klart, hvad vi nu skal g\u00f8re!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The next day all of the city&#8217;s priests, including Lomander, are arrested by city watchmen and pansars. Hariatma tries to speak his case while the rest of you report to the Countess Vearra. You receive the hefty sum of 90 thaler.<\/p>\n<p>Walking through the city you hear a town crier yell: <br \/><em>&#8220;T<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he First Father arrested, involved in\u00a0unsanctioned attacks; brought to the palace\u00a0dungeons to await the Queen\u2019s judgement.&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You go cave spelunking near the Dome and you brutally kill a man tending the animals in the Domes basement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Later you meet up with a man who claims to be working for the Duchess Esmerelda. He says the Duchess is safe and tells you to investigate the assassins trails; both Artel and the Cathedral Manager&#8217;s aide. He dismisses Lugander Galeia as being irrelevant.<\/p>\n<p>On your way to visit the Galeia estate you hear another town crier yell: <br \/><em>&#8220;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mystics slain by the giants of Lindaros;\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one healer, three seers, and one wizard;\u00a0<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>the City Watch refuses to intervene.&#8221;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>You visit the Galeia estate but Baron Laguboi Galeia is not interested in talking about his son.<br \/>Then you decide to investigate the origin of the key with X in the city&#8217;s many inns and you end up at the Seeker&#8217;s Fortune. Asking the owner reveals the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He called himself Gander and arrived almost ten days ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had a taste for brutebrew as well as other strong spirits, often drinking himself into a stupor or picking fights with other guests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But he could also be entertaining. One night he got absolutely wasted and started pontificating about his secret and highly carnal relations with the Queen; he even claimed to be secretly engaged with his \u201cblack queen\u201d; he called himself \u201cthe prince of darkness\u201d and said that he would soon be exalted as king, then emperor; all while alternately sobbing, roaring, and singing wistful love songs.<br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Surprisingly the keys fit in room number X. Search Lugander Galeia&#8217;s room reveals an unfinished letter:<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Love-Letter.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1907\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Love-Letter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"671\" height=\"907\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Love-Letter.jpg 671w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Love-Letter-222x300.jpg 222w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 671px) 100vw, 671px\" \/><\/a><br \/>Lomander questions First Theurg Peonio at one of the bigger Prios Churches in the Bohemian Quarter. Peonio is quick to point out the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I cannot imagine that any devotee of Prios could have committed such an act. No, the perpetrator must be a barbarian or an elf; it is most likely the damned Sovereign\u2019s Oath who is trying to divide its enemy \u2013 the Ambrian people.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is true that the Queen, the First Father and I were supposed to be at the cathedral when the meteor struck, but Korinthia Nightbane summoned us for a meeting at the Palace. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>He also mentions that the third aide of the cathedral manager is a girl called Maral living near Monger&#8217;s Square.<br \/>From her, you learn that the man you are investigating called himself Gundo, and that he was hired only three weeks ago from Kurun; he was competent, diligent and was lodging with a silversmith, Boska, just between the Southern Artisans&#8217; and Laborers&#8217; District.<\/p>\n<p>Boska is very friendly to you and allows you to search Gundo room in the attic above his shop.<br \/>Several assassins&#8217; tools are easy to find, but carefully hidden behind a wall board is a pouch with 50 thaler and a wax sealed contract.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Assassins-Contract.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1915 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Assassins-Contract.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"582\" height=\"346\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Assassins-Contract.jpg 582w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Assassins-Contract-300x178.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You have seen the image on the wax seal before. And suddenly it dawns on you. It&#8217;s the symbol of Nobleman Dastan, the thief king of Yndaros.\u00a0 You also saw it on the storehouse that you burned down and on the crates in Plob 17.<a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Warehouse-Sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1799 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Warehouse-Sign.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"118\" height=\"119\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You once again meet with the so-called confidant of the Duchess Esmerelda and tell him some of the news of your findings. Later, you decide to pay a visit to the Croft, the den of Old Kadizar. Entering the Croft you witness a display of power as a man has his hand cut off for stealing from Dastan. You just hear Dastan finishing the sentence: <em>&#8220;&#8230; and I hate thieves&#8230; who steal from ME&#8221;!<\/em> Followed by roaring laughter drowning out the screams of the thief.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h1>Artels endeligt<\/h1>\n<p>Efter det ikke alt for givende bes\u00f8g p\u00e5 The Croft, bliver vi enige om at g\u00e5 hjem til The Tower for at g\u00e5 til ro. P\u00e5 vejen tilbage ser vi \u2013 Daimai, Lomander og Alderan &#8211; en af de mystiske k\u00e6mper st\u00e5 helt stille og observere. De f\u00e5 folk, der befinder p\u00e5 gaden, g\u00e5r i en bue uden om. Hvad er det egentlig for nogle k\u00e6mper? Der m\u00e5 v\u00e6re nogen, der kan fort\u00e6lle mere om dem. Vi g\u00e5r til ro og natten forl\u00f8ber uden forstyrrelser.<\/p>\n<p>N\u00e6ste morgen bestemmer Lomander sig for at v\u00e6re \u201dinkognito\u201d \u2013 han tager ikke sine Priosrober p\u00e5, men helt almindeligt t\u00f8j. Dagens f\u00f8rste programpunkt er at ops\u00f8ge eksperten udi ceremoniel magi (ritualer) Farvano Kaldel. Han bor hos en kvinde, Everlida i Berens Berth. Stedet findes uden problemer. Da vi banker p\u00e5 og d\u00f8ren \u00e5bnes, smutter en kat ud\u2026 \u201dSeldonio! Kom tilbage!\u201d Lomander reagerer med lynets hast \u2013 Prios er tydeligvis med ham \u2013 og han hapser katten ,og tager den med ind. Det er Farvanos kat, og det er ikke den eneste. Det vrimler med katte\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Farvano er en flink, gammel herre, som fort\u00e6ller os detaljeret om, hvordan ceremoniel magi udf\u00f8res, og i s\u00e6rlig grad om meteorritualet, som er det, der blev brugt mod katedralen og s\u00e5rede den smukke, dejlige Esmerelda. Det er feje krystere og kujoner, der griber til s\u00e5danne midler!<\/p>\n<p>Pladsen tillader desv\u00e6rre ikke, at vi skriver alle detaljer, omkring hvordan ritualer udf\u00f8res, men nogle vigtige point\u00e9r er, at\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Deltagere i ritualer korrumperes. Der indtr\u00e6der ofte ikke-kontrollerbare side-effekter. Siden Den Store Krig har udf\u00f8relsen af ritualer v\u00e6ret stemplet som h\u00f8jforr\u00e6deri \u2013 deltagelse straffes med d\u00f8den. Skal ritualet p\u00e5virke et omr\u00e5de, deltagerne ikke kan se, skal der etableres en trolddomsforbindelse (mystical link) til det omr\u00e5de, der skal p\u00e5virkes. Det kan f.eks. v\u00e6re en cirkel eller lignende, der tidligere er lavet p\u00e5 stedet. Udf\u00f8relsen af ritualer er s\u00e5 komplicerede, at det er umuligt at udf\u00f8re uden en \u201dopskrift\u201d, det kan v\u00e6re p\u00e5 en skriftrulle, en stentavle eller lignende. S\u00e5danne opskrifter er gemt eller bevogtet. Hvor har Artel (hmmm\u2026) mon skaffet sin fra? Et eventuelt tyveri er helt sikkert ikke foreg\u00e5et uden at blive bem\u00e6rket.<\/p>\n<p>En af deltagerne leder ritualet. For at kunne lede et ritual m\u00e5 man n\u00f8dvendigvis v\u00e6re en magiud\u00f8ver p\u00e5 mesterniveau. Meteorritualet kr\u00e6ver endvidere et s\u00e6rligt ceremonielt fokus \u2013 et knytn\u00e6vestort stykke af et meteor.<\/p>\n<p>Deltagerne i ritualet korrumperes som sagt i frygtelig grad. En m\u00e5de at slippe for noget af denne korrumpering er, at man binder noget af korrumperingen i et offer, som enten kan v\u00e6re et dyr af (mindst) menneskest\u00f8rrelse eller eventuelt en d\u00e6mon. P\u00e5 Vearras lystejendom var liget af en tyrekalv, der havde v\u00e6ret bundet midt i cirklen.<\/p>\n<p>Vi konkluderer, at s\u00e5fremt Artel (hmmm\u2026) og Demetro Vearra deltog i ritualet (og stadig er i live), vil de v\u00e6re korrumperede og kan muligvis spores vha. magi al\u00e1 Lomanders. Lomander har dog ikke set hverken Artel eller grev Demetro\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Farvano kender udm\u00e6rket til Artel. Faktisk har han m\u00f8dt en Artel for mange (omkring 50) \u00e5r siden. Da var Artel elev hos Kullinan Furia. Farvano husker Artel som stille, foruroligende stille\u2026 Farvano husker, at Artel blev d\u00f8mt til d\u00f8den (bl.a.?) for at have udf\u00f8rt et meteorritual mod Black Haaras. Han har ikke selv set henrettelsen, men han mener at vide, at det har general Beremo Herengol, som er p\u00e5 vej mod Karvosti, men ogs\u00e5 Beremos adjudant Kathia Melion, som vist holder til i flygtningelejren her i Yndaros.<\/p>\n<p>Vi takker Farvano for oplysningerne og g\u00e5r mod Ordo Magicas Tripple Towers. Her sp\u00f8rger Daimai om k\u00e6mperne, og han f\u00e5r at vide, at de minder om Ripe. De kan m\u00e6rke korrumpering, og de \u201dfjerner\u201d det. Det sidste tolker vi som om, at de personer, de efter sigende har sl\u00e5et ihjel, har v\u00e6ret korrumperede.