Beastborne- Mark of the Founder

by James T Callum

As soon as the key was placed near the door, it pulled out of Hal’s hand and clicked into the lock. There was a flash of blue light and the key vanished.

  You have attuned to the Dragon Suite.

  The door will open for you and any individual (up to 10 at once) that you designate.

  That’ll be useful. Hal assigned his current party plus Durvin, Angram, Altres, and Yesel.

  Hal opened the door, to reveal a spacious common area with an attached lounge and kitchen that split off into six distinct rooms. Mira rushed ahead to take it all in, followed quickly by Hal, Durvin, and Noth.

  The space was well-decorated, in sharp contrast to the simple accouterments of their lodgings from their first night in Murkmire. This was a definitive step up.

  And if Hal wasn’t planning on making his own home already, he would have deeply considered using the Dragon Suite as his base of operations. It had everything he would need.

  He didn’t spend much time looking around but the common room alone could have fit several of their old rooms comfortably. Couches and soft cushioned steps reminded him of one of those 1970’s “conversation pits,” it made for a cozy central discussion and lounging area.

  Even if he wasn’t going to use it immediately, having it on hand was probably more valuable than he could know. Any agents that he might want to send into Murkmire would be able to open this door and have a safe house of sorts.

  It was perfect.

  Durvin never moved past the foyer. “Too durned high,” he muttered.

  While Noth and Mira were busy exploring, Hal took the ten minutes to cast Shifting Mask again. This time, he turned himself into a lean elf that resembled his own build with striking green eyes instead of his easily recognized brown.

  “Smart,” Durvin said, off to the side. “They might’n be looking fer a dwarf but as an elf ye’ll blend right in.”

  “That was my thought,” Hal said.

  Mira and Noth came back into the room then. For some reason, only Mira seemed surprised by Hal’s appearance. “Hal?” she asked after a moment.

  He nodded.

  “What’re you doing?” Mira asked, coming up closer to inspect his new guise.

  “The lad’s going back out into the town and by me guess, he ain’t welcomin’ us along,” said Durvin.

  It took Durvin saying it aloud for Hal to realize that was his plan.

  There would be no use in changing his appearance if he was going to continue walking with the same group. If Hirash was watching the Guild, he’d be looking for any one of them.

  Alone as a non-descript elf, Hal stood a much better chance of moving about Murkmire unimpeded. “I won’t be gone long,” Hal said.

  The elf rolled her eyes. “Don’t take long, okay?”

  Hal went to the door and looked over his shoulder. “Be back before you know it.”

  100

  Hal found the blunt-faced barracks of the Watch easily enough. There seemed to be more activity inside than usual as he approached the officer on duty behind the circular desk. “Hi, I was told to come down and speak to Captain Qalmor?”

  The Coffin District was clear, providing a place for the koblins, which meant that Qalmor could no longer bar them entry into Murkmire. As the new owner of the Coffin District, if he gave the koblins residences, wouldn’t that make them citizens?

  And therefore Captain Qalmor would have to allow them entry.

  “Name?” the guard asked without looking up.

  Hal grinned. “Koblin Dan.” He couldn’t very well give his name out but he was fairly sure Qalmor would remember his run-in with the koblins well enough to be curious.

  “Take a seat,” the guard instructed. “Captain’s very busy, he’ll see ya when there’s time.” He got up from behind the desk and walked into a back room.

  The only way he could think to complete the Quest, Rest for the Weary, was to meet Qalmor face-to-face. He hoped he had the measure of the Captain.

  The man was gone barely five minutes when Qalmor himself came out and looked around the room. His eyes skimmed right over the guards to Hal’s elven form and then the three other occupants, a man, a bulky orc, and a halfling girl.

  The guards formed a protective barrier between the two groups but not to protect the little halfling girl. She kept hurling vicious insults at the two much larger men, each sporting several cuts and bruises.

  Qalmor spoke quietly to the guard, who then pointed at Hal.

