Flashback - The Siege of Waterdeep Pt II (Lafayette)

… Flash back … The great gnoll siege of water deep.

/Lafayette: M’lord Kempo, I’ve had to split my batallion and defend both the north city wall, and the west side where your residence is. I/2 of my batallion is here to defend your clerics hospital.

/Kempo: Master at Arms Lafayette, the west wall is about to be breached and I would encourage your group to defend that wall, because of its proximity to my church”.

/ Lafayette: Sir I acknowledge your point, but the hospital will need a several sentries to ensure the civilians are kept safe to be healed by your clerics. I propose that I leave 10 soldiers at the Church of Kord, while the rest of us move to the west wall, to ensure all the bases are covered. M’lord Kempo, where are your healers. Has the hospital been attacked.

Suddenly at that point, the west wall is breached and Gnolls begin entering the city. The sounds of sword clatter, shield bashing and screams penetrate the west side of the city. Sir, never mind the hospital issue, I need your clerics to follow the rear of my batallion, to help with healing and ensure no one flanks us.

/kempo: Your absolutely right Lafayette. Lead forth and the clerics will cover your rear flank.

Lafayette’s team charged the Gnolls and unbeknown to them, the clerics all disappeared quietly inside the safety and security of the church walls, and the team were cut to pieces. Gnolls stormed the west side of water-deep and scattered throughout the city. The invasion had begun…

/Lafayette … bleeding and presumed dead lay on the battle-field with a squad of dead-troops around him. We were winning, where the hell was the healing and the rear-cover when we needed it. It became painfully obvious to Lafayette what had just transpired.

Some time later, when the invasion had finally been fought off, many key officials were being heralded as heroes, one being Bishop Kempo, for his religious help during the time of crises. During the procession through the Waterdeep, The lord mayor held an audience before the people and many as 100 officials were awarded metals of honour and valour. Most notably was that of Bishop Kempo.

/new caster … Bishop Kempo, have you any comments to say before you receive your award from the Lord mayor of Waterdeep ?

/Kempo … yes young man I do. Honour is the most important thing that exists and the people of waterdeep should all be proud of their braveness during such an ordeal.

………………… An arrow strikes Bishop Kempo in the knee , and a lone soldier approaches the bishop … The bishop retaliates with a small short ceremonial sword and decapitates the hand of the would be assassin. The assassin presses the attack and strikes a blow to Bishop Kempo’s head, which knocks him completely out. The assassin is apprehended and dragged off, with a new caster begging him for comment.

His name is Master at Arms Lafayette.

Flashback - Rise from the Dead (Lafayette)

As I lye here, the darkness seems endless and permeates my very being. Was it a harbinger of death (banshee) that brought me to this final resting place, or was it something else entirely.

I felt it . . . blood leaving my body . . . in a way which no sword wound could ever compare to. I felt the cold , the darkness entering me, as the black silhouette finished her ritual feasting of life, or rather ritual feasting of death. I felt the my heart begin to palpitate rapidly, faster and faster, and then begin to slow to a rate which I know would be fatal. I was powerless to stop this process, having stuck a fatal bargain which would remove me from the dungeons and execution by the hangman, but would still lead to one unexpected thing altogether; death. Not sure the exchange was really worth it.

I wake in the darkness .. is this what death is ? It’s highly uncomfortable if so. I feel a trickle of soil on my forehead, and take a min to observed the cramped quarters I’m presently in. Yes … a box. I attempt to breathe, but my lungs are unresponsive, and no none of my limbs appear to move. Is this what death finally is. Trapped in box throughout eternity and unable to move or breathe. Stuck with nothing but my thoughts till the world ends.

I hear something else, a wizzing sort of sound, which appears to be emanating from within the same box I’m in. An unlucky bumble be I think to myself … the whizzing becomes louder and over an undeterminable amount of time, I hear a voice. I’m here Layfette and your ‘eternally grateful self’ will get the chance to be grateful for all of eternity. I have not forgotten our bargain, but we must free you from this state of suspension, inwhich you presently exist.

Although I’m not able to move nor see, I’m aware of a presence within the box, and hear both the splintering of wood, and the feeling of dark soil engulfing me. I’m aware of a pulling sensation, physically forcing me though the vegetation. I feel worms, aphids and other insects within the soil crawling in all my orifices and the continued feeling of being pulled in an upward motion. Suddenly the blackness dissipates, and I’m able to see a moonlight evening and feel hard wind upon my skin. I’m still not able to move, nor breathe, but do feel a myself being lifted by a pair of hands and laid upon a nearby stone bench. Don’t move Lafayette, laugh’s the Dark Silhouetted woman and Lafayette hears chanting emanating from the woman. While on my back, the dark woman leans over and blows something into my mouth with an indescribable force.

