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[Ivan Blackhands]

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Ivan had spent several days in and around Yew, checking bulletin boards and speaking to passers by, his search for Dharzhal feeling more futile with the passing days. Feeling frustrated, he decided to report back to Lord Thrax, perhaps Skurj had been more successful in this drowhunt.

Through the clearing Ivan could see the ominous, towering spire of Thraxstadt Manor reaching like a gnarled fist towards the darkened sky. As he approached he saw the flickering glow of candlelight in several windows and a cloaked figure walking towards him. The figure raised the lantern he was holding a bit higher to reveal himself, “Hello, my friend,” said Ivan. The Eye of Oggaroth nodded once and extinguished the lantern. Ivan often pondered what lie behind the daemon bone helm that The Eye wore at all times. He had always felt a close kinship with the other lords of Oggaroth, but The Eye was always quite distant and often unapproachable. “Perhaps it is best that the thing behind the mask remains an enigma to me,” he thought. Ivan felt the slight tickling sensation in the back of his mind that always signaled The Eye was preparing to speak. “Welcome back, dark one,” Ivan heard in his mind. “Lord Thrax has asked me to pass on orders to you. He feels that Dhazhal has fled to the Tokuno Isles and he wants you to set up operations in the city of Zento. Skurj is already there and Marcus shall be joining you shortly. Walk in darkness, friend.”

The Eye of Oggaroth pulled his hood forward and quickly turned to make his way back inside the Manor. Ivan stood there for a moment enjoying the cool night air. “Zento,” he thought, “I’ve greatly desired to visit there again.” He waved his arms in a distinct pattern and spoke, “Kal Ort Por.”

[Ivan Blackhands]

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Ivan sat by the window in his rented suite, observing the denizens of Zento go about their daily hustle and bustle. Music and the mingled scents of food and flora wafted up to him from the streets below. Skurj was still visiting some of the outlying settlements of Tokuno, searching for clues to Dharzhal’s whereabouts, giving Ivan an unexpected but appreciated holiday. “I needed a little relaxation,” Ivan thought, “I feel like a new man.”

As Ivan sat there sipping his tea and enjoying the sights, he noticed a familiar face making its way through the crowd. He grinned widely and made his way downstairs and out to the street, stealthily hiding just beyond the entrance of a nearby alley. His mark passed him and Ivan slinked up behind him, slipping his hand into the mark’s pouch and
removing a folded piece of parchment. Ivan fell back several steps and watched the person walk into the inn where he himself was staying. Ivan followed after a few moents had passed and leaned against the entryway of the inn and observed the person he knew engage in heated conversation with the innkeeper.

“I’m sorry sir, I do not see you on the list, would you give me the name again, please?” the innkeeper asked.

The man replied back slowly with a bit of sarcasm, “M-a-r-c-u-s T-y-r-a-n-n-u-s.”

The innkeeper scanned the list again and shook his head. “I’m sorry sir, most every room we have is reserved for a Lord Thrax, sir.”

“He’s my benefactor, I am here on his behalf. He personally sent me here!” Marcus said.

The innkeeper looked at him with doubt. “Well then most certainly he gave you one of the room reservation vouchers, didn’t he?”

Marcus slammed his fist on the countertop. “That’s what I’ve been trying to get through to you since the beginning of this conversation! Somewhere along my journey I’ve lost mine!”

Ivan saw that this situation was escalating, and he’d had his fun for the morning. Ivan cleared his throat and both the innkeeper and Marcus turned to look at him. In his outstretched hand he held the folded parchment he had stolen from Marcus’ pouch.
“Lose something?” Ivan asked with a grin and a wink.

Marcus burst out in laughter. “You scoundrel! I should sacrifice you to Oggaroth!” he said still chuckling. The two men briefly embraced.
“It’s been a long time, Marcus. I trust fortune has found you while on your travels.”
“I can’t complain,” he replied, “I could, however, use some refreshment. I’m famished.”
Ivan pondered for a moment. “I know what you’d love. Sushi and sake!”
Marcus looked a little puzzled. “Sounds rather strange, can’t we get a pizza or something a bit more domestic?”
Ivan laughed, “Where’s your sense of adventure? Follow me, you’ll love it.”


After getting Marcus’ suite situated the two men found an accommodating establishment and were led to a low table outside. Wind chimes sang with the gentle breeze and a fish would occasionally splash the surface of the small pond they were sitting near. They sipped sake for a while and caught each other up on current events including the situation with Dharzhal and the Duke. A server set a tray of delicacies and a fresh carafe of sake on the table, bowed, and disappeared back into the establishment.

Marcus eyed the sushi suspiciously. “The key to a great sushi experience is this,” Ivan stated while pointing to a bowl of green paste.
“What is it?” asked Marcus.
Ivan took a sizable amount of the paste and liberally covered one of the small pieces of sushi on Marcus’ plate. “Wasabi,” explained Ivan while continuing to apply, “and the more…the oh so much better.”

Ivan handed the sushi back to Marcus. “Dig in.”
A little hesitant, Marcus picked up the sushi, sniffed it and made a head nodding gesture signifying that what he smelt…smelled reasonably good. Marcus popped the whole piece into his mouth and began to chew with gusto. “Thish ish prett goo…..”
At that point Marcus’ entire face turned a bright shade of crimson, his eyes watered profusely and his nose was running like a fountain. He sat there stunned, his eyes blinking rapidly like a man on the verge of a seizure. Ivan couldn’t take it anymore and doubled over in howls of laughter. Marcus grabbed the entire carafe of sake and started guzzling straight from the bottle. Ivan’s laughter intensified, his sides hurt and he had tears in his eyes.

Marcus regained his composure, a little lightheaded from having to use so much sake to extinguish the fire in his head. “You son of a bastard cur- hound,” Marcus exclaimed, “That’s two I owe you for now, you mongrel!” Ivan fell into another fit of laughter.

The two laughed a while and ordered another round of sake, as they were close to ending their meal, one of the errand boys for the inn showed up. He came up to the table, prespiring and out of breath. “I’ve been looking all over town for you, Ivan san,” and handed him a sealed note. Without saying anything else, the boy took off running back to the inn.
Ivan opened the sealed parchment and read the quick note that was scribbled upon it:

“Ivan,
I am now back in Zento and at the inn, please come see me at your earliest convenience. I see by the fist print on the innkeeper’s countertop, Marcus has arrived as well. Please bring him with you.
Skurj”

Ivan tossed a small pouch of gold coins to the proprietor, and he and Marcus left quickly.