Crossover - Chapter 60

Hawke is a bit worried about the price on his head.  It is understandable.  He is very visible and many more than just the Guild of Villains are looking for him now.  The Constables blame him for the drow strike and are looking for him, too.  He gives voice to his concerns, “It’s getting hard for me to get about without bumping into to trouble.  Two groups tried to capture me just this morning.”

Shaddar advises him to no longer risk himself in public.  “If you deem the risk too great, then by all means, remain in the shadows.  It does us no good for you to put yourself at risk needlessly.”

“I’m worried that this Guildmaster won’t know who to fight,” Hawke grumbles. “We don’t want her challenging me directly – that’d do us no good.”

“The Guildmaster will know us better soon enough, have no fear of that!  Another good reason for you to blend in for a while.”  Hakwe nods and leaves to arrange his new and lengthier communication chain.

“A ready-made patsy, should I find myself in need of one,” Shaddar thinks with morbid satisfaction.  “Yes, I must keep my options open.”

Crossover - Chapter 59

“You, tall one!  No the other tall one!  Yes, you!  Move that heavy thing over there!” Cutt’s voice echoes down the hallway as Shaddar slides through the barely stirring underground lair. 

Shaddar is pleased to see that the svirfneblin has reassembled his alchemical workshop much faster than the initial one took to set up.  One factor could be the score or so of drow ‘assistants’ that Cutt has appropriated.  So long as the pipsqueak doesn’t put on airs again, Shaddar is for anything that will speed the thrall’s productivity.

Shaddar’s hopes that the troublesome little gnome has learned his place is dashed as he hears the gnome continue to order about the drow under his control.

“Good job.  Now move it back to where it was…  Because I say so, tall one!  Now get to it!  Bwah-ha-ha!”

Shaddar sighs heavily.  The work of a master is never done when the slaves are such as Cutt.  He makes a mental note to come up with some random, but memorable, public humiliation to inflict upon the gnome later.

Crossover - Chapter 58

Shaddar awakens and it takes just a moment to review the events of yesterday.  Happy thoughts enough, but he is eager to find out what his minions have accomplished during the night as per his orders.

So many plans were set into motion last night…

Masaxle’s unveiling of the drow artwork was inspiring. 

“Behold the glory of our race!” the crazed artisan had yelled as a group of about 300 stonemasons, students and apprentices had seen his workshop.  The silence of the gawking drow caused Shaddar’s tentacles jerk and writhe in pleasure. 

“It speaks to you, does it not, my children?” Shaddar whispered into the quiet room.  A gentle reminder that their new-found passions and freedoms were linked directly to him.  Excellent.  Excellent.

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 8

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location: Central Wilds

We had no further trouble that day, nor during the night.  I and my fellows put up a two-person watch (on either end of the campsite) and rotated the duty during the night with each other. 

The teamsters are not in the habit of having any guards at night whatsoever, which seems ridiculous and foolhardy in the extreme.  When Fabro confronted Antoro about this lapse of sound thinking the man replied – “I have a guard dog that barks at beasts and scares them off.” 

The guard dog is a fluffy little thing, no bigger than a wineskin.  Its squeaky yip is not in the least threatening.  How have these people lived unmolested for so many years?  The grace of Osiris must watch over them...

The next day was quite boring.  Not much wildlife or game to be seen.  The monotony did not lessen our vigilance, however!  After the orc scouts we ran into, we and the teamsters were quite diligent in their inspection of the terrain and horizon.  But nothing was out of the ordinary and the day passed quietly.

The same can not be said for the night.

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 7

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location: Central Wilds

Our journey the first day was a non-event.  The weather was fine.  The road was clear.  And we saw nothing alive other than a few deer and birds.  As we had been told, the campsite that we stopped at for the evening was well marked and commonly used.  I had hoped that there would be a wooden picket or watchtowers at such obvious places of rest, but alas!  The townsfolk of Trat looked at me strangely when I commented upon this lack.  Ah, well.

It was during the second day's travel that Nihani spied the orc scouts.

No one else saw them at first.  My first clue that something might be happening is when Nihani urged her glass scorpion to a slightly greater pace, pulling out of position and drawing up next to Dhaja.  I thought nothing of this at first, since we often changed position or rode next to one another to trade a bit of conversation.

