Chapter 6 (2/21/26)
The three fishing boats pulled into the docks well past midnight. Children and livestock disembarked, greeted by feverishly grateful parents and dockworkers surprised by the pigs and chickens. Fresh off their rescue operation at Froghead Island, the party was left with the task of finding Isen Mantler. His was the name on a letter found at the kidnapper’s hideout. Word from Aldric Conley, town sheriff, was that Isen was a member of the thieve’s guild, the Loot Players. Sebastian told the others he would be conducting some investigations around town, and they should meet again in a few nights at the Blue Nightingale.
Gaius received a summons to the castle and the quartermaster’s office. He suspected he was in trouble for still having the half-plate armor he requisitioned from the quartermaster for the group’s expedition. He remembered that Garrick Moreby, one of his fellow guards, harbored resentment towards him for trying to intimidate him into releasing the armor. Thankfully, Captain of the Guard Royce Kellar had taken a shine to Gaius and had approved him borrowing the armor (albeit a very worn and rusted set). But Gaius was surprised to find a new set of armor waiting for him at the Quartermaster’s room: a gift from House Sivvian on behalf of a grateful Godric Flender, Justiciar of the house and father to one of the children that had been rescued. Garrick looked none too happy about relinquishing the armor to the new hero, but he took it in stride. He seemed to weigh Gaius with new eyes. “Hey, ever been to Sanctuary?” he asked. “‘Odds balls’ is the password. Come have a drink with us.”
Roslyn received a summons from the court mage, Magus Oisean Finnever. Now a frequent visitor to the grounds, since being accepted as one of the mage’s students, she made her way through the gatehouses (avoiding the guard, Wufltan Hawkridge, an admirer of hers) and reported at once to the wizard’s tower. Oisean greeted her and motioned her to the upper levels and an open, circular room with no furnishings except the bookshelves lining the walls. “It is time for your test,” he said, and waved his hand. Two books floated off the shelves and opened, revealing strange glyphs that appeared and disappeared. Four glowing orbs blinked into existence and started moving about the room. He pointed to the far end at a small glass sphere resting on a pedestal on the far wall. “You must take the orb and bring it through the door to me. Magic is a powerful thing, but it requires focus. So, bring me the item of focus while maintaining yours.” He motioned again and a stone arch appeared with a door in it. He opened the door and disappeared before saying, “good luck!” Roslyn studied the room and the books and orbs. She cast mage hand to ensnare the glass bauble, but this caused the books to swoop at her and attack. Whump! Three of the four orbs struck her and she narrowly dodged the flying books. Welts rose on her skin where she was struck. She grimaced, wondering how to proceed. Calmly she recalled her Arcane Knowledge and deciphered the sigils spoke of magic circles. Kneeling on the floor, she produced a bit of chalk and drew out a magic circle of containment. Sure enough, the books became drawn into the circle and froze in mid-air. But the glowing orbs kept swooping, diving. Roslyn took a few steps into the center of the room, dodging the orbs’ attacks. She pulled the glass bauble off the pedestal and moved it quickly towards the door. As soon as she did so, the room erupted in a glow of red and the floor fell out from beneath her. Her mind reeled, shocked by the sudden change. But a concentration check prevailed, and she maintained her focus. She moved the orb to the door, ready to pursue it. As soon as it reached the threshold, a fiery demonic figure appeared, blocking the door and threatening to swipe the glass sphere to the floor. Roslyn’s mind sharpened, her wits calculating her next move. Her eyes narrowed, inspecting the demon. Part of it’s aspect flickered, as if an illusion. She smiled. Nothing to fear here, she thought, and daring everything rushed to grasp the sphere, dodging the glowing orbs one more time, and charged through the demon. She tumbled through the door, breathless, and found herself… back in the room! But the orbs were gone, as were the books. Only Oisean was there, seated with his back to her and perusing a book of forbidden knowledge. He took a puff on his pipe. “Ah, you’re still alive! Well done. You may go.” Roslyn straightened herself and stared at him sharply. So this is what it was like to be a wizard’s apprentice? But before she could speak he waves his hand one more time. “Oh, I almost forgot. A star for your hat!” A tiny light appeared and rocketed from his hand, landing with a thud on her wizard hat. A new star appeared among her astrological symbols that decorated it. It was glowing a cheerful glow. She turned and shook her head and departed. But no small part of her was proud of the star. It had been well earned.
