However you came to be in the City of Strangers, Kaer Maga, one thing is certain: there is plenty for a person of your particular persuasion to keep themselves occupied. Built upon the Storval Rise, the fortress city is a huge hexagonal structure, and the denizens who dwell within are some of the strangest you'll ever see in all of Varisia...in fact, all of Avistan.
It has recently come to your attention that the Church of Pharasma is seeking out freelancers to find out why the interred bodies that the clergy has prepared are going missing. Repeated attempts to contact the necromancers who dwell within the city have met with resistance, but the clergy has determined that the lower levels of the Ossuary show signs of recent activity. Unwilling to risk their own in a possibly dangerous unexplored crypt, the Church is seeking out the right kind of people who would willingly descend into a sealed crypt in search of the answer. People like you.
Each of you has received a handwritten letter, addressed and delivered by an acolyte earlier in the day. The letters are identical except for the greeting and read as follows:
It has come to my attention that you may be what we are looking for in regards to our recent difficulties. I will say no more of it in this correspondence, but instruct you to meet me at the Godsmouth Catherdral in the Bottoms district at midnight tonight.
'Not this year, not yet' - V
Moving carefully through the shadows, capitalizing on the protection they offer, Alexi makes his way towards the Cathedral to meet at the appointed time. As he arrives he sees four others standing at the entrance, sizing them up he wonders"Could they be here for the same contract as me?", he shudders to think of this motley crew having to join forces and reminds himself that "This is Kaer Maga".
He addresses the group "'Evening, I assume you are all here for the same reason I am? A job we must compete for or one for us all? I am Alexi Moonspotter, I'm a librarian of sorts."
Tom read the note for the third time since receiving it in the market this morning. "I only just arrived in the city yesterday, Surely, this must be for someone else. Maybe I shouldn't have displayed my magic so brazenly. Well, I can certainly use the money, and the adventure. Nothing better to keep the bleaching away."
Tom arrived shortly after 11:30 noting that he was the first. He began making a necklace from some beads he had found lying around the market. Being of short stature had some advantages. As the group arrived, he thought it quite strange that none was human, though the last to arrive was close.
I hope it is the group of us myself. Numbers are usually advantageous.
Gaius comes clanking down the street towards the front of the cathedral. Fully armored and armed, and not attempting to be particularly stealthy he marches directly towards the group in front of the building. His back is straight as an iron rod, and he moves with parade ground precision. He's dressed like this. He stands a few inches over six feet, all his exposed flesh is yellowish grey and covered in plentiful black body hair. His face looks like the avatar, however it's hard to see much of it under his helmet.
He looks at the Gnome, Half-elf and Catwoman appraisingly. "I am Gaius Vekkhar. Have you all also been recruited for this assignment?" he asks. After he stops moving he stands almost at attention, his hands near his waist, his back straight and shoulders square. When he talks to someone he looks them directly in the eye without looking away.
I'm not sure about any assignment, but I did receive this note. He pulls out the letter he received. It's fairly vague, but I believe we shall find its meaning shortly
Azrim plods down the street rather noisily, his mail jingling with every step. His eyes move back and forth, constantly scanning his flanks for threats. There was a dark cloud over this city by his reckoning, and the stink of lawlessness that went with it. He would not have been surprised by whatever he saw in the shadows of the road, but he thought it best to see it nonetheless.
Noticing the others gathered at the cathedral's exterior, he quickens his pace, letting his holy symbol of Torag bounce against his chest as he moves. He stops abruptly in their midst and looks them over, sizing them up and looking for other priests. His eyes linger on the hobgoblin for a mere second before moving on. He tugs on one of his blonde beard-braids.
"Can't say I am surprised to see others. Trouble at a temple is serious business. Azrim Deepwalker am I, servant to Torag." He gives the group a nod.
Standing closely now, the others can see that Azrim has scripture etched into his steel shield and on the scales of his mail - lines and verses from Hammer and Tongs, the holy book of Torag.
"Recent troubles sounds like work needs doing to me." he replies to Hall. "Greetings Azrim." Gaius says giving him a curt bow.
