Dylan casts detect magic and examines the mask.
He then examines the holy symbol.
Dylan says”Lets open the coffer non-magical coffer
__________________________________________________
Effects: Slipstream (<25 mins remaining-10 rnd), Water Breathing (<175 mins remaining), Bless (5 min -9 rnd), Shield of Faith (5 min -8 rnd)
Stats: AC21; T13; FF18; F+6; R+3; W+6; Init+3; Per+3
Status: hp 56/56; 2/3Harrow pts; 5/5 Inspire; 5/5; Strength Surge 5/5; Channel Energy 5/5
[/ooc]
Theandra recognises the names and replies “The left early this morning, not sure where they were going. I assume business for guard. The are usually back every night. I know one of them spend a lot of time at the orphanage. You could try there if you don’t want to wait here.”
Galak thinks about it for a bit before deciding that he would rather wait for their return. ”I shall wait for them here. The Marshall mentioned an arrangement of lodging while I'm assisting her and her team. Is there space available?”. He hands her the ledger from Cressida and the guard insignia as well.
Assuming there is room, he says, ” Excellent. while I'm waiting, I might as well have something to eat". He plops down some silver for a meal and a tip and goes to sit somewhere he can watch the door.
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Tullius replies to Zeke, "I agree, we should go to a place more private and safe to take our time with this."
After getting to our location, Tullius will ask Dylan, "Do you mind if I take a look at all three items? I have an amplitude of knowledge into the magic and strange arts."
Tullius casts detect magic and carefully examines each item.
Coffer 1
Coffer 2
Mask
Upon gaining entrance to the shop, Zeke says, "OK, hang tight, I'll go inform Ms. Kroft. Don't open that magical coffer until I return!"
Barring any objections, Zeke puts the sponge containing his Expeditious Retreat (+30 spd for 5 min) extract in his mouth, bites and swallows, and he speedily takes off out the door towards the Citadel.
After examining the holy symbol Dylan realizes the corpse is a follower of Urgathoa. Opening the non-magical coffer the group finds collection of ledgers, invoices, and the deed to the Direption, all from a group noted as “B7,” titling one “R. Davaulus” with ownership of the ship and a cargo noted only as “specimens.” Dylan finds the mask has the aura of conjuration.
Tullius is able to identify the coffer Yvicca was carrying around. Typically engraved with numerous skulls, these small metal coffers allow the safe transport of infectious substances of up to Tiny size. Closing the lid seals in the contents and holds them in stasis, rendering them immune to aging or any damage. In addition, any infectious material—such as the body of a creature that died of disease—is preserved for as long as the coffer is closed. A death’s head coffer can potentially hold several Tiny items, having dimensions of approximately 4 inches by 4 inches by 6 inches. A death’s head coffer can spread infections between items. Any item placed into a coffer with a disease-ridden item (something capable of spreading a disease by contact) becomes infected with the same disease. For 1 week after being removed from the coffer, the newly infected item can spread the same affliction as the disease-ridden item to any creature that touches it. For example, a coin placed into a death’s head coffer with a rat infected with the shakes forces any creature that touches the coin to make a DC 13 Fortitude save or become infected with the shakes as well. After a death’s head coffer is closed and then reopened, its magic dissipates, rendering the box completely mundane. Some death’s head coffers feature complex locking mechanisms, which require DC 20 Open Lock checks to open.
Tullius finds not new information from coffer 2.
The mask he is able to identify. Resembling the more common nonmagical doctor’s mask, a plaguebringer’s mask grants a +2 resistance bonus on saving throws against nauseating scents and immunity to one specific disease (the disease must be chosen at the time of the mask’s creation—the ones in this adventure grant immunity to blood veil). The mask veils the wearer’s alignment, making him register as neutral to alignment-detecting effects.
Zeke makes it to the citadel quickly and the guards are able to take him to see Kroft. ”What were you able to find out from the ship?”
After all the info is revealed to the group, Amendithas, not wanting to sound too stupid, asks "Sooo, this is evidence that the Doctor man the Queen is working with is a bad guy, right? I mean, that was his ship, right?"
He stands up to grab the mask, "This thing could protect us from getting sick? Perhaps we should procure a few more."
Ammendithas realizes just how exhausted he is after standing up from a few minutes of sitting. He says to Dylan and Tulius, "Do what you must, I'm going to go rest for a bit."
He then takes off to Three Rings to have a nap.