Sebastian asked around town to speak with the court jester, Wallum Netherwood. He searched the taverns, but there was no sign of him. He recalled that Poppin had had dealings with Wallum, but he was nowhere to be found at the Blue Nightingale. So he headed up to the castle to see if Wallum was there. At the gatehouses Sebastian produced the embossed leather sigil that the sheriff had given him, a token of the office’s authority. He was shown to the first floor of the west wing to the house’s withdrawing room where guests are received. It was a large, richly appointed sitting room. There were four long couches gathered about a small brazier at the center of the room. Low end tables sat at the ends of the couches. A bar occupied the northwestern corner of the room, consisting of a dark lacquered wood top in front of shelves of flasks, bottles, and flagons. Silver tankards and goblets hang from the wall. Rich tapestries cover the walls, adorned in the house colors and standard. Wallum appeared minutes later.
“Hello, friend,” Wallum said, pouring himself a drink from the bar. Sebastian asked him about the Amulet of Aemerion. “Ah, the amulet. How curious. The pendant is wrought of silver filigree twined around a central sapphire that glows faintly like the last light of dusk. Beneath its surface, one might glimpse a shifting reflection: a face not quite one’s own. Old Trevilish chronicles speak of Aemerion the Silver-Tongued, a lord who bent armies to his will without lifting a blade. His amulet granted the gift of command and, in time, took his own soul for itself.”
Sebastian frowned. “I thought the amulet was a stone with an eye in it?”
Wallum chuckled. “No, no, dear boy. You’re thinking of the Shadow-Eye Stone! It is a deep violet gem, almost black until it catches light, whereupon a faint iris appears within: colorless and shifting like a cataract. The symbol of the Colorless Eye carved into the gem’s face seems to watch even in total darkness. Six rings accompany the stone, each violet in color and bearing the same symbol as the stone. The range of the stone’s effect is 1000 feet. Anyone wearing one of the rings in this area is rendered invisible to Elves.”
Sebastian looked even more puzzled. “But how do you know exactly what I was thinking of?”
“Because, my old chum,” Wallum smiled, pulling out one of the six rings, “you were carrying this when you walked in!”
After this Wallum motioned Sebastian to follow him down to the undercroft. There, he showed him the door to the buttery and, past that, the area beneath the kitchens. “The buttery is where the house butterer (ha! ‘butterer’! what a title!) keep a fortune in wine, ale, and spirits. This is my favorite hideout!” He pulled a dusty bottle out of one rack and popped it open. A tasting station offered ready glasses. He poured them both a drink of 240-year-old wine.
“Here’s to you, my friend!”
Cassian strode into the center of Lyre at sundown. He was looking to try his hand at some games of chance and experience this town floating on water. He marveled at the bustle of the evening atmosphere: fishermen and dockworkers coming in from a long day’s work, stinking of the lake and of fish. He passed one sign after another: shops, artisans, warehouses. At last he came to the sign of the Crooked Keel and strode in. It was a busy night and packed with sailors. A large man was wiping down the counter. Cassian introduced himself. “Garret Porren,” the man returned. Cassian slapped five gold coins on the counter and declared his intent to find work: real work that paid well and only a few would be willing to do. Garret questioned him for a bit and nodded. “I’ll ask around and let you know. If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, there’s always work to be done.” Cassian thanked him and headed to the back, where he found commoners throwing dice and playing cards. There were games of Gyp, Tymora’s Spinner, One and Twenty Dead Men, Hand of Fate, and Heaven, Hell, or LImbo. Cassian plopped a sack of gold on the table, which drew all eyes to him. He heard chairs scraping the ale-soaked floor as the men rose, staring. “Welcome, friend!” they all cheered. A number of throws at Heaven, Hell, or Limbo later, Cassian walked away with triple his money. The sailors eyed him suspiciously “that bloke just won enough I could retire!” which was answered with a roar of approval.
