"Your safety is our first priority now, Volkar," says Kiera soothingly as she helps arrange water and a cloth near the cot. "Basically it's... well, to be a bit poetical, it's the 'vargouille's kiss.' It's a kind of disease, I suppose? Curse-like? It's..." she trails off, then says, "No sense avoiding it now. It's trying to turn you into one of them. Obviously we can't let that happen, so we need a priest to intercede and hope for a miraculous blessing that will cure it... or maybe find an old scroll with a spell that will do the trick."
"Wait, wait, I just got kissed, nothing more...how would I become one of those ear winged nightmares?" Volkar asked trying to sit up but feeling light headed he fell back onto the cot. He started to rub his heck and turn his head. A thin read mark started to appear on around the base of his throat...
The priest nods at Kieras assessment. Thats the problem then.. Thank you lass.. It should not be a problem to get you sorted out then, master dwarf. I did not know what ailment had befallen you, but if its the Vargouille's Kiss, well.. No one here can cast the spell to remove disease. And you have no time to make it to Magnimar. I will begin searching the Library and the Archives. Perhaps we have something there.." With this, he departs the room quickly.
Shortly, Father Zantus walks hurriedly along the passage and greets you as he comes closer. "Grace of Desna.. I was praying I had been misinformed.. but no. Vargouilles kiss? I have everyone searching the building for a scroll to allow me to cure you.. but even so, it may be beyond my powers to cast it. We shall have to see what the gods have to say about it." Zantus moves over and begins to examine Volkar, taking special note that the dwarfs ears were getting almost visibly bigger, and there were squirming nubs forming along his head and chin. Eventually an acolyte comes running up the hall waving a long scroll tube. Father Zantus takes the scroll and studies it for a minute.. and finally begins to read aloud.
The words on the paper disappear with a flash and a puff, and Volkar can no longer feel the poison coursing through his veins..
Father Zantus places his hand on Volkars forehead as if checking for a fever, then runs through a quick examination. Satisfied, he looks about at the group and says "By the grace of Desna, we have saved him."
Kiera lets out a nervous breath. "Well. That ended as well as can be expected. Though it may take a while to heal from the symptoms. Volkar, you are fortunate to have survived that ordeal!"
I look slightly horrified when the creature kisses Volkar, but noticing that he is now unable to move I move in quickly to end the battle quickly. After the battle as I see Volkar's hair start to fall out I let out a loud gasp of horror and grab my own beard for reassurance. "By the stone ... "
Unable to finish my sentence due to horror I follow everyone out of the building and back into the cathedral, where I find another acolyte and ask if I can use the same room again to pray again and ask Kols for his protection and assistance for Volkar.
Volkar looked at the Father and at Kiera, [b]"Truly blessed you are by Desna and I am grateful for Desna's help."[b/]
Volkar sat up feeling better but careful not to feel his face or pull o his beard. He knew there were patches of hair missing all over. But figured he might be best served to visit a barber in a day or two to determine what look could be salvaged after the accursed kiss.
[b]"Father, how would such a vile creature end up below this place? Truly amazed and grateful for the help Father and the cure."[b] Volkar ran his fingers about his neck and ears just to ensure that nothing was amiss there. He teeth seemed a bit loose, but was not sure if that would pass in time. He smiled at the party and the Father knowing he was more than fortunate to have survived.
"I think you should heal up with a little time," says Kiera. "Vargouilles are not from this world, it's impossible to say with precision how long it might have survived lurking in those ruins!"
She rummages around, then says, "I'll be right back." She darts out of the room. Just a few minutes later she returns with a foaming ale-mug, which she carefully hands to Volkar. "Thanks to Father Zantus' help, everything will be right as ale," she says with a grin.
"May the blessings of forge and mint be on you, Mistress Kiera," Volkar exclaimed when he was handed the foaming ale filled mug. He took a deep swig from the mug and his face lit up as the ale helped him get a his sense of place.
As Daelric steps out, the acolyte nods and leads him over to the previously used room, and departs, allowing the dwarf his worship.
Father Zantus responds to Volkar: "I have no knowledge of such ruins underneath our town, and I believe our young Kiera to be correct. It is much too early for any conjecture, but this will indeed be researched. It sounds as if you have cleared these areas of anything dangerous, so our scholars may be able to go down there and see the artifacts for themselves."
