HP 38/38 , AC 15*, CMD 18, Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +4, Init +0, Per +0
Hal gets them rooms at the Shady Dragon Inn, a place he says he's stayed at before. He encourages everyone to do their shopping and meet back at dinner time.
After they have all gone their separate ways, Hal doubles back and heads to the candle shop to meet with his brothers and arrange to have someone meet them at the Dragon during dinner to discuss what to do with the crate they were hauling and to check them all for signs of corruption.
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
Once Rownig departs form Hal, and the others, he makes his way back to the black-market. He finds the small locksmith shop,
DM Only:
He looks around for the locksmith, Iralli Tholo, then a brief nod. "Yer brudder fell into the wrong sort, got himself killed...guud 'nough." He pulls out the amulet, "Found this on 'is person." He hands it over to the locksmith. "Quite dangerous that bizness was, that leader was a cruel SOB." He will wait for a response from the locksmith.
Satisfied that he has a good value on the items he would tell the others. "When we get back to the City, ye want me to handle the sale, Mazrim could probably use ya fer some protection....just in case."
I just saw that one of the NPCs, Atharessa, handled the sale of rods and received 70GP for them, is that correct? How about the red garnet stones?
When Hallister tries to explain to a fellow member of the order about the large box they have found, he is met with distrust and obfuscation. He is told to wait, and he waits for a very long time before the female dwarf, Pesreia Komotollo, comes to see him.
She asks him very direct questions about the box. She is an intense woman, and her thoroughness is encouraging to Hallister. She takes her position seriously, and it is obvious that she knows more than she is telling. When she insist on seeing the box for herself, Hallister has no choice but to take her to it. It is in the room of the Shady Dragon, guarded by Moralane. The door is locked, and Halister has the only key. Pesreia brings along two grumpy and silent old dwarven men who wear identical, common attire, and seem bored with the task of accompanying her.
Once they are in the room, one of the old dwarfs’ chuckles, and then eyes Hallister suspiciously as he takes an amulet from a concealed pocket and slowly turns around holding the amulet at arm’s length.
”You were right to bring this to us,” the old dwarf says, and in that instant the second old dwarf vanishes as though it were, all this time, a simple figment.
”Finding this box confirms a suspicion that we have had for many years,” the old dwarf says as he sits on a bed in the room. ”Pesreia, lock and ward the door. Before you open your mouth and waste your breath on useless question, my name is Dametrov, and yes I am the head of the order here on Karrita Morianna. Let me tell you what you’ve found.”
Three centuries ago, four ships sailing from the island of Barova, which was once a country ruled by a human king, with a population of many different races, were wrecked by a powerful storm off of the south coast of our island. What we know of this incident comes from records kept by Goblin tribes that live in the mountains to the south. It seems that, according to them, there was, at that time, a dwarven village on the coast known to the Goblins as Handwind. When some of these shipwrecked peoples washed ashore near this village of Handwind, something dramatic and not completed understood, or verified, happened.
According to the Goblins, the dwarves of Handwind believed that, among the wreckage washed ashore, and in the possession of the survivors was a great treasure. We have no record of what this treasure was, or could have been, and for many years we had no idea that there was any truth to the story at all. But to continue, again according to the Goblins, the dwarves of Handwind murdered the survivors of the shipwreck, and took this treasure. They then they took the bodies of these people and hid them deep in an ancient Goblin tomb in the mountains. It was shortly after this, that the first instances of a plague of undead humans and other demi-human creatures began to occur. The Goblins believe that this curse is two-fold and is a combination of the crimes committed by the dwarves and the violation of one of their ancient burial grounds.
We, our order, first learned of these stories, about eighty years ago, after already dealing with the plague for generations. We tried, unsuccessfully for years to verify the authenticity of the story. Then, about twenty years ago the first box, such as the one you found, was discovered in a cave on the eastern end of the island. It took many experiments and expeditions, to islands to the east, to identify the origin and nature of the box.
