"Yes, it does sound confusing. Seems, at least according to the Triad, that Kyuss was the herald of the Overgod. And wouldn't merging three gods into one be admitting that one of the gods was not sufficient, i.e. weak. I don't think true faithful of Norgorber or any of the other faiths would believe that, so these triad members may be a splinter group of heretics. Whatver, we foiled their plans. Now, if only they had mentioned which tribe of lizardfolk, that would have been helpful."
You manage to identify a number of the items you brought up (with the help of Allustan). There is a Lesser Metamagic Rod of Extend, a pair of Bracers +1, a potion of Gaseous form, a scroll of Web and one of Scorching Ray.
The sheriff frowns at the proof of the depth of Smenk's depravity and sends out a delegation to arrest him. Unfortunately he has already fled the town. His holdings are confiscated and the whole town is abuzz with rumors.
Allustan sends for you and looks quite worried. "Congratulations on your exploits, my friends! You have uncovered quite the plot there. But I'm afraid that you have stirred up a hornet's nest. With Smenk's holdings confiscated, the other mine owners will be moving in to get their share, buying up his assets at firesale prices. Smenk was a wealthty man, so there is much money at stake. This being Wolfstone, things are bound to get ugly."
"Speaking of ugly", he sighs, "I am afraid that I can't really take care of the owlbear cub you so kindly sold me. It is growing for every day and I don't have the skills to raise and train it properly."
"I understand that you will be wanting to go to Mistmarch to find out more about these worms. Then fortunately we have a common interest. I have a friend in Forecastle who is skilled in raising wild beast, who might be interested in buying the cub from me. Anyway I think it would be prudent to leave Wolfstone for now until things calm down. Assassinations are not unheard of in these situations and I have no desire to be involved in these schemes."
"But the trip to Forecastle is a dangerous one. Would you care to serve as my company? There is safety in numbers, and you have certainly proven your worth in battle. I have crafted an Amulet of Natural Armor +1 that you are welcome to for your troubles, and I can also craft things for you as we travel at half price ."
"From Forecastle you can take a ship to the Mistmarch, and I think I will be joining you, if you don't mind. I have a friend in Modron that I think I will stay with until things blow over in Wolfstone."
Vug groans in disappointment and smacks her forehead, then quickly recovers. "Oh sorry, Allustan. I'm glad to travel with you to Mistmarch. But I just thought of something -- who will take care of Moldy and Bonesy when I'm gone?! I was hoping you would do it..."
"I will also travel with you to Mistmarch. Hopefully you can find a good home for the owlbear cub."
"Moldy and Bonesy?"
"Moldy and Bonesy?"
"You know -- my brown mold colony and that magical skeleton we f-found in the F-f-faceless One's lab."
"What about you, Vulcan? Now that you've had your revenge on the cultists, do you want to stick with us? I'm sure we'd be glad to have you along."
Vulcan looks at Vug pensively. "This feels big, like this was just a small part of what's really going on. I want in."
He flashes a dazzling smile, "Besides, I like the company."
The Emporium would be happy to have Moldy and Bonesy (really they would be happy to have Bonesy as a curiosity, and they can be persuaded to take Moldy too in the bargain - it isn't really high maintenance).
After you have made your arrangements and sold some of the loot it is time to leave. Bubba's friends at the Emporium throw you a lavish party the night before you leave and a lot of people that you didn't know that you knew buy you drinks and ask you all kinds of questions about your exploits.
Some of you are even propositioned by patrons of the place.
Allustan explains that he is able to conjure magical mounts for your travels, but he advises you to travel light, as their carrying capacity is limited and they will disappear at sundown. He has ordered a special cage for the owlbear cub and will conjure a special flat-backed mount that will be able to carry it, but he will be grateful if Valgrim (or anyone skilled in handling monsters) could check on it so that it isn't too inconvenienced.
The travel will take a few days and Allustan's spells will be rather depleted, so he trusts to you to defend your little party. The terrain is rather bad, but these magical mounts can cross swamps with ease and without slowing down, so you should reach Forecastle in only a few days.
The Emporium would be happy to have Moldy and Bonesy (really they would be happy to have Bonesy as a curiosity, and they can be persuaded to take Moldy too in the bargain - it isn't really high maintenance).
The brown mold even pays for itself, keeping drinks and food nice and cool on even the hottest of days.
Vug is happy to loan her curiosities to the Emporium, but she points out that it's a loan, not a gift!
