Walking thru Sandpoint from the Sandpoint Bridge in the southern end of town to the corner of Tower and Main, where the garrison is located is simple and easy. Folks wave, but hurry to their homes as the sun has set and the evening has begun.
Several of the local bars and eateries are still open, including the Rusty Dragon and a few of the folks heading there wave, and say "meet you at the Dragon in a while, eh?"
At the garrison, a guard lets you enter, and Sheriff Hemlock greets you warmly, "it is good to see you again. Sandpoint is somewhat calm again after the attacks, and the murders. What have you discovered?" and he waits for your response to his query.
Camas looks to Robin to begin the tale.
"Magic most foul, and near as many questions as answers," Marcellano says grimly. "Long story short, you must make sure that none go near the Misgivings. But I'll let Robin tell it in full..."
Well told Robin. I'll add that we have a box of silver that belonged to Hambley. His heirs should get it if they can be found. If not. well we could use the funds to finance our next move. Also you should know that we found a note clearly stating that this ritual mutilation of the victims somehow brings power to some "master". She will show the sheriff the note they found. And we know that the manor house is still haunted and quite dangerous. I lack the power to put the spirits to rest for more than a few days, but I think I know how to eliminate that threat and will speak to Father Zantus about it. Until such time that the spirits are laid to rest the manor should be made off limits.
Marcellano coughs irritably. "Robin, Vorel Foxglove did not become a superstructural matrix. The house became a matrix to express...oh, never mind."
Turning back to Hemlock, he continues, "I must admit that whatever magic or ritual animated Foxglove's insanity is beyond me, but I am deeply curious as to how it was achieved. Even more interesting, for me, is the continued persistence of this rune...known, as I understand it, to be called the Sihedron. I'm told that it featured prominently in the symbology of the goblins who attacked Sandpoint recently, the ones who were squatting in the Thassilonian ruins this group so expertly discovered, and now it appears here...and in a missive from Magnimar, no less. It makes me wonder if there is some larger, pan-Varisian force at play." He smiles. "The house should certainly be kept off-limits, but I must say, if anyone seems to know anything about this rune, I hope you'll send them to us. It could be quite an archaeological coup if we're able to uncover its full original significance!"
"*Crawk!* Also murder!"
"Hm? Oh, uh, yes. Also, that person might know something about the murders."
"Aldern? The noble house of Foxglove, Aldern, was behind this?" the sheriff says, with a somewhat raised voice, and then as if it sunk in finally, "And old Vorel became a lich?"
He sighs a moment, "this is more than a simple Shoanti warrior like myself is able to understand and deal with."
"I suggest that you talk with Brodert Quink. I believe that you had had conversations with him before" and he looks over at Marcellano. "And also Veznutt Parooh. He and Brodert will have a lot to argue about when you tell them" and he chuckles a bit, relieving his tension.
"Of course, Father Zantus should be consulted about the undead. I will send a patrol in the morning to warn folks about the Manor should they approach. Do you know how close they can approach without being affected by the house? Oh, and you should talk to Ameiko about this. She can help spread the word around town, although there are some that are foolish enough to go there just to see."
"Quink and Parooh?" Marcellano frowns slightly, remembering. "Well, yes...I suppose they could be helpful. Certainly Quink's identification of that image we saw as a historical figure known as 'Karzoug' showed more wit than I'd given him credit for..."
Nodding decisively, he turns to the others. "Very well, then! While you go to see Father Zantus, I shall consult with that couple that pass for scholars in this town. Tonight, we can all meet up back at the Rusty Dragon to ensure that Ameiko knows and we can formulate a plan for our next steps."
Kizzy nods to the Sheriff's advice. "Yeah, I'm not sure spreading the word is a good idea until it's taken care of. We wouldn't want kids daring each other to go in and touch the mold or anything like that. By the way, this is Adolina." She says, providing the introduction that everyone else seemed to have forgotten in their haste to tell the story. "She came to check on poor Iesha, and helped us make a whole lotta ghouls... um re-dead. She's also from Magnimar, so she should be able to help us there too." Realizing she might be signing Adolina up for more than she bargained for, she turns to the half-elf. "Um, if you want to, anyway. This is Sheriff Belor Hemlock."
