Carrakas, previously all scowls and grunts, looks up in surprise at this outburst from the normally-calm Marzela. His eyes widen, his jaw drops, and his head tilts just a little bit in confusion.
He then looks back over at Jaed, and shakes his head sympathetically. Then he quietly but firmly walks over and stands next to Marzela, crossing his arms and looking expectantly at Jaed.
With a blank expression in his face, Jaed bends down, picks up the amulet, and puts it in his pouch.
"I said I don't want to force anyone to come with me. We can leave now if you wish," he says in a deeper than usual voice before turning back and start walking away from the group.
Seal the door first Jaed. Don't leave it open if you aren't going back in. Don't be an idiot.
Without saying a word Jaed closes the door.
"I think this is the wisest course of action, these lands are not natural and they do not want us here." Finnrick says to his ally.
Jaed closes the door, sticks the gem in, and turns it. There's some mechanical grinding and whirring, no doubt from complicated gear system you had briefly glimpsed inside the door. When it stops, a short tug confirms that the door is now locked.
Before the group starts to head off back in the direction they came, Finnrick's keen sense of direction notes that there is actually probably a quicker way back to the beach where the Black Mist lays docked and waiting for you. A quick chat with Dusan reveals that Finnrick's hunch is correct, and the former Pathfider begins leading you on a more direct path back to the beach.
Instead of heading back in to the creepy, white forest to the northwest, the groups heads southwest, in the general direction of the sinister-looking black river. The ground is mostly open prarie, though a forest can been see far off in the distance further to the south. After roughly four hours of uneventful travel, the ground starts to get softer and squishier. You've reached the edge of a swamp, and it's starting to get dark.
Marzela uses all of the spells she prepared for going back in to heal the party up to full, and then waits to see what the others decide about continuing or not.
Jaed remains quiet while they march through the prairie. Once they arrive at the swamp he looks at the falling sun. "It is probably not the best idea to walk during the night through a swamp but the sooner we get to the ship and leave this damn island, the better. Are you tired? I could continue for a few more hours."
"I say we press on, quick as we can. Ready to go home."
Marzela goes along with the party's decision.
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Finnrick flies above the party, circling in large swoops looking for prey and enjoying the wind rush over his feathers. It's not as natural as being a cat but it has it's perks
Lily finally collects her book and puts it away, gathers her emotional trauma and puts it back in the box inside her head, and rises to the occasion of marching toward home.
The party elects to continue marching, Finnrick once more casting light on Jaed's weapon to provide a torch for those without darkvision. As you travel, off to the north you hear the roar of a waterfall, though it's currently hidden by the darkness of the evening. Gradually that fades to give way to the occasional gleam of light off a vast body of water also to the north. After an hour or so, that too fades. The group eventually reaches a small stream to be crossed when suddenly a black lightning bolt shoots out of the sky, hitting Lily.
The group dives for cover, scanning the sky for any hostile enemy or more bolts of lightning. After a few minutes , it becomes clear that no attack is forthcoming. Chalking it up to simply the randomness of the storm, the group continues onward, starting their forced march.
The first hour is brutal, many of the group still not quite mentally recovered from the trials underground. The ones ones to seem unaffected are Millsy and Aglanda. Perhaps it's related to the fact that neither had to keep watch. Though despite that, Dusan seems just as tired as the rest of you, evidently not used to such prolonged exercise. During the second hour, Carrakas, Finnrick, and Jaed all manage to catch a bit of a second wind. The next five hours go by in a blur of pain and aching muscles until you're all exhausted, and Lily looks like she might be on the edge of passing out. You're pretty sure the fort isn't that much further, so tiredly Marzela channels energy, so you can go just a bit further.
Wearily, you all trudge to the beach and signal for the Black Mist to send a row boat to pick you up. The wait seems much longer than it actually is, several people swaying where they stand as the dim lights of dawn peak over the horizon. As a blurry black dot resolves itself into the shape of the somewhat rickety old row boat, you begin to notice the eager waving interspersed with frantic rowing of a familiar dwarven figure. "Haha! Yer alive! Good on ya! Always believed ya could do it." His first mate Mabon remains his ever stoic and silent self, which is probably good as without his constant rowing it's unlikely the little dingy would get far.
