Seal takes out another shadow!
Kufieno moves down and lobs a glob of acid at the shadow.
Miana and Kufieno miss the shadow! It reaches out to give Lucian a bad touch!
Seal rolls up next to the final shadow. He tries to send it back to the Shadow Plane.
Lucian attempts to deliver his spell - still charged in his hand - onto the shadow.
Seal brings the last shadow down!
The crypts now seem very empty without the shadows haunting them. . .
Well, there is that not-so-secret door to the west:
The sound of sloshing water fills this room, which has almost entirely collapsed into a large tide pool. What few walls do remain intact here bear detailed and impressive carvings of incredible treasuries filled to overflowing with coins, gems, jewelry, and other items of value. To the east, the walls depict a carving of a towering mountain, its peak carved in the shape of a stern face just above a great palace.
In the pool, the remains of what must have once been an incredible treasury lie in the sloshing waters. Shattered urns, crumbled stone chests, rusted bits of once-beautiful armor and weapons, and other long-ruined treasures from an ancient past lie below. Most impressive of them all is a large, coral-encrusted helmet sized for a giant; the helm measures nearly 5 feet across, and its full-face guard bears an expression of twisted rage and fangs. The helm itself appears to be made of gold.
A search of the pool uncovers 3500 sp, 630 gp, 40 precious stones worth 10 gp each, and a jade amulet of natural armor +1. The greatest treasure is perhaps the ancient helm, which may not be solid gold but is nonetheless worth 3000 gp.
Back in Sandpoint, the town is glad to see that you have returned safe and sound and are eager to hear your story. . . .
Lucian looks at the carving with amazement. "This city, it's the legendary Xin-Shalat! It is rumored to be hidden somewhere in the Kodar Mounatins, though any path leading to it has been lost to ages. Tales speak of the city as having streets of gold and buildings carved from immense gems, but although countless explorers have sought it (and many have died or vanished), none have ever managed to locate this fabled city. Most scholars agree that it never existed at all, that it was a fictitious location invented by the ancients. This will please my master tremendously, since he always told the Thassilonian scholars they were wrong."
Before leaving, Lucian will take extensive notes and make copies of the carvings and statues in his journal.
He smiles to Miana and his companions. "We did it, we really did it, against impossible odds! Tonight, we'll celebrate at the Rusty Dragon. Ameiko will be delighted to learn of our safe return, and I certainly hope to amaze her with our tale of courage!"
Lucian smiles his best smile. "Of course Miana, I'll be happy to give you some lessons! Thassilon is a very exciting topic, though sometimes gruesome, as you could see in our adventures."
----
The party is once again enjoying a nice meal in the Rusty Dragon when you approached by a sullen and grim-faced Sheriff Hemlock. "Would you mind if I had a quiet word with you folk?"
After making sure there are no eavesdroppers, the Sheriff continues, "First, let me thank you again for all you've done for Sandpoint. It's fortunate you've proven yourselves so capable, because we've a problem I think you can help us with-a problem I wish I didn't have to involve anyone with, but one that needs dealing with now before the situation grows worse.
"Put simply, we have a murderer in our midst-one who, I fear, has only begun his work. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness, how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as Chopper's slayeings went on unanswered. I'm afraid we might have something similar brewing now.
"Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill. There are two victims, and they're. . . they're in pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the mill workers, a man named Ibor Thorn, and by the time my men and I arrived on the scene, a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up. I've got my men stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me isn't the fact that we have two dead bodies inside. It's the fact that this is actually the second set of murders we've had in the last few days. The first one was odd, but nothing I felt the need to concern you with; just a chance accident, I thought.
"But now I come to you for help in this matter-my men are good, but they are also green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins, and what we're facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I'm afraid you'll need the help too. You see, I'm afraid that this particular murderer knows one of you as well."
Hemlock passes a bloodstained scrap of parchment to Miana. Her name is written in blood on the outside of the folded parchment; inside is a short message:
You will learn to love me, desire me in time as she did. Give yourself to the Pack and it shall all end.
Your Lordship
"This was found pinned to the sleeve of the latest victim by a splinter of wood. Now, I'm sure this was left there to throw suspicion on you, Miana, and I'm certain you didn't have anything to do with it. But it's unsettling to say the least.
"Now if word of any of this-particularly the note-gets out, I'm afraid the town's reaction might not be as understanding. We need to keep the details of these murders as quiet as possible.
"So. . . are you up to the task? I think some official deputizing might be in order if you'll help out with this."