It was discovered that the box was one of fifteen such boxes made to carry wedding gifts of a princess of Barova, a princess whose ships, wedding party and attendants disappeared three hundred years ago. The Barovians believed that the bride ran off with the wedding gifts because she did not want to marry the man she was promised to, but we believe that this bride and her people were the ones shipwrecked on our island. We did not share this suspicion with the descendents of the Barovians. We do not need them poking around in our business.
We searched for the other boxes, but never found another one of them, until today.
We have tried to explore the ancient Goblin tomb, the site where, according to the Goblins, the bodies of the shipwrecked hums were disposed of, but our efforts there have been fruitless. It turns out that the Goblins themselves were unsure of exactly where the tomb was located, and we had been searching in the wrong place.
We have recently discovered where this tomb is located.
It is a very ancient site, possibly the oldest of its kind in the Empire. It is known, to the Goblins, as Outogal’s Tomb, and is, in their legends, the tomb of the first great Goblin King, Outogal Holloweyes.
But there is a problem. We sent a team to explore, just to take stock of the area, and they were murdered by a Goblin tribe that has taken residence in the tomb. These Goblins, we managed to learn, worship a goddess called, Zeenthia, but our contacts with other Goblin tribes on the island tell us that this Goblin Goddess is a false goddess. Trying to understand just what this means has been difficult, as relations between the government of the Empire and Goblins on the island has been deteriorating lately.
You did the right thing bringing this here, and we will ensure it is safely guarded, deep below the city, and protected by the most powerful spells we can acquire. The other chest, similar to the one you have here, also contained mundane, traditional wedding gifsts of the Barovian people, but each of them, each of these items, seemed to be possessed by the departed spirit of one of the humans who died in the shipwreck that occurred off of the coast. Our attempts to communicate with these spirits have been blocked at every turn. Some very powerful curse is obviously at work here, and it is connected to both the death of these people, and their connection to the Goblin tomb. Their spirits are trapped and cannot reach their final destination. This is clear, and in this it is a matter important to our order.
One thing we do know is this, possession of the items will result in possession of the individual by the spirit that is linked to the item, but these spirits are not inherently evil. They seem to be driven by a desire to collect the lost items, why we do not know, but the possession of an individual by these spirits can bring out evil tendencies if the individual is inclined to be of that nature.
Hallister, I would like you and the friends you have that discovered this box to go to the Goblin tomb and try to discover the nature of this curse. Learn all that you can, but be warned, it is dangerous. I want you to leave immediately, as soon as we can provide you with a map to the location. Meanwhile I will send a message up to higher people in the order and request assistance. When we have more resources, and information you can gather, we will assault the tomb in force, and put an end to the curse.
I will give you five hundred gold pieces to spend on arms and equipment, but you must leave quickly.
You probably do not know this, but the King’s daughter has been abducted, and we believe that she was abducted by the Goblins who have moved into the tomb. Their plans, unknown at this time, are probably to ransom her for political concessions to Goblin tribes on the island, and we know that three Knights have been meeting with the King making plans to deal with the matter of the King’s missing daughter, but we also believe that one of the knights, we do not know which one, may be working with these Goblins behind the King’s back. It is all very political at this time, and we have no time for politics.
M Dwarf Cleric 5, AC 18, T 10, FF 18, HP 10/41, I 0, P 4, F 5, R 2, W 8; +2 vs. fear, +2 vs. poison, spells, and SLA
The blond haired dwarf with the helm that rides over his thick foreahead walks beside Rownig, then looking at the thin dwarf, he speaks. "S'ya say ye could use a battle cleric cause there night folk creepin' 'round da country side terrorizin' it?" A broad toothy grin crosses his face then his meaty fingers hefts the heavy mace over his head, "What we be watin' fer, there's some justice ta be had."