Alexi, always precautious, and sometimes a little paranoid, positions himself facing the group, but with his back to a nearby wall and a view of the cathedral entrance. He nods a slight hello to the rest of the group, ”Well met.
He surveys the surrounding streets and looks up into the layers of Kaer Maga that surround them.
Perception:
Gaius will attempt to open the doors to the cathedral. "Must be nearly midnight."
Just as Gaius is about to open the doors of the cathedral, a female acolyte in black vestements emerges from a side door carrying a lantern. She motions for all of you to follow her through the side entrance.
Once inside the cathedral, you are escorted to a side chapel - dedicated to what looks like some sort of female saint of Pharasma, perhaps - and the acolyte sets the lantern in a wall sconce and turns and leaves. Several minutes later, an attractive human woman wearing a dark cloak enters.
"Greetings. My name is Valanthe Nerissia, and it seems my old contacts in the city have gotten my request into capable hands." She looks at each of you, possibly surprised that none of you are human like her, but she quickly continues.
"Let me get straight to the point. The bodies we prepare as part of the rites according to The Bones Land in a Spiral have been going missing as of late. We here at the church have our hands full dealing with...other matters. So it is perhaps a rare opportunity that outsiders have been granted an allowance to enter the Ossuary - where we inter the recently deceased."
"The church will pay each of you 500 gold pieces if you can determine the cause of the missing corpses and eliminate it. In addition, if you clear the lower level - called the Godsmouth Ossuary - of any lingering threats, the church will compensate you with an additional 250 gold pieces each. Anything you find of value in the Thassilonian portion of the Ossuary is yours to keep as well, except for anything related to the ancient Pharasman faith. These terms are generous, and we require this problem be solved as quickly as possible. Do not speak of this to anyone outside the church - or I will have to find others who are capable of maintaining discretion. If you have questions, now is the time."
Tom considers the proposal carefully. "That is a very generous offer. In my current monetary state, one I am loath to forego. Are there any known dangers which we can prepare for ahead of time?"
"The entrance to the Godsmouth Ossuary was sealed as soon as we became aware that something within was stealing the interred corpses. We have our suspicions... she pauses, as if unsure of how much to reveal to a group of outsiders.
At any rate, the nature of what dwells in that part of the Ossuary is obviously someone or something with an interest in the recently deceased. I would guess necromancy of some sort." She frowns in disgust, then continues. "You should be prepared to encounter the undead, as well as the many hazards the ancient Thasillonians probably left down there - traps, magical guardians, constructs."
"As much as I would like to join you," she says, a faint smile forming on her lips, "my responsibilities require my attention here. However, I have some...experience with delving into underground crypts. I've taken the liberty of having these prepared for you...
She reaches into the folds of her black cloak and produces a leather bandolier containing five small glass vials with a strangely colored liquid, and five vials of clear liquid. "Healing potions, if you require them. Holy water as well."
"I'll answer any other questions, if I can, as we make our way to the Ossuary entrance. Follow me."
As Valanthe takes the lantern and leads the way, you continue outside the cathedral down a well travelled cliffside path.
Alexi tucks away the vial and potion in his backpack.
His mind racing with thoughts, analyzing scenarios, calculating odds, running over preparations and contingencies ... they all came for work but this seems fast , maybe too fast ... unorganized, rushed ... we don't even know each other, how to work together ...
Using diplomacy for the following:
Diplomacy:
"Were you expecting more than just the five of us? Are we the first group that you have sought help from? If so, what happened to the others? Your gifts are gracious, might you have anything else that could help us - a crowbar, rope with a grappling hook, anything at all? Do you have any suspects or leads on who or what mightbe behind this - surely somone's seen something?
Alexi tries to sort out her true intentions behind her possible veil:
Sense Motive:
"I will accept your offer." Gaius says, following Valanthe.
Azrim listens intently to Valanthe, closing a fist at the mention of undead and necromancy. "The profanity beneath this temple shall be cleansed. This is my duty. The restless dead are nothing against the might of Torag. 'As the hammer falls, so shall life spring up from the stone.'"
