"Sorry, but I haven't heard of him. He wasn't here, and no one came complaining that his oversized ego caused major damage on his way through town. Why do you ask?"
"He disappeared, and no one knows where he is. That's not like him. Even if he got a crazy idea he would take someone along, and if only to have an audience."
"I'll keep my ears open and let you know if something comes up. If he stay's missing, we could try some divination about his whereabouts. You tell me when you deem that necessary and I'll arrange that."
Tauriell thanks Mrs. Heidmarch and leaves.
But as Abomentolor stays lost Tauriell requests after another day the divination. It's not that costly, and after all, he could be in serious trouble.
The scrying is done at a pond in the garden of Heidmarch Manor. A friend of Mrs. Heidmarch who knows this kind of magic performs it with the help of Tauriell and some hair of the gnome, collected from his pillow.
The spell works and the reflection on the water surface shows the gnome as fresh as a daisy walking through some dark catacombs with new friends. It is not clear where and why, but the gnome is throwing fireballs at undead and fighting with the other persons he moves around with.
"Looks like I was wrong. He is fine, and left without telling us."
Pondering the news for a while, she finally shrugs. "Whatever. Thanks for clarifying that."
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions here. But if he is gone for now, that means our investigations into Windsong Abbey come to a halt for now. We'll see if Abomentolor returns anytime soon. If he doesn't I'll look out for someone to replace him on the quest." the venture captain states.
The gnome doesn't reappear, but there is also no one around who is able and willing to join the quest to investigate Windsong Abbey. So everyone involved has to wait and find other things to do with their time in the meanwhile.
After almost two weeks the missing gnome reappears in Magnimar. In a small shop at the dead end of an alley. Lini's "Everything Magic". And with him three new friends he made on his little side quest in Ustalav.
"So the scroll and the ring stay with you. I can offer you to store the rest and take it into commission. If I find a buyer, you'll get the sales price minus my provision." Lini offers.
"Fine with me." Abomentolor replies.
He waits for the others to finish their business with Lini.
"Do you want a tour of the city first, or straight to the tavern?"
Time to drink and fall down.
A short dimdoor later you find yourself in Underbridge. It isn't the most beautiful district of Magnimar. Located under the Irespan it lies in the shadow most of the day. It also doesn't see any rain which shows in a layer of dust on almost everything.
Most of the district buildings are shabby but there is a large area where new tenements are currently built. The most notable feature - besides the pillars of the bridge is the Shadowclock. It's a clock tower of 250 feet height. It looks like it was recently renovated. Above the entrance a relief of a familiar face adorns the stone wall. A 20 feet diameter depiction of Abomentolor.
Pointing to the entrance Abomentolor invites you in. "Welcome to my tavern, which is also the local temple of Cayden Cailean."
He leads the way in. "Hi All. I'm back." Walking over to the bar he greets barkeep. "Isabella, meet my new friends Grergof, Spugnoir, and Darius. Friends, this is Isabella, local High Priest of Cayden Cailean."
"We'd take a round of ale."
"Nice to meet you." Isabella chuckles when introduced as high priest, but doesn't comment.
She pours four mugs of ale and serves them.
The interior of the tavern is relatively new. And besides the bar it has only a few sturdy wooden tables paired with benches. It could serce no more than 30 people without getting overcrowded. Currently only a group of workers occupies one table and a sole gal sits at another.
So, having never been to the city before, what should I be sure to see?
Grergof asks as he looks between Abomentolor and Isabella.
Oh and is there a place we could put our stuff down? Giving proper respect to the Drunken Hero is better done without a helm and gauntlets.
"The tower has a few floors and only three are permanently occupied. Did we finish all floors? Well if not, I can always quickly magic another floor in. I've got enough spells left. I just can't do the interior."
"We can't offer single rooms to all of you, but we have two rooms available. It's fourth and fifth floor. There is a bar on the inside, but even with unlocked doors no one has dared to steal here." Isabella tells.
"About the town, you already met one of the greatest personalities" she states with a wink to Abomentolor. "The things to see in town are manifold. The most obvious thing being the Irespan. And Magnimar is also known as the town of monuments. You find history written in stone everywhere and it is told, that by calling on the heroes of old at those monuments, you can get their blessings."
"There are many districts here. There are the Alabaster District, Capital District and Naos uptown, literally and figuratively. And Lowcleft, Keystone, Beacon's Point and Dockway downtown. And Ordella over the river."