Cassian decided to continue his stroll. Along the waterfront he came upon one seedy tavern after another: the Queen’s Girdle, the Talking Fish, the Besotted Otter. Feeling spry, he strode into the Otter. A throng of sailors were gathered in uproarious song. “Tra la la, rikety ra, along came ol’….” The tune hit a crescendo and they turned just as he walked in and waved crying in one voice, “…Cassian! Tra la la la RA!” Cassian froze, a look of shock on his face. He looked to his right, a large man standing at the front, evidently a bouncer. He merely shrugged. Then something caught his eye to his left. A small boy sat on the floor near the door, his knees pulled up to his chin. Large haunting eyes peered up at him. “Me name’s Norem, sire,” a voice sounded in Cassian’s head.
He frowned and thought, “Are you talking to me?”
“Aye, sir,” the voice replied, the boy’s eyebrows rising. “That would be me. Mum always said to be quiet. So, I talk this way.”
Cassian nodded. “Right. Well, then…” He turned and went inside, ordered a drink, and sat down. The boy appeared on the other side of the table.
“Make that two,” a voice echoed, this time sounding like Cassian. The barmaid turned and said, “Two it is,” and sat two frosty mugs on the table.
Cassian and the boy spoke for some time, the boy telling him of his adventures. At length, Cassian rose and paid up. He nodded to the child and left. As he walked the streets at night, he pondered the boy’s words. “Did he just say his mother is Melusine?” He shook his head and laughed.
Just before the meeting at the Blue Nightingale, Gaius decided to stop by the castle to honor the invitation to Sanctuary. In the depths of the west wing undercroft, he stumbled about looking for the secret entrance. Another guard met him in the dark and laughed. “Are ya lost? This way.” A concealed door opened. The soft lilt of music emanated from behind a jumble of crates. After winding through the jumble the room opened into a long space decorated with discarded, repaired furniture of high quality, tattered paintings (including a reclining naked lady with the portrait of the duchess affixed to it), finely crafted lamp stands, candle holders, fine silverware, and stacks and stacks of liberated spirits. Girls from the servants quarters danced in one corner, off-duty guards played cards at a table in another. “This is our sanctuary, noble Gaius! Hail and welcome!” they cried, greeting him. Gaius smiled and nodded. He reached for the expensive bottle of wine he’d received from the nobles of Idlemay Vineyard, a reward for his group’s work stopping the goblins from attacking their boats. He lifted the bottle high, showing it to the room. “I brought a little gift for granting me Sanctuary.” Cheers erupted, the guards and servants sang his praises. Gaius was one of the crew now. (big bonuses for Gaius when dealing with the following guards: Leofric Ironwood, Aethelstan Grimsby, Dunstant Ravenscroft, Cynehelm Whitlock, Aldwyn Foxglove, Wilm Sandler, and even Garrick Moreby who has now become a friend – this is your crew among the guards, all of them true brothers in arms).
Seren strode up the hill to the castle. In the back of her mind she knew the risk she was running: the handmaidens had told her that the duchess was looking for her head after learning she had caught the gaze of the duke. “I’ve done nothing wrong,” she told herself. “Why should I give up on the connections I’ve made in the palace?” The guards greeted her warmly, her comely aspect a familiar sight these past few weeks. “Whatever!” she blurted as she strolled past them. They were pathetic, but they served their purpose. She gave each a brief, sarcastic smile to appease them. She wasted no time reporting to the infirmary. Of late, she had been finding this place interesting. The physician, Alcuin Lorne, was an elderly man with a detached, measured presence. He had shown her kindness and trusted her with the duties of healing in the ward. While her clerical calling had shown her how to heal with prayer, there was something about the hands-on practice of treating the sick and injured that appealed to her. And her adventures of late had proven the skill handy in a pinch. Plus, she thought, there are all kinds of interesting potions and medicines and tinctures here.
Lorne greeted her dryly. “Oh, hallo young Seren. Are you here to serve in the infirmary today? We could use your help. See to mister Oswin Blackthorn over there.”
Seren went to the bunk on the far end, where Oswin was still dressed in his guard livery. A bloom of purple welts ran up and down his limbs and he was scratching them furiously. She donned gloves and began applying salve, much to her discomfort. Oswin dropped his breeches, “I have it down here, too!” Seren grimaced and administered aid in unseemly locations, but then noticed twin puncture wounds on Oswin’s inner thigh. She consulted the physician, but he didn’t seem to show much concern. “More salve!” he said, and moved on. Seren turned to Oswin, “Where did you get this?” Oswin grinned. “Oy, that’s probably from Molly down at the Open Bailey. Don’t take much coin to get her excited.”
