Padre Zantus was at the Cathedral doors, he calls out at Flynn, "Yes. There is ladder and hatch to access the Cathedral roof. Come and follow me."
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"My pleasure Stone," Father Zantus leaves to gather some of his Acolytes to bring the horses close and tended too.
Father Zantus will eagerly offer Severo a tour. Devora quickly agrees to join the tour. The Padre begins, " The Sandpoint Cathedral is not dedicated to the worship of a single deity. Rather, it gathers under its eaves the six most commonly worshiped deities in the region: Abadar, Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, Sarenrae, and Shelyn. The building provides chapels for all of these deities in a communal forum—in a way, Sandpoint Cathedral is six different churches under one impressive roof." Father Zantus offers a bit of the history, "The original chapel built here was a collection of six different shrines, each its own building and connected to the others by open-air walkways. Desna’s worship was incorporated into these shrines as part of the peace accord with the local Varisians, but the original builders included five other deities as well. Four of these (Abadar, Gozreh, Sarenrae, and Shelyn) were patrons of the original founders of the Sandpoint Mercantile Consortium, while the fifth, Erastil, was the most popular among the initial settlers. When that chapel burnt to the ground several years ago, Mayor Deverin set into motion a bold initiative. Not only would the chapel be rebuilt, but it would be rebuilt on a grand scale. A cathedral would be constructed in place of the chapel, and it would be made of stone and glass."
"Then come and bring your gear to the Cathedral," Father Zantus leads the party to the Sandpoint Cathedral.
The good Sheriff nods in agreement. The party will be lead to the cathedral where there are rooms available for the party. The rooms are small and very spartan with a bed and a storage chest at the foot of the bed. The party would be welcome to the mess hall. The fair is usually a porridge or a vegetable soup. Also, there are stables on the upper part of town near the cathedral.
It is about that time that Father Zantus enters the room having heard much of the conversation, "The Heroes can stay at the Cathedral. It may be the most central location. It is near the north wall and has a good view above and looking over the other approaches along the Turandarok." The good Sheriff simply nods, still pondering the situation. Those that know the Padre will introduce him to the other party members. Father Zantus is the head of the Cathedral of Sandpoint.
"We could also head north to the Windsong Abbey. A ship from Sandpoint delivers supplies there once a week. If I don't have my days mixed up, the supply ship should arrive by tomorrow afternoon. We could be there by then," Father Zantus adds to the conversation.
Sheriff Hemlock and Father Zantus were impressed by the specimen. "You are becoming legend," the Padre says approvingly. "Varisia and beyond will know of your deeds. With no small amount of effort, the party with some of the good citizens of Sandpoint loads the wagon. Shalelu leads everyone a short distance to a better camping site with fresh water and a substantial rock overhang for shelter from the unrelenting rain. The party sets up its usual watches. Shalelu, along with Sheriff Hemlock, will join Brandark for second watch. Father Zantus will help with third watch. Orik helps on first watch.
Father Zantus will agree to take a team of Acolytes and go and dismantle Foxglove Manor, burning as much of it as they can. Edit: The Sheriff will thank you for keeping him informed. He is, of course, supportive of your further investigations in Magnimar. He does regret to see the party leave.
Father Zantus gives Stone and the party his blessings, "You need to find and touch the source of evil while reading the scroll."
Father Zantus is pleases to see Brandark, Garrath and Stone. He leads them to the kitchen where he offers them tea in clean ceramic cups. When the party tells him about "The Misgivings", he ponders it for a moment. He looks at them, "I will be right back." He returns with a scroll covered in what looks like soot. "This is one of several scrolls saved from when the previous church caught fire. It is one of two Dispel Evil scrolls saved. The other was used against the remains of Jervas Stoop. I will give you this last one if you promise to restore to our library with two as soon as you are able."
"Brodert Quink, maybe your best choice for knowledge on runes. He has been spending a lot of time in the Catacombs below the city since you discovered it," the kindly priest responds to Kelvin.