Upon entering the inn, Amendithas sees the usual crowd but there are a few more faces he doesn’t recognize. One is a fellow half-orc sitting in the corner eating. Another is a flamboyantly dressed human with a few musical instruments. He is singing and dancing, putting on a show for the tavern dwellers. When you enter he looks your way but when he finds out you seem to be by yourself he continues on with his entertainment.
Theandra calls you over when she sees you enter. ” Vencarlo Orisini dropped this off for you. Oh yeah and the large fellow over at the table is looking for you and your friends.”Theandra gives Amendithas a letter and also points in the direction of Galak.
Amendithas,
I know you are busy so I will keep this brief. Some of our instructors at the academy have left the city due to the bloodveil threat. I have made the academy as safe as I can, but am in need of seasoned fighters and you have an effective and unique fighting style I wish to have taught at the academy. I would like to talk in person if you have the time.
Thanks
Vencarlo Orisini
Not the best reader, Amendithas struggles through the note, sounding out certain words aloud to the bewilderment of Theandra. After finishing the note, he looks over at Galak, whom has noticed his presence and has stood up from his table, awaiting the fellow half orc to approach.
I'm beginning to think I'm not getting that nap, He thinks to himself before approaching the menacing looking half orc, his hand outstretched to greet him.
As Amendithas approaches with an outstretched hand, Galak says to him, ”Forgive me, Friend, but it is unwise to shake hands considering the circumstances. Disease can be easily spread. Even by a simple handshake.” He motions to the chair across from his, ”My name is Galak Dol’ Lohklohr, please, have a seat.”
After Amendithas sits, he notices Ammy’s fatigued state. ”You look as if you’ve just seen battle. I take it it was a successful one?” Ammy indeed indicates the battle was successful
”Wonderful.” he says as he flags down Theandra to order Ammy a drink. ”I have offered my services as an investigator to Field Marshal Kroft. Your Commander has enlisted me in assisting you and your crew in finding a solution to the outbreak before it takes the city. Where are the others? I would very much like to get started immediately.” He shows his guard identification papers to prove he is indeed who he says he is.
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Ammy seems distrustful at first, but the reveal of the guard identification sets his mind at ease. "Well, Galak, We may have uncovered some good leads, although it's hard for me to fully trust the manner in which we will obtain them. I do not trust magic." He thinks back to his last few battles and how he nearly died in each of them. "However, I for one, am grateful for the additional assistance."
Theandra drops the drink off to Ammy, in which he gulps halfway down before continuing, "If you want to meet the others, you can find them at an abandoned butcher shop a bit south and east of here" He gulps down the rest of his beverage. "I'm going to rest"
And with that, Amendithas leaves to table to venture upstairs to his room.
Galak quickly finishes his meal and heads out the door to find the others.
After a bit of searching he finds a butcher shop with boarded up windows that looks like it may have recently been broken into. This must be it
Rather than knocking, Galak opens the busted door to the shop to see Dylan and Tulius examining a corpse on a counter top. "Good day, Sir's. I'm here at the request of Field Marshal Kroft. Your companion Ammendithas has told me where I could find you"
Assuming I didn't startle them too badly that they've drawn weapons, he will enter the establishment to get out of the rain.
Zeke, understanding that Kroft has been a bit busy lately, launches into a motor-mouthed account of what they found. Kroft barely has time to roll her eyes once before Zeke spits out "Well, the first thing we found was a very helpful fisherman who took us out to where we understood the boat had sank, and shortly after finding the bottom of the channel, we found a friendly little fish who inexplicably knew a thing or two about pasta and…"
Kroft, her patience wearing thin, interrupts with "The ship, Zeke! What of relevance did you find in the ship!"
"...oh, uh… right, well, after we dispatched a nasty water-druid creature and her sharky-shark friend we found in the ship a dead guy with one of those doctors masks and a sealed coffer with a magical aura - the others are investigating the items more now, but I told them not to open the coffer until I return, but that Tullius… I don't know… Anyway, we took everything to that butcher shop they shut down recently. Your instructions sir, err ma'am?"
Even before he finishes speaking, Zeke is already distracted by a beetle crawling up the side of Kroft's desk - he watches as it deploys its wings and flies out of the room, and he starts to follow it…
Dylan hears the half-orc enter, turns around and seeing not aggressive moves greets him ”Good Day sir, help is most welcome, however we don’t know who we can trust with what we have uncovered so until we speak with Kroft please stay put.” Dylan places hand on hilt of sword ” We have sent for her and she should be along shortly. “
__________________________________________________
Effects: Slipstream (<25 mins remaining-10 rnd), Water Breathing (<175 mins remaining), Bless (5 min -9 rnd), Shield of Faith (5 min -8 rnd)
Stats: AC21; T13; FF18; F+6; R+3; W+6; Init+3; Per+3
Status: hp 56/56; 2/3Harrow pts; 5/5 Inspire; 5/5; Strength Surge 5/5; Channel Energy 5/5
[/ooc]
Galak stops his approach after Dylan places his hand on his sword. Lowering his hood, he slowly reaches to retrieve his guard identification. "You must be Dylan. The Commander speaks highly of you." Without taking any further steps, he offers his identification for them to take.
