3 Hammer
Darromar, once formally known as Ithmong, was a large metropolis of 125,000 people. The red brick walled city was considered the heart of Tethyr culture and politics. It was divided into four quarters thanks to the north-south road and the east-west Ith River. The wide strong river's only crossing for hundreds of miles was the heart of Darromar. They could see in the northwestern portion of the city a large rocky hill overlooking the River, and no doubt the royal quarters. The sides of the hill were surrounded by fantastical gardens. Nearly as tall the palace on the hill were four watch towers, one in each quarter of the city.
The closer they got, the more the smells and sounds of the city came alive. The Ithal Road they followed dipped to the southern gate. The traffic had slowed as the road filled with carts and wagons coming and going. Several of the walkers and horse riders slowed or sped up, giving a wide berth as if they avoiding the five.
"'ight girl," Zyne gruffly motioning over Zarae, then quickly cast the spell over the drowess, making her appear deeply tanned rather than her obsidian skin. He looked at Jinx, but seeing her reluctance, decided to chance her staying in her normal form.
When their turn came to enter, they got a quick studying glance from the armed guard before being waved in. Ariali stepped up to one of the guards, "where might a traveler rest?"
Looking back to the other four before returning attention to the elven female before her, "adventurers?" he asked trying to judge if they were native to Tethyr, "there are plenty of inns, but," sensing the naïveté, "Asdefk's Inn is good place to start. It is located directly across from the Wheel market, across Star Street in the temple quarter, southwestern side," pointing. "If yall are on a budget, Ith-Side Inn is commonly used by adventurers. It's cheap. Located in the far corner of the Black District, on the River."
The guard beside the speaking one, then quickly stepped over to warned them that five was considered very unlucky and they might want to split up while in Tethyr. The guards then did a few hand gestures of religious meaning as if to ward off any possible bad luck from the five companions.
Ariali gave a thanks stepping a few steps closer to Zyne to make it appear there were not five of them. The dwarf was still a few steps behind the others, still keeping some distance.
Carts and wagons filled the main street. The evening rush was starting down as workers headed home, travelers heading to inns and taverns, and the sellers closing up shops. They spotted the Wheel Market of the Caravan District ahead, a large open space filled with stalls, both permanent and transient. Like the guards mentioned, Asdefk's Inn was just across the street. It was a large three-story building of dark wood and brick with a green slated roof. The arched door matched the shade of green of the roof. Its wooden façade was adorned with intricately carved vines and glowing lily motifs that shimmered faintly under the evening sky. The lively atmosphere could be heard a great distance away.
Inside was the scents of roasted meats, spiced drinks, smoking herbs, the melodic notes of a band playing mingling with the laughter and jovial nature of the tavern floor. A set of stairs near the door lead up to the other floors. The oak wood bar counter was filled with patrons watching the band finish the performance. A loud round of cheers and clinks of glass tankards marked the end. A half-elf gentleman was passionately debating the merits of various brews with a group of intrigued patrons, his face animated as he insists, "You simply can't appreciate the true depth of flavor without trying it with a hint of citrus!". At another table was a flamboyant bard with his captive audience, a lute draped across his knee boasting, "I once serenaded a dragon under the stars, who else can say that?"
There was very little open room as they had to squeeze past patrons to move about the floor. There was no whispering, having to shout in each other's ears to be heard. The half elf motioned for a shorter human woman to the elf who managed to squeeze in to approach the bar. She was wiping a glass when she walked over to stand in front of Tahlethar.
The elf gave a charming grin, one elbow on the counter and leaning forward, "is this normal?" having to raise is voice to be heard.
The barmaid nodded as she set the glass down, "large caravan pulled in this morning. This lot seams to enjoying our specialties."
"What are those?" he asked.
"Large traveling company of people in wagons," she gave a smart elic remark, a wry grin, and knowing fully well he was asking about the specialties and not what a caravan was.
