Jake Bhattacharyya

“Mind if I join you?” The two dragonborn had difficulty placing the sound in the din of the noisy tavern, but eventually found the halfling, then looked at each other. They shrugged. “Sure.” The young woman pulled a chair out from the table and hopped up onto it, her robes spilling over the edges of […]

Seated atop a pile of crates in Meriden’s marketplace, a red-headed bard held a captive audience, strumming gently on a mandolin. “…and ‘Give us the Shield,’ she said with a hiss!” From the west came an indignant cry, “Febreze! Just what is the meaning of this?!” Bethan Lindsay, renowned playwright and adventurer, strode forward, lute

“Where is he now?” “The Starscape, it would appear. They’re rather more resourceful than expected. Even he couldn’t have prepared for that.” The halfling gave a smile and idly flicked one of her braids behind her shoulder. Her master did not share her good humour, keeping his back turned to her, arms clasped behind his

“My lady, I need your guidance. You have tasked me, but I know not how to fulfill my instructions and yet hold myself to my tenets. The Shield is here, within my grasp, but to take it would be to invite bloodshed. Harm another of the cloth.” The tiefling bowed his head, and a woman’s

“What is it?” “I think it’s a…human.” “That explains the stench. Where did it come from?” “Just…appeared.” “It’s got metal bits. Maybe we can scrap it…” “Already did. Shiny bauble that, eh? Just had it round its neck, ripe for the taking.” “It looks ill.” “They all look like that.” “Even for a tellurite, though—are

“What’s it look like?” “Four guards on a gate wall. Nothing we can’t handle.” The thief crouched beside his companions to give his report. “Robes?” “Yeah, dark elves though.” “Dark elves?” The group seemed quizzical. “Yeah, just like they’re from Morntalos.” “I guess they keep a disguise. Stops people poking around,” said Karina. “Yeah. Doesn’t

“What of the halfling?” came the whispered voice. “My lord, her wards remain in place,” came the reply. “And the magewright?” “Her and her companions remain in the Tower. The sister reached them, though it seems not to have dissuaded them from their path. Perhaps they believe it to be a trick from the Darkwalker?”

“My lady, there’s a problem.” “What?” “It’s the twin. She’s…she’s beginning to ask questions. Doubting the cause.” “Doubting?” “She’s…having second thoughts. Questioning who she is.” “Very well, send her to me. I’ll speak with her.” “I’m told you’ve been having doubts.” “Yes. I don’t understand why…this isn’t…this isn’t who I am. What I’ve had to

“What do you think?” Saphara looked at the grizzled red dragonborn before her. She fixed him with a stern glare, before moving to leave. “I’ll think about it.” Captain Gaur followed the woman out into Meriden’s busy streets. It was an effort to keep up with the younger soldier as she strode towards the Aetherrail,

“You…want them dead?” “As do you, if my sources are to be trusted.” The dragon’s mouth grew wide, some sinister draconic simile of a smile. Sir Ingram’s hand dropped from his greatsword. “What doth thou wish from me?” Morganth straightened her neck, stretching from atop the Calbourne battlements. “I wish information. Where are they? Where