"Won't work." Karlan says sadly. "Phylacteries like this need a lot of divine power and force to destroy. I'll write a letter when we get back to town...several letters. I miss my wife."
"I'll even help you write a few... but no matter what, this place is going up in flames"
PERDITION
Fire, fire, fire. Oh, can I help? I am real good with fire. I can even make it look like fireworks with lots of extra smoke. You will be able to see the blaze from Magnimar all the way to Sandpoint. It will be spectacular.
You can almost see flames dancing in his eyes as he says this with glee.
"So we add this to the list of places we have to clear evil out of, which puts it up to three at the last count? The ruins under the glassworks, the temple Nualia was hiding in and now the lich house ancestor of Aldern Foxglove."
"Took care of the nualia temple." Karlan says. "We blew it up with the help of the militia remember?"
"Lets just get out of here, and come back with a couple of barrels of holy water, a couple of good flamable oil...and one or two of ale"
"Harry, my dear. I don't mind using up holy water and flamable oil to get rid of evil creatures, but don't you think you are going a bit too far when you recommend using up good ale for purposes other than they what they were originally intended for!"
"Miss Zomesco you have me all wrong once again, the ale is for us, all that destroying is thirsty work!"
"Oh Harry! I am so relieved to hear you say that! Holy Cayden! I feel so much better! You had me worried for a moment, Handsome. It really does bring comfort to my heart to know that I am among such excellent company who understand the value of such a divine beverage!"
Yes - alcohol brings out the entertainer in all of us. And makes the rest of us able to endure their entertainment.
"Well once this place is blessed and cleaned it will make for an entertaining bonfire."
Speeded by Cayden's holy might, you are able to flee from the undead ravenous crows and quickly you return to the Lost Coast Road. You all feel a bit better now that the evil Aldern Foxglove is destroyed, however, you have not gained much insight on what is happening in the Lost Coast Area. The ghoul plague has most probably ended with the death of their overlord, but what has turned Aldern into such a monster in the first place? Maybe the keys and your background knowledge about Aldern will solve that riddle for you.
Tiredly you walk back to Sandpoint and it doesn't take long until a curtain of heavy rain greets you...The white buildings of Sandpoint look rather greyish in the light of the early morning and they remind you of a flock of sheep huddling together during bad weather. A town guard greets you as you reach the southern Turandarok-River bridge. He's one of the farmer boys who fought the goblins during the raid and you are surprised to realize how much older and harder he looks since the catastrophe.
The boons of Desna may be with you on all your ways, travellers. he draws the Wings of Desna over his hearts as he says the traditional formula, only then he recognizes you and shouts
The Saviours! The Saviours have returned...alive!
"All that bloody work and we didn't manage to loot a pot to piss in, have to say Sir Karlan, reckon that there's not a lot of coin to be made in this good deeds business"
"Yeah we returned alive, but we're tired and hungry and I need a foot rub - so reckon we'd best be off to the Rusty Dragon eh?"
"The Saviours! The Saviours have returned...alive!"
"Indeed we have! Harry Handsome has led us safely through one of the most dangerous experiences that I have ever had, and without doubt, we are looking forward to a little rest and recuperation back at the Dragon, But tell me, my young lad, how has Sandpoint fared in our absence? Any news that you can share with us?"
"Miss Zomesco is too kind, Sir Karlan was the brave knight keeping us in check, I was just the scout"
"Miss Zomesco is too kind, Sir Karlan was the brave knight keeping us in check, I was just the scout"
KArlan pats Harry on the shoulder. "Yeah, we'll need to have a chat about that. But right now let's give Aldern here over to the sheriff and get him boxed up to got to whatever's left of the poor wretches family. I've got a bed calling me."
The guard nods eagerly and is quick to pipe in
I'll call the sheriff at once, good sirs, and send him to the Rusty Dragon! Bethana will be enlightened to see you return.
"Don't forget the ladies, my good lad! We may not have the muscles that these gentlemen have, but we make up for it with our charm and good looks! If you get off duty early, be sure to come and join us at the Rusty Dragon. With Cayden Cailean's blessings, we will certainly have a good time tonight!" *wink*
Yes, I have some writing to do tonight to recount the adventures of the Saviours. However, I think a few good ales will be refreshing. As good as Cayden's magic is on the road, nothing compares to a warm tavern and friendly company.
