DM Zyren's Heart of Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master Zyrenity

The spellbook is worth quite a lot, we should divide its value

here is an idea, instead of selling the spellbook first, we can check to see if there are any spells the party can use, whether for adventuring utility or for profit. we don't "Sell" the spellbook and we can charge people to loan it out for wizards to copy the pages they want into a scroll. but we still would have to demand collateral for these "rentals". after we get the book back, we return thier stuff and collect a profit. we can still use it as an adventuring tool as well in this way. we can split the profits amongst the party as a whole.

Alcheringa notes the departing tiefling and her escorts, and thus rejoins the party... he seems a little disappointed that Worsch is dead.

Alcheringa notes the departing tiefling and her escorts, and thus rejoins the party... he seems a little disappointed that Worsch is dead.

Esfana found herself almost happy for Worsch's departure....she knows it is wrong, even thought Iomedae hates his kind.In the end she prays for his soul briefly, then asks her goddess for forgivement

"I was hoping to balance the ledger with Mr Worsch, I guess I'll just have to accept his death at someone elses hands. I don't forget for a heartbeat he tried to kill us."

Alcheringa helps Nox look for whatever she is searching for, occasionally chanting small incantations.

Detect Magic, Detect Posions, Perception 10 = Check of 30 on a Take 20.

Bobo cautiously leaves his corner and peeks in the direction of the shop's front door

Phew, still alive! he looks at his arms and legs and everything's still in place.

He then hobbles over to Alexite and pulls a big jar out of his ragged garments

Cookie? he asks Alexite

Now, new master how shall I adress you in the future and what are we going to do next?

Noticing the search the group starts, he asks eagerly

Oh, oh, oh, oh! I can help with the search, just telle me what you're looking for? His spellbook? Right here!

He scurries over to a loose floor tile and pulls a big leatherbound book out of it.

That's it, his most precious treasure.

The further search of the shop unearthes:

A bag of small gem shards
A pouch with 200 GP
A variety of components for necromantic spells
A ledger with Worsh's notes.

Oh, oh, oh, oh! I can help with the search, just telle me what you're looking for? His spellbook? Right here!

He scurries over to a loose floor tile and pulls a big leatherbound book out of it.

That's it, his most precious treasure.

Alexite nearly recoils at the sight of the halfling offering cookies. 'No, thank you.', he says.

'Ah,', Alexite exclaims as he takes the proffered spellbook. 'What have we here?' Muttering a few words, he passes his hand over the book. He then opens the pages and begins to read the verious entries.

'Well, it's full of necromancy spells, but that is no surprise. It is of no use to me outside of it's resale value.' Alexite lets the book hang from his languidly outstretched hand. 'Anyone want it?'

Looking disappointed Bobo munches one of his cookies, and before he hasn't even swallowed the first one, he already has two more in his beefy fingers

GRMPF, you know master, MUNCH, I CRUNCH, have a cousin in Korvosa...the name's Anderu, he is the bravest halfling I've MUNCH ever seen.

"Hmmm well at least thats should be the last we hear of still needing notes for this Molotov person, Nox, send them forth and be done with them - I tire of the idle threats of repercussion from an unknown person with his unspoken demands"

Alcheringa looks at the book offered by Alexite curiosly, then shakes his head to politely decline. He steps around to the halfling, and points at Worsch's dead body....

"So what was that about? or did Worsch just have a habit of rubbing people the wrong way?"

I guess next stop is a walk to the underground?

"I'm still worried for that guy i saw down there.They are probably following us"

"I'm still worried for that guy i saw down there.They are probably following us"

The always semi aloof Elf sort of stares off into the middle distance as he thinks, "The hyena wont hunt in the presence of lions, so they won't strike while you are in our company. At some point though, we need to turn those hunters into the hunted, because simply being defensive is always a losing proposition in the long run. If we don't do that then we may as well start digging you a grave now."

"Here's the problems I see, if we kill the assassins, they might simply send more. If their sponsor is dead, they stop, and if you are dead, they stop. I'm guessing you know something you shouldn't, in which case you should tell as many people as possible so they stop trying to prevent the secret from leaking; although they might just kill you anyway out of spite, humans can be like that"

"So I guess the question is, how brave a stand do you intend to make?"

"Mind you, if I feed one of them to Blaze, they might think twice... it is strange taht people will face a blade, and may even die to it, and no one gets too worried, however being eaten alive is one of mans primal fears and thus fills his waking hours with terror and his sleep with nightmares... so if one of them comes for us, well, I hope you dont have a weak stomach"

Alcheringa and Blaze share a look, and its clear that the Elf has more in common with the beasts than man.