At the moment, I feel power returning to my limbs, air entering my lungs and my heart begins to beat. You are free Lafayette from your “ “ “ incarceration” ” “ and now I must encourage haste, before someone discovers us. Haste I say … to where …? You must leave water-deep Lafayette and travel to the silver marshes, where I will provide you sanctuary, until you have fully recovered. Thereafter, we can consult on our pact and best way to ensure that both parties are happy with the arrangement.

Flashback - A Gnoll party invades Waterdeep (Kempo)

Waterdeep
(Some 20 years prior to the Gnoll siege)

Kempo was startled from his evening devotions by a knock at the door to his quarters. Rising from his knees, he opened the door to find Healer Androzanius in his armour. "Come quick!", said the healer, "Vicar Anderson needs every one of us. The gnolls are making a foray into Waterdeep sewers again". "I advised the Vicar we needed to block that route, Androzanius", replied Kempo, hastily dressing into his mail shirt. Picking up his shield and mace, Kempo followed the wizened old healer out of his quarters and down the stone corridor towards Anderson's offices. The young cleric had been in the service of Kord for just one year, and he ran with the enthusiasm of youth towards the fight. When they reached the offices of the vicar, breathless, he was already waiting for them. "You two took long enough", said Anderson, who turned and led them down a flight of stone steps towards the sewers. "The other novitiates are already assembled and waiting for us".

It took abour ten minutes to navigate the sewer system and find the assembled Clerics. Kempo nodded to his peers, who looked relieved at his arrival. He had already, in such a short space of time, demonstrated both his prowess with his weaponry, and his cool head on a battlefield. The gnolls had been making forays into Waterdeep for some months, most likely, Kempo had informed Anderson, to search for weaknesses prior to a protracted siege. Anderson usually dismissed the young novitiates worries, stating they were probably just scavenging for food. "There's nothing between the ears of a gnoll, Kempo. Take a look next time you smash open the skull of one", he would say. But the forays had started increasing in frequency, and even Anderson had started to consider the possibility that Kempo was right.

Anderson raised his arm, and a hush descended upon the excited clerics, huddled together in a narrow stone sewer passageway deep within the underworld of Waterdeep. In the sudden quiet, the sound of footsteps came through the darkness. Kempo narrowed his eyes and squinted, trying to see what was coming up the passageway to meet them, but saw only shadows cast by flickering torches. Voices were talking in a language he did not understand, but recognised as the tongue of gnolls. Kempo frowned. He leaned in and whispered to Anderson, "They are making a lot of noise for someone who is trying to sneak into Waterdeep". Anderson nodded his agreement, and turned back to face the oncoming gnoll party. While the gathered clerics all prayed silently for Kord to grant them success, Kempo was making plans for the battle. Unusually for a cleric, Kempo was not a very religious man. His devotions were performed perfunctorily and without ceremony or passion, and on more than one occasion he had neglected them, only to find Kord silent later in the day when help was needed. It would be a short fight. The gnolls always came underprepared for these forays, and Kempo smiled without mirth as he contemplated the average intellect of your average gnoll.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a cry that went up in the gnoll party, as they spotted the clerics and made their charge towards them. Kempo counted about fifteen of the filthy creatures, against twenty of his peers, and surmised the fight would be over even before it had begun. Anderson raised his arm to signal readiness for the charge, when all of a sudden an unearthly howl rang out in the sewers, deafening the clerics that stood, weapons raised, ready to meet the gnolls. The gnoll raiding party also faltered in their charge, and started to cast nervous (to Kempo, did they look frightened?) looks behind them. Out of the gloom a dark robed figure stalked up the sloping tunnel toward the gnoll party, and in the figures wake was something that belonged to Kempo's worst nightmares. A huge, seething black mass of muscle and sinew was making it's way now past the robed figure and stalking towards the gnolls. It's eyes were smoldering red fire, and it had two wicked looking horns either side of its temples. Criss crossing the demons enormous chest were wicked looking chains, and in it's right hand it carried an axe decorated with human skulls. It's lips were drawn back into a snarl, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth, and once again it let out that inhuman roar as it reach the now terrified gnoll party.

