Chapter XIX
The Tablet of Destiny
8 Nethelen – Tirenius and Bombor are standing watch on the first night shift when volleys of crossbow quarrels suddenly fly from the darkness. The two pilgrim captains are hit, one slain, and Castinus is awakened by a bolt piercing his flesh. The barrage is followed by a dozen charging orc spearmen. They fell nine pilgrims, including one of the captains, and overrun one of the campfires before moving in to slaughter those in a second. One orc closes on the Brother’s campfire and spears Griffin, killing him.
The Brothers rally, as best they can, with their many incapacitated members rushing to their wagon for cover. Meanwhile, their hale members engage the enemy along with the pilgrim explorer, Omas Ulrukan, and his surviving pilgrims though several more fall.
Tirenius kills an orc with Mage Missile while Augilor sets up a defense nearby, killing another orc just as it closes on Ravila the Crone. Hyglak begins the counterattack. As he severs the head of an orc with Death Drinker, the beastman screams in horror… inside Hyglak’s head… and the Jutlander feels a renewed vigor drawn from the orc’s spirit. He steps forward to cleave through two more. He’s followed by Augilor and some of the pilgrims who slay a couple while Skandara slips into the darkness and, under the cover of night, drops two with her bow.
But while the charge of the orc spearmen has been shattered, their crossbows continue to inflict heavy losses. Five more pilgrims fall as they try to form a defensive line.
Hyglak realizes their only chance is to rush an enemy line he cannot see and he runs into the darkness in the direction of their fire. He’s followed by Bombor carrying a torch while Skandara creeps forward more carefully, looking for targets.
Another volley of crossbow bolts fly from the darkness. One strikes Hyglak, but he doesn’t even notice it. Now, it is the orc’s turn to be alarmed. Their chief bellows and rushes him only to miss. Castinus and one of the pilgrim captains rush to support Hyglak and Bombor, but the chieftain is joined by his two champions who fell both the dwarf and the pilgrim. Meanwhile, Tirenius is hit by a bolt and loses his spell.
But the Brothers’ blood is up. Castinus guts one of the champions while Hyglak beheads the chieftain and kills the other champion. Seeing their leaders fall, the orc crossbowmen flee into the night. With so many wounded and fallen and the darkness still shrouding their foes, the Brothers let the remnants retreat.
Ravila tends to Bombor and finds that one of his eyes has been damaged. Griffin, however, is slain and his body is laid in the cart alongside Jena and Mandonio. The pilgrims are tended to as well. Of the original twenty-four, only six are still hale, nine are seriously injured, and nine are dead. Omas tells the Brotherhood that their pilgrimage must, of necessity, be ended and they will return to Siadanos. The Brothers have the same road, but desiring to bring their dead quickly to the temple, don’t dare travel at the pilgrim’s slower pace.
9 Nethelen – The next morning, the Brothers part ways with the pilgrims. By this time, the orc whispers in Hyglaks’ mind have faded along with the bolstered of vigor. Not much later, he senses that his sword hungers again, but its appetite is to go unsated for a time as the day passes without incident.
10 Nethelen through 29 Nethelen – The next day, the Grey Brotherhood reaches Siadanos. They immediately head to the temple where they hold a company meeting regarding the fates of their fallen. The Brothers have drafted a charter on such matters whereby all those injured in the service of the Brotherhood will be tended to at company expense. Should a Brother fall, his fate shall be determined by a consensus of his fellow brothers. Similarly, should a henchman fall, his fate shall be decided by the consensus of the entire company.
With that in mind, a vote is held concerning Griffin who was slain during the orc attack. The henchmen are split with Bombor, Heraus, and Ravila believing he should be revived while Augilar, Avaro, and Skandara dissent. Hyglak is the only Brother to vote that Giffin be allowed his final rest, so the young man is raised by the Reverend Mother Madelyn. He opens his eyes to a body made whole. Not only that, but his flesh now reveals an inner light through a slight halo. Raemon declares it to be his mark as a Demon Slayer.
When she sees the bodies of Jena and Mandonio, now five days deceased, Madelyn says, “I think they would be better off if they kept their eternal rest.” The company holds a vote and, on both counts, only Griffin and Heraus argue for revival, both having been filled with hope at the momentous nature of Griffin’s return. Castinus observes concerning Mandonio, “He was brave, he was magnificent, however I do not believe that he would have returned to us the same way.” The Brothers hold a torchlight vigil over the cremation of their fallen comrades and have their ashes interred in the “Hall of Heroes” at their villa.
Over the following days, the company returns to the temple for the mending of hurts. Avaro’s lost eye and destroyed jewels are restored. He lurches suddenly upright and clutches at the priestess, crying, “The pool of dark water below the capital city. It’s a portal to darkness and hell!” Then he falls back and, awakening again, is troubled, wondering “What did I say?”