Finding the monetary reward unnecessary, he contemplates donating portions of it to churches of Torag.
These items will most definitely be useful. My thanks. I will agree to this job as long as all agree, for I would not want to venture into the crypts unaccompanied.
As you follow her down the cliffside path to the entrance, the Pharasman cleric answers each of Alexi's questions in turn.
"Were you expecting more than just the five of us? Are we the first group that you have sought help from?"
"I sent out several letters. You were the first ones who answered my summons."
"Your gifts are gracious, might you have anything else that could help us - a crowbar, rope with a grappling hook, anything at all?"
"You are correct half-elf, I have been generous. Consider it an impetus to solve this problem quickly. As for supplies, a travelling tengu merchant was loitering around here earlier. If you feel you need additional goods, perhaps you should look for her."
"Do you have any suspects or leads on who or what might be behind this - surely somone's seen something?"
"As I told the gnome earlier, we have our suspicions, but have not been able to find any conclusive proof of those suspicions. We need you to either confirm or deny them" she says, cocking her head and looking directly at the inquisitor. "I know your type asks a lot of questions, but I am trying to keep this matter discrete while we are in public. Once we reach the entrance I may tell you more."
Up ahead, you hear what seems to be an argument between someone with a deep, gruff voice, and another voice which seems high pitched and cawing, almost like a bird's. When you get closer, it appears that a half-orc in armor with a halberd is arguing with a small cloaked figure with a small hand pulled wagon.
"I told ya to clear off."
"Please, please! My brother is in the mountain! Inside the tomb-tunnels!"
"If he is, he dinnit get in here. Church has it sealed up."
"Ooooh! Please help me find my brother. I have so many nice things to show him!"
The half-orc appears to be losing his patience. This could turn ugly, fast. Do any of you intervene?
... she says, cocking her head and looking directly at the inquisitor. "I know your type asks a lot of questions, but I am trying to keep this matter discrete while we are in public. Once we reach the entrance I may tell you more."
As they walk along, in response to Valenthe, "Yes, most certainly, understood." As Alexi begins to pace his thoughts.
Upon seing the Orc and merchant:
Alexi braces himself, his grip on his mace tightening ... ready for whatever may transpire, and awaiting a reaction to Nichelle's attempt to inject herself into the exchange.
He glances at Valenthe to appraise her reaction to the situation:
If necessary: Perception:
Valanthe seems to be standing back, possibly watching how you deal with this particular event. She says nothing, but seems to be focusing on the half-orc.
The tengu merchant is female, with decorative red markings on her beak. Several shamanistic charms hang from her sleeves and adorn the wagon, and although it is covered with a oiled tarp, it seems the goods underneath are mostly provisions and supplies of a mundane nature. Several coils of what look like good quality rope hang from the far side of the wagon, as well as some pots and pans.
Nichelle's attempts to distract the merchant seem to elicit a pause in the confrontation as both the half-orc and the tengu look up at her.
"This merchant needs to clear off, the sale of goods is not allowed at this time" the half-orc says to Nichelle, grunting as he does.
The tengu however, senses an opening. "Help? I help you, you help me! Then I go! Will make this brute here, pleased, yes?" Turning to the half-orc the tengu seems to cackle. "Will talk with these lovely people, then go? Acceptable?"
The half-orc grunts again, turns to Nichelle and says "You're with the cleric I see. Fine. This bird woman needs to be gone by the time I come back." He walks off briskly up the path.
The tengu woman seems relieved, but still agitated. "Reeza is my name. Have many supplies for adventurous types, yes? I must find Izzik. He and Skezza and Fisk went into the mountain mouth, and have not come back. They are fools, but Reeza cares for them still. If you find them, give them this." She holds up a totem charm, a small bird carved from wood with some river stones tied to it with a leather cord.
Gaius motions her out of his way, as he continues down the path. "If I see your friends I'll tell them you're looking for them. Now out of our way, we have work to do." He says as he passes her.
Tom ignores Gaius, and greets the Tengu. Reeza, I will give your charm to your friends if we cross paths, if not, I will return it to you at my earliest convenience. I would like to purchase a lantern and some oil from you.