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
"Ye need ta slow down a bit, I've gotta broach da topic wit me companions first, dey may be bit wary so let me do da talkin'" He smiles, "tis a delicate situation we've got." As Rownig leads Windel into the Dragon.
"Th' others 're sworn t' the mission of invastigatin' an' stoppin' the undead that 'ave been croppin' up lately. These boxes seem t' be th' cause, so they'll agree to help too."
"Ah don' know how much ye want me t' explain though. They need t' know what they're up against, but Ah don't know if they need t' know 'bout th' Order. Ah guess ye should decide how much t' tell 'em now, an' Ah'll tell 'em more later if Ah have to."
"We're gonna need some other trustworthy an' experienced folks. Most o' th' people we've got wit' us right now, they ain't really got the stomach fer all this. They're still sworn t' help, but Ah think they'd be best used t' gather information about where th' other boxes might be, or helpin' towns t' prepare t' hold off undead attacks. They all already know how t' do that, but trackin' down cursed objects tends t' git a lot uglier than a run o' th' mill horde o' ghouls."
"Might be good t' 'ave a goblin on our side too. Sounds like we might need t' negotiate wit' 'em."
The ‘Merchant” thanks you for the recovery of his property, and wants to give you fifty silver pieces for your trouble (you want to make a Sense Motive check on that before you accept it). When you are done, he leaves you with a cryptic warning. “Some fellows, just like you, left the city a few days ago doing the work of three of the Knights of the Realm. I had a man in here yesterday asking if anyone had returned to the city trying to sell “artifacts” or other stolen goods. I told the man no. I didn’t like his look, and wasn’t willing to pay for the information he was trying to buy. You seem like the right kind, and I wont tell anyone that I’ve seen you around at all.”
Hallister:
“A goblin,” the old dwarf mutters. “Yes, that might be a good idea. I’ll see what I can do. Don’t leave until you hear from again. And I want you to be clear on this one point. Do not try to recover anymore of these boxes, should you find them. Find out what you can about the nature of the curse, and report back to me, and only to me. Attempts to divine the nature of the curse have failed. When we know more about it, well, let’s just say, we may regret what we learn.”
Mazrim:
You find that as you move around the city you have a feeling that you are being watched, or followed, but when you try to pinpoint the source of that feeling, you can find nothing out of the ordinary. Atharessa follows you around happily.
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
DM Only:
SM:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 "Thank ya, fer the heads up."
He looks at the coin and the manner it was handed over to him. Rownig will hand the man 3 sp from the coin he was provided. "Fer your warning." If there is nothing else, he will go find the others.
Male Dwarf Fighter (Lore Warden 2)/Cavalier(hunt master1) HP 36 / Init +3 / AC 15 / Per +6
DM:
whispering to Atharessa, "Pretend that I'm just asking you about dinner or something. I think were being followed so at the next crossroads I want you to turn left. No, don't look back you'll tip whoever it is off." then when they reach the next crossroad between two street he moves right while Atharessa hopefully moves left. Once out of sight around the corner he will duck into an alley and watch the crossroads.
Two Dwarves, walking at separate paces and in different places come together at the intersection. They are both men, one of them is older than the other, and the older Dwarf is smoking a short, paper wrapped cigarette. When they come together, they exchange looks, but do not speak. The younger dwarf, points in the direction that Atharessa went, but the older Dwarf, looks your direction, takes the cigarette out of his mouth and throws it on the ground. Then he takes the younger Dwarf by the arm and pulls him as he heads your way. He is picking up his pace, and makes no attempt to conceal himself. When he catches up to you, he introduces himself, ”The name’s Targoul Dragouili. That was a clever move. The girl is smart, but I think she’s smarter than you think. Look, Mazrim, yeah, we know who you are, see we don’t want trouble, but the girl, yeah, see, she owes our boss a lot of money. We lost her about four months ago. One of my cousins, here in the city, told me she showed up here about two weeks ago, and then we lost her again. Now, like I said, we don’t want any trouble, but you tell the girl that we don’t care where she runs anymore, see, we got her sister, Jocassa, and we’re going to keep her until she pays back the money she owes us, right. You give her that message. She knows where to find us. We’ll give her two days.”
