Zoresk shrugs as he watches Thone swear to leave. If he keeps his word, then I suppose this is good enough. There's no good bringing him to justice if we then have the others of his band causing havoc and death until we can get rid of them.
Zoresk finds the return to Douleurs somewhat uncomfortable given the hero status that he seems to have stumbled onto. Unused to, and not feeling worthy of, the attention, he tries to retreat from the public eye as quickly as he can. With a little searching, he learns of the master weaponsmith, Jorfa. He tracks down her shop and, on entering, asks, "Pardon me, miss. I've a bit of skill with the blacksmith's tools, but I was hoping to turn this polearm-" He hefts his fauchard demonstratively, "-into something a little more formidable. I've a knack with it, even with the unusual balance, and was hoping you'd be willing to help me. I'd be appreciative of any guidance you have as a master smith."
Koriko spends her time, practicing her calligraphy and swordplay and transcribing spells from scrolls into her spellbook.
Much like Nilan Irina will spend most of her time aiding in various efforts, cleaning up various places, aiding folks in their tasks and mostly just working to get to know folks and understand what life is like in this town. She will also take opportunities to touch base with all the members of the group, exchange words/stories/etc to build relationships.
The group all bed down at the Wretched Imp, satisfied with their work. The night passes uneventfully, and the following morning the group head their separate ways to pursue their interests.
After a good night at the inn you make it your personal mission to get the falchion made. A quick conversation with Sandras, the innkeeper at the Wretched Imp, sends you towards an apparently reknowned blacksmith in town. Entering the town's small commercial section, you find a stone building with a large open yard facing the street. A middle-aged dwarven woman built like a boulder is there, tirelessly hammering away at a red-hot horseshoe.
"A MINUTE!" she calls out. You watch as she finishes the shoe and dunks it into a bucket of water with a noisy sizzle.
"Hrmph. One of 'em heroes, right? Well welcome. Names Jorfa. Got something fun for me? I'm sick to death of these damn horseshoes."
You make your way over to the Cathedral of Pharasma. There, the two remaining priests are finishing the cleanup after the battle with the hobgoblins. They are re-introduced as Father Rubin and Alcolyte Neerun. Rubin is a wizened, ancient man and welcomes you for some tea in his quarters upstairs. Neerun is extremely young, possibly only nineteen or so, but enthusiastic and pleasant. The two priests have marked their eyelids with black ash, a traditional sign of mourning in Pharasman temples, and in Ustalav in particular.
"Welcome father, and we appreciate your assistance in this matter. As you can see there is much work to do, but I am glad we are here. We beseeched the Lady of Graves that it be not this year, not yet for us to go, and were blessed. Mother Sylana gave her life to protect this community and we mourn for her, and in her absence we look to you for help. Neerun?"
Neerun speaks up, quickly.
"Well, I imagine you know the workings of our temples but we want to be staffed by three priests to oversee the three aspects of the faith; Birth, Death, and Fate. I am versed in midwifery and oversee birth while Father Jonas here oversees death and is our undertaker. We require your assistance in matters of fate. Interpreting prophecy, speaking to the crowd on our futures, and ensuring the message of the Lady of Graves is communicated consistently and clearly. You seem a modest man, but you are a hero in this town. People will listen. The faith must persevere."
You set out to learning the town, figuring out the puzzle box, and selling some loot. The prime places to sell goods in town are the general store, the smithy, and the magic shop-come-school.
The puzzle box is infuriating, despite being clever as they come and with the nimble digits that are your namesake, nothing seems to work. Small plates on the puzzle box can move or be depressed, and you even manage to twist a plate once. Still, to not avail. The box is also obviously magic, being extremely light, but basically impenetrable. An attempt to get in behind the plates with thieves tools was easily foiled.
The two of you settle in to learn the town and figure out what you can about magical scrolls. The mannerisms of these strange people is quite something. Several of them wear black smudges around their eyes for some reason, and althouhg you can tell they are pleased to see you, they are very closed-mouthed, reserved, and polite in a cold way. Also, the town stinks, despite the gorgeous lake and easy supply of good water for cleanliness.
