GM Dak - RotRL AE (Group 3) (Inactive)

Game Master Dakcenturi

"Huh...not that old, probably less than a month, and it hasn't been used recently. Look how the sand's blown across the ashes." He grins suddenly. "'Least there aren't more of them heading up into the Glassworks now. Come on, let's finish this."

"Indeed," Ioxeia agrees, lingering a moment to enjoy the breeze off the sea after the stale air of the tunnels under the Glassworks. As the group sets off again, she adds, thoughtfully, "I still can't really imagine. To think that that temple, or whatever else it was, was down there for so long, only to be discovered by smugglers cutting these tunnels, I suppose, and then finally be explored and exploited by Tsuto and his lover... It makes one wonder what else the Thassilonians left behind, and where."

She grows quiet as she thinks on the abuse of the past and its secrets, Magic especially, of course. There are some who should never be trusted with it.

"There is no telling Ioxeia."

Heading back into the tunnels you begin walking. The tunnel seems as though it is never going to end.

How long do you plan to continue walking?

Thorfinn gets into a marching rhythm and will keep going, pausing occasionally to check for tracks, until someone else tells him to stop or it starts getting on for mealtime.

Or until the tunnel gets so narrow that a scrawny elf can't be squeezed through it to see what's up ahead, whichever comes first. ;)

You continue walking down the tunnel. It is hard to tell but it appears you have been walking for about an hour now.

Do you continue?

The dwarf shows no particular sign of fatigue when he finally stops. "Hmph. Best we get back to Sandpoint, let them know about what's underfoot."

"Can we open that door?"

Back to sandpoint then?

Yes. What door, Chimaeryus?

The one leading towards the ocean. I'm down to head back to Sandpoint though.

I think we went through that one--it looked like a dead end.

Correct you did get through it.

You head back toward Sandpoint. The trek seems even longer than before and you are starting to get a bit run down from all the walking. In any case, you make your way back to the Glassworks.

Hmph. One more level and this sort of marching won't bother me as much.

"Best we go talk to the Sheriff right away."

"Agreed."

“Absolutely. Once he knows about those tunnels, he’ll be able to station some guards while the mayor and everyone decide what to do about them. I wonder how long it would take to seal them, if they so choose. Oh, and we should let him know that I’ll be taking that strange little man down to take a look around – he seems to know a bit about Thassilon, so he might notice something that we missed that would reveal the use of the place.”

For reference since we had that delay the sheriff is in Magnimar obtaining additional guard support. The last time you went up for air, as it were, you spoke to father Zantus and Brodert.

"Ah, I'd forgotten--the Sheriff's away to the city. Who did he leave in charge of the guards? Father Zantus should know."

The mayor is essentially in charge

Ioxeia's suitor is probably still gone, perhaps that is why she wants the naughty book?

“It would probably be best for us to appeal to the mayor directly. If we’re lucky, there won’t be many more people wanting an appointment today, and she might be able to direct us to that unofficial town guard, since she should be able to tell us the way to Thistletop, if she’s still around.”

She quickly adds, with hardly any exaggerated levity, “Of course, we should still confer with Father Zantus. He might know how to deconsecrate an evil cathedral – or is that de-desecrate? Alternatively, he or Brodert might know someone who does, perhaps in Magnimar.”

Barking up the wrong tree, Chim. ;)

Who are you seeing first then, Mayor, Zantus, Brodert?

"Best we speak with the Mayor first--this is important, so she'll want to know right away."

"Yes, and she might be able to assign some guards immediately. After that, I suppose Father Zantus, and then Brodert. He seemed nice enough, but I'd prefer to get the opinion of another person with more experience of magic before taking an inquisitive historian anywhere near that summoning pool."

You head off to the mayors office, even though she is in a meeting she promptly cancels the meeting with one of the towns locals when she recieves word you have come. You are promptly shown into her office, as the man leaving gives you a slight glare.

The mayor motions for you to sit "So what is the news?"

Chimaeryus lifts his head and gives the glaring man a rather unsettling smile.