The cleric party also began to falter. "HOLD THE LINE!" shouted Anderson, despite his own terror at the demonic form that was coming toward them. Many of the novitiates were now open mouthed with terror, and those that were not rooted to the spot were frantically praying for Kord to deliver them. Kempo found that he was strangely not terrified of the demonic monstrosity, and watched with a certain amount of fascination as it began to tear apart the gnoll raiding party one by one. Terrified gnolls began to scatter, but in the cramped conditions of the sewer tunnel they had nowhere to go. The sound of crunching bone and tearing flesh, as the demon ate its way through the raiders, brought up the evening meal in one or two of the clerics, who by this time had also started to back away from the monstrosity. Vicar Anderson watched the carnage with frightened eyes, then turned, pushed his way through the novitiates and set off at a pace back up the tunnel towards the entrance grate. The clerical party took it's lead from the vicar, and turned and fled with him. Only Kempo remained in the tunnel, and when the demon had finished slaughtering the gnoll raiders, it turned it's attention to Kempo. For his part, Kempo did not move as the demon bore down on him, watching with a kind of stunned fascination at the creature that now threatened to take his life. Then, with a suddenness that took Kempo completely by surprise, the demonic form withered and then vanished, an anguished cry on its lips as the robed figure sent it back to the underworld.

The robed man approached Kempo, and removed his hood. He had a neatly trimmed beard, a bald head, and wore the vestments more usually associated with a clerical order than a necromancer. Looking Kempo directly in the eye from three feet away, the figure smiled and said, "Novice Kempo. I have been looking for you for a very long time...."

Flashback - Discoveries in the Dark (Garf)

The room was not luxurious by any amount of imagination but it was dry and warm which was all that Brother Garf really required. Unable to sleep he lay on the simple bed the monastery provided. That and a small wooden chair and desk were all the furniture that were allowed in his cell. The book of Kord lay resting on the desk where he had left it earlier in the evening but even that could not distract him from his current train of thought. He had spent the last 2 days purely on bread and water. Not by his own choice of course, brother Garf had few vices but the simple life of a monk was not an easy one and the fact that he was allowed to eat and drink good food were the only conciliation for the other luxuries he was denied by the rules of his order.

The injustice of it still bothered Garf, after all he had been correct. His tutor at the monastery Brother Octavius was an old cleric, fat in the belly and the intellect he had been blessed with earlier in life had been stolen from him by the onset of his twilight years. The small class of trainee Clerics had been discussing a matter of a passage in the book of Kord. Brother Octavius had been explaining to the group his interpretation of the passage but had clearly become confused. Garf had corrected him as gently as possible but the old monk had taken it as a personal insult and sent Garf to reflect on his thoughts in his cell for two days. As he lay on his bed his stomach ached and the thought of another day without a good meal lingered in the front of his mind stopping him from sleeping. His thoughts soon turned to the food that he could be eating now. The monastery, although only possessing simple cooking equipment, had the most wonderful selection of food and wine readily available to him under normal circumstances. It was then that the plan hatched in his mind, if he could sneak his way to the Kitchen then only Kord would ever know he had disobeyed brother Octavious's order and he was a warrior God who would smile upon anyone brave enough to mount such a daring raid.

Before he knew it he was on his feet making his way to the door. As he slowly opened the door the iron hinges gently creaked but in the silence of the night the noise was almost deafening to Garf. He moved out of his door and down the corridor, the snores of his fellow Clerics resonating down the narrow stone hallway. As he reached the end of the corridor he gently opened the wooden door that led to the cloister. He lingered in the doorway allowing his vision to adjust to the darkness until he was certain it was deserted. Then, as silently as he could, he made his way across the courtyard to the kitchens. As he walked through the archway into the kitchen the smell of rich food and wine bombarded his senses and he jumped as he noticed Brother Octavius sat at a table in the middle of the room. As his mind raced for a plausible excuse he noticed the monk had not reacted to his presence and as he gently moved closer he saw the old man had fallen asleep halfway through a meal he had clearly helped himself to earlier in the evening. A bottle of wine also rested on the table and Garf quickly realised this was the perfect opportunity. There was no way that the old monk would remember how much he had eaten or drank before he had fallen asleep so Garf helped himself to the remainder of the meal in full knowledge the food would never be missed.