After asking around for a bit, you find the Unfurled Scroll. A small, but pleasant home with a sign displaying a scroll. The two of you stride in to see a doddering old man and the unfriendly woman Serundo, who met with you with the mayor. They are teaching a group of around eight children.
In an adjacent room you see a variety of interesting knick-knacks, including potions, wands, and scrolls.
Serunda steps away from the class, looking the two of you over critically.
"Yes, did you want to buy something?"
Nilan, whose eyelids are also marred with ashes, nods to the men I will serve here to my best ability. I was previously a mendicant friar, tending the needs of the faithful in the far flung and nearly forgotten towns of the Caliphas district.
"I suppose that's right. Pleasure to meet'cha. I'm Zoresk, of late of Silverhall and Kenebres. As I had said, I'd hoped to find some help in reshaping this into something more formidable." He hefts his fauchard and, after a brief hesitation, he hands it over tenderly for inspection. "I had hoped to re-smelt the blade and craft something finer from it. It has... sentimental... attachments. I'm not a terrible smith, but for me to get the quality I'd want from this would take weeks. I doubt I'll have that kind of time before we need to start traveling."
Jorfa grabs the falchion and checks the blade for a moment, turning it over in her hands.
"How much of the original do you need? I can sharpen this and make it good as new, but I can't make it better than new without replacing materials."
Rubin nods slowly, his straight white beard bobbing. "Humble work, but from simple things come greatness. The Lady of Graves has plans for you, of that I am certain. If you would help us with the cleanup we have a sermon to give. You will be asked to give prayer and seek guidance for our actions to come."
Nilan gives a nod to the men and begins preparing for his ritual and the sermon to come.
Hitching up your sleeves, you take part in a lot of the general cleanup in the village. Although the hobgoblins were tidy for goblinoids, there are dead to deal with and bring to the cemetery, and some children who were separated from their parents, or even orphaned to figure out what to do with.
After finding a six year old hiding in some refuse and taking a break to chat with some other volunteers, a woman in her 40s with a somewhat sickly, retiring look to her approaches, speaking softly.
"You're one of the people who saved us. My name is Nalla, I oversee the finances for the town and some other things like that. My husband is also apparently the new mayor. It's... ah, anyways. We're all so curious. Where do you come from? Why are you here?"
Fingers continues to struggle with the puzzle box, as he goes through the motions of selling the gear and distributing the loot to his allies. Finally giving up on finding its solution himself, he goes to the Pharasmin priests and asks them if they have ever seen anything like it, or if, perhaps the box has a magical lock in place.
Zoresk's brows furrow and he debates internally as the dwarf explains what must be done. After an awkward pause, he says, "If we can keep some parts of the original, and the design, I suppose that'll suffice. I came into the blade through hardship and with high cost, so I'd like to keep something as a memento. If we have to replace most of it to improve it, then I suppose that's how it must be."
Irina barks a short laugh as she takes the woman's hand warmly. I'm Chelish but I was just new to Ustalav when next thing I know... *Irina makes a sort of "whisking away" motion* I am here with this lot. We all seemed to be interested in doin whats right and we work together well enough but I'll be the first to say now that we've done what we've done I'm not sure what is next!
After agreeing to give the sermon, Nilan sets back to work scrubbing and clearing out the temple. Later on the same day, Fingers wanders in through the front of the temple, bearing the puzzle box in hand.
Neerun looks up and makes his way over. "Welcome sir... you're a friend of Father Nilan here, right? How can I help you?"
Within the temple are just the three priests, scrubbing out hte rest of the blood from the hobgoblin attack.
"Hmph, I believe I have what you're looking for," she says. She remains cold and unfriendly but soon retrieves an assortment of scrolls.
"Some of the scrolls you've requested we have in our books but we would have to scribe for you, the others we have on hand."
"Hmph, fair enough. Next time attach sentimental value to a higher-quality weapon. I can use this haft, but the blade will be new or mostly new. More importantly, I'll do what I can to preserve the look and feel of it. So you can have a weapon that will be as close as possible to your old one, and contain some of the bits, but will be something I made, and therefore better. Sound good? Give me a week. To be honest we're overwhelmed with hobgoblin weapons and I don't have much work so I can focus on this."