Kanyk unshoulders the corpse that'd been getting him stares and mutters all the way back to Sandpoint and stretches to relieve some of the stress on his back.
"Might be an idea to get Abstalar as well, get the body wrapped up properly. Can't imagine his family'll really want to see him in the state he is."
As you reach the Rusty Dragon, you hear a squeak of joy and only a wink later Bethana has embraced all of you. Like the octopus of hugginess the small halfling woman is suddenly all around you!
So good to see you're well and alive and back in Sandpoint! I prayed to Desna every night!
Her cheeks are blazing red and her eyes sparkle - she really seems to have missed you.
Celestra picks up her dear friend and returns the embrace. "Thank you, thank you, my dear Bethana! It is so nice to be back at the Rusty Dragon. This place truly feels like home! How have you been doing? We are so glad to simply be alive. You would not believe the hell we just went through! But alas, let us not talk any further of dark tales. Let's pull out a few bottles of wine and make merry!"
Ceragia gathered he belongings and went up on deck. The gang plank dropped as the ship moored in and she made her way onto solid ground. It had been a long journey through many storms on the seas. So long she had to think of why it was she even came to sandpoint. It was at her parents request to find out where her brother had disappeared too. He had signed on to a crew heading here and hadn't been heard from in months. Hopefully there would be answers here, but she knew that was unlikely.
She carried her belongings with her and stopped at the first tavern/inn she had come across. The sign said Rusty dragon.
Looks like a good place to start.
As she enters the sounds of revelry and good times are all around she steps up to the bar and motions the keeper over to order some hard drink and good food. She scans the room taking it all in .
She over hears a group of folks talking about some haunted mansion that they had barely made it out of alive.
Sounds like they might have some local knowledge of this place. I guess its a start.
She finshes her meal, grabs her drink and moves over to their table.
Hi there I couldnt't help but overhear you about your recent travels. I am new to this area and was wondering if I could join you for the evening. The name is Ceragia Trundle by the way
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Ceragia! Please join us my dear! I am Celestra Zomesco and this here is Ailetha, Kank, Sir Karlan, and the tough, lovable looking rogue is Harry the Handsome. I'm not sure where the little fire gnome got off to, but we are celebrating life tonight! We have much to be thankful for, but mostly we are celebrating our safe return to the Rusty Dragon! We are glad to have your company. So tell us, my friend, where do you come from? What brings you to Sandpoint?"
After Bethana has led you inside, she seems to appreciate the distraction the newcomer is offering and pulls Perdition into the kitchen...
Harry watches the newcomer for a moment, as though doing an appraisal of his own. "A bit too bookish" he half mutters under his breath, then his eyes move to the other ladies in the room.
Ceragia pulls up a chair and sits down.
I am from the kingdom of Nex far to the south of the continent. A city named Quantium. Many months ago my brother had signed on with a crew that was headed to magnimar. His ship as far as we know never made it there. I was unware of his disappearance until i was pulled from the arcane academy and, being the oldest of the children, it was decided I would be sent to search for him.
taking a long drink from her now half-empty tankard
My parents have a hard time seeing reality at times and should realize that his ship has probably been lost somewhere in the arcadian ocean. I fortunately was tired of the long days at the academy and am quite happy to never go back unless I have too.
Ceragia drops the cowl of her cloak and reveals stark white hair against her lightly tanned face. A small weasel appears from somewhere and settles itself on her shoulder
I am a practicing wizard and have until recently been looking for a bit of adventure. I have no desire to take up the family butcher business any time soon so this seems like it will be the best place to start.
She beckons over a bar-wench and orders another tankard.
I heard you talking of a haunted mansion and multiple near death experiences. That sounds like the adventure I might be looking for. Mind if i tag along?
"This sounds like a wonderfully kind offer. I really like the idea, but we better check with the boss." Turning to Harry, Celestra asks, "Hey Handsome, we could certainly use a wizard in our work, don't ya think? I hope it doesn't scare you to think about three strong and beautiful women hanging out with you!"
Noticing Ceragia's half empty tankard, Celestra calls out to Bethana. "Bethana, my luv, could you please get us another tankard of ale for the lady. I think this one will be finished before we know it!"
Harry looks a little curious.
"Seems we have something in common. My ship board days were almost my disappearance as our vessel slid under the waves to the briny deep"
"Could be interesting Miss Zomesco, but I'm not the Skipper"
"Well, I say, let's welcome her aboard! You can't go wrong with too many sailors! What do the rest of you all think?!"
