"Vulnerabilities? How could I possibly know that? I've been her ....equipment. Nothing more." He shudders before continuing. "She's certainly not alive. You can see through her whenever she comes around. She's dressed like a woman from long ago. Her voice drips with fury and her expression is malice incarnate."
”Well, I know you would not have fought her, but I didn’t know if in your position you could have seen something that would help us slay her. I’m sorry to bring you back to any trauma that she may have caused, but I’m hoping that we can eliminate her and keep the rest of Otari, and the world safe from her vile schemes.”
"I....just want to go home. How is Otari? Do you know Brelda Vankervale? How does she fare?"
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"Yes, we will take you home at once. As I was telling you I spoke with your mother, Brelda. She has been so worried about you. She will be pleased to see you. Let's find the quickest way out of here."
Keeping an eye out for further trouble, Carrufikus escorts Lasda out of the dungeon with his companions and brings him to get cleaned up before returning him to his mother.
It's a short walk, about 40 minutes. With the first few floors cleared, the vaults are increasingly peaceful.
Despite his injuries, when Lasda sees the Rockfish he breaks out into a run. The reunion is emotionally overwhelming for the two, but it quickly turns to celebration. Brelda's thanks is eternal, and she declares that the Rowdy Rockfish will always be open to you free of charge.
By the time you can extricate yourselves, your bellies are full and your ears ring a bit. Elena turns to the lighthouse, and sees that it's completely dark this evening.
The morning of the 9th of Pharast brings with it an invitation from Oloria Gallentine to swing by her delivery shop before heading back to the Gauntlight.
Bibi, grinning ear to ear, shamelessly wipes the tears trickling from her shining eyes. How I love happy endings!! She looks at each of her companions in turn. We done good, my friends. No matter what happens from here on out...we done good!
As someone who enjoys the Rowdy Rockfish, Elena is thankful for Brelda's offer. "I've been sleeping under the stars for some time now, and though I'm sure Wrin will miss my company I think I will take you up on having a place to bed down. Thank you."
With the invitation from Oloria, Elena makes ready to head over to the shop. "I've been waiting to see if letters arrived. I sent several before the beginning of our adventure, and have received very few. Perhaps I can find out what happened."
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In the morning, Bibi hands a pouch to Oloria. It contains 1 gold piece, and a letter.
Can you get this to Barty Beerswizzler in Hillwatch? No rush, but when you're in the neighborhood...
Da,
You wouldn't BELIEVE the things I've been doing here in Otari!! I don't even know where to start. If I tried to write it all down, I'd be writing for days!! Let's just say that we live in interesting times, but it's so fortunate that I've found a group of most excellent friends to get through them. Once we're done here, maybe I'll talk them into coming to visit the brewery. I'm sure Uncle Bofus would be thrilled, if he's around!
But the biggest reason I'm writing is to ask you a favor. We lost one of our friends, and...it hurts. The story is too strange to tell over a letter, but I promise you'll hear about it. Anyway, his name was Augrael. He fell protecting his friends, and I can't think of a better way to honor his memory than to have YOU brew a special stout for him. If you could come up with something earthy and bold--and unique! I'll trust you from there. I've enclosed some money to fund it--if it's not enough, write me back! Please call it "Augrael's Redemption," and when you've got a brew, send a barrel to me in Otari.
And tell Uncle Bofus that I've found plenty of daichinis to hide behind!
Love always,
Bibi
Free room and board sound almost too good to be true to the pauper monk. After getting his fill, Peldur luxuriates in the fanciest bed he's ever slept in, even though it might not be considered so by many. Peldur half considers retiring from adventuring, considering Brelda's generosity, but he know that you can only stand bird poop falling on your head a few times before needing to kick those gulls off the warf. Knowing that the Rowdy Rockfish is available when he needs it is enough to satisfy Peldur for now.