Ioxeia collects her thoughts and tries to lay out the details completely, but briefly. “After we stopped Tsuto’s abduction of Ameiko, we went back to check the tunnels underneath the Glassworks, which Tsuto had used to bring his goblins in. There’s what must be a smuggling tunnel that leads to the beach, but there was more: a branch that connected to some Thassilonian ruins.

I’m not sure how, but Tsuto – and his lover – were able to ally with what we found down there. There was a massive, mutant goblin, and several things that Gabriel was able to identify as sinspawn, some sort of mage-bred servants. Most importantly, we found the quasit, who had a way to conjure them.”

Her eyes harden behind her mask. “It took some work, and fortunately the things weren’t very organized, but we’ve cleared the place out. There’s an entire cathedral dedicated to Lamashtu down there, and a summoning pool that the sinspawn came from that’s more powerful than any magic I’ve seen before – though I am a novice. I’d like to ask Father Zantus and, oh, that historian, Brodert, if they have any ideas about deactivating it, but after that, the tunnels should probably be sealed and guards posted, at least until such time as we get a better sense of what sort of magic we’re dealing with.

Other than that, there weren't many traces of Tsuto's plans for the place left. Our plan is to head to Thistletop next. We were hoping to consult with Shalelu first, who knows the local goblin tribes – I gather she was going to do some scouting, and works unofficially with the guard, so I’m not sure if she’s still about town. Ordinarily, I would ask the Sheriff about a de facto guardswoman, but since he’s away…”

"You forgot about the long tunnel. Leads northeast from here. We marched a good hour--didn't see any sign of it stopping. And that quasit thing called up the sinspawn by bleeding into the pool. We didn't try that trick ourselves, though." The dwarf grins. "We're not that stupid."

The mayor nods as you recount the details, you can easily notice the look of apprehension growing on her face as you continue. Once you finish with the details she lets out a sigh before speaking "Well at least you have managed to clear the place out. I suppose the people calling you the heroes of Sandpoint is even more of a true statement than any of them know. Speaking of which, I think it best that we keep the details of this place amongst ourselves as much as possible. Father Zantus and Brodert would be good resources to check with, but aside from that I think we should not tell others."

The mayor takes out some paper, ink and a quill and begins to write while she continues speaking "I will see to it some guards are posted. However, as you are well aware we are not equipped for all these threats and withouth the sheriff and with you leaving town to check on Thistletop things will be thin. I think we can manage until either you or the sheriff have returned though. As to Shalelu, I believe she is still in town. She usually stays at the Rusty Dragon so I would check there. I remember before you headed into the tunnels she noted she would be in town a few more days."

Once she finshes she calls in her assistant to take the letter to the barracks across the street and provide it to the sergent on duty. She then turns back to you "I can not thank you all enough for the aid you have provided. Please let me know how things go at Thistletop. It will be a relief once we have dealt with all of this. Of course, if there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask."

Thorfinn nods and turns away. "Father Zantus, then Quink, then Shalelu?"

"Thank you, Mayor," Ioxeia nods, "We'll see what more we can glean about the tunnels, and you may rest assured of our discretion."

I thought of that, she thinks, turning over Thorfinn's comment about summoning sinspawn. I would honestly say I think we should try it, if standing swords drawn around a summoning pool hoping that we could handle whatever came out of it, in the worst case, wasn't such a ludicrously reckless idea.

As the group rises to leave, she approves of the ranger's plan. "Agreed. If I can even hurry Brodert through his tour this afternoon, we can just let the guards know to let no one in so much the sooner."

You gather your things and leave the mayors office heading to the new cathedral and to find Father Zantus. He is 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.

Chimaeryus shies away from any handshakes or physical contact and hides behind Gallus.

Pink bodies and their Moth church. I should have been in Magnimar by now.

With the bard gone, Chimaeryus may have to step up and be the parties face. I will try to work it into my RP

Thorfinn nods in reply to the greetings, maybe a bit more curtly than would be considered polite in human society. Good to be appreciated.

Ioxeia is flattered but also a little embarrassed, if only because she feels like an odd addition to a religious service. It’s a bit like being presented, she thinks, only at least it doesn’t start with everyone looking at you, and you’re not all dressed up hoping the right people will notice. Then again… She considers her workaday leathers and hopes there’s not too much demon ichor on them.