Augilor’s missing toes and Bombor’s flesh and eye are repaired, though the confidence of both are shattered. Heraus’ lost arm is restored but his connection to the divine is diminished. With the henchmen seen to, Andravus has his foot restored. It is done with such vigor that he feels no need for rest at all. When Raemon’s foot is repaired, his voice becomes like rolling thunder, booming should he even try to whisper… fortunately, this is not often.
As the restored members of the company begin their convalescence, the treasure taken from the temple is brought to the Tower of Knowledge. One of the scrolls is of Beast Growth, though it is written in elven. It is traded for a Scroll of Perpetual Light. The other is a Ward Against Undead, written in Ancient Zaharan and is given to Tirenius for both safe keeping and effective use. The unknown potion is of Swift Sword and is given to Hyglak. The mace wielded by Ur-Namu is determined to have magical properties though their exact nature is unclear. At the temple, it is confirmed to not be cursed, so Raemon claims it, passing on his other mace to Heraus. The raiment of Zakiti is determined to be the War Dress of a Priestess of Nasga. It is enchanted with powerful magics, giving its wearer protection like that of plate armor. However, with a very tight midriff and painfully high heels, it is certain to be uncomfortable for any who dares don it. The Brothers also take it to the temple and confirm it isn’t cursed. Priestess Madelyn inspects it gingerly, replying, “There’s no curse on this, but I feel that I have sinned even by looking upon it.”
The Brothers also show the Reverend Mother the stone fragments they’d recovered beneath the Sinister Stone. She exclaims, “Where in all the celestial sphere did you find these?” After Raemon recounts their adventure, she reveals that they are fragments from the Tablet of Destiny. “When Ammonar created the world, he inscribed all that is and ever will be onto a graven stone tablet, but Iskara, the Queen of Chaos, fought him and in the struggle the tablet was shattered and fell to earth. The fragments can be used to cast any ritual spell. This is tremendously valuable for the war effort. We need to send this to Aura, to the great temple there.”
The Reverend Mother is quite insistent that they be sent to the imperial capital, declaring they are of grave importance for the war effort, if nothing else. The Brothers, reluctant to gainsay her, are nevertheless disheartened by the sudden seizure of such precious items earned through blood and hardship. They know that while all eyes are on the war with the Skysos, there is, in fact, another war emerging here as evidenced by the Sakkara Temple, the undead of the Lusuan Forest, the expansion of the Viamir Marshes, the rumors from Dragon’s Tor, and Avaro’s vision of evil within Cyfaraun.
After some deliberation, Castinus asks if the priestess will accept the fragments in trade for the magical healing the Brothers have received. Raemon also requests a letter of reference that can be used whenever the company interacts with a temple so they will know the Brotherhood’s good reputation and sacrifices on behalf of the realm. Reverend Mother Madelyn agrees and the Brother’s fame and renown grow as champions of Law. They feel the divine favor extending toward them for such gallant deeds and noble sacrifice.
In the market, Castinus sells the pearl necklace, but is unsuccessful finding buyers for the other goods. They purchase a seventh mule, Trotter, two Argollëan wolfhounds named Gnar and Audar (Dusk and Dawn), and six Dwarven underterriers. Funds from the venture are disbursed in the amount of 775gp per member as well as 3,875gp going to the company fund. Upon the receipt of shares, Avaro resolves to continue with the company. “The gods have given me a vision. Clearly I cannot leave your service until this is accomplished.” Bombor also decides to remain, being rather fond of the hunting dogs the company just acquired. Ravila, however, decides that she has grown too old for such daring adventures and retires to her home in Türos Tem, a far wealthier woman. This is a heavy blow to the company, leaving them bereft of their precious healer.
Over the remaining days, the convalescence continues. Tirenius begins scribing three new spells in his spellbook: Hypnotic Sigil, Frostbite, and Shrouding Fog. Hyglak concludes training in riding and buys a lance. Andravus continues his studies of survival. Castinus spends some time rumormongering. Hearing the company is planning to head to Cyfaraun for recruitment, his contact says, “There’s this group of young wizards that have recently shown a lot of interest in the rats of the city. Isn’t that the oddest thing for wizards to care about? Are they like working on magically exterminating vermin or is it like some mad rat cult? I don’t know, it’s just like the weirdest thing!”
The Brothers are also happy to see the pilgrims limp back into town under the steady leadership of Omas Ulrukan. Though dejected, they are grateful for the intervention of the Grey Brotherhood in the battle against the orcs.
So ends this recounting of the Grey Brotherhood’s campaign to purge the evil within the Zaharan temple of Sakkara. But their deeds are not yet done.
END PART I