Rumors have been spreading around the city. It seems as if the Godsmouth Ossuary is in need of some 'cleaning'. The clerics of Pharasma are quietly looking for those willing to clear out a small 'problem' in the crypts. Even in a city like Kaer Maga however few are willing to dig into a crypt with priests over their shoulder. Still the money is good and there might be some unaccounted for loot in the older sections.
Roman arrives on the steps of Godsmouth Ossuary in the early morning. He glances around before heading inside.
I wonder if there's going to be much competition on this one.
A man wearing exotic armor, even for Kaer Maga, stops before the structure. A very long two handed sword with a four foot blade rest at his hip, along side it a short slender blade, on one of his arms a small shield, and sticking up from his back a pair of thin throwing spears. Clearly dressed for combat and if his easy baring is any indication despite his compact build. He is more then capable of it. The gold should be worth the work, priest should pay well. There healing should be free if needed, it is shameful enough they are unable to do their duty themselves.
Roman waits for the church contact while leaning on one of the pillars inside the front foyer. He peers over his shoulder as the sound of metal enters behind him.
Ah, well at least that one looks like he could put up a fight. I do hate having to carry dead bodies back.
He stares just a little too long, the candlelight bouncing off his heavy armor and large axe.
I believe I may have seen him around before as well.
A dishevelled man wearing an old coat and a cheap mask emerges from a surprisingly small crevice nearby. Standing up he puts a battered leather hat on his wiry white hair, pulls out a bottle and moves towards the steps.
To the man's obvious disgust the bottle appears to be empty and he stores it with a clink in a voluminous pocket in the overcoat.
As he approaches the faint smell of cheap booze and old urine precedes him.
"Morning all." he calls, cheerfully.
Through a lft open window the small Pseudodragon slipped, odd looking with its small belt. flow along the rafters above the ones below.
Let us see who comes, the clues lead here for now, we shall see
Its sits still and looks on as the masked man talks to the fighting man
A massive orc comes through the doors. His breastplate polished and well kept bearing the symbol of Gorum. A sword at his back the same as Soru. He pauses as he enters, scanning over and sizing up everyone. He looks to be thinking a moment berfor speaking out.
No one told Krixus this was a team job. Oh well Krixus will still get paid and if others die, maybe he will get their money as well.
As the words come out the others should realize they sound as if he is speaking his inner thoughts.
He continues to walk in giving Soru, and Roman a nod. It seems he knows them, maybe not by name, but you all have seen each other around going after the same jobs.
A tall human woman invites you all into the temple of Pharasma for a midnight meeting. As she leads you into a small side chapel dedicated to Saint Velorys the Martyred she begins to explain. "I am Valanthe, we would like to request your help. Bodies have begun to dissappear from the Ossuary, we can pay 500 Gold for putting whatever is causing this to end. We can also offer an additional 250 Gold for clearing the Ossuary of any vermin and monsters. You are of course free to claim any valuables find in the sealed crypts are theirs to keep, barring any obviously Pharasmin relics or treasure. Provided you don't destroy the Ossuary in the process."
Roman eyes Valanthe from top to bottom.
Nope, not as pretty.
He speaks up once she's done talking, "Is that gold per person, or the entire group?"
If that's for the group, then I may be a little less inclined to watch where I swing my axe..
Soru looks over the woman carefully, taking her measure.
After the other man speaks he does as well.
"I would like for that to be made clear as well. You will be providing any healing free of charge I take it. You have few willing to aid you, best those that do, not perish or lose their reward to wounds inflicted in your service."
The little presto dragon had flown thought the doors after the others had gone in, finding a perch in the chapel.
To all he says into there minds, v telepathy.
::If I maybe permitted to join you exploration, I believe I have skills that would be of use to you::
The 'adventurer' wanders over to the ground and picks up a large piece of what might be lumber.
"Krixus, good point." turning to the clerics "If I don't make it out, but the job's done, what happens to my reward?"
The best course would be to assign the money as a bounty on the survivor's heads. They will then have a reason to ensure I survive.
The thought is lightning quick, a moment of brilliance... and then an intrusion.
Telepathy? I had best control my thoughts.
Ha,Ha,Ha, So pretty Lady wants to pay Krixus to go steal from there temple and to beat up some weak old Necormancer type that likes to play with dead things. This is good sounding job to Krixus. You others wish to come along. Krixus enjoys good company. Anyone know any good jokes? Like others askes, What's Krixus share of gold pretty lady? Wait what that? Shut up voice in Krixus head, Krixus talking to pretty lady.
