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The lock seems sturdier than you thought. After three tries without success, you suddenly remember:
He stands up and pulls an iron key from his waistcoat.
“I leave you with the key to the Drownyard gate. Remember, the Drownyard is a deeply personal site for many powerful Inner Sea families. You will tread upon the graves of their children. Be sure to give the site the respect it deserves. Any questions?”
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When you open the padlocked gate with the Drownyard key, the man approaches you with an abruptly friendly demeanor. He drops his gloves and axe, smiles, and reaches out a hand.
Friends! Why didn't you tell me earlier you'd come? I would've arranged a party. My name is Derris Marlinchen. My daughter Cassiel attends this school. You should see how she’s grown. Those beautiful long braids! What can I do for you today?
Marlinchen speaks softly and appears completely calm.
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Well I have been great, you see! I have been doing some digging here and there, and cleaning up the school yard. I think's school is going to come out soon.
Marlinchen looks at his wrist, as if checking his watch. There is no watch there.
Yes, it's almost time. So what was it I could help you with again?
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This man is crazy.Pharasma, wanna bet he is one of our prophet? Yeah. I know. He said that his name is Marlinchen? A daughter? Could he be related to the handout?
We would like to visit the school. Our organisation like to record historical finding and we were also sent to retrieve a two-finger ring topped with a ruby salamander. I would also like to see your daughter. A man like should have a interesting daughter.
Do you know also a woman called Lady Miranda Dacilane?
Take 10 diplomacy 20.
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The school! Ah! Yes! Of course! I will give you a tour immediately. Alas, I must say, I have never heard of any lady Dacilane, I'm terribly sorry. And indeed! It is a mighty fine thing to have a daughter indeed. I've been tending to the grounds whilse she's still in class, a dallying parent is a lousy parent! Come with me!
The ruined paths of the Tri-Towers Yard wind their way around black ponds and gray, shattered buildings. Powerful fragrances precede one roofless hall where a thin path meanders through an abundance of flower arrangements in wild bloom, growing into a small flower garden.
Just off this path is the entrance to a small classroom. Marlinchen turns his head and puts his index finger in front of his mouth, as to motion silence. When you look in you see ten students dressed in checkered uniforms sit stiffly at wooden desks, staring straight ahead. No one moves. At the front of the class, a conservatively dressed woman leans against the wall.
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You all see the children in the classroom disappear for a moment, then reappear in the exact same positions. Suddenly they turn their heads, white pearly eyes staring at you. A moment later, they are in their original position again.
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Leaning toward Radayah. "The man has lost his bloody mind. He could be unpredictable and very dangerous. Lets see if I can get his mind on something else."
Hyglak walks up to Derris. "Hey good chap, how about a drink. I am a follower of Cayden Cailean and is custom for the followers of the Drunken God to greet new friends with a drink." Hyglak offer the man his flask.
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Jobin turns to Radayah. He writes something in a paper and give to radayah.
Thanks Radayah. It confirm what my sense said. I think also that Derris has some sort of trauma.
We, the priest of pharasma, have a lot of those in our building. Blame the death of Aroden for that. Prophecy are now a mad gift.
I am not a specialist but we need him to follow his façade and help him realise this problem or at least put him in a place where he will not hurt himself. (Pharasma wishs it.) For him, it is true. Imagine if someone was saying that you were not a wizard but an insane human woman who is in a fantasy.
He can became agressive if confronted. And in a pragmatic way. He is the expert in this place.
I will try to talk to the other about this.
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Marlinchen seems a bit surprised at Hyglak's suggestion.
Wha- A drink? Well, if that's customary.
He takes a polite sip of the flask, before coughing and giving it back.
Thank you. Best not disturb Mrs. Heracks' class any further. I can introduce you to the headmistress, Mrs. Kiwu? It's not every day we get visitors, especially not pathfinders such as yourself. She'd be delighted to drink some coffee with you before you heada out again.
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Good, good! Follow me, please.
He leads you to a small office down the hallway. Inside, the flickering image of an older lady silently interacts with Marlinchen following a twitch of his hand. The office seems fairly untouched besides the mold on the ceiling and the dust on the furniture. As soon as he turns around, the image of the woman disappears.
You have Mrs Kiwu's permission to enter the necropolis underneath the school grounds. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to wait for Cassiel on the grounds. I've been waiting so long...
He sighs and walks out of the office towards the pool of water in the middle of the grounds, staring at the sky empty-eyed and motionless.
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Jobin looks at Márlichen. So his mind broke when the earthquake came. And he was waiting for his daugther.
He looks at the pool of water.Should I? Pharasma doesn't discriminate. It is his fate.
"Thank you. Marlichen. Let's group. They are waiting for us."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Marlinchen switches his gaze to the black water of the pool in front of him, adressing no one in particular:
A map? Hmm... I believe headmistress Kiwu had one in her office, for safekeeping. Those blasted students always try to go where they shouldn't be! You already have her permission, I believe..? Now if you'll excuse me, my daughter will come out of school soon and I have to be ready.
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In the headmistress' office you find a box containing three diaries, all in Marlinchen's handwriting. One is written from the perspective of a certain mrs. Heracks, and details the entrance to a necropolis on the school grounds, hidden underneath a pool of black water...
Looking at the bubbles erupting from the middle of the pool more closely, you see a humanoid arm floating in the water, covered in what looks like white pustules the size of a fist.
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"unless, this black water conceals a pit fiend, i don't think i am in danger. ...but, it maybe fate that you warn me.Someone take my equipement. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Stop Jobin! It may be poisonous or worse." Hyglak will test the black pool water with the butt of his spear.
Jobin takes his dagger and swims towards the arm, giving it a gentle nudge with the butt of his weapon. The white pustules burst open, and appear to be some kind of eggs! You also see that the arm is tightly gripping to some kind of metal handle underwater.
Surprise round! Bold means you can take your turn. Lilia and Jobin spot something nasty surfacing from the bottom of the pool...A giant water bug!
The bug stays under water next to Jobin, and attempts to bite his leg!
vs flatfooted, for
damage.
you are grappled!
The giant insect has a hold on Jobin's legs, and is trying to pull him under the water's surface!
Water bug
Lilia
E'li
Hyglak
Jobin
Radayah
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that was a stupid idea to take out my armor.. Or to be the one on front. I hope it is not my fate to follow you pharasma. jobin touch his hand a circle of healing appear.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Jobin whispers a few words to Pharasma, after which a spiraling comet of healing washes over him.
The big, black, nasty bug manages to maintain the grapple with ease, dragging him underwater! Consequently, E'li misses with his sling, as the water's surface seems to have given the bug some advantage.
Water bug
Lilia
E'li
Hyglak
Jobin
Radayah