If you follow the path out, you find yourselves walking down a cave that gets brighter and brighter until you can see the way out. You cannot walk all the way out; the cave floor ends, and you see the ocean. You can see the base of Sandpoint in the distance; it seems as though the ceiling of the cave extends farther than the distance you could walk without having to swim, which effectively hid the cave from your eyes when you took the bridge to Chopper's Isle.
Returning to and following the path will find the party in front of a large wooden door.
"Well, whomever found this place either has little aversion to swimming or can walk along the surface of water. Still, you would almost have to already know what you were looking for to gain access to these tunnels. We should let the Mayor and Sheriff know about that entrance when we get back. Perhaps they can seal it." Asa muses almost to herself as they approach the door. "Speaking of those lovely individuals... well, and also the rest of the townsfolk really... I would greatly appreciate it if the details of my nature were to remain our secret. I am not entirely ashamed of what I am, but many despise those of my blood. I cannot say that I blame them, but it does make life harder than it needs to be." Asa's face is a mix of patience and determination.
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me. I trust you will give me the same courtesy when I'm brave enough to share my secret with you." The knight says sincere as he think he has to share it at some point if they have to traveler farther away then just Chopper's ilse.
He looks for traps on the door before trying to open it.
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Your secret is very safe and when I next prepare my prayers I will be sure to ask for a way to heal you if injured. I.... I appreciate the trust. pauses I know it is different but I was born of unhappy circumstance and it nearly ruined my life if not for one person saving me from my heritage.... I... I will stand with you if people do not understand.
Rast doesn't wait for a response. Just moves on.
Even bracing for it and knowing what will happen, Asa can barely contain the scream as her arm suddenly blackens under the holy rays emminating from Rast's symbol. "Stars alive that hurts...."
Taking a second to compose herself and draw in breath, Asa hold up her arm next to the light sources for all to see.
"This is why I hate necromantic magic. This is why I hate the undead, and any who would pretend to control them." Asa says through gritted teeth.
"Do not be fooled. Vampires are not merely the stuff of bardic tales and cheap novellas. They exist. They hunt. They kill. And worse than kill, sometimes they condemn those yet born to be outcasts from their own families and bloodlines."
Asa turns to Rast. "Those thus cursed are known as 'dhampir', and they inherit many of their vampiric 'progenitor's' weaknesses and strengths. Such as being burned by positive energies when channeled, yet healed by negative ones."
Asa winces as she lowers her arm. "In answer to your question, Rast... no, you did nothing wrong. I will always react such to positive holy energies. The only reason that I do not quake and have trouble with sunlight is the blessings of a similar cleric when my mother was dying giving birth to me." Asa smiles sadly, this time allowing her too elongated canines to show. Turning to Eloisa, she adds, "So if I have to get you to help with whatever necromantic nightmare spreads from your spellbook, expect me not to have physically aged too much from now." Asa's laugh is not unkind, but it fails to mask a lot of pain.
"Now we see if they attempt to kill me like the monster my 'mother' is..."
He frowned as she retold her origens and he recognized in it the bravery it took to do so. He could only imagine the things she went through in fact it made his upbringing amongst the sometimes cruel elven children seem small. it was still chilling though. All the stories said vampires were evil creatures out to drain the blood of the living and kill them like cattle. He found himself shivering and saying nothing.
The next moments of their exploration were awkward he kept shooting sideways glances at miss Asa to see what other differences there were between her and Eloisa, though aside from the ones she pointed out he couldnt decide if anything else stood out. It became more awkward when she asked them not to tell anyone about her ... problems. He could see why she wouldnt want the townsfolk to know about it, There were plenty of small minded folk out there he could think of one lumber mill worker in particular, but he wasnt sure the sheriff shoudlnt know. But if the Sheriff knew, then the village council would eventually know.
He opened his mouth and then closed it still not sure what to say or how he felt. He decided he would have to give it more thought.
The Desna Knight finds no traps.
Asa gives both Rast and the Knight a relieved smile. "I appreciate it, both of you. And do not feel pressured to reveal yourself on my account. We all have our reasons to hide things, I will not pressure you to go into them until you are comfortable doing so." Asa notices Calin opening and closing his mouth like he wishes to speak.
"Vous avez dit que vous travailliez pour le shérif, n'est-ce pas? Je comprends que ma demande de secret concernant mon ... héritage ... pourrait vous mettre dans une position embarrassante quand vous faites votre rapport. Si vous avez absolument l'impression que vous devez dire à Mme Hemlock de ma situation, je vous demanderais seulement de le faire avec moi dans la pièce. De préférence avec personne d'autre que nous, pour minimiser la diffusion de cette information."
