Ch 2: Part 4: Zincher's Camp: Session 24

[15:47] <Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:47] <Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 2: Children of the Void~~~
[15:47] <Kilarra> -Session 24-
[15:50] <Kilarra> After a nearly fruitless search of the impact crater, the party tried their luck at the southeastern lighthouse. Outside they found a body with some funds and a nice, shiny sword for Kjell.
[15:53] * Aluthyra motions to Kjell. "Would you like to lead into the lighthouse, or shall I continue?"
[15:54] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "It looks to be a bit surer of footing on the inside, so I'll take the lead." He draws Tyrant's Bane, intending to save the cold iron sword only for when fighting things vulnerable to it, as well as to avoid making this intelligent sword jealous.
[15:56] * Kilarra uncurls her whip once again, keeping her other hand free for casting.
[15:57] * Aluthyra switches to her standard arrows as she follows, readying her bow after.
[15:57] <Aluthyra> Tognik continues at the rear, curing wand still in his hand.
[16:00] <Kilarra> The interior of the Lighthouse is completely abandoned, devoid of anything, with the only corpse to be found remaining the one outside on the cliff
[16:00] <Kilarra> The internal stairs and flooring have all rotted and collapsed, leaving a pile in the middle of the floor on the ground level
[16:03] * Aluthyra looks around to see if there is any hold she could use to climb to the top of the lighthouse.
[16:04] <Kilarra> The walls of the LIghthouse are sheer, and encrusted with grime that would make climbing exceedingly difficult. Like the watchtower in Witchlight, it seemed this tower was forged out of a single piece of stone (and it was, in fact, by way of a Stoneshape Spell)
[16:05] * Aluthyra frowns, looking around. "Well, shall we go back to Zincher's? This place does not seem to be of any value..."
[16:05] <Kilarra> Kjell frowns a bit, "I imagine proximity to the sea made the wood rot faster. Still, that begs the question of where the drow might actually be hiding."
[16:06] * Kilarra frowns, "If they're still here at all. All we found were a couple corpses."
[16:08] * Aluthyra shakes her head. "Zincher has been on this island longer than we have, and those corpses were at the crash site. Surely, he saw them. Perhaps he has information of the drow?"
[16:11] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Perhaps. At the very least, we can check in on Samaritha and her squiremage. I do not like the idea of leaving them unattended in the company of a man we know to be bad news."
[16:15] <Aluthyra> Tognik smiles. He wasn't upset they'd need to check up on Zincher, and the metal.
[16:16] * Kilarra shrugs, "At least we can keep to the path then, if we're going there directly
[16:16] <Kilarra> ."
[16:16] * Aluthyra nods. "Then let's move. Hopefully we can get some information from him of the drow, if nothing else..."
[16:19] * Kilarra ponders that a moment, "The drow were using Vancaskerkin, and Zincher hated him. Perhaps, if he does know of them, a temporary truce is an order. To deal with a common enemy. Although after that, all bets are off. Shorafa and Lil would both love to see Zincher fall."
[16:20] * Aluthyra nods before heading out, walking towards Zincher's camp.
[16:21] <Aluthyra> "I am not so sure whether I would agree with pairing with Zincher." Aluthyra mentions, as she walks.
[16:22] <Kilarra> The afternoon passes into early evening as the party heads back up the path towards Zincher's camp.
[16:23] <Kilarra> Kjell looks to Aluthyra, "I've no fondness for the man or what he is, but if it were in the interest of a greater good, a -very- temporary accord would probably serve us better than a confrontation with him."
[16:24] * Aluthyra frowns. "I am still unsure of whether we should. Perhaps gaining information from him, but if he is to ally with us, he will expect there is something for him to gain, and I would not venture to say it would be positive."
[16:29] <Kilarra> Kjell ponders that, "You have a point. We shall see what happens and take it as it comes."
[16:57] <Kilarra> Puffing out a massive column of white smoke, this large bonfire slowly burns the tall pile of wet boughs and branches piled up here. The wood gives off a pleasant aroma as it crackles and pops.
[16:58] <Kilarra> As the party comes within view of the Bonfire, a pair of thugs, undoubtedly Zincher's, that were standing watch near the bonfire step towards them. They place their hands on their weapons, but don't draw them. Yet/
[17:00] * Aluthyra looks between the two thugs, and waves as she calls, "We mean no harm, we only wish to see Samaritha and speak with Zincher!"