Turning to the rest of the party, the Father continues "It is getting late. I suggest you retire to your inn for the evening, and we shall see what the morrow brings. Volkar will stay here this night, just to be sure, but he will be free to go in the morning, provided there are no complications. It will take a few days, and if your descriptions are accurate, I believe we may be able to send some acolytes into these ruins for some research. In a couple of days I imagine that there will be another meeting of the council. You will be sent for, and should give a complete report of your findings then."
Andrezi nods in agreement. "Rest well, Volkar. We'll see you in the morning."
"Aye, Andrezi, enjoy the evening and thank you for the help in the ruins below." Volkar smiled and nodded at the cleric.
"Now Father, how can there be complications if there is ale to be swallowed?" Volkar took another big swig from the tankard/
I finish my prayers and head into the room with Volkar in time to hear the plans for the rest of the day. "When you send the acolytes down there, I would like to accompany them just in case something should happen. Besides, I know the way down there now and that would prevent them from getting lost."
Once everything is in order, I nod to Volkar before heading to the inn with the others. I then order a big hearty meal and a a couple of flagons filled with Mead.
The Father chuckles at Volkar, and bids him a good evening before retiring to his other duties. Presently, a meal hearty enough even for a dwarven stomach is brought to Volkars room for him to enjoy.
Back at the Inn, the rest of the party sits down to a well deserved meal and several flagons of ale. It seems to be the first time since things erupted.. could it only be a couple of days??.. that they have had a true chance to relax.
Kiera seems in an ebullient mood at dinner. She tears into the cubed seared lamb and even the sliced cucumber with gusto.
"I think we may have stopped some bad people from trying to use the power of the Runelords," she says. "Nobody really knew that Sandpoint had such extensive ruins. We certainly put an end to that little demon who was trying to mess with that... pool of whatever it was."
She takes a swig of mead, a bite of bread, chews quickly, then says with a half-full mouth, "I'm going to suggest when the sheriff gets back that someone should do something about those ruins. They should make sure it's checked out every once in a while so nobody gets lost or hurt down there and no more wicked folks try to co-opt the place for their own uses."
"For my part," she says, "I think I'll spend a little time trying to decipher that book, maybe work out some of the runes and things we saw down there. With any luck I might even glean a little bit of useful magical knowledge out of it!"
As the days go by, Kiera stops by to check on Volkar every day until he's released. She trades stories with him and tells him of their progress, and always makes sure to bring something to snack on.
She splits her time between puzzling over the strange demonic journal and experimenting with her magical tinkering.
I rip into a leg of honey roasted meat eagerly and drinking too much Mead. I end up going to bed quite late, but I am full up and rather drunk.
During the next few days while everyone is busy and Volkar is recovering, I will do rounds of the town to make sure that nothing comes to attack us. If any of the Acolytes go into the ruin, I will go with them as previously stated. I also spend an hour a day praying and another hour going through my combat drills somewhere I think it will be private.
Each night I will go back to the tavern where I shall eat a large meal and have some drinks, however I make sure that after the first night out of the ruins I am not drunk again.
"Fascinating...and frankly quite dangerous. The thought that anyone, or thing, would try and combine the might of Lamashtu with that of these ancient Runelords is not a very comforting thought." Andrezi comments while calmly sipping at his mead and eating a rather large meal, but perhaps at a more reserved pace than his friends.
Over the next few days, Andrezi spends the majority of his time at the cathedral primarily to check on Volkar, but also to help out Father Zantus in any way he can.
Volkar slowly regains his strength, and the stubble of hair starts growin in the patches he had lost. He expressed his thanks and gratitude to Father Zantus and after a hardy meal, joined in the efforts to help about the Cathedral where he could. He also talked with his colleagues about the items found within the caverns and catacombs. He asked Father Zantus and Ameiko if there were any scholars about who might be able to tell him a bit more about the history, and ancient history, of Sandpoint for it was obvious to both he and Daelric that the stone work was ancient.
Reading far into the night, Kiera deciphers the text that was found underground.
Daelric spends a couple of days meditating and practicing his combat forms in a quiet corner behind the inn's stables, while Andrezi spends his time at the cathedral, helping out around the place and worshiping.
