Arson

[Leaving Hope]

* Late in the evening, several homes within Sundren City catch fire. Though they are put out before any real damage is done, the authorities suspect arson. *

* Somewhere, a man trembles. He looks downward at his hands and the evidence there. Fresh, red burns cover both hands. *

* Authorities find an odd note written in a shaky hand very near where the first fire took place. The note reads as if it is a recollection: *

At first, the scolding waves of heat were unbearable against his skin and eyes. He felt the blistering burn against his forehead and cheeks, and raised his arm to shield himself from discomfort; but greater agony came from not seeing, and not knowing. He forced himself to look.

The city block of residences burned ablaze with conflagration born of greed and hunger. Red, yellow and orange flames starkly contrasted against an ebon night, making the distant stars, fiery orbs themselves, look tame by comparison.

Panic showed in the faces of all around him, be it in the guard who ran to extinguish the unrelenting blaze, or in the horrified gathering of onlookers whose faces betrayed what he already knew.

He heard the rapid breathing of men as they raced for buckets of well water, their feet resounding on weathered cobblestone. He heard the shrieks and sobs of those beside him. He heard the crackle and hiss of water thrown against fire.

* A hooded figure observes the authorities and the site of the fire before quickly heading toward Sestra. *

* Several days later, after several more fires, the Sundren City authorities post the following notice within taverns and merchant halls: *

WANTED

Sundren City authorities suspect one or more arsonists are on the loose.

Authorities are offering an unspecified reward for information leading to the arrest of individuals responsible for setting fires in the city of Sundren.

See Captain Dillhunt for more details.

[Leaving Hope]

* More fires are set within the Sundren City Trade district over several days, prompting many merchants to close up shop temporarily. Business slows. The Sundren City authorities respond by posting more guards throughout the city, but no progress is made apprehending the arsonist(s).

Several robed figures are reported to be at the scene of each fire *

[Cadmus Runesmith]

*After speaking with the Captain, Cadmus makes his way toward the Exigo campgrounds where he finds many adventures spinning their tales around the campfire*

"Hear me then brave adventures, while we stand here reciting our tales of glory and honor the City of Sundren burns to the ground."

"Who here shall pick up their sword and aid the good Captain Dillhunt in his efforts to stop the Arsonists?"

[nickbeat]

Dahdmib had just returned from scouting the outer reaches of Viridale. His unique talent for tracking had proved helpful to the camp there, and through his information they had recovered a number of stolen weapons from the Ogres there.

When the dwarven wizard spoke up, he felt he must answer the call. What if they started burning the forest where he lived.

"I will help."

[Kangleton]

The figure of a hawk can barely be spotted overhead, circling the area occupied by Cadmus as he recruits those who would aid in the cases of Arson. After observing many spoken words, the bird loses interest in the scene, and flies to the north.

From atop his newest settled mountain peek, Karthus watches passively as the smoke rises from the city in the distance, as his figure shifts from hawk to man. Without a single gesture or spoken word, he allows the wind to pick him up from off the ground, as he glides into a cave just bellow his position, as rain begins to fall from the skies.

As the hours pass, the rain continues to pour, though from the puddles, shapes begin to become apparent atop the mountain. As time continues on, the shapes become more and more defined, eventually becoming so detailed as to include limbs, and what almost appear to be faces. By the fourth hour, as the rain continues, the newly formed water elementals begin to descend the mountain quite rapidly, heading towards the position of Cadmus and his forming team.

[Leaving Hope]

* A short, portly woman walks into Jimmy's bar *

Is it true? Is it true that the Exigo trading post was ablaze?

[Cadmus Runesmith]

*Cadmus sets down his tankard of ale upon hearing the distress in the woman's voice*

"Aye, sadly it is true." "It would seem the Arsonist has spread his fires beyond the trade tier and into the Exigo post."

"Myself and a few others are looking into the matter, hopefully we shall soon be able to locate the person responsible for the fires and end this nightmare before any more are harmed*

*Cadmus pulls out his chair and stands atop it adressing the crowd*

"If anyone here would like to assist us in this endevour please come forward." "The sooner this issue is resolved the safer Sundren shall be for all our families."

