Kurag takes his full stein and raises it up as well. To the best human man I ever knew. He accepted me when I got here and gave me a chance. May we remember him always and think fondly of his name. Kurag then downs the drink quickly as the barkeep indicates it's time to leave.
Looking at the others, I still don't know half of what's going on but I'll help however I can to aid Rodrik's memory. with that he steps out and finds his way to bed having lost his best friend.
Greta raises her glass as well in the toast, but she begins to cry before she can toast and downs the glass to cover it up.
Bormann has been sitting back, observing his companions, before speaking up. "I knew Rodrik but little having only met with the man on one occasion. But I was impressed by how well-spoken he was and his generous hospitality. I am all the more impressed by the obvious esteem you Trunau natives have for him. If he could win the loyalty of worthies such as yourself, he was clearly a fine man and leader."
The next morning you awake to the smell of breakfast in the air. As you all head downstairs, breakfast is over, but there is still eggs and bacon on the table. I heard you all get in late, so I made sure some breakfast was left for you. Cham says nervously. Just to be clear, it was a human I let the room out to and not some troll, and I barely know Daktani. You do believe me, don't you? Please let Kurst know I had nothing to do with Rodrik's death! The Halfling then begins to sob. Kranzer says that he will follow some leads on his own and won't be able to accompany you today.
Meanwhile, Kurag got to sleep even later as he arrived back at the longhouse after toasting Rodrik for he was pumped for information on the latest of the investigation for word had spread quickly that he had arrived with the dwarves investigating Rodrik's death. There is talk of going out and meting out 'Militia Justice' to Daktani until Kurst enters and tells you all to get some sleep. Rodrik would want proper justice for his death, and that the laws of Trunau should run their course. As he turns to leave, he will stay to Kurag, Because of the lateness of the hour, I am excusing you of your duties for the morning, but I do expect a report of your scouting.
The previous night Kurag does his best to downplay everything by simply stating the truth. I do not know any of this investigation as I was on patrol scouting the last 3 days. I just returned at the same time as the others. We will all have to hear about it later once the full truth comes out. I wept at the idea of losing Rodrik as well but it is as Commander Kurst says, we have laws and need to follow them. That goes double for all of us. Now lets get to sleep if we can. Tomorrow may be a long day with the funeral.
In the morning Kurag wakes later than normal and rolls out of bed. Seeing as Kurst is busy with final preparations Kurag wrires his report and slips it under the door as to not disturb the man completely. He then goes down to find some sensible people that don't talk about lynching and militia justice finding the group of dwarves he met the day before. Until summoned by Kurst I am free to aid in what I can. What can I do to help you?
"Well, first the funeral. Then back to Kurst to see if he has gotten anything out of that piece of dirt that we brought him last night."
"I was under the impression that the funeral was later today. We should take Rodrik's engraved hopeknife to Kurst first thing this mornin' so he can have it for the preparations - an' see if he's had any luck interrogatin' Daktani. Maybe he'll recognize this signet ring we found in Daktani's gear as well," Drosk says, retrieving said ring from his pack. "I'd also like to visit Agrit Staginsdar an' see if she can help us identify some of the items we found in the Plague House."
I'm sure that Kurst will want the hopeknife for tonight. Good idea there Drosk, is it? sorry but it takes me a bit with names see. Even more so when tired. After that didn't one of you mention something about going back to finish what you started investigating? Kurag loads up what gear he thinks he needs. ?He leaves his riding gear as the horse was owned by the militia he just got the chance to use the fine horse often. Unfortunately Kurag hadn't had the chance to buy one himself yet.
"Yeah, we do want to go back to the Plague House. But we should probably find out what the time the funeral will be starting. I feel we would be breaking their trust in us if we were late to the funeral of the man whose murder we are investigating." Bormann advises.
"Even if we think we have ample time, we should make some haste back to the Plague House."
"Let us head back to the plague house. It should not take more than a couple of hours and we can be back in time for the funeral."
Kurag speaks up passionately, Kurst will follow Trunau custom and the funeral will be tonight. we keep a fire going to honor the fallen by burning the bodies. The flames will rise high honoring Rodrik so that all may see it and remember him.
Kurag calms down a bit and looks at the others a bit chagrined. Sorry, i am not myself right now. I still am raw over this ordeal. If the Plague House is where you wish to go I will accompany you there.
"Perhaps getting out and taking action is what you need, Kurag. We may have dealt with the dangers there, but my instincts tell me there may be more trouble. The place is a bit... unsettling. You should be prepared for that."
Bormann, too, is itching to go and secure the Plague House before the funeral.
Greta nods. "Let's tie up the loose ends before the funeral."
