Well I guess we have all we can get. Perhaps Darius can consecrate the place to keep awya the vampires.
Darius presents his holy symbol and prays for healing energy.
As Spugnoir suggests consecrating he says "That would be half a days work for sure."
"Clean up the place. Especially remove the undead lying around everywhere. Mop up the blood. Clean up all the smearings and desecrations these undead have done. Put the bones back into their place in the ossuary."
"It's a good idea, but it only makes sense if there is someone here who looks after it. And not hands the place over to crazy witches with a desire to become vampires. Do we know why that Countess did that?"
"We do not no, unless we missed some documents that explain things I agree with Darius that we just don't have the time. We could knock all the wood off the windows so that makes them have to waste some time if they do want to come back." Stam says looking at the ring "We ready to head back?"
I am all set. Maybe we could sell our things by whistling up Lini.
Maybe we could could back at one of the bedrooms... Wherever that witch that wanted to be a vampire maybe she left some clues there.
After giving the bedrooms another look and still finding nothing the group decides to call it a day.
As you enter the inn in Caliphas again, the innkeep greets you. "There is a letter for you." He fetches it from under the counter and hands it over.
Asked who sent it, he answers "Just an errand boy."
The letter reads
It is my understanding that you are responsible
for my release from Siervage’s custody, and for
that you have my undying thanks. I now make
haste to return to my home, but there is one
final piece of business I must attend to.
You didn't ask, but I heard, you are after the
Whispering Way. I will tell you what I know of the
Way and their plans. I leave it up
to you to decide your next step.
Upon further study of the sample of the elixir
the Whispering Way gave me, it appears my
theory that Prince Ordranti is the cult’s target
was ill-founded. Instead, I’ve determined that
the concoction is meant for someone else—Count
Lucinean Galdana of Amaans. Judging by
the components used in the elixir’s creation, the
cult doesn’t just plan on transforming Galdana
into a lich, however. Rather, it seems they intend
to remake him into the most powerful lich this
world has ever known—some sort of vessel for
the Whispering Tyrant himself. I desire no
part in such ill-conceived goals, and urge you to
find Count Galdana before they do.
At this point, I am convinced that the
Whispering Way has fled to their greatest
stronghold, the fortress-monastery of Renchurch,
in the haunted highlands of Virlych’s Hungry
Mountains, ready to enact the final phase of
their plans. Should you decide to venture there in
search of them, I wish you good fortune.
Sincerely yours,
Ramoska Arkminos
Looks like we are headed into massive danger with a near guarantee of some or all of us getting our souls eaten.
Or I could get to work on seeing if I can make more Sun Orchard Elixir, guaranteeing us a life of ease. Hmmm..Choices.
"That would be a good idea if we didn't have to stop this cult from trying to bring back the Whispering Tyrant. I don't much about this Count does anyone else know if we could get in and talk to him?" Stam asks his companions
"Don't look at me! I don't know nothing about this land, or their nobles." Darius clarifies.
While you stand in the common room of the inn pondering the letter, a pudgy, aged gentleman you know as Abraun Chalest enters the inn. "Finally I found you!" Abraun greets you, panting.
After a prolonged pause he needs to catch his breath, he continues "I'm in need of your help dear sirs."[b] He rummages through his pockets and protrudes a fine white cloth handkerchief and dabs his forehead with it to counter the onset of sweating. [b]"Lucinean Galdana should have joined a meeting of the ..." he anxiously looks around that no one listens in on the conversation "... Order, but he didn't show up. When I visited his apartments at the Majesty Hotel, to the surprise of everyone he wasn't there either. And closer inspection of the rooms by his servants showed clear signs of a struggle. We fear the worst!"
Hmm..We best inspect the rooms. Perhaps we can magically find some clues.
"I fear not. The servants started cleaning everything up immediately." Abraun tells. "But who would want to abduct Count Galdana? And what for?"
'Count'. He wasn't a vampire perhaps? We have run into some vampires who got kidnapped or knew someone who got kidnapped.
Was he researching anything specific? Maybe someone wanted to stop what he was doing.
"No, no. Count Lucinean Galdana is the count of Amaans, currently visiting Caliphas to attend the royal court. Galdana only begrudgingly holds membership in the Order, more because of social expectation and to maintain connections with those controlling the nation’s power and commerce than anything else. He is the adventurous type, but I haven't heard of him researching something." Abraun Chalest tells, but then hesitates.
