"Well, I understand you have some information and historically signficant items." he says. (translated via share languages spell).
"Ahem, well then, yes. Let' see what you have there. May I?" he waits a moment then just proceeds, looking at the dirty armor and weapons that the cairn wights used.
"These date to the Monurgin era, several centuries ago. I can't make out the maker's mark, but they are clearly masterwork quality. There may have been many masterwork smiths from the era. They are of some value, but nothing terribly noteworthy. Adventurers like yourselves pull stuff like this out of old ruins all the time. In a big city those who fancy such antiquities may have an interest in these things, but out here, you are better off just selling it on the market and getting what you can. Whoever buys it will end up getting it to someone who appreciates it."
"Now, what if this painting? You say there is something strange about it?"
"It is cursed with a fel magic." Prar gurgles.
"Thank you for your opinion Loremaster Cronin, and for your time. I'm sure you are a busy man. Could you possibly recommend someone who could make some purchases on our behalf? We don't wish to rile any of the local populace if we can avoid it."
Champawat will inquire about purchasing the following items:
MW Studded Leather Armor (175 gp)
MW Backpack (50 gp)
MW Thieves Tools (100 gp)
Silk rope, any length (10 gp per 50 feet.)
Bandolier (5 sp)
Compass (10 gp)
Journal (10 gp)
Total: 355.5+ 10 per 50 feet of silk rope
Champawat feels better as the darkness fades that had been sapping her soul.
You feel he is being honest.
Loremaster Cronin says "Excuse me a moment." he casts a spell, protection from evil on himself and begins to examine the painting.
As he looks it over frowning, he responds to Champawat's question, "You know, one of the other groups of you people used a local halfling girl to assist in their market endeavors, Jopple was her name I think. She was almost crippled in a logging accident and now does odd jobs. I will see if I can find out where she is. [b]"This painting is strange indeed. As you say Prar there is fell magic and a curse on it. While its pull is not terribly powerful, there is something going on here. It may be some sort of conduit. Not something you would want to hang in your parlor I should say. If you will allow me, I would like to study it more."
"Marshal Pinnickee, would you be able to find the girl Jopple to aid these people with their shopping needs?"
"That would be most appreciated, Master Cronin. Thank you."
Loremaster Cronin bows to the group and nods. "Well then, I will certainly begin my investigation. I must warn you, much of my time is already spoken for by the Thain providing guidance and insight into our enemy incursion, but in my spare moments I will do what I can."
With that, the Loremaster carefully wraps the painting, and asks one of the guards to carry it back to his quarters with him. You found the Loremaster to be one of the more pleasant and easy to deal with people so far. You also ponder Marshal Pinnickee who seems to be fairly tolerant of your appearance and backgrounds.
Marshal Pinnickee states, "Well ok, I have some reports to file, and I will look for this girl Jopple, and see if she can aid you in your mercantile endeavors." She leaves with the remaining entourage of guards. In the mean time you dump out the haul of coins and start counting and sorting them, trying to identify their metals.
A few hours later there is a soft knock on the door. You open the door and a small halfling girl stands there. She smiles and waves. One of you still has the share languages active (24 hours) from the Marshal. "Hi, I'm Jopple."
The halfing girl is quite small and waifish, with a mop of medium length black hair and large dark eyes. She is proudly dressed in parade armor and carries a new dagger at her side. She limps slowly in and uses a cane to assist her walk, and you can see that she has some sort of permanent leg injury. She takes in the group and nods. "I helped another group, so I can help you. I know the markets pretty well."
"We appreciate it Loremaster Cronin. If you ever need anything just let us know." With a respectful bow, Goivan leads the party out.
Goivan gives a smile at the little halfling girl with a pang of regret for her injury. "Hello Jopple. I am glad to have somebody of such expertise to help us. Would you like something to eat or drink while we compile a list of what we want to guy?"
"Sure, thank you. Wow....what are you?" She looks at Goivan and timidly pokes at his thick skin. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to poke."
She stuffs a bread roll in her mouth and surprisingly managed to get the whole thing in. "MMghm mrrhrmm."
With Goivan's thick skin (figuratively and literally), it takes him a moment to realize she was poking him. He gives a disarming smile. "An awakened gargoyle. I don't mind, we are certainly the odd ones in your home."
