Chavana choves the rather unpleasant creature off of her shield. Knowing that Ulrich is stable, at the moment, takes a moment to ensure the creature is not going to be a problem (coup de grace, as many times as necessary to make sure the skull is paste on the floor). She's screaming both in terror and fury as she does so.
After her outburst, she numbly drops her morningstar, and Rebukes Death on Ulrich, seeing his rasping breaths and hoping she can prevent the worst. Her prayers are wordless as her hands glow rebuking.
Further, once he awakens, She will not allow him to sit up. She further casts Cure Light Wounds on Ulrich.
Turning to Gelgish and Darpan while still on her knees next to Ulrich, her hand on his chest while she speaks, ensuring he is breathing reasonably properly.
"While I would love to cleanse the Hells out of this place, I believe we are getting further and further over our head here. Let us leave this terrible place and come back with gallons and gallons of holy water and consecration materials if we can afford them or the church will allow them. We need more help."
She stands, offering her hand to Ulrich to help him stand.
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Gelgish watches Chavana's pained response with a worried frown. He nodded too as she spoke. The lass is right, we need to get out of here and figure a few things out. Let me search this room and then we go.
While Chavana continues to assist the badly wounded half-orc, the dwarf looks over the room and the body of the fallen goblin. He also glances down the opening in the south wall of the room.
Perception Check
Ulrich comes back to conciousness after Chavana tends to his wounds. Gelgish goes to check the room and the body.
"I agree! Let us away from this place and rest. The fellow is unfortunately long gone, I am sure."
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Gelgish gathers up the goblin's three weapons, then looks about the room beyond. He stops sharply as he looks down one of the pits and his hands instinctively begin pulling on his weapon's length of chain. The dwarf pauses though and instead looks down another pit, pausing at that one too and shaking his head. He glances down the hallway but does not attempt to explore it further before re-joining the group.
Once back he reports in. Each of those pits has some kind of zombie shuffling around in it. Looks like they can't get out. Nothing else in the room worth botherin' with. The south hallways goes to a door and an east passage. We've all agreed to leave though, so maybe later for those. With that said, the dwarf resituates his pack on his shoulders and follows the rest of the group back to the town.
Chavana looks to Ulrich putting up her hand as he begins to dismember the zombies, looks at her hand, shudders, and thinks better of speaking as he does what must be done.
To the "boys" as everything is completed:
"Let us be gone from this terrible place. We have to make sure our quarry hasn't... elected to go after Ameiko again. Mayhaps the few guards around have found something, or can at least give us a brief reprieve from this nightmare."
You head back out of the dark underground passages and back into the town. Life goes on there as if nothing has ever happened and after all you have dealt with below it is almost a bit of a shock seeing everyone carry on as normal. Finding your way to the Rusty Dragon you take a moment to collect yourselves before making plans for the rest of the day.
Looking around you do not see Ameiko, but you do see her halfling assistant, Bethana, who woke you up when Amieko had originally gone missing.
"Mr. Bear, I couldn't agree more. This has been a harrowing day at best. We need to make sure everyone is okay."
Frowning, and looking a bit down as she sees Ulrich shift uncomfortably.
"My apologies that my faith in Hope was not strong enough to heal your wounds more completely, Mr. Bear.
As she sees Bethana walking about, she brightens a small bit, but carries her worry on her face about the missing Ameiko.
"Lady Bethana, might you know where Lady Ameiko is? We're terribly worried, and we'd like to make sure she is okay given the terrible circumstances."
I think we should go and see the town priest as well, once we are finished here. not just for further healing, but he should be made aware of that evil pool down below."
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Gelgish sat quietly with his companions in the Rusty Dragon as the group attempted to readjust to life in town. The dwarf's face was tight, and he scanned in all direction for threats. He knew the half-elf was still loose, and reasons for the glassworks attack and Amieko's capture unclear. These were real, not the calm of the town. Throwing back another swig of ale, he remained otherwise silent as he awaited the halfling's answer to the priestess' question.
Bethana comes over to the table, and sets down a tray of empty mugs she had jsut picked up. "Ameiko has been getting things in order at the Longjiku manor. With all the mess between her brother and her father she needed some time alone. As well, now the business of the Glassworks falls on her, ontop of this inn so she has a lot on her plate. You are welcome to visit if you like, but I think she is doing ok. Would you all like anything?"