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Adolina, who had been doing a very good job of skulking quietly in the corner until Kizzy pointed her out approaches the Sheriff and shakes his hand. "Sheriff Hemlock, a pleasure. Adolina d'Jhaltera of Magnimar at your service. As Qetsiyah said I came to investigate the disappearance of my friend Iesha Foxglove, she married Aldern two winters ago. I can confirm everything that these fine ladies and gentlemen have told you. Foxglove was horribly corrupted as one of the undead and there is clearly something far worse than simple ghouls amiss with that house." None of you have ever seen Adolina this formal before, her posture is perfectly straight and she comes across every inch the aristocrat.
It's only once they leave that Adolina turns to Marcellus with wide eyes. "You're going to visit BRODERT QUINK? I have to come, please! He's the foremost expert on Ancient Thassalion! I've been corresponding with him for years! He'll have books! The Travellers Tales of Wrath, the accounts of Percival d'Monteith. Think of the history!" Her enthusiastic conversation continues nearly without pause until Marcellus leads her to Quink's house.
Good advise as usual Sheriff. I have to add that I am not confident that we took care of all the undead in the area either. Basically we killed what we came across. There could easily be more. I think I'll go to see Ameiko on the way to Father Zantus. We don'g have to spread any specific details. Only that that manor house is dangerous and diseased and should be avoided. Robin, are you with me?
Qetsiyah nods, "Diseased is probably a good way of saying it. People seem more frightened by contagion than they are ghost stories. If you are headed to see Ameiko first, I'll come along too. I didn't get to talk to her much before we set out the last time."
Marcellano seems surprised, but pleased, by Adolina's enthusiasm. "Well, yes, he does have quite a library! I'd no idea you were such an amateur historian. Where did you come by this schooling?" On their way to Quink's, he chats with the half-elf about her education, comparing notes and teachers' theories.
Taking the advice of Sheriff Hemlock, you decide to try and take care of both of his recommendations at the same time.
You head to Brodert Quink home. Take a left from the garrison and go to the end of Tower Street to an almost ancient building and knock. A few moments later from inside the home "who is it?" comes in the old mans voice. Both Adolina and Marcellano reply with their names, and you hear a lock being unbolted and the door opens. Quink stands there in his day robes, and says "well come in my erstwhile knowledge seekers. What can old Quink do for you today?" and he steps back and allows the two to enter. Once in, he bolts the door shut, "can't be too careful, with the Late Unpleasantness and the Goblin Raids" and he leads you to a study, motions for you to sit down, sits himself and waits your reply.
You head to the Rusty Dragon Inn by heading south on Main Street till it reaches the docks and then left on Water Street to Market Street and finally to the Inn. Entering, several patrons stand up and shout "the heroes have returned!" and raise a mug of whatever they are drinking in salute. As soon as she sees you the halfling Bethany comes up to you, ”Ameiko is in the back supervising dinner preparations. Shall I get her for you?”
Camas waves at the well wishers before responding Yes Bethany, if she can spare a moment. We have a need that I think she can best help with.
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Adolina chats back animatedly to Marcellus. "I'm self taught mostly. I had a certain amount of history at finishing school and Thassalion has always fascinated me. Lost Magics, Runelords, the First Emperor, it just all sounded so fantastic. I came to Magnimar the first time to study Thassalion in Varisia and I've lived there ever since."
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Once inside Quink's house Adolina curls up in her chair and begins scanning the shelves, devouring the titles with her eyes. She seems entirely content to let Marcellus speak first.
"I'll get her" Bethany replies, and heads to the kitchen. A minute or so later, Ameiko comes out, not dressed to play, but in work clothes with a soup ladle in her hand. "Good to see you again. Robin, will you be able to stay and put on a skit for us" she queries of the halfling? "You must have had some exciting adventures. I understand you were checking out the old Hambly place."
Qetsiyah smiles and greets Bethany and Ameiko when she joins them. She winces at the mention of the farmer's name. "It's good to see you too! You two been doing alright? Indeed we did, but not in time to save poor Hambly himself. Do you know if he had any family? We came to see about that and ask if you could help us spread the word that the old manor Misgivings is contaminated. Some kind of awful fungal plague. Plus it's overrun with rats that have the sickness. Nasty things... Ugh!" There, she thought to herself. That's true and sounds bad enough to keep folk at bay.
