|
The small group leaves the inn from the main entrance. The sky is overcast as a light rain spatters the pavement leaving small puddles in the recesses. A short path down the road a man's voice calls from a darkened alleyway, a cowl covering his head.
As the group approaches he pulls back the hood, it is none other than Venture-Captain Drengle Drang. Hmm. So you must be the ones that volunteered. He waves his hand. Nevermind that. It seems that we have been called on once again. For generations, Kaer Maga’s wealthy and powerful have been laid to rest in the Godsmouth Ossuary, and thus far, their rest seems to be peaceful. Furthermore, there seems to be no limit to the number of bodies that can be stored there—the ossuary has existed for thousands of years, before the founding of the current city, and it has yet to run out of room.
He shifts uncomfortably as a small breeze shifts through the alley. As a matter of religious doctrine, the church of Pharasma keeps the Godsmouth Ossuary forbidden to all but the clergy and the honored dead—mourners are restricted to the ossuary’s entrance or the cathedral
above, and not even the Duskwardens, the famed guides who safely lead visitors through the Undercity to the city above via the legendary Halflight Path, are allowed to enter the sacred vaults.
It seems that bodies have begun to disappear recently and the Church of Pharasma has no clue where they are going and wish for us to investigate the matter privately. Please gather what you need and head out immediately to Kaer Maga. Report back your findings upon your return. Drangle Dreng pulls his hood up over his head.
|
|
"Hm. That tells me all I need to know. If we know anything else about the ossuary I'm sure it could prove useful, however. Any threats get to me, I'll burn 'em down!" The little shadowy creature speaks with a sophisticated air, but as he gets closer to mentioning fire, a manic grin grows on his face, his eyes lose focus and roll about, and his posture changes swiftly, tensing instantly and laying a hand on a vial of catalyst while giggling madly. It makes everyone wonder whether this is the man who should be in charge of the fire.
He regains his composure when he stops thinking about fire, which admittedly takes a while. When he does, he turns to Zerika and says, "My, but you look like a strong fellow. Would you be so kind as to hold this alchemy kit of mine? It shouldn't be much of a problem, even when you're wearing that cumbersome armor. So, what do you say?"
Without waiting for an answer, Kazur drops the kit and begins juggling his vials of catalyst with impressive sleight of hand, but still terrifying most everyone.
|
Shoulder-to-shoulder with the silver-horned tiefling stands a second half-orc, encased in well-used banded mail with wicked spikes at shoulders, knees, and boots. The myriad of weapons makes him look like a walking arsenal, and pretty much everything about him shouts 'mercenary' ... or maybe 'thug'. Whereas the tiefling is wiry and thin, this half-orc is barrel-chested with thick, powerful-looking limbs. He stands with arms crossed, the drizzle raining down on the simple black cloth covering his shaved, tattooed head ... and affecting him about as much as it would a stone.
He waits through Dreng's briefing with about as much emotional response as a stone, as well. You see him mouth some of Dreng's more complicated words like 'ossuary'.
His thick, scarred lips split into an ugly grin when the female half-orc corrects the strange wayang, and his black eyes slowly, appreciatively take in her powerful-but-feminine warrior frame.
"Yah you are," he finally says, his voice a deep rumble. He taps two gauntletted fingers on his own chest, "Mors." He taps the tiefling on his arm, "Thadd."
Mors re-crosses his arms as he looks up into the rain, then back to Dreng. "You hand out all assignments in the rain, Dreng?"
|
Hmmm, a chance to see the funerary dances of Varisia!
"Such a lively group!", Carson exclaims excitedly. The Taldan man looks over each person, inspecting him or her with a nod.
"Do we have a contact in with the Pharasmin that we can speak to?"
After hearing about others' preparation, he nods with Mors. "I shall join thee for your short-lived quest for holy water!", following the half-orc.
|
|
The Venture Captain looks about. I was heading home when I received the news for assistance.
