The child like innocence returns to Sealman's eyes as he stares down at Miana's wound then back into her face. Unable to comprehend as to what just happened, Seal's eyes roll back into his head as he passes out.
"I'm sick of this place." announces Lucian. "I find the suffering that was endured in these walls and that remained here via these haunts a terrible thing."
"Indeed, take consolation in the fact that we intend to destroy it. We *squeak* should at least confirm that there are no more clues relating to this cult of Norgorber or this *chhh* "mistress of the seven"
Lucian goes back to the previous room and dusts off the paintings, ever curious of what drew that family to such depravity.
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Lucian clears off the portraits, finding that the five to the south show a younger Aldern with two other young women, clearly his sisters and an older couple who are clearly their parents . The husband and father is tall and thin like the ancestor you have seen in some of the other haunts, but with an even narrower face and a thin mustache. The wife and mother is a young woman with long red hair and an impish smile. The portraits are labelled with plaques to identify each of the individuals.
Kufieno merely shakes his head in confusion as events play out, eager to be out of the haunted manor.
Following Lucian into the next room, he shivers as the man cleans off the portraits. "Does it seem to be getting colder in here?"
"No. I recommend fur. I could probably *chhhh* make a spell to give you some."
Lucian, at the heart of the action this time, reacts quickly by applying a positive energy source to the manifesting haunt. "Watch out, Miana! Another haunt!"
Lucian's burst of positive energy near the portraits is enough to bring the temperature back to normal and suppress the spirits. . . for now.
Sealman finally wakes up. He wipes the drool from his mouth and looks around a bit. Thunderpus pads over to him and begins to nuzzle his nose against the dwarf's chin hairs.
Seal then quickly looks a Miana and fresh wound. He looks a bit embarrassed and sullen, not sure if what he remembers is true. The warrior gathers up his belongings and begins to head up stairs.
Lucian sighs with relief, seeing the manifestation end. "Some things are best left alone, it seems..."
He turns his attention to Miana. "You are wounded! How... when did this happen?" While alarmed questions pour out of his mouth, he draws a curative wand and uses it to close her wounds.
Seal leads the way up the stairs and finds a long hallway with many doors. The first door is a cramped workroom filled with wooden planks, rope, and other repair supplies. The ceiling above sags noticeably; in several areas patches of the sky above are visible.
The next two rooms along the southern part of the house prove to be storerooms stacked with old furniture, sheets and linens, boxes and crates, and other bits.
The room in the southeast is a loft with a steep roof, leaving only four feet of headroom to the southeast. A low cot and a dresser are the rooms only furnishings.
As you round the corner in the hallway beyond the entrance to this last southern door, a sudden and unmistakable shriek of pain echoes through the attic, obviously coming from the northeast corner of the attic!
Kufieno shakes his head and follows. "Have we finished checking the place yet? I'm starting to get the creeps!"
Lucian almost blushes at Miana's thanks. "You're welcome Miana. What wouldn't I do for you! Are you still wounded?"
When he hears the shriek, a shiver is sent down his spine. "Alive here? That is doubtful. Is this another haunt? There's only one way to find out."
He follows Miana.
The door to the room is locked and you can hear the unmistakable sound of a sobbing woman within. Kufieno spends only a minute unlocking it, revealing a cold and damp room beyond. An old armoire stands near one wall and the ceiling slopes down to only four feet high to the northeast, leaving little room for a small window. A full-size mirror in a dark wooden fame of coiling roses leans against the bricks, angled toward the tiny window.
Sitting before the mirror is an undead woman who looks very much like the portrait Aldern had saved. She seems tortured and disgusted by her own reflection in the mirror, wailing and crying.
"It is a revenant - a creature risen from the grave to seek vengeance against it's murderer. It cannot be reasoned with, but perhaps a sign of Aldern's death would appease it..."
Seal whispers after hearing Rissi's explanation.
"I forgot to bring his head. Should I go down and get it?"
Nodding at Rissi's input, Lucian steps forward to speak with the revenant, though he's clearly uneasy to attempt such a task.
"Hum, hello? We come to bring you good news - you may now rest, for Aldern's soul is gone from this world. We have carried out your vengeance."
Iesha's howls turn to mournful weeping as she mutters, "Aldern... Aldern... I know it was a mistake... you were jealous... such a terrible fate you brought on yourself...." her form slumps over and stops moving.
"I have heard of being able to kill with single arcane word. I'm impressed Lucian." Kufieo says with a hint of astonishment.
"So am I, Miana. Farewell, gentle spirit. May your next life be better than this one."