Volkar quickly regains his strength, and is released from the care of the priests in due course. With much less hair and fewer teeth, the stalwart and lucky dwarf rejoins his companions with a message: Mayor Deverin wishes to see the group that afternoon.
After lunch, the group gathers in Mayor Deverin's office. The woman looks up and greets you with a smile and comes around her desk to greet you. "Welcome! Volkar, I am glad to see you recovering. Father Zantus told me it was a very near thing.." Turning to the rest of the group, she waves everyone to seats, and then continues. "I have read your reports, and I have spoken with the Father. It seems that you keep saving the City time and again! We cannot possibly thank you enough, but I am hoping that this will help. I managed to talk the city council into contributing some gold, not only as a reward, but also to offset some of the expenses you have incurred. You will continue to receive room and reasonable board, as well as care for your horses." She pauses to hand each of you a purse, heavy with coin.
"Now. I know that you have some questions. Father Zantus has been researching the library, as well as his own histories in an attempt to gain more insight on the ruins you found. As soon as we know something, we will make sure to pass this on to you. Also, we have Shalelu scouting out the surroundings for more information on the goblins. Do you have any questions for me?"
"Well, Mayor Deverin, we still have a job to keep things safe here while the Sheriff is away. Is there anyone available to keep guard over the ruins we found under the glassworks? We don't need any more evil sneaking down there trying to wake things up - or worse still, children sneaking down and getting hurt. Also, what's going to happen with the glassworks themselves? The Kaijitsus are mostly gone, excepting Ameiko. Someone has to clean up the glassworks and hopefully get it running again - it's an important part of local industry - though with the workers also, um, deceased, that's going to be quite a project. Er, I guess that last bit is more musing than an actual question. Sorry," says Kiera.
She fiddles with the hem of her bodice nervously, then says, "Do you have a particular plan for the next steps? And has anyone put together any more clues about what Tsuto and his demon-woman were doing?"
"I agree with Mistress Kiera, Mayor and thank you for your kindness with this," Volkar said as he shifted the purse he was given. He smiled at the lovely sound of coin shifting and clinking against coin. "I also think that the catacombs below need studying and I would enjoy talking wth a scholar about what we found below. Also, need to do some work on the town's defenses if there are more goblin issues."
"As my friends have already said, thank you very much for the coin. It is most appreciated."
Andrezi scratches at his beard as he thinks. "We know the goblins came in through the glassworks. Would it be worthwhile to go back into the ruins to see if there are any remaining clues below? We did have to leave in quite a haste, it would be a shame if we left a clue unfound."
Pausing a moment, Andrezi says, "Otherwise I think it would be wise to bide our time and see what this Shaelu comes up with from her investigations."
I take the coin purse and look inside, "Oh, very nice. There should be enough in here to get that armour I have been wanting, are you sure that it is okay to give this to us though?"
At Andrezi's mention of going back into the ruins, I nod in agreement.
"You are most welcome. Your services have saved our homes and lives several times now, and it is only fair you be recompensed as we are able. I am not guaranteeing you will receive this often, mind you, but it is what we can do for you right now." she says with a chuckle. "As for the ruins, I will defer to your judgment. If you feel you must return there to ensure it is safe, then do so. I am sure Father Zantus wouldn't mind an escort for those he plans to send down there to study the ruins history. I would suggest talking to him and planning it together."
Turning back to Kiera, Mayor Deverin continues "As for the fate of the glassworks, I am sure that Ameiko will sort something out. It is her family's legacy, and I cannot see her allowing it, or the money it brings in, to go to waste. It will, perhaps, be a bit before they are up and running again, but she will persevere."
To the group, she says "As for the next steps, we have Father Zantus in charge of researching those ruins and finding out what is down there. He is also working on some other project, but he refuses to talk about it just yet. We also have Shalelu searching the woods to see what can be found out in the hinterlands. I imagine that between the two, we should have at least a few answers soon."
"Well, then Madam Mayor, I think we should let you get back to the tasks of running this city, and we should visit with Father Zantus. Thank you again for the kindness of the City. Volkar bowed at the Mayor and headed twoards the door.
As he walked away from the Mayor's desk, he gingled the heavy pouch and tucked it into his doublet. He had another reason to visit the Good Father, then he needed to see if he could find a work space to rent.