Male Dwarf Fighter (Lore Warden 2)/Cavalier(hunt master1) HP 36 / Init +3 / AC 15 / Per +6
DM:
When they leave Mazrim will ask Antharessa about the two men. /depending on her answer, Mazrim may go looking for a few of his friends to help rescue a damsel in distress.
NPC: F Dwarf Bard / 4 | Init +0; P -1 | HP 28/29 | AC 17, T 11, FF 17 | F +2, R +4, W +3 | CMD 15
Mazrim:
"My sister?" Atharessa says in response to Mazrim's information."I don't have a sis - wait a minute, they must mean Katripa, my step-sister. My step-father's daughter. I don't know these men you described, but I know the man they were talking about, their boss. His name is Dirrnov Olok, and yes I owe him money. My mother needed a hundred and fifty silver pieces, to pay a scribe to prepare papers for her to petition the crown for a divorce from her dead husband, not my father, her second husband. So I borrowed the money from Dirrnov, that was six months ago. I guess he figured out I couldn't repay the loan," she laughs. "These aren't dangerous people, not like those bandits. They won't hurt Katripa, unless I do something stupid. If I could have the money, you know, my share of what we've earned so far, and maybe borrow a bit from someone else, we can pay them back. With interest, it is probably three hundred silver by now. We can find Dirrnov at the Turnbuckle Tavern, near the docks."
Male Dwarf Fighter (Lore Warden 2)/Cavalier(hunt master1) HP 36 / Init +3 / AC 15 / Per +6
DM:
"Wait, six months interest would be that much? Who are these people? I think we all should have a little chat with this Olok fellow regarding kidnapping women."
Mazrim will then head for the tavern looking for Rownig and Hallister. "Got a minute?"
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
Rownig is sitting with a blonde haired dwarf that has a horned helm on his head. There are 8 empty tankards in front of them and they look like they just rolling as 4 new ones are have a frothy head on them. "Hey Mazrim...pull up stool and join us fer a few" Rownig motions to a stool and then to his drinking companion.
"Dis here is Windell" and then he points to Mazrim, "and dis is Mazrim...one of 'em I mentioned."
"What has ye so trouble?
It is pretty obvious that Windell is cleric as his helm has holy symbol inscribed on it and so his armor.
M Dwarf Cleric 5, AC 18, T 10, FF 18, HP 10/41, I 0, P 4, F 5, R 2, W 8; +2 vs. fear, +2 vs. poison, spells, and SLA
"Hullo," the deep voice rumbles as he slides two tankards toward Mazrim. His head looks like the helm was soldered on to it. "Be a pleasure meetin' ye...me buddy here," his large beefy hand slaps Rownig on the back and Rownig winces a bit, "mentioned needin' a religious man in yer squad." His voice is lower and his eyes look around.
Rownig simply shrugs and begins to rub his back where he was slapped.
Male Dwarf Fighter (Lore Warden 2)/Cavalier(hunt master1) HP 36 / Init +3 / AC 15 / Per +6
"Good to have you, Windell. I'm pretty mad about this whole thing so I'll cut to the chase. Some low life has the gall to kidnap Atharessa's step sister and hold her because Atharessa hasn't paid back a loan yet. Then one of his lackeys walks right up to me in the street and tells me to pass on the message. Blackmail in broad daylight." Mazrim slams his tankard down without even drinking it, "Oh how I wanted to throttle the two of them right there, but I couldn't in case they were telling the truth."
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
Windel has a perplexed look on his face, he's heard of Atharessa from Rownig but blackmail is an unexpected twist.
Whereas Rownig responds, "Atharessa's a companion...we need her in a right state of mind for the next leg of this journey...besides, NOBODY blackmails a friend." He takes a big gulp of his tankard, slamming it on the table then wiping his mouth with the back of his left hand.
