The party rests, and after breakfast and morning meditation, Arael approaches the party.
I will make the proper preparation for the communion with the spirit. Please make sure you have a solid hold on what questions you will ask. Once the candle runs out, there will be no more opportunity. Do not be fooled by its size. It will not burn for long.
Turning to the others, Tessai puts in: "Ok then, what have we got?"
"What happened after Delvehaven was sealed?"
"What creatures and traps can we expect there?"
"Has anyone ever tried to reclaim Delvehaven and if so how did they plan to do it?"
"What information did the Pathfinders leave behind?"
"Where is the off-site hidden cache for the Delvehaven Pathfinders located?"
"Who can decipher this poem?Where is he/she located?"
Then turning to Arael she adds: "Do we have a definite answer on how long this will last, or how many questions we can pose?"
Aemon wakes up, struggling to wake properly after everything that has been happening lately finally get's up when he hears everyone moving about and talking. The small white wolf that has been following Aemon for some time now is again at his feet as he walks into the main hall.
"Morning everyone, are we talking about the candle? i've had my say this is up to the more educated of us i'm happy to go with what Tessai and Brandon have to say we had similar ideas on its use." He grabs a scrap off the table and feeds it to the wolf. "You've all been curious with what i was to do with the wolf we found, he seems to be become attracted to me." Aemon starts to pet the wolf.
"He reminds me of my brother, he had white hair." A smile washes over Aemon face as he looks to Javian. "He's going to stay with us and help us out, i'm not sure what his story is or why he was in that place but he's part of the team now. You can call him Ashen... it was my brothers name before the Hellknights took him away." Aemon then fall silent, half finishing what he had to say and half lost in memory.
Animals are wary of Brandon. He can recall several occasions where dogs slink back away from him or cats hiss when they cast their eyes upon him.
It's Edmond. They think there's something 'wrong' in me. They just don't know what it is.
He bends to pet Ashen, for Aemon to name the wolf after his lost brother, the animal must mean a lot to him. He doesn't expect much. A growl, maybe even to get bitten. But Aemon has grown into a friend and he wants to try for his sake.
To Brandon's amazement, the wolf doesn't shy away. It moves it's head to one side, rubbing up against Aemon's leg and shying from his touch - but its certainly better than drawing blood!
Heh. Good boy.
He's looking much better now, Aemon. His coat is thicker, he's put a bit of weight back on. When we first saw him, I didn't even think he'd make it.
Turning back to the others he says;
Those are the questions we want to ask Areal, how many will we get during this process?
"Makes sense Kyle" - Tessai nods.
Sounds good to me, too. Let's focus on the practical questions - where's the off-site cache, why did they close Delvehaven, how we can get back in - these seem like the keys to me. Then we can ask about traps and poems and whatnot. If we know we only get so many questions, let's plan to have a couple we can use for follow-ups, too.
Ailyn sits nearby, and weathered journal open with pen in hand. I'll make sure to record everything that is said.
It sounds like you have your questions ready. Tessai, would you like me to begin the ritual?
"Yes. It is time. We need to move forward."
|
Arael finishes preperations and lights the candle. He goes into a trance and asks questions ...
The spiritual fragment the grave candle calls up is dour and depressed, periodically lapsing into sobs, bemoaning Aroden’s death, or cursing the House of Thrune.
"What happened after Delvehaven was sealed?"
After Delvehaven was sealed, the Pathfinders stationed there disbanded. Ilnerik had already left the society a few weeks before, after I had a falling-out with Donatalus. I viewed Westcrown’s salvation as a lost cause, but I was unable to convince Coriana to leave with me, so he stayed in Westcrown.
"What creatures and traps can we expect there?"
Unforunately, I did not pay much attention to those details.
"Has anyone ever tried to reclaim Delvehaven and if so how did they plan to do it?"
I was killed shortly there after.
[i]We aren't getting all the answers we hoped for...[/b]
And what of the hidden cache of weapons and artifacts, where is it located?
Brandon cant really hide how much this is disturbing him.
"Thank you Brandon, he seemed to get really attached to me i've been training him" Aemon then looks down at Ashen and nods. "He is starting to look a lot better than when we found him"
Aemon is already standing back, not sure what he was expecting from a talking head. This is only giving us more questions. But he keeps his mouth shut not wanting to waste anytime.
Beppo looks anxiously from one investigator to the head, back to the poser of the next question, back to the dead head.
Come on, come on! Give us some insight already! Don't tell me all that brilliance in the arena was for nothing more than the sheer thrill it gave to Westcrown
Beppo leans toward Tessai and whispers, Who was Coriana?
Aemon looks anxiously on as he see's the candle burn down, even Ashen can pick up on it as he rubs at Aemon's leg. I hope we get something
|
|
"How can we get back into Delvehaven?"
I...I'm not sure. When Delvehaven was sealed, lodge wizards laced the
halls with magical traps and activated several guardians. Coriana knows more, I am sure.
"Why did you decide to close it?"
Aroden died and Westcrown became the epicenter of a civil war. In the face of riots, madness, and destruction, The remaining Pathfinders of Delvehaven and I decided to seal the lodge in the hope that, after the war resolved, we might be able to return to Delvehaven. Yet the chaos of the civil war was more than we anticipated, and while Delvehaven was indeed sealed many of us were fated to meet our own individual dooms not long thereafter.
"Where is the last location of the pathfinders that you know of?"