"'Before ye start forgin' a sword, always make sure ye've got all the right tools an' materials,' my Uncle Brakthar always says," Drosk says, retrieving a couple of scrolls and a few potions from his pack. "I managed to identify the rest of the scrolls this morning. Greta, this one holds a clerical spell that'll make ghostly foes easier to hit," Drosk hands the scroll to the priestess. "An' Gnok, this one holds a druidic spell to make yer skin as hard an' knobby as tree bark," he adds, handing the scroll to the druid. "The rest of the scrolls contain wizard spells, so I'll hold onto those."
"I only managed to identify a few of the potions... I've written their names on the vials," Drosk informs the group as he passes out two potions to Bormann and one potion to Kurag . "We've still got five vials with contents I can't identify. There's a few supplies that I'd like to pick up at Agrit Staginsdar's House of Wonders that'd help us out if we encounter more trolls or jelly cubes beneath the Plague House - she might be able to help us identify these unknown potions as well."
"Fair enough, Drosk." Bormann says as he stows the potions. "Bottled fire for the trolls, I'll guess. You thinking the same for jelly cubes?"
Upon recieving the vial, I don't deserve this but thanks. I will put it to good use. aS for going to Agrit's, we should be able to swing by there on the way to the Plague House.
As you approach the House of Wonders, the gnome-faced door knocker opens its eyes and says in a whimsical voice, State yer business! State yer business! When you mention that you are there to see Agrit, the door-knocker says, Well? What are ye waitin' for? Come on in! It then goes back to being a simple unanimated door knocker as the door creaks open. The 'store' looks plain and empty, but you get the feeling that looks are deceiving. Behind the counter stands a middle-aged dwarf who you were introduced to at the hope knife ceremony as Agrit Staginsdar. She gives you a traditional greeting in dwarven and continuing speaking dwarven says, My ye all have been a busy lot! Ye have cleared poor Rodrik's name, killed a flood troll, rescued a human lad and caught a traitor. It looks like ye have also recruited Greta, Kranzer and now Kurag as well! I'd have like to have gone with ye, I really would have but I got me business to run. I'm sorry I missed out on all the fun. Now where will ye be off to today and how can I help ye? Don't forget poor Rodrik's funeral before sundown.
Not wishing to purchase anything today, Gnok stands near the door and lets the others buy what they came here for.
Mornin Agrit Kurag nods, Hope your day goes well and peace be with you. Shaking his no at the mention of him joining the others, Not exactly. I am just helping finish up a few loose ends as my way of showing tribute to the fallen. Getting softer voiced, He was a friend to many and I was not here when it happened. I still don't know a lot of it but I feel honor bound to do what I can. In the meantime some of the fellows here have some items they were wondering if you could identify for us as they finish their task. Don't worry I would not miss the funeral for anything less than an invasion. We Trunauans stick together and honor those that have fallen.
Bormann approaches the counter, "Busy? Maybe, but we think our job is not finished yet, and that's why we are here. I'm looking for two or three bottles of alchemist fire. I want to be prepared if we find a more dangerous troll in our investigations."
We Trunauans stick together and honor those that have fallen.
Aye! That we do! she touches her hope knife unconsciously.
In response to Bormann, she says Alchemist fire? Sure thing I know I have some of it here somewhere! She walks over to an 'empty' shelf, says a few arcane words and bottles suddenly appear. she reads off the labels to herself until she finds what she is looking for. Here it is! Alchemist fire! Ye want three ye say? She plucks three bottles off the shelf Tell ye what, I'll knock off a silver piece for each purchase seein' how yer fellow dwarves and all! Now what can I get the rest of ye?
"Good mornin' to ye, Mistress Staginsdar. We're plannin' to finish clearin' out the catacombs beneath the Plague House today, an' see if the traitor Daktani an' the flood troll left behind any other clues as to what they were up to," Drosk explains. "As Bormann said, we need some alchemist's fire, an' maybe some acid an' alkali flasks if ye have them, say maybe two or three of each? The alkali will come in handy if we run into more of those jelly cubes."
"We also found a few potions down there that we couldn't identify, an' were wonderin' if you could help us figure out what they are," the dwarf wizard adds, retrieving the iron flask, the vials marked with longswords, and three unmarked potions from his pack.
"Oh, an' we found this signet ring on Daktani," Drosk adds as he pulls the ring from his pouch and shows it to Agrit. "Do you know if this signet is associated with anyone in Trunau?"
As Bormann said, we need some alchemist's fire, an' maybe some acid an' alkali flasks if ye have them, say maybe two or three of each? The alkali will come in handy if we run into more of those jelly cubes."
Course I have 'em! She goes back over to the shelf and pulls out a few more vials and places them on the counter. Here are three of each, and ye get the 'dwarf price' she says with a chuckle.