The misshapen room across the hall proves to be an obvservatory; a desk and chair sit in the middle of this drafty room. Chimneys rise to the west, while to the east, two intricate stained-glass windows are set into the wall. The northern window depicts a dark-haired woman with pale skin, large green eyes, and a black-and-red gown; with both hands she wields a jagged iron staff. The southern window's lower half has been broken and patched with canvas; what remains of its upper half depicts a handsome man dressed in regal finery and a crown of ivory and jade. Small scorch marks mar the wood near the broken window. A battered and ruined telescope lies on its side near the desk and large trap door in the roof has been tied shut by several lengths of rope.
---
Kufieno peers around the room, examining the windows. Swiping his forehead with the back of his arm. "Is it hot in here?"
Wrinkling his nose, he chokes back a gag. "Blech! It smells like burning flesh!"
"I smell that too. Do you think it is because of the ghost lady in the other room. Ohhh look, a telescope."
Seal walks into the room and rights the telescope, dusting off the soot.
"Look, those are images of Arazni and Socorro, famous liches both. The builder of this place had strange tastes; I do not know how anyone could marry such a man."
The ogles the telescope for a moment, even in its ruined condition. "Can we... can we keep it? I am sure I can find a use for it some day."
Her whiskers start twitching as the smell of fire begins to waft through the room. "More spirits!" She reacts quickly and shoots a beam of light through the air, but in her panic the shot goes wild.
Lucian nods silently as he beholds the images, agreeing with Rissi's interpretation. Suddenly, he reacts as quick as a flash and applies positive energy on the source of the haunt. "Careful, another haunt!"
Lucian's healing spell is able to qualm the haunt!
The final room is a private study with shelves of books lining the walls of the room, interspersed with curious objects such as skulls fitted with stubs of candles, tribal fetishes, and decorative scroll cases. An empty birdcage lies near the southern wall beside a small desk and a fine leather chair. Statues and sculptures grin from all corners of the room.
Lucian, exhausted by his previous efforts in banishing the haunts, has barely the strength to stand, even less to notice anything.
Seal falls to his knees and covers his head as if he's avoiding a swat to the face.
"No. Please don't hit me. I won't touch them without asking. I didn't touch them!"
This time Rissi reacts properly to the threat at hand, and slings another bolt of positive energy.
to hit -
positive
Unfortunately Rissi's spell doesn't seem to have been enough....
Seals eyes go wide, then narrows like a cartoon villain.
"Yes, yes. I would have delved into the cosmic planes had it not been for all that nag, nag, nag . . . oh hey guys."
Seal soon returns to himself.
"If we are done, can I go on the roof and check out the telescope? When you touch it, you feel like you are on the seas."
Riss runs a paw over the telescope. "I've always want one of these, but Mother *chhh* said that Sisters training and attire should come first."
"It looks like we have explored the whole of it. Let's leave this gods-forsaken place and never return, save to burn it down. We should report to Sheriff Hemlock first, then make our preparations to go to Magnimar and seek out that cult, as well as that "Xanesha"."
Burning Down the House!
Attempts to burn the manor down find the house to be remarkably flame-resistant-individual pieces of furniture burn fitfully, but the walls of the house itself only smolder under the application of flame.
---
"I've been there once or twice with my father as a child, but I wouldn't say I really know that city. All I remember are these impressive monuments dedicated to the Empyreal Lords protecting the city, not much else. I'm actually looking forward to travelling there with you all." enthusiastically declares Lucian, all too eager to forget the grim horrors they leave behind them.
"I, too, went there when I was a *squeak* pup, with my family. I do not know of any of my kind who *chhh* live in the city on a permanent basis; but I would surprised if there are not at least a few of my kind there. Magic and trade draw us like moths to a flame." Rissi mentions, stroking a contented Brihz as they ride back.
Chasing the Skinsaw
Although the Lost Coast is remote and quiet, news travels fast. Word of the murders in Sandpoint quickly reaches Magnimar, where unknown to that city's leaders, there are those who are connected with Aldern's work within the city itself....
---
While defeating what became of Aldern Foxglove seems to have put an end to the murders in Sandpoint, your numerous clues from the Misgivings that indicate Foxglove was not acting alone-that he had allies and perhaps even a superior in Magnimar-is a discovery that compels the Sheriff to agree that you need to visit the larger city to follow up on these leads.
By returning the body of the one-armed bandit Shaz "Redshiv" Bilger when you reach the city of Magnimar, you receive a reward of 500 gp.
Magnimar is a sprawling city and one could almost get lost in the City of Monuments, but luckily you have some clues and-more importantly-a key....