Zantus waited for the others outside of the Mayor's office. He tried not touching the new portions of hair that were growing on the sides of his face and head where it had fallen out after the fateful kiss. It was a reminder of how lucky he actually was and his mind went through a list of things he may need to purchase, but he kept coming back to Father Zantu.
"I think a donation is really in order to him. So, yea, I need to visit the Cathedral." He spoke aloud more to himself but others heard it as they came out.
I nod at the Mayor, "I have already voiced to the Father my concerns regarding the exploration of the ruins and have offered my services as protection and a guide." I stand up and tuck the bag of coins inside my armour, where they stay safe from prowling fingers.
The party concludes the visit with the Mayor, and she sends you off with good wishes. Arriving back at the cathedral, you find Father Zantus giving last minute advice to some senior acolytes, all of whom seem heavily laden under packs full to bursting of tomes and supplies.
Turning as you approach, a large smile graces the Fathers visage.
"You lot just seem destined to show up at the right time! I was going to send for you as soon as I heard that the meeting with the mayor was over. These acolytes are headed down to the ruins to explore, and I wanted to take you up on your offer to show them the way!" he beams effusively. Turning back to the acolytes, he introduces them.
"These three are some of the top pupils in residence right now. They are Pitir, Vrolm, and Ashar. It is they who will lead the exploration and study of the ruins while I work on our other problems. So far, from your recollections, I believe that I can confirm your suspicions, Kiera, that the ruins are from the Thassalonian Runelords. Your descriptions of the fountain in the middle of the complex may very well be a Runewell; namely of the Runelord Wrath, whose territory I believe once included this area. Runewells supposedly allowed communication with each other across vast distances, but one has never been found to be active! We hope to be able to study them. I am concerned, however, by your reports of it being used to summon creatures. I have no idea what that may represent or entail. There is just so much to study down there."
Continuing to talk as he pulls you aside and away from the others, he speaks barely above a whisper. "I have also been working on locating the remains of Ezakien Tobyn, my predecessor whose body was stolen in the raid. I believe I may have a lead, but I needed to prepare some stronger scrying spells in order to confirm this. I should have more information in a day or so."
Kiera becomes quite animated as Father Zantus describes the Runewell. "That means this complex was a Thassilonian facility and that Sandpoint is built upon its ruins! As strange as it sounds, this gives credence to Brodert Quink's theory that the Old Light was not a lighthouse at all, but some kind of Thassilonian watch tower!"
She catches her breath and says, "Of course we can take some time to help escort your acolytes. I've been wanting to take some notes, make an actual map and a log of the things down below. And of course offer help if something unusual and unexpected shows up! Runewells are dangerous sources of magical power. We should be careful."
She turns to curtsey to the acolytes and says, "Pleased to meet all of you. I hope you learn a lot from our little expedition! Remember, don't wander off by yourself, and don't touch any devices or strange substances without asking first."
"What in Desna's name would a bunch of goblins want with the mortal remains of a priest?" Andrezi asks in a hushed tone. "Very curious indeed."
"Father, here is a donation to the efforts of the temple," Volkar pulled out 200 gold pieces and presented them to the spiritual leader of Sandpoint. "I am grateful for your kindness and your help. Now, if there is something can help you, and bring me some ways of regaining my strength against a bunch of green ears, well then we both may enjoy my recovery."
I look to my companions, "The only way we will find out why they wanted the old priest, is to find their leader and get the information from them. Maybe some sort of ritual to do with that Runewell?"
"Hang on..." says Kiera, thinking. "I remember something from the old journal that Tsuto had."
The old journal (it's in the section spoilered for me b/c I read the journal when we first got it from Tsuto)
"Something about Nualia burning her father's remains at the Thistletop shrine. Thistletop is just a few hours from here. There's a shrine on Thistletop?"
Father Zantus thanks Volkar for his generosity, but follows with the rest of the conversation.
"Your generosity is very much appreciated, Volkar. And as you say, there is likely to be many more goblins that will meet their makers with you around." he pauses, considering his words before continuing. "My investigations have lead me in the direction of Thistletop, yes. I would like to confirm my suspicions, but it seems that your journal there gives us the answers we needed. If you wouldn't mind, you could escort these acolytes to the ruins and then we will decide our course from there."
