With this, the drinking to good health and remembrance of others, this mission comes to a close.
Crypt of the Everflame.
I'll get my butler, Tota Lownage, to escort you to the gathering grounds.
Taking off a the tavern where we (group 2) were last....
Before you went in for the night, Mykel comes into the tavern.
Having struck a short conversation, at which you find he's a pathfinder like you, you decide to have him on the team in the absence of Asterion and Nevisial.
You overhear a rumor from another table, about 'The Crypt of the Everflame', a site of importance to the town of Kassen, near Fangwood.
A site of trials. And trials mean risk.....risk means potential rewards.
Perfect for adventurers between missions.
-----------------------------------------
After taking off, you eventually arrive at the town of Kassen.
It strikes you as a modest hamlet, with an inn and a church, centered near a town square and a number of small houses.
A sign at the inn says 'Ten Silvers'.
Some people walk across the town square, one in modest but formal attire.
|
Walking through Kassen, Brayden looks up at the sky. His hangover has worn off and he's feeling ready for a new adventure with some of his old companions. "What a fine town this is. And we've been blessed with such beautiful sunlight."
He looks over at the person in formal attire, "Perhaps we've come during some kind of special occasion?"
A perception check and a reflex check to be sure please.
The townsquare seems to be affected by a recent rainfall, causing some parts of the square to be slick.
Licen Setokill manages to catch his footing, preventing a slip.
It draws slight attention, as the middle aged man in formal attire approaches you.
"Greetings, travelers. Can i help you?"
"The crypt you say?
It's a place directly related to our town, and it's founder, Ekat Kassen.
Ekat Kassen was a crusader and fortune seeker who came to serve Lastwall in the year 4515 ar. He retired and founded the town with his gathered wealth. Sadly, later came his former comrade in arms, Asar, with a large group of mercenaries. Asar thought Ekat betrayed him, and felt need to raid the town without mercy."
"This did not end, until Ekat rallied the townsfolk of then and struck back at the fiend, who was hiding in the ancient crypt.
The retaliation was succesful, but few townsfolk returned, and Ekat suffered a mortal wound. In honor of Ekat, groups of aspiring youth and adventurers visit the crypt to return 'the everflame', as a symbol of our resilience and the forging of comradeships.
Alas, the youths whom were to go today have fallen with the flu. Perhaps you would wish to undertake the venture in their stead?"
|
- Well. And that the crypt is still left? Really even for this time, its not gutted the length and breadth by an adventurers?
Long-haired wiry half-orc with head to toe covered with strange tattoos mysterious, with skepticism looks at teller.
- What's the catch? And don't string me along! In anger, I'm spooky. Can spoil the milk and... all the local girls.
The man's friendly smile turns to flat out neutral.
"As i said, townsfolk fight for what they hold dear, including the 'local girls'.
You can 'imagine', can't you?"
This time, it is Maladash who feels uneasy.
Returning to his merry face, he swiftly answers.
"No catch, you might run into local wildlife at worst, in the nearby woods."
"It is a symbol, as well as a source of warmth to those who wish to take a pilgrimage to pay homage to Kassen, who was buried in the crypt back in those days. It burns forever, unless extinguished. When the youths are sent, they take a lantern, light it at the Everflame and return to us here."
|
|
Maladash stands on the sidelines and... enjoying the situation and surprise of his paladin buddy. On the way to the city, he managed to tell friends that have mastered the art of influence on luck. He said that the forces of the Abyss have invested in him this knowledge. He described that beautiful female voice whispered to him all night maddening truth when he asked to reveal the secret of successes and failures. And, it is clear for you that this voice was even stronger impact on the mind of half-orc. His self-control has greatly decreased, and what to expect from him now is not entirely clear.
In any case, Maladash is shaken but happy. Not clear why.
"You'd make the inn keeper a happy man if you'd honor his tavern by a visit in that case. New adventurous faces are a welcome sight to any shop or inn.
If you are willing to do this, we can still start at midday."
-------------------------
At this point, you have still a couple of hours to freely explore the town. Or imbibe some liquid courage, maybe?
|
|
Brayden smiles at Mykel's valor. "I'm with you. It is honorable to seek out the everflame ourselves and renew the symbol of Kassen's resilience." He clenches his fist.
"Perhaps we might see if the innkeeper can tell us anything more to know about the Fangwood or the Crypt? I think I'll pass on the ale and spirits..." he feels nauseous just thinking about last night.
Going along with that, likely, you head for the inn.
Your eyes might have deceived you earlier, as it says 7 silvers.
Maybe short sleep had been playing tricks on the mind.
The inn's a modest but homely one, with oil lamps lighting the place up and the stuffed head of a wolf hanging above the fireplace.
Behind the bar stands a middle aged man, serving drinks is a young woman.
The young woman introduces herself as Asina Silvers, daughter of the inn keeper.
She looks curious though, as to why you're going there, being from out of town.
"Are you fortune seekers? If so there is mainly dust down there.
Aside, you'd need to trek through thick forest first. Wildlife aplenty there."
|
By the way, Mercutio, how do you like holy water, is it harmful for you?
"I wouldn't know. Never tried the stuff," Mercutio replies from a small table in the corner as he sips the local hard cider, then raises his mug to them. "About time you made it!"
He is much better dressed than last time the others saw him. MUCH. Few indeed would ever have guessed, before this moment, that a jabot could be such a bone-chilling sight.
"Well, the good news is that my luggage finally arrived. Also, my good man here," He indicates the barkeep, "Tells me there is in fact a bit of a lark to be had here, yet they've got no one who cares enough to have it! So sad, no?"
Asina smiles at Mykel's comment.
"Not in the way you're implying.
There's no fortune to be found, as far as i can imagine, it's an old crypt many people have visited in the past."
|
|
Brayden takes one tiny sip of the ale Mykel ordered, makes a frown, and puts his mug down firmly, pushing it away along the table. "Thank you, but I feel I am still a few days off of being able to drink again."
Noticing Mercutio in the corner, Brayden walks over and brings his hand down hard on Mercutio's back. "Well? Did anything happen last night? You know, with the fine traveling dhampir beauty?" He asks with a suggestive grin. Noble as he may be, Brayden always was a little nosey when it came to romance.