Sverrir nods at Markus' chain of thought;
"Aye... The dead in the vater... little son of stein, now these windborne warriors... Fyr remains? "
Yes, Sverrir... More specifically there was a watery elemental before the dead, they co-existed. Was there fire... I forget.
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"If you don't mind Lucid, I'll go with you. I'd also like to hear what Master Allustan has to say."
Absolutely Khryn. I would appreciate the back-up. Its not that I don't trust that wizard. I do. And I have the utmost respect for him. But ever since he tuned me down for an apprenticeship I am uncomfortable around him.
It seemed each color of light indicated an element. We've experienced or seen Earth, Water, Air...I'd expect Fire. To complete the traditional four.
Sverrir flashes a grin as he claps Markus on his broad shoulder;
"Har! The Fyr is in our bellies lads! Now let us meet with this Wizard und Great Sage to see what he makkes of oor tales und trinkets..."
Well we searched the whole area Markus and we didn't see anything. Perhaps there was an fire elemental here once but it might have escaped or been somewhere that collapsed. Perhaps its time we head back? Ramos mutters thinking about a warm meal and a cup of dice.
I'd like to check the red light once more.
The lanterns keyed to different locations or levels within the cairn.
So we are done here? Ramos mutters, eager to get back to Diamond Lake.
Sverrir nods;
"Aye... seems like it. I have a jotunn's thirst building! Har!"
Let's be on the lookout for Smenk's lackeys, boys. And not too flashy with our findings. Discretion, as the better part of valor.
Meet up for food and drink.
Satisfied with your success in exploring the cairn, you set up camp for the night and prepare for an early departure back to town . The next morning, laden with your spoils, you make the trip back towards town. Arriving in the early afternoon, the group splits to take care of some business, agreeing to meet back up for some vittles later.
As you enter town, you see a number of locals do double takes at your approach and then advert their eyes. A few quickly decide they have other places to be and disappear down alleys and side streets.
At your knock the Mage opens the door with his usual, half distracted, ”Oh who’s bothering me now?” but the words die on his lips when he sees who’s on his doorstep. With a quick look around he quickly ushers you inside.
”What have you boys been up to? I thought you were just going to be exploring a cairn, but now I hear that there’s a warrant out for your arrest. You’ve all been accused of murdering a friend of one of the mine bosses. The sheriff and town guard have all been out looking for you. What have you done?”
When you step inside the dark smoky room. The doorman immediately grabs you by the arm and tries to drag you back outside.
”Out. We can’t have you bringing your trouble in here right now. There’s a couple of off duty guards at the tables and they’re looking for you guys. You had better leave before they see you.”
Your trip to the smithy doesn’t seem overly unusual and though the smith’s eyes widen a bit when you enter his shop, he listens to you order and, making a few notes, agrees to make your battle flask. As you turn the leave, you see the man seem to struggle with himself a bit before saying, ”You’d best be careful. The Law’s looking for you. Not my business why, just thought you should know.”
Before arriving. Lads, we might have trouble... We seem to be pariah. I'm gonna be polite and ask... when you'd like me to say I told you so.
Noticing the people avoiding the group too, Pavo comments, "Yes, it is strange. I wonder what is going on?"
After heading to the Emporium with Ramos and summarily be tossed out, Pavo, completely shocked, turns to Ramos and says, "Whatever is going on, it must be serious. The Emporium has been my home since I was a boy. They wouldn't just toss me out unless it was bad. Best not to stay here and figure out what is going on. I say we meet up with the others and see what they might know."
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Sverrir eyes the locals with caution, but remembers his repute as a drunkard and brawler oft elicits such a response...
The dwur nods his appreciation to the smith;
"Minn thanks..."
before returning to add 10 more gold to the upfront payment on the battle-flask
"... for the trouble..."
Out on the street, the thirsty dwur licks at parched lips and swallows with a burning throat as he passes a tavern...
... before turning back and reluctantly entering...
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Something is certainly up. Lucid comments. But before you go getting too smug Markus, you have to realize that we are not ever gonna be best buddies with that necromancer. He was running to his friends regardless of what we did, unless we paid him for the damage we did to his undead abominations. And after seeing that Kirin pelt I was never gonna be his buddy either.