As the boat scrapes along the sand of the shore, Captain Walren almost trips exiting the rowboat in his eagerness to greet you. As soon as he catches sight of your exhausted expressions, his smile immediately turns to a frown of concern. "You all look like ya been through the ringer. Island as bad as they say? We've had no trouble while ye were gone, but I'm eager to be on our way. Entire crew's been on edge since we been here. But come, ye must be wantin' some hot food and mebbe-woahhh!" He stops in his approach, a good several feet away. "And a bath! What is th' name of Torag's forge have you been up to to create such a stench?"
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Hour 2 - DC 12
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 4
Exhausted, 6
Fatigued, 2
Exhausted, 6
Exhausted, 6
Fatigued, 4
Hour 3 - DC 14
Fatigued, 2
Fatigued, 2
Exhausted, 10
Exhausted, 12
Fatigued, 2
Exhausted, 6
Exhausted, 6
Exhausted, 10
Hour 4 - DC 16
Fatigued, 2
Exhausted, 7
Exhausted, 15
Exhausted, 12
Exhausted, 7
Exhausted, 11
Exhausted, 11
Exhausted, 15
Hour 5 - DC 18
Fatigued, 2
Exhausted, 12
Exhausted, 20
Exhausted, 17
Exhausted, 12
Exhausted, 16
Exhausted, 16
Exhausted, 20
Hour 6 - DC 20
Exhausted, 6
Exhausted, 16
Exhausted, 24
Exhausted, 21
Exhausted, 16
Exhausted, 20
Exhausted, 20
Exhausted, 24
Hour 7 - DC 22
Exhausted, 11
Finnrick Exhausted, 21
Exhausted, 29
Lily Exhausted, 26
Exhausted, 21
Marzela Exhausted, 25
Exhausted, 25
Aglanda Exhausted, 29
Hour 8 - DC 24
Fatigued, 5
Finnrick Exhausted, 15
Millsy Exhausted, 23
Lily Exhausted, 20
Jaed Exhausted, 15
Marzela Exhausted, 19
Dusan Exhausted, 19
Aglanda Exhausted, 23
Marzela channels to heal everyone up to full, and asks Lily if she has the energy to cast prestidigitation to clean them all up, and tells Dusan that they are leaving the island so he doesn't have to stay dirty anymore, holding his hand and talking to him so he doesn't freak out.
If he doesn't want to be clean, she doesn't force him... the priority is to get him in the boat and away from here. Maybe someone can help him come a little closer to sanity if they get him home safe, and maybe they can find his family.
She asks them to be careful with Aglanda since she can't balance herself well, being tied up and all, and she heals any chafing from the ropes.
Finnrick grows more and more exhausted as they continue to make their way to the boat. Upon boarding he boat he thanks the captain for waiting for them. "If it's all the same to you I would love a place to sleep and we can fill you in on the details after we get some sleep"
Jaed suffers in silence through their journey, checking that the amulet is still with him every few minutes.
After Captain Walren greets them he replies to his question. "You would not imagine what this island holds. But we have to leave now."
As they return safely to the ship, Carrakas finally let's his guard down, his muscles visibly relaxing. "Sleep, food, very strong drink, then talk."
Lily blinks wearily as Marzela asks for a bit of magical aid, and Marzela has to repeat the question before the necromancer responds. "Oh, yes. Yes, of course." She blearily wobbles on her feet, makes the appropriate magical gestures by reflex, and waves her hands idly, sending mud and filth to disperse into the ether.
About thirty seconds after she completes this process for the sweaty, muddy, bloody team, her legs simply fold out from under her and she flops to the deck in a heap. She leans against the outer wall of the ship's deck, eyelids flickering as she is about to fall asleep from utter exhaustion.
Dusan hysterically refuses to be cleaned up and begins frantically trying to rub sand all over himself as added camouflage. Unfortunately for him, it actually serves to rub some of the grime off. He's probably in for a bit of an uncomfortable trip as he's no doubt gotten sand everywhere by the time he's done.