You can catch the beginnings of a old scar just above his right wrist. You've seen burn victims before, and it looks like that arm has seen it's share of fire damage.
"My name is Galak Dol' Lohklohr. I've been tasked with assisting you in your investigations by the Marshal herself." He turns to Tulius. "You must be Tulius? But I do not see the Gnome Zeke with you. I take it he went to retrieve the Marshall?"
If they take the papers from him, he will turn his attention to the corpse on counter. It's clear to Galak that they've brought him here for a reason.
"It looks as though that body has been in the water for some time, but his mouth looks to still be in tact. Have you tried speaking with him to get some answers?"
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Marshal Kroft wanting to know more of the details with the items found and more about the ship replies ”Well, none of explains why the ship did nothing to stop from entering the river or reply back to the signals. Let's go see what they were able to find out.”
Before they take off Kroft gives instructions to her second in command of what to do while she is out. While on the way to the butcher shop she tells Zeke about Garak. ”An inquisitor came to see me earlier today offering assistance in stopping this plague that is killing off the lower classes. I did not have time to check into him and his story but found no deception from him. I assigned him to your group since you were already investigating the mysterious ship. I would keep an eye on him until you are sure of his intentions. I figured Dylan would be able to sort out his intentions. I sent him to the inn, figured you all would make it back there eventually. “
Dylan responds ”I have not, did not prepare that particular spell today. Knowing I may be fighting today I prepared more offencive and defencive spells. I was planning on preparing the spell in the morning and getting some answers. Do you happen to know that spell and have it prepared?”
__________________________________________________
Effects: Slipstream (<25 mins remaining-10 rnd), Water Breathing (<175 mins remaining), Bless (5 min -9 rnd), Shield of Faith (5 min -8 rnd)
Stats: AC21; T13; FF18; F+6; R+3; W+6; Init+3; Per+3
Status: hp 56/56; 2/3Harrow pts; 5/5 Inspire; 5/5; Strength Surge 5/5; Channel Energy 5/5
[/ooc]
Galak replies, ”Unfortunately, we Inquisitors do not possess the breadth of spellcasting knowledge that most Clerics of....” He looks at Dylan a bit closer trying to identify his holy symbol.
Failing to identify the symbol he stumbles through, ”....that most Clerics hold. While spells do assist us, we find that perfecting our martial prowess through a combination of knowledge and tactics is a more balanced approach to both investigation and battle.”
He continues, ”I must be selective in the spells I choose to learn. And this is not a particularly useful one for everyday use. But, seeing that it is imperative that we solve this mystery as soon as possible, I would be willing to purchase a scroll of the spell if you would be willing to cast it.”
Galak hopes his offer can ingratiate himself to the team.
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Dylan, thinking monetary support likely means he is really here to help, replies ”Yes, that would be most helpful. We will need to word our questions properly because the answers will likely be cryptic as his interests don't align with ours.”
__________________________________________________
Effects:
Stats: AC21; T13; FF18; F+6; R+3; W+6; Init+3; Per+3
Status: hp 56/56; 2/3Harrow pts; 4/5 Inspire; 4/5; Strength Surge 4/5; Channel Energy 5/5
[/ooc]
”Wonderful.” Galak responds. With his naturally menacing voice, it’s hard to tell if he truly means it. ”Being new to the city, where is a good place to shop for such scrolls?”
Assuming he gets some directions, Galak will bid them adieu and head off to go purchase a scroll. He will cast Expeditious Retreat to grant himself some more speed before hustling through town to purchase a scroll.
When he reaches the shop he will ask the clerk, ”I’m looking to purchase a scroll to speak with the dead. Preferably an enhanced version that lets one ask three questions as opposed to the typical two. Do you have something like that available?”
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As Galak walks in Tullius measures him up, giving him a piercing and untrusting glance. Listening closely to Dylan and Galak talk Tullius begins gripping his sword.
As their conversation comes to a close and before Galak heads for the door, he asks, "I don't believe you told us, but why is it you are here in this city? Why now volunteer yourself to the city?"