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"My word...", Miana shocked at the news of murders. This is made worse upon receipt of the note. She quietly reads it, then quickly flips it over. She nods at the Sheriff's proposal. "Yes... but excuse me for a moment."
With a harried pace, she exits the building through the back and sits down chanting a mantra, trying to hold back the anger of the thought of a violating evil desiring her, a tear running down her face as she clenches her hand in a tight fist that almost combusts the air before she relaxes with an exhalation.
Rissi chimes in almost immediately, if perhaps a little dispassionately.
"Most unfortunate events. It strikes me that *chhh* this may be a reference to late Nualia. In her writings she spoke of falling in with followers of Norgorber. Perhaps in dispatching her *squeak* we attracted the attention of that cult." She sips her tea noisily.
Lucian appears also shocked, though he hides it under a mask of excitement at the thought of solving a murder. "You mean they'd try to frame us, Rissi? That's nasty of them. We shall stop them, Sheriff, you can count on us!" enthusiastically replies Lucian, probably too young and innocent to realize what murder truly means and infers.
"You mentioned a first murder? When did it take place and who was the victim? Also, could we investigate the location of the second murder? Are there any witnesses?"
"Well, now let me lay out all the details for you and you can take it from there. I'll be working with you to figure out what's going on but I suspect that soon enough I'll have my hands busy keeping the peace in town."
"The most recent murders took place at the Lumber Mill-the bodies are still present and little has been done with the crime scene itself. I'd suggest you go there first, since I'd like to clean the mill up right away and get the bodies buried."
"Now, I've already interrogated Ibor, the man who discovered the bodies at the lumber mill, and I really don't think he knows much more. The man was frightened though; maybe you can get more out of him but let him calm down first."
"To be sure, my only suspect is the merchant Ven Vinder. I'm fairly certain he's innocent at this point but you're welcome to speak with him; I've got him in custody on the account that after I informed him of his daughter's death at the mill, he flew into a rage and fought like a devil against me. I'm sure the rage was over his daughter and not against me for catching him, but I'll let you speak to him just in case."
"Now, there's also the rune on the victim's chest, which seems important to the killer. I'll let you ponder on that, you seem to have more knowledge on it than I."
"Now, the first murders were three con men from Galduria found in an abandoned barn south of town a few days ago-their bodyguard survived the assault but has gone insane. I had to send him to Habe's Sanatorium. One of the bodies carried this parchment:"
Messrs. Mortwell, Hask, and Tabe-
A deal has come about that I need capital for. It involves property and gold, and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley's barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss our futures
-Your Lordship
"Now them three-Tarch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tab-they're all three notorious con men and swindlers I've known as troublemakers for a while. Kicked them out of Sandpoint more than once already. So I wasn't particularly surprised to find them murdered-it was only a matter of time before they tried to swindle someone worse than them, after all. But in light of the symbols on their chests and the clear connections to this second set of murders, I started to worry and that's why I'm coming to you. We seem to have another Chopper on our hands."
Rissi inquires cautiously. "The symbol wasn't a seven pointed star, or match any of the seven runes within this. It's called a Sihedron."
She borrows one of the recently acquired artifacts to show Sheriff Balor.
"This piece was acquired from Nualia. Or, perhaps a religious symbol of Norgorber?"
After Sandpoint has been vanished from evil, Seal methodically chops all the heads off of the goblins. After removing all of the lewts, he tosses head and bodies into the toiling seas below. All other creatures of evil disposition just get thrown into the water with their heads. All but Nualia. Seal will bring her back to show Sandpoint who was behind the Burnt Offerings.
Seal will then spend the next two weeks clean out Thistletop, expunging the evil and painting over all the mural of evilness. He plans on making it a fort for the party with all the fixings. A lab for Rissi, library for Lucian, monastery for Miana, private quarters for Kufieno to do sneaky rogue stuff in and finally a play yard for Thunderpuss.
----------------------------------------------------------
"Hmmmm." Seal ponders a long time at the story and the evidence laid out by the worried Sheriff. He scratches behind the ears of Thunderpuss, deep in thought.
After scratching his chin with a cocked eye brow, Seal comes to his conclusion.
"Sheriff, I know who is behind these murders..."
"Wasn't the Sihedron linked to ancient Thassilon? You would mean that a Norgober cult would re-use that symbol for their dark purposes?"
"I cannot explain the reasoning of madmen." Although I suppose I could with magic; an interesting experiment... She keeps the thought for later.
"Why appropriate the symbol? Norgorber is a god of secrets. Perhaps the Sihedron has some secret meaning." She srugs. "Conjecture, really. I *chhh* await hearing Master Alerteyes theories."