Captain Walren goes to catch Lily as she practically passes out on the beach. "Whoopsie daisy. Let me help you in ta rowboat. I'm afraid with yer added companions we'll have ta make two trips." He gives Dusan a wary eye, more out of a desire not to be that close to him than any real mistrust. He makes no comment about the sullenly bound Aglanda. The group then splits in to roughly equal groups to be ferried over to the Black Mist. Once there the crew eagerly begins making preparations to sail back to Tamran. Food and drink is provided for those able to stay awake long enough to eat it. Due to limited supplies and the lack of forewarning, it's not particularly grand, but it's tasty and filling nonetheless.
Those that ate then join their companions in sleep, though Dusan is "encouraged" to sleep at the far end of the boat away from the sleeping quarters. He doesn't seem to mind though, and the weather is clear enough that it's not a hardship. Despite everyone's exhaustion, it's still not the best sleep you've ever had as your brains haven't quite caught up to the fact that you're probably safe now. While the dreams weren't quite as bad as the night before, the do speak of an underlying sense of stress.
Over the next 8 or days bits and pieces of your adventure get told to the crew, if only as a way to pass the time. Captain Walren provides an ideal audience, gasping and oo-ing and ahh-ing at all the appropriate spots. Ewem remains mute and seeming disinterested in what you're saying. Mabon the Destroyer counters every story with one of his own, enthusiastically told. As your story becomes more dramatic and suspenseful, so does his to the point that you're all strongly suspicious that he's rather generously stretching his tales.
As the distance between you and the Isle of Terror increases, most of you gradually begin to relax and start having normal dreams. Away from the negative energy-warped nature, Finnrick especially begins to perk up, like some weight he didn't know he was carrying had been lifted from his shoulders. Jaed and Marzela, however, seem to have the opposite happen. The further they go, the stronger their sense of unease. Had they made the right choice leaving the city behind? If they did give the key to the city up to the Pathfinder Society, could they really keep it safe should the Razmirans, or some other group for that matter, make another play for it? Both find themselves waking during the night from continued nightmares. Jaed is comforted slightly by having the amulet safe around his neck. But Marzela is often faced with a moment of panic before she remembers she handed it to the rogue, followed by a nagging worry about if that had been the correct choice given how treasure-obsessed he had clearly become.
Finally, the Black Mist docks in the port of Tamran, and the group heads out to find Reginar, leaving Dusan and Aglanda in the temporary keep of the captain. Some asking around quickly reveals that he is once again dining at the Forest Bounty, the hall where most of your party first met him. He's easy to spot in his bearskin cloak at a table towards the back of the hall. He looks up as you approach and immediately leans forward, waving you all to join him. He absently waves for more food as he tensely asks. "You're back! How did it go? The fact that you're not all dead is surely a good sign, yes?"
We were able to stop the Razmir cult from using the wealth of the city for their own ends, but the jewel is unrecoverable. We had it with us and it disappeared on the way out. I don't think that it can leave the city.
She waits to see what Jaed will say before bringing up the amulet.
We also found a man named Dusan who I think had been shipwrecked there, or else he was from an earlier, intentional voyage. He's gone slightly mad, but he was able to guide us, and I hope that we can get him some help.
We also have one of the cultists named Aglanda in custody, who might be able to help with explaining their plan to some extent. I ask for leniency for her. She did try to kill us, but after she was captured she was very cooperative. She seems to have been honestly doing what she feels her god has asked her to do, and it is my hope that she will not be treated cruelly or executed.
Jaed waits for Marzela to end her explanation and then he goes directly to the point. Or at least what he believes to be the point. "Did you know about the Jewel of Everlasting Gold? Are you aware of what it's capable of?" He asks Reginar.
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We were able to stop the Razmir cult from using the wealth of the city for their own ends, but the jewel is unrecoverable. We had it with us and it disappeared on the way out. I don't think that it can leave the city.
"Jewel? What jewel? Surely you can't mean the key to the city? You didn't leave that there, did you?" Reginar frowns in concern.
"Did you know about the Jewel of Everlasting Gold? Are you aware of what it's capable of?"
"Oh, is that the 'jewel' Marzela was referring to? Its name doesn't ring a bell, though it's possible we have mention of it somewhere in the Pathfinder archives."
