You may be shocked to find that Zelkor's Ferry has no church or priest to speak of. The local grave yard is a little ways outside town near the water.
Any nearby towns with one though? Or are we too far out in the boonies?
When back in town, and with their disguise, Vance and the Twins make a splash as a newly arrived merchant who wants to set up shop in the dungeon! Pye takes an immediate liking to them in spite of their smell (which Vance sells as the lingering odor of the sewage monster) and forges a well balanced trade deal between the two. Vance seems happy as a ravenous undead monster can be without eating someone.
Archibald takes his leave as soon as he is able and makes for the port, leaving a purchase authorization in your hands worth enough to make Pye's jaw actually hit the counter.
Once they are clear off the dungeon, Simon will lay the five humans to rest in the woods surrounding the entry, saying a few prayers and planting one nut on top of each grave.
"And so shall the cycle of life continue..."
***
Seeing Vance that happy causes Simon to smile broadly.
At least one good thing came from the dungeon of graves after all ...
Back in the sunlight and with the bones of an undead anti paladin the Tempest witch ponders if they could construct a ritual of their own, perhaps a burning ship said with prayers sent out to sea? She will consult with Vuzi for guidance in this matter.
Kayla has little to offer in the transporting of bodies. she tries to keep her distance from them as best she can.
this was something she was not accustomed to. usually she left her victims lie where she left them.
back at "civilization" Kayla soon splits from the group. disappearing into the shadows of the back-ways and shadowy places of Zelkor's Ferry.
there she makes contact with her appointment....
When the group reaches Zelkor's ferry, Catarya turns to the rest of them.
"Tank you for bringing back tese remains. A proper burial is important to te rest for te spirit. I will arrange a burial here."
Catarya heads into town to see if she can hire some gravediggers.
Vuzi will help with what she can to bury the dead. She goes to the docks to wave Archibald off. Gud riddance. No mor patrons please. De are trouble, and could haf been mor trouble if we hand't found new friends."
Vuzi tells stories of hoards of zombies, a rat woman, gargoyles, a toilet monster, trolls, a selfish dwarf, an honorable dwarf, and the antipaladin on the way back to town.
Zadira adds to Grelthe's retelling, talking about beds as bridges, doors turned to toothpicks, setting fire to the room full of acid goop (and Kayla trying to fish for some), illusory wells, and being almost crushed to death in a pit.
She mentions the cannibal that they met, and tells of the altar of gambling. She mentions all the people turned to stone within the maze and that she intends to go back and save them when she has the means to do so.
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Grelthe normally helps with shopping in town, but it seems Vance has that under control, so she will probably go with whoever is visiting the necromancer.
Cain nods in agreement with Vizi, ”hopefully this whole experience will be a sobering one for him
Mr. Dark greets you in his usual, rather dramatic manner. His door creeks open seemingly on his own as he says from the shadows of his home, May I help you?
Nikki- You might be able to do such a thing, but you need more information about the original crusade and how Saracek was turned before you can create a ritual that you can be certain of.
Miss Tempest will take the lead. She will look up at the party members with her, and will hold up both hands to whoever is holding the bulk of Saracek's bodies "Please, wait here a moment with that thing until we are sure Mister Dark is ok with this."
The rat thing will scamper inside. She will follow the usual pleasantries and share that they she finally got a foot into her place of birth, but clearly it was a short one. Nikki will not waste time. As soon as the conversation turns towards what brought them here Nikki will speak openly, "We have the body of the undead former paladin named Saracek, this is the same one that you harmed the catfolk Simon that you cured a short while back. I didn't want to bring him into your home without permission. I don't know if it's approriate to call him dead since he is already undead, but they beat on him until his body collapsed."
Nikki will give a little shrug at trying to define the redead undead. Nikki will gesture towards Grelthe and Catayra regardless of what side of the door they're on. "The group you introduced me to was assisted by another. I don't know if you met them, but they seem to be the holy type. They were concerned about leaving Saracek's body around in his lair. I suggested that you may know what to do with it more than any other in town. Any thoughts?"
Nikki- You might be able to do such a thing, but you need more information about the original crusade and how Saracek was turned before you can create a ritual that you can be certain of.
(assist)
(regarding undead)
Vuzi does her best to help remember what she might know of the crusade.
"The group you introduced me to was assisted by another. I don't know if you met them, but they seem to be the holy type. They were concerned about leaving Saracek's body around in his lair. I suggested that you may know what to do with it more than any other in town. Any thoughts?"
"I am from tat group. And tis being must not be allowed to rise again."
Simon and Emily will accompany Vance and will say Archibald goodbye.
Despite the first (as well as second and third) impression, he has developed a liking for the overly naive nobleman and waves him off as he sets sails.
***
As Vance and Pye discuss trade stuff, Simon tries to follow and learn from their way of talking and subtle influencing, despite understanding nothing of it.
He is determined to learn at least some of the ways of the tongue, having had enough situations as of late, that would have benefit greatly from a trained talker - which they certainly lack.
