Venture Captain Heidmarch raises and eyebrow at Valeros. "I believe Kalkamedes mentioned it in a report, but I can't recall any further information. I think he was looking for it at one point."
Searching Kalkamedes’s cabin uncovers several items of note. The wardrobe in Kalkamedes’s bedchamber contains his outdoor clothing (an explorer’s outfit) and a pair of strong boots. A drawer in the end table next to Kalkamedes’s bed contains a series of unfinished charts mapping the Fenwall Mountains. While looking over Kalkamedes Garinol found a key on a chain around his neck and noticed some black soot on Kalkamedes' fingers, which prompts him to search the stove, where he finds the remains of a crumpled and burned charcoal sketch that depicts a squat fortress under a full moon enshrouded by clouds.
In addition to the sketch, Haris spots a hidden lever in the back of the stove that releases the catch to a hidden compartment concealed in the floor under a stack of water barrels. Within is a locked metal chest (easily opened by a key found around Kalkamedes neck) that seems to contain some of Kalkamedes’s adventuring gear: bracers of armor +1, a mud-splattered cloak of resistance +1, an elixir of swimming, a dried gourd containing a potion of cure light wounds; and an irregularly-shaped mithral flask with jigsaw-like edges containing a potion of hide from undead (this razor-sharp flask can double as a caltrop or an improvised dagger in a pinch). Also secreted away inside the chest is a strange mithral longsword. Though magical (+1 enhancement), the glittering blade is clearly defective, as a rippling break runs from its tip to its hilt like a crack in a broken window.
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”Since those are his possessions, and no doubt he's going to take us on a journey, I suggest we dress him in those articles.” Rowanna says in response to the clothing and magical items found by the others. ”After all, if he dies then our mission is a failure." She adds, casually examining her nails.
"Living out here alone, I'm sure Kalkamedes was just taking precautions against theft." Heidmarch responds to the comment about hidden items.
To Garinol's question she shakes her head. "Aside from sleepwalking, he hasn't done anything else strange that I am aware of."
Peri looks over Kalkamedes half-finished maps, but the legend and map notes are arrayed in a unique manner that requires some skill to decipher.
Deciphering the maps is simple work for Rowanna, and in a few minutes she is able to discern some basic information about the local region. It does not, however, shed any more light on Kalkamedes' condition or contain any details on anything called the Black Edifice.
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Peri hand still on her breast after she tucks the map begins tracing her prominent tattooed. She traces the lines in a seductive way, hoping to get both Haris and Valeros' attention. Her scorpion tattoo begins to glow as it comes to life and scurries down her arm into her hand. She lifts him to eye level in the palm of her hand.
"Don't be jealous acrobat, your parasite companions are in much greater abundance."
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"Rowanna darling, I know you are smarter than that. Ravens can hardly see better than humans in the dark of night. Scorpions are naturally vermin of the night, your bird should be asleep."
Peri looks at Morrey
"Have you ever met a wild owl at night bird?"
She turns back to the Chelaxian witch
"When you get a bit more formidable in the arcane arts Rowanna, your familiar can speak to you from quite the distance. I'm sure you will become much more capable one day darling. You may not always need a bird that can speak your language."
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”Oh. My mistake.”
A moment passes.
”...I led you to believe I was interested in your opinion.”
”Morrey, fly ahead to avoid any obstacles that would slow a ground creature, then return and tell us what you see. You'll continue to scout like this until I tell you to stop.”
”Yes, ma'am.” The bird replies before flying into the night.
"I suppose you are ready then." Heidmarch says, and cuts Kalkamedes' bonds. Immediately, he totters out the door of his cabin and begins stumbling northward, Garinol walking just behind him.
The night sky is clear with a waning quarter crescent moon that provides dim light, but the minimal illumination is of no help to the sleepwalking Pathfinder, whose staggering gait propels him blindly forward with closed eyes. It quickly becomes obvious that in his present state, Kalkamedes has no sense of self-preservation, and that his somnambulance might make even the most mundane acts of navigation surprisingly difficult. He walks for about a half-hour without incident, then steps poorly on a simple rock that causes his foot to roll and pop. He grunts and flails his arms for a moment to catch his balance, but when he continues, he walks with a noticable limp.
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While caring for the man under his charge, Garinol listens on, with a slight smirk, watching each of the others as if saying "I know your secrets", without saying a word. A demeanor he will show rather often, now that he has an idea about these new individuals, understanding without judging, condemning, or condoning. While not particularly adept manipulations of the other's feelings or motivations, if such games will help them, then so be it. Other forms and growths of a different beauty, and strength interested him, beyond, . . .
Opening the door to let him out as he begins to walk towards his destination, I'll go ahead and pull out my Everburning Torch, otherwise being unarmed. As he stumbles, I'll help to steady him, and then take out my wand and offer to heal his leg, so that he can make it to wherever he intends (or someone intends), him to go without going too slowly.
Kalkamedes pays no attention to injuries or healing, walking along at a normal stumbling pace.
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"Don't worry about my feelings, I am accustomed to such boorish behavior from others that consider themselves my betters."
Morrey comes flying back to Rowanna, alighting on her shoulder. It might have given Peri a dirty look, but it's hard to tell with Ravens.
"The way looks clear so far, though a thick growth of bushes might slow your march." It says before springing away back into the air.
A short time later the fortold "bushes" can be seen directly ahead. As the party nears, both Garinol and Rowanna recognize the danger. Kalkamedes does not change course.
The bushes are a patch of razor bramble, a naturally growing weed capable of lacerating one’s legs.