[Kangleton]

The travelling water elementals are smaller than they had been when atop the mountain, though they eventually reach the outskirts of Exigo's territory, in the crossroads. Observed by many of the locals with alarm, and shock, the elementals remain stationary in their new location. It very quickly becomes apparent, as to why their appearance his been made.

Whenever a creature, man, elf, dwarf, or otherwise steps within 15 feet of the grouped elementals, thick and gutteral noises resonate from deep within each body of water:

"Cadmus, of Candlekeep"

[Ethelo]

The towering figure of Ademant steps forward and speaks slowly,

"I...shall assist."

[Cadmus Runesmith]

*Cadmus learns of the water elementals stationed on the outskirts of the Exigo's territory. Quickly ensuring his greatsword is strapped securely across his back he sets down his mead and exits the tavern enroute to the crossroads.*


Cadmus slowly appraoches the water elementals grouped near the exigo. As he approaches their numbers he slightly tilts his head in deference to the mighty creatures.

"I am Cadmus Runesmith, Arcane Scholar of Candlekeep." "Word has reached my ears that you seek an audience with me."

Cadmus stands stationary awaiting the response of the elementals.

[Kangleton]

The water elementals do absolutely nothing for nearly a minute, without neither movement nor sound. After the long moments have passed, however, the largest of the three elementals collapses into a puddle, entirely losing its shape. As quickly as the last ounce of water had collided with the earth, another one raised back into the air, as drop by drop, the elemental began reconstructing itself.

A crudely shaped image of Karthus El'than then stood in the place of the previously semi-formless elemental, staring at Cadmus with what would pass for his eyes. As soon as the transformation had completed, the two remaining elementals began to speak in their gutteral, echoing voices, resonating from their bodies.

"Karthus sends his regards, and his aid. The bane of fire, the essence of water - we serve your will to combat the sources of smoke."

As the final words are spoken, the largest of the elementals breaks its form as Karthus' face sinks back into the formless body of water standing before Cadmus. All three elementals now stand in silence once more, awaiting instruction.

[Cadmus Runesmith]

Cadmus smiles as he things back to his old friend. "It seems that you have been gone a lifetime my friend." "I am pleased to know you have not forsaken us."

The Mage looks past the elementals and into the mountains rising up in the distance.

"Return to us when you can brother, I fear we shall soon have need of your wisdom."

Cadmus returns his gaze to the three elementals standing before him, watching as there liquid forms undulate and shift in a constant state of flux.

"I would pose a question to you then if you would be so inclined to answer."

"Amidst the fire that ravaged these grounds spawned what appeared to be elementals formed of shadow and fire, but their forms were twisted and mailigned."

"Know you the origins of such beings?" "It appears a strange form of teleportation magic was used to conjure them upon this plane."

"I seek answers to these mysteries."

[Kangleton]

The elementals continue to shift slightly as they remain in their positions. Many moments pass without so much as even an indication as to whether or not they understood Cadmus words whatsoever, though eventually, two of them begin to speak once more, in quite the same manner as before:

"... Karthus sends his regards, and his aid. The bane of fire, the essence of water - we serve your will to combat the sources of smoke."

As the constructs of water finish the final few words, they return to a silence and stillness much as they were prior to repeating their seemingly scripted response. However, the largest of the elementals, and the one who had impersonated the image of Karthus, slowly begins to evaporate into steam. Despite the direction of the wind though, the steam proceeds to drift rather quickly to the northern mountains, leaving the two smaller elementals still before Cadmus, standing as though nothing had happened.

[Cadmus Runesmith]

Cadmus stands studying the elementals, watching as the largest of the group fades from existence and returns to the elements from whence it was formed.

Turning his gaze to the remaining two elmentals Cadmus waves his hand before him to point in the direction of Sundren.

"Turn ye to the city of Sundren, remain there until the fires have returned once again to ravage the district."

"Stand as watchful guardian's near the temple of Helm, and protect the city from the incursion of the cleansing flames."

[Kangleton]

Without word, or additional acknowledgement of even comprehending the order, the elemental constructs head to their ordered destination, following Cadmus' will to the letter.

Meanwhile, the elemental that had evaporated into the air remained drifting towards its destination, in the mountains where Karthus sat deep in focus, experimenting with torch and darkness; fire and shadow, with many books upon the cavern floor.