"Blackmail, find proof" is the response
Well now we know. Thank you again priestess. We shall come back with the authorization you need. One question does the next of kin needs to come in person and agree to the casting of the raise dead or does a written consent is enough?
"Let's blackmail him," Kirana whispers to Lilly, "Cast a spell on him and make him sign something embarassing..."
Kirana thinks for a second, then shakes her head. "Why not directly make him sign a contract that allows a resurrection of Kyle? You know command magics that make people do stuff?"
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, such a thing would be breaking the law worst than simply reviving lord Kyle without permission.. A warning, Kyle's uncle is the mayor of Galduria and a wizard. He wont be that easy to fool however he is suspected to be involved in a few things that he wouldn't want coming to light and was even accused of necromancy before but nothing was proven."
Answering Kirana, "Solely simple things, the scribbling of signatures i cannot press onto others."
"Aye...yet i am a deranged psychologically unstable woman with a mind which, if shared, can cause that father's brother to kill himself. Not excluding the other smashmerry persons here.....", she says with an unnerving smile that really belongs to a crazy person.
Talking to Gloin, Kira, Firebeard, and Lilly
Well, it seems like what we might need to do is go back to that fort, or under it, and find proof that the Uncle is in cahoots with those gnolls, then bring that back here to this attractive lady priest here, and shut that man down the right way. If we can bring the Duke back to life, well that sounds wrong to me in the first place, I mean, sure his death was at the hands of an assassin, but what if that happened every time somebody died when somebody else wasn't ready for it, that seems like it would get things out of control in a hurry. Surely the gods don't let their priests and priestesses just keep undoing the things other people do all the time, but anyway never mind all that. Should we go look for proof or not?
"Yes, let's go!" Kirana says while admiring Wags' haircut.
Too many words for me to understand what's being said, but miss Bowie's hair confirms she knows what's the best way to proceed!
Before
----
Current
this is what i propose we do. First some background check on that uncle of his. Like resources, wizard spells he has been known to cast, suspected involvement in dirty things and so one before confronting him. I would like before we show up as his door to have some leverage on him and then our plan B would be to twist his arms with compelling magic and so forth. Anyone skilled in alchemy?
"In that case you should speak to Crus the wizard. Usually he doesn't like visitors but I will write you a letter of introduction explaining the situation and he will see you, he is a good friend of Kyle since him and Kyle's father were adventurers together. He was a member of the arcane college in Galduria back when the charges were first laid on Wycheck."
Perfect, once again we realty thank you for your help priestess as he is about to go he turns around as if a tough just hit him: You wouldn't know how to read goblin by any chance?
"Aye then. We be off t' smash some faces an force justice upon 'em, even if'n we have t' be beatin' i' int' them wit' a brick!"
"I cannot read the language but tomorow morning I can prepare a spell that will let me if you wish. I'm also pretty sure Crus could read it for you.
Well should we need it then, we know where to go.
Okay, fine. Let's DO what you want to to do.
Crus lives in a six story tower 10 miles out from Magnimar. A small community of farmers and woodmen has formed around his tower profiting from the fact that no intelligent monster would dare come whiting miles of the tower less it risk the wizard's wrath.
You go trough the town approach the tower and knock on the door.
A voice calls out "What is your business with me?"
To talk about magic, goblin for starters. The priestess Jeffar sent us
The door opens "Come in"
The old man descends the stairs as you enter. Several comfy chairs are place in circle around this room. He takes a seat.
"I was told you were coming, I'm a busy man so please don't waste to much of my time."
I will be to the point then. Lord kyle was killed while hunting. We left this morning and as our hunt started a Gnoll with a very big brown cat like creature with a mane (lion) stood up from hiding and fire a single arrow. The arrow did not instantly killed him as we were able to stop the bleeding but the Deathblade Poison did. We took him to the temple where we learned speaking to his dead spirit that Lord Kyle wants to be resurrected but only his next of kin can sign the required paperwork. Our initial investigation tells us that the Gnoll's name is Graylok's and that the poison is from a tropical plant mostly found in the Mwangi Expanse, but also on some islands. So would be rare to procure here. So what we would like from you is a way to twist his uncle's arm to sign the waver. On a smaller note. We found this parchment written in goblin inside a Fort that Lord Kyle asked us to liberate from the Greenskins. Can you tell us what it says
Crus listens to you story with interest and he is quite displeased to hear the news about Kyle.
Seeing you casting your spells of detection he frowns again displeased.
"It's quite rude to come into a man home and to use magic to try and sense his soul like your doing. You wont sense anything from me but I assure you I have no bearing towards evil if that is what you're worried about."
He lets you finish and continues.
"I am familiar with Graylock, he is a formidable warrior. Beyond your skill at this time I believe. Assassination is not his usual method however and deathblade is a rare and expensive poison. Someone must have paid him a hefty sum to do it."