<\/p>\n<p>Daimai sp\u00f8rger ogs\u00e5 om det muligt at f\u00e5 adgang til udgravningen i Old Kadizar, men det er kun Marbela, der kan give adgang, og hun er ikke at tr\u00e6ffe.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Refugee-Camp.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1938\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Refugee-Camp.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1116\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Refugee-Camp.jpg 1116w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Refugee-Camp-300x138.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Refugee-Camp-1024x470.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Refugee-Camp-768x352.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1116px) 100vw, 1116px\" \/><\/a>S\u00e5 g\u00e5r turen til flygtningelejren. Med Lomanders forbindelser finder han hurtigt en, der ved, hvor Kathia Melion holder til. Vi skal dog if\u00f8re os h\u00e6tter, mens de f\u00f8rer os derhen, s\u00e5 vi ikke ved, hvor det er. Det har vi selvf\u00f8lgelig ingen problemer med.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kathia-Melion.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1939\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kathia-Melion.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kathia-Melion.jpg 407w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kathia-Melion-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kathia-Melion-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\" \/><\/a>Vi f\u00f8res til en hytte lidt v\u00e6k fra larmen i flygtningelandsbyen. Her sidder en kvinde, Kathia Melion med en h\u00e6tte over hovedet. Hun ved straks, at vi s\u00f8ger efter Artel. Hun har mist\u00e6nkt ham lige siden meteoret faldt ned i katedralen.<\/p>\n<p>Kathia ved, at Artel den gemene er live. Henrettelsen blev aldrig udf\u00f8rt. Dronningen mente at Artels b\u00f8de var betalt, og han blev udstyret med en ny identitet. Han lever alts\u00e5 og er en del af dronningens vidnebeskyttelsesprogram. Artel er af familien Vereo, der er en adelsfamilie, vi har h\u00f8rt om, og som stadig eksisterer. Kathias r\u00e5d til os er: Sl\u00e5 Artel ihjel! I kan muligvis opspore ham ved at finde ud af, hvad hans nye identitet er. Kathias forslag til os er, at vi skal tale med:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kommand\u00f8r Alvo Steelneck<\/li>\n<li>Vereofamilien<\/li>\n<li>Dronningens sekretariat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Vi f\u00e5r h\u00e6tter p\u00e5 og f\u00f8res tilbage. Lomander bem\u00e6rker t\u00f8rt, at han sagtens kan finde tilbage nu, da han har set Kathia. Det bliver dog ikke n\u00f8dvendigt.<\/p>\n<p>Vi ops\u00f8ger kommand\u00f8r Steelneck. Steelneck ved udm\u00e6rket, hvordan man skal h\u00e5ndtere s\u00e5danne foresp\u00f8rgsler: \u201dJeg kan hverken be- eller afkr\u00e6fte, at Artel er i live i dag. S\u00e5fremt han <em>er<\/em> i live, har vi ham selvf\u00f8lgelig under opsyn, og han kan ikke have deltaget i nogle ritualer, der har kr\u00e6vet dagevis af forberedelser\u2026\u201d Mere f\u00e5r vi ikke ud af ham, men selvom han nok ikke selv mener det, s\u00e5 bekr\u00e6fter han for os, at Artel er i live, og at han opholder sig her i Yndaros.<\/p>\n<p>Herefter ops\u00f8ger vi dronningens sekretariat. Vi m\u00f8des af klerken Karion Dresel, der gerne vil finde oplysninger til os, men eftersom det vil v\u00e6re forr\u00e6deri mod dronning og f\u00e6dreland at give os dem, m\u00e5 han desv\u00e6rre have 100 dalere for oplysningerne\u2026 Vi holder os i skindet. Han hverken tortureres eller sl\u00e5s ihjel, mest fordi sekretariatet er i selve slottets borgg\u00e5rd og vi n\u00e6ppe vil have nogen chance for at slippe afsted med det. Efter lang tids s\u00f8gen i hukommelsen kommer Alderan i tanke om, at han tidligere har m\u00f8dt et medlem af Dreselfamilien. En Ios\u00e9fia Dresel ledte en gruppe Alderan og hans hedengange f\u00f8lgesvende m\u00f8dte p\u00e5 \u00f8en Yeferon. Hun stod og p\u00e5f\u00f8rte gift p\u00e5 sit sv\u00e6rd og var \u2013 vistnok \u2013 lige ved at angribe, inden kaptajn Marvello kom med en anden gruppe, og det hele ebbede ud i ingenting. Flinke folk i familien Dresel\u2026 (Det var vistnok ogs\u00e5 Ios\u00e9fia Dresel Precelsus sk\u00f8d en pil efter og forfulgte i et af de senere afsnit, men lige nu er han m\u00e6rkelig umeddelsom.)<\/p>\n<p>F\u00f8r vi forlader slotsomr\u00e5det benytter de to adelige ungersvende Daimai og Alderan muligheden for at f\u00e5 et glas vin med andre \u00e6delblodede i Adelshuset (House of Nobles). Her f\u00e5r de at vide, at en Althos Vereo opholder sig i Yndaros vistnok for at ordne nogle \u201dsager af diplomatisk karakter\u201d. Althos er s\u00f8n af Vereofamiliens overhoved Mangai Vereo). Althos bor p\u00e5 Kohinoors.<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 Kohinoors har Althos indkvarteret sig i en 3-v\u00e6relses suite. En tjener \u00e5bner d\u00f8ren og vi vises ind til en ung flot fyr, omkring 40 \u00e5r gammel. Vi sp\u00f8rger ham direkte: \u201dKender du til et familiemedlem, Artel Vereo, der lever under en ny identitet?\u201d Althos beder Lomander om at g\u00e5 udenfor. (S\u00e5 personerne med \u00e6delt blod i \u00e5rene kan tale sammen i fortrolighed.)<\/p>\n<p>Althos: \u201dJeg har et problem\u2026 Jeg skal bruge familien Elsbets segl \u2013 bare et \u00f8jeblik. Kan I hj\u00e6lpe mig med det, s\u00e5 vil jeg fort\u00e6lle jer, hvad Artels nye identitet er. Det forholder sig tilf\u00e6ldigvis s\u00e5dan, at Elsbetfamilien bor her p\u00e5 Kohinoors, de har v\u00e6relser p\u00e5 6. og 7. etage.\u201d Selvf\u00f8lgelig vil vi hj\u00e6lpe, s\u00e5dan siger vi, men ha! Vi sn\u00f8rer ham med en snedigt udt\u00e6nkt plan!<\/p>\n<p>Vi er gode mennesker, der ikke sl\u00e5r uskyldige ihjel, stj\u00e6ler eller hj\u00e6lper mist\u00e6nkelige personer med at snyde andre adelsfamilier! I stedet udt\u00e6nker Daimai, Lomander og Alderan en snedig plan. Lomander v\u00e6lger rollen som \u201dflugt-chauff\u00f8r\u201d og st\u00e5r klar med en drosche nede p\u00e5 gaden. Hvis det nu skulle g\u00e5 galt\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Vi banker p\u00e5 hos Elsbet. Ogs\u00e5 her \u00e5bner en tjener, og i suiterne er flere folk, tilsyneladende en form for festivitas. Vi beder om og f\u00e5r lov til at tale med familiens overhoved, en Ergal Elsbet. \u201dAlthos Vereo har bedt os om at stj\u00e6le deres segl i bytte for oplysninger \u2013 men s\u00e5dan noget vil vi slet ikke deltage i! Vi vil i stedet foresl\u00e5, at de l\u00e5ner os seglet, vi g\u00e5r ned med det, f\u00e5r de oplysninger vi skal bruge, og at de s\u00e5 stormer ind og fanger Althos med fingrene i kaged\u00e5sen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ergal er kun mildt overrasket over Althos u\u00e6rlighed. De har en tvist om et stykke land, der ligger midt mellem de to familiers besiddelser. Han synes godt om id\u00e9en \u2013 \u201dMen jeg synes dog ikke, at vi beh\u00f8ver involvere byvagten. Det klarer vi selv\u2026\u201d Vi sl\u00e5r selvf\u00f8lgelig til.<\/p>\n<p>Seglet afleveres, Althos bruger det p\u00e5 et eller andet dokument, og s\u00e5 fort\u00e6ller han os, at Artel lever her i Yndaros under navnet Mordol Gaaras. Han bor p\u00e5 en b\u00e5d, der er opkaldt efter et familiemedlem \u2013 Alenora.<\/p>\n<p>Ergal og nogle af hans folk stormer ind. \u201dAlthos Vereo, du har bestj\u00e5let mig!\u201d Mens vi andre f\u00f8res ud (s\u00e5 Althos muligvis ikke opdager vores svig), h\u00f8rer vi, at Althos presses til at afst\u00e5 landomr\u00e5det til Elsbetfamilien. Alle p\u00e5 n\u00e6r Althos er glade og tilfredse.<\/p>\n<p>Vi tager med samme droschen ned til havnen, og f\u00e5r uden besv\u00e6r udpeget b\u00e5den Alenora. Den ligger for anker ude p\u00e5 floden, t\u00e6t mod Berens Berth siden. Vi f\u00e6rges over, l\u00e5ner en rob\u00e5d, og ror ud til skibet. Der er lys b\u00e5de fra en d\u00e6kslanterne i st\u00e6vnen og i kahytten.<a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1942\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"773\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora.jpg 773w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-300x178.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-768x456.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Det er et stort skib, omkring 30 meter langt. Alderan klatrer adr\u00e6t og stille som natten op ad ankerk\u00e6den. Herefter f\u00f8lger Lomander knap s\u00e5 adr\u00e6t, men lige s\u00e5 stille. Til sidst er det s\u00e5 Daimai, der godt nok klatrer op ad k\u00e6den, men slet ikke er stille\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1947\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1188\" height=\"797\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-2.jpg 1188w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-2-300x201.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-2-1024x687.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-2-768x515.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1188px) 100vw, 1188px\" \/><\/a>P\u00e5 d\u00e6kket er en trold (Aldrax), en goblin (Uddgol) og en ildsalamander (Smoldra) der \u2013 siger Daimai \u2013 er fra de sydvestlige Archapaelgo\u00f8er.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1948\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1182\" height=\"850\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-3.jpg 1182w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-3-300x216.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-3-1024x736.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Alenora-3-768x552.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1182px) 100vw, 1182px\" \/><\/a>Uddgol: \u201dForsvind!\u201d Begge parter g\u00f8r sig klar til kamp, men Lomander finder den allermest diplomatiske tone frem, og Aldrax beroliger Uddgol. \u201dVi skal tale med jeres mester.\u201d \u201dF\u00f8lg mig\u201d siger Aldrax, men mens vi g\u00e5r mod kahytten, lyder der et `klir\u2019 af glas, der smadrer. Vi farer ned i kahytten og fra et af vinduerne h\u00e6nger en gribekrog med et reb. Alderan farer derhen og n\u00e5r lige netop at se snigmorderinden Nightcape forsvinde i en rob\u00e5d. Ved et langt bord sidder en utrolig fed, tydeligvis st\u00e6rkt korrumperet, og enormt d\u00f8d mand. Han er sp\u00e6ndt fast, tortureret og skudt med en bolt gennem skulderen. Aldrax udbryder: \u201dEndelig fri!