Sutandir's smile returns at Kervos' quip.
"I'll just have to make up for it by just being more awesomely myself, then."
With that, he adjusts his apron and turns toward the path. "Let's get this cure home."
Rakarech slings his axe across his back and nods once over to Sutandir, frowning.
"I don't know what little man did but I feel different... good different, but I did not ask for this. It is not my place to protect human town. I come here to protect the forest from Falcon's Hollow. Maybe I must learn lesson about balance and protect both from each other. Much to think about."
With that he falls into silence, staring thoughtfully ahead as he begins his march with the rest of the group.
The young monk sits and listens, watching the others as they chatter about the apparently common dream. "I think this was nothing any of us asked for. The challenges placed before me must be dealt with in keeping with Irori's example. Not understanding the challenge just means it will take longer."
Travel the rest of the way is uneventful, save a few strange animals that call the area home. By evening, you see the town just up ahead.
"Think your employer mind a late visit so she can get started as fast as possible Sutandir?"
"I suspect she'd be annoyed if we waited. Let's go!"
Sutandir leads the way back to the shop.
"Abosolutely, let's go! Laurel needs these materials yesterday. Vaashti followed Sutandir back to the shop, pride swelling in her heart. They had done it! Maybe now the source of the plague could be found and dealt with. She had done her part to save these people. Hopefully they had been quick enough.
As you enter the shop, Laurel sits in the corner, looking downcast and exhausted. She looks up as the door swings open and jumps to her feet when she sees that you've brought what she needs.
Without a word, she grabs the ingredients, looks at each of you in turn wordlessly, though clearly immensely grateful, and then sets to work.
Sutandir stays close to Laurel, not interrupting but being available to assist in any way. He fetches pots and ingredients without even his usual good-hearted sniping about being a servant.
"Well...I think I would only get in the way right now, so I'm heading to the inn for a drink and then bed.
Just one drink mind, I'm a bit tired..."
Rakarech becomes quiet and reserved upon entering the town, pausing to tree Grobu near the inn. Once in the shop he remains near the back, not saying anything.
Laurel works long into the night, barely stopping to breathe, let alone rest or eat. While Sutandir stays by her side for most of the night, even he doses off eventually, and others drift back to their respective places for the night.
When the morning finally comes, and everyone awakes, the buzz has already spread around the town, and a line of people spills out the door of Laurel's shop, though this time the people are full of hope.
As you walk around, people give you looks of gratitude at least and rousing ovations at the most.
Upon waking up, Sutandir first checks on Laurel. First making sure she is well, he then asks about the recipe. "Are we ready to start trying it? How do we choose who to test it on? People are already here."
Upon waking in the morning, Kervos immediately heads to Laurel's shop. Excusing his way past the line of people at the door, yet not pausing to hear their reply, he makes his way over to Sutandir and Laurel. Keeping a quiet voice to avoid aggravating others, he poses his plea.
"Miss Laurel, Sutandir. I would ask for a sample of the cure, that I may give it to my sister. I am willing to pay whatever is necessary for the time you have spent crafting this, but I need to see her treated as soon as possible." Kervos fidgets uncomfortably after making the request as he looks back at the long line of affected that also need treatment. "I understand that there are many who require aid, but I hope you also understand how important her well-being is to me."
Sutandir nods. "I can't see anyone arguing that you haven't earned the right to be considered first, but I also worry about the first person to try it, since we have no experience with this recipe. Are you willing to have her be the trial?"
"I appreciate the warning, my friend, and I understand being first is risky. But I have faith in your skills, and in Miss Laurel's determination to help these people." Kervos looks over his shoulder at the waiting populace, then back to Sutandir before continuing in a solemn tone.
"I have faith this will work, because I can't fathom the consequences for everyone if it does not. Let's proceed."
Laurel picks up one of the many small vials she has sitting next to her cauldron, fills it, and offers it to you.
"It will work, my friend. I assure you. Please go save your sister." There is a softness in Laurel's voice that none of you, even Sutandir, have heard before.
When Kervos takes the vial, Laurel returns to her normal demeanor and speaks to Sutandir.
"Let them in, Sutandir. It is time, and it is ready."
As the people flow into the door, Laurel begins filling the vials as quickly as she can, handing them to Sutandir to pass to those coming in. She doesn't charge for these services—she believes she is doing her duty in a time of crisis for the town.
Rakarech remains quietly to the side of the shop near the lineup, still visible but apart from the crowds as he watches on quietly.
Do not like crowds or people or towns. But they have to know I helped with this. I hope this works.
Kervos gives both Laurel and Sutandir a quick nod of thanks, then immediately heads out of the shop and back to the inn. Finding Elze with due haste, he stirs her from her slumber only long enough to help her drink the contents of the vial. As soon as she has done so and drifts back to sleep, Kervos sits on the edge of the bed and watches her, waiting for a sign that her recovery has begun.
I will not leave your side again until you are well, little one.