At Allustan's: We've murdered no one I can assure you Allustan. Who is it that they say we murdered? Lucid stammers looking at his friends for backup. We have come to see you with news and for guidance. We have found some significant things. I better start at the beginning... Lucid tells the group's story without pulling any punches. He describes the groups conflict with the necromancer and covers the moral dilemma the party found itself in. He produces the worm in the jar and explains what he believes it to be to Allustan and also the strange box from the final tomb of the wind duke in the cairn. We did run the guy out of town Allustan, but did not kill him. What do you think we should do? And what do you think about this worm?
Nodding to agree with Pavo, Ramos scowls. It must have been Fildge. After we let him go I bet he ran back and told his boss about it. Peering down the street, Ramos flexes his spiked gauntlet. Let's go find the others. At least then we will be a moving target.
"Well look at what we have here."
Turning, you find yourself face to face, with the scarred vissage of Kullen, the surly half-orc you dealt with before.
"You done messed up dwarf. You and your friends should have known better than to put your noses where their not wanted. Now, my orders are to take you to the lock up, but if you want have that dance we talked about," he pats the huge axe at his side, "we can finish this here and now."
Allustan looks at Lucid sternly, "Well that's a little different than the story in town. The accusation is that you killed a guest of Balabar Smenk and his whole dinner party. A number of people saw you accost some of Smenk's men at the Feral Dog about something and overheard them telling you about the observatory. When Smenk friend didn't show up for an appointment, he had some of the Sheriff's men go investigate and they found signs of a struggle and a whole dinner party murdered. The evidence suggests that you all are responsible."
He pauses to think,
"Though I have no doubt that your version is the true one, I don't see how you're going to be able to just make this go away. I would suggest that you turn yourselves in and I'm sure we can clear this all up in a day or so. It shouldn't be hard to prove that the bodies had been preserved."
"As for th worm, I'm not sure. If you leave it here, I could investigate it more thoroughly while you deal with your legal troubles.
"Not sure what is going on, but I am not a fan of the local watch. Bunch of corrupt sacks the lot. I am doing what I do best." With that, he attempts to slip into the crowd, disheveling his hair, turning his coat around and changing the way he moves while he heads in a direction away from the noise of the guards.
Thank you, Allustan.
Though, I am not a great fan of the church in most cases, perhaps they can help. If you would do us the favor of getting this to the temple of Heironious... The priests there. Perhaps your combined knowledge could solve this dark mystery, more quickly.
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Good thinking Markus. I believe I know what it is, and have shared that with you, but not what it means for the town, or greater area,... or even all of Greyhawk. he adds darkly. The dinner party were all zombies of a sort. We killed no one. And I was not even involved at the Feral Dog. I am not for turning myself in when I know the law is for sale Allustan. Surely you have other advise. He looks to Markus for his thoughts.
He gives a disapproving look,
"Some of those probably will stick and there will be a hefty fine at the very least, maybe some lashes or time in the stocks. It really depends on who oversees the trial. Though honestly I doubt it'll go that far. If Smenk wanted you dead he wouldn't go about it this way. An arrow in the back, a knife in the dark, those are more to his liking. He's set his dogs to find you and bring you in. Now why that might be, I couldn't say."
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Then my instinct is right. Markus, I know it might not sit well with you but I think its time we leave town. All my life I have wanted to see Greyhawk. Seems like as good a time as any. But first Allustan I wanted to show you this. Something in this sealed box is magic. And its sealed with lead, or something better. Came right out of the Wind Duke's tomb it did. I figured I might need you to help me get it open. He hands the box over the the wizard.
Markus considers, as the two confer. Lucid, I think you should rally the others and go. I'm not the running kind. I'll go in and claim responsibility.
Everything will be fine. Allustan, would you hold my things? I'll be back to collect them, sooner or later, one way or another. Markus starts to divest himself.
Sverrir flashes a grim smile at the brutal half-breed;
"Oh aye we'll dance Kullen... but you'll keep until I've downed a dram or three..."