[17:03] <Kilarra> The thugs look between themselves, "You friends with the cyphermages that came asking for help earlier?"
[17:04] * Aluthyra nods, quirking her eyebrow. "Yes. Are they not present?"
[17:06] <Kilarra> The thugs nod, "No, they're here. We're just wondering why you weren't with them. Either way, Zincher's gonna want t'see ya."
[17:08] * Aluthyra puts her bow away for the moment as motions to the thugs. "Alright, if you could lead us to him?"
[17:11] <Kilarra> Aside from the bonfire in the middle of the camp, Zincher's camp consists of Six Sleeping tents, an infirmary tent, presently shut, a supply tent, another tent next to it that looks to be a large sleeping tent, and a large pavillion, behind which are a number of cages.
[17:11] <Kilarra> The pair of thugs lead the party towards the Pavillion.
[17:12] <Kilarra> This immense red pavilion sticks out in the forest setting. Easily fifteen feet tall and twenty feet wide, the tent is larger than many buildings in Riddleport.
[17:13] <Kilarra> A bizarre place of opulence despite its isolation, the inside of this pavilion is divided by a curtain that runs from roof to floor. In the open front half, a massive, iron-banded wooden trunk rests along the north wall while a row of boxes lines the south wall. Four heavily cushioned leather chairs sit in the middle of the open space in pairs. A tall, wrought-iron candelabra stands in the center of the area, its twelve evenly spaced
[17:13] <Kilarra> its twelve evenly spaced candles burning merrily and giving off a mixture of pleasant aromas.
[17:17] <Kilarra> The party is joined by two more thugs who stand guard outside the tent flaps while the party is let inside. Clegg Zincher himself is inside, and looks up as they enter. Off to the corner of the pavillion is a man who looks a fair shade more intimidating than the common thugs. A tall, heavy set and dark skinned many with a cigar hanging from his mouth and a large sledgehammer.
[17:18] * Aluthyra blinks in surprise at the extravagance of the place. Was it /really/ necessary to bring all this? She shakes her head as she sees Zincher, and careful to mask her disdain, she bows her head in a polite greeting.
[17:20] <Kilarra> Zincher smiles at the party and approaches them, "Well well well, you all must be either very brave or very desperate to come all this way just to pay me a visit." He looks to Kilarra, "You worked with Vancaskerkin's former Capps if I'm not mistake. Hired some new muscle perhaps?"
[17:20] * Kilarra nods, baring a little of her teeth, "Something like that."
[17:21] <Kilarra> Kjell has sheathed his sword by now, and looks at the man in the corner curiously.
[17:22] <Kilarra> Zincher waves a hand towards him; "This is my right-hand man, at least for this expedition, Akron Erix." The man simply jerks his head in the direction of the party.
[17:22] <Aluthyra> Tognik frowns, looking around the room for any sight of skymetal.
[17:23] * Aluthyra clears her throat. "We were hoping to see Samaritha and the other cyphermage while here. They are well?"
[17:24] <Kilarra> Zincher eyes Tognik, "So, tell me, why are you all here? The other two mages are fine, and are taking advantage of my hospitality with a well deserved rest. Did you come with them, or just happen to rescue them from whatever mess they got into?"
[17:26] * Aluthyra nods. "We came to their aid. And we came here to ask you about the crater. You have been there yourself, yes?"
[17:29] <Kilarra> Zincher raises an eyebrow, "Yeah I been there. I came here to make a mint on the Skymetal like everyone else. Except there weren't any."
[17:29] <Aluthyra> Tognik groans quietly to himself.
[17:30] <Kilarra> Zincher smirks, "My turn to ask a question. You fought any of those wierd blue beasties? Or the local zombies?"
[17:30] * Aluthyra nods. "Yes, both. We fought those creatures in trying to aid the cyphermages, and the undead while near witchlight... and the crater. Did you see the corpses at the crater as well?"
[17:32] <Kilarra> Zincher shrugs, "Corpses ain't of interest to me unless they're walking around making trouble. You meet anyone else here aside from your mage buddies?"
[17:34] <Aluthyra> "Goldhammer, though that was it." Aluthyra frowns. "So you have not found any skymetal, or any other oddity?"