He takes the note and frown as he reads it.
"You found this on a hobgoblin in the fort?...This complicates things. I have been aware of the white fist for some time but I did not think they were this bold...This letter is a reply to the leader of the whitefist orcs were the hobgoblins are agreeing to his terms and will join in his attack on Magnimar. Since you defeated the hobgoblins they will not be able to do so however but it's likely that this attack is still going to happen...Could Kyle's assassination be related to this?"
Crus is silent for a moment.
"It seems I will be putting my studies aside for a time and getting involved once more. I thank you for bringing this matter to my attention."
He considers you for a moment thinking.
"I have a task for you if you're willing. You aware that tunnels going trough the underdark pass all around this area well some of those tunnels stretch all the way to Galduria. In those tunnels is an ancient temple to Charon, I have believe Kyle's uncle has been making regular trips to this temple for some time. You could travel there by underdark but it would be safer to travel overland and find an entrance to the underdark once you get there. I think investigating this temple will go a long way towards convincing Wycheck to have his nephew revived."
"Blackmailing the father's brother does ring fun, if not riskful."
"An' wha' might we be seein' a' this here temple o' your'n tha' might be givin' us blackmail material on th' uncle? I ain't familiar much wit' Charon, or his worship."
"Charon is the Horseman of Death, an ancient, and possibly the most powerful, archdaemon of Abaddon. He is the lord of the River Styx, and the ferryman for lost souls. Very few worship him and the temple is long abandoned. I believe Wycheck is using the temple as a place were he can practice necromancy but I do not know for sure.
"Death-wizardry....not good."
"Sounds like a cozy and welcoming place..."
LillY: It is not uncommon for worshipers of Charon to practice necromancy.
Kirana: The underdark is a very dangerous place, home to gnolls, orcs, drow, basilisks and worst.
Overland is much safer, you might encounter a pack of wolves, an orc or gnoll raiding party or maybe an ogre or a troll if you're really unlucky.
I don't really know what game you are trying to play but my instincts tell me that when you answered my question you were lying to me.
there in no anger or what so ever in his voice. just a neutral tone as if giving a fact.
"Think what you will, I have spoken nothing but truth. I admit I have my own reasons for wanting you to explore that temple other than lord Kyle's revival but the fact is that it's your best bet for getting Wycheck to pay for the resurrection that would cause him to lose his inheritance."
"I remember that area now. It's indeed safest to travel above the ground. Keep in mind we may still face wolves, orcs, gnolls, ogres, and possibly a troll."
That you have your own reasons its fine with me as long as we can acheive what we want.
So do we have what we need, want to go on this expedition?
You pack up and head to Galduria following the roads it takes about 6 hours to get there. Along the way you encounter some farmers here and there but aren't attacked.
"For some cause, some of the farmers were gazing at me. Unpleasantly...."
And that is why you became an adventurer? he ask nicely
".....No....the recommending from mrs. Yamyn the fortune teller did. She's a really nice lady."
I am sure she is he replied...
"They were staring at your butt," Kirana informs Lilly, "It's what men do all the time, disgusting creatures."
We all have our flaws he says smiling
"I'll forgive you, Gloin. It's true you probably can't help but stare when around these three ladies," Kirana motions at Wags, Lilly and herself.
"Still, would you try to keep your eyes centered on something else than my butt while smiling? Your smile's a bit too wide and creepy for me right now..."
"I recall our previous muscleman to have gone tempory crazy, following an undesired hug and almost groping.".....
hinting at Gloin.
Stop waggling then Kirana he says smiling
Indeed Lilly he sure had a weak mind. But i must admit a dwarven Kegg of Buggman XXX is my Kryptonite
He says taking point as always
"If'n ye lasses can be keepin' yer booties in place, then mebbe we can be gettin' on wit' this?"
For the record, I stare at everybody's but. I even have a small book where I keep notes about the more important ones I've noticed.
Takes out little red book, flips pages and reads
Min - small, but nice; Firebeard - toned, must be a runner; Gloin - a bit wide, but high; Lilly - could be bigger, but nice hips; Kiranna - almost perfect, wonder if there are dimples?
Lilly has a slightly baffled look.
.......
"Well..thanks....i guess.
Shall we go on our way?"
"I... don't know... I've never looked at my own butt long enough to notice." Kirana shakes her head in confusion.
Miss Bowie sure has a strange hobby...
"I think we're in Galduria already, but i have no idea where to go from here... Let me take a look at our surroundings."
The most noticeable feature of the town when you approach is of course the arcane academy. A large tower that splits into five towers as it rise and is placed right in the center of the town. You see several shops as well. A weapons shop, a general store, an Inn, a church and there is a large graveyard close to the town with a mausoleum. If your looking for the mayor you could find him at either the town hall or the academy.