Celestra tries to recall how frequently trips are made to Magnimar and how long the trip would take.
Knowledge, Local.
If she doesn't know, she makes her way down to the docks to make some inquiries. Times, fees, the name of a ship, etc.
Diplomacy, Gather Information.
Celestra will then take Perdition and return back to the Rusty Dragon.
After we have sold off and divided loot, I will relate what is in my previous post to everyone about the Skinsaw Brotherhood and our likely need to proceed to Magnimar if we wish to pursue this evil further.
Celestra strolls through the door of the Rusty Dragon with a content smile on her face. "Hello, my friends! So, I visited the orphanage in town and met the headmaster, Ilsoari Gandethus. What a lovely man. He seems very knowledgable, but, I think he has his hands full with those kids! Oh yes, how could I forget? I also heard about a terrific instrument maker in Magnimar that specializes in flutes. He sounds like just the person to buy a flute from. So, at some point in the near future, I may make the trip to Magnimar and find my way to the shop of Petros Alessi."
"So how is everyone here doing? Ailetha, did you have a good visit with the sage this morning? Did Quink tell you anything useful?"
@ Celestra:
Ships heading to Magnimar can be boarded on any day. Caravans and travellers also leave Sandpoint on a daily basis to make the short way to Magnimar.
By this point the gnome's enchantments have ceased and returning Celestra's hair to the proper color and him to his proper height. Taking a seat to hear what the others had been up to while he and his frend were out and about, Perdition kicks back for a bit considering what may lay ahead.
I will take the Ring +1 unless someone else wants to claim it.
"Did Quink tell you anything useful?"
"Well all, I think that I need to get in contact with Jubrayl Vhisky, the scummy head of the local Sczarnis. I have had some contact with him and have mislead him in the past, but doubt that he would recognize me as I was disguised when I was meeting with him. I am sure that I could disguise Harry and Kanyk as half-orc body guards and go in looking for contacts. I could claim to be from the north with business and in need of contacts in Magnimar. Specifically, contact with members of the Skinsaw Brotherhood as I need contacts with followers of Father Skinsaw."
"This sounds like some very discrete espionage work. Is there anything I could do to help? I would be willing to go under cover myself or with you and try and gather some information on the Skinshaw Brotherhood. Do you think that this Jubrayl Vhisky fella knows some information that could help us?"
"How about you, Sir Karlan, are you ready for an expedition to the tunnels of the misgivings? I think I would be ready to join you whenever you are set. Although it appears that our work will never be done around here!"
Any help would be appreciated. As I said, Jubyayl is the lowlife head of the local Sczarnis. We need to get information on the Skinsaw Brotherhood who are apparently a group of assassins dedicated to Father Skinsaw who is also known as Norgorber, the god of murder.
Since Aldern-ghoul kept referring to the Skinsaw Man, aka Father Skinsaw, I asked about who this Father Skinsaw was and found out that it was Norgorber. This seemed odd. Why would the foppish idiot you all met and knew as Aldern be speaking of Norgorber. Especially since Norgorber is not know for a connection to the undead - he is all about killing, not raising the undead.
I decided that the aristocratic fool that Harry, Karlan and Kanyk went hunting with must have been a facade. A group as secretive and dedicated as the Skinsaw Brotherhood would not allow a fool in their number.
This lead to the next deduction. If Aldern was a member of the Skinsaw Brotherhood which is not dedicated to undead, then how did he become a ghoul? It could have been from something related to his father the necromancer, or something that he as an assassin was sent to look into.
Thus, I hope to find contacts in the Magnimar underworld who can get us in touch with the Skinsaw Brotherhood. Or help us to find some other leads there as to what is causing this sudden outbreak of undead.
"I can't help but think that anyone who spent more than an afternoon in that house would soon turn into a ghoul. Perhaps Aldern was a member of the Skinsaw Brotherhood and became undead simply by being attacked or bitten by some of the undead inhabiting his house. Perhaps he worshipped Norgorber and simply lost his way in the realm of undeath more by accident. Perhaps he played the idiot, but I doubt Aldern was a fool. I suspect he knew exactly what he as doing. I think deception and mystery is just what Norgorber calls for. But either way, with Aldern dead and the Misgivings and its tunnels underneath cleaned out, shouldn't the place soon be free of its curse?"