Nonetheless, she advances through the cathedral and greets the priest boldly, slipping into more ornate idiom, “Thank you for the kind words, Father Zantus. I can only hope we will prove suitable vessels for the Lady’s will. Truly, though, we wondered if we might ask your advice on a related matter, discreetly.”

She withdraws to one side. “The mayor has asked us to keep this in confidence. While searching for the way the goblins were able to enter the town – some old smugglers’ tunnels – we found some ancient ruins that they had stumbled across, still inhabited by outsiders bound who knows how long ago. We were able to clear them out, but there’s an entire Lamashtan cathedral carved out of the rock below Sandpoint, complete with an active summoning pool. None of us has much skill in divine matters, so we thought we would consult you about whether deconsecrating the space might help, or if you knew of any magic that would safely dispel the pool’s energies, before the town guard seals the place.”

Father Zantus seems a bit shocked by the news but as Ioxeia explains 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, but as for the summoning pool, 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."

"That's true...best to leave that decision to the Mayor. Brodert Quink might know something about the pool, too, and the Mayor knows we want to talk to him."

A look of joy fills Chimaeryus' face, he looks frantically for a peice of parchment and quickly jots something down. Before handing it to Father Zantus. In rare form he stands straight up and stares the priest in the eyes.

"If you are having an errand boy go to Magnimar, I need this letter delivered to the Ardoc Family, they have a shop in Magnimar."

His voice is still rather gutteral and unerving, seems somewhat softer in tone when he address the clergyman.

“Yes, I think it’s best to wait until we learn more and can all confer together with the mayor; I’m sure your colleagues are beyond reproach, but messengers can be intercepted or letters stolen. For now, to the best of our knowledge, of the people in town, only we know about what lies beneath, and it shouldn’t prove too difficult to keep it safely guarded. After all, if the pool is so powerful, why was it not used in support of the raid…” Ioxeia’s voice trails off and her gaze shifts into a vague middle distance as her thoughts lead in other directions.

She shakes her head and grins self-deprecatingly behind her mask. “But I shall not weary you with my speculations. Thank you for your advice, Father. I’m sure we’ll speak again soon, perhaps in council once the sheriff returns.”

With that, she takes her leave, once everyone else has a chance to add any afterthoughts.

Father Zantus bids you farewell, and agrees to send Chim's message when or if they all decide to reach out to his colleagues.

Heading to Brodert you find the old scholar eagrly awaiting your return. He has a pack ready and upon seeing you approach quickly, as can be expected for an old man, comes out to greet you. "You are ready for me then?"

"Aye, and looks like you're ready as well. But you owe us a drink or three when we're done!"

Brodert waves his hand dismissivly "Done!" He starts walking, but not knowing where to go abruptly stops and waits for someone to lead the way. It is pretty obvious by the size of his pack and his over excited nature he probably doesn't dungeon delve often.

Ioxeia stifles her amusement at the man's eagerness, as much as she's impressed by his dedication. She adjusts her pace to match, and as she leads the way, tries to keep the conversation focused while appealing to Brodert's interests. "The entrance to the site is through some old smuggler's tunnels," she explains, "so we won't even have to leave the town walls. However, that does mean some additional discretion will be required. These same tunnels were used by the goblins in their raid, so the mayor wants a quick survey before she posts guards and seals the location while the situation is still unsettled. That also means that, while I don't think there's any harm in exchanging ideas with your colleagues, it would be best if you stretched a point and referred to 'a site not far from the town of Sandpoint.'"

She lets that sink in, then proceeds even more gravely, "However, there are other matters that should not circulate at all. I don't know if the history of magic forms part of your interests, but we found an active summoning pool in the ruins below. We would appreciate any input you might be able to give us, but beyond that, we must take counsel with the Mayor, Sheriff, and Father Zantus before letting word spread. If we must seek additional assistance - from Magnimar, for instance - we four travellers shall seek it out. Chimaeryus and I have some knowledge of the arcane, in particular."

