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If it does, it is easily masked by the increased noise in the common room, as the dog-fights and c%~#-fights begin in the pit below. QUOTE]
Boland had been doing his best for the past hour to avoid viewing the violent entertainment taking place below. His attempts at striking up meaningful conversation had for the most part been quelled by the volume of the crowd, and perhaps the lack of interest from his companions.
Upon seeing the half-orc enter the tavern, Boland unnecessarily nudges his companions sitting either side of him, despite the fact the sudden drop of volume would have no-doubt already alerted them of his entry.
As he looks upon the half-orc and his goons, a look of worry spreads across his face. It seemed they were facing a little more than they had bargained for.
Turning his attention away from the half-orc, Mythalas feels himself sharing Boland's nervousness and pushes it aside. Casually, he says, "I think it is time for another round! Besides, the night is young and the action is only just beginning to look interesting..." He raises his hand to catch the eye of the barwench.
Brash studies the group, trying to recall what he knows, if anything, of the half orc and his henchmen. He also tries to recall if he has heard where the brute lives.
Seeing Brashen calmly studying the half-orc and his goons, Boland swallows his nervousness and takes another closer look himself. He eyes each of the group in turn, looking for any he recognises.
He leans over quietly to discuss it with Brashen.
“What’s the half-orc’s name? It’s on the tip of my tongue…”
“Krull? Kulkan?”
“Kullen! That’s it. And those with him…”
Brashen and Boland put their heads together and compare notes. Between them, they’ve seen, heard of or encountered most of the gang before.
Kullen, being the biggest, meanest and strongest of the bunch is the default leader. Word is he knows how to use that axe he carries, and is as tough as nails, but most fearsome is his legendary temper.
No ones seems quite sure of what the long-haired one is called – he’s not much of a talker – but he’s been referred to as Rast. When he’s not up to no good with the rest of the gang, he traps ‘gators in the swamps to the south.
The military looking one is called Todrik; word is he was a member of the Free City militia before his extra-curricular activities caught up with him, and he found his way to prison before being on-sold to work the mines.
The thin, bald rude fellow is Merovinn Bask; an arcanist of some sort, it was his gambling debts that saw him working the mines before Smenk set him free.
The strange looking man with the feathered cloak, well, no-one really knows his right name. He’s generally called Old Crow, or The Birdman. He’s been hanging about with Kullen’s gang for a few months, but before that he was a regular fixture in town, always mumbling or ranting about one bizarre or depraved topic or another, or stealing away into the hills to trap, torture and kill small animals and livestock.
The gnome – neither Brashen or Boland know him. He’s not a regular member of Kullen’s group.
The only regular ganger who appears to be missing tonight is a greedy and sly man named Skutch.
You don’t know where Kullen lives, nor his crew. It must be somewhere in or close to town, as the half-orc and at least one or two of his cronies are always hanging about town in the afternoons, extorting folk for money, committing minor acts of vandalism and violence and just generally up to no good. They’re sometimes spotted in the company of the mine manager Balabar Smenk.
Kullen and his boys end up here at the Feral Dog most nights and stay till closing time, after midnight. Where they head after that doesn’t seem to be common knowledge.
Brash leans into the table, talking quietly. 'So maybe we follow them, see where they head? Or better yet, hope they split up and grab one of his cronies to get the infomation we need.'
Boland nods cautiously at Brashen's suggestion, though has some reservations. In a nervous tone he relays his thoughts to the group, leaning forward over the table and speaking as quietly as the background noise will allow.
"All in all, they are a formidable crew, with a few unknown entities. Tailing them as a group might not be a wise choice as at that time of night it will be obvious we are following them. We are also not at full strength, having had no rest from today's ventures."
Looking around at the others he suggests "Perhaps we should gather what information we can tonight about the gnome and the others without arising any suspicions? We should then rest tonight and meet again tomorrow to re-stock and pursue this further?" He tenderly rubs the burns he still carries on his legs, from the group's earlier encounter with the acid beetles.
Andolphas's gaze goes from his watered down ale (which he swallows with a grimace), to the half-orc's motley crew, and back to his own companions. In a low murmur, he says: "Would it be wiser for us to split up, so that they do not come to recognize us as a group, working together? I will ask the Lady Amariss, when I see her tomorrow, whether she has any knowledge of their activities..."
Andolphas's gaze goes from his watered down ale (which he swallows with a grimace), to the half-orc's motley crew, and back to his own companions. In a low murmur, he says: "Would it be wiser for us to split up, so that they do not come to recognize us as a group, working together? I will ask the Lady Amariss, when I see her tomorrow, whether she has any knowledge of their activities..."