I believe Bisby and Loremaster Liriam left Westcrown and teleported to Absalom. His voice drops with saddness. Coriana Heavenscape, however, remained behind to help organize Westcrown’s recovery from the recent chaos and tragedy. I told her that Westcrown’s salvation as a lost cause, but I was unable to convince Coriana to leave with him, so he stayed in Westcrown with her. Coriana’s opposition to House Thrune caught the attention of the Sisterhood of Eiseth, a group
of murderous monks dedicated to the art of slaying.
His voice trembles with anger. They murdered her, cremated her, and stored her below their small convent, a place known as Massacre House. I retaliated by throwing my remaining resources behind the resistance, but then, I too was killed. I'm sure that my petrification was the work of an assassin from the Sisterhood.
Arael's eyes open. I'm afraid the spirit is gone. The candle is spent.
Amazing! They were so...brave! You see a tear from fall from the corner of her eye.
Beppo leans back, soaking in the information. In contrast to Ailyn's response, Beppo's first reaction is Oof - magical traps and active guardians, eh? That could be tricky. Since we've got more grave candles, let's try to locate this Coriana...no?
As Ailyn shoots him a look for his callousness, his only reply is, What? We have work to do.
I don't know what the Massacre House is but it doesn't sound like a place full of sunshine and rainbows that's for sure. Does anyone know anything about these Sisters of Eiseth? Could they be reasoned with to return her remains? I think speaking to Coriana is a priority now.
They are a sick faith, Arael answers.
The Sisterhood of Eiseth existed in the time before Aroden’s death as a convent of female monks who hoped to become erinyes after their deaths. By worshiping the first erinyes, Eiseth, and leading a life of fury, they hoped to train for this role in the afterlife, and frequently hired out as assassins. Their work was particularly valued by some for their convention of claiming the remains of their victims, cremating them, and securing the ashes below one of their convents in order to prevent the slain victim from being brought back to life or receiving the honor of a proper burial. In the time before Aroden’s death, the Sisterhood was forced to operate with a cover—most of their convents posed as mausoleums or funeral houses.
I make it my job to keep an eye on other groups in the city, especially those who ally closely with House Thrune. In recent years, they've been on the decline. It is indeed ironic that in our day, where they can act relatively openly, the Sisterhood has languished. Most of their monasteries are now abandoned, and those that remain are run by relatively small numbers of low-level monks. This Massacure House isn't much different, if they haven't changed since I last had it scouted.
That chapter of the Sisterhood stubbornly maintains its convent in the ruined section of the city, refusing to relocate their traditional home to safer areas. Of course, the order’s relatively notorious reputation does much to keep the lowlifes and thugs who live in the ruins from bothering the building. Devout worshipers of Eiseth, the Sisters are staunch supporters of House Thrune and make it their business to keep a watchful eye over Westcrown’s piety.
It is my understanding that they still carry out assassinations now and then, but if they are, they do so keeping a low profile. Anyway, the 'Massacre House' in the northern reaches of the ruins.
Ailyn's tears flow more freely as the two leaders speak, causing her face to turn red. She looks mortified. So... Coriana’s is languishing in a jar in the basement of an Asmodean nunnery? That is no fate I would wish on anyone!”
She pauses for a minute and looks at Tessai. I want those ashes! It sounds you are heading there. Please, bring them back. I promise you 100
platinum if you they can do so.
It may be the only way to learn about the protections that surround the lodge. There is some good news for you. While infiltrating Massacre House is likely no easy matter the Sisterhood’s self-selected isolation will work to your advantage if you take the more head on approach. Put simply, what happens in Massacre House stays in Massacre House. She smiles. By keeping themselves in the old ruins area, and very self contained, there's no one outside of the organization to witness and report what you do while you are there. Even if you resort to violence, they are well outside city jurisdiction.
Aemon smiles at Kyles response "It seems we know where we're heading next then these sisters sound like the type that should be put out of business Kyle and its another step in our mission. It will be nice to get out, We'll get the ashes of Coriana Heavenscape."
Beppo's eyebrows rise noticeably at Ailyn's promise. He grins at Janiven's words.
Rid the city of a bunch of evil mad monks, get intel on Delvehaven, and make some money at the same time? I will gather my things.
I don't think going up against a bunch or trained assassins is going to be as easy as they think. Still, we've come through worse.
I've got some work to do. Edmond and I have been formulating something... extraordinary!
He can barely contain the excitement in his voice and spends the next hour or so scribbling equations on his blackboard.
Be careful if you head out at night. Shadow Beasts still patrol the streets. During the day, be careful when leaving the city proper, as the watch or knights may see you and get curious.
"I'm expecting we can navigate the sewers as far as possible, as have passed before - I would like to gather as much information as possible about what we are up against though, before proceeding. We have been blessed by luck and skill so far, but things can take a turn for the worse at any time - we require adequate preparation"
Standing up she adds - "Do you boys think we have one day to spare?"
The matter is important, but not urgent. Take whatever time is needed to prepare yourselves properly. If you are taking at least one day, I would appreciate an hour of Kyle's time tomorrow in the morning.
Aemon nods at Arael. "We need to be prepared, i don't want us running into god knows what everyone should get the gear they need before we set off."
"I will be going out for a stroll through Westcrown tomorrow - if we need to re-equip, we need to go out. Also I want to get a feel for how things are at the moment, after we have started our... Activities" - Tessai smiles.
"Anyone care to join me?"