Calessia's Fate / Anum 10, 1423
Calessia awoke with a start and as her senses sharpened she discerned that she was in a very comfortable bed in what appeared to be from the look of things, the bedroom of someone with a fair amount of wealth. As Calessia sat up, a figure moved from the shadowy corner of the room and approached the bed with both hands up, palms out as if to indicate that they meant no harm.
"Wh - where am I?" asked Calessia as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, never taking her eyes off the stranger. "Now settle down Miss . . Miss Calessia. You are in no danger here, I assure you. You are in the home of my master, Jebediah Selnos. You may call me Rod and I am here at your disposal." Calessia looked closely at Rod and as she studied him a part of her mind made note of the fact that not only was she without armor or weapons, she was wearing a nightgown of quite some finery. Rod noticed her sudden mood change and quickly commented, "Please don't be alarmed. We had one of the woman servants change you out of that filthy traveling gear when you were brought in."
"When I was brought in?" Calessia questioned. "I don't remember what happened to me. The last thing I remember was being in my room at the Grey - no, Green Dragon Inn. I was expecting some friends . . . I think. No wait. . . I was asleep? Or was I in the common room? Gods above help me but I really cannot remember what happened to me!" Rod moved across the room and poured Calessia a glass of water which she accepted and drank gratefully. As he brought over the glass Rod explained how Calessia must have been mugged since her body was found by the night watch. "If the watch had not found you when they did and dragged you in here, you probably would have frozen to death out there. I hear that's what happened to John the Beachcomber a few days ago. They say he froze to death right outside the door to The Drowned Rat - probably a better fate anyway. Luckily we keep someone posted at the estate's outer gate all the time and Master Selnos is known far and wide for his charitable spirit and hospitality. Hearth can be an unfriendly town sometimes - you may have avoided all this by staying at The Crown and the Coin but then I would not have the pleasure of your company now would I?" Rod shook his head, "I understand there have been quite a few altercations at that Green Dragon the last few days. You're much better off staying here until you get back on your feet."
Calessia thought about her situation and Rod's subtle flirtation, and she became slightly embarrassed, "Well, I guess I should be grateful so please accept my thanks and if possible I would like to thank Master Selnos personally." Rod nodded and assured Calessia that Master Selnos would probably be by shortly. As Rod showed Calessia where the wardrobe was and the selection of fine clothes inside of it they made small talk and Calessia's mood softened. Rod excused himself and left Calessia alone to pick out an outfit and freshen up. Luckily the room had a beautiful full-length framed mirror and Calessia stood in front of it holding up the various outfits to see which one suited her best.
Many floors below Calessia and deep in the bowels of the estate, in a room that Jebediah Selnos had no idea existed, a solitary figure sat in an overstuffed chair idly watching Calessia's actions in a crystal ball. It had been child's play to orchestrate the attacks on the so-called Dunjonstompers and Malcolm chuckled to himself on how well his plans had come together. A few more Axe-men were dead, damn their Aluvian souls and his errant servant was now writhing in eternal sunlit torment. Malcolm had other more trustworthy servants and now he had two more to add to his retinue and spellcasters to boot! Calessia had been easy pickings - a lone elf wandering the streets of Hearth was almost too good to be true and once she was captured, a steady diet of river water was making her more pliable with each passing day.
Caluldor had been more of a challenge but in the end his brainwashing took less effort mostly due to the fact that convincing Caluldor that his comrades were trying to steal from him and kill him was an easy task given the events at the Green Dragon. Caluldor was hauled away from the Green Dragon and to Malcolm's sanctuary the night of the berserker attack. Malcolm saw personally to Caluldor's recovery, feeding him a steady stream of half-truths, suggestions and river water. The last shreds of Caluldor's sanity were stripped away when Malcolm "allowed" him to don the circlet. Malcolm watched in amusement as Caluldor put on the circlet and screamed from the mental feedback - an endless loop of his very own thoughts and senses over and over and over. The circlet and sigil were NEVER supposed to be used by the same person and had been created so voluntary action was required to activate the circlet. After a few minutes Caluldor had slumped over in his chair, drool spilling out of his now wide open mouth and trickles of bright red blood leaking from his ears. Caluldor was now a clean slate for Malcolm to work upon. There would be no questions from the authorities as there were no family members around to report the missing person and given their history, the Dunjonstompers would more than likely be killed on sight if they attempted to even enter Hearth.
Malcolm turned away from the crystal ball as the sight of a half-clad elf maiden held absolutely no interest for him. As he pored over reports from his agents in the field he began to wonder which of the two kobold tribes was more incompetent, those of the Blackthorn Hills or those living in the Mines of Mithros. Jebediah's voice pulled him back to the crystal ball - apparently Calessia had finished her fashion show and the master of the manor had arrived. There was the obvious small talk and then Calessia began asking more probing questions, more than a few about Rod as he seemed so familiar.
"Master Selnos, if I may be so bold what is Rod's full name? He appears to be elvish and as I am also elvish I can't help but wonder if we are related." Jebediah mulled over the question in his head before answering, "Rod is new to the household but comes highly recommended according to Malcolm. I believe his full name is Rod Lulac." Malcolm's laughter echoed in the hidden room for a long long time. . . .
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Dragons (version 3.5) campaign, please contact the Dungeonmaster