Wow, what hit me? I saw a flash of light and then pretty birds. Are you all ok? Did we get that damn mage? And if anyone else has any skills with healing, I am really hurting where that flash of light hit me.
'I am very sorry Kzrira; my dear, I have run out of medical supplies and spells. Maybe once we have returned this information to Mr Djal, we can get some sleep and hopefully, yourself and I will feel better in the morning.'
Karethas stands when he sees Kzrira regain consciousness. He looks around, "We should search the house here and the bodies to see if we can find those contracts. Whatever else we pick up can finance some more healing for whomever is hurt. Amir, would you do the honors of searching the house with my help and Faelar can search the bodies? Kzrira, you should rest until we get you some more healing or rest. We should hurry in case the Guard decide to make an appearance." Karethas moves to begin the search. "Oh, and do check to see if that mage has his spell book on him." Karethas grins widely.
Amir moves to the body of the mage as the group stirs about the house, checking after injuries and statuses.
Indeed we should check the house as thoroughly as we can, perhaps other ungents or potions to ease Kzrira's pain might be found. I suggest we drag the other bodies in and move with haste and care. Others may well be skulking about the premises and who knows what sort of alarms or traps await us as we work.
'Very well, allow me to bring everyone inside, whilst you search the place for the documentation we need and any other supplies.'
I step outside and drag all the bodies from outside (one at a time), into the building, including the mage. After which I start to search the bodies as Karethas asked. Anything that I find, I will list out quietly, but loud enough that my friends can hear.
'So my friends, did you find what we were looking for?'
The fallen wizard does indeed have his bags hastily packed. You find a potion (clw), a spellbook, and the missing contract. A key he holds opens a chest in his room with 324 gold scarabs and 150 silver sheks.
The house holds a number of art objects you think might be of value including the stained glass in the tower which would be difficult to remove. There is also a richly illustrated book of poetry dedicated to Shelyn, a bronze statue of an efreet, an ornate gold plate and chalice, a painting of ancient Katapesh, and an ancient enameled scroll case.
I grab the potion of pass it over to Kzrira. I then look at the poetry book and painting, 'Would you mind if I were to take these? The book is something that I could use to learn more poetry and the painting ... Well I just love maps and paintings of ancient places. The scroll case would be nice too, but I am sure you would want this to put some of your scrolls in, Karethas? That is, if we are able to take them.'
I drink the potion.
CLW - <-- if higher than level 1, let me know
That was much better than the last one you gave me. I think the other one had gone bad. Let me see what you all have found.
Appraise: <-- poetry book
Appraise: <-- bronze statue
Appraise: <-- gold plate & chalice
Appraise: <-- painting of ancient katapesh
Appraise: <-- ancient enameled scroll case
Kzrira suspects the gold plate and chalice are the most valuable artifacts found in the mansion with an obvious value of 300 gold scarabs apiece.
Guys, lets take what we can and get out of here before the authorities show up.
We seem to have our contract and enough loot to get some supplies, maybe even some healing since we seem to like getting hurt.
Karethas seems disappointed as everything portable is gathered together. "I had hoped to find evidence of the reason these people were after the contract, whether they were really spies for a foreign nation, and what their overall purpose was." He looks over at the body of the wizard, "I suppose we killed the source of that information though." He sighes and then forces a smile, "Mission accomplished though, and I agree that we should go. I am not particularly interested in the scroll case Faelar, I have one of my own and don't need such an ornate one for our travels. I would like to study that spellbook though."
'Karethas; my dear friend, I would not stop you from studying the book. Reading books helps us improve ourselves and learn new things. Let us leave now then, so that we do not get seen here, breaking and entering, along with theft and violence, crimes I would rather not be charged with.'
I pick up the poetry book, painting and scroll case and follow everybody else out of the manor. I cannot wait to study these poems, they will help me spread the sounds of Shelyn. The painting of Ancient Katapesh, that is truly a piece of beauty.
'By the way, before we go meet up with Mr Shank, I require a few minutes to return to the masters manor, inform him where I am going, say a short farewell to my love and collect my travelling gear. Would that be acceptable; my friends?'
That is find, but we still need to get back to that slimy imp-mage and get the info from him. I need to know what happened to my mother. And lets sell everything we can, this bug that I won as well. I don't know how well Amir can haggle for a wand that cures wounds, but we are not likely to see many more dawns taking a beating as we have been.
Yes the puppeteer is a priority still. Take what you can but we must be careful with trying to sell anything from this place; the works may be known to others.