Boland nods in agreeance. He goes to swallow the rest of his ale, then thinks twice and returns the mug to the table top, still half full. Rising, he says to the others "Unless anyone needs me, I might head back and get some rest." To Brashen he says "Make sure you keep your questions to trusted sources - we don't want them to become suspicious. Let's all meet back in town in the morning - we can look at identifying and possibly selling some of these items".
Unless anyone asks him to remain, Boland will make his way out of the pub and head home.
Andolphas nods at Boland as he leaves. "Where will you be staying tonight? Not at the shrine of the Green Lady, near the Lady Amariss? Forget not your evening prayers, my friend -- pray the Lady your soul to keep, if you should die before you wake..."
He nurses his watery ale a while longer, scanning the crowd for anything else that might be of interest.
"What of you, Mythalas? Where do you intend to spend the night? I can ask whether the Lady Amariss or one of my elder brothers or sisters will be able to grant you an audience tomorrow, if you wish it."
Andolphas nods at Boland as he leaves. "Where will you be staying tonight? Not at the shrine of the Green Lady, near the Lady Amariss? Forget not your evening prayers, my friend -- pray the Lady your soul to keep, if you should die before you wake..."
"I'll stay at my place tonight" Boland answers, blanching at the thought that he should die before he wakes. "The thought of death is more on my mind than ever - the Green Lady will certainly be in my thoughts".
To the grounp he says "I'll see you outside the general store around mid-morning", before making his way wearily from the pub.
Boland takes his leave of the group, calling it a night. Andolphas realizes that he will need to leave very shortly too, if he wishes to make the boat across the lake.
Boland:
Boland takes his leave of the group, calling it a night. Andolphas realizes that he will need to leave very shortly too, if he wishes to make the boat across the lake.
Boland: ** spoiler omitted **
Mothman:
Boland:
After rising some hours past sunrise, you bump into Allustan in the kitchen.
“Boland!” says the sage, glancing at you briefly over his shoulder, where he sits drinking a large bowl of tea. “I’ve not seen you for several days. Did you take one of my scrolls? Oh, no matter, but next - ” At that moment he looks at you properly, and stops in shock at the sight of your bruised face and bandaged arm.
“By Boccob’s blessed book, what happened to you? Were you attacked? Or,” his face widens into a sly grin. “Have you taken my advice at last and decided to learn by adventuring? Well? Tell me all about it!”
Mothman:
"We've uncovered a ciarn; speicifically the Whispering Cairn. I believe it has not yet been looted. Well, the parts we've been thus far have, though we have found treasures none-the-less. But I believe we are on the threshold of a as yet uncovered section of the tomb!"
He relay's in brief how they came across the tomb, and some of the creatures, items and magics they had encountered within.
"You didn't warn me about the physical rigors of adventuring though" he adds, rubbing his arm gingerly. "That part hasn't been quite as rewarding..."
He rummages through his pack and pulls out a couple of items. "I did take one of your scrolls" he says, holding it up. "I meant to ask but you were caught up in study and I didn't think you'd miss it. I will of course re-imburse you for it."
He then displays the two wands (glass and wood), the goggles and the bog of 3 models from the Cairn. "I have not yet had time to study them" he says, waiting for Allustan's reaction.
Boland:
He grows doubly excited when you begin telling him some of the details. “Boland my boy,” he says, his eyes wide, his hand gripping your arm, “it sounds as if you may have found a largely undisturbed Wind Duke tomb! There are a few of them to be found in these hills, but most have been discovered and plundered centuries ago, often with little documentation left by the discoverers. This could be a very important find. Some say the Wind Dukes were the original cairn builders to this area, before human memory … the Flan and the others merely followed this tradition.”
He pauses for a moment, sits back, thinking. “Tell me, did you take any rubbings or sketches of any glyphs or markings you may have found? I have some books on the supposed Wind Duke language, Vaati – I may be able to help you decipher them.”
Allustan is even more excited when presented with the artefacts taken from the cairn, although his excitement is tempered by caution. “Quite a find – if they are original artefacts. Do you know, could you tell, whether they were original or brought there by some earlier explorers? For it seems clear from your tale that although somewhat undisturbed, the cairn was not totally virgin. Are any of these magical? I think you have not yet learnt the Identify spell, have you? I could Identify them for you, if you wish.”
Boland:
Allustan heads over to a shelf and begins pulling books down, handing them to you, until you hold quite a pile. “Yes, this will help … no, not that one … Aha! Yes …” He turns to look at you. “Give me a day or two and I of going through these books, and I should have some information for you. Now, where are those pearls…”
When he wakes, Andolphas enjoys a warm bath at the shrine, then dons a fresh set of green robes. Afterwards, he seeks out the Lady Amariss to deliver his report concerning the party's latest findings in the cairn, Alastair Land's fate, the desecration of the Land graves and rumours of tomb robbing in the area, and possible connections with the half-orc Kullen and his band of ruffians.