As each person comes into the shop, Sutandir passes him or her a vial. With a touch of the shoulder or pat on the back, he quietly gives each a reassuring word, promising that Laurel's recipe will bring their loved ones back to health.
The young monk greets the morning out in the street, again, stretching and practicing his kata.
This morning, he has no audience. It seems everyone is either in line, or inside, watching, hoping and praying.
When he finishes the routine, he cleans himself and has some breakfast before heading to the apothecary to see if the news is as good as hoped, not yet known, or deeply troubling.
Though a few deaths occurred while the party was out searching for ingredients, almost everyone in Falcon's Hollow who had been afflicted with the disease was able to obtain a dose of the cure. Even the following morning, all could tell that the party and Laurel had done excellent work, and those afflicted began to feel better.
By the end of that week, all those who had been suffering were back on their feet, weaker but on the mend and no longer suffering the ill effects of the disease.
Vaashti helped Sutandir and Laurel pass out the curatives, her smile growing larger with each person who thanked her or smiled her way. Even those that showed reticence or fear at her appearance - with cowl of her cloak pulled all the way forward once more - didn't diminish her feelings of helping others. She spent any small breaks between people to open up with Laurel and try and get more info on her father's family.
Once the cures have been distributed to everyone who needs it, Sutandir finally returns home to get some more sleep. He finds a note from a friend, but since it doesn't seem to be more urgent than rest, he holds on to it.
Once we awakens from his nap, he seeks out Kervos to see how his sister is doing, then looks up each of his companions. He gives them each platinum and gold totaling 232gp, and tells them they each have another 6sp and 6cp coming once he gets some change. He also asks them each if they have any interest in the other items they brought back, or if he should try to sell them. He also asks if they have any interest in anything he could make for them. As a special deal since they have done so much together, he says that he would just ask them to cover the cost of materials.
Along the way, he also looks up his friend Cayden to see what interesting thing the Halfling has to show him.
When you find Cayden, he's excited to see you.
"Sutandir! I'm glad you're back! So, I was at a tavern in The Vein yesterday, and there were a few strangers causing quite a ruckus. They were bragging about all the monsters they had slayed, and all the riches they had found adventuring. They said they were here to find more riches, and that they were going to head to the Stirgenest Cairn and pilfer it for all it's worth.
"Now, you and I both know that there's nothing in the Stirgenest Cairn—it's just an old, abandoned cairn were kids play, for Iomedae's sake! But they were waving their map of the cairns around, and I noticed something. The Whispering Cairn wasn't on it! It was a new map, and I know that mine is old, but...do you think they might be right about the riches, just not right about the cairn? I know there are some legends around the Whispering Cairn, and if it's not being included on maps now—maybe someone is hiding something?"
"My mother mentioned you in passing, once when we were talking about father. She said you had healing abilities also, though not what kind. I was kind of hoping to find out more about his side of the family."
"Do you use any magics in your alchemy here? Divine magics, I mean? I am still kind of new to this healing business."
"I know this may be an uncomfortable question, but where are the whores around here? I need to see if any of them need my healing arts. They aren't used to kind treatment, you know, and most can't bear to walk into a temple. Well, Callistra's maybe, but that's not good for anyone, I think."
"I don't use any magic in my remedies—I don't take much stock in things other than what I can do with my own two hands and the ingredients I collect, and my own two hands can't do magic. I'm not against it, mind you, and I would always welcome its benefits, but I can't do it myself.
"I come from a long line of herbalists—some of what we can do helps, and other parts...well, let's just say I have to make a living, and people will believe a lot. Your father had some talent for herbs as well—he lived here for a while. He was quite a bit older than me—closer to my mother's age. He was foolish though, and that's how he met his demise—went searching for treasure in the cairns south of Falcon's Hollow and never came back. Shame too; he really did have a talent for herbs."
"As for whores—I don't know much about that sort of thing, but you can find almost anything in The Vein. All sorts of seedy types there—I avoid it if I can."
"Wait, you mean my father was here before? He died here? Well, in the cairns south of here? How far away is that? Do you know much about him? What was he like? Where...no, sorry. I don't mean to be a pest. It's just that I don't know much of anything about him. Mother never really talked about him."
"Most good people do avoid whores. It's one of the things that makes them good. Never mind that most whores don't particularly want to be doing what they do. Oh, there's always some, but they are few and far between. Where is The Vein? I've only been here a couple of days, well, in the town at least."
Ruhk is going to use some of his newfound fame to try and get someone to inform him about a certain brute that has some payback coming as far as he is concerned.
Realizing he may have accidentally asked Vaashti on a date she might not be comfortable with, he quickly adds, "And we can see if any of the others want to join us, to celebrate our success..."
He hands his old friend a few packets of hangover remedy, grinning. "If you're hanging out at taverns in the Vein, you'll be needing these. If you overheard anything else interesting, let me know. My new friends are pretty handy in a pinch, and we might do some exploring in the future."
Sutandir makes rounds of the town, and visits all of his companions, suggesting they celebrate with dinner and drinks.