"You said that you worked for the sheriff, correct? I understand that my request for secrecy with regards to my... heritage... might place you in an awkward position when you make your report. If you absolutely feel that you must tell Madam Hemlock about my situation I would only ask that you do so with me in the room. Preferably with no one else besides us, to minimize the spread of that information."
Giving the man what she hopes is a reassuring smile, she turns to the door. "Well, shall we see what horrors await behind the door of mystery?"
Eloisa looks at the cave, "Perhaps people came and went by boat. Though swimming and walking on water is a possibility."
She follows the group not saying anything about secrets or identities. If they only knew. I'm just on the run from the Academe. "One moment before you open the door" Eloisa casts detect magic on the door.
Asa shrugs after a moment's thought. "That is possible I suppose, though I would think that boats would be more noticeable than persons approaching in the water itself."
"No pressure. I will perfer not to reveal myself at all, but there might just come a time where it is no longer possible to avoid it. As I said when we met, I hide my face to protect the people closest to me from retaliation. However for now let's focus on whats behind this door."
If Eloisa doesn't see anything magical about the door the Knight goes ahead and opens it.
Asa gives both Rast and the Knight a relieved smile. "I appreciate it, both of you. And do not feel pressured to reveal yourself on my account. We all have our reasons to hide things, I will not pressure you to go into them until you are comfortable doing so." Asa notices Calin opening and closing his mouth like he wishes to speak.
"Vous avez dit que vous travailliez pour le shérif, n'est-ce pas? Je comprends que ma demande de secret concernant mon ... héritage ... pourrait vous mettre dans une position embarrassante quand vous faites votre rapport. Si vous avez absolument l'impression que vous devez dire à Mme Hemlock de ma situation, je vous demanderais seulement de le faire avec moi dans la pièce. De préférence avec personne d'autre que nous, pour minimiser la diffusion de cette information."
** spoiler omitted **
Giving the man what she hopes is a reassuring smile, she turns to the door. "Well, shall we see what horrors await behind the door of mystery?"
"Oh gods she can read minds!"
He thought in a panic trying to clear any further questioning thoughts from his head. He shook his head slightly frowning as he replied to her.
Je ne travaille pas pour le shérif tout de suite, je ne fais que faire partie de la milice de la ville ... Un jour, si le Sandpoint embauche plus de gardes de la ville, ou leur est un emploi d'ouverture, j'espère être considéré."
He continued to frown it was no doubt troubling to him regardless of her offer to inform the sheriff, entirely unsure if there was an ulterior reason behind it.
As Asa awaits Eloisa's verdict on the door, she nods thoughtfully to Calin.
"Je pense que je peux apprécier cette différence. D'un côté, je ne veux pas compromettre vos chances de sécuriser ce créneau ouvert si et quand il se produit. Mais de l'autre côté, je ne veux pas que les gens de la ville me chassent de force ou pire qu'ils essaient de me brûler sur le bûcher simplement à cause de ce qui est arrivé à ma mère avant même de naître. Sandpoint peut être un endroit assez agréable normalement, mais les problèmes récents associés avec les plus âgés probablement ont fait certains être moins ... accepter ... que ce qu'ils pourraient normalement être. Mais alors, c'est finalement mon problème à traiter, pas le vôtre. Donc, je serais reconnaissant si vous avez laissé mentionner ma nature de tous les rapports que vous donnez au shérif, je vais comprendre si vous vous sentez moralement obligé de le faire."
"I think I can appreciate that difference. On one hand I do not want to jeopardize your chances of securing that open slot if and when it occurs. But on the other, I very much do not want to find the townsfolk forcibly driving me out or worse trying to burn me at the stake simply because of what happened to my mother prior to even being born. Sandpoint may be a pleasant enough place normally, but the recent troubles paired with the older ones likely have made some be less ... accepting... than they might normally be. But then, that is ultimately my problem to deal with, not yours. So while I would be grateful if you left mention of my nature out of any reports you give to the sheriff, I will understand if you feel morally obligated to do so."
Smiling with her teeth showing for a change, Asa turns back to Eloisa.
"Anything out of the ordinary?"
Annika nods solemnly when Asa reveals her secret,
[b]"I thank you for trusting us with this. I will..return that trust and keep your secret."
As they backtrack to the door she waits while the Knight and Eloisa inspect it.
Upon opening the door, you find a disturbing scene. There is a dilapidated bed, ravaged by the years and it's proximity to the water. On the bed, there is a skeleton, bereft of clothing and flesh. It is small, small enough to be a child.