Marcellano grins at Adolina's enthusiasm, though they reach Quink's door before he has a chance to actually reply.
In Quink's study, Marcellano takes a seat, and (having been in plenty of libraries before) leans forward to talk with Quink, letting Adolina scan the shelves. "I have good news about the most recent round of Unpleasantness, Mister Quink; we believe that we've managed to put a stop to that. We've just come from an investigation at the Foxglove family manor, which I believe the people of Sandpoint refer to as 'the Misgivings.'" A faint smile crosses his lips at the name. "Apt enough. Regardless, I have both good and bad news about what we found: Aldern Foxglove seems to have been the chief murderer, and the creator of the monstrous ghouls that spread both plague and death since he returned to this town. We also discovered secret rooms in the basement of the house suggesting that Foxglove's ancestor, Vorel, may have attempted to transform himself into a lich. Sheriff Hemlock thought that you, as the local historian and scholar of all things magical, might be interested in our discovery. And we could use any help we can get to keep the locals away from the building without...causing a panic." He grimaces. "I fear that some vestige of Vorel's spirit or malign influence remains."
Sitting back in his chair, he rubs his should subconsciously.
Hmm. Robin, you have a silver tongue when it comes to talking people into things. We will be asking Father Zantus to do us, no, all of Sand Point a favor. Since we are not of his flock I think it better for you to come along and lend your input to our argument. I can promise that we will come back to the Dragon in plenty of time for you to tell some tales. We have been though much in the last days. I can think of nothing I would like better than a night here with good food, good song, and good company.
"Old Vorel tried to turn himself into a lich. Harumph, that does not surprise me at all. He always was looking for books and relics concerning necromancy. I could not help him much as I am a Sage, not a Necromancer. I did here, however, that he bought several books on the subject from Chask Haladan who owns the Curious Goblin bookstore in town. His books are way overpriced, but if you have the money......" he muses.
"By the way, have you found out anything else about the 7 pointed Sihedron Star?" he asks.
Ameiko looks at Kizzy and Robin separately, then snickers, then lowering her voice so only you can here. "Sick rats or Ghouls" and she winks at the group. "Lets go with sick rats, that way the folks around here will leave it be. I can see where it would be good for all of you to go to see Fr. Zantus, but when you come back, after closing and before you rest for the night, I want to here the whole story" and she looks straight right at Robin, "one performer to another, eh!"
Marcellano frowns. "Precious little, I'm afraid, but it does seem to be linked to Aldern Foxglove's recent actions somehow. It appeared on a note we found on his person, as well as reference to a 'Sihedron ritual' of some kind, and he had carved the symbol into the bodies of several of his victims. But as to its provenance--aside from Thassilonian--and its original purpose, I know not."
Kizzy looks a bit sheepish as the Lady catches onto the ruse. "Oh, there are some nasty sick rats, I promise! You know I wouldn't lie to you, Ameiko." At least not outright... she thinks to herself as she grins.
She pays her respects to the altar of Abadar before they proceed on to speak to the Father at the Cathedral.
Brodert re-iterates much of what he told the others in the group on the earlier visits, after you had explored the dungeon under Sandpoint. With nothing further to be gained, Adolina and Marcellano head back to the Rusty Dragon, as it is getting on into the evening.
Cadas, Kizzy and Robin head up to the Cathedral and speak with Fr. Zantus about ghouls and what was going on at the Hambley Farm and also at the Foxglove Manor. He is quite interested in what you say, but during the conversation, he turns to you all, especially Cadas, "I am a simple village priest. From what you have told me, you have already far surpassed my abilities to serve Desna, in your abilities to serve Gozreh, and I am afraid that I can not be of much help, as what you speak of is beyond my means to handle."
You head back to the Rusty Dragon Inn.
With all of you congregated there, you share what little you have learned from your sources in Sandpoint, and now have to decide what to do next, as you sit around a table that Ameiko provided for you, in an out of the way corner of the main room as to give you a bit of privacy as she sensed the struggles that you were having in what to do next.
IF you memorize Remove Disease and cast it on yourself then caster level check (d20+caster level) vs DC 16. Pass, no longer affected, Fail, continue with next save:
DC 16 Fort save; Pass - Ok for today; Fail Dex damage & Con damage.