The woman nods slowly as she looks you over. "I... please. Can you keep a secret? I have a request of you. You have a kind face. I'll pay but you must be discrete."
Fingers clears his throat, clearly not comfortable talking with the clergy man. "Well, padre, I got t'is box..." he pulls it from his belt pouch and shows it to the Pharasmin. "From t'hobgoblin leader when we sent 'im packin'. I've bin playin' at it ever since, but t'no luck. Not like me t'not be able t'get somet'ing like this'n open, ya see. An' I was wonderin' if, mebbe, you could pray on it an' see if it'll open fer you. Mebbe it's magic or t'like?"
Zoresk smiles wanly, thinking of the day he found the blade, "I'll see what I can do in the future. The haft and some of the blade will suffice. I'm guessing you won't need a second pair of hands in the forge?"
If Neerun doesn't take the box or balks at helping Nilan will take the proffered item and cast Detect Magic on it.
The three priests move in to inspect the puzzle box. Father Rubin takes it in his trembling hands as Neerun and Nilan both cast spells to detect magic. The box does not radiate any magic.
"This is foreign," says Rubin. "I know not from where; I don't even recognize the woodwork. And I sense this is magical even if it has no aura; a common trick." He holds up the box and shakes it. Something rattles within. "Fascinating. You could perhaps speak to the town wizards. Perhaps they have a dispelling spell that could unlock this, or even a book or two that could assist. I have no such magic that could unlock this."
Rubin tries to twist and shift the panels on the box, but manages not to get anywhere. "I'm afraid you're on your own sir. A fascinating device nonetheless."
"Bah! Second set of arms makes things go faster. You're with me on this, we'll get it done in a week. IF you're competent," she says critically, looking you over.
"I think I know what I can do here. We'll use your original haft but clean it up. I'll do what I can to retain original balance so it will feel the same, but the blade will be of real quality. Sound good?"
As she realizes you actually have the money and intent to pay for this, her hard demeanor softens a bit. [b]"We don't like outsiders in this town, and you're as outsider as they get, no offense. BUt we'll get you your scrolls. No matter your motives or reasons for being here, you've saved this town and we owe you. I'll drop the price a bit."
Fingers isn't too disappointed by the clerics' lack of progress, though the clue about the box being magical does stir more interest on his part.
"Where would I fin' one o' these town wiz'rds?" he asks Father Rubin kindly, dropping 10 gp in the alms plate for their trouble.
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"I've had some good practice up north, but I can't say I'm a master of the craft. Your plan sounds like a good one and I look forward to learning what I can from you. When shall we start?" As he finishes speaking, Zoresk drops most of his gear away from the forge and dons a pair of heavy gloves and a smith's apron.
Fingers receives instructions from the priests on how to find the Unfurled Scroll, the town school, seer, and magic shop.
"We can sort that out," she says as she looks the two of you over, warming a bit. "Suffice it to say we don't move the scrolls very much. Give me two days to complete the commission. In the meantime, I'd be interested to see how the two of you arrived here. I've heard your story but it doesn't make se..."
The bell rings and Fingers walks through the door, clutching the puzzle box retrieved from Thone.
"The whole family is here. How can I help you Master .. ah, Fingers?" Serunda, the severe, middle-aged woman who runs the magic shop looks up to Fingers as he walks in.
Jorfa nods once at Zoresk. "Good on ya hon. Let's get to work."
Jorfa leads you through the tiresome process of firing and hardening the shaft while she begins work on the blade, occasionally shouting instructions and encouragement over at you. Several hours pass and she finally claps on you on the shoulder.
"Good work. Two more firings tomorrow for the haft and then you can work on decoration. See you tomorrow Zoresk."
Fingers is a bit surprised to see his friends Kumyo and Koriko a the magic shop. He nods to them and smiles.