"Thank you. I will save the scroll. As for the Misgivings, I have heard of such a place, but do not know much about it. You may want to ask around town," the priest responds to Stone. DC 12 Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy:
Foxglove Manor is over 80 years old, and has been the seat of the Foxglove family the whole time. Some sort of tragedy struck the family a few decades ago, and no one’s lived there since. Common rumor holds that the place is haunted. DC 15 Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy:
Foxglove Manor is known as the “Misgivings” by some locals, particularly by Varisians. It certainly has a bad reputation—sightings of strange lights in the attic windows, muffled sounds of screaming from above and below, and even rumors of a huge bat-winged devil living in the caves below the manor are but a few of the tales told about the place. The Foxglove family lived there as recently as 2 decades ago, but then a fire burned down the servants’ building, Cyralie Foxglove was found dead—burnt and dashed on the rocks below the cliffs behind the house—and Traver Foxglove was found in his bedroom, dead by his own hand. The children, including young Aldern Foxglove, were sent away to be raised in Korvosa by distant relations. DC 20 Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy:
Aldern Foxglove recently returned to live in the manor, but he had a hell of a time hiring locals to aid him in the reconstruction and repair of the old building. Until Aldern moved back in, the place was cared for by a man named Rogors Craesby (a retired innkeeper who lost an ear in a bar fight many years ago) who came in 3 days a week from Sandpoint to air the place out, check for squatters, and make minor repairs. DC 25 Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy:
Foxglove Manor was built decades ago by Vorel Foxglove, a merchant prince from Magnimar. He and his family lived there for 20 years before the entire family perished from disease. The surviving Foxgloves of Magnimar shunned the place for 40 years, until Traver Foxglove moved back in. DC 30 Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy:
The Foxgloves have traditionally been associated with the Brothers of the Seven, a secretive gentlemen’s club based in Magnimar and consisting of merchants or thieves, depending on whom you talk to. Members of the society periodically visited Foxglove Manor at night during the years the manor went unlived-in, perhaps to check up on the building and make minor repairs—or perhaps for more sinister pursuits. If you make the above DC 20 check, Perception DC 15: The Ghast that had the Foxglove key was missing an ear.
The party heads back to Sandpoint, straight to the new Cathedral. A crowd begins to gather in the square as the party takes Lettie and Horran in. An Acolytes runs to get Father Zantus. When Father Zantus arrives the party tells him what has happened, "I am unable to remove disease, but I do have a scroll." The Padre sends an Acolyte to retrieve the parchment. "Since this morning several families have arrived, hearing about Ghouls to the South. Fearful, they came into town. We have put up a couple of families here at the Cathedral. Then around noon, a Caravan came through. They mentioned that they saw dead Ghouls on the side of the road yesterday. And now this. I have heard of entire towns turned into Ghouls. This will cause a panic. It must be stopped." The Acolytes brings Father Zantus the scroll.
Between Kelvin's tracking, Stone's Dispel Magic spell, Brandark on Abacus and Garrath's speed, Lyrie stops running and submits herself to the party. She makes no further attempts to flee. The party makes it back to Sandpoint as the Sun sets over the Old Light. A horn is sounded at the gates leading North on the Lost Coast road. One by one the citizens of Sandpoint come out and surround the Heroes, patting them on the back and shaking their hands with cheers and hoorahs. Father Zantus approaches the party, "Thank goodness! We were fearing the worst. Are you all OK?"
Ameiko will bring Garrath a large portion of the lamb's leg, with the mint honey and roasted potatoes. She will bring him some of the Stout as well. "Interesting day to say the least. It is not often that we can destroy a Shrine dedicated to Lamashtu. I am just glad that none of you drank from the waters," the Padre smiles and takes a long gulp of the Stout. His face will squinch up a bit afterwards. Shalelu will just give Garrath a bashful smile.
At the Rusty Dragon, Father Zantus recalls the days activities, "I think I solved the mystery of the Mutant Goblin. You know there was a shrine to the monstrous Lamashtu below. There was a basin with a foul water in it. That was the Waters of Lamashtu. It transforms anyone who drinks from it, into a monstrous servant of the Demon. The Goblin must have drank repeatedly from the basin to become that vile creature. We have destroyed the shrine and gathered the bodies to be desecrated. We will be rid of their evil, with the exception of the Quasit. Deverin Hosk will be preserving the remains in a large glass jar filled with Holy Water to be displayed at the Town Hall. A reminder of what was below our fair town."
On Day Nine Father Zantus ventures further into the Catacombs of Wrath with several guards. GM Screen:
What he discovers gets him busy with Acolytes from the Cathedral. That evening an exhausted Father Zantus dines at the Rusty Dragon. He was particularly pleased that this evening Ameiko was serving roasted lamb with mint honey. Along with the spiced potatoes, it was a fine meal. He washes it down with copious amounts of the bitter Two Knights stout. Shalelu is also dining in the Common room that evening. So they end up dining together. Shalelu has the same, except she prefers the local wine.
"I have never heard of a three armed Goblin. Must have been some kind of birth defect." The Padre will remain puzzled.
Father Zantus was at the Mayor's side when Shalelu gave her report. He quizzically looks at the party, "Three armed Goblin?"
"Thank you. I will be up in the Glassworks if needed," Padre Zantus will depart. The other two guards will stay around the statue.
Within an hour, Father Zantus with three more guards arrive on the scene. "Lyr told us about what has happened. We can hold this point overnight. Go rest, and return refreshed. Unfortunately Lyr has been summoned out-of-town. She hurried and left quickly. She will be missed. In the meantime, who is injured?" Father Zantus will heal up the party. The earlier sparse crowd at the Rusty Dragon begins to fill as several travelers enter the Tavern and Inn.