"And of course our beloved Underbridge - an upcoming district. Since the Sarenrae temple was restored, this tower too, and the large rebuild of the housing it is rising from its bad reputation slowly, but steady."
Darius downs his ale in one go. "That's a mighty fine place you have here."
"But as you mentioned already two temples in Underbridge alone, do you have by chance a temple of Iomedae too in town?"
"Yes, of course. The fortress like temple stands in Naos. If you walk up the ramp and follow the main road south, it is to the right, just before the park."
Isabella pours another ale for Darius. "Maybe some stew for you too?" she offers to the group.
"But while you get comfortable, shall I send some messengers to tell interested parties of your return? Your sudden disappearance caused quite a commotion."
"Why not. If all come here we have to tell the stories only once."
You sur eput your mark on things here. Spugnoir gestures to Abo's big mug on the tower. Spugnoir I am. Alchemist and exploder of undead. Don't mind my golem, it is housebroken.
Ahh thank you Mr. Spugnoir, where are my mannors.
I am Brother Varsk, it is very good to meet you Ms. Isabella. Are you one of the people that used to keep Mr. Goblinburner in line?
"Nah, why would I? He persuaded the citi's administration to hand the ruin of the shadow clock over and renovated it. And he handed this floor over to me to make it into a temple. We also brew our own beer. First as a home brew here, but now our full sized brewery is almost finished in The Gull." Isabella praises their accomplishments.
"If anyone made an attempt at keeping Abomentolor in line, it's Mrs. Heidmarch, the venture captain of the Pathfinder Society."
Down the stairs comes an elf with the just out of bed look. She comes over to Abomentolor, gives him a boob hug and tousles his hair. "Good to have you back in one piece."
Turning to the others she quickly musters them, then offers a hand in greeting. "Hi, I'm Tauriell. And you are Abomentolor's new aquaintance?"
"I'm just wondering. Because you are who one would expect to come for him. Two righteous faiths teaming up to bring down chaos."
Indeed, we fought quite a number of undead in Ustaluv. Some weird undead cult that we always seemed to be a few steps behind.
Chaos? We didn't see much of that. Just lots of fire.
But I'm glad he returned to you in one piece. It as a close thing a few times.
"I admit that the impression of chaos depends on the circumstances. Here in Magnimar people reacted not as calm as you about Abomentolor doing lots of fire."
Tauriell turns to Isabella. "An ale for me too please."
"So, are you just here to drop Abomentolor off, or are you staying a while?"
Well since he helped us out, we thought that turnabout is fair play and we'd give him a hand.
So what exactly were you you all trying to do. Abomentolor was a little vague other then saying you are gathering some items for some reason.
"I guess that pretty much sums it up. It's a simple fetch mission, complicated by the fact that there is always someone in the way. Mrs. Heidmarch is the sponsor of this expedition, on behalf of the pathfinders." Tauriell comments.
"These some items are the seven shards of the sihedron, now known as the shattered star. An artifact created by the first ruler of ancient Thassilon. It was broken into seven pieces and each of the runelords had one of them. If one had all, I guess the sihedron could be restored."
"As we have now proof that the runelords can return, it would be nice to have the artifact that was used to keep them in check back then. Also it is nice to have some of the shards. They are tremendously powerful. Not powerful enough to make a commoner into a ruler. But if you are a powerful person already, having all the shards would be a huge advantage, that no money can buy you nowadays. And we don't know yet what it could do if rebuilt."
Tauziell pauses to moisten her throat with ale. "We got four of them so far. Some help would be much appreciated. These annoying monsters from the dark tapestry are a real pain in the ass."
"See, she knows everything. Not that I care much about history. But if a monster shows up, she knows the name, it's origin, and most importantly if it burns or not." Abomentolor adds.
Dark Tapestry? Hmmm...
Grergof looks over at Spugnoir and Darius,
Isn't that the what that book from the warped mansion talked all about? Do we still have that, or did Mr. Stan take that with him? If we have that maybe sharing what is in there would help.
I think his musk ox Ned ate it. Needed roughage
"Did I say Dark Tapestry? Sorry, my bad. I meant the Abyss. The problem isn't as much knowing what it is, but a lack in ability to end it. Those qlippoths that are resistant to most things and immune to some. And either you are able to do a lot of damage at once, or you're in for a long fight while that thing throws magic at you that leads to confusion."
Perhaps divine infused attacks or control their ability to move. Hmm...