"Hmm? Here is another thought, tell me, do you think the ancient runelords worshipped Norgorber? Maybe that was the connection to old Father Skinsaw."
Not sure of whether there was any connection between Norgorber and the rune lords.
Knowledge(history):
RECAP - Loot summary
Cash
Pearl ring 250
Pouch 56
=306Mundane
Adamantine longsword (2315/1157.5)
=1157.5Magic
Pickaxe +2 (8308/*4154)
Magic War Razor +1 (2308/*1154)
Hat of Disguise (1800/*900)
Ring of Jumping (2500/*1250)
Ring of Protection +1 (2000/*1000) **Ailetha/Celestra**
=8458Total =9921.5/ Harry+Karlan+Ailetha+Kanyk+Celestra
5 equal shares of 1984.3gp each.
(If you wanted to keep any of the items in particular, please deduct its *NET value from your share/funds.)
Further to that there was that kooky amulet (Sidheron?) and the Serial-Killer-in-a-box mask.
Most unlikely.The runelord society was not known for religiousness.At first they worshippd Xin, their immortal emperor, but soon they began to see themselves as gods...religiousness was a private thing during that times and there were no sanctioned religions.
"So where is Sir Karlan? I was suppose to help him with the tunnels of the misgivings. I guess we had a little miscommunication. Well, I'm going to go find him and see what I can do with the dead. It's not a pleasant task, but I think he needs as many clerics as possible to help with the dead. I think I better go find him. You could come along if you want, Sister. If we do some sort of ceremony or rites for the dead, a little music may prove useful."
Celestra will leave the Rusty Dragon and try to find Sir Karlan and help him with his task.
Diplomacy (Gather Information on his whereabouts)
I would like the ring +1 unless someone else wants it. Also, any thoughts on classes. I can stick with Bard or take something else - wizard or witch comes to mind. Let me know your thoughts.
Karlan is at the militia outpost organizing efforts for when the priests arrive to exorcise the misgivings so they can retrieve the bodies from down there.
I would like to purchase a Masterwork Whip. Let me know if you want this role played.
Calling after Celestra, Perdition trots out of the Dragon following the cleric. "Wouldn't dream of letting Karlan and you get yourselves into trouble without a proper escort. A gnome is never one to shrink from the unknown you know."
I follow the rest of the group to find the knights.
"Wouldn't dream of letting Karlan and you get yourselves into trouble without a proper escort. A gnome is never one to shrink from the unknown you know."
"Perdy, that would be splendid! I would love to have an escort! I wasn't sure you wanted to go back to the misgivings, but I would be delighted for the company. By the way, I was impressed with your fine work with the students at the orphanage. Those students really seemed to like you. You didn't really let them play with fire, did you?"
Upon reaching the paladin, Celetra says, "We are here, Sir Karlan. We are at your service for anything that we can do to help. What needs to be done first?"
Looking about before answering, Perdition says,"Uhh,play. No. Experiment. Most certainly! What wonderfully inquisitive creatures your human children are. I wonder what it would be like to take care of one....hmmmm. I wonder indeed. Well by any means I had misgivings about the Misgivings,hahaha. Could be a bit of a bard myself it seems, hahaha." distracted by his own joke the gnome continues on down the road chuckling to himself.
"Oh, um, hi. Nothing really I'm afraid. Right now I'm just organizing the digging effort. I figured there's not much we cna do right now until the other priests arrive. I think we'll be heading to magnimar in a few days time. I think Ailetha's been scouring peoples brains for what they know. But really I think it was a forgone conclusion we were going. The only question was what we were looking for."
Once the group is together, not sure where Harry and Kanyk went off to.
Well all, I think that we need to speak with an old pal of mine, although he probably would not recognize me. Jubrayl the head of the local Sczarzi. I figure he should have some contacts in Magnimar. And now that I have thought about it more, it would probably be best to simply walk into his tavern and set the record straight.