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artel.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1945\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artel.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"322\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artel.jpg 322w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artel-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Artel-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px\" \/><\/a>Det er Artel, der sidder og er d\u00f8d, d\u00f8d, d\u00f8d. Alts\u00e5 den rigtige Artel; ikke ham vi har f\u00e5et beskrevet\u2026 Aldrax fort\u00e6ller, at for et par m\u00e5neder siden fik Artel bes\u00f8g af en h\u00f8j, gr\u00e5h\u00e5ret mand med vilde \u00f8jne. Det lyder meget som ham, vi har f\u00e5et beskrevet som Artel. Den rigtige Artel har ikke forladt skibet i mange m\u00e5neder. Aldrax var Artels l\u00e6rling. Artel har ikke haft andre l\u00e6rlinge i mindst 5 \u00e5r.<\/p>\n<p>Vi unders\u00f8ger skibet. Artel har et bibliotek, hvor der tydeligvis mangler en bog (meteorritualet). I en montre ligger en sten, som vi tager med. Det er sikkert et stykke meteorit, der kan bruges ved ritualet. Der er ogs\u00e5 en bog skrevet med den her symbar-kileskrift. Vi tager den med, men kan ikke forst\u00e5 den. Det kr\u00e6ver en l\u00e6rd.<\/p>\n<p>Alts\u00e5: Artel er fundet, d\u00f8d, d\u00f8d, d\u00f8d. Det var ikke ham, der udf\u00f8rte ritualet. Hvem er det, der g\u00e5r og udgiver sig for at v\u00e6re Artel? Og hvordan finder vi frem til vedkommende?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"rich-text editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-rich-text__editable is-selected\" role=\"textbox\" contenteditable=\"true\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write heading\u2026\"><strong>Act 3: Symbar&#8217;s Tomb<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h1>Hmmm\u2026<\/h1>\n<p>Vi st\u00e5r p\u00e5 b\u00e5den Alenora. Artel d\u00f8de inden vi fik lejlighed til at tale med ham. D\u00f8ds\u00e5rsagen er ikke som s\u00e5dan bolten, men derimod den gift, der drypper fra den. Der er tale om en gift af moderat styrke. Bolten er p\u00e5 strategisk vis placeret i Artels krop med hensigten at han skulle d\u00f8 af giften. Han blev alts\u00e5 sl\u00e5et ihjel af Nighcape umiddelbart f\u00f8r vi fik muligheden for at tale med ham. Hvem er det, der har hyret hende? Er det Kathia Melion? N\u00e6ppe, i s\u00e5 fald skulle hun have haft Nightcape st\u00e5ende standby, klar til at forf\u00f8lge os. Handler Nightcape p\u00e5 egen h\u00e5nd? N\u00e6h, det tror vi ikke. Der m\u00e5 v\u00e6re en \u201dukendt\u201d spiller, der har hyret hende. Ud fra hendes evner som lejemorder, m\u00e5 vi g\u00e5 ud fra, at det er dyrt, s\u00e5 det m\u00e5 v\u00e6re en med orden i \u00f8konomien.<\/p>\n<p>Hariatma er \u2013 efter at have v\u00e6ret passiv hele sidste kapitel \u2013 v\u00e5gnet op til d\u00e5d. Hun kigger p\u00e5 stenen under glasklokken og siger, at det er en helt almindelig sten, og alts\u00e5 ikke en, der kan bruges til meteorritualet. Vi undrer os over, at nogen har gjort sig umage med at bytte meteorstenen ud med en almindelig sten, men blot har fjernet bogen uden at pr\u00f8ve at skjule sporene. Vi spekulerer p\u00e5, om Nightcape har fjernet bogen, der muligvis har v\u00e6ret bragt tilbage efter ritualet.<\/p>\n<p>Hariatma kigger ogs\u00e5 p\u00e5 bogen skrevet med Symbar-kileskrift. Hun mener, at den kan bruges til at fylde nogle af de huller ud, der er p\u00e5 den ellers gode afskrift af stentavlen. Det vil dog kr\u00e6ve l\u00e6ngere tid.<\/p>\n<p>Aldrax sp\u00f8rges (igen) om, hvorn\u00e5r den falske Artel har v\u00e6ret p\u00e5 b\u00e5den. Manden blev sejlet ud til b\u00e5den, han medbragte en stav, havde gr\u00e5t h\u00e5r og vilde \u00f8jne. En n\u00e6rmere beskrivelse er ikke mulig, da han bar en kappe med h\u00e6tte. Vi sp\u00f8rger, hvad det vil sige, at han havde \u201dvilde\u201d \u00f8jne. Det bliver ikke helt klart, men muligvis har de \u201dlyst\u201d. Det er omkring tre m\u00e5neder siden manden var p\u00e5 bes\u00f8g. Han har ikke v\u00e6ret der siden. Vi sp\u00f8rger Uddgol om han kan huske bes\u00f8get og beskrive manden. Uddgol svarer: \u201dHold k\u00e6ft!\u201d Vi f\u00e5r ikke flere brugbare oplysninger ud af de to. Hvordan skal vi g\u00e5 videre? S\u00f8ge efter den falske Artel? S\u00f8ge efter Nightcape? Satse alt p\u00e5 et n\u00e6rmere studie af bogen hurtigt vil vise os vejen til Symbar?<\/p>\n<p>Vi bliver enige om, at med Lomanders \u201ds\u00f8ge-ritual\u201d har vi en reel mulighed for at finde Nightcape, s\u00e5 vi haster tilbage til vores kro \u2013 The Tower. Her er der nogen, der har rodet lidt rundt i Lomanders ting. Lomander s\u00e6tter sig straks til at udf\u00f8re ritualet, mens vi andre (Hariatma, Daimai og Alderan) kigger i de andre v\u00e6relser.<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 Daimais v\u00e6relse st\u00e5r en mand og roder i Daimais ting! \u201dJeg er blot en budbringer. Adelsmand Dastan har ledt efter jer. I skylder ham en tjeneste \u2013 fordi I br\u00e6ndte hans pakhus ned.\u201d Jo, jo, det er jo egentlig rigtig nok, s\u00e5\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u201dAdelsmand Dastan vil gerne vide, hvad der foreg\u00e5r p\u00e5 adressen Sesario Gade 17. Dv\u00e6rgene kalder stedet Plob 8. Jeg vil foresl\u00e5, at I benytter masker\u2026 Og i \u00f8vrigt bevogter dv\u00e6rgene stedet. Svar senest i morgen tidlig. Ops\u00f8g Dastan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Der er medlemmer af gruppen, der synes, at vi skal ops\u00f8ge Dastan og lave en aftale med ham selv. Det bliver der dog ikke noget af, vi vil \u00e5benbart hellere b&#8230;.. h\u00e5rdt i r\u2026. For det viser sig senere, at Dastan ikke kender til aftalen. Eller m\u00e5ske er han? Det er sgu sv\u00e6rt at hitte hoved og hale i det hele, n\u00e5r folk svindler, lyver og ikke er dem, de giver sig ud for. Ak\u2026<\/p>\n<p>N\u00e5, men mens Lomander udf\u00f8rer sit ritual \u2013 og i \u00f8vrigt ikke finder Nightcape, der enten ikke er i byen, ikke er korrumperet (nah\u2026) eller snedigt har placeret sig p\u00e5 den anden side af en mindre b\u00e6k, k\u00f8ber nogle af os andre masker og kapper. Hariatma l\u00e6ser i Symbarbogen. Den er sv\u00e6r! Men tredje gang er lykkens gang og flere detaljer fyldes ind i overs\u00e6ttelsen af stentavlen.<\/p>\n<p>The last lines of the Tablet from Karvosti:<br \/><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;from the resting place at the roots of the Throne of Thorns, to the Guardian&#8217;s crypt in the city of Lindaros&#8221;.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Mere konkret drejer det sig om detaljer om et sidste hvilested, tornetronen og \u201dGuardians Crypt in the City of Lindaros\u201d. The Guardian (Vogteren) er en gammel gud, der (muligvis) er identisk med bl.a. \u201dThe Veiler\u201d og m\u00e5ske ogs\u00e5 andre.<\/p>\n<p>Ud p\u00e5 aftenen begiver vi os mod Sesario Gade 17, som ogs\u00e5 kaldes Plob 8, men muligvis ikke har noget at g\u00f8re med Plob 17, hvor vi tidligere har fejret s\u00e5 store sejre. Det var jo der, vi \u201dreddede\u201d M\u00f8rkets Fyrste!<\/p>\n<p>Ja, ja, det er historie nu. En enkelt dv\u00e6rg st\u00e5r og bevogter en port. Vi if\u00f8rer os maskerne, og Daimai b\u00f8jer p\u00e5 magisk vis dv\u00e6rgens vilje, og vi andre farer frem og sl\u00e5r ham ned. Han b\u00e6rer symbolet for dv\u00e6rgefamilien Baldysik. Vi sl\u00e6ber ham ind og lukker porten til efter os. Indenfor er en gang og en trappe ned, og her er til vores store overraskelse to vagter mere. Hariatma pr\u00f8ver med sukkestemme: \u201dHan faldt om, vi vil bare hj\u00e6lpe ham\u2026\u201d De k\u00f8ber ikke historien og farer i stedet p\u00e5 os, hvilket resulterer i, at vi m\u00e5 sl\u00e5 dem ihjel. Ak, sikke et spild af dv\u00e6rgeliv.<\/p>\n<p>Nedenfor trappen er en l\u00e5st d\u00f8r. Alderan sparker den ind, og for enden af en kort gang er en halv\u00e5ben d\u00f8r, der hastigt lukkes til. Vi iler videre, og i rummet bag d\u00f8ren er to dv\u00e6rge, en kvinde og en mand. Kvinden gisper og siger: \u201dMorak!\u201d Det ser ud som om, at de to dv\u00e6rge er g\u00e5et godt til den i den fint dekorerede seng. CBC vil s\u00e6tte billeder ind senere.<\/p>\n<p>Det bliver en pinlig seance. Vi st\u00e5r med masker p\u00e5 og pr\u00f8ver skiftevis at overtale og true de to dv\u00e6rge til at fort\u00e6lle, hvad der virkelig foreg\u00e5r p\u00e5 denne adresse. Den mandlige dv\u00e6rg er Morak Baldysik, mens kvinden er Beliza Alzerek. Der er tale om dv\u00e6rge fra to betydningsfulde familier, hvis navne ikke kan staves med det af skribenten benyttede alfabet. Det der foreg\u00e5r p\u00e5 adressen er netop det, vi fik et glimt af, da vi stormede ind &#8211; h\u00e5rd dv\u00e6rgeporno. At det skulle have nogen v\u00e6sentlig betydning for os eller andre i byen er en smule usikkert, men deres familier er imod forholdet, hvorfor \u201dst\u00e6vnem\u00f8derne\u201d m\u00e5 foreg\u00e5 i smug \u2013 her i Plob 8.<\/p>\n<p>Vi har en d\u00e5rlig smag i munden, da vi g\u00e5r tilbage gennem Yndaros\u2019 gader. Vi har (igen) sl\u00e5et uskyldige (dog dv\u00e6rge) ihjel. Denne gang blot for skaffe sladder til brug af Dastan, eller\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Vi mod The Croft i Old Kadizaar. P\u00e5 vejen lyder der pludselig tunge fodtrin, og rundt om et hj\u00f8rne dukker en af k\u00e6mperne op! Den l\u00f8ber mod os \u2013 n\u00e6rmere bestemt charger den Lomander, der g\u00e5r ned\u2026 (Damage 18, ignore armor\u2026) Han reddes dog, og efter et par udveksling af et par slag, beslutter vi os for et strategisk tilbagetog. K\u00e6mpen gik udelukkende efter de personer i gruppen, der b\u00e6rer rundt p\u00e5 (en smule) korrumption. Med i beslutningen om tilbagetr\u00e6kningen er ogs\u00e5, at det lyder som om, der er flere k\u00e6mper p\u00e5 vej\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Flugten g\u00e5r godt egentlig godt nok, dog sakker Daimai bagud og m\u00e5 gemme sig i en gyde, f\u00f8r vi kan m\u00f8des igen ved porten ind til Old Kadizaar.<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Old-Kadizar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1951\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Old-Kadizar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"947\" height=\"539\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Old-Kadizar.jpg 947w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Old-Kadizar-300x171.