Ailekk & Kaaska’s Conversation Kaaska always has his crossbow out and loaded in his hands. He is ever-vigilant. Ailekk: [something] Left the tribe, went human settlements, was raised in an orphanage. Was sold in slavery to the Dree, they taught him his skills, which he later used to assassinate his captors and escape. Ailekk wants to know their whereabouts, capabilities, and allies of each. 50 gold for rumors, 100 gold for information with evidence. Kaaska has a brand of Dree burned into a part of his wing. Kaaska (fires his crossbow one at Ailekk) [Check to catch it] “You are skilled brother. I’m glad to see it. Just so you know the Dree have put a hefty bounty on your head, dead or alive. I figured I’d give it a shot. I won’t try again… soon.” The AfterMath The party are asked to help clean up the castle, fortify, and bring things together. Cassius, Ron (if he’s sticking by his nephew), Ailekk, and probably Urd and Rurrick are all waiting for Breschka when she arrives back. She is livid, angry, and somewhat unhinged. She returns to her room, then proceeds to the training room where she spends time dragging all of the dead bodies out of the castle into the courtyard and begins digging graves in the castle court. If anyone approaches her she gets hostile. Oron continues operations, almost smugly. As though he knew this would happen. The party went looking around the sewers where little seemed happening, the guards there knew nothing about about the attack and were alarmed when they found out. The party then went to investigate Ailekk’s tower. Up there they noticed that the attempted assassins had gold coins minted from Dree, silver coins minted in Bonehammer, and copper coins minted in Dravens, meaning they probably traveled from Dree, through Bonehammer, and into Dravens. They all spent the night in the guest quarters, and had breakfast several other people. Rurrick antagonized the nobles until they left. The party then had conversations with Behyla and others about what had been going on. After Some Time Kaleem is in the middle of a meeting with the party, Oron, and other important people when Breschka comes in and grabs Kaleem by the throat, hoisting him into the air [DC check - he could stop this if he wanted too. Or at least contest it.] “Listen here you little limp-dicked serpent. I know you had something to do with this.” “I… I did.” He chokes. “But it wasn’t just me… your nobles… they have betrayed you.” She increases the pressure on his throat. “Oh, I know. But you and my brother had a part in this too. Corrive’s Yuant-Ti wants us to go to war with Dree. They hate the Dree. They figure if we win we can unite the realm and fight back against Lady Corrive. Is that right?” Oron says “Now, sister, is that any way to treat an ally.” She raises her other hand and he looks visibly pale. You see him change many colors as 2-3 illusions all pass away. [DC check she cast dispel magic] “I see through you brother. Now all these others have, as well. We need friends. Not allies or people of convenience.” She is still choking Kaleem, who is turning blue in the face. Breschka looks at Behyla. “We will kill the Dree, because they are evil. And we will see their empire crumble. And fuck the orc, human, dragonborn, dwarf, elf, halfling, gnome, tiefling, or whoever else that says otherwise. What do you say to that, Orc witch-man? How do you respond to that proposal?” Behyla says. “You didn’t mention the dragons. What of Shrave’s kin? What do we do to them when they come for us?” Kaleem is trying to breath and starts slapping at Breschka frantically. She releases him and he falls to the floor, gasping for breath. “*inaudible noise* *grunting* Th… *grunting and coughing* They w… *choking, coughing up blood* They will help us.” When people look at him. “Lady Corrive wants him dead as well. We can play both sides.” Breschka turns around. “I am not a tyrant.” She points to the party, “You all up by me. Now.” If Ron seems hesitant she’ll look at him and bark “With your nephew.” Breschka says. “I will hear proposals now. And, brother. Speak plainly and without a silvered tongue. That goes for all of you.” She steps forward ahead of the party and turns around. She says to them. “You are my arbiters. I don’t know who I can trust. But I trust the lot of you.” Giving a glance to Urd, “Even you. I know your ties are thick and if you need to relinquish this panel I give the opportunity to do so now.” She looks at Ron. “I don’t know you old man. Ma speaks highly of you. But I spent time in Indra, coming out of Shevorth, to the north. I learned my code of honor there. In Indra, I learned there is much more to being good than just codes. I respect the Indrasians. I don’t know you, so don’t press me. But I respect your opinions. If you do speak, speak loudly so others may hear your wisdom.” Kaleem: “You should each split up and travel about individually to try and unify the country. I know this sounds strange. But it’s the best course of act… [Breschka shoots him a glare.]” Ma: “I’m just your advisor, but we need friends from ourselves. We need to unite the kingdom. It’s only been two weeks. The province… this kingdom need healing and the people must come together. They need their heroes. Targets, maybe. But that will bring our enemies to us. For what it’s worth from an old woman.” Behyla: “We must stop this war. The sides are obviously on different sides. The gargoyles and the Dree fought. The Dree are fighting over political differences, these gargoyles are a part of the side that started all this. They are the true servants of Ruara. They must die. We should make peace with the Dree.” Kaaska: “I was already tasked to find Namfoodle, I will find him and bring him here. Alive. As little as I like the thought. My partner Arata Teruo is headed that way now.” Feng: “I heard you from a way off. We have allies Breschka. If we want to go that route.” He looks at Ron, who is suddenly uncomfortably. This drunken, stinky, old orc is more than he appears. Arieth is among the crowd. “Your ladyship.” She looks back at Breschka, “I was told people from Guild’s Town went to Dree on a mission of mercy.” A young girl steps out, they recognize her from Snakestown. “Gravy Cakes from Guild’s Town sends a message. It will likely be few weeks, but we can help you in time. Once we get our stuff in order, we lend our services to you.” Breschka says, “And who are you?” The girl says, “Just the people of Guilds Town who get shit done. Along with help from folks like your council there.” An elf stands up “But what of us? Those of Elfsett? Or your other villages? What are we to do? Some of our warriors have been returned to the rural areas of your realm. But meanwhile savage bands roam, attacking the lowly and the unprotected. The might seem like a minor threat to you. Now. But our people, your people are hurting.” Breschka says, “I just don’t have the troops. Not now.” Then he says, “Yes you do.” And he looks past Breschka at the party. “Each one of them is worth a dozen normal soldiers, maybe more. I’ve heard of this evil. But what you haven’t heard is the cry of parent’s lips as their children are murdered in cold blood. It’s happening as we speak. You must defend us. War is a romantic fantasy when you aren’t already in the middle of one. Our people are. You just haven’t heard it over the screeching of the undead at night. Your people are dying.” He picks up his longbow and walks out of the room. Breschka says, “What is your name elf?” As he walks off “Just another dead patriot.” And he leaves. After some discussion, the party decided to head on to Dree for the purpose of diplomacy, and send Ailekk to catch up with Bigmug’s party.