"I am a hobgoblin." Qahnaarin clears his throat. "I have heard that in this world my kind are rather warlike and evil. You may have no such fear for me. Do you know where we might find a magic shop?"
She nods at Goivan in comprehension and points to her mouth sheepishly as she tries to chew and swallow the roll before responding. Then she replies to Qahnaarin, "Ahh hobgoblin. The other group had a goblin. Grobly, do you know him? You guys look nothing alike." She clears her throat and puts on her business-like voice, "Oh, well there aren't any magic shops in town here, this place is pretty small, but it is possible to turn up things sometimes, there are people who sell stuff like that on the side as they come across it. I can ask around. Also, I am proud to say, I have been accepted as an apprentice to a wizard who is able to enchant things. If I cannot find what you are looking to buy, she may be able to create what you need. " She chews on her lower lip and pulls out a little slate board and chalk from her hip pack. "Time for a list!" Her giant dark eyes look back waiting.
"This may sound odd... but I am in need of a trainer. It is not something that I am able to undertake prior to the enemy arriving, but your knowledge of the city will be invaluable nonetheless. I am looking for something called a 'kineticist.' One who can shape and direct the elements through communion with the earth, air, fire, water, and ether. If you can find someone, I would be most grateful." He rubs his chin for a moment. "Otherwise, I am afraid that our treasures are still insufficient for powerful items. Perhaps a wand to heal ourselves. We can pool together."
Jopple scrunches her nose and furrows her brow. "A whatacist? I never heard of that. I'm sorry I am just an appreantice, well my training hasn't even started. I can ask my mentor if she knows what you mean." She scrawls some notes about elements and ether.
"All right this will be a start at least." She takes Champawat's list, and also notes down some healing wands. "It might be hard to get wands like this with an approaching army of giants. People will want to keep that sort of thing to themselves until the danger has passed. I will try."
She gets up slowly, bracing on her good leg and taking her crutch. She hobbles to the door. "I think you could come with me, I am not sure what they are allowing these days. If they let you guys into the streets or not." She frowns a bit realizing that it sounded sort of rude the way she said it, but doesn't really know how to rephrase it.
"Tell me Jopple, have you ever ridden on the shoulders of a gargoyles? I haven't personally mind you, so I can only imagine the view from up there, but it must be a unique perspective. I'm sure if you asked nicely, Goivan here would be happy to have you as a guide to show him the town. Why, I would think you would be the envy of all of your friends."
"Oh....Well, I wouldn't want to impose. I am capable of walking." She frowns a bit, her handicap evident, and struggling whether to take the aid or prove that she can manage on her own. Clearly walking with her would be a slow process, her legs are already short, and with one partially disabled she moved about half the speed of a normal person.
"Forgive me Jopple. I do not mean offense. I have no doubt you can walk, and if you have helped others of our family already, you Have already proven you are capable. I only meant to offer aid that would benefit all of us. You see, you leg may be injured, but our hearts are injured. We have lost someone very dear to us. We have lost our home, and we find ourselves in a very strange land that we do not know. We were taught to help how ever we can, but in this situation, there is very little else we can offer. Please, let Goivan accompany you. He will keep you safe, he can carry what we need, and he can move quickly. We also need to learn more of this place, and I can think of no better guide than you."
"There is no shame in accepting help, Jopple. You are serving us with your guidance, and we would like to serve you." Qahnaarin gives her a toothy smile.
"I did help another group of you guys. Lump the frog man was a good friend, he bought me this fine armor and other things. There were others too, sort of intimidating group. They had all these animals and things. I'll go with Goivan, but I don't want to be carried. People will make fun of me more than they already do." She sets her jaw firmly, hoping the issue is settled.
"I am ready to go now. Lets hit the shops."
"Fair enough, we would not want to do anything to embarrass you. A walk of the town would be good as well, perhaps I can learn more about it."
Jopple and Goivan make their way from the fort, escorted by a unit of dwarven guards. Even in town the guard unit accompanies the pair.
Jopple takes the small troop down winding streets stopping at various shops.
She asks about the masterwork armor, but something like that is just not in supply, although regular studded leather armor is. She is able to find a masterwork backpack however, that a crafter just finished. He is quite excited to show how well it carries items and sits on ones back.