"The Chopper was the killer who lived in Sandpoint years ago, during a time called the Late Unpleasantness. His name was Jarvis Stoot, a woodcarver of great talent who killed his victims in the most gruesome way. He eventually died, taking his own life. I was only a kid at the time, but the memories are still so vivid..." says Lucian with a sad, compassionate air. He nods at the Sheriff, knowing what he had to endure at that time.
Kufieno listens with interest, but says nothing.
Let's go check the mill. Kufieno offers.
"Sheriff, could we visit Habe's Sanatorium? Where is it located?"
Once his question is asked, Lucian follows Kufieno to the mill.
"It's just outside of town a little ways to keep it out of sight, you see. You're welcome to go there, maybe you can get more out of the man than I could."
---
The Sandpoint Lumber Mill stands on the shore of the Turandrarok River. A sizable crowd has gathered outside by the time you arrive and groups of nervous-looking town guards stand at the mill's entrance.
The guards have already been informed by the Sheriff that you are to be deputized soon and so they part to let you pass.
The mill is a well-built wooden structure with very thick walls. The roof is of wooden shingles, and doors are simple timber and unlocked. The mill machinery has been disengaged.
The Timber Pier: Timber is delivered to the mill via a small pier that extends out into the Turandarok River.
The Murder Scene: The mill interior is coated with sawdust strewn with footprints and splashes of blood. The lingering scent of decay in the air is curious-it smells almost as if an animal had died somewhere in the room and its remains were allowed to ripen.
Poor Katrine's body has been mangled after being pushed into the log splitter, her ruined remains lying on the mill's lower floor amid heaps of bloodstained firewood. A pale-faced, obviously upset guard stands at attention nearby.
Harker's body has been horribly desecrated. The poor man has been affixed to the wall by several hooks normally used to hang machinery. The body is mutilated, the face carved away and lower jaw missing entirely. His bare chest is defaced as well, bearing the seven-pointed Sihedron Rune.
A handaxe is embedded in the floor near the log splitter, as if it had been dropped there. The handle is covered with bloody finger-marks and close examination of the head reveals two things of note. First, smears of what look like rotten flesh and fragments of bone are caked on its blade, and second, the rotten meat stink is strong on it.[/spoiler]
You identify the lingering stink of corruption as beyond that which a dead body can normally produce-the axe was used against some sort of corporeal undead.
"The late working mill has made the locals upset. Ever live by somebody that had a krenshar? All that screeching and I would want to him them too. Not that I have . . ."
+1 tracking, +4 for giants
"Jinkies, there are muddy foot prints that lead up to the mill. But that's all my alerteyes see."
Murder Scene
"They were not caught unaware. The fight occurred a several hours ago. It appears to have been a desperate struggle."
Seal then kneels down and begins to sniff one of the tracks.
"Yes, yes. Rotten meat. The attacker was barefoot to boot. So we either have a shoeless slob living in the sewers or ... the dead has risen again! Remember somebody brought those bodies back to life in the graveyard. They may have done the same here."
Rissi coughs at the smell of the rotting flesh, but manages to keep her composure.
"I believe your latter *chhh* theory holds more merit, Master Alerteyes. I concur that corporeal undead would be at fault. I would, naturally, infer that undead was intelligent; no common zombie would have the capability to carve runes."
"In fact, given the stench my guess would be a ghast. Although necromancy was frowned upon at the arcanamirium, some practiced it and I am familiar with certain necromancers using the create undead spell to create ghasts - although who can say what the *chhh* origin of this creature is. It seems entirely possible a cleric or necromancer is at play here - or the undead may have designs of its own."
"I concur, Sealman, the mill was making the neighbors insane at night. That creaking noise..."
"Mhh, There are a set of muddy footprints that lead from one end of the pier up to the mill itself."
"It's the Sihedron rune, our guess was correct... but who could use it? A Thassilonian killer seems pretty far-fetched. Not because they don't have the right mind to do it - they certainly would - but because they are all long gone."
"Look, here are several additional wounds: the body's wounds were deep, whereas these smaller gashes almost seem to have been made by claws. However, it's not an animal, since the hand was five-fingered and human-sized. The rotten scent of the room seems stronger near these wounds."
Lucian sniffs the lingering scent, then violently jerks back to avoid retching on the crime scene. "Definitely undead... a ghast, you say? That is a pretty good guess, I think. A ghast that was animated before the fall or Thassilon, or that has some interest in carving the sihedron rune on his victims... but why strike now? Did we unknowingly free an ancien evil... or did Nualia did so?" he finishes in hushed tones for his companions' ears alone.