NPC: F Dwarf Bard / 4 | Init +0; P -1 | HP 28/29 | AC 17, T 11, FF 17 | F +2, R +4, W +3 | CMD 15
"Thanks!" Atharessa says with a smile. "But I don't think it's a good idea to try anything heroic. If I could have my share of what we've found, maybe borrow a little from you, I can pay back the loan and be done with the whole thing. Maybe Halliater is ready to get out of the city and we can be on our way out of town when we take care of it."
HP 38/38 , AC 15*, CMD 18, Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +4, Init +0, Per +0
Hal was lost in a fit of coughing into his drink when Mazrim had told him the news. By the time he wiped his beard and got his lungs under control, he was obviously furious.
"Wait, what? No. We deal wit' this now. Th' whole point 'a doin' what we're doin' is t' make sure folks 're safe t' live their lives. Ah'll be damned if'n we're gonna let these bastards git away with this s#*$."
"First, we pay back that loan. Then, we show 'em why kidnappin' innocent people ain't good business."
M Dwarf Cleric 5, AC 18, T 10, FF 18, HP 10/41, I 0, P 4, F 5, R 2, W 8; +2 vs. fear, +2 vs. poison, spells, and SLA
Windel subconsciously unstraps the safety strap on his mace. "Don't y'all worry now if you need to teach 'em a rough lesson, I can fix 'em up nearly as new, so the lesson is learnt proper-like." He emphasizes nearly.
Male Dwarf Fighter (Lore Warden 2)/Cavalier(hunt master1) HP 36 / Init +3 / AC 15 / Per +6
"I'm glad everyone agrees. Lets go have a chat at the Turnbuckle tavern." he then gets up, grabs his gear, downs his drink and starts heading for the door.
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
Rownig has never been one to leave a tankard half-full, so he gulps his down then pounds his chest. He tosses two silver pieces for the drinks and tip for the barmaid.
You work your way through the city toward the docks, and find the “Turnbuckle” tavern easily. It is a large drinking house, with open shutters letting in the afternoon sea breezes along three of the walls.
The place is full, but not crowded, there are at least two dozen Dwarves drinking or eating at small round tables, with checkered red and white table clothes, that fill an open floor that is forty feet square. There are two bars, one near a wall that faces the sea, and behind the bar are open shutters. The second bar is against an adjacent wall, and behind this bar is the kitchen.
The place has an open, airy, welcoming feel.
Atharessa points to a table near the center of the room where Olok sits, with four friends. They are laughing, enjoying glasses of wine, and baskets full of bread. Their table is covered with plates full of cheese, butter, jams and jellies.
Olok is a heavy set Dwarf, older, but not old, he is balding, and has a short well groomed beard. He wears fine clothing, a vest made of supple black leather, and he has a peculiar taste in jewelry, wearing many large gold rings on his fingers. The friends he sits with are all men, they are younger and are dressed well.
You're probably going to have to ask Atharessa to find out, or one of you could ask on her behalf. A plan? Hey maybe one of those things would come in handy
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
Not hearing a quick suggestion, "I'll go t'wards the back to keep 'em from runnin' b'fore the chat is down. Take ole Windel here, he looks mean 'nuff." He looks at Hal and Mazrim, "We git that hostage back today." With that Rownig will head towards the open sea side of the tavern. He would have handed Hal the coin for the debt.
Male Dwarf Fighter (Lore Warden 2)/Cavalier(hunt master1) HP 36 / Init +3 / AC 15 / Per +6
"I am going to sit down and chat with these men. I am going to show them the hundred and fifty that Atharessa owes and demand to see her sister. Atharessa will you join me, just in case this is all just a ploy. Everyone else grab a table or a seat nearby, preferably closer to the door than them to block it if need be. Once her sister is safe then we can punish them but don't kill any of them, I want to turn them over to the city guard."