"Just bread... and a small bit of wine, if you would, please, Lady Bethana. Thank you for letting us know about Ameiko. Who is or was her brother, all I recall seeing in the glassworks was... something terrible about her father."
Chavana frowns as she thinks through everyone they saw in the glassworks... thinking the half-elf is likely Ameiko's brother.
Bethana picks up the tray of empty glasses and answers the question "Her brother, Tsuto, was the one who had bound her up in the basement of the Glassworks." with that she heads back to the kitchen and comes back a bit later with some bread and wine for anyone who would like some.
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"Family. Those closest can cut the deepest." Lines of pain and crease Ulrich's features, though these might not be from his wounds. He misses the clan more than he lets on.
"Bethana, let Ameiko know we would like to speak with her again. We are headed to the temple then the mayor's office and will check back here after. Thank you."
Looking to his companions he rises leave. "Lets get this done."
"Agreed. The town must be alerted to the evil beneath!"
Darpan heads out to the temple first, to speak to the priest about the evil pool.
She grabs a slice of bread and takes but a sip of wine and follows the others out into the town. She is obviously forcing herself to eat, and she is shaking as she follows Darpan and Ulrich. Her time in Korvosa and the thought of a family member binding someone in manners similar to those who had done to Chavana sicken her to her core.
"Agreed." Chavana follows behind, more at Gelgish's speed than either Ulrich or Darpan's.
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Gelgish set down his mug wordlessly and followed the rest out of the bar. Used to fighting a few goblins in the trackless forests, the dwarf was still adjusting the horrors he had just seen. Knowing the others could move faster than he, Gelgish made sure not to fall behind as they made their way toward the temple.
Heading to the new cathedral you find Father Zantus leading a service when you arrive venerating the ideals of Desna to a number of the townsfolk. He notes your presence and in his speech adds "By Desna's grace of luck, we further have had the great fortune of those who can aid this blessed town in its hardships and allow the populace the freedoms from fear and worry that the goblins have plagued upon us."
He finishes the speech with some discussion about showing charity to your neighbors and the church before the other townsfolk head out to leave. A number greet you with a smile or the occasional handshake on their way out.
"Father, we bring grave news. Is there somewhere private we can speak?" Chavana asks, bowing in respect to his higher church station, making sure that the other townsfolk do not hear her hushed, worried tone.
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Gelgish removed his wide-brimmed hat as he entered the church, having extinguished and stuck his cigar butt in a pocket as the group approached the chapel. Inside, the dwarf smiled weakly as the priest thanked them publicly. Urrgh...if he only knew what we really faced As the service ended, Gelgish approached with Chavana but kept quiet. Diplomatic interaction was clearly more her forte than his. Instead, he kept an eye out for anything unusual in the church or parishioners that seemed out of place.
Father Zantus nods to Chavana and leads them to his office "What grave news do you have?"
Chavana, begins by describing the scene in the Glassworks... what they found of Ameiko's father, and the goblins within. She explains there are catacombs underneath, where the half-elf and likely some goblins fled.
And then there was a some sort of shrine to or of Lamashtu under this with ruins, likely dating back to Thassilon. A foul creature placed but a drop of blood in the water and out climed the most horrifically clawed monster I've ever seen.
She begins shaking, both in fear and revulsion.
It's a terrible place, and my studies haven't gone nearly far enough back to learn of this temple. Further, there were many corridors to the place. We couldn't explore them all, but behind every corner was some sort of fiend or torture chamber or some sort of mutated monster. One of the worst nearly... ended Ulrich. My own healing talents were stretched to their limits... I... I...
She stammers before merely stopping. Her head drops, the shaking remains, as she waits for others to add something while she collects herself.
Darpan places his hand on Chavana's shoulder.
"The most horrible thing is that it lies only a short distance beneath this very town! The goblin attack was bad enough, but I shutter to think what might have happened if we had not stumbled onto this place."
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"And coming through these dread tunnels may be how the goblins snuck into the city in the first place... And we believe they had help as the glassworks appears to be overrun with evil and a half-elf was manning the place and ordering more goblins about. And he tortured several people to death with melted glass..."
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Gelgish shuffled his feet before adding to the conversation; the dwarf was not comfortable talking in polite circumstances. Urmm...and I guess you heard about Amieko's kidnapping already. That was the half-elf's work. He's her brother, though that means an elf was involved with Ameiko's mother or father...I don't know the details there... Gelgish tailed off and looked even more uncomfortable as it became clear that he was moving into more morally unsavory waters.