Azrim stomps up next to Hallingtom and chimes in. "Aye..and just what were they doing inside? Not tomb-robbing, I would hope. Your friends wouldn't have anything to do with the missing corpses now, would they?" He narrows his eyes at the tengu, watching her for any signs of falsehood.
Sense Motive:
Alexi ponders for a minute, ’Perhaps it is the Orc that is doing something he shouldn’t be … and wants to avoid any witnesses …’
Seeing the Orc rush off quickly he locks his gaze on the tengu, smiling in an attempt to comfort her. Reeza is it? As my gnome friend has said, we will do all we can to help. Let’s see your wares.
Seeing Azrim squint, trying to make something out of Reeza’s response, Alexi adds: ”Anything you can tell us at all would be helpful, what could have possessed them to enter the caves?
Sense Motive:
”I don’t have a grappling hook or rope – we may need those as we are going into the caves, I’ll buy them if someone doesn’t mind carrying them for me? Can anyone think of anything else?”
"Oh. I assumed you were all prepared. If we need to stop to purchase supplies then so be it. I have a rope Alexi, if you want to purchase a hook I will carry it for you. I also have spikes and a hammer should we need that." Gaius says stopping short once he hears the others beginning to barter.
“Great, I'll get the hook, and is there anything else that looks to be of interest?”
Reeza looks incredibly grateful as Tom takes the carved bird charm. "Thank you, thank you. If any of you need supplies, Reeza will offer a nice discount for such nice people."
Responding to the gruff dwarf's inquiry, she looks taken aback. "Why do dwarfs always assume we are thieves and stealers? Robbing tombs, ha! Dwarves rob the earth, do they not?" she cackles, finding this amusingly clever. "Fear not noble dwarf, Reeza is an honest woman. No corpse snatching, or purse lifting here, of course! As for my brothers Izzik and Skezza? Well, Reeza won't lie to you."
She abruptly stops talking and goes about selling the party the goods they want, extending a feathered hand for coin.
Reeza notices the inquisitor's spell casting actions, and cocks her head, narrowing her eyes. "Casting spells and incantations, eh? Reeza unfortunately has no goods for wizards and shamans and sorcerers for sale today. See Horuzz for scrolls and potions and such. He sometimes comes down to The Bottoms on...business."
Alexi, only slightly startled at getting caught feigns indifference. "Thanks ma'am, we'll do what we can for your Brother and friends."
"If your business is concluded, let us not tarry here. The entrance to the lower levels of the Godsmouth Ossuary is just a short distance ahead."
You pass through a massive carved arch sculpted into the side of the cliff in the stylized shape of a human face with a gaping maw forming the arch.
"The mouth of the Unnamed King" Valanthe remarks.
As you enter, you arrive in what must be the upper levels of the Ossuary, which are used extensively by the Pharasmans to tend to the deceased. There are several luxurious looking catacombs which seem to be full of shrouded bodies wrapped in white linen.
You descend down several stairways until you reach an area that seems to receive little regular maintenance. Dust and cobwebs are prevalent. Most of the burial niches here are empty, the air is dank and close, and it is eerily silent.
A stout looking stone door is set into the wall here, and Valanthe reaches for a key concealed beneath her robes.
"The entrance to the lower levels." She quickly casts a spell, and then speaks again. "Before we proceed, it is safe enough here to discuss your endeavor in more detail."
Using diplomacy:
"You have been most generous, and it our true desire to be of service to you and the church's needs. Is there anything additional that you can tell us about what may be taking the corpses or what challenges we may expect to see? Any advice or information at all?"
"Is the ossuary trapped?" He pauses for an answer. "Is the lower ossuary constructed, or a natural cave?" Gaius asks.
Azrim tugs on his beard-braid as the tengu speaks, snorting slightly at her comments to him. "I'd have asked that no matter who or what you were. Can't imagine much reason to go tomb-searching outside of an agreement with the clergy if not to pilfer, I think. I've no intention of leaving any folk down there, aye, but I still wonder why they went." He looks to Alexi, adding, "perhaps, if they aren't the culprits, these missing tengu would have some valuable information." Looking back to the merchant, he asks "how long ago did they venture in?"
