Amren, the gem looks to be worth about 100 gp but the material is one that you find familiar, something that you have seen and touched before, something, perhaps sinister.
Lokien ignores the Elven Witch, dismissing her once more as her mouth comes an insult yet again.
"Amren, What we got there?"
Paging Mr. Amren. Paging Mr. Amren. Come in Mr. Amren.
Amren lumbers over to the party, and takes the gem from Jark.
This.... It's not normal. I figure about 100 gold, but something seems... off. Almost sinister... I think I may have seen something like this before...
[ooc] It reminds him of the gem that tried to take his soul. [ooc] It is very pretty, very sparkly, very inticing.
Make a Perception check.
You take a good look at the elf's bracelets and see you that they seem have 3 gems of the same material, only red. The one you see is purple.
"Amren?"
Amren, where you be?
Amren suddenly looks very wary of the stone, dropping it to the floor and backing away. When he notices the elf's bracelet's, his voice takes on a very panicked tone.
What... what are your bracelets made of, Elwarien? This stone is the same as those, and the same as one that was set in an ancient artifact that tried to steal my body!
He points at it, and his panic shows again.
That thing needs to be destroyed! If a goddess hadn't interfered, some old wizard would be in my body right now! We can't chance it being just as dangerous!
Rolling her eyes at the interagator, Why would any one want the body of a halfling? . She says with a slight life, Any self respecting wizard would and could demand more than a halfling
Thinking a bit You have seen more of this material, halfling? Where? When? she says as her tone changes from intolerance and spite to curiosity and a little bit of caution.
She repeats her question to the halfling.
About a week before you came into town. I was exploring some old Thassilonian ruins and came across a funny metal star shaped thing that had a gem like that one in the middle. Apparently, it housed the soul of a wizard who tried to take over my body when I picked it up. Believe it or not, I was saved by Desna herself. So yeah. What the hell is it, and why do you have some on your bracelet?
He back away from the stone, and the elf while he speaks, both daggers cautiously drawn.
Interesting. Most interesting. Amren, what else do you remember about this event? she says.
He watches but does nothing else. Afterall he didn't know that Amren had such an interesting tale.
He was quiet as the watched the interchange, he did not however miss the halfling daggers in his hand. This was certainly a time for senseand caution for all invovled.
As much as this seems ...intriguing and worrisome on more than a few levels.... is this place the best spot for such going ons?
he asked slowly moving closer to his wife, just in case the halfling got truly crazed.
Jarkralzak will detect for evil on the new stone and those on the elf's bracers
There is no evil detected.
The only other thing I remember is that she said "This is not your time to fall, Amren Slyblade. You have a great destiny before you. Go forth, and begin your path to becoming my champion." I haven't told anyone because I didn't think they would believe me, but now I'm beginning to suspect you know what that thing was.
He isn't threatening the elf with his stance, but he is guarded, and wary. This event was plainly something more than terrifying for him.
Perhaps I understand it. Perhaps not. It is not like you, giving the halfling and the warpriest a look, would believe me either way
"I would like to hear what you might have to say about this, elf. It you would please? It seems to be of some importance to oour halfling friend here."
Would I be believed, paladin. The halfling and the warpriest do not hide their detesment of me.
Sheathe your knives, halfling she says as she reaches into a pouch.
"If you would learn to rein your tongue then perhaps you would not be so unpleasant for don't forget if not for the blessings of Torag, your husband would not have being standing here, the same one you so callously insult. As well if Amren had not identified the items, you so proudly declare you found only by dint of their magical aura and not their hiding place, yet you once more rebuke without thinking. If not for your husband's steadfastness and devotion to you, I doubt that you'll survive long by yourself." Lokien retorts.
The relationship I have with my husband and our devotion to each other, is of no concern of yours, dwarf.
Halfling, bring me the gem
She repeats, Halfling, bring me the gem more firmly.
The word you are searching for is Please. Love." Calin said firm enough to be a bit of a rebuke at the same time as trying to defuse the sitution. He added a sigh and relaxed just a bit, Nothing seemed amiss at the moment now, His ELrawien being haughty and demanding... well that was normal as much as he wished it were otherwise. It was a work in progress.
In Elvish:
They are allies, ones who have shed blood and more with us, is always time for respect."
