Well, that is interesting. I guess I could make a fortune selling this thing, right? he says with a smile.
"That's a neat trick. Now if we can find a way to sell it for long enough time, and make it return to Aurelain when we are safely away."
"That's definitely not normal." Ramona utters in surprise, the occurrence breaking her out of whatever contemplative state she'd been in on the way back.
Perhaps Colewin or the person who hired us will have some advise about this little problem. Shall we go and report in?
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Swen's face twitches as she tries to plot and scheme, "Well... hmm... tch... Lord Slime-ball is gonna expect we just hand the treasure over, right? But that necklace seems to have made friends with Aurelain here... If we can hand it over and get our money and get out of there before it zaps back around his neck... we'll have to move fast or else we have a problem..."
I would not intentionally deceive an employer. Aurelain adds as a caution.
"Well that's just boring. Let's at least give it to him without telling him anything. I wanna see his face once the necklace is back around the neck of Aurelain." Nicenzia says to at least get a little fun out of the item.
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"He's a bit crazy you know. He might try to take Aurelain's head off to get his treasure. Maybe we should go talk to the boss first."
"He's a bit crazy you know. He might try to take Aurelain's head off to get his treasure. Maybe we should go talk to the boss first."
"Tush has a point", ponders Amed. "He is very wise."
Yes. I believe I am for that. Aurelain comments.
"Granted if he openly attacks one of us it sorta voids the contract....and we protect our own. But bodies of former employers are probably bad for business." Ramona reasons.
The journey back to the base takes about an hour of quiet almost boring travel. You had certainly gotten used to the noise created by the wagonful of gnome lads and a dwarf. Nothing appears amiss at the tall walled compound that your mercenary group called its home, although there were three cartloads of cut stone outside the front gates.
Inside the compound everything seemed the normal hustle and bustle a half dozen young lads and one half elven female in workers clothing were pushing wheel barrows of some clay looking substance to the easten side of the walls compound being directed by Braendar StoneShield, one of the original founding members of your group. Most of you knew him for his smithing work about the compound. He gave you all a curt wave and went back to barking at the young folk with the wheelbarrows.
"No no no, dont slosh it t'all bout lads... eh n lassie. we be needen that muck a' little firm like before we smear ir'over the outer walls like."
He cried out leaving you all a clear path inside.
The elven wizard you captured Zanzibral cleared his throat. He had certainly been quiet and careful to keep to himself the last few days, and now nearing the end of your journey it was clear he had a bit of... hesitation to his steps.
I have not forgotten you Zanzibral. You will receive a proper introduction to our leader.
Tush gives him a wave to indicate he should head in first. "We'll make sure you get a good introduction."
With a clearing of his throat Zanzibral approached you and the necklace Aurelain.
"Im not entirely sure, it would take some research but elite nobles of the prestarfell era were known to enchant personal property with a simple... to them at least charm to return stolen property back to themselves. I would imagine that whatever magic on this necklace is a derivitive of that. A more experianced mage would be able to simple disenchant it... at least temporarily."
He began studying the necklace without touching it.
"Hmm. That's interresting, so we can make it not function for a while and some time after we sell it, it will return to Aurelain? What fun it would be to see that happen. Fun but kinda against the rules I suspect, too sad."
"Might be a good idea, so many applications so little lawful ways to use it in. Although it could be a good way to deliver messages to Auralain." She says with a grin as she follows Swen.
If only we could control the return delay. As it is its too quick to be much use. Aurelain throws the necklace on the ground and wills it to stay there.
It doesnt take too long to find yourself in the tall wooden tower that denotes Allura's workshop and room, one of the young mages studying there leads you up to the small room at the top to the room she used for scying purposes. With a single finger to her lips to warn you to be quiet time seemed to crawl as she stared into an empty crystal intently.
Perhaps a flicker of movement can be seen in the crystal then suddenly there was a flash and the crystal cracked.
"Pah stupid son of a."
She began angrily slapping the crystal off the table and into wall where it cracked some more. It appeared she noticed you half way through the slight tantrum.
"Oh... you all are back? Mission successful then?"
She began.
Nicenzia shows bit of concern as she notices the womans looks. "Something feels wrong here. Are there anything troubling you?"
We have the necklace we were sent for, if that is what you mean. I believe its quite valuable. Magical too it seems... Wow. You look tired. Problems? Maybe we can help.
Ramona walks in, her lips curling slightly in amusement at the sight of Allura's tantrum. The hint of a smile quickly fades, replaced with a look of concern as her eyes take in both her physical and emotional state, her eyes flicking to the evidence around the room.
"You alright Allura? Looks like something got you a bit run down."
Despite trying to will the necklace to stay in place, after several seemingly long moments it disapears...reappearing around your neck Aurelain.
"We have several groups of ours in the field on missions, one of them was almost wiped out when a bunch of hobgoblins raided a town to the northeast. Only two survived. The team in the capital has reported spotting a band of hobgoblins buildings fortifications near the river leading north and the prophet's advisor's have chosen to ignore our warnings."
She stood up and stepped away from the table to a small table with a pitcher of water. She flopped into the seat beside it, gave you all a small smile and nodded.
"They must have some sort of caster of some skill and power, my attempts to scry the areas I know they are have been countered. Thats for another day I suppose...you mentioned a problem how can i help you all?"
She asked taking a long draught of the water.