The elf laughed, then rolled his eyes playfully. "The specials?"
"Oh?" she returned the laugh. "You must be new. Everyone knows we're renown for our Tashalaran and spicy Calishite dishes."
"a bit overpriced if you ask me," a larger man of greying blond hair and beard commented, overhearing the exchange between the woman and the elf.
"Nobody ever ask you, Rollond," the barmaid quipped back.
Zyne cleared his throat to hurry the conversation along. The woman behind the counter leaned over finally seeing the dwarf. Behind him a feral beautiful elven female who was busy watching the all the interactions around her. Some of the grin dropped from the woman, assuming the two elves were together.
"What yall needing?" moving onto business, arms on the counter.
"Rooms for the night?"
"Down to one. The caravan's taken most the spaces."
"How big?" the dwarf now up at the counter, standing on his toes to better speak.
"a small bed."
"Not enough," dropping down off his tiptoes. "and don't think me sharing. I'm getting me own," looking to the two beside him.
She shrugged a half apology. "There are a few festhalls. Pandemonium Caress is a new one. A few other inns. Wooden It Be Nice Tavern is in the Caravan Quarter or the local casino, The Serendipity. None are as good as ours, of course," giving a wink to Tahlethar.
"Try Ith-side?" Ariali tried whispering to Tahlethar.
"You can. It's definitely going to have some open rooms," then looking the lythari up and down, "might be…more in your budget too."
"Eat here?" suggested Zyne. His stomach growled then to emphasis his hunger.
"you'd be better off not eating there, that's for sure," Rollond joining the conversation, whether he was wanted or not, "been stories of drugged ale at Ith-side."
"There are no tables," Ariali replied, either ignoring or missing the jest at her from the barmaid.
"I can always make room," a wry grin on her face returning as she looked at Tahlethar.
Zarae slipped though heading twords a long table filled with gamers and gamblers. Most were already tipsy, betting a little generously. The laughter was contagious. Jinx followed the drowess.
"helllooo ladies," the obvious leader of the rambunctious group. He had a lecherous grin glint in his green eyes as he watched what he thought was a female wood elf. He was smooth faced with shoulder length black hair and dressed in noble style clothing.
"Space for more players?" the tabaxi asked, missing the leering man's intent.
The leader's grin grew as he watched the disguised drowess move closer to the table. He slid his chair back a bit, then patted his lap, "right here, hon," directed to the elf.
A couple of the males sitting next to him whistled or laughed, the females rolling their eyes but focused on the cards in hand. Zarae was taken aback by the brazen male and more so by his behavior twords her. She wasn't by her race's standards considered gorgeous and was lacking in the usual feminine build most the noble female drows possessed; she'd even been able for a couple years, very carefully, pass off as a very young male during her time on the streets.
The cheering by his friends only encouraged the leader. He patted his lap again, then motioned the disguised drowess join in on the game. None of the others made room for the tabaxi, so she wedged in between two ladies. The older of the two looked up to the cat woman, meeting her gaze, then, as it became her turn to make a bet, slid two coins forward, but kept her hands on the coins. Jinx had seen a glimpse of the leader's hand, so she knelt down and whispered into the woman's ear. The woman gave a smile, adding another coin and removing her hand.
"hey now!" another male at the table, "no cheating!"
Jinx gave her most innocent look, then hands up. The woman motioned for the next to bet, that man handing his card in with a 'bah!'. A fourth male, this one nearly as nicely dressed as the leader, then called for everyone to show their cards. The woman sitting next to Jinx won the hand, with much grumbling from half the table. She slid over to allow the tabaxi to sit beside her on the bench.