Appraise: <-- poetry book
Appraise: <-- bronze statue
Appraise: <-- gold plate & chalice
Appraise: <-- painting of ancient katapesh
Appraise: <-- ancient enameled scroll case
Karethas smiles at Amir's caution, "I thought that you had certain...connections that would make such concerns unnecessary?" Karethas says the word "connections" while tugging knowingly on his goatee. Karethas looks over the items using Detect Magic, giving his input to Amir on any details he may have missed.
Appraise:
Appraise:
Appraise:
Appraise:
Appraise:
I look at the items, trying to work out if there is much value in them.
Although the statue is quite bulky (200 lbs), Amir reckons it would be worth 500 scarabs to the right buyer. The book and scroll case should be worth a few hundred scarabs as well.
Karethas spell doesn't detect magic in the art objects, but the leather bracers on the wizard's wrists are magical.
'Karethas; my friend, you might want to take those wrist guards. I would like a pair, but for now you are in far greater need of protection.'
Se we have two things to do. Identify the bodies that were in the plants and figure out how to move this pretty statue. Did anyone see a coach house or place for a cart about the area when we came in?
Definitely Karethas should get those bracers. I would like some as I am not the strongest to be carrying heavy armor, but am fine with the armor I have at the present.
The garden contains a small bath house, but you do not find a carriage house or any other conveyance on site. Karethas' poking around the house also finds another magical aura coming from a gray mask hidden in the wardrobe.
'If only we could come back in a little while, then I could bring Gnasher, Grinder and my wagon, that would make transporting the statue easier.'
As a group, the four of us should be able to move it. Lets take the statue and hide it in the vegetation next to the back gate. Since the mage is dead, the alarm spell should not need to be worried about. Then we can come back with the wagon after we talk to the imp creep and not have to come back into the house. Also, we can recover the dead kid and return him where he needs to go. Personally, I think that burying the dead bad guys in the garden would be good as it will hide the crimes, if killing those who attacked us is a crime, and then it is just a deserted home.
To do all this we must move with haste. Let us get about moving these things as we should. If we can I would like to take the young woman's body back to the inn. Her friends were worried for her, perhaps they would know best where to put her to rest.
'I agree.'
I begin to start moving things where they need to go.
The four of you slip out the gate and into the street perhaps not as silently as you would like as the chimes follow you through the neighborhood, but no one bothers you. You wend your way back to the Lower Market and Tian Town and then the abandoned theater. Moving the boards aside you are ready to enter the abode of Djal and his flock of imp informants.
Amir subconsciously smooths his robes and hat as he steps into the theater, curious to see if the same level of pagentry will be exhibited this time. Stepping forward he clears his throat, We have found your young merchant and his contracts as well. Interesting events led us to complete your task. Is our deal still secure?
The dark theater looks similar as far as you can see. Shadows dance across the screen and by the smell of brimstone and the sound of scaled wings you sense the imps above.
A voice from the darkness asks with some surprise, "You found the contracts? Excellent. Show me and tell me how you came up on them."
'Why do you sound so surprised that we found them? If you honour your part of the deal, I shall ask a request of you. I just hope that these contracts are worth at least 1 more answer.'
The voice giggles, "I just didn't think you were all that capable to be honest, but color me most impressed at your success. Eyeblighter, bring me the contracts. I will certainly honor my side of our arrrangement should you hold the proper contracts." There is a stinking breeze as an imp drops from the ceiling and waits for you to hand him the contract.
'Eyeblighter, eh? I suppose I deserve that for my flash of light earlier.'
I hold my hand out, with the contract loosely within my grasp.
The contract is ripped from Faelar's hand and the wings flutter to the screen. A skinny silhouette accepts the contract and gazes over them a moment.
Can I tell how many fluttering things above me there are, based on the sounds of flapping wings?
I speak into the darkness, facing the silhouette, 'As you can see; my good sir, they are real contracts and therefore we would like to receive our answers. If I can remember correctly, the questions we asked you were regarding the whereabouts of Haleen and our missing Elven friend. However would you be willing to allow us to change one of these questions? We already have a lead to the location of my fellow Elf and was wondering if you could assist me in my quest. I am looking for a tome, this tome is called "The Tales of Shaharezthed", but I do not want just any copy. I am looking for an original. Is the location of such a tome in your vast information library and would a great man; such as yourself, be willing to part with it, if it is?'