Nox Grabs the notes, Now i can send a written report on these to headmaster Molotov and he should likely get off my back for the next 6th months. i need time to read them so i can write the report. the arcanist appears to have a look of relief upon her face. The Legendary "Steel Seer" of Alkenstar is now no longer a thing of worry, at least for the moment.

The always semi aloof Elf sort of stares off into the middle distance as he thinks, "The hyena wont hunt in the presence of lions, so they won't strike while you are in our company. At some point though, we need to turn those hunters into the hunted, because simply being defensive is always a losing proposition in the long run. If we don't do that then we may as well start digging you a grave now."

"Here's the problems I see, if we kill the assassins, they might simply send more. If their sponsor is dead, they stop, and if you are dead, they stop. I'm guessing you know something you shouldn't, in which case you should tell as many people as possible so they stop trying to prevent the secret from leaking; although they might just kill you anyway out of spite, humans can be like that"

"So I guess the question is, how brave a stand do you intend to make?"

"Mind you, if I feed one of them to Blaze, they might think twice... it is strange taht people will face a blade, and may even die to it, and no one gets too worried, however being eaten alive is one of mans primal fears and thus fills his waking hours with terror and his sleep with nightmares... so if one of them comes for us, well, I hope you dont have a weak stomach"

Alcheringa and Blaze share a look, and its clear that the Elf has more in common with the beasts than man.

Esfana looks the elf like she cannot tell if he is serious. Then she gives up, too tired due to the turning of events.

"And they surely know they can't strike while i'm with you, but that doesn't mean there won't be moments during which i'm alone.Like when i'm having my morning bathing for example"

"And they surely know they can't strike while i'm with you, but that doesn't mean there won't be moments during which i'm alone.Like when i'm having my morning bathing for example"

"Well even then, Alexite I'm sure would volunteer to stand vigil for you while you bathe...", he breaks out a broad grin..."Or while we travel together you could always take Blaze in to sit at your tub, he can't tell a soul what he sees"

Since Alexite doesn't say anything, Bobo just goes on

One day, GULP, Anderu went out MUNCH to kill this chimera...no, he didn't return. I bet he MUNCH went to Absalom with the beast's hoard.

Upon overhearing Alcheringa's and Esfana's short discussion he adds

Oh yeah this is really a nice kitty cat...does it like cookies? he puts the jar forth in Blaze's direction.

Oh and again, what are we going to do now? We could use the shpo as a shelter now.

Looking down at the halfling with a grave expression, Alexite explains, 'We are going to put down the cookies and begin cleaning up this pig sty.'

Pointing to Worsh, he continues, 'If his body is worth money you know who will buy it. Handle it. If we need to accompany the body to ensure the money is paid, we will do so.' Looking around the workshop, he remarks, 'I believe we have availed ourselves of whatever components and regeants were to be had, so the rest can be sold. If the Iomaedites would like to sift through the parts to find as many of the pieces of poor Sir Timmy as the can for interrment, you will assist them.'

Motioning to the golem bodies and parts, he tells the slip, 'You may sell off those parts as well...' Alexite stops midsentence. 'Belay that. Hold onto all of the bodies sans Sir Timmy. We know of someone with an interest in golems who may be willing to pay top dollar for ready made parts and completed golems.'

He looks back to the slave. 'Why are you not cleaning? That reminds me, once finished cleaning this place, you will bathe and put on clean clothes. There will be no more lackadaisical effort from you.'

Bobo sniffs at his own armpit and gurns

Some truth in it, I have to admit. Ok master I will care for all the things you wanted. You wont recognize the shop tomorrow once I'm through with all tidying up!

"Holy s.... Alexite, you are a slaver.You should be ashamed of yourself"

Alexite gives Esfana a disdainful look. 'What is shameful is that such ugly words should issue forth from so pretty a mouth.'

"Don't try to change the matter in discussion,and i never said i was a saint"

"But surely if Mom heard me she would have had a heart attack. I miss her, miss all my family"

The wild Elf laughs at the notion that Alexite is a 'slaver'.

"He is no slaver. The wretched halfling merely shows subservience to the obvious Alpha and does as he is told... I see no whips, no chains of bondage, no he gives himself willingly. It seems almost customary, and in accord with all I have viewed of your human dynamics." he pauses, "How can you scold Alexite when you also feed the same natural order? Fawning over him and fighting off the other birds to best get his attentions? Why just yesterday you were offering to throw yourself on your back and give your body up to him to be used at his whim in exchange for his guardianship and protection...the rest of us just would have simply paid him coin and be done with it. You played your part in the vicious cycle and fed its voracious appetites, how can you scold him for playing his?..."