Zarae was trying to ignore the male leering at her, but every time she looked up there was his eyes on her. A few more hands of the cards and rounds of betting went through. Zarae subtly signed to Jinx when to bet and when not to, based on the hands she was seeing. It was a few more rounds when the tabaxi gained a small pile of coins. The leader turned to the elf, knowing she was cheating but not able to prove it. Several of the caravan players stepped away, out of coins or done for the night. A chair on the other side of the leader opened up. Zarae tried slipping behind the nobly dressed man to get to a chair. But the tight space put her nearly atop the leader. And he didn't allow the opportunity pass. His wandering hand went for her rear. The male readied for a slap across the face, the usual reaction from his behavior twords the women. He didn't expect a fist. Zarae didn't think, just reacted, her fist balled and swung for the male's jaw.
The commotion from the larger table was louder than anyone else. Eventually a couple sets opened up for the ranger and sorcerer, two plates of a heavily spiced boar steak set before them to enjoy. It was followed by a distinct licorice-flavored drink, rollrum. Ariali and Zyne ate, not really able to chat over the noise, not that Zyne was in any mood to chat. He just wanted to eat and head to bed. Tahlethar stayed at the bar, chatting with the barmaid. The longer they chatted, the flirtier the woman became. The cleric kept up the play but was careful to not lead on the woman, turning her down when she eventually asked directly. She became slightly offended, which was quickly dismissed with the change in commotion from the large table. The cheering and jovial sounds quieted, as the caravan leader was socked and falling to the stone floor. His chair fell over to the male next to him, a male who'd been flirting with a waitress. That man was shoved into the waitress, nearly knocking her down, who was pushing another patron aside. He hollered at the caravan leader, shoving him off and drunkenly complaining.
The shoving and pushing increased among the drunken patrons, folks getting angry and returning the shove back. The caravan leader managed to get himself off the floor, rubbing his sore jaw, eyes blazing red for the elven female. Zarae had realized the mistake, though she didn't regret slugging the male who dared to touch her. She had tried to continue slipping through the crowd, not realizing the dwarf's simple cantrip to hide her skin tone had expired.
"Where is that knife-ear-she elf?!" as he attempted searching for the deep red cloak or red-highlighted silvery locks of the no-longer disguised drowess. Eyes narrowed when he saw her back, shoving more of the struggling patrons aside to reach her. A hand gripped tight her arm, pulling her to turn her to face him. His face froze when an ebon skinned elf turned to face him, her other fist caught in his hand. Zarae saw the look in his eyes, knowing the spell had expired. His hand didn't release, gripping tighter, as he attempted to get the words out.
Thankfully, the bar brawl had gotten rowdier, and a patron was thrown into the caravan leader, sending him tumbling and releasing the dark elf. Zarae scanned the room again, searching for a spot away and covered in shadow. Calling on the darkness she transferred herself to the top of the stairwell, 30 feet away.
The caravan leader hollered as the disappearance of the uncovered drow, still attempted to sputter out a warning to everyone. Jinx barely managed to get out of the group fight, avoiding a fist aimed for anyone, pulling the woman she sat beside out of the way of a falling patron.
When the brawling started, Zyne and Ariali had gotten up and headed twords the door. Zyne was grumbling, knowing that either the drowess or tabaxi was probably at the heart of the brawl. Ariali pointed to the tabaxi heading twords them, then waved for the cat to come their direction.
"I lost sight of Zarae," Jinx commented.
"What she do?" Zyne asked gruffly, "I know she did!"
"It wasn't entirely my fault," came from behind the dwarf, lythari, and tabaxi.
"where's Tahlethar?" Jinx scanning the brawling crowd.
"he's coming," the cleric attempting to get to the other four, barely avoiding a wild swing.
The brawling had nearly spilled out into the streets, but the five companions managed to avoid any further conflicts. Ariali commented that five really was bad luck, though she was dismissed by the others.
Zyne looking at Zarae accusingly, "so…what was it this time?"
Zarae offended, hands on hips in defiance, stared back at him.
"The male had…wandering hands and eyes," the tabaxi trying to explain, "he was…" not sure how to explain, but the caravan leader had reminded her of some of the men from her time in captivity.