After Galak leaves Tullius turns to Dylan and says, "Do you think he is genuinely here to help?"
Tullius walking back to the body and the boxes, looks back at Dylan and says, "I say its ought to be your call on what we do with these coffers and the body. I will follow your lead on the decision, but I say whatever information we find out we should be very careful who we trust with it. This coffer could be the death of all of us."
As he finishes the statement he walks out the door and will stand watch out on the streets while keeping his guards badge hidden watching for anymore 'unwanted visitors'.
In response to the question Tullius poses as he is just about to leave, Galak pauses and without turning back he says, ”I'm here to ensure the city does not fall into tyranny”.
With that last message he continues to the shop as described before.
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Marshal Kroft and Zeke make their way to the butcher shop without incident. Streets are mostly clear because of the havoc the disease has caused. Tullius sees them coming from the position he took as sentry. He guided them into the butcher shop.
Garak heads makes it to a couple shops and is able to find what he is looking for in the 3rd shop he visited. Shopkeeper says ”Well, a scroll like that is not asked for often but I think I have one in the back.” He heads back there and finds the scroll after a few minutes bringing it out and blowing some of the dust that gets collected on it. ”Well, here it is. It will be 375gp, can I interest you in anything else”
Galak confirms his purchase with detect magic before counting out the required gold to lay down on the table. "That will be all for today", he says before leaving the shop to return back to the abandoned building.
Assuming his enhanced speed had run out while shopping, he will once again cast expeditious retreat to hurry back to others.
Seeing Kroft and Zeke have arrived, he greets them. "Good to see you again, Marshal". He hands the scroll over to Dylan and looks down upon the tiny gnome before saying, "You must be Zeke. The commander has spoken of you. My name is Galak, Inquisitor of Feronia."
He once again refrains from extending his hand as what would typically be customary. You are unsure if it's in an effort to prevent possible infection, or if he'd rather not have to bend so far down to reach for Zekes hand.
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As Zeke and Kroft enter Dylan gets straight to business. ”Marshal, I believe we may have a conspiracy on our hands. The sunken ship was called The Direption. We found one corpse that went down with the ship. He happens to be a priest of Urgathoa. So I believe they are the ones behind the disease. He was also wearing this, the mask the queens physicians running around the city are wearing. It is a mask designed to make the wearer immune to a specific disease, three guesses as to which disease it is. Also we found these ledgers, invoices, and the deed to the Direption, all from a group noted as “B7,” titling one “R. Davaulus” with ownership of the ship and a cargo noted only as “specimens.” This coffer here most likely has the bloodveil in it. I don’t think it is a coincidence the queen’s physicians are using the same masks. Has any of them gotten sick?”
As Zeke and Kroft walk for the shop, Zeke is particularly chatty… He fills Kroft in on all the details of their underwater adventure, sparing no detail about the fish he spoke with and his desire for fresh pasta.
In response to Dylan's summary of the evidence: "Ah, but could not the royal doctors have made these masks for their own protection after having discovered the source of the plague? Perhaps this shipment of 'specimens' was just what you'd expect from a state that's investigating a plague… But why then would this ship have been sunk by the city in the middle of the night… Oh, this is all very confusing…"
In response to Galak's introduction: "The name is Archibald Philimore Ezekial Bombastus Von Hoftenkraf, but, yeah, you can call me Zeke! Hiya!". With the last word, Zeke thrusts his hand out (and mostly upward) for the handshake that isn't accepted. As Galak explains his cautiousness in not returning the handshake, Zeke doesn't seem to really be listening, and just continues to keep his hand extended, gives it a little wiggle to try and draw attention to it, clears his throat, waits a moment more, then looks at his own hand, turning it over to see if there's something on it…
Then, "Feronia, you say? Never been… Say, any interesting bugs there?"
(Monster Lore)
Upon Zeke mistaking Feronia as a place, he will correct the gnome. "Feronia, is not a place, but rather a goddess. She is the Fertile Flame. She is the liberator of the oppressed who sits on high in the Cradle of Flames”. Always one to talk of the various creatures of the realms, he continues. ”While you won’t find your typical insectoids in the plane of fire, you will find many creatures with insect-like qualities. Did you know that Rast’s have a seemingly random number of legs, yet do not use them movement?”
Galak looks around at the others stares. Noticing his tangent isn’t helping to advance the investigation in any sense he says, ”But we can discuss that at another time.” He focuses his attention back to the corpse. ”We have a limited number of questions we can ask the corpse, would anyone care to fill me in on the investigation so far?”
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