  Taking his cue, Hal stood and walked over.

  “Are you… Koblin Dan?” Qalmor asked.

  “Yessir, you said you wanted to speak to me after I completed that Quest you gave me.”

  The Captain’s eyes widened as the realization hit him. “Very well, come into the back. We’ll discuss it in my office.”

  Qalmor guided Hal through the cramped halls into a small chamber with a desk stacked high with paperwork. The Captain shut the door behind Hal and locked the door.

  The Captain sat down, but not behind the desk. He chose one of the two seats facing the desk normally reserved for guests. Qalmor rubbed his temples. He looked careworn. “I’m not sure what kind of game you’re playing at, but honestly I don’t have the time or energy to care. Out with whatever… this-” He gestured vaguely at Hal. “-is all about so we can be done with it. What is your real name, to start with?”

  “Try not to be alarmed,” Hal said. “I thought it was best not to directly be seen around you.” Rather than drop the spell completely, Hal was able to shift it, revealing his face so the captain would recognize him but keeping the rest of his body the same. All without having to cast the spell again.

  The fatigue was washed right out of Qalmor at the sight of Hal. “By the Gods,” he muttered. “You do realize you’ve ruffled quite a few feathers.” He shook his head. “Of course you do, why else would you disguise yourself? What do you want from me?”

  “I finished the Quest,” Hal said.

  Qalmor’s eyes unfocused. He must have gotten a similar prompt to Hal confirming that he found a place for the koblins after all.

  Quest Completed: Rest for the Weary.

  What started as a simple desire to see the kindly koblins safe has become a long and winding journey where new friends were found, others lost and evils were unearthed. You were up to the challenge, however, and never waivered in your attempts to seek asylum for your diminutive friends.

  Objectives

  Question local innkeepers (Complete).

  Find out more about the abandoned district (Complete).

  Investigate the “Coffin Contract” at the Adventurer’s Guild (Complete).

  Find a place for the koblins to rest within the safety of Murkmire’s protection.

  Alternative: Complete the “Coffin Contract” and provide the koblins with homes within your newly obtained district (Provides additional rewards) (Complete).

  Report to Captain Qalmor (Complete).

  Rewards

  Murkmire Reputation (Variable).

  Koblin Reputation (Variable).

  Experience Points (Variable).

  Founder of Fallwreath Reputation (Variable).

  Murkmire Reputation: +1,100 (Fabled Hero).

  Koblin Reputation: +5,000 (Brightsight).

  Your very presence inspires and brings joy to the koblins. You are loved and revered as a deity given flesh to most koblins. All their secrets are yours to acquire and koblins will not only do nearly anything you ask but will seek your guidance as well.

  You gain 3,500 Experience Points.

  Founder Loyalists Reputation: -5,000 (Malcontent).

  Those loyal to the Founder of Fallwreath will not sit idly by and allow you to besmirch all they have managed to swindle and steal from the less fortunate. Your ownership of the Coffin District is an affront to them. And allowing “undesirables” to live within the walls of their fair town, while perfectly legal, is a slap in their face.

  Founder Loyalists will actively seek to unmask the identity of the owner and d
o all in their power to make life difficult for you if they succeed in finding you out.

  “Well, I’ll be a karak’s tailfeather,” Qalmor muttered.

  Seriously, Hal thought, looking at the rewards.

  “I take it I can trust your word that you won’t bar the koblin’s entry now?” Hal asked.

  Being in the middle of a barracks was making him nervous. He wanted to get the koblins situated and get out of Murkmire before the Archmage found some way to detect him.

  “More problems,” the Captain grumbled. He stood, eyeing Hal. “By my word I am honor-bound to see it through. Nevermind that I didn’t think you could pull off such a ridiculous Quest.”

  “And you’ll not hurt the koblins or let people push them out?” Hal pressed.

  “You have my word that I will personally see to it that they are left in peace.” He gave Hal a hard look. “So long as they themselves respect our laws and are peaceful in turn, they will have no trouble from the guard.