Noroc surreptitiously slips a month's rent into the tip jar after Brelda's fourth refusal to accept it. She's stubborn, that one; but a Zverokruh always pays their debts (well, except that one time...and that other one). Besides, if he doesn't pay, who's to say someone won't rent the attic out from under him?
A mug of mead and a bowl of chicken soup later, Noroc retired for the night. He wakes refreshed the next day and ambles into the Rockfish to claim a sweetmeat.
Noroc drops two gold coins into the tip jar when no one is looking.
Oloria talks to Bibi a bit, "Hey, you're friends with Elena, yes? She's got a letter here, but it's kind of weird. It just appeared here one day. I don't mean I found it one day. I mean that one day it just...appeared out of thin air on the table where I was sitting."
She also stops the halfling before leaving, "You know, you'd do well to get to know even more people in town. I bet most have work they'd pay you for, or stories to tell. you've been makin' waves. Just sayin'."
"Oh, hi. I'm Elena. I'd love to see that letter," she says, stepping forward to receive her letter.
"I suppose we have many people we've not spoken to. We can do that."
Bibi smiles. You know, a month ago if you'd have told me "a letter just materialized out of nothingness!!" I'd have been shocked. Now...it's a Toilday! But thanks for the tip, it's well taken.
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"There was letter here for you, ah, yes. I recall it smelling like a weird mix of beer and gravy. It's addressed to "Elena from that Otari Place."
DEAR ELENA,
MY NAME IS IARANN THUNDERSTRIKER. I DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT ANYTHING. LIKE, NOTHING. I MEAN, I'M A PATHFINDER IF THAT MEANS ANYTHING, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BECAUSE IT DOESN'T. INSTEAD OF SENDING ME A LETTER, YOU SHOULD TRY A WIZARD. THEY KNOW WEIRD STUFF LIKE THAT. I KNOW A WIZARD. HE'S NAMED AFTER ME AXE. ASK HIM YOUR WEIRDO QUESTIONS. HIS NAME IS ZANDERAL. ALSO, AND TRUST ME ON THIS, YOU SHOULD JUST KILL GHOULS. SERIOUSLY. IT'S BETTER THAT WAY.
"How did you guys all get mail? I guess I need to write letters if I expect to receive letters."
You're all everyone I know. I can write you a letter Carrufikus, if you'll write me one back. Only correspondence I've really had is with the seagulls on the dock over where I was bedding. Believe me, you don't want to be on the receiving end of what they got to say.
Elena reads the letter from the Thunderstriker, confused. "I wrote my letter many days ago, so I will say that you can't expect things to return quickly. Keep that in mind, Carrufikus. Correspondence is a tricky thing."
She then looks at Peldur. With a smile she says, "I could always write you a letter. But honestly, I much prefer that you are close."
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And then Oloria hands Elena yet another letter from Absalom.
I must apologize for the delay in my reply. Your letter had the misfortune of being routed incorrectly. It took a fair bit of explaining to a dwarf named Iarann that his axe, which he had named, was not the intended recipient. Regardless, let me get to the business of your letter.
First, I have passed on your warning of this 'Gauntlight' to the Master of Scrolls within the Pathfinder Society. His suggestion was that I stay in contact with you, which I have done now, and wait to hear if anything more concrete manifests. I am sorry, but your letter lacked actionable details. If you can provide more, perhaps I can instill a degree of urgency.
As to your ghoul friend, I can tell you that there is a ritual that can be performed that will raise the dead. They would need to be slain as part of the process, and it is not a guarantee of success. It is not simple to perform either, and the necessary components are costly. I can tell you that I have access to this ritual magic, so if you can preserve the body and bring it to Absalom and I will see what can be done.
Cordially,
Zanderel Elerin
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Without asking, Peldur digs into Elena's backpack for some paper, pen, and ink. He starts furiously scribbling, going from sheet to sheet, until he's used up all he was able to take. He grabs the stack, clenched all in one fist, leaving just one on the table. He heads out the door. He wanders around town to the various establishments and to see anyone they've maybe helped out, handing one sheet to each person.