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Old-Kadizar-768x437.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 947px) 100vw, 947px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 The Croft er Dastan ikke at se, men efter lidt overtalelse og et par forg\u00e6ves foresp\u00f8rgsler, f\u00e5r Hariatma lov til at komme ind bag ved og tale med Dastan. Hun skal selvf\u00f8lgelig aflevere sit v\u00e5ben, og i skyggerne p\u00e5 vej til Dastan, fornemmer Hariatma flere skikkelser, holde \u00f8je med hende. Dastan kender intet til nogen aftale om, at vi skulle unders\u00f8ge noget i Plob 8 for ham\u2026 Det er nu helt tydeligt, at vi er blevet taget ved n\u00e6sen igen, igen, igen\u2026 Et plus er, at Hariatma ikke fort\u00e6ller Dastan (minder ham om?), at vi har br\u00e6ndt hans lagerbygning ned.<\/p>\n<p>Dastan kender udm\u00e6rket til Hariatmas \u2013 Solens \u00d8je \u2013 og han vil meget gerne \u201dbruge\u201d hende i arenaen.<\/p>\n<p>Kapitlet slutter her. En us\u00e6dvanlig flov og bitter smag bagerst i munden, og er jeg den eneste, der f\u00f8ler mig ekstra \u00f8m bagi? Hvad <em>skal<\/em> vi foretage os n\u00e6ste gang? Vi har vel stadig ikke fundet ud af, hvem den \u201danden\u201d snigmorder i katedralen var (for grevinde Vearra). Vi har heller ikke f\u00e5et adgang til udgravningerne i Old Kadizaar. Kan vi snige os ind? Muligvis kan Dastan hj\u00e6lpe, hvis Hariatma sl\u00e5s i arenaen? Vi skal vel ned og s\u00f8ge efter Vogterens Krypt? Og hvad med Esmerelda og hendes udsendning? Kan hun\/de hj\u00e6lpe os?<\/p>\n<h1>Hariatmas hemmelighed<\/h1>\n<p>Vi sover roligt igennem natten, men mens vi har hvilet os, har andre haft travlt. Adelsman Dastan har i nattens mulm og m\u00f8rke udr\u00e5bt sig selv til konge og har erkl\u00e6ret, at Old Kadizaar nu er en uafh\u00e6ngig stat. Der h\u00e6nger plakater overalt (se ovenfor). Kort fortalt skal man adlyde Dastan den alm\u00e6gtige. G\u00f8r man ikke det, vil man i f\u00f8rste omgang f\u00e5 hugget en h\u00e5nd af. Sker det igen, straffes man med d\u00f8den. En festlig fyr med selvtilliden i orden!<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Letter-from-Dastan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1952\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Letter-from-Dastan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"589\" height=\"829\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Letter-from-Dastan.jpg 589w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Letter-from-Dastan-213x300.jpg 213w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Det st\u00e5r ikke helt klart for gruppen, hvad n\u00e6ste skridt skal v\u00e6re. Efter lidt snakken frem og tilbage over morgenbordet, bliver vi enige om, at Lomander skal udf\u00f8re \u201ds\u00f8geritualet\u201d og finde Kathia. Imens k\u00f8ber vi andre ind \u2013 hverdagssager som modgift, bandager og lilla cannabis. Under samtalen g\u00e5r det op for os, at enkelte medlemmer af gruppen \u2013 ingen n\u00e6vnt, ingen glemt \u2013 har troet, at navnet var Kathia Mel<i>i<\/i>on og alts\u00e5 et medlem af Mel<em>e<\/em>onfamilien, men det er selvf\u00f8lgelig helt i skoven! Hun hedder Kathia Mel<em>i<\/em>on, og stammer fra en helt anden familie. Godt, at det nu er sl\u00e5et fast.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander finder ud af, at Kathia er i den \u00f8stlige del af byen. P\u00e5 vej derud kan vi se, at Old Kadizaar sydporten til Old Kadizaar er lukket, og at der st\u00e5r vagter p\u00e5 murene.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander f\u00f8rer os til et lidt afsides liggende hus. \u201dKathia er derinde. Prios og jeg er helt sikre.\u201d Da vi g\u00e5r hen mod huset, lukkes skodderne til. Iqubus g\u00e5r om bagved og holder \u00f8je med bagd\u00f8ren \u2013 bare s\u00e5 ingen l\u00f8ber v\u00e6k, f\u00f8r vi har f\u00e5et spurgt, om det vi vil vide. Lomander banker p\u00e5, men der er ingen reaktion. Efter en kort r\u00e5dslagning med Prios siger Lomander, at han stadig er helt sikker p\u00e5, at Kathia befinder sig i huset. Det er dog et godt sp\u00f8rgsm\u00e5l, hvorfor der ikke bliver lukket op. Alderan er ikke i sit mest t\u00e5lmodige hj\u00f8rne. Han banker p\u00e5 og siger: \u201dLuk op eller jeg sparker d\u00f8ren ind! 1-2-3!\u201d Alderan sparker, og d\u00f8ren g\u00e5r op.<\/p>\n<p>Efter et kort \u00f8jeblik tr\u00e6der Alderan ind og straks begynder sm\u00e5 dj\u00e6vle at skyde bolte i ham! I rummet befinder sig to onde, onde, udspekulerede dj\u00e6vle i almindelige menneskekroppe. Ikke nok med at de skyder, de er ogs\u00e5 dj\u00e6velsk gode til det! De er mestre i at skyde uden om rustningen, men heldigvis er Alderan s\u00e5 tr\u00e6net ud i brugen af rustning, at han med sm\u00e5 lyn-hurtige reaktioner kan modvirke deres evner. Selvom boltenes virkning reduceres af den smukke silkeskjorterustning, er det f\u00e6le skud, der tr\u00e6kker blod. Tre bolte sidder i Alderan inden han f\u00e5r kl\u00f8vet den ene dj\u00e6vel i to, og tvunget den anden til at overgive sig. Imens har Hariatma pr\u00f8vet at tale fjender (og Alderan?) til ro, mens Lomander er g\u00e5et l\u00f8s p\u00e5 en af fjenderne med sin stav. Slagene, Lomander deler ud, er dog s\u00e5 kraftl\u00f8se, at han bagefter uden nogen form for d\u00e5rlig samvittighed, kan placere hele skylden for at den ene dj\u00e6vel omkommer p\u00e5 Alderan\u2026 Efterf\u00f8lgende vil Lomander heller ikke t\u00e6nde Prios\u2019 lys for at helbrede Alderan. Der vil tiltr\u00e6kke k\u00e6mper. (S\u00f8geritualet kan dog udf\u00f8res igen og igen og igen\u2026)<\/p>\n<p>Under kampen dirker Iqubus bagd\u00f8ren op. I et baglokale st\u00e5r tre personer \u2013 to vagter og Kathia. De opdager Iqubus, der lynsnart lukker d\u00f8ren til og tager opstilling p\u00e5 taget over d\u00f8ren. De kommer ud, men de slipper ikke v\u00e6k.<\/p>\n<p>Kathia: \u201dHvorfor br\u00f8d I ind? Og hvorfor slog I en af mine vagter ihjel? Han var familiefar og havde to b\u00f8rn!\u201d Som du nok kan regne ud, er Kathia fuldst\u00e6ndig galt afmarcheret. Det var sgu da ham dj\u00e6vlen, der sk\u00f8d f\u00f8rst! (Boltene sidder endnu i Alderan!) Og hvis de bare havde \u00e5bnet d\u00f8ren \u2013 eller i det mindste sagt, at de ikke ville tale med nogen \u2013 s\u00e5 havde det jo v\u00e6ret en helt anden sag. N\u00e5, men Kathia kan tydeligvis ikke se situation klart \u2013 hendes korrumpering m\u00e5 have sat sig p\u00e5 forstanden. Vi fort\u00e6ller, at Artel er d\u00f8d, men hun er ikke helt overbevist. Hun \u00f8nsker ikke at f\u00f8lge med os, s\u00e5 vi kan vise hende det, og vil ikke rigtig fort\u00e6lle os noget til geng\u00e6ld. F\u2026\u2026 b\u2026.!<\/p>\n<p>Hendes beskrivelse af Artel \u2013 som er meget gammel \u2013 er, at han var skaldet og sm\u00e5fed. Det kan jo godt v\u00e6re fedt-torso-bjerget p\u00e5 b\u00e5den, men helt sikre kan vi ikke v\u00e6re. Kathia slutter med at sige: \u201dJeg h\u00e5ber ikke, at vi m\u00f8des igen!\u201d Endelig noget vi er enige med hende i!<\/p>\n<p>Vi g\u00e5r tilbage mod centrum for at unders\u00f8ge forskellige ting. Iqubus og Alderan bes\u00f8ger en havne bev\u00e6rtning\/bordel for h\u00f8re lidt rygter omkring Dastan. Efter lidt terningspil med nogle luskede typer f\u00e5r de at vide, at de byvagter (og lignende), der befandt sig i Old Kadizaar, er blevet taget som gidsler. De luskede typer snyder muligvis med terningerne, men Iqubus og Alderan lader dem beholde de h\u00e5nd\u00f8rer, de har vundet.<\/p>\n<p>Hariatma g\u00e5r p\u00e5 Anearia Biblioteket. Her finder hun ud af, at Vogterens Krypt <em>er<\/em> under Old Kadizaar. Hun finder ogs\u00e5 ud af, at Kalthars (M\u00f8rkets Fyrste) pr\u00e6steskab \u2013 Dakothnic \u2013 var vogtere over Tornetronen, og studerede menneskenes p\u00e5virkning p\u00e5 den omgivende verden. Hvad det sidste s\u00e5 skal betyde.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander g\u00e5r i kirke, og f\u00e5r her at vide, at der stadig er enkelte pr\u00e6ster, der bliver tilbageholdt af dronningen. Der er k\u00e6mper overalt, men Peonio er ved godt mod. Han har talt med Pansar General Jomilio, som har talt med Ripe om k\u00e6mperne. Hvad der helt pr\u00e6cist skal ske er uklart. Peonio siger ogs\u00e5, at katedralen selvf\u00f8lgelig skal genopbygges \u2013 endnu st\u00f8rre og flottere end f\u00f8r! Det kr\u00e6ver selvf\u00f8lgelig opbakning fra den velhavende del af befolkningen, s\u00e5 kirken m\u00e5 nedprioritere de fattige for fremtiden.<\/p>\n<p>Tilbage p\u00e5 The Tower bliver Jeremiah en anelse chokeret over at se den (stadigt) bl\u00f8dende Alderan, at farbror Nicholas, Casandra og Gidjagolbo med f\u00f8lge ankommer i morgen. De vil indkvartere sig p\u00e5 Kohinoors, hvor ellers?<\/p>\n<p>I krostuen h\u00f8rer vi, at Steelneck ikke vil angribe Dastan af hensyn til gidslerne. Hvordan vi skal komme videre. Vi vil ned i gangene under Old Kadizaar, men hvordan kommer vi derind? Kan vi kravle over muren? G\u00e5 gennem kloakkerne? Eller skal vi g\u00e5 hen til porten og sv\u00e6rge Dastan vores troskab?<\/p>\n<p>Under vores samtale f\u00e5r Hariatma pludselig lyst til at g\u00e5 til bekendelse \u2013 jeg er spion for dronningen! N\u00e6rmere bestemt for sekretoriet. En af mine opgaver var at finde ud af, hvem den \u201dekstra\u201d person i katedralen var (Lugander Galeia). Nu er det dog l\u00e6nge siden (?), Hariatma (Mata Hari) har haft kontakt til nogen i sektretoriet, s\u00e5 (muligvis) er hun ikke spion for dem mere. Man kunne m\u00e5ske have forventet, at resten af gruppen ville v\u00e6re blevet rasende over oplysningerne \u2013 men hvis man har l\u00e6st med i de seneste kapitler ved man, at gruppen har v\u00e6nnet sig til at blive pulet s\u00e5 h\u00e5rdt og l\u00e6nge i r\u00f8ven, og det fra praktisk talt alle \u201dsamarbejdspartnere\u201d, at afsl\u00f8ringen ikke giver anledning til mere end et par l\u00f8ftede \u00f8jenbryn.<\/p>\n<p>Iqubus bruger sin kikkert til at unders\u00f8ge mulighederne for at komme ind i Old Kadizaar. Vagterne p\u00e5 muren st\u00e5r t\u00e6t \u2013 det kan ikke lade sig g\u00f8re at klatre uset over i dagslys, men der er en spinkel chance n\u00e5r det er m\u00f8rkt. Havnefronten er barrikaderet og bevogtet.