We also found a man named Dusan who I think had been shipwrecked there, or else he was from an earlier, intentional voyage. He's gone slightly mad, but he was able to guide us, and I hope that we can get him some help.
"His name doesn't ring a bell, though I know we've sent Pathfinders to the isle in the past. Unfortunately, none of ever returned." He grimaces at this. "Either way, we'll make sure he gets the help he needs. If we can restore his sanity, I'm sure he has plenty of knowledge we'd be eager to hear."
We also have one of the cultists named Aglanda in custody, who might be able to help with explaining their plan to some extent. I ask for leniency for her. She did try to kill us, but after she was captured she was very cooperative. She seems to have been honestly doing what she feels her god has asked her to do, and it is my hope that she will not be treated cruelly or executed.
"Unless there's hard evidence that she's committed a crime of some sort, there's no reason why she would be executed, and the Pathfinder Society is hardly one to keep prisoners or torture people." He shakes his head at the idea. "We can certainly try to get some information out of her, but most likely she'll be released, free to go back to her fellow Razmirans should she desire. Though obviously the temple here has been dismantled, there are other places with their churches, plus their homeland."
Jewel? What jewel? Surely you can't mean the key to the city? You didn't leave that there, did you?
Of course not. We brought it back. Jaed has it.
After hearing that Dusan and Aglanda would recieve the help they needed, she says
Thank you. It was a long journey and I wanted to make sure everyone was okay.
After that she seems to relax, like a burden has been lifted from her, but tightens back up when she looks over at Jaed, who she knew was going to mess everything up soon.
"We can certainly try to get some information out of her, but most likely she'll be released, free to go back to her fellow Razmirans should she desire."
Jaed protests when he hears that the cultist is going to be free. "C'mon, she almost killed me. And you are just letting her go, without any punishment. That's not fair."
Of course not. We brought it back. Jaed has it.
Jaed gives Marzela a murderous look. "Yes we did bring it back, obviously. It is not something that you would leave around. Anyways, I find it very surprising that the Pathfinder society didn't know anything about all the wealth hidden in the city."
"C'mon, she almost killed me. And you are just letting her go, without any punishment. That's not fair."
He raises an eyebrow at the comment. "Oh? And I suppose you didn't almost kill or kill anyone while you were on this little adventure? Should we punish you all as well? After all, that would be the fair thing wouldn't it?" He leaves a pointed pause before continuing.
"Yes we did bring it back, obviously. It is not something that you would leave around. Anyways, I find it very surprising that the Pathfinder society didn't know anything about all the wealth hidden in the city."
Reginar seems to relax when he hears the key is safe.
"Oh, we knew it was full of riches. It's just the specifics that escaped us. We have tried to send multiple teams in to gather more information, but, well, as I mentioned, none have thus far returned. I'm sure our archivists would be thrilled to write down any further details you have, including whatever this 'Jewel of Everlasting Gold' is. I'd be curious to see if they can't find any other reference to it. Though if it's never left the city, it seems unlikely we will have a record of it."
"After resting up from your long voyage, I'm sure you'll all be eager to return the key to Kassen's tomb. I could also send a group of Pathfinders to do that for you if you wish, but I would imagine that you all, especially Jaed and Finnrick, would prefer the satisfaction of restoring the site yourselves after such a hard-won victory. I could perhaps talk to Captain Walren again for you? I'm sure he'd be more than happy to take you all back."
I think it might be best if you had other Pathfinders do that, sir. There might be some... conflict of interest... in this group.
Carrakas, standing silently in the back throughout the exchange, glances briefly at Jaed as Marzela says that, before focusing back on Reginar. He nods slightly, but other than that doesn't react.
"Nonsense, we will take care of the amulet. I'm sure Finnrick is as excited as I am about returning to Kassen."
He looks at Marzela. "You don't have to come if you don't want to, don't worry."
Jaed, if you want to push this further, that's fine, but just remember, I gave you a chance to do the right thing.
Sir, unfortunately the scepter that held the jewel has some weird influence. I held it as well, and I have been having dreams of all of the things that I could do with that kind of wealth, how many people I could help. Fortunately, I have been fighting my own nature all of my life and I recognize those kinds of dreams as temptations. I would use the wealth selfishly and I know it, despite whatever dreams it sends. Jaed however seems to believe them, and he refused to go along with the group unless he was given the amulet. He will not return it. He is determined to return to that city to reclaim the scepter and gain unlimited wealth.
