12th of Marpenoth - Dinner with the Council
Funereal services were held for the family members who were killed in the attack from two nights ago. Abbot Toler led the services in the small cemetary located behind the church of Lathander just after the regular morning service. Most of the townsfolk stayed after the morning service to attend the funeral. The morning sun was not able to pierce the thick grey clouds overhead and a chill breeze was felt by all in attendance.
After the services the Regulators discussed preliminary plans with the town guard to setup some kind of makeshift watch over the cave and portal. For now it was decided to rotate two guards to watch over the cave until a more permanent solution could be found. Guards were given a signal horn which they could blow if in trouble.
The town council dinner which was originally planned for last night has been moved to this evening. The Regulators have been invited to attend to discuss the recent developments in the town.
After the services the Regulators discussed preliminary plans with the town guard to setup some kind of makeshift watch over the cave and portal. For now it was decided to rotate two guards to watch over the cave until a more permanent solution could be found. Guards were given a signal horn which they could blow if in trouble.
The town council dinner which was originally planned for last night has been moved to this evening. The Regulators have been invited to attend to discuss the recent developments in the town.
posted by GM/Brannic | 1:08 PM
15 Comments:
Evening seems to arrive early on this gloomy day.
Council members and the Town Sheriff have already arrived by the time the Regulators make their entrance to the town hall.
A servant kindy shows each person to their designated seat. Mayor Baugh clears his throat and begins, "Friends, I'm not sure when Rayod and Toler will be arriving, but I heard they will be here shortly. They have been discussing the issue with the portal and may have some clues to offer on how to seal it. In the meantime, while we are waiting for their arrival, is there any other items of business you'd like to discuss?"
Mayor Baugh slowly scans those folks seated around the table to see if anyone wishing to bring anything up for discussion.
....
Mayor Baugh turns to address Vig.
"We would gladly accept any advice offered by the Dwarven priests in the mines in the mountains. They are more than welcome here."
"As for the defense pact, we are still working out the details, though most of them are logistical in nature. Lord Meriti has graciously offered some of the caverns they have created in the mines for use of emergency food storage. As payment the Dwarves can keep 10% of any food stocks stored up there for their own use."
Mayor Baugh adjusts the spectacles on his head as he looks down at some papers on the table before him.
Before he can speak, Sheriff Enoman clears his throat. "My men should be capable of watching the cave entrance for now. I'm guessing that the Regulators will be needed for other duties."
The Sheriff's comment starts all the Council members muttering to one another in quiet discussion.
The crowd quickly quiets down as both Abbot Toler, Chaver Aleoc and Rayod Enin are shown into the room.
They take the last three open seats located at the far end of the semi-circular table.
Aleoc stands up and clears his throat. "I'm afraid we have a good news/bad news situation to report gentlemen."
With a sweeping gesture towards the two seated men to his right
"We have just returned from the cave after observing the portal directly. Currently the portal is only approximately two feet in diameter. Too small for most denizens of the Abyss to traverse."
"The Good news is that we believe we know what can be done to seal the portal. Based on the information provided by the Regulators and the research we have conducted, we believe the creature who called himself Harkell was attempting to further open this portal by channeling negative energy through it. By sacrificing the two farmers, he no doubt felt the portal could be re-enlaged and allow others to come through. By channeling enough Positive Energy through the portal at once, we should be able to seal the extra-dimensional breach from this side."
"The Bad news is that we don't have an adequate means of doing this. The clergy in the town do not posses sufficient energy to accomplish this task. Until a source can be found, the portal will no doubt remain open."
"For now we have managed to ward the area to make it significantly more difficult for things to come through. This should buy us some time to search for a power source great enough to accomplish the task."
Seraph speaks:
"If negative energy worked to enlarge the portal, perhaps positive energy could reduce it in size."
Chaver Aleoc nods to Seraph.
"Yes that is exactly what we thought. When observing the portal this morning we tried to channel Positive energy through it to try and slowly close it, however there seems to be a threshold over which the portal either expands or contracts."
"Given that this is a portal to the Abyss, the portal has an affinity for Negative energy. Harkell's plan of sacrificing the farmers to enlarge the portal requires significantly less Negative energy to overcome the threshold."
"We will need much more than all the clergy in the valley can muster to get the portal to shrink, let alone seal I'm afraid."
Why should we try to possess and protect this cave and portal. Lets close this dreaded cave for good. Could we set off some explosives to cause the cave to collapse on it self and thus forcing the cave to be closed for good. I am sure the dwarves might be able to help us collapse it by the use of the mining tools and equipment.
Rayod Enin the town Alchemist lightly taps Chaver on the arm as he stands.
"Jellen I'm afraid that burying the cave may not be an easy task. While it would be prudent to have the Dwarves check out the site, my concern, as well as that of others is that creatures may still be able to get out of the rubble. We feel it is best to try and come up with a permanent solution so this sort of this doesn't happen with the next earthquake."
"Seraph?" says Rohavic, "might there be a tome or scholarly reference in town that might help up with this enigma?".
Suddenly, Rohavic swings his head from side-to-side... "did anyone just notice that?!" - pointing to a corner of the room farthest from the group.
Rohavic's gaze falls to a dark corner on the far side of the room. His eyes catch the fleeting image of a small humanoid creature with long fangs and sharp claws. The creature gives Rohavic a sinister smile as the two lock eyes. It quickly then seems to melt into the shadows and is gone.
Seraph whispers to Jellan, "What is wrong with Rohavic? What happened to you guys out there?"
Speaking so Rohavic and others may hear, "Perhaps if we could open a portal of our own, a polar opposite to the gate to the Abyss. I'm not sure of the planar name, I think it may be called Seven Heavens. Maybe then the portals would cancel each other out."
Rayod shrugs, "I'm not sure if we have the capability to generate such a portal. It would take someone with a much greater knowledge of the planes and significant arcane power to generate such a link."
:::scratching bald head and looking at Rohavic:::::
"Rohavic, you alright?"
"I still think we should some how close up this cave for good. It may slow down whatever that trys to come out, right?
:::Seraph smirks at Jode:::
"I think you might fit Jode. Maybe you could go in and see what it's like on the other side."
Mayor Baugh clears his throat and a quick smile can be seen crossing his face. As quickly as it appeared it disappears.
"Gentlemen, you have brought forth several interesting suggestions. It seems that there is a relative consensus on several courses of action. I don't think they they are mutually exclusive and I believe I have a good compromise."
"I will send word to Lord Meriti to see if we can leverage their expertise to see how we can seal the cave to at least temporarily block the portal. In the meantime, unless the town Council or members gathered here have any objections, I'd like to appoint Abbott Toler to lead the research effort to determine a permanent solution to the portal issue."
The members on the town Council talk quickly with one another and come to a consensus. They all nod their heads in agreement at the Mayor's proposal. The town Sheriff also notes his approval of the proposal with a lifted thumb.
The Mayor then turns to address the Regulators, "In the meantime, we will continue to post our guards at the Cave entrance. Does this sound like a reasonable plan to you all?"
The Mayor nods his head to the Regulators and says, "I will take your silence as approval."
"Now then, with the most pressing matter addressed lets talk about those proposed plans to repair the docks..."
The meeting from there turned to more mundane matters.
After a nice meal and some small talk after the meeting, the participants went their seperate ways.
Post a Comment
<< Home