Karlan looks haggard and beat and not altogether in a good mood. He listens to the newcomer's tale and sighs at her last statement.
"I appreciate the idea. I really do. Maybe it's that I'm exhausted adn I have a lot to do before I can drop into bed for the next year or so but let me just explain you've approached us at probably the worst possible time. The corpse we drug in with us was once a citizen in good standing with us. He was responsible for the gruesome, brutal, and cold hearted murders of dozens of the citizens here and more. His father, an equally cold blooded man might have been a dangerous and powerful lich had he not accidentally trapped his own soul into his mansion.
I guess what I'm trying to say is. I'm tired. I'm hurt. I have the bodies of farmers, hunters, and who else to dig out from that accursed place and get back to their grieving families. I have to request the aid of any powerful church of good in the area to take that house out for good." KArlan gets up from his seat and slides his chair back. "Listen, if you want to join the guard, which all of us here are, talk to the sheriff. I need sleep."
With that Karlan leaves the bar and heads to the temple. When eh finally gets home he strips down and drops into bed without ceremony hoping a new day will bring about new energy.
Sipping my ale, I listen to the others.
Welcome, a little arcane power is always beneficial, but why would you want to join a bunch of misfits like us? We just returned from a house full of undead and traps. And are likely heading back to something as bad or worse within the next few, possibly tomorrow.
Harry throws the collected loot once more onto the table of the Rusty, becoming a bit of a tradition.
Loot summary[b]
[b]Cash
Pearl ring (value?)
Pouch (56gp)
Painting from Alderns lair (value?)
Mundane
Adamantine longsword (2315/1157.5)
Magic
Pickaxe +2 (8308/4154)
Hat of Disguise (1800/900)
Magic War Razor (?)
2 Magic Rings (?)
Magic Mask (?)
"Suppose it's not a bad haul, only cost me a hundred gold in lockpicks..."
It is up to you all, but that adamantine longsword would be nice to get magicked. Not much you would not be able to cut through with it.
Let me see what I can figure about the rest of the stuff.
Spellcraft(War Razor):
Spellcraft(Ring 1):
Spellcraft(Ring 2):
Spellcraft(Mask):
Appraise(Pearl Ring):
Appraise(Painting):
Will take 10 on anything that I cannot figure out - or cast Identify in the case of magic items.
Appraise - Painting
Appraise - Ring
"Reckon I agree with the idea of having that magic'd up, though thats more something for cousin Kanyk or Sir Karlan to think about. Should be enough wealth in our cuts to keep the thing around and maybe see to getting some decent items for the rest of us... I'd love a magic weapon or armour one day, any magic for that matter."
"Welcome, a little arcane power is always beneficial, but why would you want to join a bunch of misfits like us? We just returned from a house full of undead and traps. And are likely heading back to something as bad or worse within the next few, possibly tomorrow."
"Ailetha, speak for yourself. I certainly wouldn't call us misfits. Well, except perhaps Perdition, the missing fire gnome. We are simply unique, eccentric, characters with a wide range of interests. But, forgive them, Ceragia. They are tired, exhausted and have not rested in some time. I am doing my best to lighten the mood and remind these guys why we go out fighting for such good causes, but as you can see, we have seen a great deal of . . . what shall we call it? . .. uhm, let's just say a bit of hardship. Give us a night of rest, and I'm sure they will be back to their usual cheery selves. Well, as I think about it, Karlan is right. The Sheriff is the one we should check with about you joining the guard. However, I wouldn't worry about that. I think he is eager for as much help as he can get. Just don't do what I did and threaten him. He really doesn't like that! He can be a little brusque, but once you start proving yourself to him, he will start showing you a little respect and you'll realize that he really isn't all that bad. His heart is certainly in the right place."
"Hey Ailetha, I want to start learning how to play the flute. Is that something you know how to play? You don't happen to have an extra one you could let me use for a while? If not, do you know where I could purchase one around here?"
I know the sherif quite well. Met him before I ran into the rest of you when you were exploring in the old Thassolian runes. As far as the flute goes, I have not played many instruments, but have some experience with them. My ear is quite good for notes and tunes, so I am sure I could help you. Actually, I was thinking about learning to play a few instruments. You never know when a tavern or lord will have an old instrument around that can be used to entertain.
