There is a decent black market still running in the quarantine area assume you can sell any item at 55% it's market value and purchase them at 110% it's market value.
"We already had a run in wit tha assassins, not saying we won but we're all still alive, now."
Checking in, take some downtime and let me know when you go ahead to the Arkona castle.
I'm ok with hand waiving the buying/selling session and moving on.
I was hoping someone would take care or loot tracking.
Well moving on to castle arkonas.
What approach are you taking? Knock on the door? Sneak in? Break in?
"We jus stopped an attack on tha castle, an got proof we fought tha king o tha underbelly, maybe they err willin tah meet wit us?"
Crain knocks on the door. "Only one way to find out, Donny. Let's see if anyone is home!"
Drakus looked uneasily at the castle, hoping their credentials would still allow them to move about freely.
The palace doors are opened and a group of six guards come out to meet you and politely ask why you have come.
"We are here for Neolandus. Scream told us he was being kept here, and our new job is to find out what he knows. Just show us to him and we can get out of your hair by lunch time. "
There is a moment of silence and finally the guard says "The master has agreed to meet with you follow me" he takes you up to the castle were an elderly butler meets you and takes you inside to a waiting room.
"The lord will see you shortly" he says and leave you alone in the room.
"Keep on yer toes lads, many a fool hast walked right intah tha dragons lair."
After about five minutes the master of the house arrives.
"Greetings! Greetings! I am Bahor Arkronas a pleasure to meet you! That was some wonderful work taking care of that scum Pilts I simply must thank you for that."
Mai being discrete and cautious
"Taking out the trash is sort of what we do. I suppose your servant told you why we are here? We need Neolandus. Please show us to him, and we'd appreciate it."
"We tried tah reason wit tha man, but he was very unreasonable, wha was his beef wit you an yers?"
"He brought chaos and destruction to the entire district and I know he wanted to try and break into my home as well, I am very glad to be rid of him...You want Neolandus you say? I would be willing to hand him over but alas I cannot. My sister tossed him into the Vivified labyrinth along with that swordmaster Vencarlo."
The Vivified Labyrinth is a notorious dungeon, a place said to be used by the Arkonas to torment and test prisoners and agents alike. It is filled with traps and monster and is rumoured to be build underground under the Arkonas palace.
Drakus sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"We're going to have to go down there and through all that crap to get them, aren't we?" He commented.
"Why don't we go talk to your sister and have her fetch him right out for us? And Vencarlo as well. I kind of like that guy, so we might as well get him while we are at it."
"Is it ever so simple. We err goin tah need tah discuss this further over drinks, ave yah an ample supply o ale?"
"Simply fetching someone from the Labyrinth is impossible but I can show you to the entrance if you would like. Oh and here take this as a reward for dealing with Pilts."
He hands over a gold ring with a green opal on it.
"It bears a powerful enhancement to protect you from harm. It will help you avoid some traps and spells"
A Ring of Evasion.
"Now that is mighty gracious of you. That's a nice item. Why are you just giving that over to us freely? That ring costs more than every weapon I have combined. I mean, we will take it, but I want to make sure you ain't going to accuse us of stealing it later..."
"A gift for dealing with Pilts and to aid you if you decide to undertake the trial of The Vivified Labyrinth. In short this is a contest between me and my sister. We both think you are going to accept the challenge but she believes you will fail and I believe you will succeed. Try not to disappoint me." He says
"Now about tha ale!"
Donagar helps himself to some ale....
"Ken you tell us more o tha labyrnith, I mean surely yer knowledge o it should give us more tha a few hints."
"I cant you much as that would be cheating but I will give you one hint. If you see a riddle say the answer out loud before you proceed or you might regret it" he says with a smirk.
"You want to come with us? What happens if we run into your sister? Is she going to want to fight us?"
"Oh no, I'm afraid I am but a spectator. As for my sister I cannot say for sure what she will do."
"Iffen tha place is dark most o mah friends err in need o lasting light sources."
Donagar continues to drink and offers some to Craine, Drakus, and Mai...
"I'm afraid I have given all the help that I will. Feel free to come back later but I don't know how long those two will last in there. It's already been three days since they were tossed in thought Vencarlo seems like a resourceful fellow they might still be alive."
Drakus accepted the offer of a drink from Donagar, took a swallow and passed it back.
Wiping his lips, he glared at the entranceway to the maze.
"Well, we ain't gettin' any younger. You ready?" He said, looking at his companions.
"Just be sure to bring enough to keep us wet in the prison, Donager. We might be in there a while. Let's do it."
Donagar looks over the assorted consumable liquids and grabs a small keg marked as dwarven ale...
"Let's go then we ain't getting any prettier either!"
When you are ready the noble takes you out to the garden were there is a large statue. A fourteen-foot-tall marble statue of a six-armed woman with four faces on her head, one looking to each of the four cardinal directions. The statue wields numerous weapons in its six arms, and a small kneeler at its base gives a place to pay respects to whatever deity the statue represents. Each of the statue’s eight eyes is a sparkling bright green orb.
Chamidu, a deity with an affinity for the beasts of the world
He pulls a few levers and it moves over to reveal a slide down.
"This entrance is only one way you cannot return once you go in. There is also only one exit, if you can reach it you pass the test."
Drakus waits just long enough for any possible 'But one last thing...' comment from Arkronas before marching unhesitatingly to the slide and entering.
Knowledge religion
"If I didn't know better I would think this pit has demons in it but tha statue is a nature Vudan goddess..Chamudi of tha beasts."
The nobleman watches with a grins.
"I am surprised you recognise her she is not widely known on this continent. It is a little something we picked up from our trades with the Kingdoms of Vudra. Personalty I have little use for religion but my sister has taken to following some of her teachings. Taming beast and engaging in hunting rituals."
Crain was getting bored by the talk. "Alright, let us in. Let's do this, boys and girls. Laori, are you coming with us?"
"Yeah but tha changes tha game a bit, if tha sister is intah tha beasts an huntin it seems she may use her maze fer her hunting grounds...."
"I'm guessing, I'll be in the front to check for surprises"
"Good call, I will be near at hand, though we ave no idea o tha place, it could be dark stone err a magically lit landscape a forest labyrinth... "
Donagar follows right behind Mai....