With a sudden cry, Nihani jabbed her heels into the flanks of her mount and the beast skittered at a run towards the rear of a hillock that the road was slowly rounding.  I had not yet seen her scorpion move at top speed and it was frighteningly fast!  As she moved, Nihani cried out: “Orcs!  Behind the hill!”

Antoro's head popped out of the door of his cart and he yelped, “What?  Orcs?  Here?”

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 6

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen

After leaving Sheik Kazim's tent, we went our separate ways in order to attend to our own final preparations.  I took the opportunity to discover just where this northern road was, being quite unfamiliar with the town.

On the way, I bought a horse and other supplies and foodstuffs that I might need on my journey.  My supply of small gems I brought with me from home was fast dwindling.  Luckily my share of the pay for the job of guarding Antoro's caravan would refill my purse somewhat.  The merchant I worked with was quite helpful in directing me to the proper spot where my rendezvous with the others was to take place.

I was happy to find Fabro next to a wagon of his own when I came upon the road.  He had already harnessed the horses and was tightening straps on some oddly bulky cargo in the rear of the cart.

“Are you bringing a load of trade goods with you to sell in Trat, Fabro?” I asked him.

“Huh?” Fabro glanced over at me as he replied.  Seeing that it was I, he answered, “No, these are my tools.  I don't go anywhere without my tools.”

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 5

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen – Tent of Kazim

Sheik Kazim drew aside the beaded curtain that separated myself, Mal'Metaf, and Kelbik from the main area of the tent once Antoro left.

“Come in!  We must now have a private discussion!” he said.  “You have questions about the assignment, yes?”

“No, no!” Kelbik yelped in his high-pitched voice.

Mal'Metaf shook his head and I followed.  The specifications of the job seemed clear enough to me.

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 4

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen – Tent of Kazim

“I suppose I should tell you who I am, if you don’t already know?” Antoro raises a single brow at this question and looks hopefully at Nihani, Fabro, and Dhaja.  Getting only blank stares in reply to his query he frowns and continues, “I am the deputy mayor of Trat – a Vincha settlement sponsored by the Orsini Family out of Corbanile.”

“Never heard of it,” Nihani says softly.

Antoro’s frown deepens.  “Trat may be a small town – only 4600 souls, but we are vital to the Vincha trade road that is maintained by the Orsini Family.  Our location in the Central Wilds can not be helped.”

“You control a natural resource of some kind?” guessed Fabro.

Antoro nodded.  “Indeed.  We have an important mining operation.”

“Mining what?” Dhaja asked.

“It’s rather complicated,” Antoro said in a bored tone.  He continues slowly, as if he is worried that those who would be guards are not capable of handling new information: “I’m not sure you would understand.  Ah…  We dig into the ground.  We bring valuable commodities up.  Then we sell them.”

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 3

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location:  Ashen – Tent of Kazim

I entered the tent of Kazim and discovered two others already waiting just inside.  A large, broad man with two scimitars crossed on his back – a Dune Walker perhaps?  He had a turban with a heavy chainmail veil that hid most of his facial features.  This man glanced at me from one corner of his eye and dipped his head slightly.  The other figure in the vestibule was a small, black feathered creature with a plume of bright green on his crown.  He was bouncing from foot to foot in an almost comical manner, his long beak swaying in time to his motion.

“Do you work for Kazim, friends?” I asked.

The large fellow nodded silently, but the birdman spoke up at once in a high-pitched squawk.  “Yes, yes!  Doing odd jobs.”

“I am Izyad Mishtan,” I said by way of introduction, “Sheik Kazim said he might be able to find me some adventure to partake of?”

“We also wish to work as guard for the caravan into the wilds,” growled the man in a guttural voice.  “I am Mal’Metaf.”

“Yes, yes!” added the feathered one, “And I am Kelbik – called Shunned by the Kenku.  I wish to see more of the world!”

“But we must wait,” added Mal’Metaf.

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 2

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location: Ashen

After my needful purchase of ammunition, I wandered through the marketplace, seeing what other wonders I could find in this new town.