Jopple quietly asks at a bookstore about a certain book of the proprieter. He frowns and says "No we don't have that book in stock, but we have the previous printing." Jopple is also able to find silk rope, just arrived on a shipment of a brave merchant, bringing goods last minute to the fort.
Bandolier, compass and journal are easy enough to find.
Goivan quietly follows along, trying to pick up on knowledge about the city and the people and society in it, being a silent observer.
Champawat offers Jopple 100 gp as well as the regular backpack as payment. "Thank you Jopple. You have again proven your talent and value. We appreciate your efforts, and if we can ever assist you, please let me know."
Jopple and Goivan return with the purchased goods. She says "I will keep an eye out for those other items. If they come in on a shipment, the vendors will let me know, and they now also know there is a need, so some of the merchants, those that come and go via caravan, will put out the word in other cities. It may take a while for one to arrive, but it might also just be as fast or faster than waiting for a suit to be made is what they said."
When you give her the small bag of 100 gold, Jopple asks what she is to buy with that. When you explain it is for her, she gets quiet and her eyes become a little glassy. She whispers "Thank you. I will put this towards my studies." She sniffs a bit, "You newcomers have been so nice to me. My fortunes have improved a hundred fold since your arrival. I hope you all never leave."
Day 11 - Evening
"Well, I guess I better get going. I need to study some tonight if I am ever going to be a powerful wizard!"
She waves and hobbles out from the chamber.
Day 12 - Morning
The group settles in for the evening after a mostly uneventful day. Goivan was able to see the town and get a sense of the tension in the air. The town is busy fortifying and preparing for a fight. The chimneys of the forges spill black smoke nonstop and the noise of saws, and hammers is continuous. Luckily you are quartered in the fort and the thick walls of stone block out the noise of industry. In some ways it feels like a tomb.
Some serving staff bring some food and water eventually and check in if you need anything. The night passes and morning comes. Fairly early, there is a knock on the door and several dwarven guards ask to bring you to audience with Head Marshal Hawke. Loremaster Cronin is there with him. Once you are all seated, Hawke speaks. "Loremaster Cronin has spent the night examining the painting, studying ancient texts and history treatises. He believes he has unraveled some of its mystery. I will let him continue."
"Yes, well it appears this painting, as suspected is linked to some sort of summoning. It is a gateway or portal and I believe the curse linked to it would summon the woman in the painting. I believe she still exists in a state of unlife. I am looking to alter the magics and use the painting as a portal, a gateway through astral, ethereal or shadow realm. If I am successful, it would be a way to travel quickly and attack our foes, or to summon aid from afar. The danger is that it may fail and summon the lady in the painting...."
Goivan gives Jopple a respectful bow. "We are in your debt. I wish you fortune on your studies." With the halfling gone, he turns his mind back to the tension in the town. These are dark times for the town. I hope they focus their emotions wisely.
Goivan frowns at Loremaster Cronin's assessment. "Are you saying she is undead? Undead and the outer realms...we are dabbling in dangerous territory. The risk seems great."
"Indeed I am sir. There is an aura of necromancy tied to this painting. I dare say the curse that keeps her in an an undead state, is probably tied to this somehow. And yes, the risk and danger is great. Many lives are at stake however, and I am not one to proceed without caution." he says as he clears his throat.
While Head Marshal Hawke looks at notes and plans from a satchel of things he is carrying, Cronin looks at the group over his seeing glasses. "These troubled times, and there is much to be considered and great risks are sometimes warranted.... sometimes not." He keeps his head a bit lowered as he meets your gazes briefly.
"I will continue my studies of this painting, doing the utmost to discover how we may aid the Thain and this settlement."
Loremaster Cronin clears his throat. "Well then, yes."
"I need a day, perhaps two, to attempt an experiment. If it goes successfully, I believe I would need some volunteers to aid me in taking a little journey. Do you know of any?" he smiles tiredly, but there is a sparkle in his eye.
Goivan grimaces. "I'm not sure if I like the idea of risking setting this creature free simply to gain a tactical advantage. I don't think we're that desperate."
"That's where your group comes in..."
Goivan raises his brows. "I see." Worst case scenario is that we fail, and we're expendable to them. Smart tactics. Goivan frowns. "What say the rest of you to this scheme?"