  “But if I were you, I’d watch my own back. Son, you’ve really kicked the anthill. I don’t know who you are… and honestly, I don’t want to know. The less I do, the better I’ll sleep. I don’t know if what they’re saying about you is true but we’ve orders to arrest any man matching your description on sight.”

  Hal watched him for a tense moment but the Captain simply sunk back into his chair. “From all that I’ve witnessed,” Qalmor continued, “you and yours have done nothing but followed the letter of the law and been upstanding guests. So I won’t outright arrest you, but I can’t say the same for the rest of the rank and file.”

  “I’ve done nothing to hurt anybody or break any laws that I know of,” Hal said. “Unless existing is a crime. But since you’ve been fair with me, I figured I would repay the favor and keep this meeting discrete as possible.”

  Qalmor snorted and scraped a hand over his stubbled face. A far different man looked back at him than the clean-shaven one from several days ago. “You call waltzing into the barracks discrete?”

  Hal flashed a sheepish grin and shrugged. “If you’ll give me ten or so minutes, I’ll change back to my disguise and be out of your hair. So long as the koblins are allowed to live peacefully, I see no reason for me to stay and watch over them. I’ll be gone before first light.”

  “You wouldn’t be daft enough to threaten me, now would you?”

  “Never,” Hal said with a faint smirk. “Only stating the obvious. If it were my choice I’d already be gone. But I made a vow. Since you’ll be looking in on the koblins to make sure nothing happens, my business in Murkmire is nearly at an end. If you weren’t able to assure me that the koblins would be safe then I’d feel obliged to stick around.” Hal shrugged. “But I trust you.”

  “As much as I don’t want to, the feeling is mutual,” Qalmor said, rising once more to his feet to shake Hal’s hand. “I don’t know what kind of mess you’ve gotten yourself into but if you’re leaving tomorrow then I see no reason anybody else needs to know of this conversation.”

  “Murkmire would be in far better hands with more people like yourself at the helm,” Hal said. He shut his eyes and concentrated once more to disguise himself as the same elf from earlier.

  The guard shook his head ruefully. “Forgive me if I don’t take the word of a wanted fugitive as gospel. I appreciate the sentiment, however.”

  Hal received a notification that belied the Captain’s words.

  Murkmire Watch Reputation: +2,000 (Wary Friendship).

  You have impressed the Captain of the Watch and as such many of his men and women under his command will look more favorably upon you. They are likely to provide slight preferential treatment and many will forget they saw you if you pass them in the street, should there be any orders to look for you.

  Bear in mind that their friendship has its limits. They will not countermand a direct order and the more severe the charges against you the more likely they will be to act upon those orders.

  With a laugh, Hal turned to the door and looked over his shoulder at Qalmor, his disguise as an elf completed.“Do you mind?”

  The Captain reached into his pocket and produced an iron key. He unlocked the door and guided Hal straight out to the busy street. Carts and wagons creaked as they rolled by. The sun was setting and merchants were busy calling out last-minute sales while others closed up their shops for the day.

  Just as some were closing up, there were many more that were opening for the night.

  I’d like to come back someday when I can walk the streets openly, Hal thought as he made his way back to the Adventurer’s Guild.

  Altogether, it hadn’t taken him very long to complete his errand. He made it back to the Adventurer’s Guild in record time. But on his way there he couldn’t help but notice several pairs of eyes on the Guild’s entrance.

  Whatever he felt about using Shae’kathoth’s soul for its magic, he was glad to have it then. Without breaking stride, Hal headed into the Guild and straight to the stairs that would lead him to his rooms.

  As he opened the door to the Dragon Suite, his mood rebounded considerably as he wondered what ridiculous names the koblins might call their new home. Maybe he should let them rename the district?

  Durvin hadn’t moved from his spot in the foyer except to grab a comfortable chair to sit in to pass the time. “Ye back already?” he said, hopping up. “Good, it’s past time we get a move on! Ye got yer coin now, and don’t ye forget I was there when it was passed out! I’m knowin’ what ye got to spend so don’t try and stiff me, boy!”