Mors and Thaddeus know that Kaer Maga sits in the heart of Varisia. It is a vast stone hexagon perched atop the Storval Rise that predates even the Empire of Thassilion which ruled the lands over 10,000 years ago. Carved on the cliff face below the city are numerous
representations of gigantic bodies and faces, though
who these titanic carvings actually represent is a matter
of some conjecture—the vanished runelords of ancient
Thassilon, forgotten kings, dead gods, or someone else.
Some of these massive sculptures lead into the Undercity,
a dizzying network of caverns, tunnels, and chambers,
both natural and man-made, that riddle the cliffs beneath
Kaer Maga.
They also remember hearing that the clergy of Pharasma oversee the
Godsmouth Ossuary, the most prestigious place in Kaer
Maga to be buried—and the Pharasmins charge a hefty
fee for the honor.
The Venture Captain begins to walk away. Gather your items and head out. You point of contact is a Pharasmin priest named
Valanthe Nerissia
|
|
"Yes! Ok! Right-o!", Carson cheerily acknowledging the Venture-Captain's orders before he departs. "So greetings gentlemen and ladies! I am Carson Williams, 23, born under the month of Desnus, and my favorite thing is to make people happy and excited. I hope to learn a lot from you all during our journey so I can finally create... the perfect cheer! But don't worry, I'll do my part in the front lines, too!", the blonde Taldan strapping gauntlet with three long blades sticking out. "I find it's more inspirational to inspire in the midst of the action, through thick and thin!"
|
|
Kazur likes introductions. He knows how to make an impression. Taking a hand away to rummage in his pack, he cranes his neck around to look into his backpack, and switching his juggling act to three catalyst vials in one hand. All the while, he introduces himself. "I am Kazur, demolitions specialist, alchemist, and creator of various useful gadgets and...whoops! Kazur breaks off as he 'accidentally' drops a vial, hoping someone screams. The vial, however, is not loaded. "I make explosions better than any goblin." Kazur puffs out his little chest proudly and blows into one of his other vials. It explodes outward, covering his face in ash and smoke. "Fun!"
|
|
"Ooooooh!", Carson in awe of the minor explosion of smoke. "That would make for an AWESOME entrance! Can you make it different colors?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
"I am Carson Williams, 23, born under the month of Desnus, and my favorite thing is to make people happy and excited. "
Thaddeus is taking aback by Carson's siezing, so much so that he misses a step. Reaching into his pack, he digs out a ceramic jar. "Mors, I believe this young eunic is suffering the effects of some sort of toxin. Hold him down, while I administer the leeches."
|
|
"Wha? I'm not like some Andoran politically correct action doll!", Carson retorts. Upon hearing the leeches, he steps back. "And that's no way to correct that either!", the man making his way towards a shop.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
When Mors somewhat steps in, Carson nods. "Yeah, it's not a seizure, it's a fever... and the only prescription is more dancing!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
I don't expect to survive long with this group.
A sulking elf swordsmen joins the new agents. A traveling spellbook rests comfortably on his hip near an aldori dueling sword.
"The Society does not discriminate based on race, creed, gender or sexuality. However, I wish a simple test of intelligence was required. Even those without wits are permitted sadly enough. My name is Zakon Hellborn. I am pleased to meet most of you."
Zakon gives a sarcastic smile "Leave the dead be or else they will come back to haunt you. I think our journey deserves to be more somber given the circumstance, don't you?"
He stares at Carson for a second and then walks adjacent to the Besmaran cleric and whispers. "I'll stick close if you don't mind and protect your flank. I'm betting you will prove more useful that the others."
|
|
"I'll let you know I barely passed that test Mr. Zey required of us for magical knowledge before my field commission was turned into full membership, although he did give me a similar look... yeah like that!", pointing at Zakon's expression.
