"Although," Delkaneth almost starts at his own voice as he breaks his silence for the first time. "If the locals are that superstitious, will asking their permission draw extra attention to the tomb? If they say no they will be wary of us trying it anyway."
There is a dangerous glint in his eye. "Breaking the law under heavy guard is very risky. Bending it while no one is actually looking..........."
Veoden rises from his seat, I will secure permission in the morning. we then can meet at the entrance to the cemetery shortly after lunch then?
You look like you all could use some rest, go now, and rest up I will see you tomorrow then. Veoden escorts you out politely directing you toward the inn.
As they walk away from the tower, Miya suggests to Del, "If he fails to obtain permission, then we let them watch for us until they weary of the task and come when their interest is elsewhere."
Tatsuo leaves in a hurry, just happy to be out of the rickety old tower. He's in such a rush that he misses the law-breaking talk that went against everything he had be taught growing up that he would almost certainly object to. I'm glad Veoden seemed confident he would be able to get permission from the townsfolk.
The group has a restful evening and the next morning there is time for some shopping at the local market, unfortunately there isn't a whole lot to offer.
later in the afternoon you meet at the entrance to the cemetery, Veoden arrives a little late with a small cart loaded with digging supplies torches, and two lanterns with oil. He also has a couple of prybars and various items to open crypts.
hello all, I managed to secure permission. and brought some supplies. I don't know where he would be interred but there is a large mausoleum in the center, maybe there?
Sounds like a good place to start Felix shrugs.
Knowing that they will be spending much of their day in a crypt, Tatsuo takes the time to buy a few potentially useful alchemical items, muttering to himself "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're protected."
He then goes off for a while to meditate and mentally prepare himself for his work. When he returns, he is accompanied by a beautiful mini black dragon.
Miyaro doesn't really give the idea of shopping much thought, but she does decide to wander the marketplace to see what exotic thing might be found in this port. "Gabriel, care to see what's about in the market? Maybe the boys are down there, too."
Felix has picked up a few Holy Waters of his own before meeting the others in front of the graveyard. Well, whenever everyone's ready
Confident that he is prepared for anything, Delkaneth arrives at the rendezvous armed and ready. Let's have at it then...
Hefting his stuff, Tatsuo shrugs. "Well, let's go check out this mausoleum then." He twirls one of his newly purchased holy waters in his hand.
Two trees flank the massive iron gates that look to be the only break in the six foot high stone wall surrounding the cemetery. A large lock and heavy iron chains on the gate clangs mournfully in the wind.
Veoden examines the lock, I never expected the gates to be locked. luckily I have a key.
Veoden goes to unlock the gate but finds the lock rather rusty he seems to be having trouble with the lock.
"Maybe if you push it there, that might help."
Miya shows where to push and it looks like the lock just might come open easily.
"Perhaps Del might wish to take a look?"
The young man has been distractedly looking at the stonework and plaques adorning the outside of the cemetery, mumbling to himself about the age and history of the place, and starts as his name is called out. He looks over sheepishly.
"Sorry. Got so curious about this place's origins, seems like I'd be able to learn more inside wouldnt I?"
He saunters over, trying to cover up the mistake with bravado as he pulls a lockpick from his pouch and twirls it effortlessly between his fingers. "Amateur, so excited about the ornate chest you forgot to look for gold inside........"
He kneels down in front of the lock but pauses. "And youre thinking that key should have worked?" he asks looking back at Veoden. He stares at the lock for a moment before proceeding.
Del un-jams the lock with ease. Even easier with Miya encouraging him.
The cemetery itself is nothing special, there are several grave markers all over the place and a single Mausoleum in the center.
There is a winding trail that leads to the Mausoleum with several smaller branches off the main trail to reach other areas of the cemetery.
Well no reason not to go to the scary building with the screaming faces on it Felix says, making sure his rifle is loaded.
Delkaneth takes a moment to drop to a knee and read several of the markers near the trail. When neither attracts his attention he gets back to his feet. "No, no reason at all......."
Tatsuo walks along the path to the mausoleum. He doesn't bother checking for traps because, well, why would someone trap a path where presumably people would walk to visit dead loved ones? No, if there were traps, he figured they'd probably be inside the large building. Once there, he inspects the entrance to the place, looking both for traps or any obvious signs that it might be locked.
Trusting the men to handle immediate threats, Miyaro stays in their midst and focuses her attention out away from the group.
Stuck, locked gate. It would seem that no new residents have arrived for some time. Any signs of fresh digging might be cause for concern - or indications of grave robbing.