It is a strong temptation sir, and even if you have another group take it back to wherever you just said... he will know it is there. If you can even get him to give it up, please hide it somewhere else if you are going to hide it... or if you are going to mount another expedition, make sure that other people go who can cure the influence of that place.
She turns to Jaed and the rest of the party.
I'm sorry. I'm sure you see that as a betrayal. Perhaps in time you will understand that I was trying to help.
I assume that there will be no reward for this mission unless Jaed returns the amulet, and that our companionship is at an unfortunate end. I need to make sure that Dusan and Aglanda are in good hands, but after that I'll be at the temple if anyone needs me.
"Oh, you are just afraid of going back into the city. That's why you make up all these tales. I agree that the scepter is very powerful. That's why we cannot leave it there. Someone will come back for it."
Jaed turns to Reginar when Marzela leaves. "Sir, let me lead a group back into the city to retrieve the Jewel. I've been there, I know my way around. Once we retrieve it, the amulet can rest in peace with Kassen."
"Hmmm, I see. I certainly wouldn't put it past the Whispering Tyrant to curse his treasure in order to keep it safe. But rather than speculate on such things, it would be simple enough to find a 3rd party cleric to examine you all for any such influence. Given the power of Tar-Baphon, such an examination would, of course, be a prerequisite of me even considering seeking authorization for any such return voyage that you propose. I could, in fact, have an examiner here shortly." Reginar waves over a waitress and begins writing a note, which he then proceeds to hand to her along with a few gold. "Could you please have this delivered to Father Raphael of the Temple of Abadar?"
"While we wait, I'm curious what the rest of you think about the matter of returning to the Isle to retrieve this Jewel. Obviously Jaed is in favor of it. Marzela less so. Do the rest of you think it's worthwhile?"
"There was... something wrong with many of the treasures we extracted," says Lily. "They suddenly turned to brass and glass when we removed them. I don't think the city is really that valuable. I think it's a trap - dangerous, designed to draw people in, but maybe not worth the risk."
Carrakas pauses for a moment, thinking through his response. After a moment, he looks up at Reginar and says "The city is dangerous, this is beyond question. It seems designed to trap those who seek the wealth within. The area around the city had become rotten and corrupt from its influence. I don't believe anything good can come of meddling with it, and if we were voting on whether or not to return I would vote no. If ordered back, I would go, but I would advise against it."
He looks at Jaed with an odd look in his eyes; it may be a little pity, maybe a little disappointment, maybe a little concern, it is hard to tell for sure. He then adds "In my experience, anything that offers vast wealth quickly and easily is a scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."
"Jaed that place, it's unnatural. I can't go back there, not yet at least. I think we should return to Kass an, and maybe when I am stronger and can better explain what is going on on that island" Finnrick says
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"In my experience, anything that offers vast wealth quickly and easily is a scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is."
Reginar listens carefully to what everyone has to say, but gives no outward indication that he agrees one way or the other. As you all wait, he asks a few more questions about your adventure, mostly aimed around what perils were faced.
After perhaps 15 to 20 minutes, Reginar gives a tight lipped smile and rises to wave a man who had just entered over. The fellow in question is a human towards the upper-middle aged range. He has a neatly trimmed white beard and long flowing hair tied loosely back. His skin is a light tan with numerous laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. He's dressed simply in a while robe with gold trim, and around his neck hangs a golden key, the symbol of Abadar. He smiles when he sees Reginar and heads towards the group. "I got your message, my friend. Please, who is the one of which you spoke?"
"Ahh, Father Raphael. This is Jaed and his companions Finnrick, Carrakas, and Lily. There was a fifth, but she returned to her temple. I'm sure she'll be easy enough to track down if it comes to that. But before she left, she mentioned that Jaed was likely affected by something along with herself. For all we know, it the others could be likewise affected." Reginar glances at Jaed as if he expected the man to make a run for it. "Or it could simply be nothing at all. But as they say, better safe than sorry."