"We also found a few potions down there that we couldn't identify, an' were wonderin' if you could help us figure out what they are,"
Lemme see 'em She holds each one smelling the contents and tasting each one.
This one here is oil of magic weapon. Sara has some in her shop so she can remember the smell in case someone tries to pawn off a magic weapon that ain't!
Ah! These are potions of pass without trace. Got a gnome here in town who always buys the stuff. Swears he only uses it for legit purposes, but I think it's so he can sneak out of his house and go play cards and his missus don't know any better!
Hmmm...I don't know what this potion is.
When she examines the vials with the longsword she says, Taste like water to me! I'm thinking that longsword is the symbol of Iomedea. Ye might want to ask them folks at the Sanctuary bout that one.
Excellent Agrit. Thanks a bunch for figuring out those items. We will certainly head to the Sanctuary when time allows to see about those other vials. Kurag smiles broadly at Agrit. As for that gnome, who might that be. I wouldn't mind a relaxing game a cards myself once I get a chance to relax after finishing up here with these folks.
Agrit gives Kurag a wink. That would be Snuffin Montetoe. But don't be tellin' him I told ye!
I never heard nothing at all Agrit. Just midning my own business I am. Kurag looks at the others, Anything else we should be worried about or prepared for?
As they approach the ruined church, Bormann suggests, "I think a quick review of our previous path in is in order. A quick check of the rooms we've searched before we get back to the cellar may catch the presence of new intruders."
If you want me to scout ahead I will. Just let me know what path you took or what direction you wish me to take. With that and if giving the go ahead Kurag moves quickly forward.
Perception
Stealth
"Thank ye, Mistress Staginsdar," Drosk says, accepting the potion vials back from the dwarf woman and handing her money in exchange for the specified alchemical items . "Now we need to go cleanin' out the Plague House. We hope to see ye at the funeral this evenin'."
"Don't go too near the ruined sanctuary, Kurag," Drosk warns the scout. "The memory of the fire that killed everyone is still fresh in that place," he explains.
We hope to see ye at the funeral this evenin'."
Sara and me wouldn't miss it for the world. Rodrik was a friend to all. she says sadly.
Bormann is itching for action and will follow Kurag at a discrete distance rather than wait outside.
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"Don't get too far ahead of us. Another of those green jellies and you might end up being mush." Gnok and Jocosa will follow Kurag about twenty feet behind him.
Nodding to Gnok that he heard him but not wanting to answer aloud alerting others, Kurag will follow the hallway north 10 feet and poke his head through the door to the east.
perception
stealth
If there is nothing obviously problematic he will wave the others forward as he opens the door fully.
This once-grand flagstone hall is filled with statues of different celestial creatures in every corner. An old fire pit in the center of the room is bordered on all sides by moth-eaten bedrolls, while shovels, picks, and other digging equipment lie strewn about a shallow tunnel bored into the northeastern wall. The ceiling above the tunnel has collapsed, leaving a hole open to the sky above a pile of burnt rubble.
Kurag, not seeing anything problematic, waves the others forward.
Kurag will continue to take point making sure that the ground is safe enough to traverse as he plods along. Why you would make a tunnel here I don't know but perhaps it goes underground as well. Watch your step and be leery of any moving flagstones. We don't need a collapse right now.
Not the most religious type he lets those more familiar with deities and planar things analyze the statues. For his part Kurag looks as at the hole in the ceiling and finally the tunnel last.
perception for unusual stonework or traps
Bormann steps into the chamber and starts to look through the camp materials, stirring through the debris from the campfire, looking through the bedrolls, and so on.
"Four bedrolls? If two belong to the troll and the half-orc, then there may be two more enemies about. Be on your guard."
Greta follows after, her crossbow out and loaded, since she hasn't been able to get close with her mace. She looks side to side, keeping her eyes peeled for danger.
As Bormann and Kurag step into the room, two rats with rotting, translucent skin attack. One tries to bite Bormann and the other Kurag. Bormann is able to see the rats as they move to attack.
The one rat misses Kurag, but the other rat sinks its teeth into a spot where Bormann is unarmored.
The rat strikes fast but Bormann is stalwart and reacts quickly on his own.
Round One:
Hearing the sounds of battle, Drosk quickly utters the words of a spell. Stone seems to flow upward through the floor and encase the wizard in a suit of rocky armor that becomes transparent after a couple of seconds. He then moves down the hallway toward Bormann and Kurag.
As Kurag and Bormann enter the room, they are attacked by two shadow rats, unfortunately for the rats, the two dwarves are tougher than they appear. Bormann, who saw the rats, tries to cut one with his ax, but misses.
Drosk casts mage armor on himself and moves to the sound of battle. The two rats are not going to give up on a meal that easily.
he one on Kurag misses, but the one on Bormann again bites him but again, can't penetrate the dwarf's skin.