The dwur makes for the bar and orders 3 boilermakers
Allustan takes the box, "I take it that you tested it for magical properties already. This is a very old box, these glyphs represent the demon queen of chaos."
He rummages around a bit until he finds a small pry bar. He works it into the soft solder sealing the pewter box and with a grunt of effort, manages to pop the top off. Inside is a long handle attached to an adamantine hoop. (You recognize it from the murals in the tomb. It was being held by the demon that seemed to be controlling the sphere of annihilation.)
Allustan lets out a low whistle and casts a spell.
"As I thought, you two have stumbled onto a talisman of the sphere. It seems to be dormant at present, which is not too surprising considering how long it must have lain there. It's neet bit of ancient magic and who knows it might come in handy if you start stumbling in spheres of annihilation."
"Of course Markus, you may store anything you wish here. It's not like the place could get more cluttered."
The barman sets Sverrir with one drink, "Finish your drink and go. I don't want any more trouble in my place."
The half-orc puts a meaty paw on Sverrir's shoulder, "Come on Dwarf, let's just pretend we're civilized folk for a minute and walk out all calm like. I don't want to have to drag you in, but I will if you make me."
You mean the wolf-spider thing... I think these were her fangs.. Markus produces the twin red-tipped black objects.
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If Markus is decided that he will turn himself in then maybe you could store me here as well Allustan, at least for a while. If things go bad for Markus while in captivity I want to be close enough to help him. OIf you allow me to stay perhaps you could teach me a few spells while I am holed up. Of course I am willing to pay for any training.
Markus smiles. I can pay for storage, as well... including anything my stuff eats.
The dwur nods his head;
"Aye half breed... first a drink or twa..."
Sverrir downs a boilermaker, then another before letting out a loud belch.
His tone and mood blacken as he turns toward Kullen
"Now... breed... lets finish this on the street..."
The dwur will barrel outside and face the thug with a grim smile;
"Going tae leave you broken in the gutter 'breed..."
"Those are just run of the mill demon horns. The wolf-spider demon queen was banished by the use of the rod of law. She lives still, as a vile godess of chaos."
"You may stay here Lucid, but I wont hide you. If the watch comes knocking, I will not shelter you from them. Though if you are arrested, I will help to insure that any trial is fair."
"No need for payment, Markus. Let's just call it a favour for a favour.I've always liked having people own me favours."
Allustan allows Lucid to copy spells for the usual copying fee.
Kullen follows Sverrir outside, trailed by a few bar flies looking to watch the show.
"I asked you to come along nicely, but if you want to do this the hard way, so be it."
0—all
1st—alarm,comprehend languages, color spray, feather fall, mage armor, silent image, shocking grasp, Tenser’s floating disc, true strike, charm person, identify, magic missile, magic weapon, shield
2nd—fog cloud, glitterdust, false life, gust of wind, invisibility, knock, mirror image, spider climb, resist energy, scorching ray, see invisibility, web
3rd—displacement, explosive runes, gentle repose, haste, stinking cloud, water breathing, deep slumber, dispel magic, fireball, fly
4th—remove curse, stone shape, scrying, summon monster IV, wall of fire, dimension door, stoneskin
Has Kullen drawn a weapon or are we doing this with fist, boot and head?
Kullen hasn't drawn his axe. Initiative is to you, so weapon of choice is in you hands.
Best of luck to everyone. I'll go see about turning myself in. See you soon.. Dressed in common britches and a cotton shirt, simple belt and boots, Markus heads out.
At the towering half orc's threat something snaps inside the down-trod and drunken dwur;
With a slurred bellow, a wild eyed Sverrir launches a wilder haymaker at Kullen;
"Kommen 'breed... Let's dance!"
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Best of luck to everyone. I'll go see about turning myself in. See you soon.. Dressed in common britches and a cotton shirt, simple belt and boots, Markus heads out.
Before you go Markus, let me do this for you. Unless Markus does not want the enchantment Lucid will cast Mage Armor on him - 3 hour duration. I think you could need this more than I this day.