Alcheringa bears a palpable air of disappointment at Esfana, as though he seriously expected better.

"That goes for you too Nox."

"You know Alcheringa, sometime people speaks using the brain before mere natural knowledge"

As always Esfana tries to understand if the elf really believes what he says.

"I could say i know he is really no slaver and he hasn't the expected outfit...or what you said on the halfling behavior, but i just don't see the point in trying to explain to you why i told Alexite was a slaver"

"You know Alcheringa, sometime people speaks using the brain before mere natural knowledge"

"So are you saying you didn't offer yourself to Alexite in exchange for his protection, afforded by his status and arms? How does that differ any from what the Halfling does, other than the Halfling gets to keep his clothes on?"

"You do remember the general context of that particular conversation right? I just played along with the others"

"And please save yourself the time to ask me if i really meant it or i was lying, because,being a girl i have the right of leaving males in doubt"

"You do remember the general context of that particular conversation right? I just played along with the others"

"Oh I stand corrected, you were just playing along, maybe it's just a clever ruse...I see...that repulsive Halfling might be doing the exact same too, and perhaps Alexite is just playing along as well"

"Anyhow, I am curious to get looking at this golem, we may or may be ambushed; if we do, nature will provide, as always"

Alcheringa, looks at the halfling for a moment with the jar of cookies, smiling, he fishes around in his pocket for a spare apple and hands it over as a sign of goodwill.

"You have offered to share your treasures, it would be rude of me not to share mine"

i willingly admit to having offered myself to Alexite before, but later, i realized that he is rather undesirable. Meister Ardoc is many times more appealing to my tastes, Alexite may have a sharp wit, but Meister Ardoc's beautiful mastery of Geometry makes me much stickier in the lap. maybe the bard can earn a night with me by proving a sufficiently beautiful display of similar levels of mathematical skill. maybe he can challenge the Meister to an architecture contest.

"One would only enter a contest if one valued the prize, throw your prize around too freely and you will soon find you have a lot of entrants, but very few competitors."

Alcheringa looks a tad dismayed, sorry that he even tried understanding these humans... they are as base as the chimpanzees from which they have onlyminutely evolved. It seems the only one who is at least vaguely honest about his actions is Bobo.

Just a quick jump in to warn you i cannot post today, maybe this evening, but late

The halfling begins his task for the day and more and more you get the notion that you just hinder his proceeding.

Oh, beast lord, sir, could you please....out of the way, thanks...oh and you lord shiny armour, off the carpet please, thank you....ah yes, that's exactly the stool I need...the one you're sitting on lady mathematician...oh dear, can't you just wait outside you gigantic kitty?
Rregarding the apple Alcheringa offered

Uh nice, a yummy apple. Granny Ophredalia always said: vitamins are best with chocolate sauce...I think I stored some next to the used bandages...

Bobo goes on rummaging through the shop.

Seeing that he is merely hampering the halfling from doing his job, and having no desire to stay in such a horrid store anyway, Alcheringa looks to see what the others are doing.

"I think perhaps a short wander to see the city, and a quick look at where we may be headed down next may be in order...should anyone care to join us, we will be investigating that area spoken of earlier, perhaps if time permits Esfana might be up for a walk where we can loiter around the Ardocs out of sight, where she believes her assassin may be hiding"

Alcheringa will head off with Blaze to look at the Temple and get a feel for how the place operates, and whether we will actually have to break in - only if it is vaguely close

"One would only enter a contest if one valued the prize, throw your prize around too freely and you will soon find you have a lot of entrants, but very few competitors."

Alexite claps at Alcheringa's performance. 'Ha, ha! Well said. I may have to steal that one for my own use. You are a regular wilder poet. I have shortchanged you, skald.' He shakes his head in bemusement '...many entrants... few competitors... Too rich!'

Alexite stands up if only to put space between himself and the odious hobbit. 'Let's go anywhere else. Barry, you are to relay to anyone that stops by you are carrying out the bidding of Dirge Alexite Wintrish and he is accepting no visitors to his modest demesne this day.'

Bobo claps in his meaty hands, then pokes a finger into his nose and says

Lord Wintrish, master sir, ummm, when this is your demesne, may I take the title "Reeve Bobo of Ankar Te"?

All to the temple now?

Alexite gives the childlike figure a pointed look. 'How many fingers do you suppose I will need to remove before you stop doing that? As for when this is my demesne, that is now, and you may do as you are told.'

I'm for leaving to the temple.

Off to the temple it is

Yes, the temple

the temple, need a place to compose a report for headmaster Molotov.