"Hm... not preserved like the body parts up in the other room, yet fully decomposed so not recent either."
"No flesh to tell how he or she died... not that I would think her agents would be involved with the things we have seen here so far, but it would have been nice to be able to confirm that."
Focusing on what is before her, Asa turns to Calin and the Knight. "Did this Stoot Chopper fellow have a child? Or did some Halfling bard show up around that time and disappear?"
" The body is definitely a human child. This may be Tomasi Piero, the son of blacksmith Giovanni Piero. I heard the boy went missing several years ago, around the time of the Late Unpleasantness. It was initially thought the child may have been a victim of Chopper, or the Cathedral fire, but a body was never found. This is the only "missing person" that's a human child in the last several years in Sandpoint. There also a book with pictures of birds under the bed. How sad that no one found him before now." she shakes her head in sadness.
Asa clenches her burned hand into a fist at the news. "Strange. The door was not locked, unless the lock was only on this side of the room. Why did he not try to leave after this Chopper's death?"
"And why would he be studying birds..." Asa delicately picks up the book that Eloisa had pointed out, gently turning the pages in order not to damage them.
Gently and reverently, using what bedding was left like a shroud he readied the remains to be somewhat picked up.
When we decide we have investigated enough I will return here the remains, regardless of whether this was the mission boy or not, they deserve a proper buriel.
He said the twinge of sadness in his voice obvious.
"Maybe the door has been locked, but whatever has made this place there new place of work might ahve unlocked to explore the entirety of the isle. If that's not the case I guess the boy was magically imprisoned untill his death. What ever the case we should make inquirie with the sheriff to have the skelenton examined."
"We should certainly return the body to the family as soon as possible for a proper burial. He deserves the dignity and they should have the closure. Though it might be well to have it examined by an expert to try to find out how he died first."
Asa carefully places the ruined book in the sack she brought with her, tying it off at the top and fastening it to her belt. "Perhaps they will have a better understanding of what remains of the tome. Regardless, they should probably get that too once we are done with it." Asa turns to leave the room.
That is, as far as you all can tell, the entirety of the place. Do you wish to do anything else while you are here, or leave?
No secret doors are detected.
"Looks like we might be done here, I think we looked into every room of this place. Should we head back?"
We can come back, we were to investigate and report. I for one will recomend to the sheriff that they destroy the statues then burn this .... festering place down lest some other evil come to inhabit this place.
He said doing his best scowl. He head torwards where they had left the remains of the small child next though, and his face was anything but hard then. In fact there was a deep sadness about his face.
"Before we return we should see just how accessible that other entrance is from the outside. Then we should see if the Sheriff or Priest have more potent means of removing that... thing... upstairs."
Asa shudders involuntarily at memories of the creature they found.
"That might be a good idea, lets take a look outside and see how close to Sandpoint that entrance really are. I can't imagine it being well hidden, someone must have stumbled upon it before." He says nodding an agreement to Asa.
Exploring the cavern, you do see that you could swim to Sandpoint. It wouldn't be easy, though.
Chopper's Isle is to the west of Sandpoint, and is connected by a bridge. If you swam straight east, you'd run into the base of the landmass that is the town of Sandpoint (and the areas around it of course). You could theoretically climb up that land into the town; wouldn't be super easy, but it would be doable. If you were to swim to the north, that part of the town leads down into the water. The beach is called Junker's Beach, but that would be a much longer swim.
It's possible that this small entrance had gone unnoticed simply because of how the people in Sandpoint avoid Chopper's Isle.
After thoroughly exploring the cave entrance, Asa shrugs almost nonchalantly. "Perhaps the Sheriff or Mayor will have an idea of how to seal this entrance from the outside. Even after that ... shrine... is cleared, I doubt that the caves will ever be a wholesome place to visit. And the fact that the townsfolk have missed it this long makes it somewhat of a risk to them should the darker nature of the place draw anything more unpleasant to the area."
"Let's take the remains of the child back to the sheriff so burial can be arranged. I feel bad for the family, but at least they have something to bury instead of continuing to wonder."
She takes a couple of notes. "What information do we have? We have something upstairs by the alter that may or may not come back, we have a necromancer's spellbook, a room full of body parts, a body of a small child presumably the last missing child from Choppers reign of terror, and an entrance to the cave system. Anything else I'm forgetting?"
"I think that's about it, but I feel like we have missed something. I don't understand how that book could have caused all thats happened here, all on it's own." The knight pauses a moment thinking, but can't come up with anything. "Guess it might be time to return, I can't think of anything we forgot here."