"An intrigue in court you think?
Darius listens to Abraun's deliberations. We owe that guy one. I wonder what the consequences were for us and the bone devils wrecking the place.
After a moment he notices "Wait, Count Lucinean Galdana - isn't that the name in the letter?"
"It is yes, so now we really need to hurry. Can you get us access to his room so we can search it? Has anyone talked with the servants yet?" Stam asks Abraun
Will this mean royal shenanigans? If so, we better get some good clothing.
We will of course help you. It is the least we can do.
Stam tries to recall any information he would about this Count. "How far is this abbey away?" Stam asks Abruan
Renchurch is some 200 miles away beyond the hungry mountains at the border to Hold of Belkzen. In the Palatinate Virlich - a dead land, around Gallowspire, the prison of the remains of the Whispering Tyrant.
Spugnoir handsthe magical ring over to Varsk.Let's go find Lini's shop and sell these things, then gear up for a long travel.
'Yes that is a good idea, we have a long journey a head of us and we will be fighting LOTS of undead I assume once we arrive there. We may also encounter a lot of orcs as well." Stam says
"Well, I see my favorite customers are back. What can I help you with?" Lini asks, as you suddenly find you accidentally walked into her shop while not paying close attention where you go.
We have some things to sell that you might find buyers for
"I would like to look at your spell books as well, might be a good idea to pick up some new spells. Stam says.
"I offer you 2600 platinum for the hardware." Lini tells.
Sold!
2600/4=650 plat each
"Spell books are over there. Price is charged by magical ink used."
"But you look indecesive. I have this nice staff of life. It is really nice item to have around if on dangerous missions. If you have the coin. And it is sustainable. If you can cast a heal spell, you can charge the staff in five days to use it for a resurrection. Without burning a diamond!" Lini tells in her best sales-woman voice.
That is indeed very nice, but we don't have the coin for it. Varsk, Darius, are you saving your coin?
"How are we getting to this - Renchurch it was? I don't like the idea of walking." Darius inquires.
Stam, do you have any magic that can help?
"How about this scroll of greater teleport? Only 2275 gold." Lini offers.
"Sold." Darius tells, counts out the coins and then hands the scroll to Stam for casting.
One casting later you find yourself not in Renchurch, but in the midst of a creepy forrest. In front of you a gem-encrusted arch made of bleached bones stands on a patch of scorched ground, surrounded by withered oaks. Sickly ravens perch on crooked branches, their hoarse cries echoing in the still air.
Stam, what did I say about eating before you cast a spell?
"Someone know where we ended up here?" Darius inquires. "That looks an awful lot like walking again."
Oh dear. Spugnoir tries to ponder this place
Spugnoir remembers that this is the Witchgate Forrest in Virlych, which is named for the witchgate he stands before. These gates, rumored in ancient stories misguide magical long range teleportation travel to prevent that anyone could just pop up anywhere in the Whispering Tyrants Kingdom.
What you notice without further magical knowledge is that the trees start moving in on you. That is, of you're not too fascinated by the wonderful landscape and the spores of the hangman trees.
"Anyway, it is an interesting place in this calming atmosphere."
This is why we should have ridden here... Wait why are the Trees moving!
Grergof pulls out his flail, And prays for a moment at which point the Flail bursts into flame in is hands.
Let us pass unharmed, or I will burn you to a cinder!
Grergof calls out to the trees around him.
Yawn! Feeling sleepy.
The trees are not impressed by Grergof's threat and attack.
Then you shall burn with holy fire!
Grergof bashes at the Tree that just tried to hit him.
Attack 2
Attack 3
What is all of this violence? Varsk, stop abusing the plantlife, we have undead to slay.
Out of nowhere a red haired gnome appears in your midst. "Seriously? What the heck is wrong with this cursed woods!" Abomentolor curses as his magic failed.
Taking in the surroundings and the spores he feels the urgent desire to vent his frustration. Which he does by magically sending out a pea sized fiery sphere, that flies behind the trees and explodes in a powerful blast of flames.
Grergof swings the flail with all his might at the tree, but hits only once, before the branches start dodging his attacks. But that one hit sends charred splinters flying.
Then three of the trees are engulfed in flames, but only two of them burn. The ohter is totally unaffected.
The other trees join the fight and attack Grergof and Abomentolor but without success. Darius on the other hand is not so lucky. He gets grabbed by that tree too and is pulled in opposing directions.