As Mazrim and Atharessa approach the table where Olok is sitting, he notices them and stands, beaming a smile, and says, “Atharessa, good to see you, and this must be Mazim,” he extends his hand in friendship.
When Mazrim throws down the bag of coins, and explains his demands, Olok looks pained.
“Is this some kind of joke?” Olok asks rhetorically.
“Atharessa, darling, you explained to your friends the conditions of your loan, didn’t you? You know, sir,” he addresses Mazrim directly, “indentured servitude, slavery if you prefer, is legal in this country. You friend signed a loan document promising to pay back the money she borrowed in three months, or forfeit herself to servitude for one year. She also agreed that if she did not make herself available to the terms of the loan, that she would offer her step-sister, as conditional remuneration.”
Olok continues to speak, but Mazrim looks sideways at Atharessa, who gives him a sheepish grin and apologetic shrug.
“Come now, sir, let’s not make this an ugly scene. You look like a level headed individual. Come, sit down, have some bread and wine. If everything is in order with Atharessa’s payment, I assure you the young girl will be returned to her family without incident. I’m a reputable business man. I follow the King’s Law, and the last thing I want is an unhappy man at my table.”
This Dwarf may or may not be telling the truth, about Atharessa’s keeping details a secret, but he is telling the truth about indentured servitude. It is legal, and people often find themselves in this situation, due to the harsh economic times.
Rownig:
You notice at least four surly looking Dwarves sitting at tables, alone, watching the exchange between Mazrim and Olok
M Dwarf Rogue 5, Init 5(7), P10(12traps), HP 35/35, AC 15(16), 13 T, 10 FF, Save F: 3(5 pos/sp), R: 7, W: 3
DM:
I assumed with the 18 I rolled earlier maybe I picked something up. Since the DC is 7, and my modifier is an 8, I suppose I heard something.
perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
”I have no problem showing you the loan agreement between myself and Atharessa, as long as she doesn’t object. Of course, you don’t expect me to carry it, or anyone’s, loan around with me when I go out to dine, do you?” Olok says as he sits back down at his table. “I’ll send someone for it,” he looks hard at a Dwarf sitting at the table with him, and the Dwarf understands what he is supposed to do. He gets up, this other Dwarf, slowly, as to not seem hostile, and bows to Mazrim and Atharessa, and then leaves.
”It will only take a few moments. Won’t you sit down and enjoy my hospitality, please. And then you can ask your friend if she is sure she wants her private matters made public.”
NPC: F Dwarf Bard / 4 | Init +0; P -1 | HP 28/29 | AC 17, T 11, FF 17 | F +2, R +4, W +3 | CMD 15
She fidgets a bit, pulling in her shoulders as if she were trying to make herself small. Her eyes dart to the floor and then back to Mazrim. The regular smile, a fixture of her expression, goes away. Her pout is childlike, but seems genuine.
“I suppose I’m okay with it, just promise me, promise me you won’t be, you know, mad or anything like that, okay?”
The time passes awkwardly. The Dwarf sent to retrieve the loan document returns. He is carrying a large, leather covered, single heavy sheet, parchment document. He hands it to Olok, who places it on the table in front of Mazrim.
”There it is, read it if you like, but it is clear, and signed by a registrar. That is Atharessa’s loan, for one thousand five hundred silver pieces, payable in installments of two hundred silver pieces every three months, on the first day of the month, for three years. If she fails to make a payment a penalty of fifty silvers is applied to the next payment, and if she fails to make two payments, she defaults, and surrenders herself for a period of servitude not to exceed one year. There is a standard clause that allows a family member to be substituted in her place, if both parties sign. Atharessa signed this loan, and her mother signed on behalf of the girl. Now, technically, she is in default. I would accept payment, of four hundred fifty silvers, and release the girl, or since she is here now, Atharessa can sign the default clause and her sister will begin her one year indentured service beginning today,” Olok says.