Harry eventually bursts into a fit of laughter, no longer able to contain it any more... apparently the restraint he had been able to maintainwas completely lost when the line "You never know when a tavern or lord will have an old instrument around that can be used to entertain"
With tears in his eyes, he eventually stands up...
"Guess this old tavern lord might go in search of a few other lasses looking to be entertained by his instrument eh?"
With that he does another scour of the bar area...
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Watching the man walk away Ceragia finishes the tankard in one gulp.
the sheriff? So you guys are a sanctioned force for good and virtue. I personally do not try and limit myself to concepts of good and evil. I find that limiting in attaining true understanding of magic. It knows no evil or good it is only an instrument to use. If howevet I need to speak with him maybe you could guide me to him.
Ceragia excepted the mug the wench hands her with a sly wink.
I am going to stay here this evening if there is room. Maybe tomorrow when you all are more rested we could speak again.
Ceragia sit with the group for as long as they stay and will try and get a room for the evening at the nearest inn.
"The sheriff? So you guys are a sanctioned force for good and virtue. I personally do not try and limit myself to concepts of good and evil. "
"I am embarrassed to admit that indeed it is sanctioned. I never thought I would work for an official organization, especially with the job of enforcing the law! However, being good and kind is at the heart of what I am doing with these guys. In the short time that I have been in Sandpoint, there has been a lot of evil about. Everything from goblin raids to attacks of undead. I figure, if I can help out in some small way to make this world a better place, then you can count me in. Now I realize that magic is neither good nor evil, but certainly you must have a moral compass that guides you in how you use your magic. I hope you wouldn't use it to enslave others or simply be corrupted by its power. We just had to deal with a few folk that fell under that spell. So tell me, Ceragia, you are kind. . . aren't you?"
Kanyk spends a few seconds outside trying to shake some of the rainwater off before entering the bar but realises it is a fruitless task and just heads in still soaked.
He raises an eyebrow slightly at the apparent new member of the group but doesn't feel the need to bring it up.
"Left Aldern's body with that gravedigger Gerlick was friends with, seemed better than it sitting around in the rain."
Ceragia looks a little surprised by the question and answers
Yes I assure you that i have no evil intentions. I do not allow myself to be consumed by the arts. I do believe that good will always overshadow evil. I just try and find the balance in all things. It allows for clearer thinking and you have to have one as well as the other. I intend to find magic at its deeper meaning, whatever that is haha.
"Yes I assure you that i have no evil intentions."
Celestra smiles at Ceragia's response. "Well that's good news! I certainly did not think you were evil, my dear, but I do hope you can use your arcane powers to help us with some of the fiends that we face. It is often not a pretty scene, and we certainly could use the help. In fact, we found a few magical items along the way that we have not been able to identify. Perhaps you could help us figure out what properties they possess."
It would be my pleasure to identify those for you....in the morning. I must prepare myself ahead of time for the spells I would need that day. Unfortunately on a voyage of the length I just ended, as well as being in the middle of the arcadian sea finding many items to identify was not likely HaHa.
Appraise Painting: about 200 gp - but the prices for works of art heavily depend on the market.
Appraise Ring: 250 gp
Spellcraft war Razor: +1
Spellcraft Ring I: Ring of Protection +1
Spellcraft Ring II: Ring of Jumping
Spellcraft Mask: Still unknown
It takes much longer than usually for Bethana to return to the taproom. Her clothes are a bit displaced and her cheeks are burning red now.
Oh, uh - what did you say my dear? she asks Celestra.
At the temple Karlan is greeted by Father Abstalar who has just supervised the translation of Aldern's body into the inner sanctum.
Karlan, son, how do you feel?
He looks really concerned - the seasoned priest knows what it means to fight a horde of ghouls and he fears the worst, even for a paladin.
With all said and done, Harry goes off to the merchant...
Loot summary
Cash
Pearl ring 250
Pouch 56
=306
Mundane
Adamantine longsword (2315/1157.5)
=1157.5
Magic
Pickaxe +2 (8308/*4154)
Magic War Razor +1 (2308/*1154)
Hat of Disguise (1800/*900)
Ring of Jumping (2500/*1250)
Ring of Protection +1 (2000/*1000)
=8458
Total =9921.5/ Harry+Karlan+Ailetha+Kanyk+Celestra
5 equal shares of 1984.3gp each.
(If you wanted to keep any of the items in particular, please deduct its *NET value from your share/funds.)
Unknown
Magic Mask (?)
Painting from Alderns lair (200?)