Father Raphael nods in agreement and then smiles warmly at Jaed and the rest of the group. "I will start off with a simply scan, I think. Nothing to be alarmed at, but it will take some time. He then closes his eyes and begins chanting a few simple words. He spends a few minutes focusing on each person one at a time, occasionally giving a nod or a slight head tilt to himself. When he's done, he opens his eyes and says. [b]"For the most part, I sensed only your typical adventuring enchantments. Though there was one powerful aura on the one called Jaed that I could not place. If you will permit, I can attempt a Remove Curse spell to see if it has any effect?" He gives Jaed a calm smile as Reginar tensely watches to see what the rogue's response will be.
"Wait, what are you saying? Am I cursed? That's impossible, I feel perfectly fine. Go ahead, try to remove that curse and you'll notice there is nothing to remove."
Father Raphael says a quick prayer as a golden light envelops his hand. He lightly touches Jaed on the shoulder. There's a pause as he seems to concentrate, the light fluctuating in intensity. Where his hand lies, Jaed feels a gentle warmth. Ever so slowly it begins to spread, pulsing slightly in time with the light. The brighter the lighter, the more quickly the warmth grows. As it engulfs the rogue, Father Raphael pulls his arm away with a sharp gasp, sweat beginning to form on his brow. He quickly makes a few more gestures to scan Jaed for auras once again. "I do no sense that aura anymore. If it was a curse, this is a good sign, I think. Tell me, do you feel any differently?"
Reginar nods at the question. "Yes, given all that your companions have warned about this place, do you still believe returning is the best option?"
Jaed looks very disoriented. "Er... Yeah... It makes no sense. The gold we took from the city vanished. It was all a trap. How did I not see it?" He finally realizes that Reginar asked a question. "No, of course not. That place is better sealed and the key must be broken up again. Kassen was wise."
He slowly removes the amulet and hands it to Reginar. "I feel we should take Kassen's fragment back to him. Would that be ok?"
Lily breaks into a bright smile and says, "That's the spirit, Jaed."
Reginar relaxes. "Yes, I believe it would be ok for you to take the fragment back to Kassen's tomb, now that I suspect we're all seeing eye to eye on things. I can arrange for the Black Mist to take you, and any of your companions who wish to join you, back there." He breaks the amulet apart, handing one fragment to Jaed. "I'll find some place safe to keep these other two parts." He then turns to a widely smiling Father Raphael. "Father, if you would, I believe the last member, Marzela, said she would head back to the Temple of Sarenrae. She also mentioned feeling a dark influence, so you may need to repeat the process with her."
Father Raphael nods happily, bowing his head slightly to the group. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope next time under better circumstances. Now if you'll excuse me..."
Reginar watches the cleric leave before turning to the rest of the group. "As for the rest of you, if it's alright, I'd like to send some archivist to take down everything you can remember about the Isle. After that, if you're interested in more jobs, I'm sure the Society has a few. Or I could arrange transport elsewhere if you plan on leaving the city. For now, I suggest you take some time to rest. I'm going to go speak to Captain Walren." He likewise nods to the group and leaves.
-----
Sometime at the temple, the well trimmed form of an older gentleman approaches you. Though you don't personally know him, judging by the golden key around his neck, he's a follower of Abadar. He smiles warmly as he approaches. "Excuse me please, are you Marzela? I was sent by Reginar. I gather you had reported some influence from a possible curse? I removed some influence from your friend Jaed earlier today. If you are amenable, I was hoping you would allow me to examine you and possibly attempt to do likewise?"
Marzela is surprised. You removed a curse from Jaed? Wow. I hope he is feeling better.
Oh, you want to examine me now... okay. Of course.
They find a quiet corner where they can have some privacy, and Marzela allows him to examine her.