Once his belly was full Garf started back toward his cell with the confidence that Kord was clearly on his side tonight. As he strode confidently into the cloister he froze in his tracks. Six silhouettes moved through the darkness at the other end of the courtyard and through a small wooden door. Garf knew this door well it was the subject of a great deal of rumour. The stories of what laid beyond the door were wild and varied but what was for sure was that Bishop Kempo had ruled the area strictly out of bounds. It was unusual for such an area to be declared within a monastery but as it was Bishop Kempo, the hero of the siege of Waterdeep, who had made the ruling it was beyond question. All that anyone knew was that the work being conducted beyond those doors was being kept secret and was vital to protection of the city. Garf thanked Kord he had not been caught and made his way back toward his cell but as he reached the wooden door he noticed a thin shaft of light emanating from the door across the courtyard. He stood uncertain of what to make of it until his curiosity finally got the better of him and he sneaked across to the partially open door. As he looked into the crack he could see a staircase leading downward lit by torchlight. He sat there a moment his mind racing at what could be at the end of the staircase when suddenly he heard a strange noise. As he strained to listen he could just make out the sound of chanting. Why not, he thought, he could just take a quick peek after all fortune was smiling on him tonight. Cautiously he opened the door and made his way down the staircase.

The staircase wound its way downwards, the noise of chanting growing with every step. The corridor finally opened up into a large cavern. Garf found himself looking down into the room. It was clear that if he continued on the path he would clearly be seen by the occupants of the room below. He couldn't quite see what was happening due to a large pillar that was one of a number supporting the substantial ceiling of the cavern. Garf pulled himself to the other side of the column onto a narrow decorative ledge that gave him clear view of the room below. Five monks stood equally spaced around the outside of the room with the final person stood in the middle. The outside of the room was decorated in symbols that he did not recognise but he knew that they were clearly not symbols of Kord. The person in the middle of the room was preparing something and seemed to be leading the proceedings. He was stood in front of a large circular symbol and as he spoke a thick black smoke began to emanate from it. It was as dark as night and moved in an unnatural way, unlike smoke it moved more like a creature writhing back and forth moving upwards. It was far from clear what was going on here but Garf was sure the Bishop should know of it. Garf was about to move back out to the staircase when he saw a shape starting to form in the smoke and he strained to make it out. Without thinking he edged forward knocking a small stone gargoyle from the ledge he was standing on. The figure fell through the air and crashed onto the floor 20 feet below. The monks spun around and with the break in their concentration the black smoke violently retreated back into the symbol on the floor. It was then that Garf saw something that shocked him to the core, the face of the central figure was Bishop Kempo and his cold eyes stared directly up to where he was hiding. Garf bolted instinctively running back up the stairwell, across the courtyard and back into his cell. He lay in bed his eyes closed hoping anyone who came searching would believe he was asleep. He was unsure how good a look Bishop Kempo had got at him and he prayed to Kord that it wasn't enough to recognise him.

Garf did not sleep that night. He waited until all of his fellow clerics were awake and then tried to move with the crowd toward the great hall for breakfast. The meal was uneventful and Garf started to allow himself to believe he had gotten away with the previous nights events. He started to make his way out of the great hall when a chubby arm blocked his path. "I don't know why" rasped Brother Octavius "but Bishop Kempo has requested you join him in his office this morning". Garf felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, well if I have to face punishment then at least I shall know my fate he thought.

Although he knew the way to Bishop Kempos offices he had never been required to enter them before. He nervously poked his head around the door into the lavishly decorated room. Unlike the other rooms in the monastery this one was clearly more used to entertaining the ruling class of the city than the usual simple living of a man of the church. Bishop Kempo was sat on a Sofa with a pot of Tea in front of him. "Ah brother Garf, please come, sit down, can I offer you some tea?". Garf stood speechless for a few seconds "Ah... yes thankyou" he sat down next to the Bishop. "I wanted to speak to you about the events of last night. I'm sure you know of the rules regarding restricted areas in the monastery". "I do" replied Garf "and I cannot apologise enough for my error of .. " "well never mind that" replied the bishop what is done is done. What is important now is that we keep the details of that evening secret". "I'm sure you understand that as a Bishop of this city it is often my burden to undertake secret work in order to protect it". "There are people who would seek to use your new found knowledge against us". "Well I didn't really...." The bishop raised his hand which Garf clearly took as a signal to stop talking. "Now tell me Garf have you spoke of this to anyone else". "No" Garf replied. The Bishop eased in his seat "then the damage is minimal". The Bishop sat for a while looking at Garf "It occurs to me that I have a job suitable for an adventurous Cleric such as yourself. The church of Weddenvale is in need of some guidance and I think you would be ideally suited. Garf was shocked "Well that would be a great honour for a Cleric as young as myself ..... I would of course accept". "Well that settles it you should make arrangements to leave as soon as possible, my staff will assist you". The bishop lifted his arm toward the door and Garf took the hint and stood up. "Oh Garf..... obviously you must not talk to anyone of our discussion today". Garf nodded and quickly made his way out of the room.