Brodert acknwoledges what Ioxeia is saying "Understood" obviously more concerned about seeing the actual ruins than anything else.

As you arive and lead him through the place he pulls out a journal and begins taking notes. Coming to the statue he notes "This is indeed a statue of the Runelord Alaznist! It is amazing to see it in such high quality after so long of a time. These ruins must have been sealed for a very long time." He continues examining the statue "Look at this weapon as well, not even a part of the statue but of such amazing quality. You know it is said that the ranseur was the favored weapon of Alaznist. This really only confirms it."

He points to the seven pointed star on the book carved into the statues other hand "See there, the star. That is the sihedron rune, like I had mentioned. It was the key symbol of the Runelords." He scribbles a few more notes. Upon leading him to the shrine outside the temple he notes "You mentioned you thought this was dedicated to Lamashtu? That doesn't really make sense in regards to the Runelords or Thassilon. Perhaps instead it was something from the other denizens you noted you found here?"

Once you bring him to one of the dead Sinspawn he examines the body vigoursly taking notes the whole time. After poking and proding it a bit he looks up "Perhaps I could get some help taking one of these back up top to my study for further examination? While I have heard of such creatures, to my knowledge this is the first we have ever found physical evidence of."

At the temple he examines the room taking notes. Looking at the pool "So you said this is the thing you saw create the Sinspawn? Hrm... so it is some sort of summoning pool. Sorry I have no experience with something like this. I would imagine you would need the skill of an extremely powerful magic user. However, I can do some research and get back to you if I find anything."

Finally, you take him to the last room of interest. The circular room with strange runes that appear and disappear. As the runes appear he scribbles some of them down before turning back to you all. "These are Thassilonian runes. They are erradic and don't make a lot of sense but in general they seem to be talking about anger, wrath and the need for revenge, but nothing that really forms a complete thought. Either the magic is broken here or the one who left this behind was a bit on the crazy side. Though... not being concrete, this could potentially point to Alaznist as the Runelord of Wrath if this is in a ruin, so obviously dedicated to her. I will definitely have to do some further research."

Upon finishing up you head back to Brodert's home. Leaving the Glassworks, you already see a few guards stationed outside. When they see you they nod and lock up behind you.

At Brodert's home he smiles "Well, that just advanced my research, probably, by 10 years. I can't thank you enough for the opporunity to chronicle the place and it has given me a lot of new links that I can further expand on to try and further our understanding of the Thassilonian empire. Of course, if I come across anything of importance I will find a way to get you word. I would hope, if you come across anything else of historical importance you would, in turn, let me know as well."

Thorfinn will carry a body back up, but will make sure it's covered before taking it outside.

Having listened intently through Brodert’s commentary on the ruins, Ioxeia is quiet as she helps Thorfinn carry a discreet bundle back to the scholar’s abode. She’s glad that he was able to clarify that the rune-inscribed room doesn’t seem to conceal any particularly sinister meaning, but she remains preoccupied with the summoning pool. She silently takes it upon herself to remember and hopefully do something about it. I doubt even my sister or anyone else back home would know what to do right away, and by the time I sent word…

She shakes the mood off for a second and, once they’ve safely deposited his sinspawn, thanks Brodert again. “Certainly, if we find anything else, we’ll be sure to communicate with you. After all, it would take more than a legion of the most adventurous scholars to uncover all Thassilon’s mysteries – there’s no sense in not sharing what we can all learn from. Thanks again for your trouble.”

Leaving, Ioxeia pauses again just outside the door. The Runelord of Wrath, then? I could believe it, she thinks, holding the ruins’ statue in her mind’s eye. That was definitely the Water of Lamashtu, though. Maybe Thassilonian religion is more complicated than we thought, or maybe they were renegades here, or it was something to do with the idea of wrath. I suppose demons would do well for it.

She grins rather weakly at Thorfinn, trying not to let her thoughts after the events of the day tempt her to being completely unsociable. “Drinks at the Rusty Dragon?”

The dwarf grins and nods. "Aye, lass. We've got miles to cover tomorrow, and I doubt we'll find taverns on Thistletop."