FIRST! She exclaims But there is a pit of evil that can spit out demons any second! Finding the bandits will take longer than sealing the pit... at least I think so?
"See... I am not so sure of that. We do not know how powerful the creatures summoned will be. So... I am not sure we should try summoning anything, till we are sure we can handle it, right?"
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Maria turns to Titus. Something was down there, summoning monsters when we went down. If we don't deal with it quickly Sandpoint could be overrun and slaughtered and in case you hadn't noticed, you live here too and your business is here. Our priority should be making sure that thing down there is destroyed. After that I will be HAPPY to remove every thieving Sczarni from Sandpoint.
We'll get the guards, and then we return the favor by rousting the thieves.
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"I'm not really looking for an apprenticeship, at least right now, sir," Vandra said nervously. He really didn't know how to deal with a grumpy person like this. "See, while exploring underneath town, my companions and I found what may have been something left behind by the old Thassilonian rulers, and I thought it would be a good idea for one of us to know more about them, including knowing their language."
Titus holds his spinning head as the group juggle their ideas back and forth. "Alright, alright." He sighs. "You can take four of the guards and deal with the demon problem first. Get it done by the end of tomorrow, and then I expect full cooperation in taking down the Sczarni."
Titus is noticeably unimpressed by the lack of etiquette to the head of a noble family. Those who are interested in changing his tune can make a diplomacy or K.Nobility check after speaking to him.
Brodert's eyes widen after Vandra explains his situation. "Oh! Well pardon me, that sounds to be very interesting. Please, tell me more about this thing you have discovered and how you came upon it?"
I think four will do. Our group will be taking the brunt and we've handled the imp so we just need to make sure none get out into town.
Helgarr had been silent since she entered, but now grabbed the opportunity to speak - "I am going to side with Maria on this one Furnok - even though it is not our own concern I am worried with, the more we can enlist the safer it will be to all" - Helgarr nods, then turns to Titus - "I am Helgarr of the Shoanti, well met to you Titus Scarnetti and thank you for allowing your men to assist us. If four are what can be spared, then four will do" - and bows.
Cleo not making the connection between this man and the described man from Maria in the mill, makes a hasty bow as well, and a quick apology for being rude.
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"Well, we were investigating the goblin incursions in town recently when we came across a tunnel under the glassworks," Vandra said, his mind going back to his adventure. "After fighting off some more goblins and a couple strange creatures, we found some kind of imp-like creature watching over a pool that was used to summon up sinspawn. After looking up some information, I think it was something left behind by one of the Runelords of ancient Thassilon."
Well much obliged Mr. Scarnetti for the men and we'll be sure to lend a hand in return.
"Quasit" Brodert quickly corrects him. "Ah, apologies. Simple reflex, as the terms Imps and Quasits are confused far too often. Imps come from the Hells and are Devils, while Quasits come from the Abyss and are Demons. An imp would never have anything to do with Sinspawn, as Sinspawn are native to the Abyss, you see." He scratches his nose while in thought for a moment. "No matter, I would be most interested in visiting this summoning pool, as you put it. If your group would be willing to escort me there, I will share with you some of my knowledge about the impressive civilization you have stumbled upon."
Titus Scarnetti's mood shifts surprisingly well once flattery is involved. He relaxes his upright posture into something more casual. Leaning against the table, he rubs his blond mustache and says "I agree that sending more guards would increase the odds of a successful mission, however there is an issue. I have at my command only a dozen simple guardsmen, half of which are on night shift. I may not be in command of these men for long, but I intend to do as effective a duty as possible. If I sent half of my troops to you and disaster struck, it would fall on everyone's responsibility, including my own. Instead, I will send with you one of my personal guards along with the four regular guardsmen. That should be enough to clear out anything remaining in that place."
"Destroy it? Hmmm well, I suppose that would make sense, being under the town. I will have to bring some supplies to make some rubs, notes, and the like."