Mothman
He rumages through his pack, taking out his diary and the pictures and the sketching and notes he has taken thus far, showing them to Allustan and discussing them briefly, putting them in context for his mentor.
"I have not yet learned the identify spell. If you would cast it on these two for me, that would be of great assistance". He produces the goggles and the galss wand. He watches on eagerly as Allustan prepares the necessary components, taking further notes for the time when he will inevitably attempt the spell himself.
Andolphas:
Mothman:
"So, my Lady, the priority is to first resolve the matter involving the desecrated graves, and to continue exploration of the cairn once the first matter has been resolved. I presume that it would be wiser to solve the first matter before returning Alastair Land's bones to his rightful resting place... do you concur, my Lady?
"Oh, and let I forget... We had also met an elf yesterday, while we investigated the old Land dwelling on our way back the from cairn. He claimed to have an interest in hunting undead, and he seemed to believe that the tomb robbers might be unearthing the remains of the long departed in order to reanimate them... this seems credible to me. The elf's name is Mythalas Meliamne. Is he known to you? Do you have any concerns about him joining my associates and I? He also expressed an interest in learning more about the Shrine of the Green Lady... would you be interested in meeting with him, or should we be wary of his motives?"
Andolphas:
Mothman
Boland arrives out of breath and flustered, a couple of minutes late, at the meeting point outside the general store. Seeing Brashen there he nods and approaches. Looking around he asks "No sign of the others yet?"
Mothman
** spoiler omitted **Boland arrives out of breath and flustered, a couple of minutes late, at the meeting point outside the general store. Seeing Brashen there he nods and approaches. Looking around he asks "No sign of the others yet?"
A few moments later, Andolphas strolls up the dusty road, the usual stern expression on his face. Every now and then, he points, scowls or nods at a passerby, exchanging words that neither Boland or Brashen can make out. At last, he reaches the two. His torn green robe has been replaced by a clean, whole one.
He smiles coldly at his companions. "Pleasant night? I'm glad to see that the Lady did not yet decide that it was time to lead you to the Other Side... but nor am I surprised... we have work to do..."
Looking around, he adds, "where's Da'gret? And what about the elf?" The annoyance in his voice is unmistakeable.
A few moments later, Andolphas strolls up the dusty road, the usual stern expression on his face. Every now and then, he points, scowls or nods at a passerby, exchanging words that neither Boland or Brashen can make out. At last, he reaches the two. His torn green robe has been replaced by a clean, whole one.
He smiles coldly at his companions. "Pleasant night? I'm glad to see that the Lady did not yet decide that it was time to lead you to the Other Side... but nor am I surprised... we have work to do..."
Looking around, he adds, "where's Da'gret? And what about the elf?" The annoyance in his voice is unmistakeable.
Boland turns on Andolphas' approach, a warm smile of welcome starting to make its way to his face. It quickly falters however, upon hearing the priest's cold greeting.
"Um, not sure - I have only just arrived myself..." he mumbles in response to his question as to the where-abouts of Da'gret and Mythalas. "Perhaps we should wait a while longer and discuss what are our best options for today? I trust the Lady Amariss is well?"
"Um, not sure - I have only just arrived myself..." he mumbles in response to his question as to the where-abouts of Da'gret and Mythalas. "Perhaps we should wait a while longer and discuss what are our best options for today? I trust the Lady Amariss is well?"
"Yes yes, of course she is well. She sends her waaaaarmest regards, dear Boland." Andolphas observes the mage closely, much as a spider eyes its prey before devouring it.
"The Lady and I believe that our first priority should be to solve the mystery of the grave robberies. After that, we should lay Alastair's bones to rest in their grave, and return to the cairn to conclude our explorations. I trust there will be no objections?" Without waiting for a response, the priest mumbles "good, good."
"So how shall we go about identifying the culprits?"
Mid morning, the Vein is less busy and noisy as it is on most evenings, but it is far from deserted, even with a good portion of the town’s population off working in the various mines. Here and there, townsfolk walk about on various errands, hopeless drunks and layabouts lounge in the shade or slink into taverns. At the far end of the street, a group of ragged young children flee from two members of the local constabulary, who appear to be helping a man too inebriated from last night’s debauchery to walk (a cynic might suppose that the two coppers have first divested the man of any money he might have had remaining).
As Brashen waits, before any of the others have arrived, he notices a curious group exit the Emporium and pass him by on the way to Taggin’s General Store. The creature that somewhat resembles a long haired, skinny bear dressed in a gentleman’s suit complete with tall hat and monocle bows to the warrior as it passes. Two of its companions (a shapely looking woman with a veiled face swathed in fine silks and an odd, black skinned gnome like creature, all long arms and legs, dressed in jesters motley) seem to ignore Brashen, whilst the last, a halfling sized fellow with mottled red and black skin and a crown of small horns around his bald pate, stares at the brawny fighter like he is a freak.