"I think we should do it. If we can do something to aid these people, we should. If it garners us favor with their...historians, they maybe they'll be in a position to help us locate the temple we are searching for. While Loremaster Cronin is preparing, perhaps we can try to find Jovar or some how get an update on the others. Maybe we can locate Tolheimia in the mean time."
"My plan is to have you travel this shadow realm and seek out the lady of the painting, and in exchange for ending the curse, she will aid us. Such things are no unheard of. "
"How do we enter this shadow realm, and more importantly, how do we leave it? Any idea how she will aid us?"
"My intent is to alter the magic of the painting, and I suspect it already works similar to this, you merely 'enter' the painting, and thereby enter the shadow realm. There will be a portal, probbaly a painting sized gate or shimmering square upon your arrival that denotes your way out. My hope is she will aid us by our offer to end the curse. I am ... ahem still working those details out. I suspect she has consiserable power and although I am loathe to rub elbows with the unliving, as long as she isn't a face eating ghoul, I think its worth our while. I suspect you will be able to find her easily enough, or her you. Hopefully you are skilled negotiators..."
He lowers his voice a little, "I haven't brought this to the attention of the Thain yet, although the Head Marshal is aware of my idea. We both agree that her power and skills could be a boon when the enemy arrives, a secret weapon of sorts."
"Does anybody else have an opinion on this matter? I hate to speak for all of you."
"I hear no objections from my allies. If you believe it a wise course, then we shall proceed. With caution."
Day 12 - late morning
The Loremaster nods. "Very well. I will begin the preparations. Return later today."
Champawat and Goivan take some time to track down Jovar or Tolhemia. You know that the large group is settled in town in a special area, and that the goatlings have been placed in their own location as well. You make your way there and are able to find Tolhemia, after some of your other brothers and sisters greet you and help guide you to her.
She and others seem to have taken over an unused warehouse, that seems to have been commandeered by the Thain to house many of your people. Possibly the owner is being paid for such an inconvenience, but there is little trade coming to the fortified town now with the impending attack. Tolhemia is surrounded by several of your other brothers and sisters, and the homonculous, Jovar stands on a large table strewn with notes and information.
The warehouse has been cordoned off with temporary wooden panels and curtains, making temporary rooms and quarters housing many of the other Goodwin's children who did not split into groups such as yourselves.
"Greetings." she nods and the others smile and wave.
She steps towards you on metallic feet and legs, and extends her metallic hands greeting you. Her solid shimmering eyes, gaze at you, slightly unsettling, as they belie now emotion in them without being able to see and pupils or irises or determine which direction she is looking without her turning her head.
"How goes your search for Father?"
Champawat embraces Tolheimia as only family could. "It is good to see you. I hope everyone is well. Searching is slow to say the least. We're going to do a favor for the Loremaster. Hopefully it will gain us some favor, but I may be over optimistic. Our path leads to unknown danger, but I see few other options available to us. Have the others found anything?"
"It has been challenging to keep track of all of our brothers and sisters, though that is to be expected I suppose. Most of the groups that formed into smaller parties are afield fighting the initial raiding parties. I know that one group has been to speak to the Goatling Elder shamans and did a ritual commune. From what I understand they were successful in pinpointing the location of the temple that Jovar was trying to take us to. I have not had contact with the group however. Do you have a message you would relay to any of our siblings? I can dispatch Jovar to aid."
Champawat mentions the painting that Loremaster Cronin had discussed with her and its implications as both a dark, cursed item, but also as a useful tool that the Loremaster thought could be used to transport people through the shadow realm. She makes mention that the Loremaster would have some of them attempt to parlay with the Shadow Lady that is depicted in the painting, attempting to lift the curse in exchange for aid rendered against the giants.
Tolheimia ponders for a bit and says, "Would this painting allow you to travel to our various groups spread through the lands? If so, this may be more important than tangling with a dangerous and powerful undead. One of the groups has gone far afield, so far that Jovar has mentioned that travel to them is impractical. However, if, by use of the painting, you could reach them, that may help. We are working on way somehow to keep our different groups in contact via magic but resources are extremely low, we are doing our best just to keep everyone fed, sheltered and out of trouble."
"Could you ask Loremaster Cronin if the painting will allow a type of transport or even scrying?"