The party makes its way toward the mausoleum.
in addition to the numerous stones leaning at odd angles and a few trees with twisted trunks and limbs, the largest structure in the cemetery is an ornate mausoleum.
The stone building stands ten feet wide and twice as long. two trees flank the entrance, both sickly and twisted. Stone gargoyle faces leer from the corners of the roof and over the entrance.
Barely visible inscribed on the stone by the door, is the word "Baolo".
The door is locked with a simple, old rusted lock.
very faded paint on the door shows This image
Don't know why people put demon skulls on their mausoleums. Tacky Felix comments.
Quietly, "We are here with permission. We would be poor guests to start smashing things without trying other avenues first, I think. No matter how ugly the decorations might be."
"What's this? Is it significant to anyone?"
"Is that a spiked chain? Hanging from a skull?"
Gah, that's not a nice picture. Don't have a good feeling about this place now. Not that I had a great feeling before.
The image is the holy symbol of Zon-Kuthon
After some thought the name Baolo eventually starts to ring some bells.
They were once the most influential families in this region. they ran the docks and controlled trade. that was until they had a falling out with their business partner Rickety Hake.
After that Hake left and started a business elsewhere, but the Baolo family became dark and twisted. they started worshiping Zon-Kuthon and obsessed with becoming undead by sacrificing other locals to their dark god. It is believed that the last of the family died 20 years ago, well actually hunted down and burned alive would be more appropriate.
You remember hearing a name similar to Baolo being mentioned and is currently an inmate at a small asylum somewhere in Varisia
"Oh, the Baolo. Surely not that Baolo family. Are we sure what we seek is within that tomb? There are dead that should be left in peace even more than others."
She looks around, but seeing the questions in her companions' eyes, she realizes she hadn't actually told them why she was concerned. "The family Baolo was once very important. If you wanted something shipped, you went through a Baolo or their partner Rickety Hake. They virtually controlled the docks in towns. Big towns. But power corrupts and they had a falling out with Hake. He left and started anew somewhere else. His name is not uncommon around the docks far from here, but I think it must be sons or grandsons by now - surely he can't still be active after all this time."
"So the Baolo family owned it all and started acting different. Is that why Hake left? Or did his departure cause them to change? Probably something in between. Anyway, people started disappearing. Old sailors and bums at first, the kind no one notices or, if they notice they're gone, they think it is a good thing. Business seemed to take a bad turn for the family. Then young people and more important people went away. When a merchant from far away landed and threw money around talking about how he was going to make thousands in a deal with the Baolo, several folks eagerly awaited the change of fortune for the family and, by extension, the town."
"He was never heard from again. His brother sent people to investigate. People that did not accept the word of the family as truth as the locals still did. They are the ones that found the shrine to Zon-Kuthon and the blood-stained altar. And the merchant's bloody robes. The family was apparently trying to gain unlife through sacrifices to their hidden god. As far as anyone knows, none of them survived the 'justice' that followed. That was 20 years ago."
perfect I like your story better.
Tatsuo raises an eyebrow at the tale. "Sounds like another family that may have been in some way linked to the De Morens, what with the shipping and all. Although this family sounds even less pleasant. With such a bloody past, it's no wonder the townsfolk believe the place to be cursed. There are almost certainly undead hiding inside. Though if we're lucky, perhaps none of the family managed to succeed in their grisly endeavor and all the undead will be mindless abominations." Having nothing else to add nor any skills to aid in opening the door, he merely eyes the door with distaste as he waits.
Hold on, what connection does Dairoo have with the Baolos?
"Well, there are no tales of any successes. And the preferred weapon of the townsfolk's justice was flame - but there could have been family members that were successful when their neighbors thought they had simply died before the rest of this unpleasantness came to light. And if they were devout enough and their god chose to grant them their wish, a little fire would hardly stop him."
She looks at the structure, "At least we are forewarned. Do we have what we need?"
Either way. Something tells me we're going to be going up against something evil in there and that is good enough for me. Let's go.
The girl says quietly, mostly to herself, "I think we will have questions for the mage when we return, though."
"Too much of a coincidence in my mind for their to not be some kind of connection. And all this talk of history has my mind thinking of many other questions we could ask. But there's really only one way to find the answers."
Again the tools are in his hands and he is working on the lock.
"Help? Don't be silly, not at all necessary.....I was just distracted by our new friend's beauty, that's all......." The bravado rings false and his frustration is clear on his face as Delkaneth continues to work the lock.
Miyaro looks around in confusion, New friend?
She blushes, OH! He's just making fun of me!