Passing through a narrow passage between buildings, I discovered several beggars.  As is proper, I gave one of them a coin with the blessings of Osiris.  I thought nothing of this act of kindness, but my action was the seed of a tragedy.  To think that my charity would cause woe is sorrowful, but Osiris’ determination shall be done!

But to continue my narrative in sequence:

I emerged onto a large open area covered by merchants, tents, carts, and hawkers of every kind.  Two large fellows wearing identical robes that hid their entire bodies walked past.  My eyes followed them as I attempted to discover if they were of a religious order.  Both men had some kind of patch on one shoulder and each had two huge scimitars sheathed on their backs, the sword hilts jutting up over their shoulders.  So?  Law enforcement, militia, or army?

Steampunk Nights - Chapter 1

Record Author: Izyad Mishtan, Acolyte of Osiris
Location: Near and in Ashen

This is the land of wonders that the omens predicted I must visit!  I did not think it possible, may Osiris forgive my lack of faith, but how was I to know that such wonders could lie beyond the borders of our monastery?

Hopefully my prior scroll containing the initial description of this land and the course of my travels has arrived safely, but I have received no response.  Because of this, I shall forebear sending future messages and keep them on my person until such time as my quest has been completed successfully.  I dare not risk this precious knowledge becoming lost or falling into the wrong hands.

It has taken me two tendays of travel and adventures, but at last I have arrived at a larger settlement than the small hamlets and traveling caravans that were my only encounters prior to today.  I have practiced some with the strange weapon that I was given for healing the gypsy matron this morning.  My skill with the elegant (if noisy) weapon improves.  How it functions still eludes me.  It is a magic like no other I have seen or heard of. 

Crossover - Chapter 57

Shaddar leaves Kug to his work and seeks out Barrityl and Yanivlitan.  He can sense their minds in the main audience chamber and sees that they have things to discuss with him from their thoughts.

“Report!” Shaddar barks as he enters the hall.  He strides briskly to the pair of drow and stops with his hands on his hips.

Barrityl bows slightly as he responds, “Great one, you will be pleased to hear that there are so many worthy drow who could be useful as a part of your army that we do not have room to house them all inside the palace.”

“This is a gratifying problem to be presented with,” Shaddar says with a nod.

“Many of the lower classes of drow were quite excited with the idea of not doing their normal labors for the humans and instead to do something for the glory of the drow race,” Barrityl says with pride.

Crossover - Chapter 56

The brawlers and other members of Flame’s group stand in shock, staring at the body that now lies on the floor of the pub.  Shaddar mops delicately at his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Over here men, please,” Shaddar commands, pointing at the corpse.  “The fluids will be finished draining momentarily and you can deliver my completed message – sans about nine pounds – to the Guildmaster.”

One of the burly men turns away and becomes sick behind one of the tables in the pub.  All of them are pale and motionless – frozen with fear.  Pathetic.

Shaddar turns to his thrall and says, “To the victor go the spoils!” 

Crossover - Chapter 55

Shaddar waits by the bar and the regulars of Goggo’s Fisticuff Pit stay well away from him.  Even they can sense he wishes to be left alone.

Toothsnatcher waits nearby, but close to the door in order to intercept any threats that enter the building.  He is surrounded by slightly drunk fans who are congratulating him on his victory and questioning him as to his fighting style and where he learned it.  The minotaur mostly answers in monosyllables or a variety of grunts.  The locals find his behavior quite novel and there is much laughter from their group.

“Where’d ya get this scar?” asks one of the men.

“Someone was clawing at me as I broke his neck with my bare hands,” growls the annoyed minotaur.

The group surrounding him laughs and raise their mugs to his grim reply.  It is obvious from their thoughts that they do not understand that Toothsnatcher is being quite truthful.

Shaddar shakes his head.  “Idiots.  They must have never heard the proverb: ‘Never pester a minotaur’.”

Crossover - Chapter 54

People flee from before the approach of Shaddar and his blood-splattered thrall.  It is not so much their hideous appearance, but the rumors and reports of slaughter that seem to move before them much faster than humans could normally run.  Shaddar is amazed at the efficiency of their grapevine.

Doors slams shut and shutter click together as they draw near to each building and the crowds of people are quickly thinning.  Those humans who see them, invariably turn around and run in the opposite direction.