What the.. "hell is that?!"
Roman puts a hand on his axe blade while he scans the area for the unknown voice.
"Show yourself, before I come find and kill you."
Nobody talks in my head..
::"this is one of the skills I have, the other is passing unseen, I also see as well in darkness and in light, last of all I can get into places many can not"::
Something flys above your head from rafter to rafter then down
From behind the lady the presto dragon comes up over her shoulder, looking at you all.
::"my name is Nixs Osolax, nice to meet you all"::
Soru places a hand on his nodachi. Those nearby get the sense that it would be bad if he drew it.
"Why should we work with someone who hides in the shadows and speaks in our mind unbidden. Your actions speak only of deceit and cowardice as such your words mean nothing."
Roman huffs, showing his displeasure.
"Agreed. I only work with those I can see and that stay out of my head."
I wonder what lizard tastes like.
::"that is a fine weapon you have, as for why I act as I do, when your as small as me, it pays to be carful in life as I have found the prime to be a most dangerous place, I have a feeling this may be why you carry such a weapon , as for talking into your head, this is the only way I can talk, unless you speak Draconic "::
The small thing makes screeching sounds
"this is the only verbal language I can speak with sound"
.
Is pet flying lizard included in deal. Krixus more on board now. Krixus likes name Nixs sounds like his. Other two are edgy. Hey you two it ok, see just flying pet lizard.
Roman grumbles, "He looks more like dinner than a pet."
::"and you ask me why I hid, others thinking I am a possible dinner could be why"::
Only
::yes I like Krixus as a name as well, means strong wall I think, good strong name for a great warrior "::
Diplomacy
Nixs flys over to Krixus shoulder.
"How you divide up your winnings is up to you, we will gladly provide healing for those who come up from the crypt if you need it, but not if you abandon your duties down there. To return for healing is fine, to expect healing because you found it too difficult and wish to leave is not.
See good pet lizard likes Krixus. Krixus pulls out a bit of dry meat from a rashion, offering it to Nixs
Good Nixs, good. OK pretty lady, Krixus will go. Where does Krixus find entrance to crypt? You three come with. Krixus afraid of dark. See Nixs, Krixus make joke other three too uptight. Krixus go with flow sort of guy.
So the less that come back, the more for the rest of us..
"Alright, let's get going then. The quicker we finish this, the quicker I get paid."
Roman heads off to the crypts once the others are ready. He doesn't hide his constant eying of the lizard.
"Nicks, is it - like nicking stuff? I can see you'd be a good nicker. I'm Shathash the Burned."
Soru merely grunts at the little thing.
"Skill and power have nothing to do with size. If you could not be bothered to learn the common tongue of the land you should not deal with it's people. To violate the sanctum of someone's mind is inexcusable. If your talents lie only in spying and hiding then you are unfit for this job. Those who avoid danger have no place here or right to a share of the reward."
Keeping his hand on his nodachi he steps forward towards the crypts. As far as he was concerned it was a leech at best and thief at worst. He held no kindness for ether.
"There can be a lot of use in spying and hiding," Aeryn says, stepping from the shadows where he's been listening in, "In fact, I'd say some of the most dangerous people I've ever met specialized in just that sort of thing."
Aeryn gives a friendly nod in the direction of the pseudodragon.
Do beware, little friend, Aeryn projects silently. Some people's thoughts are more dangerous than others.
Aeryn shifts his bow on his back, and starts in the direction of the crypts.
"Please, after you," he says to Krixus with a casual smile.
Nibbles on the tidbit of meat, happy he had a protector form the mean ones.
::""I take when I must, life can be hard and like the large twolegs here, who see me as food or a pest, I have to make my way in this world as best I can with that skills I have"[i]::
::[i]"Then I shall take your advice and be careful, thank you"
"So we should prob'ly get on with it before someone else turns up and we get even less loot."
Masked man makes point. Krixus takes out a piece of cloth then wraps it around his nose and mouth. Krixus ready now. Some twice-born smell worse than Krixus on non bath week. Everybody ready.
Krixus looks over to the man that steped from the shadows.
Whats this pretty lady, you try and get drop on Krixus. You have other spies? Oh wait you come with us? Maybe you tell jokes to Krixus help pass time. Krixus will lead. Follow... With that and if the lady has no more information we head to the crypt.
Nixs stays with Krixus
"There can be a lot of use in spying and hiding," Aeryn says, stepping from the shadows where he's been listening in, "In fact, I'd say some of the most dangerous people I've ever met specialized in just that sort of thing."