<\/p>\n<p>Vi ops\u00f8ger vores pr\u00e6gtige ven \u2013 dv\u00e6rgepatriark Artek Velotzar. Ja, vi ved godt, at det er os (Alderan), der skylder dig en tjeneste, men m\u00e5ske kan du hj\u00e6lpe os alligevel? I dv\u00e6rge kender jo alt til (smugler)tunnellerne under Yndaros? Desv\u00e6rre er der ikke \u2013 eller Artek kender i hvert fald ikke til \u2013 tunneller, der f\u00f8rer ind under Old Kadizaar. Til geng\u00e6ld er der gobliner i hans tjeneste, der har v\u00e6ret med til udgravningerne. De har fundet masser af ting \u2013 men der er ikke nogen oplysninger, vi kan drage nytte af.<\/p>\n<p>Artek siger, at Dastan har underskrevet sin egen d\u00f8dsdom! Her er vi lidt skeptiske. Mon ikke han har en st\u00f8rre plan? Kan han have allieret sig med nogen? I s\u00e5 fald hvem? Grimoria? Band of Brothers? (Ja, den er vist god nok.) Iqubus spekulerer p\u00e5, om Dastan har lukket Old Kadizaar (og udgravningen) ned, fordi der er fundet noget vigtigt \u2013 vejen til Symbar? \u2013 han ikke \u00f8nsker at dele med andre? Og hvad med Nightcape? Hvis nogen ved, at der er en spitzen klasse lejemorder i byen, s\u00e5 er det Dastan!<\/p>\n<p>Tilbage p\u00e5 The Tower pr\u00f8ver vi \u2013 i blinde, helt som alt det andet vi foretager os \u2013 at f\u00e5 Lomander til at s\u00f8ge efter Dastan (han er i Old Kadizaar) og Nightcape (ingen forbindelse).<\/p>\n<p>Om aftenen m\u00f8des vi med Esmeraldas udsending. Men er han virkelig udsendt af Esmeralda? Det er p\u2026. frustrerende, at ingen er til at stole p\u00e5! Kan du bevise, at du er udsendt af Esmeralda? Nej\u2026 Vil du underkaste dig Lomanders sandhedsritual (som han i \u00f8vrigt er g\u00e5et meget stille med d\u00f8rene med)? Nej\u2026 Jamen h\u00f8r nu p\u00e5 os! Der viftes med snigmorderaftalen underskrevet af og med Dastans segl (det vises ikke). Vi <em>har<\/em> beviser, men vi <em>vil<\/em> m\u00f8de Esmeralda. Nej, nej, nej\u2026 Udsendingen n\u00e6gter \u2013 og g\u00e5r. Kun fordi vi er et offentligt sted, slipper han med livet i behold. Iqubus sniger sig efter ham ud i m\u00f8rket\u2026<\/p>\n<h1>Et skridt p\u00e5 vejen mod Symbar<\/h1>\n<p>Iqubus kommer tilbage. Esmereldas udsending viste papirer ved slottets (for)port \u2013 det kan alts\u00e5 ikke helt udelukkes, at han faktisk <em>er<\/em> udsendt af Esmerelda, men et egentligt bevis er der heller ikke tale om. Helt rent mel har han dog n\u00e6ppe i sin pose.<\/p>\n<p>Tilbage p\u00e5 kroen taler vi om de seneste par dages (l\u00e6s spilganges) meget begr\u00e6nsede fremskridt p\u00e5 vores vej mod Symbar. Der hersker en halvt opgivende, halvt aggressiv stemning i vores lille gruppe. Det opsummeres godt af Iqubus, der beskriver de seneste dages bedrifter\u2026 \u201dAldrig er s\u00e5 mange blevet udblokket s\u00e5 meget p\u00e5 s\u00e5 kort tid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I et fors\u00f8g p\u00e5 at samle tr\u00e5dene genopfrisker vi f\u00f8rst Sargomals Profeti, men budskabet er jo ikke krystal-klart, s\u00e5\u2026 Vi er ut\u00e5lmodige og bliver enige om, at vi vil satse benh\u00e5rdt p\u00e5 at komme ned i Ordo Magicas udgravning under Old Kadizaar. Skal vi<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Klatre over muren?<\/li>\n<li>Melde os under Dastans faner? (Og dermed efterlade vores v\u00e5ben.)<\/li>\n<li>Komme ind via vandvejen?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Vi bliver enige om at fors\u00f8ge os med muren. Precelsus k\u00f8ber en rebstige og nogle specialbolts (med line og hammer bolts). Muren skal skaleres sen aften \u2013 lige inden sp\u00e6rretid.<\/p>\n<p>Vi v\u00e6lger et sted i n\u00e6rheden af Dastans T\u00e5rn (og udgravningen). F\u00f8rst klatrer Iqubus op og fastg\u00f8r rebstigen, s\u00e5 vi andre let kan f\u00f8lge efter. Precelsus bliver nedenfor muren med en hammerbolt p\u00e5 sin repetitionsarmbr\u00f8st; parat til at uskadeligg\u00f8re eventuelt \u00e5rv\u00e5gne vagter.<\/p>\n<p>Efter Iqubus klatrer f\u00f8rst Hariatma, dern\u00e6st Lomander og s\u00e5 Alderan op. Alderan er ikke helt s\u00e5 diskret, som de \u00f8vrige og en vagt n\u00e6rmer sig p\u00e5 muren. Precelsus skyder ham med en hammerbolt, men desv\u00e6rre sl\u00e5s han ikke omkuld \u2013 Iqubus er dog hurtig til at g\u00f8re en ende p\u00e5 vagtens triste tilv\u00e6relse.<\/p>\n<p>Hariatma og Lomander synes, at det er sjovt at tr\u00e6kke i rebstigen, men det ender dog med, at ogs\u00e5 Precelsus f\u00e5r lov til at klatre op, og vi st\u00e5r alle p\u00e5 muren.<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 Old Kadizaar siden g\u00e5r patruljer rundt, og folk sidder vagtsomt og spejder ud gennem vinduerne. Den bedste rute er over tagene. Der er omkring 60 meter i fugleflugtslinje til Dastans T\u00e5rn.<\/p>\n<p>Det er ikke alle, der har lige let ved at springe fra tag til tag, men med lidt hj\u00e6lp kommer alle med. Igen er vi dog ikke videre diskrete, s\u00e5 vi m\u00e5 slukke livets lys for endnu to vagter, der st\u00e5r p\u00e5 en balkon, vi skal passere. Endnu flere vagter er p\u00e5 vej, men Iqubus, der pludselig ligner en vagt, f\u00e5r sendt dem v\u00e6k med besked om, at vi bare er ved at hj\u00e6lpe et par fulde vagter i seng.<\/p>\n<p>Vi klatrer ned t\u00e6t ved Dastans T\u00e5rn. Foran er en st\u00f8rre g\u00e5rd \u2013 i den ene ende st\u00e5r to vagter foran en d\u00f8r til hvad der ligner en beboet bygning, i midten Dastans T\u00e5rn, og i den anden ende st\u00e5r vogne med sten og jord p\u00e5. Det m\u00e5 v\u00e6re her, udgravningen er. I centrum af g\u00e5rden st\u00e5r, hvad der for os ligner en statue. Senere viser det sig dog at v\u00e6re en v\u00e6mmelig k\u00e6mpe.<\/p>\n<p>Iqubus og Hariatma sniger sig over mod de to vagter, mens vi andre diskret pr\u00f8ver at n\u00e6rme os udgravningen. Endnu en gang er vi ikke helt s\u00e5 diskrete, som vi ellers har planlagt at v\u00e6re. Iqubus redder dog situationen ved at fort\u00e6lle vagterne en historie om, at han har set nogen snige sig ind i g\u00e5rden. Han sendes over til Dastans T\u00e5rn for at melde det. Her siger de, at vagterne m\u00e5 klare det selv. Iqubus melder tilbage til vagterne, der i mellemtiden har hentet forst\u00e6rkninger \u2013 men ikke har fattet mistanke til Iqubus.<\/p>\n<p>Iqubus smutter over mod os andre, s\u00e5 vi kan begive os ned i udgravningen. Han kan dog ikke lade v\u00e6re med at h\u00e5ne vagterne for deres dumhed; han viser dem sin blege, bagdel inden han smutter efter os andre\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Inde i bygningen er en trappe nedad. Ovenover os kan vi h\u00f8re vagterne. \u201dDe er her ikke \u2013 de er g\u00e5et nedenunder. Lad der ske med dem, hvad der sker dernede.\u201d De f\u00f8lger ikke efter os.<\/p>\n<p>Vi er kommet ned i udgravningen. Den best\u00e5r af en labyrint af gange, som der muligvis kommer et eller to kort over her:<\/p>\n<p>Prios viser Lomander vejen, og han leder os gennem labyrinten. Prios leder os lidt hid, lidt did, men overvejende i sydlig retning. P\u00e5 vores vej st\u00f8der vi p\u00e5 blindgyder \u2013 enkelte med skatte; v\u00e6rdifulde lysestager og krukker \u2013 men ogs\u00e5 menneskeskrig i det fjerne og goblinstemmer.<\/p>\n<p>Vi kommer ind i et stort rum, hvor der tydeligvis har v\u00e6ret andre f\u00f8r os. P\u00e5 gulvet er nogle mystiske m\u00e6rker fra en hakke eller lignende. Precelsus unders\u00f8ger dem n\u00f8je, men trods hans \u00e5rv\u00e5genhed og generelt skarpe hjerne, kan han ikke regne ud, hvad hakkene betyder. Der g\u00e5r dog ikke l\u00e6nge, f\u00f8r vi alle finder ud af det \u2013 gulvet smuldrer under os. Precelsus og Alderan n\u00e5r lige at hoppe til side, men Hariatma falder et langt stykke ned. Et dusin helbredspoint fordamper og Hariatma ser livl\u00f8s ud p\u00e5 bunden af hullet. Precelsus reagerer dog hurtigt. Han klatrer ned og n\u00e5r at redde Hariatma inden hendes sj\u00e6l forlader hendes krop.<\/p>\n<p>Vel oppe igen kommer vi til en gang, hvor der er en smal spr\u00e6kke ind til et stort rundt rum. Vi kan lige klemme os gennem spr\u00e6kken. I rummet sidder en stenstatue midt p\u00e5 gulvet. Statuen holder en stor \u00f8kse, der er m\u00f8rkplettet af en ukendt, r\u00f8d\/brunlig substans. P\u00e5 marmorgulvet ligger resterne af en ambriansk arbejder, der bogstavelig talt er blevet kl\u00f8vet i to. Pludselig begynder statuen at bev\u00e6ge sig! Selvom det er en enorm \u201dstatue\u201d, bev\u00e6ger den sig lynhurtigt. Vi f\u00e5r flere gode slag ind. Alderan lander et drabeligt hug med hans sv\u00e6rd \u2013 et hug der ville sk\u00e6re sig igennem rustningen p\u00e5 de fleste\u2026 Det bidder dog ikke p\u00e5 denne modstander. \u201dFlygt!\u201d r\u00e5ber blandt andet Alderan, men selvom ingen af vores v\u00e5ben bidder p\u00e5 k\u00e6mpen, v\u00e6lger vi at blive og k\u00e6mpe. Den m\u00e6gtige fjende lander tre slag p\u00e5 Alderan. Slag der ville have dr\u00e6bt en mindre v\u00e6rdig modstander, men Alderan v\u00e6ltes blot omkuld. Det bliver klart for os, at kun magiske v\u00e5ben kan skade denne modstander. Precelsus finder en magisk daggert (Eddas) frem, og med dygtighed, snilde og held f\u00e5r han placeret daggerten i k\u00e6mpen og dermed paralyseret den. Vi foretager en heltemodig tilbagetr\u00e6kning og regrupperer i sikker afstand\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h1>Vogterens krypt<\/h1>\n<p>Efter vi har f\u00e5et vejret igen, begynder vi at unders\u00f8ge resten af gangene i labyrinten. Det er som om Prios ikke finder det umagen v\u00e6rd at lede os i den rigtige retning.<\/p>\n<p>Flere gange ender blindt, men for enden af en af dem finder Iqubus en halsk\u00e6de af knoglefragmenter fra dyr. Den er vist magisk og kan absorbere korrumpering. Precelsus tager halsk\u00e6den.<\/p>\n<p>Pludselig h\u00f8rer vi en h\u00f8jlydt trampen. Det lyder som en k\u00e6mpe, hvad der ogs\u00e5 viser sig at v\u00e6re tilf\u00e6ldet. Iqubus \u201dsniger\u201d sig frem og ser, at en af k\u00e6mperne oppe fra byen har taget position i en gang t\u00e6t ved trappen, hvor vi kom ned.<\/p>\n<p>Vi g\u00e5r mod det sted, hvor vi tidligere h\u00f8rte goblinstemmer. Lomander g\u00e5r forrest og bruger sine diplomatiske evner, mens han taler med goblinerne. Ti gobliner har bygget forsvarsv\u00e6rker af de forh\u00e5ndenv\u00e6rende materialer (borde, stole mv.) i et rum. Den ene goblin er ret stor og kommanderer rundt med de andre. Den store goblin hedder Grum, og siger:<\/p>\n<p>\u201dEr I sendt af Dastan for at sl\u00e5 mig ihjel?\u201d (Nej\u2026) \u201dJeg har tidligere hjulpet Dastan, men nu vil han sl\u00e5 mig ihjel.\u201d (Hvorfor mon det?) \u201dJeg har hjulpet Dastan med at f\u00e5 ting ind og ud af Old Kadizaar. Jeg kender gangene godt herned.\u201d (Nu begynder det at blive interessant.)