It's about early afternoon as you reach one of Ankar Te's large squares. The whole place is towered by a totally smooth bronze pyramid. In front of the structure are several slave traders, mostly selling zombies, some snack kiosks (selling roasted hedgehogs, grilled rats and boiled frogs) and various small groups of merchants haggling with customers.

The pyramid has no visible entrance but large flocks of beggars linger next to a marble stairwell that leads from the square to the middle of the pyramid.

The whole place is quite a jumble with traders and "tourists" coming and going, and groups of religious zealots praying in the direction of the pyramid. They have blindfolded themselves and wear white tunics with a large red circle on the back.

"Hmmm sneak in they say, this could become a touch challenging, perhaps Alexites golden tongue can pave us a way in?"

It's about early afternoon as you reach one of Ankar Te's large squares. The whole place is towered by a totally smooth bronze pyramid. In front of the structure are several slave traders, mostly selling zombies, some snack kiosks (selling roasted hedgehogs, grilled rats and boiled frogs) and various small groups of merchants haggling with customers.

The pyramid has no visible entrance but large flocks of beggars linger next to a marble stairwell that leads from the square to the middle of the pyramid.

The whole place is quite a jumble with traders and "tourists" coming and going, and groups of religious zealots praying in the direction of the pyramid. They have blindfolded themselves and wear white tunics with a large red circle on the back.

What do I know about this religion? Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Hmmm sneak in they say, this could become a touch challenging, perhaps Alexites golden tongue can pave us a way in?"

Alexite looks to the elf. 'I recommend we take a good look at those adherents close to the temple and then find outfits we can use to emulate theirs. We can disguise ourselves and move into the temple proper.' A grin slowly spreads across his face. 'Of course, if you prefer bravado, I am always open to temptation.'

"There are some of us who wear armors.Don't know if we can fool someone simply by putting another robe over it"

"But i surely prefer some solution that doesn't end in bloodshed,especially if the blood comes out to be ours"

"But i surely prefer some solution that doesn't end in bloodshed,especially if the blood comes out to be ours"

'There will be blood on my left foot.'

"Perhaps we can simply pass through and if questioned tell them we seek a lost friend who is presumed to be in the sewers below, and ask permission to pass through... it would not be a lie, and should they deny us passage we can claim righteous indignation..."

"Besides, the Earth Mother drew no lines on her face, so no man can tell me where and where I cannot go, and if I want to go under her skin then I may...or I may become very unreasonable"

A tall figure detaches itself from the crowd around the temple and clearly strides to the group.

"There yas are", he rasps with a gravelly almost contemptuous tone, "Ya boss man - I suppose me boss man now too - sent me out to look after yas, so here I be.
With that he spits a vile wad of spent chewing tobacco at the foot of a passing, now shocked, supplicant to the temple. Grinning a humorless brown stained and toothy grin at the supplicant who now scurries away, he cuts himself a new piece to chew.
"Names Thorne. Thorne Stryke if yas be needing me full moniker. Pleased to make ya aquatance like. " With a birdlike motion he puts out his 6 fingered hand in greeting. "So whose tha hit and when do we hit 'em?"

Looking to Alcheringa 'If all you want is into the sewers, find a hole nearby and jump in. That should get you there. I think we can find out so much more if we enter into the temple.'

Upon the sudden and uncouth entrance of Barry's gigantic kin, Alexite sighs. 'Well, it looks as though the sewers have instead found us.' He motions to the elf. 'He's the one needing you to guide him through your home.' Motioning to the boyish figures in robes, he states, 'You make deposits there.'

Alexite, i have notes to read and a report to compose. and a powerful archmage back at home to get off my back. the "Steel Seer" is indeed infinitely frightening. all i know about him are both his title, and his true name. every time i have seen him, he wears a holocaust cloak with heavy wrappings over his right arm and left leg.

Opening his eyes in mock surprise Thorne spins around to look behind him then looks back at Alexite. "Thars odd - I thought ya said their was some sewer kin behind me but I din't see nothing.
Scratching his stubbled chin as if in contemplation he then looks at Alexite with narrowed eyes " Saaaay ... yas been jesting wid me then? Wow tha was a good 'tempt. Ya know if ya'd like, practice, mebbe a few decades more, you could work ya way up ta be entertaining like, maybe to some goblins or orc kin. But'f I was ya I wouldn't give up me day job before then."
Almost as if thinking aloud Thorne adds
" Tis powerfully strange thou' a pretty boy like hiself knowing all about 'depositing' for tha clergy o'er yonder - makes ya wanda wha he do fer his living like"