Aeryn gives a friendly nod in the direction of the pseudodragon.
Do beware, little friend, Aeryn projects silently. Some people's thoughts are more dangerous than others.
Aeryn shifts his bow on his back, and starts in the direction of the crypts.
"Please, after you," he says to Krixus with a casual smile.
Great, more cowards..
Valanthe leads you down the narrow, twisting cliffside path to the Godsmouth Ossuary. Once your group pass through the mouth of the Unnamed King, you are in the ossuary proper, where robed and hooded Pharasmin priests silently tend to the deceased. Valanthe leads the party through luxuriously appointed catacombs packed with bodies and down several stairways before coming to an area that obviously sees little use—most of the burial niches are empty and dusty, the air is musty and close, and silence reigns supreme.
OK, pretty lady. Krixus take it from here. Stupid can't see in dark humans have tourches? Ok, lets go. Krixus draws his sword and moves into the crypt.
Roman draws his axe and waits for someone with light before entering.
"I'll need someone else to provide light."
Soru moves forward, hand still on his nodachi.
"I have no need of light."
He prepares to strike anything that comes with in range that is hostile.
Aeryn readies his bow, notching an arrow.
"A torch would have been a lovely idea, come to think of it," he says with a shrug, "But carrying one makes firing a bow more than a little difficult."
Still listening, little friend? I'm not sure if you can see in the dark, but if you can, an extra set of eyes to guide my shots would be quite handy...
The little presto dragon snorts, then takes out his Ioun torch from his belt, slipping it out of its small cloth bag he holds it and flys over to Roman,
::""do you still wish to eat me? when I am the only one who came with a light?"::
He sets the Ioun torch spinning around Romans head, it's light shining out for them.
::"you will be up front I take it, best you see what your to fight a Roman"::
He then flys over to Aeryn
::"there is your mark Aeryn what he fights you shoot, you two are a team, the lights, wile we who see well in the dark, shall do so and be know as the darks"
He flys back to Krixus
::"At you say Krixus, I think we are ready now "::
"I've got a pack of torches I've never used" Shathash offers "Don't need 'em, and... well I'm not fond of fire anymore."
"Hmmph. Eat you? No. I don't like food that talks back."
He watches as the Ioun Torch floats around his head.
"Less useless, maybe."
Silly humans, can't see in dark, not prpared for dark. Krixus no need jokes. You make Krixus laugh. Now lets move. Krixus need money for steak and taters that have Krixus name on it.
"I'll try to be better prepared in the future. Alas, I rushed out of the bedchambers I...uh...found myself in this morning, and barely had time to grab what I have," Aeryn says with a wry smirk. "I honestly didn't know she married!"
In this disused portion of the crypts, Valanthe stops before a locked door. She explains that this is the only known entrance to the sealed lower portions of the ossuary, and once you enter, the door will be locked
behind them.
Because of this restriction, the party will be unable to leave the ossuary to rest and resupply between encounters. To help them accomplish their
task, Valanthe gives eachof you a potion of cure light wounds and a vial of holy water.
Valanthe then hands Aeryn a hollow mithral tube about1 foot long—a chime of opening with 5 charges remaining. "You may use this to get past the seals further below but I suggest you save at least one charge for returning. We will not open the door for you as we have no way of knowing if you have been turned into mindless undead. If you use up all the charges you will have to find your own way out, although we would also pay for knowledge of breaches in the ossuary as well."
With that warning given she draws a large iron key and opens the door.
----------------In the Ossuary----------------
The door grinds open despite long years of disuse. Within, a stone spiral staircase descends into the earth.
The spiral stairway descends 60 feet down a cramped vertical shaft to the second level of the Godsmouth Ossuary. There is a narrow gap between the stairs and the corners of the square shaft, but it is too small for a human to fit and a tight space.
Roman peers into the shaft. "Best we spread out while we make our way down."
He takes the lead, axe in hand and starts making his way down. He keeps his eyes and ears alert for anything below.
Krixus is happy to follow behind Axe fighter. You tell Krixus what is coming.
Soru says nothing, the order did not matter to him. He keeps an eye out while the others speak. Prepared for anything, he made a mental note to take care of how many chimes were used. As well as the others supply of potions, should they die before a potion could be used he would be sure to retrieve it.
Nixs flaps down and sees if he can peek down the gap in the shaft.
::"if I can see what is below us it may help "::
"Thank you for the potion and the vial" Shathash says, surprisingly politely. Pausing at the top of the stairs he looks carefully and follows Krixus.