<\/p>\n<p>Vi kigger indforst\u00e5et p\u00e5 hinanden og bestemmer os for at forts\u00e6tte den diplomatiske linje. Grum er af den opfattelse, at vi som modydelse for hans hj\u00e6lp, vil hj\u00e6lpe ham med at sl\u00e5 Dastan ihjel. Vi lejer en goblinspejder for den utroligt billige pris af to daler. Goblinen vil f\u00f8re os til det sted, hvor der sidst er blevet gravet\/unders\u00f8gt.<\/p>\n<p>Goblinen f\u00f8rer os til et rum, hvor der over indgangen st\u00e5r noget p\u00e5 gammel, volapykskrift. Der st\u00e5r noget med \u201dVogter\u201d siger Precelsus.<\/p>\n<p>I rummet &#8211; som efter vores overbevisning <em>er<\/em> Vogterens Krypt \u2013 st\u00e5r en piedestal midt i rummet. Der ligger et eller andet p\u00e5 piedestalen, og rummet lugter af d\u00f8d. Goblinen vil ikke med ind. Ordo Magica siger, at kun de, m\u00e5 g\u00e5 derind. Det afholder selvf\u00f8lgelig ikke os.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Guardians-Crypt.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1969\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Guardians-Crypt.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1186\" height=\"695\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Guardians-Crypt.jpg 1186w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Guardians-Crypt-300x176.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Guardians-Crypt-1024x600.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Guardians-Crypt-768x450.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1186px) 100vw, 1186px\" \/><\/a>Iqubus g\u00e5r f\u00f8rst og kigger efter f\u00e6lder, hvad der dog ikke er. Det er et skrumpehoved, der ligger p\u00e5 piedestalen. Loftet i rummet er besat med krystaller, der vistnok viser stjernehimlen, som den s\u00e5 ud engang. Fire s\u00f8jler holder loftet oppe. P\u00e5 v\u00e6ggene er der malerier, nogle steder belagt med guld, og gulvet er d\u00e6kket af forskellige mosaikker. En af mosaikkerne er b\u00f8rstet ren for st\u00f8v. Den viser en by ved en flod. P\u00e5 den anden side af floden st\u00e5r en person i en gylden kappe og betragter sceneriet, hvor der ogs\u00e5 er et skib, der muligvis er p\u00e5 vej mod stjernerne. Ja, det lyder mystisk. Kunstneren har vist haft en livlig fantasi.<\/p>\n<p>Ved en af v\u00e6ggene ligger liget af en \u00e6ldre barbarkvinde. Vistnok fra en af de nordlige klaner. Hun er blevet stukket ned bagfra af to gl\u00f8dende klinger. I forhold til nogle af de andre ting, vi har oplevet, er der tale om et banalt mord.<\/p>\n<p>\u00d8jne og mund p\u00e5 skrumpehovedet er syet samme. Skrumpehoveder er ikke noget, man normalt forbinder med kejsere fra Symbarperioden. Precelsus kigger p\u00e5 hovedet med sit heksesyn og fort\u00e6ller, at dets sj\u00e6l befinder sig et andet sted \u2013 i underverdenen! Der grines lidt i krogene af Precelsus \u2013 det ville da have v\u00e6ret mere overraskende, hvis sj\u00e6len (stadig) havde befundet sig i hovedet\u2026 Iqubus tager hovedet med.<\/p>\n<p>Precelsus unders\u00f8ger gulvet og finder flere interessante spor. Der har v\u00e6ret fire personer i rummet, og p\u00e5 gulvet er spor efter en rituel cirkel \u2013 noget sorcery stads kaldet dimensional walk.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander unders\u00f8ger ogs\u00e5 gulvet, og han finder spor af en tilsvarende, men \u00e6ldre cirkel. Den er fors\u00f8gt fjernet, men det snyder ikke Lomanders skarpe \u00f8jne, der glimter af Prios\u2019 lys! Det er samme ritual, der har v\u00e6ret udf\u00f8rt. P\u00e5 gulvet kan vi se, at \u00e9n person er vendt tilbage for omkring en til halvanden m\u00e5ned siden.<\/p>\n<p>Opsummering: Fire personer gik ind i rummet. \u00c9n ligger d\u00f8d, \u00e9n er kommet tilbage. Der m\u00e5 v\u00e6re to der stadig er der, hvor ritualet har f\u00f8rt dem hen. Er man transporteret et sted hen (en anden dimension) med omtalte ritual, er det ikke sv\u00e6rt vende tilbage til denne dimension, man skal blot bruge en genstand med en s\u00e6rlig tilknytning til et sted eller en familie. S\u00e5 vender man tilbage i n\u00e6rheden af dette. Det kunne f.eks. v\u00e6re et sv\u00e6rd, der har v\u00e6ret i en families eje gennem flere generationer. (Dette sidste modsiger vores tese om, at de sidste to stadig m\u00e5 befinde sig der, hvor ritualet har f\u00f8rt dem hen.)<\/p>\n<p>Spejdergoblinen er ikke til meget mere nytte, dog peger han ned ad en gang og siger, at den f\u00f8rer til flygtningelejren.<\/p>\n<p>Vi unders\u00f8ger de steder i labyrinten, vi ikke har v\u00e6ret endnu. I flere af blindgyderne finder vi p\u00e5 skift v\u00e6rdifulde\/interessante genstande s\u00e5som: En maske uden mund, men med et tredje \u00f8je. (Wauv!) En v\u00e5nd lavet af knogle fra et (stort) fjerkr\u00e6. (Struds?) Et gammelt rituelt kodex. (Precelsus kan ikke rigtig tyde det i det d\u00e5rlige lys under jorden\u2026) En guldm\u00f8nt med et symbol for edderkoppekongen p\u00e5. Symbolet er tidligere set i Huraels Grav).<\/p>\n<p>Tilbage i goblinrummet siger Grum: \u201dTid til at sl\u00e5 Dastan ihjel?\u201d N\u00e6h, det er vi ikke rigtigt enige om i gruppen, s\u00e5 det ender med\u2026 Kamp! Grum l\u00f8ber nordp\u00e5, mens han r\u00e5ber til de tilbagev\u00e6rende gobliner: \u201dSl\u00e5 dem ihjel!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vi g\u00f8r kort proces. De menige gobliner er ikke rigtigt v\u00e6rdige fjender, og selvom det muligvis kunne have givet vigtige oplysninger, at forh\u00f8re Grum, v\u00e6lger Precelsus at skyde ham d\u00f8d med en velplaceret bolt. Vi lader de sidste par gobliner l\u00f8be. De to daler, vi gav til spejderen, tager vil selvf\u00f8lgelig tilbage, men ellers er der ikke noget af v\u00e6rdi \u2013 bortset fra to ildelugtende kyllingel\u00e5r, vi tager fra Grum.<\/p>\n<p>Iqubus leder os nordp\u00e5 i den retning, Grum fors\u00f8gte at flygte. Her er intet af interesse, m\u00e5ske bortset fra et antal (pile)f\u00e6lder. De fleste disarmeres, resten g\u00f8r ikke n\u00e6vnev\u00e6rdig skade.<\/p>\n<p>For at komme til at unders\u00f8ge de sidste gange, m\u00e5 vi have fjernet k\u00e6mpen. Vi udser os et strategisk godt placeret rum med en b\u00e6k (med f\u00e6lt bidende fisk), og Iqubus lokker k\u00e6mpen ned.<\/p>\n<p>Alderan har taget position bagved b\u00e6kken for at komme i n\u00e6rkamp med k\u00e6mpen, s\u00e5 resten kan undg\u00e5 dette. K\u00e6mpen stryger dog lige forbi (og tager et hug p\u00e5 vejen) for at sl\u00e5 p\u00e5 den midlertidigt ganske korrumperede Lomander. Selve kampen bliver dog ikke lang \u2013 Precelsus hugger den ned, hvorefter den sl\u00e6bes ud vandet, s\u00e5 vi kan tr\u00e6de p\u00e5 liget i stedet for at g\u00e5 gennem vandet og blive bidt af fiskene.<\/p>\n<p>Vi stryger tilbage i n\u00e6rheden af trappen, hvor vi kom ned. Her mangler vi at unders\u00f8ge et par gange. I en af dem er to ud\u00f8de v\u00e6sner ved at m\u00e6ske sig i nogle lig. Det ene af v\u00e6snerne ser ud som om, det er blevet dr\u00e6bt for nyligt, mens det andet tydeligvis har v\u00e6ret d\u00f8dt i lang tid. Der er meget koldt i n\u00e6rheden af v\u00e6snerne.<\/p>\n<p>V\u00e6snerne har den ubehagelige egenskab, at de kan paralysere deres modstander, n\u00e5r de f\u00e5r et slag ind. Alderan paralyseres, men Lomander lyser v\u00e6snerne i band med Prios\u2019 hellige lys. Fra en gang v\u00e6lter flere ud mod os, men Lomander lader Prios\u2019 hellige lys skinne\u2026<\/p>\n<h1>P\u00e5 tur til Yonderworld<\/h1>\n<p>Fire ud\u00f8de v\u00e6sner v\u00e6lter frem fra gangen. Lomander lader Prios\u2019 hellige lys skinne p\u00e5 dem, men det er som om kraften i det ikke har helt samme styrke, som den havde for f\u00e5 \u00f8jeblikke siden. Precelsus bliver ramt og paralyseres. Man kunne tro, at Precelsus var s\u00e5 resolut af sind, at han hurtigt ville bryde fri, men han v\u00e6lger at se passivt til, mens vi andre k\u00e6mper videre. Iqubus bliver ogs\u00e5 ramt, og mens han ligger p\u00e5 jorden, begynder en af de ud\u00f8de at spise af ham. Heldigvis lykkes det for de sidste to helte at sl\u00e5 fjenderne ned og redde Iqubus, inden hans sj\u00e6l forlader ham.<\/p>\n<p>Vi unders\u00f8ger de gange og rum, vi endnu ikke har v\u00e6ret i. I et rum er der spor efter k\u00e6rrer, og der st\u00e5r nogle kasser, der ser ud som om, de er blevet efterladt. I kasserne finder vi en hvid krystal p\u00e5 st\u00f8rrelse med en ogres knytn\u00e6ve. Den har spidse kanter og Precelsus siger, at krystallen er magisk! Kommer den i kontakt med vand, vil vandet \u2013 meget hurtigt \u2013 blive kogende varmt og fordampe. En s\u00e5dan skat kan priss\u00e6ttes til 20 daler! I andre af kasserne er nogle v\u00e6gt\u00e6pper og stentavler, der ogs\u00e5 er penge v\u00e6rd, men de er for tunge at sl\u00e6be rundt p\u00e5.<\/p>\n<p>Fra en af de andre gange er det som om, en kulde kommer mod os. Gangen f\u00f8rer til en krypt, der delvist er styrtet sammen, men vi kan se en 8-10 nicher med kister i v\u00e6ggene. En af de med indsigt i s\u00e5danne sager fort\u00e6ller, at krypten er fyldt med \u2019m\u00f8rk energi\u2019, der binder kisterne sammen. G\u00e5r vi ind, vil de d\u00f8de v\u00e5gne.<\/p>\n<p>Det er et faktum, at kisterne er fyldt til randen med guld og skatte, men p\u00e5 den anden side lyder det ogs\u00e5 meget faretruende med den m\u00f8rke energi, og vi har jo haft en smule udfordringer med ud\u00f8de f\u00f8r. Skal vi m\u00e5ske g\u00e5 ud, k\u00f8be ind og s\u00e5 tage kampen op? Nej, vi unders\u00f8ger lige resten af labyrinten f\u00f8rst \u2013 og faktisk kommer vi slet ikke tilbage til krypten. Vi m\u00e5 hente skattene p\u00e5 et senere tidspunkt.<\/p>\n<p>For enden af en blind gang finder vi en halsk\u00e6de med sorte perler, og fra en anden gang kan vi dufte frisk luft og \u201dhav\u201d. Gangen m\u00e5 f\u00f8re ned til floden.<\/p>\n<p>N\u00e5, det var hele labyrinten. Hvad nu? Skal vi g\u00e5 ud og proviantere f\u00f8r vi g\u00e5r videre? Nej. For det f\u00f8rste er det nat i byen (og vel ogs\u00e5 her nede under jorden?), og for det andet er vi lidt nerv\u00f8se for, at det haster med at komme videre. Vi bestemmer os for at g\u00f8re det lidt hyggeligt for Precelsus i Vogterens krypt. Precelsus studerer bogen vi fandt tidligere lidt n\u00f8jere, og til vores store gl\u00e6de og overraskelse indeholder den ritualet dimensional walk! <a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dimension-Walk.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1985 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dimension-Walk.