Before leaving, Valgrim asks Allustan and then searches around town and the Emporium to buy the following:
Potions of Lesser Restoration
Potion of Cure Disease
If available, at what price and how many?
Vug should be able to create potions of Lesser Restoration now, and at level 5 (i.e., soon) should be able to create potions of Cure Disease, I think.
If you still want it, there is a Potion of Remove Disease for sale at the temple of Iomedae at the standard price.
During the days we rested in town, Valgrim asked Vug for 2 potions of lesser restoration and paid her the 300 gp for the raw materials. He also bought the potion of remove disease from the temple.
"I have crafted an Amulet of Natural Armor +1 that you are welcome to for your troubles, and I can also craft things for you as we travel at half price ."
During the few days that the group takes to prepare prior to leaving town, Feres asks Allustan if he could conduct some research in the sage's library . Feres also asks Allustan if the sage could craft a Cloak of Resistance +1.
Feres also checks with the temple of Iomedae to see if they have any scrolls of Remove Disease available for purchase.
Vug asks if Allustan can add a +1 enhancement bonus to her bow.
Allustan is happy to open his library to Feres and even agrees to bring a few books (he is carrying a Bag of Holding, so it's not a problem). He will begin crafting Feres's cloak immediately and get to work on the bow (if Vug can spare it) during your travels. Depending on how lucky you get catching a ship from Forcastle it should be ready before you board.
The temple of Iomedae keeps several scrolls of Remove Disease and is willing to part with at least two. Do you need more? Valcus Dun, the high priest, frowns a little on your leaving at this crucial moment for Wolfstone, but he understands that your mission is urgent as well, and wishes you the best of luck.
Zalamandra of the Emporium promises to take good care of Moldy and Bonesy and assures that Vug can claim them anytime she likes. She too wishes you a pleasant journey, but looks a bit sceptical, since the road to Forcastle is one less travelled.
Allustan's owlbear cage looks flimsy but appears to be well crafted and apparently enough to keep the annoyed beast contained. He conjures six pale grey horses to carry you all, and warns that they only last for eight hours, so that you will need to camp out for a few nights.
The terrain is difficult, but the ghostly hooves of the magical horses are able to travel over swampy ground without any trouble.
Allustan spends a few hours each day working on Vug's bow and sharing some old war stories around the campfire. Do you have any particular sleeping arrangements?
Feres purchases one scroll of Remove Disease from the temple of Iomedae . He apologizes to Valcus Dun for leaving at this time, but reiterates the potential threat posed by the strange worm-infested undead mentioned in the writings of the Ebon Triad cultists. Feres asks Dun to send word to the churches of Iomedae and Sarenrae in Warwik of his companions' mission to the Mistmarch, asking them to send additional forces to investigate the rumors should he and his companions fail to return.
Before leaving Wolfstone, Feres also purchases an ioun torch if available.
In the evenings Feres volunteers to take either the first watch or final watch.
Valgrim helps Allustan as much as he can with the owlbear cub. At night, he offers to take 1st watch.
Vug will take a watch somewhere in the middle (assuming that we have a fire burning all night).
Bubba pends most of the travel day talking to Allustan and helps Valgrim with the ouwlbear when they make camp.
Nothing happens the first night, but the second night during Feres's watch the owlbear starts to growl as a hooded figure appears at the forest's edge.
"Come quick", an obviously distraught female voice says. "My mother is sick."
You who are sleeping can make Perception 0 checks to wake up (with a -10 for sleeping).
Will post more soon.
"Huh? Whazzat? F-f-f-father F-feres, did you hear something?" Vug fumbles around woozily for her bow.
..Valgrim continues snoring until someone wakes him up!
"Stay right there!" Feres says loudly to the approaching figure, hoping that his voice will awaken his friends. The stout priest hefts his shield and places a hand on his scimitar as he rises to his feet.
"Please, lower your hood. Where is your mother? What is wrong with her?" he asks loudly.
"I don't like this."
The creature does not lower the hood but draws it aside a little, enough for you to glimpse a fey-like face twisted in what looks like an involuntary smile. The anxiety in her voice is unmistakeable.
Sense motive 20:
Perception 20:
Knowledge (nature) 20:
"I don't know what is the matter with her. Either she is sick or she is in labor. Either way she needs your help or she will surely die. I thought you were heroes..." Her voice trails off in a petulant whine.