After the party agrees to lead the acolytes to the ruins, in short order they return to the Glassworks. You lead the way down the tunnel, torches flickering in the drafty air. Eventually you reach the ruins, and the acolytes are suitably impressed with their surroundings, and inquisitively pick over the remains of the creature that first attacked you. The senior acolyte looks to you with awe and a bit of trepidation. "Wh.. Where do we go from here? Were there.. many.. of these down here?" he questions.
Kiera snaps her fingers and says, "I remember now! Thistletop's an island on the Nettlewood coast, not too far from here. Maybe we can get a ship or boat to drop us off there, if we can find a place where we could get onto the shore. Or we can go through Nettlewood, though goblins live there, I'm sure."
~~~~~~~~~~
Kiera hands a journal and a pen to the acolyte. "Keep notes in here and MAKE A MAP. Don't split up! If you see or hear anything suspicious or dangerous, ALL OF YOU LEAVE IMMEDIATELY and go to Father Zantus. Oh, and it should go without saying, but DON'T drink or eat anything you didn't bring with you. No fountains, no leftovers, and DEFINTELY NOT FROM THE RUNEWELL."
The lead acolyte looks at Kiera with wide eyes. "Wouldn't it be safer to stay with you??"
"For now, yes, but not where we're going next after we take a look around here again," she says grimly. "As far as we know, everything dangerous down here has been dealt with. But we're going to have to head to Thistletop soon, and that is a place that hasn't been pacified yet."
Andrezi smirks, seeing Kiera truly in her element.
"All the paths we have explored dead ended except for the room where we dealt with the vargouille. If I remember right, there was a door beyond there we hadn't gone through yet."
Looking back at the acolytes and then back the party, he says, "Perhaps it would be wise for the acolytes to start off on the path toward the runewell while we finish the exploration of unknown areas?"
I shake my head at Andrezi, "That could mean their deaths. If there was something else in this place and it was able to open the door, it may have moved looking for food. If it ended up at the well it could have cut itself my accident or on purpose and summoned more things, it could be there waiting for someone to walk in so it can attack. I believe we should all stick together just in case and retrace our exact footsteps from before."
"Let's just work our way back up each corridor and let them map it. For example, here we have this cave, very different from the other parts. Let's then go to where the first nasty flying thing was and show them that temple." Volkar said as he started to walk down the roughly hewed corridor.
"Agreed," says Kiera. "Light for the humans, please."
As the group moves cautiously she makes a bit of small talk. "Say, Volkar, what's your favorite color?"
I look at Kiera with a confused expression as she asks Volkar her question. "Of all the things to ask or say ... must be a Human thing."
The party gets together and works out a plan, deciding to escort the acolytes through the complex until they are sure that the complex is clear. The party moves through the halls, the acolytes dutifully scribing maps and notes and following along like little ducklings. You reach the Shrine room, and the doors stand open just as you left them. The runewell glows with its ambient light, casting shadows upon the walls and ceiling of the upper tier. The runewell appears to still be active, even though its mistress has been vanquished.
"Hmm. I don't really know enough about runewells to say what to do about this. Eventually we should probably try to drain it, consecrate it, deconstruct it... but in the meantime it looks like it is still powered and I'm not sure how it works," Kiera says.
"Well Mistress Kiera, I like all dwarfs find gold to be a favorite color, but if not Gold, then I would say I tend to like a dark green." Volkar responded as the party worked their way back to the room with the fountain. He watched the acolytes scribling their maps, and he pointed out the difference between the stone work in this hall versus where they had come from.
"Well, let's do this a bit different this time, Daleric weapons at the ready." Volkar winked, held his axe at the ready and walked into the shrine room.
As you move about the room, there appears to be wet foot prints leading away from the runewell.. The prints are clawed and awkward, certainly not humanoid.
"Oh just lovely, it looks like something has crawled out of the well. Perhaps another of those beasts with the rather nasty mouths?"
Volkar shivered at the Andrezi's words, but looked at the foot prints. "I say we follow these tracks and put whatever crawled out of that pool back into the great unknown."
I nod slowly at the mention of weapons drawn, but before drawing my own weapon I attach my shield to my arm and then draw my axe. "We will have to send whatever it is back to whence it came." I turn to look at the acolytes, "If you see any danger make sure to stay behind us all."
You both lose the tracks soon after the pool. But something did crawl out of it.. recently.