Reflections on Life, Death, and the Raven Queen

After we rested for the night, we woke to the crowing of a rooster (an arthritic rooster, as Tiny was quick to point out.).

We met in the dining hall of the inn to eat breakfast and determine what to do next. Bran and I quickly grabbed some food, followed by Ryn, then Garg, then Carlagnios and Kale, and finally Firinne and Tiny.

Carlagnios seemed slightly more irritable than usual. When he and Kale happened to grab the same loaf of bread, Carlagnios growled angrily at Kale, and sparks of fire began to dance in the Dragonborn's throat. Kale quickly released the bread.

"Carlagnios, you shouldn't intimidate your allies," chided Firinne.

"Or use your dragon breath against us," added Bran.

"It's -- (cough, cough) -- it's much worse than that," gasped Kale, making a face and waving his hands to clear the air. "It's dragon morning breath."

Last night, at the bar, we had learned from Dennig that the Guildmaster held the rituals that we needed. The Guildmaster lived in the inverted teardrop suspended above the highest tower in the city. We needed to find some way to get up there.

"Maybe we could find some Vulture Drakes to ride up there," Firinne suggested.

"We could always find someone to ask," offered Tiny. "It's fun to meet new people!"

"I can ask Fasil," said Bran. "He might know of some followers of the Raven Queen who could help us."

We all agreed, finished breakfast, and headed to the Temple of the Raven Queen.

Fasil was in front, sweeping the temple grounds.

"You," snarled Carlagnios, "we want to see the Guildmaster."

"Forgive my impertinent friends," Bran quickly said. "We are seeking an audience with the Guildmaster. Would you happen to know how we could do this?"

Fasil pondered for a moment. "The Guildmaster is rarely seen outside the Turnip -- that's the inverted teardrop above the tallest tower in the city. The Guildmaster does have two agents in town who do his bidding.

"One of his agents, Putnam, is a half-elf. He serves as the Guildmaster's purchasing agent, buying artifacts that are found beneath the city. His offices are in the tony region (the upscale area) near the top of the tower.

"His other agent, Portage, is his slave master. Portage represents the Guildmaster in his dealings with the Slave Market.

"There is an an initiate of the Raven Queen named Scioto. He could tell you more about these agents. I can give you directions to his room."

Bran thanked Fasil, and we left the Temple. Kale suggested that we seek out Scioto first, since he might be able to give us more information.

We made our way to Scioto's residence. We knocked on the door, and a woman answered the door. She was the landlady of Scioto's building.

"What do you want?"

"We're looking for Scioto. Do you happen to know where he is?"

"He's out to lunch," she answered, pointing at the tavern next to the building.

In the tavern, there didn't seem to be anyone who looked like a follower of the Raven Queen. (Certainly, there was no one who had as dour a demeanor and dress as Fasil.)

We walked over to the barkeeper, who was cleaning glasses. Near him sat a tall human, who wore a long sword and a pair of wands that shot projectiles. The human wore a feathered hat and quite colorful clothes. The back of his hands were curiously covered with ash.

"Greetings," said Bran to the barkeeper. "We're looking for Scioto."

The tall human cheerily spoke up. "Well, hello! That's me! What would you like to talk to about?"

"Religious matters."

Scioto pondered for a bit and took off his hat. He adjusted the feather in his hat and asked, "What sort of religious matters?"

"Fasil sent us to see you," Bran said, cautiously glancing around the tavern. He spoke next in a low voice. "Say, could we go somewhere no private to discuss this?"

Scioto chuckled. "What need do I have of secrets?" he declared. "But if it's privacy that you seek, we could use the room for rent upstairs."

The barkeeper nodded, and Scioto led us up to the empty room. Once we were there, Bran began to explain his dream.

"In my dream, an aspect of Gamerat appeared in the form of a black bird with a broken neck. As it lay on the floor, it spoke to me and said, 'You need to die in the service of the Raven Queen.' It said that the Raven Queen had determined that the 100 (and the 101) have been walking the earth for too long -- that it was not appropriate for them to live forever."

Scioto nodded. "The 100 have denied death, which is an affront to our lady."

"There are other creatures that deny death," mentioned Bran. "Like Liches."

"Like the one above, who stays with the Guildmaster in the Turnip?" asked Scioto. "The one who acts like he's one of us? The undead are a perversion of life."

"As is the case with the Chimera," added Bran. "It seems as though the Raven Queen does not like the direction taken by her lover."

"We can never understand how the Raven Queen thinks," Scioto corrected him. "But it is true -- there are some who deny the priority of death. The Chimera is one of these.

"With the Chimera's study of Illusionism," continued Scioto, "he denies the priority of death. With his denial of soul, he denies the priority of death."

"There is something strange her in this city," observed Bran.

"There is something wrong," said Scioto. "The city is rotten up to the top. Look at the Guildmaster. Why does he buy slaves? And since that Lich came to town, the Guildmaster has been buying up all the slaves. There is some necromancy at work here."

"Perhaps it is related to that artifact -- the Shroud of the Raven Queen," offered Kale.

Scioto scoffed. "This is just symbolic. The cutting of her hair represents sacrifice. The weaving of her hair represents creation. The Shroud is merely a story that is used to pass along the lessons of humility."

"Is there a book that might explain more about these visions?" asked Bran.

"Have you ever read 'The Revelations of Galea'?" Scioto asked. "He was addicted to drugs, but as he came closer to death, he starting having visions of the Raven Queen. You might also want to read 'Reflections of Life and Death.'"

"Do you have a copy that I could read," asked Bran.

"Certainly." Scioto rummaged through his bag and pulled out a copy of 'The Revelations of Galea,' which he handed to Bran.

"Thank you," said Bran. "Also, do you know of any rituals of the Raven Queen that I should be performing?"

"Rituals are very private," replied Scioto. "For me, I take the ash from the fireplace and put it on the backs of my hands. It is a reminder of our mortality.

"Is there anything else that you wanted to discuss?"

"Yes," Bran answered, "We need to meet with the Guildmaster."

"You should."

"We were thinking of approaching his agents, Portage and Putnam," mentioned Kale. "Do you know anything about them?"

Scioto thought for a while. "Portage is a cruel, obese man with unsavory appetites. Putnam is more well mannered -- he keeps his word, like a gentleman.

"You know," he continued, "if you want to get to the Turnip, you'll need an invitation from the Guildmaster. Some visitors fly in with Vulture Drakes; others use an elevating platform in the tower. There is also an elevating platform from the roof of another tower."

"Have you seen the Guildmaster?" asked Bran.

"I've only seen him twice," replied Scioto, "and only late at night. I wish you luck."

With that, we left the room and went outside. Above us, the skies were getting very dark, as if it were night. The winds grew stronger. It reminded us of the dust storm that Caleb the Finder had led us through. And perhaps it was also an omen of the destruction to come.