"Padre Zantus, can you tell us where the Misgivings is located? Also, we found a rune. Who would be the best person in town to ask about it?"
"Brodert Quink, maybe your best choice for knowledge on runes. He has been spending a lot of time in the Catacombs below the city since you discovered it," the kindly priest responds to Kelvin.
Brodert is at his home by early evening. He is covered in dust and smells like old man, sweat and urine. The odor in his home is worse. "The ones that found the Catacombs of Wrath. How may I assist you? Would you like some tea?" He sets to work on boiling some water and wiping out several cups with a dirty rag.
We are wondering if you might know what this rune might be.
Brandark pulls his necklace off and shows the rune to him.
Elektra produces a notebook and starts to scribe.
"I know it is of Thassalonien origin, but I am not sure about its meaning. I mean I do have a few ideas.. but nothing is convincing."
Quink gets excited when Brandark produces the Sihedron Medallion, "Fantastic! Where did you find this? I know this symbol. It is the symbol of the Runelords of Thassilon. All of them." He pauses as the water begins to boil. "Tea? About ten thousand years ago, Thassilon was at its height. Powerful in magic and wealth. At any point in time there were seven Runelords. Each drew their power from the sins of wickedness. We refer to them today as the seven deadly sins, Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Pride, Sloth and Wrath. These powerful wizards used these horrible traits to rule and dominate others, including most all of giant kind. It was through the labor of these giants that vast monuments were built, the Irespan in Magnimar, the Cyphergate in Riddleport, the great Stovall Stairs, the Old Light here in Sandpoint and much more. But these Runelords would war amongst themselves, that is until their ultimate demise. They either destroyed themselves or Heaven above had had enough of their incredible wickedness. Either way they are a thing of the past, though fascinating as they may be. But why such interest in things long gone?"
Putting the medallion back on, Brandark looks at him.
Just that this rune has been showing up recently on things, and we are trying to figure out what it means.
"Showing up on things? What do you mean? How so?" Brodert inquires of the Dwarf Cavalier.
Without getting to detailed, they were left on bodies that we have found.
I hope that I don't have to tell him that they were carved into them
When Brodert realizes that the runes were carved into the bodies, "Oh my! I have no idea. Maybe some sick cult is using the symbol for their own nefarious purposes. The Runelords are long ago dead. Only a handful of us even know their long dead language. And even then I am not sure I am pronouncing the words properly."
Hearing the words of Bordert Quink Elektra lets out a straight "HA. What else do you know about those runelords."
"Not much more. I know now from studying in the Catacombs of Wrath, that the Runelord Alaznist was certainly the last Runelord of Wrath. She, from the accounts I have read, was a real piece of work. She was not one to be betrayed or even slighted. Most of what I have found so far has been specific to Alaznist. Tea?" Brodert looks at Elektra, holding up a cup with a distinct chip in it.
It will not take Stone long to find the location of the Misgivings.
"You don't want to go there. The place is haunted," Arika Avertin says to Stone as she relays the location of the Misgivings.
The young woman, about Stone's age, reaches in a basket and pulls out a Cream Puff. You can immediately tell it was fresh made. "My sister made this, this afternoon. She loves to bake. Take it." She hands the sweet pastry to Stone. Then continues in a somewhat dreamy manner, "I so want to travel. Have you been to Magnimar? I hear it is a fantastic place."
That evening at the Rusty Dragon, the party is warmly greeted by Ameiko, "I heard you were back. I have a table reserved for you. Today we are serving a beef roast with spiced potatoes, onions and carrots. We just recieved a new keg of Dwarven Ale and the local white has been particularly sweet." She pauses, "And someone is waiting for you. She hasn't been back more than an hour." Ameiko winks and moves on to work another table.
At the reserved table is Shalelu. When the party approaches she speaks, "I have narrowed down the location of the Sandpoint Devil's lair. However, I knew something else was wrong when I saw packs of antelopes and deer fleeing to the north. Even the birds were flying north and it is not the season. I came back and learned of the infestation of Ghouls to the South. How can I help?"
Ameiko, can I get some parchment and ink. I wish to pen a missive to my father.
Plus supper sounds wonderful. I guess our usual table. He grins at her.
Lady Shalelu, welcome back. I will leave the aspect of help to the others.
"Of course," Ameiko responds to Brandark. A few minutes later Brathana brings Brandark some parchment, ink and quill.
Shalelu will give Brandark a simple head nod in the affirmative.
Garrath chuckles at Arika's attentions on Stone, and grins, "Don't worry girl, I won't let anything happen to Stone. We are the match for any haunt."
He then turns his attention to their table and grins broadly, "Shalelu! Is good to have you back. I think the Devil will have to wait for a moment. I'd like to finish what I started, but we have other nasties to set down first. A whole nest of ghouls it would seem." He laughs and grabs an ale as he sits his bulk down on a groaning chair. "Do you know of this...'Misgivings'?"
After supper and in his room, Brandark writes down a long letter for his father detailing what they have run into, and letting him know that he should start making ale for the dragon in sandpoint.
He also states that he may not write again for a bit, due to him wanting to help the town out of its problems.
I got to get me a signet so I can seal these properly.
He then seals the letter.
Shalelu looks at Garrath, "I know of the Misgivings. The place is haunted. But, I have not heard of any spirits leaving that place."
A little later Brathana brings Shalelu a bottle of wine. Shalelu gets up, "Excuse me. A bath is calling." She gives Garrath a wink and heads up stairs.
Day Twenty-Five
Brandark presses the letter into Amikeo's hand and a handful of silver.
If you could be seeing as to getting this delivered to my father in Highhelm, it would be appreciated.
We shall, but I think it will take another couple of days for it to be ready. He said that it would take a week, and we have only been 3 days.
Until then, I would be honoured to show you what Shadowmist can do.
Stone's ability to Handle Animals will determine how well Shadowmist's performs tricks. Shadowmist's current tricks are:
Guard (DC 20): The animal stays in place and prevents others from approaching.
Defend (DC 20): The animal defends you (or is ready to defend you if no threat is present), even without any command being given. Alternatively, you can command the animal to defend another specific character.
Attack (DC 20): The animal attacks apparent enemies. You may point to a particular creature that you wish the animal to attack, and it will comply if able. Normally, an animal will attack only humanoids, monstrous humanoids, giants, or other animals. Teaching an animal to attack all creatures (including such unnatural creatures as undead and aberrations) counts as two tricks. Shadowmist will attack undead.
Come (DC 15): The animal comes to you, even if it normally would not do so.
Down (DC 15): The animal breaks off from combat or otherwise backs down. An animal that doesn't know this trick continues to fight until it must flee (due to injury, a fear effect, or the like) or its opponent is defeated.
Kelvin gets his gear ready, and when Stone suggests leaving he responds "ready to go."
[ooc]To Craft a Headband of Vast Intelligence +2, it would take two days, 2000gp and you would need Fox's Cunning . You Spellcraft check is high enough for this to be automatic. Without Fox's Cunning the Spellcraft check is a DC 18. Day 25 will be used for Stone to heal the farmer. Do you take Day 26 for this task as well?/ooc]
Day Twenty-Five
Day Twenty-Six
Elektra will do so
Character sheet updated.
By all means. I will meet you in the stables when you are done with the farmers
After breakfast, Brandark heads to the stables to wait for Stone.
Day Twenty-Seven
Before departure, Brandark goes over and pays the remainder for his barding.
He then brings it back to the stables and introduces it to Abacus.
He then takes a couple of minutes to ensure that Stone has the barding on shadowmist properly, before he gets Suzie ready to go.