  Hal shut the door behind him, the sound of Durvin’s voice brought Mira and Noth from some room deeper in. “Don’t worry, Durvin,” Hal said. “I have no intention of staying any longer than necessary in town.

  “If you don’t mind, I could use one of your clansmen to come into town before we leave to buy any necessary supplies. I’d rather not do it myself considering….”

  “Ye mean considerin’ the durned Founder’s got a bee up his bum about ye comin’ to usurp him?” Durvin chuckled. “I can get me lads to do that easily enough. Gonna need a lot more supplies than just transportation, ain’t we?”

  “Are we leaving?” Mira asked. “I’d like to swing by Rondo’s shop real quick, even if it’s just to say goodbye. He was always so nice to me!”

  “I would like to see this tiny gnome,” Noth said, pulling Hal up short.

  He couldn’t help but smile. Hal had been more than a little worried about Noth. She hadn’t shown much interest in anything besides eating, drinking, and sleeping. It was good to see her care about something more.

  “Meet us back at Clan Bouldergut’s camp, and please be careful,” Hal said. He looked to Durvin. “Ready to meet the rest of the people you’ll be traveling with?”

  The dwarf shook his head. “They can’t be any crazier than ye are, boy.”

  101

  “Why is it you wish to see this man?” Noth asked, as Mira led her out of a side passage from the Adventurer’s Guild.

  “He’s a good friend,” Mira said with a fond smile at the first memory of coming to Murkmire and finding Rondo’s shop.

  The little grumpy gnome tossed her out of the shop on her oversized and pointed ear. But, like all people she met and liked, Mira eventually wore him down.

  She didn’t know what she was going to do when she got there, but with the busy nature of Murkmire, she had time to sort it out before they got to his shop.

  As much as she enjoyed the chaos of the city, she was looking forward to getting out into the wider world. Joining up with Hal’s group was a godsend, one she wasn’t likely to squander.

  What she needed, more than anything was experience. Not just the capital E version that the people on Aldim used to empower themselves but actual experience in this new life.

  A young woman bumped into her and jostled Mira from her thoughts. Her fingers instinctively began to curl into the beginnings of a spell and she had to stop herself. Nope, you don’t do that
anymore. Not here. It was hard though. And Aldim recognized her innate gift with magic, granting her a facsimile of it.

  With any luck, Elora would think it was simple druidic magic and let it go at that. It was one of her favorite things about Aldim. There were so many good explanations for things already baked into the Worldshard. She could cherry-pick the ones she preferred and nobody would be any wiser.

  Except for Hal, maybe.

  She didn’t think he came from Brookmoors. Definitely didn’t have the look. And she prided herself on knowing everybody who came onto those hallowed grounds. He could have been an Archivist, but she doubted it.

  Weaving through the crowd, Mira finally got to Rondo’s shop. She could see the man bustling about as the last customers of the day filtered out of the shop with their purchases.

  She smiled fondly, Noth at her side looking curiously into the windows.

  Mira knew she should be more careful about her use of slang around Hal. At the same time, it felt good. And even though Hal never broached the subject, she knew he understood.

  For some reason, that made all the difference. Just one person understanding her native language’s idioms and phrases made her feel less homesick.

  Steeling herself, Mira opened the door and strolled right in.

  “I’m sorry, shop’s closing,” Rondo began to say without ever looking up. “If you know what you want right now, I’ll complete the order but if you’re another looky-loo- Oh! Mira! Hmph. Have you brought me another wayward Adventurer?”

  Mira couldn’t help but smile. “You know you love helping them out! But no, I’m here on personal business.”

  Rondo snorted, his thick mustache bristling. The gnome ambled over to the main door and locked it, flipping the little sign over to read “Closed” and then doing the same with the back door Hal and Mira had come through days ago.