For the Ghoul Disease that has infected you: IF someone casts Remove Disease on you, they must do a caster level check (d20+caster level) vs DC 16. Pass, no longer affected, Fail, continue with next save:
DC 16 Fort save; Pass - Ok for today; Fail Dex damage & Con damage.
For the Vorel's Phage Disease that has infected you: IF someone casts Remove Disease on you, they must do a caster level check (d20+caster level) vs DC 20. Pass, no longer affected, Fail, continue with next save:
DC 20 Fort save; Pass - Ok for today; Fail Cha damage & Con damage.
Rising early Cadas pays her observances to Gozreh, asking for his help in overcoming these magical diseases. Her meditations complete she casts her first spell on herself.
She then goes to Marcellano's room, waking him if necessary to administer to him.
If she is aware that anyone else was bitten by ghoul or ghast she will use her last spell on them.
Marcellano strokes his goatee thoughtfully as Quink espouses on the nature of the Sihedron. "Interesting...so the rune may have been used to denote the seven schools of magic, and may also have been tied to the Seven Kingly Virtues of Xin? Well, that would make a certain amount of sense in a Thassilonian mindset; they seem to have willingly and even eagerly combined topics and systems that you and I would think of as separate. I've told you, I think, Master Quink, about my theory that the Thassilonian runic alphabet is itself a vessel of arcane power--similarly, I can believe that an ancient Thassilonian would see no symbolic difference between a magical discipline and a mental or ethical one. Magic was woven into the very fabric of their life, in ways that we can scarcely imagine." Tracing the symbol on the note with his finger, he glances at Adolina. "Perhaps this is the symbol of some secret school of mages or Thassilonia enthusiasts in Magnimar--when we get there, we can begin our search. Oh, which reminds me--" He turns back to Quink, "Please, do me a favor and ensure that no one excavates or treads on the ruins at Thistletop once we leave for Magnimar. They need time for much further examination."
With nothing else to ask Quink, he's ready to head out.
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That night, Marcellano chats amiably with the others, explaining everything they learned from Quink, but retires for the night early, explaining that he has some research to do. He makes a quick stop at a local shop to purchase some supplies, then retreats to his room in the Rusty Dragon and, lighting a candle, pulls out Caizarlu's spellbook, the scrolls he and his companions found in the Misgivings, and his own spellbook. Muttering a cantrip under his breath, he casts his eyes over the texts and pulls out a pen.
For an hour or so, he wrestles with the spellbook that he took from the necromancer at Habe's sanitorium. Finally, disgusted, he pushes the book away. Narcizia hops across the desk and turns one eye toward him, gently mocking. "Shut up. I disliked the man anyway," the wizard mutters. Drawing out a blank sheet of vellum, he adds, "And I've already gotten what I suspect is the most useful spell from his book..." He grimaces. "Distasteful though I find it, it's too potentially useful not to have on hand." He begins to inscribe strange glyphs and designs on the vellum, losing himself in his work.
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When Cadas knocks the next morning, she finds Marcellano up, looking somewhat the worse for wear. He smiles gratefully when she calls Gozreh's grace down upon him, murmuring, "Thank you, Cadas. That feels much better." Despite his words, he doesn't really...look...much better.
Marcellano smiles weakly. "As long as we're in no hurry I'm sure I can rest on the road...don't let my foolishness hold us up! I'm eager to speak to this mysterious woman who commands ghasts and inscribes her notes with Thassilonian runes..."
After a nights rest, both Cadas and Marcellano wake up, looking quite "green around the gills" is the expression. Cadas casts a remove disease on herself and feels immensely better. She then casts a remove disease on Marcellano, and even though she senses that the spell did what it was supposed to do, Marcellano is still looking bad.
Remembering that he had been bitten by a ghoul, she wonders if the fungus also had an affect on him, so she casts another remove disease on Marcellano and this time he looks like his old cheerful, will for a wizard cheerful, self again.
Cadas also knows that Marcellano had been looking unhealthy after several days of ghoul fever, so now that the disease is remedied, she casts a lesser restoration which restores him.