Allustan only just woke up and stays silent for now, observing the girl keenly.
Vulcan awakens, reaching for his staff. He narrows his eyes as he observes the woman, nodding as Vig speaks of the creature's nature.
SENSE MOTIVE
PERCEPTION
kNOWLEDGE NATURE
Vug pokes Valgrim with an arrow. "Wake up, Sleepypants; we've got a visitor."
Perception:
Nature:
Sense Motive:
"F-father F-f-f-feres -- be careful. She's a f-f-f-f-forlarren. That means she's half-demon and she could f-f-fly off the handle at any time! I think she's being sincere f-for now, but don't let your guard down..."
"Whhhhat.." Valgrim rolls over, rubbing his eyes. "Visitor? And I slept through it? See Friar, that shows how much trust I have in your watch!" He reluctantly gets up and looks at the new visitor. "Valgrim Twin-axe at your service." Valgrim extends his hand.
"F-father F-f-f-feres -- be careful. She's a f-f-f-f-forlarren. That means she's half-demon and she could f-f-fly off the handle at any time! I think she's being sincere f-for now, but don't let your guard down..."
Thank you, Vug," Feres responds sincerely to the alchemist's advice.
The stout priest removes his hand from his scimitar and picks up his pack. "Come, child," he says gently as he approaches the young woman. "Take me to your mother. I'll help in any way I can. What is your name?" he asks, giving her a comforting smile.
Bubba awaits her response to Feres' question.
The fey creature looks annoyed for a moment. "My name is Megan", she says. "What's it to you? Come quick!" She turns on her heel and runs out into the forest, beckoning for you to follow her.
Feres glances back at his companions and then turns to follow Megan into the forest.
Vug grumbles and gathers her equipment before following.
Valgrim splashes water in his face from his waterskin and rinses his mouth. He straps on his weapons and then gets his armor and starts to put it on. If the party does not wait, he carries it with him as he tries to catch up, hoping there's no imminent combat.
Allustan is reluctant to leave the owlbear and asks your leave to stay. He's already weaving some protective wards as you rise to go.
"Good idea -- if anyone threatens you, Allustan, just sic that owlbear on 'em!"
Vulcan rises checking his gear as he follows. He checks the wand holster at his hip as a means of reassurance.
Allustan smiles. "You know, I might just do that. It could use some exercise after being cooped up like that."
The forlarren disappears into the foliage with impressive speed, navigating the difficult terrain with ease and stopping now and then with an annoyed look to see that you're keeping up.
Eventually you come to a cave, from which you can hear a loud moaning sound. Megan stops and cries something in Sylvan:
She turns to you as you gather, the dwarf with the armful of armor catching up last. "You do know that you're not to look directly at her, don't you?" It looks like she's expecting you to go into the cave.
"Ok, Megan, now give me a sec." Valgrim slips the breastplate over his head and adjusts it to his torso. He then begins to tighten the straps. "Friar, if Megan's mom is sick, your skills will most surely be needed. And I guess we can look at the floor, will be hard to tend to her though."
Valgrim tries to take a good look at Megan, but can't figure her out.
"She called out to tell her mother than there's help coming," Vug translates.
She averts her eyes and walks into the cave.
Sylvan:
Bubba curious as to why he can't look at the forlarren's mother follows Vug into the cave, trying not to look at anyone.
Knowledge (nature) 17:
The cave is dark, but Feres's torch sheds an eerie light over it, with constantly shifting shadows. Further in, at the edge of your vision, you see a huddled figure. She is sobbing.
She answers Vug in Common: "Go away! Save yourselves! And don't look at me; I'm hideous!"
She turns to you as you gather, the dwarf with the armful of armor catching up last. "You do know that you're not to look directly at her, don't you?" It looks like she's expecting you to go into the cave.
"Alright," Feres replies calmly. The stout priest retrieves his healer's kit from his pack as he enters the cave. As he does so, he calls on the powers granted him by the Dawnflower to fill himself and Bubba with a touch of Her divine glory.
She answers Vug in Common: "Go away! Save yourselves! And don't look at me; I'm hideous!"
"Ma'am?" Feres calls out . "My name is Feres. I'm a priest of Sarenrae, the Healing Flame. Megan told us that you were ill. Will you allow us to help you?" Feres asks, keeping his eyes directed at the floor.
nature:
"If you look at a nymph, you might go blind. Please, tell us what's wrong and maybe we can help."