Seren sighed and threw off her gloves. “Filthy animals. I prefer the company of my donkey.”
Departing the infirmary, Seren took a quick tour of the castle. It was her favorite game, stalking the halls and getting the layout committed to memory. In time she passes:
* Osbert Barham, castle saucier: “Ah, evenin’ miss Seren! Come down the kitchens, I have a new crème brûlée I want you to try!”
* Dame Eadgifu, one of the house knights “Ooh, Dame Eadgifu, my friend Gaius has been asking about you!”
* Wulfstan Hawkridge, one of the castle guards “Why, Wulfstan, did you know that my friend Roslynd has been asking for you?”
* Lady Alastriona, daughter to the duke and duchess. Her highness’ eyes widened, “Seren! My friend, you should not be here! Mother has the fire in her eyes over you! Best be careful! Oh, and come by some time for more gossip!”
* The house tailor, Hubert de Warenne: “My my, Seren. You are looking sublime. But come see me, I can give you a full makeover, dear.”
* The house leatherworker, Mina Wray, slightly stinky after a day of tanning leather: “Bah! Little trollop!” (which is about as pleasant as she gets, and actually talking means she doesn’t dislike you)
(all bonuses to your relationship with these NPC’s)
Sebastian paid a visit to Inez, the town artificer, inquiring about a spyglass. She told him that she could maybe rig something up for cheaper than a regular spyglass, but it would take time. Sebastian called on her shop later after receiving a note to meet her there. To his surprise, Conley the sheriff was there, along with the Justiciar. Inez smiled, “On behalf of the town of Lyre, with gratitude for your service in the matters of the goblins and the kidnappers, we present you this!” She handed him a mahogany box. Inside was a masterwork spyglass with a waterproof case and an engraving of the sigil of Lyre. Conely shook his hand, then took him off to the side. “You were asking about that Isen Mantler affair. I can’t help you with finding him, he’s in the wind. But I recalled this from a previous case.” He handed him a fragment of parchment that appeared to be from a document that had been burned. It bore the sigil of a dragon wing with three iron rivets at its joints. “This was the remains of a dispatch to Isen, which was burned when we raided his lair. Not sure what to make of it, but maybe you know.” Sebastian frowned. He was once a baron’s son and knew most of the families in Treviland. This was from a splinter house of the Morleys. The very same Morleys who rule Novulum.
The group met up at the Skull Room in the back of the Blue Nightingale. After a long discussion about their next move and where to find Isen, Cassian volunteered to inquire at the thieves guild. All he needed to know was where it was hidden. He strode confidently back to the Crooked Keel and plunked more gold onto the counter. Garret Porrin looked up at him. “You want to find the Loot Players?” Cassian smirked and nodded. “Your funeral,” Garrick grumbled. Several minutes later Cassian strode up the stairs of a warehouse on the waterfront. He entered a dark room, where a slit in a door opened and suspicious eyes looked him over. Words were exchanged. But it was hard to remember what words, as Cassian awoke some time later, bound to a chair. He was in a richly furnished lair, surrounded by expensive paintings, ornate furnishings, and stacks of contraband. Three lean figures inspected him. The one sitting leaning on the polished mahogany desk introduced himself as Malrick Vanthe. Cassian told them he was looking for Isen Mantler. But this seemed to agitate them. After a loud back and forth, no one giving an inch, Cassian stayed resolute. Threats were exchanged and without warning, Seren was dragged in. “This a friend of yours?”
Cassian never wavered. “I’m just here for Isen. And if you’re after him, too, then maybe sign us up and we can show you our value.” Malrick sneered. “You want in? Let’s see what you got.” He motioned and Cassian was cut loose. Someone handed him his weapon while Malrick unsheathed his dagger. “Take me, and we’ll talk.” Cassian’s eyes narrowed. This was an experienced thief, he thought. No sense in risking a fight when darker powers could prevail. His hand lashed out, the glow of an eldritch blast filling the room. But Malrick had disappeared. Only the curl of his half-cape trailing in the air was visible when Cassian felt the blade in his back. The world tilted went dark. He awoke to find himself tied to the chair once more. Malrick leaned close. “You got fire, kid. I’ll give you that. You find Isen and you’re in.” Cassian and Seren left quickly, returning to the Skull Room empty-handed. But with a promising challenge.