Asa shakes her head. "It wouldn't have, truthfully, especially if your initial hunch of this Stoot fellow was accurate." She pauses to think. "Perhaps it was the spirit associated with that boy. He clearly had an interest in birds, and I could see a dark god twisting the souls of the dead to serve as shrine guardians." Asa says this with the air of a person not entirely sure of what they are saying. "Though if my knowledge of arcane magic is somewhat limited, my knowledge of divine is non-existent. Rast or the Priest back in Sandpoint would better be able to prove or deny such thoughts."
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“Sadly my knowledge of this is limited Asa. I… I have not been a follower of Desna that long. My faith is strong I need experience.”
Rast pauses, unsure of himself.
“I know a little about the demon I believe involved but it is limited to knowing that he often possesses those who draw his attention.”
Rast, you also know that good-aligned churches usually offer bounties for evil or cursed magical items, and the book and the knife would most likely qualify.
"Im going to suggest to the Sheriff that this whole place be razed to the ground lest it tempt other untoward or evil things to stay here, unless you all have better ideas?"
He began stiffly his eyes sort of looking past everyone, clearly he was thinking of the dark things he saw when he first arrived her. He made a sign like a ward against evil and spat on the ground supressing a shudder.
A stiff look crosses the dhampir woman's face before fading. Asa closes her eyes and rubs the top of aquiline nose with her still burnt hand.
"It is unlikely that anything we found could be useful to fight evil. However, the remains of the murdered victims deserve to be given a proper cleansing, lest any lingering evil manage to torment or corrupt their souls." She looks at Calin. "Is there anything else you plan on suggesting to the sheriff? I can have my bag packed and ready within a few hours of our return."
He bit his lip and frowned at the half vampire woman... at least he thought that is what she called herself. He wasnt sure. He didnt know such thing could exist but he supposed they could. He would have to find a way to look into it.
"The only thing I plan to tell the Sheriff is the truth. There was some wretched thing here that assaulted our minds, we found the body we believe belonged to poor Tomasi Piero, and that after destruction of that foul alter we ought to burn the place to the ground lest other evil be drawn to it.
He said aloud, though he mentally thought to himself.
"And I will be praying you arent going to turn into a monster."
Asa nods. "That is a good summation I think. I think I would like to aid with the destruction of this place before I move on. Well, that and I would love to find our necromantic spellcaster as well, though I imagine we will need to see them writing something to prove it."
With a grim smile, Asa sheaths her falcata and begins the trek back to Sandpoint. "With any luck my hand will heal soon."
"Let's head back. I'm sure the priests and the sheriff will be interested in what we have to say. Let's go to the temple first, and ask the sheriff to join us there. Then we only have to go through this once." She follows Asa out the door. Maybe this place can "accidentally be burned down. It would be interesting to find the necromancer. I wonder if he or she has anything to do with the spirit we saw.
"I agree with the statement as to what happened. But before we call the likely parents to the boy's remains, lets have the father try adn commune with the spirit of the remains. Maybe we can get some answers if it works on the remains." He suggest as he takes point in leading the group back to Sandpoint.
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When they start moving Rast will come up to Asa and quietly tell her
After I rest and pray I would like to try and heal the damage that was caused in your demonstration but to do that I will need to pray for necromatic powers.
Rast pauses slightly to think though his question.
Will you accept this sort of healing? You were so upset by the book I... I don't know where the line is for you.
Asa looks at her burn, the skin blackened and blistered from what would have been a healing balm to anyone else in her group. She closes her eyes and makes a fist, her muscles quivering with frustration and anger.
"When I find you, I will take great pleasuring in ending your cursed existence...." She opens her eyes and sighs, partially in frustration, partially in pain.
"If you wish to you may. I will not ask it of you, and lest you worry I do heal over time, just like any other living person." The smile on her face is somewhat strained, but nonetheless genuine. "I am of the opinion that if your god grants you the power, it must be for a reason. If she will not, then there is a reason for that too. Either way, try not to worry to much." Her smile becomes a bit warmer, her teeth showing slightly as she does.
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"Well.. I would like to try... you should not be left out of Desna's blessings even if they come in a different form."
Rast falls back from the group after this statement, bringing up the rear while he pulls out is prayer book, reading while he walks.
I will win her over. I had a rough start too. Not the same but I get it.
"Necromancy is an opposition school for me. I can learn the spells but they won't be easy to use. Maybe we can find some scrolls or wands."
She says as she walks next to Raft for a moment. Then she moves toward the center of the group.