Kempo watched the young Cleric walk out of the door and closed it behind him. As he did the forced smile dropped instantly from his face and was replaced with a cold deliberate look. He made his way to his desk and took out a new piece of parchment and penned a letter

Brother Jintell
Church of St Arthur
Weddenvale
Alesia

Brother,

I am once again in need of your unique skills. A young Cleric at the monastery has become privy to our activities. Under the circumstances sending him to you would seem the safest option.

Brother Garf will arrive within the week. I trust you will provide him with a suitable welcome.

Kempo

Flashback - Extra! Extra! Read all about it! (Lafayette)

... news brief ... The waterdeep Gazette.

Time: 4 months later
Location: Main waterdeep city

/paper seller (scroll): Extra extra: read all about it. A desecration has occurred in Mount helibron Cemetary.

/Vicar anderson: tis bad times when the only news that can reproted is a last person's resting place.

/paper seller: Agree there wit-ya vicar. But i don't think people will be all that troubled by the news. I've only sold 10 scrolls all day long.

/vicar anderson: Why's that ?

/paper seller: It was that their criminal Lafayette, and we know how he was viewed in the end by the cities inhabitants. Who would by his story ... The paper seller spat. A dead criminals last resting place descrated. Some folk would think his corpse probably deserves it. /the seller laughes. I wonder where it is anyhow. The alchemists betting shop is actually taking wagers on which part of the city it will end up in ..

/vicar anderson ... what do you mean disappered. ?

/paper seller ... thats right ... The whole dame body mising. Captian Bight has done the investigation --> /points at the quote on the scroll
" " " i'm sure this was either a practical joke or the work of magic, as it appears that after investigating that the coffin was opened from the inside. We know thats impossible because after 4-months without oxygen, no person much less a dragon would be alive. No spell could last that long, and no signs of and wars or circle magic was found " " " .

Flashback - Bishop Kempo receives mixed news

... From the office of Bishop Kempo ...

My lord, have you heard the news, Layafette was found dead in his cell.

The bishop Kempo raised any eyebrow that suggested suprise and distain. Are you sure of your facts vicar anderson?

I am my mylord. He was pronounced dead by the healer androzanius, and burried in mount heliborn cermetary near the main port.

Has Piergeiron the Paladinson been informed of this development?

Yes mylord.

Bishop kempo squeezed his hands in anger. So he escapes the opportunity to have Kord cleanse his soul in the afterlife. /sigh

Very well. Thankyou Vicar Anderson for this information.

/Bishop Kempo smiles evily, thats one problem that won't have to be managed now.

Flashback - Death and Rebirth (Lafayette)

Inside a rat infested dungeon Lafayette attempted to ponder what had happened, and although escape had been on his mind, felt it was pretty futile given the amount of thickness the walls were made of, and the regular gaurds which patrolled his cells.

At around 01:00 hours, Lafayette, became aware of a mist, which permeated his cell and began to approch him. Although alarmed, Lafayette thought to himself, so their planning to execute me whih some alchemists poisiness gas, well very well, their is not much i can relly do.

To Lafayette's suprise, a quiet voice whispered something to him.

" " I am aware of your situation Lafayette and know of your innocence " ".

To Lafayette's amazement, materialising in one corner of the cell, was the silouette of a dark-skinned woman.
and seek to make a pact with you. I could help you to escape your situation Lafayette

/Lafayette: whatever you are, I would give anything to be out of this situation, and if you can influence the judge in this matter, i would be eternally grateful.

/dark-skinned woman: Thats an interesting way of putting things Layayette 'Eternally grateful'. I have no inflence on any judge sadly, but i do offer you the chance for freedom, in a round about sort of way.

/Lafayette: I'll gratefully take it in any way, just get me out of here.

/dark-skinned woman: You would do to know, that this pact is forever binding, and will require you to feed me regularly. This will also receive a montly wage of 100 gp, to help you manage your life's finances.

/Lafayette gulped: feed you ... what are you. That it became very apparent in his mind ... Sighing ... You have my word of honour. Now how do i get out of here?

/dark-skinned woman: The only way possibly ... through death, well of a sort. The creature fed and disappeared very rapidly.

The next morning, to the befuddlement of the gaurds, Layafette was pronounced dead and buried.