Lord Ascarious listened silently as Kana recalled the series of events in the underground complex.
Finally he spoke.
"This is discouraging to hear," he said. "At least you managed to destroy one of their fortresses in the area, although I can't tell if that's a major blow or minor inconvenience to them. Unfortunately, that makes the set of maps useless to me. However, for reporting on this incident you shall receive a reward of 125 pieces of silver, each."
He took out two large satchels tied to his belt and personally handed it to Kana and Alex. "I'm afraid that my next set of plans will not need you. I must inquire with the villagers of Redstall as to the fate of their town."
The noble paced around the hallway. "If the dangers are as bad as you say, many will want to leave. But taking up roots and moving elsewhere will be difficult, with winter so close. And if they stay, they'll be subject to more potential attacks. Gah, I can't move until I raise the issue in the next noble assembly! Who knows what the Von Klaws or Lady Skorgen will offer or debate in response to this..."
Realizing that the two adventurers still stood in the room, he stopped his fretting. "Lady Kana and Lady Alex, you have it on my word that I'll summon you when I need your services again. For now, I can allow you to remain for a while in my estate as honored guests, though you'll have to leave by tomorrow. Archibald may show you to your quarters if you desire to stay."
Sandbox Mode
Now that you've completed Lord Ascarious' quests, it is up to you as adventurers to seek out the next great journey! East Brendor is your oyster, and you can travel wherever you want! Just keep in mind that not everything in this world will correspond to your level, or that the journey will be a safe one. Careful planning, forethought, and research on interesting people and places can do wonders.
For the time being, I'll provide you with a few adventure hooks, of things you happen to hear on the streets of Vornheim, the tavern halls, social gatherings, all of which comprise the network of contacts and hirelings that attract all sorts of adventurers!Akris Belker's Lab: In a rickety section of tower in the southern end of the city is a collection ramshackle tenement. Wooden platforms and houses on stilts add onto the stone foundations as more and more of Vornheim's poor lose their old homes to age. Virtual layers of woodhouses and lack of urban planning lead to strange domiciles, with doors in the ceilings and networks of horizontal ladders connecting houses together.
It is here that Akris Belker lives, the most famed alchemist of Vornheim. Many of his concoctions have effects ranging from the great to the terrible, and he's always in need of assistants to help him gather ingredients, make deliveries, and put down rogue creations.
Red Murmurings: The lands of West Brendor are give over to the monolatrist faith of Anerman, the Red Hierarch, and in this land there is no dissent. The Crimson Faith makes great demands of it citizens to resist the dark entities of this world and others, and a small circle of church elders enact policy which can affect the entire nation and beyond.
Within the last week,
their templars have made their presence known in Vornheim. They do not blend in well, with their iconic red robes and disturbing regalia of skulls and blade motifs on their armor. A group's frequenting the Dragon's Head Pub, apparently on the lookout for someone or something.
Cathedral of Rust: Vorn, the Grim Gaunt God Iron, Rust, and Rain is the most powerful religious order in Vornheim. The Eminent Cathedral lies in the city's center, across from the Palace Massive. Every weekend hundreds flock into its ancient halls to hear the elderly Mother Brusca recite the sacraments and blessings for fair weather. As ones who earned the trust of Lord Ascarious, your status as reliable folk reaches her ears, and wishes for the two of you to help her out with a spate of hauntings in the neighborhood.