Toothsnatcher is enjoying himself immensely.  “Best day ever!” he thinks, quite pleased that Shaddar is pushing deeper into the slums and seems intent on causing more trouble. 

“It is useful to have happy thralls – they seem to work more efficiently when they find their orders agreeable,” Shaddar thinks.

Crossover - Chapter 53

Shaddar and Toothsnatcher look very out of place with the well-dressed and excited people whom they stand in line with.  The thought of, “Why are these two freaks in line?  Aren’t they entertainers?” runs through most of their minds.

The exceptions are those members of the Guild of Villains who are running this scam.

“Ha!  These fools literally throw their gold at us!”

“That man in the purple vest and wearing a gold monocle is here to inquire about his dog’s health.  Best get that tidbit to Martus.”

“Say…  Isn’t that tall fellow wearing a funny uniform…  Hold on…  Oh, no!  The Guild of Swashbuckling Rogues!”

Crossover - Chapter 52

Barrityl is going to be gone for quite a while – handling all of the orders that Shaddar (and Cutt) gave him.  Hawke begins yelling orders at the drow porters as to where things should go and what should be unpacked first.

Half of the drow who serve in the underground palace are excited or satisfied (for many different reasons.   Some were disgruntled with the old leadership, some are still dazzled by his mental suggestions, some wanted change, etc.  As for the rest?  They are utterly terrified.  This is acceptable.

“It is boring here and I tire of second-hand reports,” Shaddar thinks.  “I shall go into the slums to taste the dark winds of change for myself!”

He takes Toothsnatcher with him.  He makes sure that the minotaur is wearing his standard, mediocre Swashbuckling Rogue attire.  Those who think that his group has been eliminated must be taught differently.

Crossover - Chapter 51

The last of the chests and boxes have been loaded by the drow that Shaddar brought with him from the underground palace.  It is time to leave.

“Hawke?  Walk with me.  I’m sure you have much more to tell me of my time while I was away.  We can speak on these matters as we travel to our new base of operations.”

“Of course, Boss,” Hawke replies somewhat uncertainly.  He is still a bit hesitant to live in a home built by the palehairs, but will do as he is ordered to by Shaddar.  Good.

“Before we begin, I have an additional task for you to give to your network.”

“Oh?”

Crossover - Chapter 50

It is clear that Shaddar’s appearance has upset the drow elder’s sleep schedule.  All three of the ancient dark elf leaders jump as the double doors fly open and slam into the walls with a bang.  None of them look happy to see him.

The sole female elder looks terrible with lines of deep depression clearly etched in her face.  It looks like she has not been sleeping or eating very well at all.  She appears to be even further aged – something Shaddar did not believe was possible.

“The Harvester returns,” Griselle thinks with frantic dread, “Will he bring us any reason to have optimism?  Oh, why do I torment myself with such thoughts?  It is hopeless!  Our doom is sealed.  Doubtless he comes with a missive that promises an eternity of darkness and pain…”

The second drow elder that Shaddar examines as he walks across the room glares at him with unfeigned and unmasked hostility.

“Drips and spots!  He’s back – and looking even more fancy than he did on his last visit,” thinks the sorcerer Filazar, “I wonder what insipid demand he will make this time?  It’s a good thing I was able to summon my best assassins and hide them in the other room.  I can’t wait to call them in on one excuse or another and humble this fraud for good!”

Crossover - Chapter 49

“So where is our new headquarters going to be?” Hawke asks.

“The dark elves have a facility that will suit us perfectly.  I will be leaving to gain unrestricted access and cooperation from their elders soon,” Shaddar explains.

“Bunking with palehairs?  Ugh!” the man thinks, but Shaddar notes that none of his inner emotion reaches his facial features.

Shaddar continues with an upraised finger, “Actually, I believe that it will be more like a hostile takeover.  I do not expect them to welcome us with open arms to their finest and most secret lair.”

Hawke barks a laugh.  “Not one of their hovels, then?”

“Oh, no,” Shaddar says with a tone of distaste, “Just wait, Hawke.  It is a fitting location for men of our stature.”

Hawke shakes his head.  “No disrespect meant, but I’ll believe that the palehairs are capable of making a place like that when I see it, Boss.”