Return to Starilaskur

Hawk leaps through the portal and finds himself falling through the sky. It is a rather quick plummet of sixty feet that leaves him in a crumpled heap on the ground.

"I thought it was meant to be safe?" He asks no one in particular. Checking for broken bones he finds several possible fractures, cuts and bruises all over, but no obvious breaks or fatal injuries. Slowly hauling himself to his hands and knees, he finds himself in more pain than he has ever felt before.

"Must remember not to fall long distances again." He makes a mental note.

Back in the round room with the stone plinth, Vaelas, Dirk, Avalon and Janin peer through portal. They see night sky and looking downwards they see hawk laid out.

"Get Dua to assert control over the device and 'will' the hole lower!" Hawk weakly calls to his companions, again showing an uncanny demonstration for understanding the arcane device.

The suggestion is relayed to Dua and he tries to control the device using his strength of mind. Surprisingly enough he finds he has quite strong and precise control over how to move the destination of the gateway.

Dua lowers the portal to within a foot of the ground and Dirk and Vaelas step through it to help Hawk back to his feet.

"We best not hang around on this particular spot," says Dirk, "look, we're only a few hundred feet from the Hobgoblins camped above us! I mean...er...above the ruined house that we hid under."

"Dua, if Hawk, Vaelas and Dirk can step back through the portal, can you move it to Starilaskur to ensure us safe passage there?" asks Janin.

"It's worth a try." The kobold replies. "Everyone back through and i'll try moving it to Starilaskur."

With Hawk resting an arm around Vaelas and Dirk's shoulders each, the three of them lurch back through the portal and stumble back into the underground chamber.

"Owww!"

"Argh!"

"Bygedsbugger!" cry the three as they step back through the portal.

"Ah yes, meta-phasic teleportation often has an abrasive shift in certain directions." Dua states, fully expecting his companions to understand him. "This device has obviously had its' meta-phasic flow lubricated in an outward direction, leaving the inward journey less polished."

Realising that he is getting several blank stares from his companions, Dua gives up and focuses his attention on moving the portals destination to Starilaskur. The scene through the portal changes and the blur of the Darguun landscape can be seen flying past.

After a few moments the movement seems to slow somewhat and they can start to make out individual landscape features as they pass. After a few more moments, the portal has clearly come to a stop. A bead of sweat can be seen trickling down Dua's snout.

"That's as far as I can force it to go." The Kobold says, mental strain can be heard in his voice. His companions waste no time and all jump through the portal, quickly followed by Dua. With an audible 'Pop', the portal closes behind them, leaving them in silence on the cold morning plain.

It takes the group ten days of weary travel to reach Starilaskur. The first thing on their mind when they get back to the city is to ensure that they have a decent bed for the end of the night. Dirk volunteers to deal with their accommodation requirements.

"I tell you what lads, you guys do whatever you're going to do about this impending invasion. I'll head back to the Horn Blowers Inn and see if Amelia has room enough for us. I'll make sure the beds are clean and her kitchen is full too. How does that sound?"

Everyone agrees that it sounds like a rather good idea.

"When I've done that, I’ll have a go at polishing up those wooden hobgoblin figurines that we found. Make sure that they are genuine and not damaged in anyway. See you at the Horn Blowers for supper."

They bid Dirk farewell and spend a few moments discussing how best to proceed with the knowledge they have gained. After toying around with a few strategies, they decide to seek out Kalashtar and if possible Atavists.

They grab a passer-by and ask where to they are most likely to find a Kalashtar in Starilaskur. The reply comes that they are most likely to be found on the northeast end of town. Once there they ask directions and get pointed to a posh looking tavern called "The Humble Host".

Vaelas strokes his smooth Elven chin thoughtfully on the way in.

Inside they see a very clean and tidy atmosphere. A number of clearly wealthy merchants are sat at one table bartering over prices and goods. A half-elf barman stood at one end welcomes them and asks them how he can help. They order a drink each before getting down to business.

"Tell me," asks Avalon, "do you see many Kalashtar around here? We're interested in learning more about them and their customs."

Hawk is clearly feeling awkward in the prim and proper inn. He manages only one mouthful of his ale before declaring that he is heading to the Horn Blowers inn, and walks out.

"Yes, we have Kalashtar in regularly." The bar man replies. "They seem to like the atmosphere here." The half-elf takes in the travel-stained clothing of the heroes gathered in front of him before continuing.