Rissi looks to her companions.
"Would any of you mind if I pursue a *chhh* parallel bath of investigation while you are questioning the bodyguard? I would like to visit some of the *squeak* local establishments and ask some questions of the owners. I could meet up with you later today before you head to the barn."
"I'm not sure splitting up is a good thing to do with an undead killer out there. Moreover, he seems to have taken a liking -or should I say morbid fascination- to Miana, so I'd suggest we remain together, especially if Habe's sanatorium is outside Sandpoint proper."
"As you wish then. Let us make all due haste then."
The saintly haven of respite, better known locally as Habe's Sanatorium, is run by Erin Habe, an expert on disease and mental derangement. Independently wealthy from his years as a doctor in Magnimar, he chose to build this sanatorium in a remote dale south of Sandpoint because of its seclusion. He hoped that here, his wards would find the peace of mind they needed to heal, just as he himself hoped to find the privacy to continue his experiments into what caused their respective dementias without worrying about other folk misunderstanding his sometimes necessarily bloody methods.
The squat, stone building that serves as the sanatorium has three floors under a stout, stone-flagged roof, and is built in the lee of the limestone escarpment known as Ashen Rise. Narrow windows, no more than 4 inches wide, allow for air circulation but are too small to allow access to the building (or to allow the patients to escape).
Rissi waddles up to the door on her stubby feet and raps loudly with one gloved hand. She waits for an attendant or the master of the Sanatorium to answer.
"Pardon Sir, I seek Master Habe. My companions are Deputies of Sheriff Hemlock, and we were hoping to speak with a recently admitted patient." She presents whatever credentials Balor has secured for them.
"Yah. Some guy who saw his three buddies get murderlized. Is he here?"
The old floorboards on the wooden veranda creak and groan as the party approaches the front door. The front door is unlocked and leads to a small reception area with a desk and three chairs. A cord hangs from a hole in the southern wall above a sign that reads, Ring for service. A minute after ringing the bell one of the side doors opens to reveal a man wearing black robes and a dark red scarf wrapped around his neck and head, trailing down his front.
The man seems to be twitchy and simply stammers, "I'm sorry, but I'm in the middle of some frightfully important work and cannot be disturbed at the moment. Perhaps if you were to wait or come back another time..."
Lucian gives the man his best smile. "I'm sorry to be disturbing you, Dr. Habe. My name is Lucian Arvandru, and me and my companions are the Heroes of Sandpoint. We're particularly interested in your work about the nature of madness, you see! Does this last client of yours fit into that category? We'd be delighted if you would guide our simple minds into your discoveries."
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Miana is silent throughout the entire time at the mill, her mind still muddled about the note written for her. While she has been given additional attention before, it was due to her exotic blood and not for whatever perverse fascination this killer has in store.
She finally calms down during the walk to the Sanitorium, the fresh air and relative silence allowing her to practice her Iroran mantras during the travel.
After Lucian's request, Miana chimes in. [b]"Yes, as newly deputized members of Sandpoint's constabulary, we need to understand what's going on here to potentially root out a dangerous criminal.
"Grayst?" Habe questions as he absentmindedly wipes a speck of dust from the otherwise spotless desk in the polished waiting room. "Well. . . it is unusual, but I suppose I can allow you to speak with him. But only for a few minutes. I'll tell one of the orderlies to bring him down to you."
The doctor leaves the room, closing the door to the spotless sanatorium hall behind him. Moments later an orderly leads a man into the room and helps him to sit at the desk, although the man's arms are bound. Grayst's skin is pale and looks gangrenous, his hair wild and eyes milky white. Grayst seems unresponsive or at least as-yet unaware of your presence.
Rissi whispers to the group. "He looks like he is *chhh* very unhealthy. Logic *chhh* dictates he would be at risk to exposure to the ghoulish fever from his encounter. Unfortunately I hardly know enough about *squeak* human anatomy to confirm my suspicions. Could he merely be stressed from his mental state?"
"He's in a bad shape, that's for sure. Maybe he was rendered mad from something that scared him utterly?"
Then he addresses the man. "Hey, you, wake up!"
As Lucian calls out to the man, he stirs and looks about, although he has little to say apart from incoherent mumblings about "razors" and "too many teeth" and how "the Skinsaw Man is coming."
"I hope this isn't a waste of time." Rissi squeaks to her allies.
She looks to Grayst. "Grayst: Mortwell, Hask, and Tabe. *squeak* Their business partner. Give us his *chhh* name.
Edit: Intimidate? - nope :)