Thank you, should we go get Vandra?
That sounds perfect and keeps things in order with the town as well.
Again Helgarr nods in thanks at Titus - "I believe that will be more than enough. What is the name of your personal guard?"
Well let us get moven, we got monsters to slay.
"You're welcome." responded Titus Scarnetti with a nod. He turned to his butler and said "Butler, get Dench for me. Tell him to armor up and march to the garrison at once."
The butler nods and leaves the room.
"You will be in charge of Dench. Make sure he follows orders and works hard. If that is all, I must get back to work."
Furnok will leave with the others to find Dench.Greetings Dench, we'll be heading down under the glassworks to clean out some monsters. We'll be taking the lead and you're task will be to make sure nothing sneaks up behind or tries to get out.
We'll be cleansing some evil altar and pool and are expecting monsters, we'll take the brunt and you and your team just shoot down thigns that try to get past.
Ali shrugs and follows along quietly. He does not agree with the summoning of the Sinspawn, but he wouldn't let his friends do it alone, not for love or money.
We got five pairs of eyes lookin out for us, I reckon that is enough.
"Furnok is right - this should be enough for the task ahead" - Helgarr agrees.
The man hurriedly packs his gear and puts on his back pack. It is filled to the brim with weathered books, vials of ink, crumpled or folded pieces of parchment, and the like. The grumpy cat picks up a quill and darts around while Brodert tries to get it back. Finally, he picks up what is very clearly a spellbook. It is made of high quality leather, trimmed with silver. It is very large, and probably quite heavy. "Huff! Alright, that would do it. Let's be off."
You take him into town, and spy the rest of your group at the garrison.
At the garrison, you all collect your troops. Each of the four soldiers (2 men, 2 women) is armed with a short sword, a short bow, and leather armor. The personal guard sent with you by Titus, called Dench, is a heavily built half orc with light grey skin, bulging muscles, and prominent tusks. He carries a halberd, held casually over his shoulder.
"Sounds like fun." Dench muffles through his tusks as he cocks his head upwards. "Got any idea what I'll find down there?"
We killed a little flying devil and some things that looked like people mashed together. Might be some goblins lurking down their after that traitor Tetsuo let them in.
"Well met Dench" - Helgarr introduces herself - "Furnok nailed his description just perfectly. This is mostly a 'mop up' mission" - she adds.
"We have indeed - this is Dench right here, and a few other guards have joined us" - Tessai makes the introductions - "I am sorry, I did not get your names friends, I am Helgarr" - she comments to the remaining guards.
"Who did you find Vandra?"
The guards introduce themselves as Darvin, Rowan, Kiri, and Marta. They are all excited or proud to work with you, since they've all heard the stories of your accomplishments. The old man that accompanies Vandra introduces himself as Brodert Quink, a scholar of Thassilonian architecture and engineering. While his white beard and wrinkles place him in his 70-80's, you can see a rare spark of excitement in his light blue eyes.
Cleo would love to start with the altar. Best turn the evil god's eyes away before dealing with demons, or she thinks at least.
Altar, we have that wand that protects against evil, right? Best have our new allies stay back in case something explodes.
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Cleo fishes out the wand Yep, a magic wand... I think at least. Don't even know if we'll feel any different once the magic is cast. The Father might have given it to us just to make us braver, and it really is a dud
Helgarr nods at the guards as they introduce themselves - "Thank you for accompanying us" - and also to Brodert - "Well met, I am Helgarr"
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"Let's start by the altar then" - the barbarian agrees.
Everyone sets off towards the caverns, yacking away at each other or silently praying for their safety. The rotting corpse of the Wrathspawn slowly decays into black ooze and makes the guards sick to their stomachs. Everyone's footsteps disturb the silent stone walls, and the shadows cast by your torches dance with visions of demons. You all stand within the small opening that contains the obsidian stone altar, surrounded by the stinking black water.