Zarae didn't owe anyone an answer, and she wasn't going to explain she'd had every right. Had they been in one of the cities of the drow, the male would have been flayed for just looking at her if she wanted.
Ariali set a hand on Zyne's shoulder, still sensing he was holding the drowess responsible for the medallion theft. "Maybe we try another place?" trying to calm the situation down. "There are probably dozen of Inns."
"How long before they realize my race?" Zarae asked, annoyance tinting her words. "Word is sure to flow."
"don't ye blame me on that," Zyne commented as he started off twords the Ithal Bridge. He might as well head to the other suggested inn. Places known for adventurers were more likely to accept the drowess.
The dwarven constructed Ithal Bridge was wide enough for four wagons to pass side by side. A small toll booth on each end was constructed to collect coins from wagons and carts to cross. But this time of the evening, there were not many wagons or carts crossing. The further into the Black Quarter, the more the buildings became worn down, less prosperous looking. There were a few apartment complexes that were alit with inhabitants home for the evening. The Twohammers smithy still had the sound of clinging and clanging of metal ringing. Ith-Side Inn was two stories tall, encompassed by an eight-foot stone wall topped with broken glass. The building looked old and less upkept than many of the other inns of the city. But it was better kept than many buildings of the Black Quarter. On the backside attached was a stable.
The wide-open floor was only filled with a handful of patrons at round tables, most dressed in simple armors and thick cloaks, showing their adventurer status. On the left side of the entrance was the stairs that lead up the rooms. The few patrons at the bar turned to see the newcomers, but then quickly turned back to meals and drinks. The fireplace was a soft glow, needing attending, but none bothering with it.
Zarae let down her cowl, which only got a couple stares, a few leaned over whispering to another, but no one commented, aloud.
"No funny business," the barkeeper started as the dwarf headed up to the counter.
He was about to order five rooms, then remembered the superstition against five, "four rooms?" someone would have to share.
The barkeep looked back at the companions, then to the dwarf, translating the coins into a vernacular they would understand, "A silver each room, one bed. Three silvers for bed and tub. Four silvers for the double bed, comes with a tub."
The rooms were known to be cheap, and the quality of the inn reflected this. A woman with a lantern led them up the stairs, unlocking the rooms and handing Zyne the keys. She entered and lit lanterns in the rooms for the guests. Servants were available, for two silver, to fill the tubs with hot water.
"Who is sharing?" Zyne holding the key to the double-bed room.
Tahlethar and Zyne their own rooms with a tub, Jinx took a room without a tub, leaving Ariali and Zarae to share the double-bed room. The rooms were not dirty, just sparsely furnished. A simple bed with a single blanket and lumpy pillow. The tub was big enough for an average person to it inside and be covered halfway up their chest. next to the bed was a small table with a bowl and pitcher.
Zyne cast a quick cantrip on the bed to make it double clean before he plopped down was quickly asleep. Jinx likewise cleaned the bed with a cantrip and curling up into her own blankets to sleep for the night. Tahlethar spent the extra coins to have the tub filled with hot water, and enjoyed a nice bath before laying down for the night. Zarae had her usual ritual of setting up an alarm and stashing a dagger under her pillow before pulling out a small bundle of her rations to eat.
"I…" the lythari thinking how to excuse herself, "think I will go downstair for awhile. I am not ready to for reverie," she offered. Then stepped over the alarm and departed for the taproom. Ariali took a spot next to the fire, tossing a log on to get it going again. Then she waited for his voice to ask for an update.
The tavern part of the inn slowly emptied of the few patrons leaving Ariali by herself by the fireplace. The barkeep made sure she didn't need anything before setting the bell on the main door and heading to the back room.