As they walk to a quiet corner, Father Raphael introduces himself. Once there he begins casting his detection magic, carefully examining each of Marzela's auras. "Hmm, yes, there is one aura I cannot account for, similar to your friend Jaed's. A Remove Curse spell seemed to have worked on him, so I will do likewise on you." Once again his hand is bathed in golden light as he lightly touches Marzela's shoulder. There's a sense of warmth and gentle pulsing where his hand lies. Gradually the feeling spreads across Marzela's entire body, slowly at first but gradually picking up speed. When it's done, Father Raphael wipes a few beads of sweat from his brow before once again examining Marzela's auras. "Yes...I believe it is gone now. Reginar mentioned in his note to me that you had dreams of temptation. If those were indeed caused by this influence, they should be gone now. Though if they are not and you fear it to be something darker, you are free to come find in the the Temple of Abadar to take another look. I'm afraid I should retire there now; today has been...more tiring than I expected, and I can already hear my bed calling my name." He smiles warmly and then politely excuses himself.
As the healing washes over her, Marzela feels very relieved, as though some background anxiety had been lifted that she only noticed because of its dramatic absence. The feeling is sweet and freeing, but then she feels the ring slide off her finger and she barely manages to catch it before it rolls onto the floor.
She'd had the option to remove it before, and she's even been able to cast a spell to remove it for several months, but never did. It was keeping her in check, preventing her from going back to who she used to be... it honored the memory of her mother... so many things tied the ring to her, and to who she was. In shock, she stared at it for a moment, considering just slipping it back on, but then quickly slipped it into her pocket, realizing that she has missed most of what Father Raphael is saying.
She belatedly stands up and thanks him for his help as he is leaving.
Jaed takes the fragment from Reginar. "Thank you, Sir. I would like to depart as soon as possible." He turns to the others. "I... need to figure out some things. I will meet any of you that are willing to come to Kassen later at the dock." Not waiting for a response he leaves the room.
A little under a week passes and the group is sitting around a campfire, now in Molthune but a few days away from their destination. There's a chill breeze that causes a shiver to run down each of your spines. Not an uncommon experience given the late time of the year. What is unusual is the blue mist seeping from the ground, and the figure of bearded warrior in full plate armor with a longsword strapped to his side that it forms in to. You all reach for your weapons, ready to fight this unexpected menance when he holds up a hand an speaks.
"Peace friends. I am the spirit of Ekat Kassen. Your former traveling companions Finnrick and Jaed have returned the fragment of the amulet of Xin Grafar to my body where it was stolen. I know that without the strong hammer of Carrakas or the healing hand of Marzela or the undead-slaying magics of Lily that this might well have never come to pass. I only wish that Asar and I had not become enemies like we did, or we may have noticed the dark influence of the Jewel on Iramine's heart in time to save her from it as Jaed and Marzela were saved." He shakes his head sadly before continuing. "But the past is the past. As a sign of my gratitude, allow me to bestow upon you this boon, that it may help you with you future endeavors." He holds his hand out, palm up, as three whipsy trails of blue mist float from it to touch each of you in the center of your chest. Where it touches you, you feel a gentle warmth. The ghost then bows towards you all, and in a bright flash of blue light, disappears.
Compared to that visit, the rest of your journey of diplomacy is uneventful. Once that mission is complete, you continue taking odd jobs here and there, going whereever it sounded like you could be of use. Or at least whereever it sounded like there was an interesting challenge to face. Your journey continued to take you further and further South, across the Inner Sea, until eventually you found yourselves on the Eastern coast of Nex, where you had just saved a very grateful Vudrani merchant from a rather nasty curse placed on some goods he had unwittingly bought from some less than scrupulous sea farers. Worried that whomever the pirates had stolen it from might come after him, he is quick to engage your services as an escort back to his home in Niswan on the Isle of Jalmeray. In addition to gold, he promises a good time for you all as Yolarati, the traditional Vudrani Festival of Colors, is about to begin.
You're nearing the port of Niswan when the merchant, Farouq Jahad comes above deck to speak with you. "Zubhaa vizarat, my friends. Since you have not been to the beautiful Kingdom of the Impossible before, am I correct in thinking that this will be the first time you have participated in Yolarati?" The man is all smiles, clearly in good spirits at the prospect of being home soon.
A part of you wonders if you had known then what you do now, been able to do then what you could do now, if things would have been any different. The logical part of your brains point out that the villagers had died days before you had even arrived. Yet you can't help but imagine how the scene might have unfolded different if you had arrived sooner, armed with Marzela's positive energy, and Lily's impressive mastery over undead.