The next day the group met up at the wharf. “We have a couple more leads from Conley,” Sebastian reported. “The bandits on the south road, the missing amulet that might be in Harpwood with a colony of elves called the Kaeleth, reports of crops mysteriously going bad overnight up north in the village of Ambry, and gnolls raiding out of Harpwood, also near Ambry. I figure the bandits would be a good play, but the next caravan doesn’t leave for eight days. So, this last one talks of lizard folk, the Saurian, raiding the farms near Waterlupp. We will leave word at the harbor master’s office for Poppin, telling where we are headed. Now, all we need is a…”
A longboat pulled abreast of the dock.
Twenty gold later, the party was on its way to Waterlupp. Seven men with strange accents rowed at the boat, making good time on the water. Sebastian kept a sharp eye on the shoreline through his new spyglass. Roslynd watched the water nervously, knowing Lake Eversong was large and full of many forms of life. Seren was limp over one side of the boat, retching. Suddenly there was a commotion! Water splashed on all sides, and in an instant scaly green figures were boarding. A half dozen Saurians swung their clubs and hissed. Two of the sailors went down, their midsections gashed and blood staining the decks. Gaius unsheathed his sword and cut one almost in half. Roslynd answered immediately, sending a glowing dart through the chest of another. Chaos set in, as sailor after sailor was sent sprawling. Sebastian and Gaius squared with their foes and hacked, while Cassian and Roslynd waved their hands and blasted the enemy with magic. Seren, rousing herself from her nausea, whirled into action. She dodged and weaved through the melee, landing on one sailor after another and furiously binding their wounds. Ironic, she thought, to be a servant of Erecura the bearer of the dead, only to stay her hand from collecting these souls. Out of the corner of her eye, she imagined a gray apparition, hovering and waiting, ready to claim the sailors as they gasped their last breaths. But Seren kept on, desperately tending to the wounded just as she sensed they breathed their last. After several frenzied seconds, the last of the Saurians gurgled blood from their necks and slumped over. The last slunk over the gunwale and swam away. Seren looked and saw one last man, his hands twitching as his life ebbed. She lunged, determined to save them all. But, alas, the bodies were thick upon the decks and Seren stumbled. Precious seconds lost. She picked herself up just in time to see a robed figure flicker to the man’s side. Her veiled face turned to Seren, cold dark eyes locking with hers. Then, she was gone. The man’s hand fell. His death rattle echoed in Seren’s ears.
A hard price to pay for this latest journey. Blood on the oars. But at least all save one sailor would live to see the next dawn.
Chapter 5 (12/21/25)
Cassian enters Lyre, attack on Frog Head Island, party wipes out the Drowned Hand gang and rescues the kidnapped children; party is honored as heroes by the Justiciar and the duke’s privy council
Chapter 4 (11/15/25)
Rescue the Joos: the party charters a boat to explore the site where casks of Idlemay wine were reported floating in the water; the party works its way through a series of traps before entering a cave and defeating a band of goblins; the party returns to Lyre and is feted by the Idlemay Vineyards at their manse
Chapter 3 (10/18/25)
Rosalind, Seren, and Sebastian continue networking in the town of Lyre and up at Castle Balladeer. Sebastian establishes ties with the town artificer and cartographer before being summoned to see the Sheriff Aldric Conley and is offered the chance to take on odd missions to resolve local problems. Meanwhile, Rosalind makes connections with the castle weaver and tailor before being summoned by the court mage. Seren holds court in the castle in the lady’s bower, befriending the ladies in waiting who share ample court gossip with her.
The cases Sebastian is offered by the Sheriff:
1 – The magical Amulet of Aemerion was stolen from the castle a month ago. All clues point to the Elves of Kaeleth, who live peacefully a day’s walk into the woods in their treetop outpost to the northwest. Conley says the amulet is violet in color and bears the sign of a white eye. He hands Sebastian six rings with stones that match the amulet’s color and symbol and says they’ll grant the wearer invisibility to elves if worn near the amulet.
2 – Several shipments of wine from the Idlemay Vineyards have gone missing, the boats never returning. A fisherman reports seeing wine casks floating in a hidden cove to the northeast.