"So looks like we came across the tail end of your hobgoblin problem." Ramona replies with a wry grin, relating their recent findings and the survivors. "Aside from that there's an issue with Aurelain having put on a cursed necklace." she says with a snicker.
Not really bothering me at the moment. It sorta matches my eye's don't you think? But I figure the rightful owner will want it back eventually.
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"Ehem..." Swen clears her throat, "There's also this jerk who decided to tag along with us after we killed all his friends," she motions toward Zanzibral with a nod of her head.
"They had it comin'," she adds as an afterthought.
"But the real problem is the necklace. We don't get paid 'til we can get it off Aurelain's neck. We were thinkin' you could, uh, disenchant it or whatever."
"I have a scroll kept for such situations."
She paused silently studying Zanzibral for a moment before she simply nodded and rose moving to one of the large bookscases along the wall. For a moment she rummaged through several leather scroll cases before making a tsking noise.
"There you are."
She said mostly to herself as she pulled the scroll from the case. She moved to the doorway next opening and calling down to the mages working below.
[b]"Phaenindrah, do be a dear and find me a small box... large enough to put an amulet in."
She turned to face the party and studied Aurelain for a moment.
"Take off the necklace and place it on the table there, but keep your hand on it until I say so."
She began pointing to the table she had her scrying ball on.
Aurelain complies. His large clawed hand completely covers the amulet at first but then he shifts his hand so that it can be seen.
"What are you going to do with it'" Nicenzia asks curioisly.
"Break the magic would be my guess." Ramona says, looking on with interest.
Allura took the scroll and unfurled on the table next to Aurelain's hand. She began to read it in some strange language, the air slowly began to fill with what felt like an almost electric hum. She made almost frantic gestures torwards the amulet in your hand Aurelain and you could feel it slowly heat up.
A bead of swear appeared on her forehead, then another. the amulet for a brief second became white hot in your grasp but then just as rapidly it cooled. The scroll erupted in a purple flame and turned to ash and her shoulders slumped.
"Release it quickly, The curse should take time to regain its strength, but better safe than sorry.When my apprentace returns with the case use a dagger or something to lift the necklace into it."
She hobbled over to her chair clearly spent. She motioned to Zanzibral.
"You stay, I sense you have talent in the arts we will talk you and I."
She added as the young woman hurried in with what appeared to be an old wooden cigar case.
The barbarian does not have to be told twice. He drops the amulet. When Zanzibral is asked to stay he slaps the wizard on the back. See!?! You are golden.
"And don't worry she'll ask you nicely before hurtinf you." Nicenzia says with a wry smile.
The magus claps with excitement. "That was entertaining!"
With you there.
The first thing you notice when you return to the mansion and entering the study is that the fine oak desk is missing. The wall of bookshelves remain, but the shelves look a little more barren. Only two of the chairs that were there when you first made the deal with Auldon Brendigund remain, and he is sitting in one of them with his back half turned to you gazing out the window. There are two wooden benches instead of the previous chairs. At the sound of your arrival in the study, Auldon turns to greet you with an enormous and hopeful smile.
"So, you've returned! Were you successful? What did you find for me? Let's put it all on the tab....err the carpet here."
Returning the man's smile and pretending not to notice the vanishing furnishings Aurelain responds Yes sir. We aim to please. We did find something for you and I am sure you will be quite happy He tells of the mine and the fight there and then of the ambush on the road. He then produces the box containing the amulet and opens it, but holds it slightly out of the man's reach. Do not touch it yet. The amulet is both valuable as jewelry and magic. But it possesses a "property" that you need to know about before you pick it up. Its actually a feature, making it nearly impossible to steal so I think overall it should make it more valuable. You see, the amulet, currently unbonded, "bonds" to whoever first touches it, and stays bonded as long as they are alive I believe. If that person takes it off or looses it, it will magically return to that person in less than a minute. As I recovered the amulet it became bonded to me. A wizard working for our company was able to suppress the affinity for a short time, unbonding it, thought this cost him a valuable scroll. I do not know the spell he used. With that he proffers the box to Auldon.
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"There's a wizard out there who knew what we were up to," Swen informs their customer, "He's the one who hired the goons who tried to jump us. Just sayin', I'd be careful who you go 'round showin' that thing off to. What's more, your old mine is still viable. We found a hidden tunnel with some veins of silver left untouched. If you can find someone to dig it out for you, might be worth your while."
It's then the fetchling glances about the bare furnishings of the room, "So, uh, you gonna be able to pay us or what?"
"This room looks a little bare and more sad than at our last visit. I do hope what we found would help you get above ground again. We had a contract so I hope you'll be able to honor it eventually, but by the looks of things it doesn't look like you are able to right now." Nicenzia says joining Swen to glance around the room.
Ramona gives the man a pointed look, clearly interested in his answer.
He swallowed and for a moment had the good graces to look ... well embaressed.
"Well yes, I have a small amount of coin set aside, though not as much as i would like. I have 200 gold set aside for each of you, and if you would accept it, and a letter of favor that can be used at a few of the businesses that still owe me a few favors. I hope thats acceptible. "
He began sounding sincere in his disapointment that he can not, at the moment it seems, provide you more coin.
For me, this is enough. Aurelain intones in a friendly manner. Besides, I know that you will take care of us in the future when you are more soundly on your feet. And who knows? You might have need of the Silver Shields in the future. So helping you is good for business, right?