As you lay the amulet fragment on the remains of Kassen's body, an eerie blue mist arises. With a cry, you ready yourselves for battle, eager to take out your frustration against whatever new undead abomination has arisen, only to see the ghostly form of Kassen himself standing before you. As if sensing your morose thoughts, he smiles sadly at you. He reaches out to place an intangible hand on each of your shoulders in comfort. Though not actually touching you, you feel a warmth spread to your chest. There's a bright flash of blue that quickly vanishes. Kassen crosses one arm across his chest in a silent salute and bows in thanks, disappearing back in to the ether.
Feeling more at ease but still eager to leave this den of death, the two of you hurry back to the town where you grew up. For Finnrick, Olmira Treesong's smiling face is a welcome sight, and it gladdens his heart to spend some time with his old teacher. She smiles proudly at Finnrick as he demonstrates all that he's learned and how far he's come since seeing her last. Jaed has a similar experience visiting his old mentor Jimes "Short Change" at the Seven Silvers tavern. The two go back and forth, each trying to show the other up as they steal increasingly hard things off of the other as a few of the tavern's patrons look on in amusement.
It's good to get back to simpler, happier times, though after a few days, the small town begins to chaff at the the two of you. You start to run errands for Gregor Wisslo, the captain of the guard and Etam's former mentor. Eventually, with the suggestion of Jocyn Elmaran, the local bard, you join up with a mercenary band based not too far away. The two of you go on numerous adventures, occassionally making a trip back to Kassen to relax. It's on one such trip that the two of you are greeted by an unusually happy Olmira and a grinning Jimes with a mischievious glint in his eye. It's the former that speaks up first, "You two have been working so hard recently. We've decided it's time for a break. All work and no play..." She trails off, trying to remember the rest of the saying before quickly making something, "Makes life not worth living! So I'm going to send you all through a tree to where you can all have a grand old time!"
Olmira looks like she's about to start casting something right then and there when Jimes quickly interrupts her to give a bit more of an explanation. [b]"Now, I've never been there myself, but now's around about the time of Yolarati, the traditional Vudrani Festival of Colors. It's supposed to be a week long party of food, dancing, singing, and all around fun. Olmira says it's a blast! What d'ya say?"
The good news is that mercenary work is pretty flexible; you pretty much pick up a contract whenever you want and complete it. Afterwards there's no expectation about when exactly you'll pick up another job. Having just completed a rather long, and admittedly kind of tedious job, a break sounds like just the kind of reward you need.
- Use the boon to add 1d6 to a single d20 roll. The boon must be used after the roll is made but before the results are revealed.
- Spellcasters can use the boon to recall any one spell up to 3rd level they just cast. This functions as a pearl of power, is a free action, and must be used on the round the spell was cast. Spontaneous spellcasters can use the boon to cast one known spell up to 3rd level without expending one of their spells per day.
- Use the boon to automatically stabilize if at negative hit points and dying.
Marzela addresses Farouq:
Indeed, it is our first time, or at least mine. Do you have any tips? How do people celebrate the festival of colors? I assume colorful clothing, correct? Is it more than that?
Carrakas looks off in the direction of the port, a longing in his eyes. The ship sways underneath him and he grimaces, having never really gotten used to boat travel. No solid ground beneath your feet, it's unnatural...
Despite his obvious unease on the boat, Carrakas seems calm, content in a way he wasn't before. He no longer wore armor everywhere he went, nor carried his huge shield, and the lack of such gave more spring to his step than ever he had before. The only hint of his old armored self is in a heavy steel brooch that he now wears, which bears a symbol that looks very much like his old shield. A ring on his finger bears the same sigil. Without the armor, his clothing was on display moreso than usual, and it had become somewhat worn and faded over time, though it looked comfortable. As he sat, gazing out toward their destination, he idly played with his shield ring.
At the arrival of the captain, Carrakas looks quickly up, then turns a light shade of green after the quick head motion. A couple of deep breaths later, and he is able to more slowly lift his head and look at the captain. Even then, though, he holds his tongue and allows Marzela to take the lead, as he usually did. I'll gladly wear all the colors you want if you just get me off this bloody boat...