3 – Children of local fisherman have gone missing. A dockworker named Gussum came to the Sheriff offering information on it but has gone missing.
4 – Bandits have been reported on the southern road leading to Illustrim. Some say it is the work of Harl Gorse. Lord Ranglesby, a wealthy merchant, was waylaid last week and his fortunes absconded along with his consort Selba.
Rosalind shows up at the bower, her task to pick up some riding gloves for some reason. Seren’s curiosity is piqued and she follows the mage, but is discovered. At the wizard’s tower, Seren confronts the wizard over the gloves and is miniaturized and placed in a magic bottle. The mage orders Rosalind to dump the troublemaker over the cliff, but not before handing her a tiny metal figurine he says will help her shrink and enlarge creatures at will. Rosalind decides instead to take her prisoner along to meet Sebastian at the Blue Nightingale.
At the tavern they discuss the four cases the Sheriff has offered for employment. Seren overhears the cases and claims she has knowledge that can help with the endeavors. She is freed from the bottle and shares that Giles Winram, one of the duke’s lords, has expressed great distaste for elves of late and is thought to be angling for a high position at court. She also shares that Orlen Dusk, the furrier merchant, and Myra Marbellus, the wine merchant, were both seen at the duke’s feast and are from Novulum and are said to be acting suspiciously. It is surmised that they could be working to undermine Lyre’s two major industries: textiles and wine exports.
Suddenly Seren notices a stranger in the tavern motioning her over. He says they can find the missing dockworker, Gussum, down at the warehouse district. He offers her a coin that marks him as working for Inimicus. He says they’d be doing him a big favor in helping rid the city of the kidnappers.
The trio venture down to the docks at midnight and find a group of thugs playing cards in a warehouse. They overhear mention of someone named “Gut Hook” and talk of a hideout. They subdue the gang after some trouble (including shrinking a woman on the scene and accidentally stepping on her in the fray) and find Gussum trussed up in the back. Documents include letters for ransom for Ysmena, daughter of the castle justiciar Godric Flender, letters to the Unseen Hand offering sale of the children, and a map to an island marked “Frog Head.” They also make off with quite a haul from the gang’s lair and the card game, including a mysterious silver ring.
The three take the gang leader, Mannik, to the Sheriff, who keeps Gussum for safety and dispatches men to find Garrick Peverell, the dock worker who was working for someone named Isen to help ship kidnapped children out of the city. Conley pledges a boat with crew to take the group to Frog Head at the earliest opportunity.
The group has made the Blue Nightingale their unofficial meeting spot for now. The proprietor gives Poppin the key to a hidden room in the basement they call the Skull Room.
Chapter 2 (7/26/25)
Sebastian Vale enters Lyre at night and is stopped by the bridge watchman. He is shown to the sheriff’s office, where he makes a friend of Aldric Conley, sheriff of Lyre.
Rosalynd passes the trials of Oisean the court mage and is welcomed as a prospective apprentice.
Gaius suffers a trial by combat at the hands of Sir Niles Swanborn, knight of the realm, and is granted a posting as guard for Castle Balladeer.
Our heroes attend the duke’s feast, wherein many people are met and Seren makes off with the good silver. The group convenes for the first time after answering a strange summons to the basement of the castle keep. There, a mysterious charismatic figure who only identifies himself as Inimicus invites the group to join him in a plot to murder the noble family and wrest control over the castle. Inimicus threatens the party with his band of barbarians unless they comply. Our heroes begrudgingly agree on pain of death. But Inimicus confesses it was all a ruse to see if they had strong moral fiber. He leaves them but not before gifting each of them with a coin bearing the mark of a crown covered in blood. His parting words are “If you find yourself in trouble, toss this into water.” The party retreats to the Blue Nightingale to commiserate over these strange events.
Chapter 1 (5/31/25)
Gaius, Rosalyn, Seren, and Dymux enter Lyre. They begin to familiarize themselves with the town and its people. Gaius is hired on as a guard at the castle. Rosalynd charms her way into the castle and petitions the court mage to take her on as an apprentice. Seren runs a con game in the marketplace and manages to convince the duke’s own daughter of her healing powers, securing her an invite to Castle Balladeer. Dymux charms his way into employment at the Blue Nightingale and secures a long-term contract for performing there.