A few minutes later Boland arrives, followed shortly by Andolphas. The trio talk, then wait for their two errant companions – no sign of either Mythalas or Da’gret yet, nor any of Kullen’s gang.
After a few minutes more, a trio of notables can be seen walking along the Vein, in the general direction of the three waiting adventurers. In the lead is a tall man with a body-builder’s physique, a square jaw, wavy blonde hair, a swagger to his step. He wears a stylish blue cloak over studded leather armour and an impressive belt (more a girdle really) depicting a haunted looking woman’s face in lacquered red leather. An enormous two handed sword is strapped to his back. Walking a half step behind and beside the handsome warrior is an older, dark bearded man with a fast receding hairline and hook-like nose. He wears a high-collared red cape over a green jerkin and pants, and has a number of wands at his belt. A little behind the other two is a graceful looking elven woman in tight fitting black leathers and a cloak of similar style to the blonde man. She has long brown hair and carries a shortbow, with a couple of daggers evident about her person.
The elf looks in your direction, pauses for a moment, then hurries after her companions, stopping and whispering something to them whilst glancing at you. After a moment, the group resumes its walk down the street, now heading purposefully towards the general store (outside of which you stand).
Andolphas mutters to his companions under his breath. "Hmmm... interesting... The outcasts wandering the streets of Diamond Lake look even more unusual than they usually do... what do you make of the first group? And as for those headed our way... are they not the ones we met in the Feral Dog before we first set out for the Cairn? Were they not also looking for it? Better keep our findings secret..."
Knowledge, Local 10+
Knowledge, Local 15+
Knowledge, Nature 15+
Knowledge, Planes 15+
Knowledge, Local 10+
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Knowledge, Local 25+
Andolphas mutters to his companions under his breath. "Hmmm... interesting... The outcasts wandering the streets of Diamond Lake look even more unusual than they usually do... what do you make of the first group? And as for those headed our way... are they not the ones we met in the Feral Dog before we first set out for the Cairn? Were they not also looking for it? Better keep our findings secret..."
Boland shrugs and whispers to the other two "The first group look like they may work at Zalamandra's Emporium, though I have not seen them before. I know the second group - the big one is Auric champion of the annual gladitorial contest. The woman's name is Tirra I think, very skilled with at the knife throw. The third is Khellek, a wizard. I think he is associated with the seekers. The group were reportedly exploring the Stirgenest Cairn. Perhaps we should steer the conversation towards their progress?" Though he makes the suggestion, he shy's back a little as the group approach.
Taking a few more moments to observe both groups out of the corner of his eye, Andolphas nods in a discrete manner as Boland and Brashen share the their thoughts. In a whisper, he adds:
"Yes, I recognize them now... The polite hairy fellow leading the freaks is Shag Solomon, an aristocratic shaggy wild man from the pine forests of the far north. He tends to frequent the opium lounge within the Emporium where he regales cultured guests with his clever stories. The little misshapen fellow in the jesters garb is Tom Shingle, the contortionist. The veiled woman may be one of the Emporium’s dancers or ‘ladies of negotiable affections’, but she is most likely Chezabet the fortune teller. The short sneering fellow with the multi-coloured skin is known as The Demonboy, one of the geeks from the freakshow. Judging by his appearance, he may well have the blood of demons in his veins... And yes, Boland, you're right, that is the champion of last year's Champion's Games... and the Stirgenest seekers, just as I thought... We'll answer as Brashen suggested, if they ask questions..."
Then, all of a sudden, with back still half turned to the approaching adventuring party, the somber cleric begins to argue spirituality with his companions in a normal tone of voice... "Well, if more people in Diamond Lake gave the Lady her proper due, then we would not have these problems now, would we? Trust me, the rising death toll among miners can be directly attributed to lack of devotion among them... And if they were more devout, then we wouldn't have..."
Then, all of a sudden, with back still half turned to the approaching adventuring party, the somber cleric begins to argue spirituality with his companions in a normal tone of voice... "Well, if more people in Diamond Lake gave the Lady her proper due, then we would not have these problems now, would we? Trust me, the rising death toll among miners can be directly attributed to lack of devotion among them... And if they were more devout, then we wouldn't have..."
Boland tries not to stare too hard at the departing backs of the group of freaks as Andolphas gives an overview of who they are. When the priest abruptly takes up his rant, he catches on and does his best to focus solely on the priest and act as though he had been fully engaged in the conversation.
"...true, though, don't you think that the mine owners must bear an equal measure of the blame? I mean, dilligence to the Lady no doubt dictates which of the miners lose their lives and which are spared, but it is my understanding that many of the mines and cairns are in attrocious conditions, inviting injury and death to those who work them. At least, that's what I've heard..."