After catching her breath from her healing ordeal Cadas gives thanks to her deity and insists that Marcellano do so also. She then asks The next thing on my agenda is to try to find the place in Magnamar. How many day's travel is that?
Qetsiyah blinks in surprise when the Father defers to Cadas' expertise on clerical matters. She looks on the Shoanti woman with new respect, if that was possible. "Well, I guess there's nothing for it but to keep after this group until you gain enough knowledge to purge the house of whatever infests it. Thanks Father, do what you can to keep folk from going there in the meantime. It's a hotbed for some nasty disease, filled with awful twisted rats and mold." She makes another exaggerated shudder of disgust.
~~~
She enjoyed the night off and put a serious dent in Ameiko's food and ale supply as she pressed Adolina for more details about herself while they chatted over dinner. She listened to Robin's retelling of their ordeal, mainly just enjoying the sound of his voice as her thoughts drifted homeward.
~~~
Worry creased Kizzy's brow when she saw Marcellano's sickly pallor the next morning. He's getting worse... She thought to herself, feeling helpless to do anything and hating it. She chewed her lip anxiously as Cadas tended to him. Finally looking relieved when his coloring approached something more human looking.
She says nothing, but gives Cadas an appreciative pat on the back.
After catching her breath from her healing ordeal Cadas gives thanks to her deity and insists that Marcellano do so also. She then asks The next thing on my agenda is to try to find the place in Magnamar. How many day's travel is that?
"I think it's something like 50 or 60 miles along the coast. Took me almost 4 days travelling it on foot... We could talk with Veznutt Parooh to get a better idea of the distance, or he might know a better route than I took. Might be time we procure mounts for ourselves."
Feeling the need to be busy she goes to make arrangements with Ameiko to buy or help them sell off some the more easily liquidated loot.
Marcellano, though not a man of particular faith, joins Cadas in the prayers she says to Gozreh upon his recovery. He may not be a devotee of the Wind and Seas, but he knows magic--and a lucky escape--when he sees it.
As he tucks into the inn's simple breakfast, he nods to Cadas's suggestion that they head to Magnimar. Swallowing, he clears his throat. "I have little need of a mount--as long as we're not going to be riding all day and night, I can summon a horse for myself. I can do that for a number of us, for that matter, if you'd like. It simply means I'll have fewer conjurations available later in the day should we run into...trouble. I've not yet researched any spells for today, so just say the word and I'll prepare such spells while the rest of you take care of liquidating some of Foxglove's former possessions."
As the group plans Cadas adds I am unsure how much coin we have in total but I believe we still need to sell a few items. Perhaps we could wait and sell them in Magnamar. That would give us legitimate business in the city, should we need such.
After healing all, you finish breakfast. Remembering that the old Aldern, before the disease took him, had bought everyone a horse, or in Robin case a pony, Cadas leads the way to the Goblin Squash Stables, where Adolina and Kizzy had there horses stabled, as well as the horses and pony for the rest of you. The proprietor, Daviren Hosk, welcomes Cadas and the group back, "boarding the horses for the heroes of Sandpoint, and per Sheriff Hemlock request for the rest, is free. Will you be leaving today, or will I have the honor of taken care of these fines animals for another day or so?"
Kizzy pshaws at the mention of "legitimate business", "Adolina lives there and so does my family. Doesn't get much more legitimate than that. Besides, no one will give us a 10% mark-up in Magnimar. We could go shopping for new gear while we're there too, since there will be more selection."
While the others deal with Hosk, Qetsiyah steals away to visit Madame Mvashti before they head out. She takes a deep breath before knocking on the weathered door. She recalled that as a child, she found the ancient woman a bit spooky, but she felt a strong desire to connect with her Varisian roots the older she got.
"Madame Mvashti? Do you remember me? My mother was Simza... I wondered if you would do a reading for me. I can pay. Do you think I will ever find out who my father is?"
Marcellano prepares his spells as the others sell the finds from Foxglove's house, and as he does so he prioritizes spells that lend themselves to exploration and inquiry. When the group goes to Hosk's stables, Marcellano (not being one of the formerly recognized heroes) takes the time to purchase one of the man's animals, a fine roan mare who seems docile enough for him to take to easily. "We'll have to figure out a name for you," he murmurs to the horse, rubbing her nose as Narcizia squawks in jealous indignation.