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"335\" height=\"522\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dimension-Walk.jpg 335w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Dimension-Walk-193x300.jpg 193w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><\/a>Ritualet kan kun bruges \u00e9n gang \u2013 vil man tilbage, skal man have et nyt ritual (ingen i gruppen kan \u201dl\u00e6re\u201d det). Skal vi? T\u00f8r vi? Ja for Prios! Precelsus g\u00e5r i gang og en time senere \u00e5bner der en portal til Yonderworld!<\/p>\n<p>Gennem portalen kan vi se noget, der i den grad ligner det vi s\u00e5 i Kastor, da Margomal var p\u00e5 vej ind i vores dimension. Det afskr\u00e6kker os selvf\u00f8lgelig ikke, s\u00e5 vi g\u00e5r ind, og portalen lukker sig bag os.<\/p>\n<p>Foran os kan vi se et landskab, der minder om noget, vi har set p\u00e5 en af mosaikkerne i Vogterens krypt, men det mest bem\u00e6rkelsesv\u00e6rdige er et flere etager h\u00f8jt skib lavet i sten. Der er omkring 50 meter v\u00e6k fra os. P\u00e5 d\u00e6kket kan vi ane, at der flyver nogle vingede v\u00e6sner rundt.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Yonderworld.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1975\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Yonderworld.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"785\" height=\"606\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Yonderworld.jpg 785w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Yonderworld-300x232.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Yonderworld-768x593.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/a>Det er tydeligt for alle, at Yonderworld emmer af korrumpering, s\u00e5 vi haster mod indgangen i agterende af skibet. Indenfor er situationen mere normal, her m\u00e6rkes ikke nogen videre korrumpering. Det f\u00f8rste, vi ser, er en piedestal med en rune p\u00e5. P\u00e5 piedestalen st\u00e5r en krukke. Precelsus fort\u00e6ller, at runen er det symbarske symbol for hjerte, alts\u00e5 menneskehjerte. <a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Elmendra.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1977 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Elmendra.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"386\" height=\"387\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Elmendra.jpg 386w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Elmendra-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Elmendra-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><\/a>En kvinde kommer ned ad en trappe. \u201dVelkommen! Har Herengol sendt jer?\u201d Kvinden er Elmendra \u2013 den samme eventyrer vi \u2013 eller i hvert fald Alderan \u2013 har efters\u00f8gt i flere tidligere kapitler fordi hun efter sigende har fundet vejen til Symbar!<\/p>\n<p>Elmendra fort\u00e6ller, at dette niveau af skibet kaldes \u201dk\u00f8dets niveau\u201d. Vi ser flere piedestaler med symbol for hjerne, hjerte osv. Der er ogs\u00e5 en hovedl\u00f8s statue overtrukket med menneskehud. Det tegner til en helt almindelig dag p\u00e5 kontoret.<\/p>\n<p>Elmendra har v\u00e6ret p\u00e5 skibet i omkring en m\u00e5neds tid (svarende til den \u00e6ldste rituelle cirkel). Hun har mistet tidsfornemmelsen. Hun ankom sammen med Herengol, der er taget retur, og vil komme tilbage efter Elmendra. Hmmm\u2026 Han tager sig dog rigtig god tid.<\/p>\n<p>Elmendra siger ogs\u00e5, at der for en eller to dage siden ankom endnu en person til skibet \u2013 og p\u00e5 beskrivelsen kan vi forst\u00e5, at der er tale om <em>den falske Artel<\/em>, der virkelig er et dumt svin, men mere om det senere.<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 skibet er kaptajnen, styrmanden samt bes\u00e6tningen, der er de vingede v\u00e6sner. Det er vigtigt, at man viser respekt og kn\u00e6ler for kaptajnen og endnu mere vigtigt for styrmanden, som i \u00f8vrigt er en d\u00e6mon\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Styrmanden vil ikke tillade, at der udf\u00f8res ritualer p\u00e5 skibet, men Elmendra har i \u00f8vrigt ikke noget ritual, s\u00e5 hun har ingen m\u00e5de at komme tilbage til \u201dvores egen\u201d dimension.<\/p>\n<p>Imens Elmendra fort\u00e6ller alt dette h\u00f8rer Iqubus en stemme i sit hoved. Det er ikke bare den normale stemme, der siger ting som: \u201dTag det bare! Der er ingen, der vil opdage det!\u201d eller \u201dM\u00e5ske vil han sladre \u2013 sl\u00e5 ham ihjel for en sikkerheds skyld!\u201d N\u00e6h, stemmen siger, at alt hvad Elmendra siger er l\u00f8gn! I stedet for at lytte til hende, skal vi slutte os til \u201dstemmen\u201d. N\u00e5r det kommer til konfrontation med kaptajnen, styrmanden og bes\u00e6tningen, skal vi vise vores alliance ved at r\u00e5be \u201dstarfall\u201d. Stemmen vil ikke ud med, hvem det er, der \u201dtaler\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Vi tr\u00e6der lidt v\u00e6k fra Elmendra og pr\u00f8ver at f\u00e5 hoved og hale i, hvad vi skal g\u00f8re. Stemmen m\u00e5 n\u00e6sten tilh\u00f8re den falske Artel. Ordet \u201dstarfall\u201d er jo n\u00e6sten det samme som meteornedslag. Vi har ikke meget tiltro den falske Artel \u2013 skulle stemmen vise sig at tilh\u00f8re ham. P\u00e5 den anden side er han nok den eneste p\u00e5 skibet, der (muligvis) kan udf\u00f8re ritualet og f\u00e5 os tilbage til vores egen dimension. Vi enes om, at kommer det til konfrontation, vil vi i hvert fald ikke sl\u00e5 den falske Artel ihjel. (Right\u2026)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Stoneship.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1979\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Stoneship.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1380\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Stoneship.jpg 1380w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Stoneship-300x191.jpg 300w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Stoneship-1024x653.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Stoneship-768x490.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1380px) 100vw, 1380px\" \/><\/a>Vi g\u00e5r op og ud p\u00e5 d\u00e6kket. Precelsus tr\u00e6der ud som den f\u00f8rste og straks lyder en dyb, kommanderende stemme: \u201dKn\u00e6l!\u201d Det er styrmanden \u2013 og vi skal lige huske p\u00e5, at han er en tre en halv meter h\u00f8j d\u00e6mon \u2013 der siger det. Precelsus adlyder, og vi andre g\u00f8r det samme. Hurtigt smutter vi dog videre ind i kaptajnens kahyt, hvor vi ogs\u00e5 er beskyttet mod den korrumpering, der er udenfor.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kullinan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1980 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kullinan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"403\" height=\"408\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kullinan.jpg 403w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kullinan-296x300.jpg 296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 403px) 100vw, 403px\" \/><\/a>Kaptajnen (kejseren), der st\u00e5r og taler med den usle, falske Artel, udbryder: \u201dEn overraskelse uden lige!\u201d I stort set samme \u00f8jeblik f\u00e6rdigg\u00f8r uslingen flankeret af to flammende tjenere et ritual, der \u201dfrig\u00f8r kaptajnens sj\u00e6l fra skibet\u201d. Kaptajnen forsvinder, og det selvf\u00f8lgelig inden vi har n\u00e5et at f\u00e5 bare den mindste smule information ud af ham. Uslingen ser p\u00e5 en eller anden m\u00e5de bekendt ud. Alderan har set ham f\u00f8r. I Thistle Hold ved hullet. Uslingen er ingen ringere end Ordo Magicas Kullinan Furia. Han har tydeligvis talt l\u00e6nge med kaptajnen, men han vil ikke dele informationen med os. Han n\u00e6gter ogs\u00e5 at have haft noget med meteornedslaget at g\u00f8re.<\/p>\n<p>Vi kigger os lidt rundt i kahytten, og i et hj\u00f8rne finder vi en lap papir med en kortskitse. Det ligner mest en firkant med romertal skrevet ud for hver side. Precelsus kan straks se, at det m\u00e5 v\u00e6re p\u00e5 Karvosti! Er det mon ikke vejen til Symbar, der er beskrevet der?<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Path-to-Symbar.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1982\" src=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Path-to-Symbar.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"773\" height=\"877\" srcset=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Path-to-Symbar.jpg 773w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Path-to-Symbar-264x300.jpg 264w, http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Path-to-Symbar-768x871.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/a>Vi beslutter os for at g\u00e5 ud p\u00e5 d\u00e6kket. Elmendra siger: \u201dHvis I er villige, vil jeg gerne tage jer med til Symbar!\u201d Vi angriber styrmanden og hans ti bes\u00e6tningsmedlemmer.<\/p>\n<p>Elmendra s\u00e6tter straks en velplaceret pil i styrmanden, der g\u00e5r i kn\u00e6. Alderan farer hen og g\u00e5r i n\u00e6rkamp med ham. Han f\u00e5r flere tunge hug ind, og andre skyder pile i ham, men d\u00e6moner er ikke s\u00e5 lette at sl\u00e5 ihjel. Alle deltager i kampen. De ti vingede bes\u00e6tningsmedlemmer laver deres usle flyv-forbi-angreb, men hovedfjenden er dog styrmanden, der heldigvis ikke er s\u00e5 ferm til at ramme med sine angreb. Mens vi k\u00e6mper udenfor, korrumperes vi kontinuerligt\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Da kampen har st\u00e5et p\u00e5 et stykke tid, tr\u00e6der Kullinan pludselig ud af kaptajnens kahyt. Han er flankeret af sine flammende tjenere, og hvis han nu havde v\u00e6ret en god spejder-fyr, ville han helt sikkert have brugt sin magi p\u00e5 at assistere os i kampen. Det g\u00f8r han dog ikke\u2026 I stedet bruger han sin f\u00e6le ildmagi mod os! Det virker lidt som en voksenudgave af den ildformular, Daimai er s\u00e5 glad for. Lomander indhyldes i flammer og falder om p\u00e5 d\u00e6kket.<\/p>\n<p>Alderan bruger snedig kamptaktik til at skubbe d\u00e6monstyrmanden fra sig og l\u00f8be hen for at hugge Kullinan ned. Hug! Et m\u00e6gtigt slag, der burde og ville have ramt Kullinan, men en af de flammende tjenere springer ind foran \u2013 og ikke nok med det, han undg\u00e5r helt at blive ramt! Elmendra skyder en pil i Kullinan. Det resulterer i, at Kullinans \u00f8jne flammer op \u2013 og ildmagi skyder mod Elmendra! Kullinan tager ingen skade\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Det ser rigtig sort ud for vores lille gruppe, men s\u00e5 skydes f\u00f8rst styrmanden d\u00f8d \u2013 og de overlevende bes\u00e6tningsmedlemmer flygter. Herefter f\u00e5r Precelsus placeret en bolt i Kullinan, der d\u00f8r, hvorefter ogs\u00e5 de flammende tjenere forsvinder. En stor sejr i en episk kamp! Der vil blive sunget sange og fortalt historier om denne kamp mange \u00e5r ud i fremtiden!