"Sorry fer t'interruption, ladies. Didn't 'xpect t'find ye here. But since yer all together, mebbe you can assist, eh? Take a look at t'puzzlebox found on t'hobber general. Been havin' a hard time figurin' it out, and well, that ain't like me. I can make most mech'nical things work given time, but this 'un, well it ain't like nothin' I've seen a'fore. I was wonderin' if mebbe there were some incantation or magic ward on it that keeps it from openin'. Took to t'priests an' they said it didn't detect as magic, but some spells hid tha'. They suggested local wizards might be able t'give some aid, and, well, 'ere I am."
He holds out the puzzle box for all to see or take if they want.
Heaving a tired sigh, Zoresk nods to the dwarven woman, "Sounds fine to me, Jorfa. My thanks for the time you've put into teaching me as we go." Removing the apron and gloves, Zoresk gathers his things and takes a walk through the town, simply savoring the walk. As he walks, his mind runs over the oddity of things from a mere two weeks ago. Can't say I'd imagined myself being in Ustalav, of all places, a month ago. I still don't know much about that group that brought us here. Or them that kidnapped us. What did they want with us? Will they be back? More then likely... the three women said they'd try to find us. The dark thoughts nag at him and he stops a passing citizen. "I don't suppose you could tell me where I might find a library or a book shop, do you?"
Fingers gladly hands over the box and watches the ladies do their magicks on it, admiring from a safe distance.
"Hm? Library? Well the Unfurled Scroll will have all the books you need in town. A few folks have private collections but can't speak for that myself. Never bothered with reading. Better things to do."
You receive directions to the store and make your way over. As you open the door and step in you arrive to see Fingers, Koriko, and Kumyo talking and looking over the puzzle box looted from Thone.
Serunda casts a detect magic spell and frowns at the box as Koriko handles it.
"This... feels magical."
Koriko settles in and begins playing with the box, approaching it with her own arcane expertise. Almost immediately she can tell this item is likely magical but its aura has been permanently suppressed. Unfortunately that doesn't give her much of a clue to open it. Playing with the panels and observing the behaviour of the box gives her the impression that there may be something beyond mundane means required. The question of what that is remains unanswered.
As Koriko works on the box, the door swings open, and Zoresk steps in.
Nalla smiles and leads you over to a bench near some green space in the town where some pigs and chickens are grazing.
"There is a man in town I... well, that's not important. His name is Jerend Thoth. He vanished around four weeks ago, before the hobgoblins came up. He's a hunter and was ... well, talented. I need to know what happened to him. I understand he could have just run into some foul creature in the woods, but he was acting strangely before he vanished. Could you see what you can find out? I can't ask myself for reasons I'd prefer not to discuss. Everybody in town loves you and your friends and I need a stranger to do this. I can pay you... well, I don't know how much this work is worth. Do you have a rate?"
Zoresk steps into the shop, blinking to clear his vision of the bright day's afterimage. He starts as his vision clears and he recognizes his companions studying a small box. "I can't say I expected to find all of you here. Much less with all of you puzzling over that box." He watches the goings on for a moment before shrugging and saying, "I'd hoped to find some books on various cults and religions. I'm trying to track down some info on something I saw some time ago. I don't suppose there's a section of the shop I ought to be searching?"
The woman smiles nervously and shakes your hand. "Thank you Irina. I... I apprecaite it more than you know."
After shaking your hand, she hurries off.
Serunda looks over Zoresk curiously and shrugs. "Master Wigguns is almost done his class, he's the expert on the strange and occult. Wigguns dear?"
She stands up and taps the older wizard on the shoulder. The children and teenagers in the room, now that everyone notices, are transfixed on the group, barely in their seats.
"Oh fine fine Serunda, they've obviously not heard a word I've said for ten minutes. DISMISSED!"
With the cheerful roar the mixed crowd of children instead make for the group, and soon there are a million questions and hands tugging at clothes.
"Children! Behave!" Serunda starts trying to round up the little ones as Wigguns claps an arm over Zoresk.
"She'll sort that out. This is hardly Lepidstadt where the real libraries are, but I have my own collection. What did you want, young man?"
