Adventures in Everlund
Chapter 1 - Allies and Allegations
If you haven’t read Book 1, click the link below and start there! It will serve as an introduction to Nimly, Valeria, and Yávië.
16th of Mirtul, 1492 DR
The Hall of the Moon is a graceful open space, with arches sweeping overhead like the curves of a crescent moon, adorned with delicate carvings of celestial patterns and scenes of moonlit landscapes. The air is cool and carries the faint scent of honeysuckle and incense. Seated on the floor in lotus position, Yávië Ru looks up at Nimly Sparkleshine; he stands before her and idly toys with a carved, darkwood wand. Thorn crouches nearby, watching the pair intently, whiskers twitching.
The woman inclines her head to the gnome. "Oh, hello there Nimly. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard of some of your exploits. I visited the Gemcutters Guild earlier today.”
Nimly’s eyes light up at the mention of the Gemcutter’s Guild. “A fine place! Do you have an interest in the gem trades? I’ve spent many years chiseling away at this or that.”
“No, not really. I was looking for you, actually. I was just about to see what I could do about the bandits… what kind of information do you have on them? Would you like to work together?”
Nimly nods. “Yes, I would love to work together! Did those ruffians give you trouble, too? I was jumped by several a few days back. Last night, I went on a raid with the city guard to disrupt a new base of operations. Actually, I might be on bandit business tonight. I’m not sure, but I think they may be involved right here in Everlund.”
Yávië’s eyes glitter with amusement as she listens. “I’d be glad to go with you and see what information we can gather. I spoke with a shopkeeper earlier that’s had some troubles receiving shipments and he’s asked for my help. I made a deal with him to hold onto an item for me until I could afford it. That’s where my interest in the bandits comes from.”
Nimly takes a deep breath. “Currently, I am involved in an investigation. There was an altercation between a guard and a temple priestess. There are also some Fel crystals that I found that are being used to control miners… they were rescued from a forced work situation. The next step in my investigation is to talk with Corporal Thorne at the East Barracks. I’m afraid that might go sideways. If it does, I hope that we might be able to bring him back to the guardhouse or the temple for either justice or help. I don’t know what to expect. He’s been acting strangely, or so says every person I’ve asked about him.”
Yávië runs a hand through her hair while considering. “Interesting. I’d be happy to go with you to talk to Corporal Thorne, but I don’t have very many people skills. I was raised in carnival life. I have some spells that might help charm a person, but once the spell wears off, they would know… and I’m not really looking to make enemies or be noticed. I am searching for an orb, and I may have to steal it… knowing that, I don’t want my name or identity tied to anyone in town. Anyway… lemme take a second to think about what the shopkeep said to me about the bandits.”
Yávië pauses, pulling out a note to review it. “The bandits have been targeting the road to the south of Everlund, near the old watchtower ruins. The shopkeeper's next shipment is due to arrive in two days' time and I must ensure that it arrives safely. I have a map showing the location of the watchtower ruins and the expected route of the shipment. We could speak with Thorne first and then decide what to do from there. How’s that sound, Nimly?”
Nimly shoulders his pack. “Sounds great! If you’d like a hand with making sure that shipment gets in safe, I’m down. Which shop asked for your assistance? Oh, I almost forgot. This is Thorn. He may look like a giant rat, but… well, that’s exactly what he is. He’ll have some barding very soon!”
Yávië waves at the giant rat. “Awe, nice to meet you, Thorn. I’d love some help! It was Haggard who asked for aid. Of the Magical Emporium!” Thorn wiggles his nose and blinks at Yávië, taking in her wavy red hair and enchanting eyes.
As Nimly and Yávië walk together through the streets of Everlund, the cool night air sharpens the growing tension. They know their destination brings them closer to a confrontation with the unstable Thorne. As the East Barracks comes into view, the building looms large and imposing, affected by age and minor disrepair. Two guards stand on either side of the iron-bound front door. One is a tall, dark-skinned human with a swirling tattoo on her cheek. The other is a short tabaxi with orange and black striped fur.
On approach, Nimly and Yávië rely on their Perception and Insight to gather the tone of the situation. Nimly scans over the uniforms and weapons of the guards to determine if the equipment looks like a match to what he’s seen on verified members of the city guard. Yávië looks at the body language and demeanor of the soldiers to see if anything looks amiss, but nothing leaps out as suspicious. Nimly whispers, “They look legit to me.” Yávië whispers, “Same. Honesty is the best policy here. If that doesn’t work, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve.”
Both guards focus on the approaching pair with cold stares. The tabaxi steps forward, his voice sharp, “Halt. What is your business here?” He glances at the eladrin and the gnome, and his frown deepens at the sight of the giant rat.
Yávië replies, polite and to the point. “We wish to have a conversation with Corporal Thorne.”
The guards eye them with suspicion. The woman speaks, low and sharp, "What is your business? The Corporal is very busy."
Nimly steps forward. “I wish to speak to him on a private matter, related to a task I was given by Captain Anara. A few minutes is all I need and the matter will be concluded.”
The tabaxi snarls, an annoyed look on his face. "What can you present for identification? Do you have a letter from the Captain?"
Nimly quips, “No, though her orders are valid without that. Is there a problem with Corporal Thorne answering a few questions? I don’t even have my thumbscrews or hot irons on me.”