"Like I said: It's not complicated. Smash them with a big stick until they stop moving. But Jimmy, our guy for that is occupied otherwise. And due to their resistance to magic and fire Abomentolor couldn't compensate for that."
"Thank the gods it's not that creepy s&&+ form the dark tapestry." Darius shakes at the thought of those things called forth during their time at the under water structure in Lake Encarthan.
"Abomentolor knows a few more tricks besides fire. I guess his little side quest was a good training."
Hmmm I have Divine Bombs to harm them. Fromt he sounds of it, my fire and ice bombs will be of little use.
"You seem eager to meet those evil creatures. But you should meet two more people before you do so. First Mrs. Heidmarch, who is the sponsor of this endeavor. And Second Gwenhwyfar, because she is the one who can magic you there. It is really annoying to get there by foot. Abomentolor can tell you a thing or two about it."
Best to meet our sponder first then.
"If you're that much in a hurry, drink up, I'll introduce you." Abomentolor tells.
Once the mugs are empty Abomentolor does some more dimension door travel. "Hello. Those three are very sorry to interrupt you, but introductions are necessary."
You appear in a private office, that is very elegantly furnished. Bookcases filled with pathfinder report books and other historical literature. A massive desk made of the same teak. Two matching armchairs with crimson upholstering.
The room is 10 feet high with beautiful wall covering. The tall window gives a view over the park like garden.
Behind the desk sits in straight posture a stern looking woman. It is only a little flinch as her private office is intruded. "I told you once not to do that. I won't tell you a third time." she scolds Abomentolor.
"To what do I owe the honor of your visit." she greets the other gentlemen, though her face shows, that it is not yet decided if this is an honor.
Grergof bows slightly in respects and then meets the good woman's eyes before he says seriously.
My apologies Mrs. Heidmarch, I had no idea what our companion was planning. He shoots Abomentolor a disapproving look.
But to not waste your time. I understand you are a Pathfinder who is sponsoring a group that was trying to prepare against the possibility that the Rune Lords return. From Mr. Goblinburner here, I understand that your group is currently... ummm... having issues.
Coincidentally, the four of us have just managed to take care of another small disruption, and find our selves available to assist other endeavors if the cause is worthy.
Would you be interested in discussing your endeavor so we could mutually agree if this is something that the we could provide assistance on?
By way of references, and I swear on my honor that this is true, the disruption we most recently took care of involved clearing out the corruption from the Gallowspire itself. So we do know our way around dangerous areas.
Indeed. Abo's help was very valuable and repaying the favor seemed appropriate.
Mrs. Heidmarch raises a brow on the mentioning of the Gallowspire. She closes the ledger she was working on and puts it aside.
"With corruption you don't mean the Whispering Tyrant himself, do you?"
"But you're informed correctly. Since the rise of the Runelord Karzoug in Varisia I've been looking to prepare for the time more of those powerful mages might come back. It is a real annoyance that once a person reaches this kind of power you can't tell for sure if they stay dead. When I heard rumors of one of the shards of the Shattered Star being in Magnimar I grabbed the opportunity and 'sponsored' the search for it."
"So far this turned up four of the seven shards. But you know quite well yourself how it is: Adventuring is its own reward, spiritually and also in regards to riches. And my sponsoring is now little more than helping with historical background where needed and urge the group to not slack off."
"But they collected enough riches to start other endeavors and some look like they prepare for retirement already. With the hot headed gnome gone, the recovery of the next shard came to a halt completely."
"It is for sure a worthy cause, especially as other forces with more sinister goals are after the shards too. But I assume I can't offer you much more than the prospect of doing good, as you are well off yourself in material regards. The help would be much appreciated though. For finding the remaining shards, as well as reigning in Abomentolor."
No, I wish we took care of the Whispering Tyrant, himself. We just had to take care of a group that was trying to break the seal to release him. Of digging through the piles of liches, demons and undead dragons to get there was "fun".
He grins thinking back on this.
Well the prospect of doing good seems reasonable for me, I don't know about the rest of you. What do you think, Father Redgrave and Mr. Spugnoir is this something you would be interested in?
Sounds like a good change of pace from undead and fish monsters.
"So no retirement for me, no? Well, can't let you guys go on that alone. Why is it that always some evil schemes on taking over the world? What do you win with that, besides a lot of work and even more enemies?"
We'll rest when we are dead. Unless we get reanimated as zombies and then it will be very boring just standing around wanting brains.