Brandark will discover that Father Zantus is working with several acolytes at the Glassworks to gather the remains. The workers and Lonjiku are being prepared for burial at the cemetery. They will also be building a pyre outside of Sandpoint on the beach to burn the remains of the Goblins and Tsuto this evening. The funeral for the Glassworks workers will be in the morning. Lonjiku will be entombed in the Kaijitsu family crypt.
Father Zantus receives Garrath's gift, "They were a poor family. This will go along way to help Amele and her children. Your kindness will surely be rewarded from above." Father Zantus is tall at over 6 feet. But he has to reach up to Garrath to give him a warm pat on the back. "We will likely have the service tomorrow afternoon. Your help would be most welcome. We are fortunate to have new friends so willing to help," Father Zantus shakes kindly Brandark's hand.
"Thank you for offer, but at this time we are doing well. We could still use another experienced Cleric or two to help with the administration of some of the shrines," Padre Zantus will convey.
Father Zantus leaves the crypt. He summons a pair acolytes and tasks them with repairing the crypts door. And to do it quickly.
"Sir, I have a question. Can you please tell me about the late Father. What were his enemys. Any family, any friends we could question?" Father Zantus looks at the Elf Woman, "The only enemies Father Tobyn would have had were those that served the cause of Evil. But in that he likely had many. The only family he had was his adopted daughter Nualia; and she too died in the fire. And I was his best friend, you may ask me anything." Father Zantus offers Elektra a kind smile.
”He was the head priest whom I replaced.“Then looking at Lyr, Father Zantus, somber almost to the point of despair begins, ”Our town of Sandpoint has been cursed. We call it the Late Unpleasantness. It started in 4702 AR, with the gruesome Chopper murders. Jervas Stoot, was an eccentric artist who created hauntingly beautiful woodcarvings of birds. All over town these carvings were displayed. It was a sort of pride for a business or residence to have one of these carvings. We even had a name for it, ‘sporting a Stoot.” Father Zantus smiles briefly then continues, ”But what everyone thought was a harmless eccentric hermit, became a murderer of nearly two dozen folk in the most brutal ways. Those, I guess, he felt had wronged him over the years. When the town found out that the Chopper was Jervas Stoot, people took hatchets to the wood carvings. The scars from those wood carvings are all over town.” Father Zantus pauses in reflection. ”Then there was the church fire that took the lives of Father Tobyn and his beautiful adopted daughter Nualia,” Father Zantus starts up again this time doing everything he can to hold back tears, ”The fire was massive. It took out the White Deer and several other buildings. It was so hot of a fire that it completely consumed Nualia’s body. And now with this Goblin raid the Late Unpleasantness’ continues,” Father Zantus closes his eyes for just a moment,"But I cannot even imagine why anyone would want Ezekien Tobyn's remains. I fear that evil purposes are behind this. Unpleasant times, unpleasant times, our Sandpoint is cursed."
Father Zantus regains his composure and looks at the party, ”Thank you again. In about an hour we are going to dedicate the new Cathedral with the funeral of those lost.” He chokes up for a moment, then continues, ”We plan to honor those lost by making a memorial to them amongst the Standing Stones.” The Padre looks at Brandark, ”After that your assistance with the burial will be appreciated.”
After the battle with the Skeletons, Sheriff Hemlock motion Father Zantus over to the Crypt. When Father Zantus looks inside, he sees that Father Tobyn’s sarcophagus has been opened, and the remains removed. He then begins to weep. ”Why would anyone want to take Father Tobyn’s remains; and go to so much trouble to do so?” the distraught priest says to no one in particular.
Father Zantus, with a real sense of worry says, "That crypt was reserved for the honored dead of our community, including some of the founders; as well as, Father Ezekien Tobyn who was my predecessor. He was killed in the church fire that eventually lead to our building this new Cathedral." He glances back at the massive new stone structure.
Father Zantus stands with a pair of Acolytes at the edge of a sizable graveyard when he sees the party, ”Thank you for coming. We saw your bravery yesterday. We could use your bravery again today,” Father Zantus points to the largest crypt in the graveyard.
Father Zantus brings out several wounded citizens and other attendees to the festival to receive healing from Lyr. "Shelyn has blessed us to have one of her Clerics here this day. I have done all I could," a clearly exhausted Father Zantus states with a sigh. "We currently do not have a Cleric of Shelyn on staff," he says finally returning to tend to some children nearby.
Father Zantus warmly shakes Brandark's hand, "Your assistance would be most welcome. Come to the Cathedral around midmorning tomorrow. Thank you."
”Mazra! You and I will discuss this later,” an unamused Father Zantus says after he hears Mazra’s comment. Mazra shrugs.
Shortly after Ameiko's song, you see Father Zantus with several acolytes, Mazra of Sandpoint included, wheel out a large cart full of kindling and logs for the bonfire. You hear him calling out to his helpers,"Bring it in out boys. It will not be long before we need to build the bonfire." |