The guards exchange glances. As they look away for a moment, Yávië pats Nimly’s back and surreptitiously casts Guidance in a quiet murmur. Nimly moderates his tone towards seriousness and gives an earnest plea. “I’m not a torturer and I don’t have plans to harm Corporal Thorne. As I said, my instructions from Captain Anara were to talk to him. Will you let us pass or do I really need to run back and get some scribbled ink from the Captain?”
The guards are both glaring now. The woman answers. "Unless you have identification, or something better than ‘the Captain told me to’, I suggest you both be moving along."
Yávië rolls her eyes at the guard. “C‘mon Nimly… let’s go get some ink scribbled paper for these…” she mumbles under her breath “…idiots.”
Nimly sighs and nods. “I have a feeling you’re right. To the main barracks?”
The street lights illuminate their faces and not much else as they walk away. When they are out of earshot, Yávië asks, “Do you actually want to get the scribbles, or would you prefer I get us inside without… permission?”
Nimly continues along the path. “It wouldn’t be a wasted trip to visit Captain Anara. I can update her on the inquest. I have witness statements and character assessments from several people, pretty much everyone but Thorne himself.”
Yávië keeps pace. “Sounds good. Let’s pay her a visit and I can introduce myself, and let her know what I’ve discovered, too.”
When they arrive they enter with no trouble from the guards on duty, and head straight to Captain Anara’s study. The door is open. The captain has her head down, face tired and her focus deep in the paperwork on her desk. She looks up from her work as the party approaches, her eyes slowly moving between Nimly and Yávië. "Ah Nimly, it is good to see you again. How can I help?"
“Good evening, Captain Anara. May I introduce you to Yávië Ru? She has been helpful in the inquest that we discussed earlier.”
Captain Anara nods to Yávië. "I don't believe we have met. Are you new in town?"
Yávië’s eyes swirl with pretty colors of excitement. “I have recently arrived, yes. This morning, I picked up a quest of my own. I was asked by Haggard to assist with his troubles regarding the bandits. He’s had issues with his shipments being plundered or lost entirely in transit.”
The captain gives a weary smile. “We are stretched so thinly right now. I appreciate you helping him with this matter. I’m sure he will reward you accordingly.”
Nimly speaks as Captain Anara looks back at him. “Since we talked, I have spoken to five people regarding the incident. The consensus is that Thorne’s behavior is out of character and has been for about a month. On a lead from Garin, Yávië Ru and I went to the East Barracks to speak with Corporal Thorne. The Corporal is the last person I need to talk to before submitting my final report, but we were turned away from the barracks by the pair of guards on duty. They wished for written proof of your orders to allow us entry.”
The words spark a small fire in Arana’s eyes and she puts the heaping stack of papers in a drawer. "I could stand to stretch my legs. I will accompany you down to the East Barracks and make sure you are permitted entry. Let’s go.” She locks her office on the way, leading the group out of the main barracks.
As they approach the East Barracks, the two familiar guards snap to attention.
Captain Anara eyes them. "I am tired and I did not spell out this order with ink, but you know as well as I do that Thorne is under investigation. Let these two pass to talk with Corporal Thorne, and give them any other reasonable assistance that they may ask for. If there is any more trouble, you will be explaining yourselves in my office tomorrow.” The Captain waits long enough for each to give a terse nod, then turns on her heel and leaves.
The guards manage to look both annoyed and petulant. Their demeanor is in no way softened by the Captain’s directive, and they continue to glare. Without words, the tabaxi steps aside as the woman opens the door. She says, “Follow the corridor all the way back. The Corporal’s office is the last door on the right.” Nimly, Yávië, and Thorn walk through the aura of discontent and enter the musty air of the barracks. The care given to the main facility is absent here. The hallway is littered with crumpled paper and bits of dried mud, and the way through the building poorly lit.
Approaching Thorne's door, Nimly knocks as he pushes it open, stepping to the side as Yávië and Thorn enter the room. They all see a man behind a desk who looks exhausted, his head cradled between his palms. As his door opens, he looks up, and he eyes the party with defeated suspicion. "Who are you?"
Nimly flicks his lapels and begins to pace about the room, letting the question hang in the air for a few moments. “Corporal Thorne, my name is Nimly Sparkleshine. I’ve been tasked by Captain Anara to sort out the incident you took part in, at the Hall of the Moon a few days ago. I would like to hear your description of it.” Nimly runs his hand along the stone wall and a flicker of green is visible for a moment, as he casts Guidance on himself.
Nimly continues, “I was asked to sort this out, in order to restore trust in the city guard. There is less of that to be had … when a guard roughs up a priestess.”
Thorne's eyes widen slightly at the mention of Captain Anara. His expression shifts from evasion to a resigned look. "I... I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. It's just... I've been under a lot of pressure lately." With a high Insight roll, Yávië is able to determine that Thorn is much more worried about something else; he regrets his conduct related to the scene at the temple, but that is not what has him twisted in knots. She takes a chair and gives Thorne a direct look. “I believe you, Corporal. I also think that there is far more going on here, more that you aren’t telling us.”
Nimly glances at Yávië and looks back at Thorne. “Your friend Garin hasn’t seen much of you recently either. Why are you stressed and acting out?”
The Corporal’s eyes grow a bit feverish. "I tried to tell her. I TRIED! NOW LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED! What difference will it make if I tell you???" He breaks off in a half-choked sob.