After returning to their quarters in Beacon’s Point at the
end of a long day, the party received
word by messenger that Venture Captain Heidmarch wanted to hear about their
progress in the Crow, and had “asked” that the group come discreetly to the
Manor at once. Those that attended made their way up the Seacleft to the Alabaster District
in pairs. Two by two they arrived at Heidmarch
Manor, made to wait in the foyer until the entire party had assembled. Once everyone was present, the group was escorted
to the study of the Manor. The huge wooden
table that dominates the room still bears scars from their encounter with the
Pugwampis, here a dent, there a scorch mark.
Seated at the head of the table sat Sheila
Heidmarch, going through a stack of documents that lay before her. As the party filed into the room, she looked up,
silent. Once everyone was settled, she
addressed the group in a firm tone. “Report”.
Alejandro steps forward, tips his feathered cap, and clears his throat:
ReplyDelete"My most beautiful and honored Lady. As you well know, we left your manor less than 48 hours ago with the "Crow" as our destination. My friend Garath, while holding the Shard of Xin and staring into heptagramic depiction of the seven-pointed star, was able to gain a vision of the location of the next 'shard'. Upon description of his sight, Natalya explained that the "Crow", one of the remaining pillars of the Iresan Bridge, was the new base of operations of the Tower Girls. Hoping to expand YOUR influence and reputation of THIS lodge, we ventured forth by ship to the "Crow" in search of the next 'shard'. Fortunately, I was able to convince Natalya to share what information she had about the Tower Girls hideout prior to our departure. With this information in hand, I led our band of very brave adventurers up the 250 foot high expanse of the "Crow". Upon arrival we were accosted by rodents of unusual size (even though some did not believe that they existed). We wound around the tower until we reached a denizen of Tower Girls lead by a wererat. Noting our issues with damaging such a foul creature, we returned to the city to arm ourselves with the alchemical items required to best such a foe. Again, I led these mighty warriors on the accent of the massive stone structure. We deftly found a secret door above a suspended platform. With great feats of acrobatics and skill, we were all able to reach the hidden passageway deeper into the bowls of the Tower Girls lair. We were able to handily defeat another outpost of wererats, ROUS, and Tower Girls. With astounding skill of battle, we found ourselves at the doorstep of Ayala's chambers. There we made our attack on the scoundrel's leader. Ayala herself, by skill of terrain and talent with the famed Varisian bladed scarf, made her stand. Finding herself outmatched by the skill of our blades, she sought a hasty exit by means of complete transformation in the cowardly rat that she was. In this condition, she was able to escape our clutches through a very small hole hidden in her chambers.
Having defeated all the foes we faced, we then took upon ourselves the task of scouting the area more completely. We came upon several items of historical value, including a noteworthy fresco. Along with a certain expert of antiquities from the museum, I hope to undress its importance. Additionally, we uncovered a massive set of ancient doors of skymetal make. Upon these doors were inscribed "LISTEN" and "THE EYES". Noting the similarities between these doors and the 'paradox box' that we encountered in this very room, we returned here to seek your wise counsel. We commandeered all that we could carry from the "Crow", including a number of journals from Ayala's room that we suspect might indicate the activities of the Tower Girls themselves as well as what they had uncovered within the "Crow".
Be it your blessing, I believe that we should return to the "Crow" to disrobe what remains hidden behind the sigiled doors. It is there that I believe we will find the next piece of the puzzle of the Shattered Star."