<\/p>\n<h1>Vejen til Symbar<\/h1>\n<p>Efter den episke kamp ligger Lomanders orb tilbage p\u00e5 d\u00e6kket og udsender Prios hellige lys. Under kampen var lyset \u2013 og Prios \u2013 en uvurderlig hj\u00e6lp, der gjorde det ekstra sv\u00e6rt for fjenderne at ramme os, men nu f\u00f8les lyset ubehageligt helligt, ja n\u00e6rmest kvalmende for de, der er blevet korrumperet. Lomander d\u00e6kker orben til, og vi g\u00e5r ind i kaptajnen \u2013 kejserens! \u2013 kahyt. Med sl\u00e6ber vi kujon Kullinans d\u00f8de krop.<\/p>\n<p>Kullinan har nogle m\u00e6gtige magiske genstande: En stav, en amulet og en ring. Precelsus begynder straks at unders\u00f8ge genstandene, men det tager overraskende lang tid, f\u00f8r han endelig fort\u00e6ller lidt om dem. P\u00e5 staven er det stav-hovedet \u2013 Bargamels (?) \u2013 der er det magiske. I det kan placeres tre magiske formularer, som kan fremkaldes uden, at man skal koncentrere sig. Prisen for dette er dog en ikke ubetydelig korrumpering. Lige nu er formularerne: Brimstone cascade, matheara (?) og flame wall.<\/p>\n<p>Ringen er Gorvedans Mind Ring og kan bruges til at telepatere beskeder p\u00e5 op til ti ord til en person indenfor en afstand af 100 m.<\/p>\n<p>Amuletten er en sj\u00e6lesten, der n\u00e6sten er helt m\u00f8rk. Den er stort set fyldt med korrumpering allerede.<\/p>\n<p>Vi er selvf\u00f8lgelig glade for de magiske ting \u2013 ogs\u00e5 selvom der hverken er sv\u00e6rd eller rustninger, men vi havde h\u00e5bet p\u00e5, at Kullinan havde haft et scroll med dimensional walk, s\u00e5 vi kunne komme tilbage til vores egen dimension.<\/p>\n<p>Vi begynder at gennems\u00f8ge skibet startende med kaptajnens kahyt. Her er en rygs\u00e6k med forsyninger (mad), som vist var Kullinans. Der er ogs\u00e5 det tredimensionale kort over Symbarum, som det s\u00e5 ud i gamle dage. Vi kigger ogs\u00e5 p\u00e5 kortet med firkanten igen. Det viser rimelig tydeligt, hvor Symbarum l\u00e5 (ligger!) &#8211; dybt inde i Davokar. Helt pr\u00e6cise er anvisningerne dog ikke. Landskabet har \u00e6ndret sig noget i l\u00f8bet af de seneste tusind \u00e5r.<\/p>\n<p>Vi g\u00e5r ned gennem skibet. Der er mange v\u00e6rdifulde genstande som f.eks. den store lirekasse\/spilled\u00e5se, malerier, t\u00e6pper osv., men de er ikke lige til at transportere. Til geng\u00e6ld er der et par mestersmedede v\u00e5ben, som vi tager et par stykker med af. Herunder et stort sv\u00e6rd.<\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 det nederste niveau kan vi se, at kejserens organer er super friske, men vi finder desv\u00e6rre ingen scrolls.<\/p>\n<p>Iqubus tager sin kikkert og g\u00e5r ud p\u00e5 d\u00e6kket. Her kan han se det tr\u00f8stesl\u00f8se landskab passere forbi og stille og roligt \u00e6ndre sig. Det virker som om, vi p\u00e5 en eller anden m\u00e5de driver gennem landskabet i vores nyerhvervede stenskib.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander griber \u201droret\u201d, som ikke er et helt almindelig ror, men n\u00e6rmere en styrepind. Da han griber om det, forvandler har sig langsomt til en 3,5 m h\u00f8j d\u00e6mon! Ligesom styrmanden var det! Han bem\u00e6rker det dog ikke selv, og han kan godt tale med os andre. Efter han har taget roret, kan Lomander \u201dm\u00e6rke\u201d en kraftig magt et sted ude i landskabet. Han styrer skibet derhen og efter lidt tid kan Iqubus se tre skikkelser dukke op af t\u00e5gen. I midten er en stor skikkelse i fuld pladerustning b\u00e6rende en le. Han er flankeret af to draghouls; f\u00e6le v\u00e6sner vi sloges mod for l\u00e6nge siden \u2013 p\u00e5 vores rejse fra Alberator. Det ser jo ud til at v\u00e6re flinke fyre, men Lomander pr\u00f8ver alligevel at styre udenom. De f\u00f8lger efter os, og vi bliver enige om, at vi m\u00e5 tage chancen og tale med dem. Lomander slipper roret og bliver til sig selv igen. I processen korrumperes han i h\u00f8j grad. Det ser ud til at v\u00e6re permanent\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Vi g\u00e5r ned p\u00e5 nederste d\u00e6k og stiller os ved indgangen. Da skikkelserne kommer n\u00e6rmere, kan vi se \u2013 eller Precelsus kan fort\u00e6lle \u2013 at skikkelsen med leen er en \u201dskygge\u201d. Et m\u00e6gtigt, m\u00e6gtigt v\u00e6sen Precelsus tidligere har hidkaldt for at assistere i tr\u00e6ngte situationer.<\/p>\n<p>Lomander taler: \u201dDu kan f\u00e5 skibet, hvis du kan f\u00f8re os tilbage til vores egen dimension.\u201d Skyggen siger: \u201dSkibet er allerede mit. Hvis jeg skal hj\u00e6lpe jer, skal jeg have noget til geng\u00e6ld!\u201d Skyggen kigger p\u00e5 Precelsus: \u201dDu har tilkaldt mig flere gange \u2013 nu vil <em>jeg<\/em> kunne tilkalde <em>dig<\/em>!\u201d Precelsus pr\u00f8ver selvf\u00f8lgelig at tale sig ud af den ubehagelige situation ved at sige, at Alderan eller Lomander vil v\u00e6re meget mere praktiske at kunne hidkalde, men skyggen insisterer, og aftalen indg\u00e5s.<\/p>\n<p>Skyggen tr\u00e6der ind i skibet, og en bidende kulde str\u00f8mmer ud fra den. Den g\u00e5r direkte hen til krukken med kejseren hjerte, tager det op og siger: \u201dSpis\u2026\u201d Iqubus tager som den f\u00f8rste en bid, og herefter f\u00f8lger vi andre \u2013 noget skeptiske \u2013 efter. S\u00e6rligt blege bliver vi, da Iqubus kaster sig til jorden med mavekramper. Alderan spytter ud, men for sent. Alle falder til jorden og mister bevidstheden.<\/p>\n<p>Man kunne godt tro, at eventyret endte her, men heldigvis har skyggen ikke snydt os. [Note: Skyggen, som kom g\u00e5ende gennem Yonderworld b\u00e6rende p\u00e5 en le og flankeret af to blight creatures, er alts\u00e5 mere reel end de fleste personer, vi har m\u00f8dt i Yndaros. Er vi virkelig p\u00e5 rette spor?]<\/p>\n<p>Vi v\u00e5gner i p\u00e6ne, st\u00f8vede senge. En mand i Ordo Magica k\u00e5be bem\u00e6rker, at vi v\u00e5gner og r\u00e5ber: \u201dMester Marbela!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Det viser sig, at vi har sovet i tre uger. Hvordan det s\u00e5 kan lade sig g\u00f8re. Ordo Magica har fundet os i Vogterens Krypt, hvor vi l\u00e5 slemt tilredte og d\u00e6kkede af blod. Vi er blevet bragt til Triplet Towers \u2013 Ordo Magicas hovedkvarter i Yndaros.<\/p>\n<p>I de tre forl\u00f8bne uger er der sket flere v\u00e6sentlige ting i Yndaros. F\u00f8rst og fremmest er Casandra og Gidjagolbo blevet viet. Ceremonien blev holdt i en mindre kirke og festen forl\u00f8b godt, n\u00e5r man tager i betragtning, at Alderan ikke var med. Gaven bragte dog lykke.<\/p>\n<p>Dern\u00e6st er Dastans tropper blevet nedk\u00e6mpet, og Old Kadizaar er igen under dronningens kontrol. Efter sigende var kampene ikke s\u00e5 h\u00e5rde, som forventet. Det var ikke alle Dastans m\u00e6nd, der var lige loyale. Og Dastan selv? Han var forsvundet, da Old Kadizaar blev indtaget.<\/p>\n<p>Mester Marbela sp\u00f8rger med en lidt mist\u00e6nksom mine: \u201dHvad lavede I egentlig i Vogterens Kammer?\u201d Hmmm\u2026 Det er lidt sv\u00e6rt at forklare. Vi pr\u00f8ver os med, at det var en polterabend, der gik en smule over gevind, men sl\u00e5r hurtigt over i, at vi var p\u00e5 mission for hertuginde Dolores Veara. [Ja, ja, det er sgu sv\u00e6rt med alle de navne!] Helt f\u00e5r vi vist ikke overbevist Marbela, men vi forlader i hvert fald t\u00e5rnet med alle vores ting. Ogs\u00e5 de nyerhvervede magiske skatte: Stav, amulet, ring og derudover et spyd og et skjold.<\/p>\n<p>Elmendra siger, at vinteren nu er s\u00e5 t\u00e6t p\u00e5, at vi umuligt kan drage ind i Davokar og s\u00f8ge efter Symbar. Det m\u00e5 (mikro)planl\u00e6gges, times og tilrettel\u00e6gges, s\u00e5 vi er klar til for\u00e5ret. Vi vil tage til Thistle Hold og drage ud derfra. De kommende m\u00e5neder skal bruges til at planl\u00e6gge og k\u00f8be ind. Hvordan skal en s\u00e5dan ekspedition udstyres? Er der personer (NPC\u2019ere), vi tidligere har m\u00f8dt, der skal inviteres med? Og hvad vil vi hver is\u00e6r fordrive et par m\u00e5neders tid med?<\/p>\n<p>Lomander og Alderan f\u00e5r foretr\u00e6de for Esmerelda p\u00e5 slottet. Vi fort\u00e6ller alt hvad vi ved om den falske Artel (Kullinan Furia) og hans andel i meteorritualet, og vi viser hende ogs\u00e5 kontrakten med Dastans segl. Den der beviser, at den anden snigmorder var hyret af Dastan. Esmerelda er yderst tilfreds med s\u00e6rligt Alderans indsats. Vores bel\u00f8nning er 200 daler.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lomander er lige pludselig klar til at blive mester ud i rituel magi. Han kan sende os p\u00e5 en mission for Prios, som til geng\u00e6ld vil p\u00e5tage sig noget af den permanente korrumpering, nogle af os l\u00f8ber rundt med.<\/li>\n<li>N\u00e6r Karvosti har der v\u00e6ret et k\u00e6mpe slag med dronningen og nogle sydlige klaner p\u00e5 den ene side, og Sovereigns Oaths med de nordlige klaner p\u00e5 den anden. Situationen efter slaget er stort set status quo. Dronningens tropper holder stadig stand p\u00e5 Karvosti.<\/li>\n<li>Farbror Nicholas har talt med hertuginde Dolores Veara, og Alderan skal nu giftes ind i familien Veara! Hvilken \u00e6re og mulighed for Toybinfamilien! Der er tale om en grandkusine til Dolores, som hverken Alderan eller andre i familien har m\u00f8dt, men stadigv\u00e6k\u2026 En stor \u00e6re! [Hmmm\u2026 Alderan t\u00e6nker mest p\u00e5 Esmerelda &#x1f60a;]<\/li>\n<li>De alliancer mange adelsfamilier har haft med kirken er ved at smuldre. Fremover vil det v\u00e6re vigtigere for familierne at alliere sig med andre adelshuse.<\/li>\n<li>Iqubus finder en lille kniv i sin rygs\u00e6k. Han ved ikke, hvor kniven kommer fra.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cSouth fled the trodden and vanquished,with darkness behind, with warmness and sunlight ahead. A fortress they raised on the lowlands, a wonder of stones,on the Guardian\u2019s bones, storing the relics of Symbar. But blighted and torn were their bodies.The sins &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/?p=1739\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-symbaroum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1739"}],"version-history":[{"count":157,"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1990,"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1739\/revisions\/1990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/folkefronten.dk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}