An open plain surrounded by dense forests, Myth Drannor was the perfect location for the elvish tribe established two millennia ago. With four river tributaries, a lake, and an abundance of lumber, wildlife and rich soil, building a community came easily and a thriving city soon followed. It became the capital, Cormanthyr, in the forest of Cormanthor, the pinnacle of shared knowledge, culture, and civilization and a beacon of serenity and solidarity. It was once considered to be the most beautiful city in Faerûn. Now, all that remains rubble under the shattered remains of the City of Shade. The land that held beautiful elven towers was now scarred with craters from falling rocks and buildings. The ground was littered with shallow or open graves of those who fought the last battle. In the center, inside a crumbling circular colonnade stood a massive oak-looking tree of over 100 feet tall, surrounded by thick magical wards protecting its silvery white bark and gold leaves. Any elf who had any connection with their heritage knew it as the Tree of Souls. Scattered around the base were piles of bones. The barrier was erected by the baelnorns who managed to save it and outlying parts of the city from destruction. It was in these outer portions that small tents had been erected. No doubt it was mercenaries, scavengers, and pillaging brigands.
Eloth and Brom stood on the other side of the portal in the south-central of the famed Myth Drannor. It was the closest to the city they could teleport thanks to the mythal. It still worked, just now unpredictably like a wild magic zone. Even knowing of its destruction didn't prepare them for what they saw. They had been informed that it was likely 5000 elves perished defending the city. And seeing the graves and piles, they believed it. They pulled the map Eloth's mother drew and attempted to orient themselves; the half elf remarked they were in Kerradunath, the Lake ward and they needed to travel to Ahkiilor, the western ward.
Crumbling buildings and rubble-choked streets were hard to navigate. Avoiding the craters meant turning down many streets that became confusing. They managed to keep the Tree in view as they headed northwest into the ruins. Further into the city, the clearer the tents became. And so did the symbols that were brazenly shown. It was a symbol Brom knew quite well, the Red Wizards. And these tents were in the area they needed, Ursplindaar, the former fortified library.
They path took them past the once-great citadel located at the heart of the city, Castle Cormanthor. During its time it was a stunning example of elven design and architecture. Seven spired towers of various sizes, rising up 20-40 feet higher than the central tower. The spires were interconnected with the 3-story tall main tower of the citadel and with each other via a series of walkways. Half of the citadel remained standing, and just by looking, it was clearly unstable that which did remain upright.
"I can see why Ilsevele hasn't heard from her people," Brom whispered as he pointed out the sigil.
"We are going to have to compete with them?" she asked aloud, though to herself.
"But they must rely on magic. And this is wildly unpredictable area," he attempted a comforting smile. He refused to admit his concern in dealing with powerful mages such as the Red Wizards.
They slowed, taking a stealthy approach twords the partially destroyed fortress. They, however, were unsure if it was due to the mage's work or what had actually survived from the City's fall. Eloth scouted ahead, flanking around the tents to better study their opponents.
After a half an hour or so, Eloth returned to Brom who'd taken up in a small estate's cellar. "They are searching the Library also. But I think they mean to use the mythal. I heard something about the Key to the Mythal, plundered from Ildrannath's tomb."
"Does that mean anything to you?" the aasimir asked.
Eloth shook her head. "They have a good number of their slaves scouring the grounds, clearing away rubble, and stabilizing Ursplindaar." Chew on her lip in thought, "we might could partner up. I am not sure we alone could take on three mages and at least 15 slaves. Skeleton and zombie slaves. That just what I saw personally. There are a few other monsters wandering about." She peeked out over the crumbling wall twords the Wizard camp then ducked again, "I did hear about an area they are avoiding near the library. Dead magic?"
The aasimir considered her report, as he thought out what he should do. Partnering up was the safest route. and if they could get the mages in a vulnerable position, they could always try taking them out. Especially if they had found a dead magic zone.
"stay hidden and armed," he finally spoke after a long minute of thinking, "I will see what we can work out. But I need you ready to fire if it turns ugly. Use those trick arrows."
