<<Here's one more piece of the Birds of A Feather storyline.

<<Our TownCrier correspondent, Irar, has composed a summary of Mynon’s capture after interviewing him for his account of the events concerning the Rooks and Icewall Bandits on Restday night, Lumnea 26. Many thanks to Mynon for trusting us to tell his story.

Mynon's Story

The previous night in Icemule, the Icewall Bandits and Rooks had fought a battle, which Mynon suspected was retribution by the Bandits in response to the Rooks’ activities in capturing giants to be shipped elsewhere, possibly as slave soldiers. The following night, the Knave, leader of the Icewall Bandits had sent messengers to the Landing’s North Gate to bargain for the right to enter the town for the purpose of rooting out and eliminating any rooks that might be found within the Landing. He reported a large group of adventurers, led by Sir Cryheart, parlayed with the Bandits, but discussions broke down and descended into fighting. The battle spilled over into the city streets, with armored titans brought forth to support the Knave and his men. There were reports that Rooks emerged periodically to fight the Bandits. When asked about the Rooks' actions during the battle, Mynon said he did not personally witness the Rooks attacking townsfolk or adventurers at this time and only focused their attacks on the Bandits, although he stressed his distaste with both outlaw groups.

He was then distracted from the battle when he spotted four barges leaving the docks, which were working their way up the Locksmehr River. Mynon left the battle at this time to investigate and followed the barges until they stopped near the ferry on the Locksmehr. He noted that there was a party of adventurers ahead of him who urged him to leave the area, but he refused. Several other defenders from the Landing came to observe the barges, but left when the adventurers already present and voices from the barges told the others to leave. He indicated that only he and Shinann remained on the scene despite warnings to depart.

Mynon and Shinann were then attacked by hooded figures emerging from the barges and Shinann was killed, while he took an arrow to the neck and was critically wounded. Although others came to offer rescue, Mynon said that he and Shinann refused to be moved such that they could remain and observe whatever might happen next. He suspected that those who had asked them to leave, and some others who tried to remove them after he and Shinann had fallen were possibly complicit in whatever activities those on the barges were conducting.

Still waiting on the edge of the river and observing the barges as best he could in his wounded state, Mynon was then captured and dumped into a barrel by figures he could not identify immediately. He observed little save for a flash of light and some movement. He was then tossed from the barrel into a solitary cell, which he presumed to be a torture chamber in an underground dungeon. He then reported feeling life and health return to his body, as well as the ability to move. He could not identify who fully restored him to life.

Shortly thereafter, two swordsmen entered who proceeded to disarm him, and took up positions to guard him. It was then that Stephos D’Archon entered his cell, much to Mynon’s disgust. I am unsure if the conversation that followed was direct quotes, but I will relay what I was told as accurately as possible. Stephos told him that “the Lords of Jantalar always need strong backs, or more truthfully, body shields.” Mynon took this to mean that Stephos was implying that they were currently in Jantalar. Further, he believed that the purchasers of the giants that were being smuggled by the Rooks were the Lords of Jantalar to which Stephos referred. He could not independently confirm this, but indicated this was his suspicion, and that he never encountered anyone purchasing giants.

D’Archon then told him that “no son of Idolone deserved to die in such a manner” (Mynon being from Idolone). D’Archon also told him that he was not his enemy, and that Mynon should take care not to make him such. D’Archon mentioned hearing that Mynon was married, and named his wife. D’Archon told him that he was doing a favor to them both by not making her a widow, and told him to return to her. Mynon took this to be a threat against his life. He believed that the purpose for which D’Archon set him free was to relay information about D’Archon’s activities to others, but couldn’t be totally sure. He was then transported by a mage in service to D’Archon to a location just east of the Landing.

Thus ends Mynon’s account. When pressed for any other details, he indicated he saw large rhimar-lined crates being taken to the woods from the barges, and that he believed these to contain giants.