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Standing alone in the street, Ramos watches as Pavo slinked off into the shadows. Frowning to himself, he squeezed his mailed fist tight. This whole stupid town was run by scum so he shouldn’t have been surprised when he got in the way of Fildge. If he fought back against the guards then they could keep him locked up for who knows how long. Dammit!
Digging into the pouch at his side, Ramos took out a old greyhawk copper. Flipping it up into the air he watched it circle in slow motion.
Heads I go with them, Tails I run. Ramos thought as the coin fell.
Watching the copper clink against the stone he saw an old worn away face, looking up at him from the edge.
Well f' me, lord. I hope this works out. Ramos muttered to himself as he marched towards the sound of the approaching guards while placing his faith in Ralishaz.
Thank you, brother. Markus gives Lucid a fraternal hug and shakes hands with Allustan.
"You stupid drunken idiot. If the boss didn't want you alive, I would cut you to ribbons."
Kullen tackles you, wrapping his arms around you and pinning your arms to your sides.
Knowing the town like the back of your hand, you manage to keep to the side streets and alleys, avoiding the guard patrols. You slowly make your way to Smenk's manor. The great house is opulent and the grounds well tended. The front door, though, stands open and the front foyer seems to have been torn appart by wild animals.
You remember that Smenk keeps three trained apes as guard animals and lets them roam the the lower floor of the house. Anyone who wants to visit Smenk at home, has to make it past them first.
Turning yourselves in to the town guard gets you taken firmly to the town lock up. Any questions directed towards the guards are met with a glare and a "Shut you squawk box!" At the jail, you are divested of any gear you might have on your person and this put into a woollen sack, affixed with a tag with your name on it, and placed in a small storage room.
The cell you are placed in is surprisingly clean, all things considered and though you don't arrive together, you are placed in the same communal lock up.
After some time, Sheriff Cubbin enters the room and gives you a smile. Cubbin is a big man, who's belly strains against his crisp, clean uniform shirt and hangs over his belt.
"I always like it when the guilty turn themselves in. Makes my life so much easier. Now boys, where might your buddies be hiding? We know that you all came in together and this town isn't really that big. We'll find them soon enough, but you could save us all some time, if you could just tell us where they're at."
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Whilst the brutish half orc has pinned Sverrir, the drunken dwur merely grins and attempts to plant a head butt on his grappler;
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Markus looks up from the bench. I didn't kill anyone, Sheriff. Who's bringing these as accusations? You got a body?
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Sverrir's head butt catches Kullen in the face, splitting his lip and spraying blood. Growling with pain, the half-orc forces the struggling dwarf to the ground. He looks up to the gawkers watching the brawl, "Get me some rope and go find a guard."
The sheriff gives you a hard look, "Why me of course, as a lawful representative of the state. A friend of good Master Smenk is missing and feared dead. I sent some of my men to investigate the old observatory that he had been staying at and they reported that the place had been broken into and ransacked. They found dead bodies everywhere. A bunch of folk over at the Feral Dog overheard you all threatening some of Smenk's boys and them telling you to go to the observatory. So folks want to tell me what you were doing over there?"
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Once Markus is gone from Allustan's Lucid uses his pearl of power to recall his Mage Armor spell. Using his knowledge of the town, can he think of a place where he could go to wait this out that would be safer that his current location. Reevaluating his position he does not want to put Allustan in the awkward position of turning him in if/when the guard come to call at this location.
Filge is his name, he's a Necromancer... death magic. We come across the old bones of that missing Land boy, whose family owns the Land farm. We went to lay his bones with his kin in the family plot at the farm.
Family remains are missing with fresh holes. We find a severed arm. Coming into town, we see Smenk's boys, missing an arm. Two and two, they tell us about Filge needing bodies for his hobby.
We go, get shot at and poisoned by animated skeletons. Find a dining room of zombies... Check the decay on the bodies yourself. Long dead. Skeletons turn out to be the Land kin, but one is missing. So we keep looking and stumble across a lab or workshop or whatever.
He's making bugbear zombies and growing them in vats. They break out and attack. What else you wanna know? Got any water?