Koriko frowns disappointedly and hands the box back to Fingers: "We might need some sort of key to open it. Perhaps the hobgoblins still have it, unless Thone was as obsessed with the futility of attempting to open it as he was with the sorceress's fortress walls."
Fingers raises an eyebrow at Koriko's statement. "P'haps this mysterious Countess, whoe'er she is, might have t'key t'openin' t'blasted thing. Do we know any more 'bout when she'll return?"
Serunda finishes escorting the children out while Wigguns starts pulling out books for Zoresk. She walks back, dusting her hadns off on her tunic.
"The Countess is a fairly terrifying and enigmatic figure. I've heard rumours of bizarre experiments, cults, cannibalism, orgies, and the Lady knows what else about the Chateau. Only the town leaders have ever even seen her. Frankly, I thought she was a myth but the incredible magic protecting her keep is evidence of something, and we get enough information about court intrigues through Caliphas. The talk of town is that she's expected back in a week or so."
Irina nods and smiles at the woman and realizes she hasn't seen any of her companions for quite some time so she tries to find them...
Despite Irina accidentally knocking some poor woman into the roadn she's given directions to the Unfurling Scroll, where all of her companions were seen.
Irina quickly makes her way through town and comes to the combination magic shop, seer, library, and school and walks into a chaotic scene of children streaming out of the building. There, she spies her companions all playing with a puzzle box while an old man shows Zoresk some books.
Feeling out of place amidst so many children, Zoresk barely moves lest he hurt someone accidentally. He replies stiffly, "I'm trying to identify a few signs we've recently encountered. I've reason to believe they belong to a cult, but I can't say that with certainty. If I had to guess, I would think they are devotees of the less savory powers. If my suspicions are right, I'd prefer to know so that I can watch for any new daggers nearing my back."
Wigguns laughs at Zoresk and pulls out a few more books, six in total.
"Good sir, I have a lot of information on strange cults but without specifics I'm afraid you might flounder. That said, for your services to the town you are free to use my books. Please just treat them gently and keep them in my library."
Serunda shrugs nonchalantly at Kumyo. "Well the former mayor. Father Rubin claims he has. There are rumours Silversleeves has as well, although it's hard to tell with that one."
You spend the rest of the afternoon tidying up in the church. Rubin and Neerun bid you good day having been working since before dawn, and head upstairs to their quarters. You are left to review The Bones Land in a Spiral; the holy text of Pharasma from which you are expected to prepare your sermon two days from now.
The temple is lonely and cold as you read through the book, standing on the dais in the centre of the beautiful enormous spiral symbol.
As you leaf through the pages, praying and seeking inspiration, you suddenly feel incredibly dizzy. The room seems to sway and your knees buckle. Below you, the enormous spiral of Pharasma begins to turn and through it, you see a vision.
It is a dark, but beautiful cavern, like that of an underground city. Everything is hazy; details are difficult to make out. The group, or at least what appears to be your group, stands before a figure clutching something in its hand. Cackling, the figure begins to fling spells at the group. Kumyo and Kuroyoho are roasted in a ball of fire. A demon strides forth and decapitates Fingers. Again and again you see your companions fall until you are the only one left. The figure then points at you, and everything goes white.
You awaken a short while later, sore for having fallen off of the dais. The antechamber of the temple remains cold and empty save for you.
Fingers nods to Irina as she arrives late to the party. The countess is a week away or more, and that means they are stuck in this town to wait for her arrival. Frustrating.
He listens a bit as Zoresk discuss a cult of some kind, but not really being a religious person, that doesn't hold his interest. He moves, instead, to look around the magic shop at any interesting items he might want or need.
Shivering but not from the cold, Nilan writes what he remembers from his dream down in a journal. Dreams have power, his service to the Lady of Fate has shown him that.
The question of how small towns like this manage to keep a magic shop in business runs through Fingers' mind as he wanders around, looking over the items at hand. They seem to specialize in scrolls, although there are a goodly number of potions, as well as a variety of items with protective enchantments on them. A sign proudly states "We will work with Jorfa to create magical weapons and armour to your designs!", and below the sign are an elegant looking longsword, axe, and longbow. A few other magical knick-knacks are set out on the shelves.