After helping with any making-sure-the-undead-don't-come-back ritual that is necessary, Zadira goes shopping. She's looking for a magic longbow and a belt to offset her physical weakness, but if there are other interesting items around, she'll take a look.
Mr. Dark seems genuinely surprised for the first time since you meet him. He ushers you in and closes the door. You truly have the bones of Saracek! This is a feat you have accomplished. Please, tell me everything, spare no detail!
You relate the story in detail, then Mr. Dark grills even more detail from you. You describe every stone of the place and every ounce of blood spilled before he is satisfied.
This is grave news. It appears that the Priesthood of Orcus that was driven here so long ago was less than defeated after all.
Dozens of years ago a small group of priests of Orcus went to ground in the underground caverns that became Rappan Athuk and a full blown Army of Good chased them into that hole. None ever came back. We, I, had hoped they annihilated each other at the very least. I had heard of a guardian of Rappan Athuk named Saracek, but I hoped it wasn't THE Saracek, general of that army of light.
It takes a long time to plan it a ritual that might hallow the ground sufficiently to negate any spontaneous necromancy from Saracek. It's elaborate and requires several of you to assist. Two chill moons later you're set up with a fresh grave dug on top of a hill outside town. The area is littered with instance pots, holy shrines to just about every good god in the pantheon and a large magical circle carved into the ground.
Mr. Dark begins the ritual by lighting the incense in the shrine to Pharasma.
Meanwhile, while some of you get your religion on, Pyr leaves on another trip and returns with your orders.
He also returns with news! Word of your exploits has spread and you have gained the attention of several organizations who trade in lost artifacts (of the not-evil kind, generally), namely the Pathfinders. If you come up with another haul like Saracek's you may succeed in jump-starting trade in the region!
Once Simon is bored to near-death by the gibberish of the traders, he will soon meet up with the other group members and is eager to help with laying Saracek to good rest.
He is certainly no help with the aspects that require dedicated knowledge, but is more than ready to help with the more physical requirements of the ritual.
(added my bonus for undead since it applies in this case)
”when everyone is done with what they need to do in town, I would like to take a trip to the swamp to see a wizard who might be able to help me enchant Skeets
The tiny green rock flies around in excitement ”I shall be a great warrior! Like the rest of you!
Cain looks blankly at him ”.... something like that
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Kayla approaches the ferryman. Nice evening, very peaceful. You offer a river cruise? she asks slipping in any signs as to her true intentions to seek a master she had heard about.
Kayla fumbles a bit as though looking for a money purse but she soon shows her markings on her arm to show that she is (or was) a shadowhand assassin.
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Grelthe looks confused for a moment as she looks around to see where the voice is coming from. When she notices the tiny rock, she does a double take and then guffaws heartily.
"Apologies for my mirth, tiny creature. I am sure you are a formidable warrior at heart, but you must know that is not what can be first expected by your appearance." She grins at it, hoping to erase any sting from her laughter, then turns to Cain "You keep intriguingly unexpected companions, sir."
Marco looks amused at this and the stone flies into Grelthe’s face ”Your apology is accepted green one! As soon as I have a method of attack, I shall fearlessly fights along side you! I shall strike with the force of a rat! Or some other animal! I don’t know!
Vuzi gives Skeets a big smile, and then lets her scorpion familiar come off her arm to play. "You will be an amazing warrior, sir Skeets."
She does help with the ritual.
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Skeets rides atop the scorpion "my mighty steed!
"A rock riding a scorpion. Well... why not? Certainly that might mofe faster than a scorpion riding a rock."
"Oh yeah, Skeets is a mighty warrior indeed-meow!
Just have a look at the tiny crossbow and helmet he is wearing!
The work of our friend Dalkk, his farewell present for Cain-Marco-Cain and his mighty-little friend-purrurr!"
** spoiler omitted **
Kayla jumps aboard as the ferry starts to pull away. she stays pretty quiet but stays alert for danger. there is always the possibility of betrayal.
Greetings Initiate. I was wondering how long it would take for you to get to me.
The ritual goes off a hitch. Almost. Vuzi nearly drops a bowl of herbs during one part, but it doesn't impact the results very much.
Magic flows around the circle and everything feels just Right for a moment before the spell settles into the earth.
That should hold him. Well done, everyone. says Mr. Dark.
Kayla is silent at the comment, feeling like she does not need to justify anything to him. but after a moment or two, unexpected delays, some undead thing was holding me up.
Kayla tries to put up a front of "coolness" but she has a hard time hiding her excitement at times.
instinctively, she pulls out a pastry and munches on it.
Another pause.
We have received word that an especially slippery target of ours fled in this direction some months ago with several associates. She is dangerous. She is your target. Her name is Fiilaar, and she's a wererat and she's an adept alchemist.
"Dats good. Dat is one spirit dat doesn't need to be raised again ever." She looks relieved that no one will have to deal with the anit-paladin again. "I hope ve made this large enough. I feel like ve'll be bringing more to dis place."
Kayla give a little sigh, understood she is a little apprehensive at the mission, she wanted to give up this lifestyle but at least they are not out to kill her.
any leads? she asks.