[17:35] <Kilarra> Zincher shrugs, "I found some, but not as much as I was hoping. I wanted to bring back two ships full. Although, I'm stuck waiting now because one got torn up on the reefs and I had to send the other to tow it for a refit. Won;t be back for another week now."
[17:37] * Aluthyra looks to Kilarra, wondering if she has any questions.
[17:38] * Kilarra seemed to have been paying attention to Zincher, trying to get a read on him without making it too obvious. She chimes in with, "You fought with the zombies or blue things as well I take it?"
[17:41] <Kilarra> Zincher nods, a smirk coming over his face, "Aye. Impressive beasts. So fast yet so quiet. Problem is, they've taken half the men I kept with me already. On that note, regarding the unfortunate denizens of this island, I've lost half my men and could use some extra help."
[17:42] * Aluthyra frowns. "Extra help doing what, might I ask?"
[17:44] <Kilarra> Zincher smirks, "Well, there's three things I want out of this island. One is the Skymetal of course, the second is one of those blue beasties to take back for my arena, and the third, frankly, is to get out of here alive, which requires keeping this camp safe at night."
[17:45] * Kilarra stamps a hoof violently, "There is no way in hell I would even think of letting one of those things off the island, let alone deliberately bringing one back."
[17:47] * Aluthyra nods in agreement. "It would not be wise to take of them off the island, seeing as they seem to cause the dead to rise."
[17:49] <Aluthyra> Tognik readies himself to cast a spell of invisibility, should Kilarra throw a fit and cause Zincher to attack...
[17:50] <Kilarra> Zincher looks displeased, but shrugs it off, "Your call, but I figure one exotic beastie would be easy to control and keep for show. Still, if you've an interest in partaking of my hospitality, you could still do either some skymetal harvesting or guard work for me. I'd be willing to pay well for your assistance of course."
[17:51] * Kilarra breathes heavily, trying to keep herself from going berserk. The notion of allowing those creatures off the island was entirely unacceptable. She began to secretly hope he would eventually get bitten by one so he could learn better.
[17:55] * Aluthyra places her hand on Kilarra's shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze and light smile before she turns back to Zincher. "Perhaps. Though, I must ask, besides the cyphers and Goldhammer, have you seen anyone else on this island?"
[17:57] * Kilarra somehow feels eased by the touch of the other woman. How did she do that? She definitely wanted to get more touchy-feely with her later and find out.
[17:59] <Kilarra> Zincher shrugs, "Considering the zombie attacks, I wager I've seen at least some of Goldhammer's group or the Cyphermages, but other than that it's just the unfortunate locals."
[18:01] <Kilarra> Interestingly, Tognik notices something about the way Zincher speaks. he seems to be compelled to dance around the subject of others on the island, almost like he's been enchanted.
[18:02] <Kilarra> Whether Tognik chooses to point this out now or when away from Zincher is up to him.
[18:05] <Aluthyra> Tognik yawns, turning away from the group for a moment as he pulls out a piece of copper wire from his components pouch. With this in hand, he points a finger to Kjell, mumbling in gnomish as he casts his spell; message.
[18:05] <Aluthyra> Tognik whispers after he finishes, "Zincher might have a spell enchanting him, Kjell, can you dispel it?"
[18:06] <Kilarra> Kjell, oddly enough, can speak Gnome, and gives a brief twist of his head with no vocal response.
[18:07] <Kilarra> Zincher either doesn't notice or isn't interested in the peculiarities of a gnome.
[18:08] <Aluthyra> Tognik frowns, turning back to the others.
[18:09] <Kilarra> Kjell speaks to Zincher, "We did a pass of the crater on our own and didn't have much luck finding any Skymetal, but if you'd be willing to provide a place to rest, we could certainly do some guard work in exchange." He glances quickly to Kilarra and Aluthyra, hoping they catch on that he wants to discuss with them what Tognik told him.
[18:09] * Aluthyra nods.
[18:11] <Aluthyra> "Guard work would be fine, if you would give us a place to rest."
[18:15] <Kilarra> Zincher nods and snaps his fingers. A pair of his thugs step in. "Set up one of the spare tents between mine and Akron's. We've got some extra help." The thugs look displeased at the prospect of more work, but having someone else to stand between them and the zombies is mitigating.
[18:20] * Aluthyra nods. "Thank you, Zincher."
[18:21] <Kilarra> -End Session-