The shadow behind the screen safely tucks the contracts away and steps back into the shadows. ”Very good, I will gladly answer your questions although you may not care for the answers. Firstly Haleen, she sells her sword to the highest bidder in far Kelmarane. “ Shadows dance across the dimly lit screen. A skilled swordswoman fights an ogre and battles besides hyena-headed gnolls.
”As for the Tales, there were few copies scribed and fewer still remain. I know of only one original copy mentioned long ago, that of the wizard Andrathi who obtained it for his lover Nefeshti, the Peri queen. He disappears from history centuries ago. Rumor has it however, that he was trapped by an evil Efreeti just as Shaharezthed herself is said to be imprisoned by an evil lord in the City of Brass.“ The scene changes again and a wizard bows low before a winged woman then he suddenly disappears and a fiery man ascends laughing.
Why do I feel that all signs point to this mysterious Kelmarane. And she is a trained swords woman. Well, I guess my path will continue with you all for at least a few more days.
'Thank-you; my good sir, for upholding your part of the deal and even sharing with me some valuable information.' I bow to the silhouette, not knowing if he can see me or not, but I must pay my respects.
I straighten up from my bow, 'So my friends, it looks like I have another reason to journey with you to the City of Brass. I hope that I can offer you more aid and assistance in this task. Kzrira; my dear lady, I am most hopeful that you will find Haleen at the Brass City. I also offer my apologies once again, for mistaking your Haleen with a less honourable one the other day and I hope that you will forgive me.'
Amir stands quietly as Faelar does most of the talking. As a journey to Kelmarane seems all the more likely, Amir says nothing. As the group resolves its business Amir notes one thought out loud towards the puppeteer, The people that boy was working with had a house of wealth and servants of skill. I would be shocked to find they worked without aid from afar or from within the city. I suspect we will talk again some day. I doubt our business is resolved. Perhaps I am paranoid but I've lived in this place too long to think the tale ends after the first chapter.
Turning to the group, if there is nothing else, let us away to our work and prepare for our journey.
I cannot remember if we have any more tasks right now, but I vote to get the wagon and grab the loot to sell so that we can purchase a wand of CLW and any other gear we need for the trip.
'How could I make such a large mistake, mistaking Kelmarane for the great City? Well I will still accompany you to Kelmarane, so that we can find Xander and I can offer my assistance to find Mrs Haleen.'
Then I start to speak more quietly almost ending in a whisper, 'Then I have to find a way to get to the Plane of Fire safely and get of copy of the Tome, but how?'
Karethas is mostly quiet as the group travels to Djal's theatre, thinking of the implications of who Katlan and Mantlus may have been working for and what Djal's interest was in the situation. As the group stands outside the theatre he mutters, "Lady damned diabolist," although he manages to keep his mouth shut through the interaction with the shadowy figure.
Amir disappears with the golden plate and chalice and the rolled painting. Some time later, after meeting with an array of shady fences in the Nightstalls, he's managed to acquire even more than the appraised value. His pouch sags under the combined weight of gold scarabs and platinum jinns.
Finding a magical curative wand is child's play and he manages to buy the wand and still have 200 scarabs in his pocket.
Karethas is able to identify the domino as a mask of disguise.
Karethas sees Faelar fingering the elegant scroll case as he examines it one more time. "That is much too fine a piece to be going into the wilds with us. A more practical one would be in order I think, such as this." He holds up his leather scroll case. "A treasure such as that is for a man who is settled and enjoying the finer things in life, not a group of vagabonds such as ourselves. The same could be said for the book..."
As the group stops in its crosstown treks at one of the wells in the city for a quick drink Karethas casts Detect Magic and examines the magical aura of the mask closely.
Does the sale include the statue? Agreed, you should not be in combat and Mage Armor is good for at least an hour even at level 1 and a lot longer at higher levels.
I do not know how much money we will have left over, but if we can find mithral shirts for myself and Amir, they would probably be quite useful. While not magical, they are very light and do not impair movement. In the desert, I think that light weight armor would be a very good idea.
I respond to Karethas' intellectual and sensible comment, 'I know that it is not the most travel friendly case, but look at it... Even you have to admit it is worth admiring. Also it is better to have it, in case we need to make someone think we are well off, trade it for information or other goods. Taking it with us could hold a lot of possibilities. As for the book, I suppose I can do without it but if we are going to sell it, we have to at least offer it to the Church of Shelyn, where it can be of most use.'
Looking at the group, 'I would like to have an armour that is of better quality than this, but preferably the same style. Does that make sense?'