"I think I'd like that," Vaashti said, feeling a little uncomfortable. "And, as you say, the others too. I don't know how much help I'll be but there is no harm in trying."
"As for the Vein, you can just point the way. I don't expect anyone to feel the need to come with me. But, if we have any remedy left over, may I take some with me? Knowing how whores are, I imagine many didn't come here for the cure, even if they were sick."
With the curatives complete, Rakarech quietly helps out where he can. After that, he bids his companions farewell for now and heads out into the forest to meditate on what to do next.
Protector of Falcon's Hollow. Not what I am good at. Still, they need a protector. And I have goals here. Right now they are recovering from the plague, I bet they need every healer they can get.
Trying to cash in on his newfound (sort of) popularity Rakarech lets Grobu out to wander in the woods and he returns into town and makes for the inn. There, he very badly writes up a notice sign and patiently waits for customers while watching Rukh drink and work the crowd.
TREET UR SICK NO CHARGE ASK FOUR RAKARECH AT THE INN
Sutandir mentions the various found items to his companions. Vaashti takes the crossbow to compare to her old one, but nobody seems to want the rest.
He takes the masterwork short sword , the four magical arrows, and the well-crafted handaxe to a few of the local merchants to try to see what he can get for them. He plays up the danger involved in acquiring them, as well as the high quality and magical properties. He finds himself weaving the tale of the group's exploits a bit more elaborately than it actually happened, to the point of being surprised at the story he invents (but not surprised enough to stop).
At any point he can get the group together, Sutandir tells them of the news from his friend. "My buddy Cayden overheard some strangers talking about heading down to Stirgenest Cairn to raid it for some presumed riches. He and I know there's nothing there, but he also noticed that Whispering Cairn wasn't on their map. We're wondering if maybe there is something there worth investigating. I was thinking that if you all were interested, maybe after a few days of rest we could all go down there and take a look."
He also offers again to put together any alchemical items anyone is interested in.
You discover that the person you're referring to is an albino half-orc named Kullen, the leader of a gang of criminals indentured to one of the mine managers, Balabar Smenk. The gang has little tolerance for insolence, and the can often be found fighting in their favorite hangout, the Feral Dog, a tavern on The Vein. All the members of the gang have a matching tattoo, and Kullen's is on his forehead. The tattoo is a character of some sort, but no one is able to tell you what it might mean.
800gp for the four magical arrows
150gp for the masterwork shortsword
150gp for the masterwork handaxe
Vaashti followed Sutandir's directions to The Vein, realizing that she had been there before, in that altercation with the brutish half-orc. With her looks, it didn't take long to find the brothels, though the services she was offering weren't the usual for those establishments. It took a bit of haggling - falling back on her help with the curatives - to get the madames and panderers to allow her to help the girls in the houses, healing small wounds, curing diseases, and the like. She even managed to haggle some payment out of them, though never from the whores themselves.
It was exhausting work, and she prayed to Milani regularly during this time, offering justice only as she could, in health and spiritual well-being. Justice in the temporal form would have to wait.
She was careful not to cut into Laurel's business, not wanting to damage her burgeoning relationship with her cousin. She also didn't want to hurt Sutandir's relationship with his Master, as Vaashti and the young alchemist spent a lot of her down time together, working on alchemical versions of her divine spell repertoire.
Using whatever skills, spells, channels you feel necessary to help the whores' lives out. Probably will earn influence and maybe capital as well.
Also, is there a doctor or house of healing in this town that isn't the temple?
Edit: Also, what inns are available?
Spellcraft:
Ring of Torag
Aura Faint abjuration; CL 3rd
Slot finger
Description
This simple golden ring has a large red gemstone set into it that sparkles with an inner fire. The wearer of the ring gains fire resistance 10 against the first fire attack that hits him that day. This protection renews itself every morning at dawn. In addition, the wearer receives a +1 resistance bonus on saves made against fire spells and effects. The ring must be worn for 24 hours to have any effect.
Rakarech continues to spend the next couple of days making house calls and even examining sick animals, which he shows a little bit more a talent for. Not caring much for money, he throws it around freely to ensure he has good supplies and a slightly less unkempt appearance.
---
When meeting up with Sutandir, Rakarech nods eagerly.
"Too many people here. Exploring will be good for us."
Kervos spends the next couple days tending to Elze, only leaving her side once he is certain that she is successfully on the mend and she has regained enough strength to shoo him away.
After wandering around for the better part of a day, Kervos grows increasingly uncomfortable with the level of attention aimed towards his companions and himself. By the time he connects with Sutandir, he's more than happy to head out and investigate the Cairn. After giving Sutandir 35 gold to help cover the costs of any potion preparation he has engaged in, Kervos will spend the remaining time in town seeking out a set of chainmail armor to bolster his admittedly weak defenses - if he finds one suitable for someone of his size, he will also sell his current armor for whatever he can get.
cover reads “Torag is no longer worthy of our devotion. Only Droskar can deliver us from the failings of King Garbold.”