'NYGEL, of Farome', a Bodyguard for Hire (Nefarion)
'GLORFINDEL', a Travelling Healer (Seltyiel)
'KANDI', a Traveling Courtesan (Cynthia)
'EEVEE', The Sorrowful Blind', a Traveling Monk (Hel)
~10pm, 25th of June, 5th Era 1486 RE (Day 13)
Outskirts of Schuteberk, Southern Val Nemor
With their new aliases and occupations into full effect, the party are transported from Port Zeiduch to Dunfarg. The Hell-Knight element of the party are paired up with fellow agent; Mélanie - under the alias; Astrid, a shipwright's daughter - who has been working undercover in Val Némor for the last few days, in order to track this sinister cult leader. By the carriage of a traveling quack doctor named 'Umberto', the party stops briefly outside the regional Capital City of Schuteberk. Known locally as the 'City of Ghosts', Schuteberk seems to live up to this macabre moniker - at least from the outside anyway. It's city walls stand tall and jagged, comprised of a glossy stone as black as pitch. The numerous towers behind the walls are narrow, with pointed spires. What lies behind the walls remains unclear to the passing party members, however a flickering green light seems to be emanating from the city's interiors - the light is similar to that from braziers and pyres, except the fire is a sickly, and venomous colour. The party stop here for as little time as possible - for Schuteberk is the seat of the Renegade House Villeroy; who are the greatest enemies of the Royalists. While they are resting up, and while the charlatan tends to the horses, the great black city gates open to release a contingent of Villeroy soldiers armed with curved spears and swords. With them, several lumbering automatons appear, heavily armored and wielding integral arm-blades and cannons. The contingent heads east, and the party wait patiently and nervously until they are well out of the way. Before they leave, they pick up a cloaked hitchhiker whose also bound for Dunfarg, and carry on with their journey north. Along the way, they learn that the man they picked up is hoping to make some gold at the tournament. His name is Vycktor, and he seems to be a rogue of sorts. As the party are also heading to the tournament, he seems keen to stick with them for the time being, and the group consent.
Dunfarg is an old city, with much culture, and ancient buildings. It is home to many aristocratic lords and scholars, and it also hosts the annual Tournamentum - a series of Knightly Games spanning three days. The big event attracts champions from all corners of the realm, promising fame, glory and riches. Over the three days, participants can sign up into Knightly games and bloodsports such as the melee, jousting, archery and more. The site for the tournament is so large, that it has to be placed outside of the city walls, and hundreds of brightly colored tents surround the many arenas and training grounds. When the party arrive at the tourney, they exit the charlatan's carriage and proceed into the camp to find the nearest tournament official. They eventually find one, a bald-headed man by the name of Riquard. He produces a long list and a feather quill, and unenthusiastically signs both Nefarion (Nygel) and Seltyiel (Glorfindel) into the Melee free-for-all. He explains to them that they both need to have squires if they are to participate. Seltyiel asks Hel (Eevee) if she would be his, and and Nefarion asks the newly acquired rogue; Vycktor to be his. Once the paperwork is completed, they are led by the official to the encampment. The camp is a den of activity - there are a great many knights, squires and tournament workers here, the majority of which are practicing and preparing for the games. When they reach the encampment, they are led to their assigned quarters. Two tents. Nefarion enters his own tent with Vycktor and is surprised to see it has not been cleaned since it's last occupant used it. The mattress on the simple bed is stained in sweat and blood and the stench is unbearable. On the table next to the bed sits an apothecary's kit, dirty bandages, empty vials and syringes. An apologetic voice speaks to the pair of them from outside the tent, and when they go to investigate, they see a young, enthusiastic man with a mess of black curly hair and a green doublet. He introduces himself as Os, a talented Squire in need of a master. He explains to them that the tent's previous occupant had been his last. The late Cort Vel Drune had been a distinguished knight and victor of many tourneys throughout Elmunred. He died from wounds sustained in the tournament preliminaries. Os seems despondent, but nevertheless, he seeks to assist Nefarion as his new squire. Nefarion already has Vycktor as his squire, but in sympathy for the boy's loss, he accepts him as a second squire. The bald official; Riquard overhears their conversation and steps in with a smirk on his face.
Riquard: "Don't believe a word he says. He's the worst squire in Val Némor. There's many a dead knight because of this one."
Os: "That's not true at all...well...there was...but that was only one.You can't blame me for that! The tourney is dangerous place."
Riquard: "Yes, Cort Vel Drune. A lance to his flank. Ruptured one of his kidneys they said. Nasty way to go."
Os: "He was one of the greatest...a true and chivalrous knight...he died in my arms, I couldn't stop his pain, nor could the clerics."
Riquard: "Oh aye. And what about that dwarven champion; Konrack Stonereaver?"
Os: "Seriously, Riquard? You know what happened! His helmet fell off and he got hit on the head with a club. But he didn't die! and that wasn't my fault!"
Riquard: "And before him...Sir James the Tall? Does he not count?"
Os: "He fell from his horse in the joust and was trampled on...but again, an accident. And he lived to fight another day."
Riquard: "It's just a shame his legs were pulverized by the horses' stamping hooves..."
Os: "Better his legs then his head!"
In response to this conversation, Nefarion became quite cautious. But he reconsidered himself, how could he blame the young and loyal squire for these terrible accidents? The tournaments are dangerous, and the Knights know the risks very well. A passionate and eager youth, Nefarion could not bare to cast him away. He himself was no stranger to warfare, and for what it was worth, he could take care of himself. (He could at least indulge Os with the honor, even if the boy would not prove useful in any way.)
While all this was happening, Mélanie (Astrid) distanced herself from the group, and began scouting the tourney grounds for clues that might lead to the whereabouts of the cult leader. The vampiress Cynthia (Kandi) was in search for her next meal. She had the advantage of being dressed as a courtesan, and so it didn't take her long to find a willing male to share the privacy of a tent together. A Viper-Guard sworn to House Villeroy accepted her 'invitation', and when the two of them were alone together in his tent. It became quite clear to Cynthia, that she would have to put on a 'convincing show' for it seemed the Viper-Guard enjoyed a visual performance before a physical one. On the bed she undressed slowly, and he stood there stroking his undulating spear (not a euphemism!) Eventually, he got in with her, and she hit him with her vampiric spell...but it failed. She was initially worried, but it unexpectedly he seemed to enjoy the sensation she had given him. Very much so in fact. His arousal heightened and he demanded more. Calmly, she tried again to subdue him until she was successful. She fed, and then she left the tent - taking her payment as she did so.
The party stayed in the camp for the duration of the three-day tourney. Mélanie was still unable to find any trace of the Dark Master that had led them here. The main events of the second day was the jousting and the archery, and on the morning of the third day began the Melee Free-For-All. In addition to Nefarion and Seltyiel, another twenty eight competitors had signed up for the melee - all of them with the hope of winning fame, glory, and of course the ten thousand gold cash prize. With the formalities, paperwork and waivers submitted, the combatants were gathered to this large 'pit' of an arena. Stands had been erected for the audience around the arena and a panel of judges and noblemen overlooked them. Hundreds of people, both spectators and participants had been gathered here on this glorious June morning. Nefarion , Seltyiel and the others readied up and took their positions on the borders of the arena. At midday; the Herald declared the Melee Free-For-All open. "Let the games begin!" he concluded and the crowd roared with excitement and thrill.
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