We are not here to shut down his operation, although all of us, Karlan especially, would like nothing better. However, we have a bigger problem. The Skinsaw Brotherhood and undead, neither of which are good for business, for Sandpoint or lowlifes like Jubrayl. We need any information he can give us for contacts in Magnimar so that we can find and stop the Skinsaw murderers as well as find the source of the recent ghoul outbreak.
Jubrayl is a wuss, I figure that a little strong-arming and intimidation should get him talking and give us points of contact once we get to Magnimar since I know nobody there and doubt that the rest of you have better contacts from the time I have know you.
We should also talk with the mayor and see who she can get us in touch with so that we have contacts both high and low once we arrive in Magnimar. I will get ahold of Master Quink once more for any intellectual contacts should we need to get background or the history of something while in Magnimar.
"I figured there's not much we can do right now until the other priests arrive."
What sorts of things do you anticipate we will be doing? Mermorial services, blessings, rites, or simply moving the dead? Do you think you will put Perdy to work with cremation?"
" I think we'll be heading to Magnimar in a few days time."
"Magnimar? That sounds wonderful! I have always wanted to see the Irespan. I hear there is also a magnificent flute maker who works there. I think I would like to pay him a short visit while we are there."
"The only question was what we were looking for."
"I agree, Karlan. I am feeling like we are on a wild goose chase and I'm not even clear that we are getting closer to the end of this puzzle. Everything simply seems to get more complicated."
"Karlan, I have been thinking. I would like to try a hand at crafting a wondrous item. I have not done such a thing before, but I think with Cayden Cailean's help I could figure out how to take divine magic and instill it in an item for us to use continuously. I do wish to help you with your work, but I won't be of much use to you with digging. Perhaps I will return to the Rusty Dragon and hide away in my room with a glass of wine and put my divine inspiration to some creative work. Is there a mighty belt of strength or a headband of inspired wisdom that I could try and create for you. Mind you, I would need some of our earnings to gather up supplies and materials."
Grinning - Not sure whether I am lazy or just more interested in my studies, but I will stay with you Celestra. When I was younger, I watched many of my father's friends craft magical items and weapons. My rapier was a gift from one of them shortly before I had to flee. I can try to see if I can make some of our weapons and armor stronger. One can never be too strong or too resistant to attacks when fighting rune spawn and undead, and I have no doubt that we will see more of both of those before we find the source of the current problems in the area.
Switching Weapon Focus(whip) for Craft Magical Arms and Armor.
If any of you have any well crafted weapons or armor, I can try to make them a little sharper and a little stronger.
"Huh, well okay. I guess I can give you some money to give it a shot. How much would you need?"
Only good for +1 now, it is +1 per 3 levels I think. I am only level 5, so only +1 right now. But if we do +1 to your armor now, we can add the second + when(if) I survive to level 6.
I will have to check on the cost of components here in Sandpoint, but I think it should be about 50% of what you would pay for a similar item in the armor store.
Probably about 500 to add some magic to your armor, 1000 for a weapon. I might be able to add some special abilities to items, just let me know what you are interested in and I will see if I can do it.
If I have a full day, I can probably get one piece of armor or one weapon done per day. On the road it will be 2 days for armor or 4 days for a weapon.
Oh, and weapons and armor need to be good quality for this, none of that goblin stuff you guys brought back with you. Masterwork, mithral, adamantine or similar quality.
"It sounds like Ailetha has had some experience with this before. I'm sure she will help me purchase supplies and get started. I should probably take nearly everything you have and bring you back the change. So, Karlan, have you decided what you want me to try and craft?
You remember that you saw a shop selling magic items and exotic furniture (great combination). You forgot the owners name, but he or she will most probably be able to help you with components, you think.
You will need a workshop/laboratory. This is nothing that can be done during travel/adventure times.
Who is supposed to carry the anvil around? And you don't need a normal fire to run a smith. Sandpoint has two smithys, you could ask if you are allowed to use their tools.