He answered out loud and in common, giving his wife a bit of a glare. Headless of the possible danger he saw no reason whatsoever to treat the others as she was wont to do. It was little wonder that the others held a bit of detestment for her.
Please Amren, it might be for the best to do as she asks.
He added calmly.
In Elvish
Please, she says as if it pains her to say those words, give me the gem. Or do not. I will not be responsible for what this can do and bring to the uninitiated. Tempting Desna twice might not be the most prudent thing to do
Take it if you want, I'm not touching the damned thing. He motions to it with his dagger. For once we agree, I'm not risking my neck again. No telling if Desna likes me enough to save me twice or not. Just tell me what it is.
"Bah! So she does know manners though once again she does so only at your behest." giving Calin a warrior's salute as he waits for the elven wrench to retrieve the gem herself seeing that Amren is unwilling to do so.
He stays where he is though, hammer loose in his hands.
Grabbing the gem, she sits down crossed legged. Setting the gem down, she begins to chant in the strange and archaic language of magic. Loosing herself in the magic and entering into a deep trance she concentrates and chants for several long minutes.
When she awakes with a start from her trance, her whole demeanor is changed. She seems tired.
Amren, it is best that leave this alone. In the Ancient Days after Starfall, the mighty human nation of Thassilon emerged. Ruled by wizards who used what is now known as rune magic and was ruled by seven runelords, each of whom mastered one of the seven schools of arcane rune magic harnessed from the very sins of mankind. Their constant ambition for dominance over the rest led to much strife and death in the empire. Eventually they agreed to suspend open warfare in favor of combat between chosen champions. They left might artifacts, each tied to one of these seven sins and tied to a different school of magic. It appears, Amren, that you have twice found an artifact or something to do with the school of necromancy or sloth.
Sloth? Interesting. No one has ever associated me with that sentiment before. When I was a kid I was always told I was too active. What could it mean, though. And believe me, after last time, I'm not going near the damned things. Just... Keep them safe and where they can't hurt anyone else, ok?
Amren's words to the elf are for once completely genuine and true, with no sarcasm.
The magic had nothing to do with you. The school of magic of necromancy is associated with the sin of sloth. Each of the school's of magic had or has a corresponding sin. For example, wrath is associated with evocation. My magic is much more subtle than either of these.
"This sounds like dangerous magics. Take a care that you do not loose yourself in such tainted rituals. Now lets us continue through this ruin and see if we cannot remove its present residents and make the area a whole lot safer for the people of Sandpoint!"
Garridan listens in to Amren's explanation of his experience and Elrawien's description of the magic. "Do you think the sudden appearance of these items may be linked to what is going on here?"
It might be a possability. However, we still do not know who or what, besides a devotee to the Mother of Beasts, is behind this and the attack on Sandpoint.
Looking to the paladin, Necromancy is too disgusting for me and my talents lie in more subtle magics. Blowing things up lacks flair.
Jarkralzak smiles at the elf's description and her disdain of necromancy.
"That's a fine lass...but sometimes we might need a little "explosion", and perhaps not from yer temper, eh!"
Jarkralzak winks and smiles to take any sting out of the mild rebuke. His like of the tempestuous elf and her husband is quite clear.
Grandfather, I am a devotee of the Savored Sting. As a follower of that goddess we are taught not to let slights go unanswered. My goddess has just as strict theological adherence as yours does. she says with a smile.
"Indeed...I shall then await your retribution", the dwarf says, and bows low to the priestess.
'Now, maybe, we should continue our search of this place, yes?"
With a smile and sparkle in her eye, Grandfather, you have never given me cause for retribution. I am not a priestess, I am a wizardress
"And if we're all done chatting, we should move on aye?" interjects Lokien, tapping his foot to further express his impatience.
Indeed let u s continue on, we can hold Theological counsil and magical debates in safer more hospital climes.
He said simply, offering the two dwarves a nod as he readied himself to continue the exploration.. he would have to be more careful of his wife in the future. He almost lost her due to his... ineptitude.
Amren carefully checks out the doors leading to D11.
Garridan begins to absently shuffle his harrow deck while waiting for the dwarves and the elf to finish their argument. Once the topic of moving on was brought up, he puts the deck away and follows behind.
I will be able to update this evening when I get home. I had to come in earlier to work this morning than I was expecting.
Amren, perception check.
Sigh