Answering his question, Carson shakes his head. "It depends on the culture; there are some Shoanti tribes where the lost are celebrated, not mourned, so their spirits are remembered fondly instead of with sadness. I can respect a mournful silence, but afterwards, isn't it better to walk with a smile on your face and a hop in your step?", the Taldan bearing his cheesiest grin he can pull off.
|
|
Once everyone returns with full packs of gear and a smaller coin purse they head out at once for Kaer Maga. Many days travel by caravan and ships throughout Varisia they eventually reach the centuries old city.
Upon reaching the large temple dedicated to Pharasma they easily find the clergy named Valanthe Nerissia. She quickly ushers you into a small room. Welcome and thank you for coming so quickly. It started off as just a body or two here and there would disappear. Now dozens have mysteriously vanished over the last couple of weeks. As I explained to your employer you may keep whatever relics you deem necessary down below barring any obvious Pharismin relics or treasure.
This must remain absolutely secret. The woman waves her hand about the room. The church can make life in Kaer Maga quite difficult if you speak openly of this.
|
|
She shifts uncomfortably No of course not. The church would not allow it!
There is but one entrance to the sealed lower portions of the Ossuary. Once you enter I will lock the door behind you. Because of the restrictions I will be unable to let you out when you require it. That being said I will send you with these items.
She hands Carson a small sack. Upon opening it he finds.
- 6 potions of CLW
- Chime of Opening (5 charges)
The clergy woman picks up the hollow mithral tube. You will need this chime to get through the Pharasmin seals below. Make sure you save one charge to open the main door again before you leave or you will have to find your own way out of the Ossuary. Let me know when you area ready to depart.
|
|
Carson hands everyone one of the potions, but holds onto the chime. "If this thing is still in one piece when we're done here... it may be close to my cowbell I need!"
Looking at the others he smiles. "Don't worry, I don't plan on using it all willy nilly! I mean, I'd rather NOT be stuck in the crypts with a bunch of bodies."
He then ponders a bit at her last statement. "What do you mean find our own way out? Are you saying there IS another way in or out of the Ossuary?"
|
|
Kazur listens intently while the priestess speaks, not noticing how far he has stuck his vial up his nose. When they leave, he notices quickly and pulls it back out with great difficulty, not to mention pain. Then, as if it had taken him this long to register Zakon's statement, frowns and responds. "Hey, I'm just as smart as you. I'm just insane too! Being smart and a stick in the mud aren't mutually exclusive. You could...be...FIRE in the mud! Heeheehee!" The wayang starts up his juggling act once more, no longer paying attention to what he's saying.
|
|
Once again, Mors sits impassively through another briefing … and in the same arms-crossed posed, too. At Zerika’s question of breaking doors, the big man shrugs with a thoughtful ’it’s a good question’ look.
He ignores the combative exchange between Kazur and Zakon, instead noting and nodding to Carson’s observation about the whole ‘only one way out’ thing. ”Yah, only one way out, but bodies are missing. It’s a G@!$-d@%&ed mystery.” He looks back at the Valanthe, ”So, find the problem. Fix it. Keep what we want. Get out.” He shrugs, ”Seems easy enough.” His gaze focuses on the Pharasmin priest a bit more intensely, ”Anything we should know about before we head in? Any known threats?”
Mors seems ready to move on.
|
|
No other threats that I have seen. The woman looks at Mors as she then opens the door to lead everyone out. We will head out immediately then.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Valanthe leads the group down a narrow, twisting Cliffside path to the Godsmouth Ossuary. The group passes through the mouth of the Unnamed King. Once in the ossuary proper Mors sees hooded and robed Pharasmin priests silently tending to the deceased.
You are lead through a luxurious catacomb packed with bodies and down several flights of stairs before coming to an area that obviously sees little use. Most of the burial areas are empty and dusty, the air is musty and close. Silence reigns supreme.
Valanthe stops before a locked door where she draws out a large iron key from beneath her robes and unlocks the door.
She gestures silently for the party to enter quickly. The door grinds open despite long years of disuse. Within a stone spiral staircase descends into the Earth. Once inside she shuts the door as silently as possible, though in the silence it sounds as if an explosion erupted in the cavern. You stand in pitch darkness.