"Our clientele here also appreciate their privacy and expect a certain level of civility too. I mean no offence but I would ask that you comply with the wishes of any Kalashtar that do enter, should they wish to not talk with you."

The group all assure the half-elf that they mean no trouble and that they will of course be on their best behaviour and show civility and manners.

"In that case, please take a table, enjoy the drink and atmosphere and I'm sure that a Kalashtar will be along within a few hours."

Meanwhile, Hawk arrives at the Horn Blowers Inn and is greeted warmly by Amelie, the old landlady.

"Oh hello dearie, Dirk said that you'd be along sooner or later. On your own at the moment?" She doesn't pause long enough for Hawk to fit in an answer. "Dirk has book rooms for you all for a week and paid for them too. He forked out for a plush meal for you all tonight too. He is a generous old soul isn't he? I've always liked him. Oh by the way, here's an ale, I expect that you’re thirsty after your travels. Dirk left you this note too. Don't mind me, I've got chores to be doing."

Hawk isn't sure whether to be impressed or worried by the fact that he is sat down with a drink, food and letter in front of him twenty seconds after entering the inn. Taking a swig of ale he opens up the note Dirk has left for them, and struggles, but slowly manages to read it.

Lads,

So long, I be leaving ya!

You're far too honest for me to make a living, so I'm off to swindle some old woman somewhere out of her fortune.

Have fun averting your war, I’ll be sure to advise any one important that I meet about our impending doom!

My only regret is that I didn't swindle you lot too. But I guess the good side of that is that you might not kill me if we meet again.

Dirk.


Muttering a curse, Hawk shakes his head in disgust. He stuffs the note in his pocket, to show to his companions later.

Back at the Humble Host, two hours have passed and there is no sign of a Kalashtar. Janin, who has been writing a letter, stands up.

"I'm going to a House Sivis Sending station. I have a report due to make to my superiors. I'll be back shortly."

Dua also stands and gathers his belongings.

"I will go and get these items we have found in Darguun, evaluated. I'll be back shortly too." With that, Dua and Janin leave. Vaelas and Avalon both sigh, sit back and order another ale.

Janin and Dua return after about an hour and find Vaelas and Avalon still sat there looking bored.

Another two hours later, just when they are beginning to wonder if the bar man was exaggerating; a male Kalashtar enters the inn and heads over to talk to the half-elf proprietor. The bar man nods over at the heroes and a few moments later the Kalashtar walks over to them.

"Travellers! Greetings and Welcome to the Humble Host. I understand that you have questions to ask regarding my race and our ways and customs. I'm always happy to enlighten the curious. Please ask away."

Vaelas asks a little first about the Kalashtar in general, then a little about Il Yannah and finally about Atavists. The Kalashtar’s responses reveal very little new concerning Kalashtar and Il Yannah. However it seems that the Kalashtar knows even less than they do about what an Atavist is.

"It sounds like a Kalashtar word, but it is not one that I'm familiar with," he confesses. "There are a few other Kalashtar in the city, let me speak to them over night and I’ll see if they can provide any information about these Atavists."

They agree to meet the Kalashtar in the Humble Host inn, in one days time, and they bid him farewell.

"Before I go," he says, "if I do have need to contact you before then, is there somewhere I can reach you more directly?"

"We're staying at the Horn Blowers Inn" replies Dua. The Kalashtar nods and leaves.

"I'm not sure that that was wise." Vaelas says to Dua. "We don't know who we can and can't trust, and it might be best in future to not reveal our sleeping location."

With a slight feeling of insecurity, they leave the Humble Host and head back to the Horn Blowers. With a few hours before sundown, they all do a little shopping on the way, spending the money that Dua managed to get for the items he had valued and subsequently sold. Vaelas and Avalon both order new armour, but have six days to wait before it will be ready.

When they finally get back to the Horn Blowers inn, Amelie greets them and offers them all a drink and meal "On Dirk", just as she did with Hawk. Hawk, who is still sat there, shows them Dirk's note.

"Slimy scoundrel! I'll slit his throat!" says Vaelas, causing more than a couple of patrons to regard the elf warily.

Amelie comes back over bearing a try and drinks and more idle chatter.

"A couple of changelings from the brothel up the road were in here the other day. They were asking after you Avalon and Dirk. Said that you were both nice clean gents and paid well. I know I always appreciated that back when I worked the mattress."

A few confused stares are exchanged between the heroes. Avalon seems at a momentary loss for words, but soon re-gathers his composure.