Brom stepped out, a shadow crossing over him. two skeletal ghostly wings sprouted from his back and his eyes turned to pools of darkness. He marched boldly into the Wizard's camp, keeping the longsword sheathed on his hip. The three red robed wizards, all clean shaven and tattooed heads, turned to face the intruder. The center one hold an arcane tome was the last to look at the aasimir walking their way. He swallowed as he closed the tome and tucked it under his arm. The woman on the left of him drew forth a wand, while the male on the right slammed the staff into the ground, all prepared to strike Brom down. The aasimir held his hands up showing his weapon was not in hand, then stopped ten feet from the three.
"Bold of you to walk into our camp," the staffed male commented, slightly intrigued. "you must think you hold some advantage or bargaining chip?"
Brom gave a slight nod, his hands moving in the air to imply his people were hidden all about. One finger flicked, and an arrow landed in between the groups. He flicked again, an arrow from another direction, landing next to the first. He did this two more times to emphasize his point, then cocked his head slightly with a smirk.
The female raised her wand preparing to release its magic, but the staffed male held up a hand to stop her, "let us hear this out. It may be mutually beneficial."
"Indeed, it might," Brom stepped forward a few steps, his arms staying out.
"Speak," the woman's spoke between gritted teeth.
"You seek something of the mythal?"
Surprised brows raised ever so slightly from the male, but he maintained his composure.
"I seek something else. Our goals need not compete."
"And what do you seek?
"Just tomes on elven gates."
The male holding the tome was unable to hide his smirk.
Eloth watched as the wizards and the warlock negotiated, another of her trick arrows knocked and ready to fire. From her position, she couldn't hear the conversation, but reading the behaviors, both side, slightly, seam to lower their immediate defenses. So far, as she could tell, they had agreed to let them search along side the wizards. She eased the longbow down then the aasimir turned to wave her to come forth. The ranger stepped out of the building and walked over to join Brom.
They were going to be searching the second floor of the four-story library. The top two floors had been scattered as rubble in the street. It was there that Brom and Eloth felt the boundary of a dead magic zone. Their equipment going dormant and the magical wards falling silent. They looked each other in the eyes, a silent understanding of what they would do.
Between the sagging stone ceiling and the polished stone floor stood at least a dozen wooden shelves that should have held stacked scrolls and bound tomes. piles of ruined books were scattered everywhere, and bits of masonry lay atop the stacks. In the far corner, next to a body that could have only been dead a week or so at the most stood two short stacks of leather-bound tomes. They had been carefully unsealed and most likely already searched through. The center of the room was a huge heap of open, damaged books and unfurled ruined scrolls.
It was hours they spent shifting through the debris, the day darkening to night. deep blue glows flickered at random over the ruined parts of the city, like the appearance of giant lightning bugs. The standing structures in the city were illuminated by subtle magic fields of light resembling that reflected by the moon. Brom and Eloth had shed their winter gear, the mythal zone maintaining a warm despite the cold season. The three Red Wizards though keeping to themselves kept vigilant watch over the two and attempted to seek out where Brom indicated he had hidden archers.
One of the zombies came shambling in, tripping over a stone and setting off a levitation pillar. The zombie was suddenly lifted into the air twords where a skybridge once was connected to an elegant treetop villa. The villa had been knocked and left as nothing but debris and a rotting tree. With no bridge to catch the zombie it soon was falling the 50 feet to the ground before splatting all over the stone road.
It was late into the night when the Red Wizards finally stopped to rest, each entering their elaborate tents. Surrounding each of the tents were three armed skeleton guards. The other undead slaves continued moving piles of stones. When a tome, scroll, or even a torn piece of parchment was found, it was set gently aside in neat pile next to another well-armed skeleton.
"How do you want to do this?" Eloth sitting down on a former stone table, emptying her waterskin to quench her thirst. Several piles of books sat between them. most were intact, the titles clearly visible. The shortest stack was those of portals, gates, or teleportation magic, only two they found.
Brom sat with his back to her, a partial scroll on his lap. "We need re-enforcements."