Father Zantus seems a bit shocked by the news but as you all explain things further you see a light of understanding come about him. "Well that could very likely be the reason we have had so many problems over the years if such a vile place exists directly beneath us. It would explain a lot of the horrible events that just never made sense before. In any case, consecrating the temple may help remove the taint of evil and that is something I could help with, but as for the summoning pool you described, that is beyond my knowledge. I could send word to Magnimaar to consolte some collegues but that might be more attention than we wish to draw to the matter."
"If we could divine its nature, we may be able to prevent its terrible nature from affecting the town, Father. Are there any texts that you are aware of that could assist us?
Father Zantus shakes his head "Again, not that I am aware of. You mentioned Thassilon though? Have you spoken with Brodert Quink? He is a historian of sort here in town and he has a deep knowledge of Thassilon. Perhaps he might have further insight. When I have some time I will see to consecrating the shrine you mentioned and if you all think it best I will send word to Magnimar to see if I can't gather any more information with this summoning pool."
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Although Gelgish felt more comfortable letting others do the talking, the priest's comments made him speak up. Uh, Father, you probably ought to wait until we or the watch clear the whole place out. Still a few places we didn't get to before coming back. But taking care of that shrine is a good idea down the road. Looking at the group he added, should we go talk to Quint then?
"Agreed, Gelgy. Father, thank you for your time. We will let you know when things are relatively safe. We'd be happy to escort you ourselves to make sure of this, if you would accept such a thing."
Chavana says.
Darpan nods in agreement with the others, then files out to head over to the home of Brodert Quink
Father Zantus nods "I would welcome the company. I will prepare for the rites. Just let me know when you will be ready."
You head from the cathedral to find Brodert. Inquiring about him brings you to a house shadowed by the towering ruins of what appears to have been an old lighthouse on the western side of town.
Chavana looks to the others, frowning. "This isn't an ominous looking home, sitting in the shadows." She says flatly.
Chavana reaches for the door to knock after the others nod.
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Gelgish eyed the ruined lighthouse as the group approached Quint's house. He frowned but said nothing else, though he nodded in agreement with The Bear's comments to Chavana. The dwarf kept his weapon chained around his waist, but kept a careful watch on the surroundings as Chavana knocked on the door.
Immediately upon knocking you hear noises inside, quite the ruckus actually as it sounds like lots of things falling to the ground. A few moments later the door opens, an old man with wireframe glasses and a cat circling his feet looks at you all and shakes his head, almost in disbelief that there are people at his door. He clears his throat "Erhm... Yes, can I help you?"
"Yes, kind sir. Are you a Mr. Brodert Quink?"
She pauses, and continues after ye acknowledges himself as such.
"Father Zantus told us that you were an expert on subjects pertaining to Ancient Thassilon. We were hoping to discuss something of... interest... to those studies. Do you have the time to speak with us?"
Brodert nods "Well that does sound interesting. Please, come inside. Excuse to mess."
He starts walking back into the house in a hurry, leaving the door standing open. The cat following behind him as he mumbles to himself and finds a seat amongst all the books all over. "So what is this information relevant to my studies of Thassilon?"
"Both questions and investigations, actually. Did you know that Sandpoint has at least one ruin of Thassilon underneath it? We've found it, I'm certain, and we've found it to be full of terrible things. We were hoping you'd know a thing or three about that, and we can describe what we've seen to help you with your studies.."
Pausing for a moment, and looking to Ulrich and his polearm.
"And Mr. Bear's Ranseur here came from the ancient site. Mr. Bear, would you be so kind as to let him look at the detailing on your ranseur?"
Brodert perks up a bit in excitment "A ruin under Sandpoint? I was not aware, although it makes sense. You no doubt saw the Old Light outside. This is a reminant from Thasillon."
Looking over the weapon he nods "This is fine craftsmanship, and quite amazing to see something this old be in such good condition. This weapon, I have seen it a number of times before in relation to one of the Runelords." He gets up and starts sifting through the books until he finds one in particular, he cracks it open and turns the dusty pages until he finds the page and turns the book toward you all. Inside is a picture that very clearly resembles the statue you saw below, the one you retrieved the weapon from "See here. This is Runelord Alaznist."
Without waiting for a response he looks to you all "Perhaps I could see the ruins and take some notes? It would be a tremendous boon to my research I believe."