After they've left the merchant and moved further with Valanthe, Azrim asks "How many levels are there that you know of?"
"You have been most generous, and it our true desire to be of service to you and the church's needs. Is there anything additional that you can tell us about what may be taking the corpses or what challenges we may expect to see? Any advice or information at all?"
"The church does not like to speak of it to outsiders, but one of our own may be responsible. I realize that this may seem like an internal matter, but this particular person is very dangerous, and sending my acolytes in to deal with them would only result in their deaths. I realize this seems a bit callous, but it makes much more sense for us to hire freelancers to deal with the problem. No offense."
"This individual's name is Svilennius Tripe. He was a mediocre acolyte, but he found something down there that turned out to be his undoing. He uncovered some tomes related to the heretical sect calling itself 'Chymists of the Life in Death'. These dealt with the creation of undead via alchemical means rather than magical. He thought he had found a way around our tenants against the undead. He was wrong."
"A servant of Pharasma abhors undeath in all of its myriad forms," she says sternly. "Svilennius was discovered, brought before a tribunal, and then promptly disappeared. We assume he returned to where he had found the original heretical material."
"However middling he may have been as a priest, there is no telling what perverse secrets he has uncovered below. It is likely he is plotting revenge and creating undead from the corpses that have gone missing."
"Be on your guard. The ossuary was contructed by the Thassilonians, powerful magic users and skilled artificers. You may encounter remnants of their strange old gods, and 'sin' magic. Our experiences are that it will likely be trapped, have secret chambers and passages, and perhaps stranger things. We have only ventured into this level once or twice, but it is likely it descends further. For now, my only concern is dealing with Svilennius and clearing this level for use. Do that, and the church will be grateful to you."
"With that said, I have one more very important item to give you."
She produces a hollow mithral tube about a foot long, and about an inch in diameter.
"This is a chime of opening, and you may use it five times before it will not work again. Remember this, since once this door is locked behind you, the acolytes of the church are forbidden from opening it. In fact, I am the only one who has a key, and I certainly am not going to run the risk of letting anyone or anything out of there that has been turned," she says, grimacing.
"If one week passes and we have not heard from you, then I will have to hire another group of freelancers. They will be the ones who will find you if something unfortunate happens. Pray to the Lady it does not."
"If you are ready, I will open the door now. If you feel you need anything else to complete this task, I am willing to meet you back here in eight hours time."
Valanthe pauses, anticipating your response.
"Thank you Valenthe, for being so candid with us. Just to be clear, must we save one of the charges in order to let ourselves out of the crypt?"
"Thank you Valenthe, for being so candid with us. Just to be clear, must we save one of the charges in order to let ourselves out of the crypt?"
"Yes. Or find another way out. Or make sure you have plenty of picks and spades."
Gaius looks down at his falcata, and then imagines trying to hack a skeleton to death with it. Hmm....perhaps I'm not as prepared as I thought. He appears to be blushing slightly, but says "Does anyone have a spare bludgeoning weapon? Or a flask or two of alchemist's fire or acid? We should be prepared for all eventualities if we have the cash."
I have two flasks of alchemist's fire handy if needed. I believe that I am ready to enter the crypts if everyone else is.
"I am ready when you are.
As she inserts the slotted key into an ancient looking lock, the mechanism clicks audibly, and the stone door swings open. A musty smell escapes from the now open doorway. It is unlit, but the light from Valanthe's lantern shows a narrow stone spiral stairway leading down.
"Best of luck. May the Lady judge you fairly, and in due time." As she speaks the Pharasman saying, she makes a crossing gesture near her chest, and waits until the last of you have begun down the stairs before closing the door behind you with an ominous scraping sound.
The stairway is narrow and cramped, with only a small gap between the vertical stone shaft, which is shaped roughly hexagonal, and the stone slabs which make up the spiralling stairs and central column. The space is tight, and you have to descend single file down the stair without squeezing.