If the party looks at the sheet left behind, they see scrawled across the top:
Peldur's Poaching Profiteers!
Polsterguysts, Pudingss, and Payr a' Sites
No job is too small, no fee too big
Incwire with Elena
Beneath that scrawl is a hastily drawn monkey.
Elena finishes reading her letter in time to see Peldur head out the door. She raises an eyebrow at the paper scraps, then skims through the contents. "Looks like I will need to buy some parchment paper."
She then looks at Peldur. With a smile she says, "I could always write you a letter. But honestly, I much prefer that you are close."
Bibi whips her head to Elena at this surprise pronouncement. She looks back and forth between Peldur and Elena, finally waggling her eyebrows with a wide smile.
Elena rolls her eyes at the exaggerated expressions coming from Bibi, but continues to smile. "I think it wise to heed what Oloria says before returning to Gauntlight. Our work has drawn attention here, and if folks can offer work or provide info then... we should act on this."
She proposes a whirlwind tour of patrons, suggesting they visit: Oseph Menhemes (update the mayor), Captain Longsaddle (find out if he needs help), Carmen Rajani (ask about his lineage and mention the ghost), Jala Highstepper (ask if she needs help), Klorte Hengus (ask if he needs help), Worliwynn (story about a werewolf), Vandy Danderdash (reading suggestions on the Roseguard gear), Yinyasmera (find out if she needs help).
Peldur returns to the Rowdy Rockfish after his pamphleting spree. He slumps into a chair next to Elena, leaning back with fatigue.
Welp, I did what I could. Those jobs we're wanting should start rollin' in. Folks know us and know we're looking for work. We can just relax and enjoy some warm food until they do.
The party spends the 9th of Pharast in Otari, mostly talking to the prominent townsfolk:
Mayor Oseph Menhemes: The mayor is extremely happy to see you. In fact, he was planning on sending a messenger to meet with you yesterday. When the light in the lighthouse went out yesterday, "It was like I shed a long rumbling anxiety. Here. Here my friends, take this." The mayor offers you each bag of 50 gold coins! He adds a final exhortation though, "Please, maintain your efforts though. I am not so naive to think that Lasda's rescue will end the threats you've described. I never thought I'd be fighting the same fight as my ancestor Aesephna..."
Captain Longsaddle: The party finds the captain in the midst of paperwork, though after your work in the cemetery almost a month ago, he always makes time for you. You catch up, but thankfully (from his point of view) he has no need of your services.
Carmen Rajani: just before lunch the party stops by Blades for Glades. Carmen is hard at work, and it doesn't take you long to figure out why he has a reputation for being bitter. "Oh look, the mayor's lackeys. You hear to buy anything?"
Jala Highstepper Boy is she happy to have visitors! She's tending to animals, and is happy for the extra bit of help. It seems like the biggest thing you can do for her is just spend time with her. She doesn't really need help, but is keen on spreading work out to any who are able. "Though, don't forget I'll gladly pay you for working with the animals if you put in a hard day's work."
Klorte Hengus Klorte is quick to agree to help. "The flume needs patrolling. Animals can disrupt the process. It's not a weird druidic-spite thing, they just... don't know any better. Anyone willing to spend a day patrolling and helping out will receive a fair wage for their work."
Worliwynn Worliwynn is happy to the point of tears to hear your story. She immediately opens her grove to you any time you need it, and you can forget about making a donation for whichever spell you need of her
Vandy Danderdash The trip to the Dawnflower Library is well worth it. Vandy is so appreciative, and she opens up the library to you. Before you can really get to it though, she seems upset about something. She's quick to point out though, that she doesn't keep historical documents here. She does, however offer you to things of note. The first is a permanent 10% off anything you buy from her "...for keeping our town safe." The second is that if you want history, you should talk to the mayor.
Yinyasmera The party has already helped her out, though she recognizes that everyone's efforts helped with the lighthouse. So she extends a discount at the Nook to anyone looking to buy something.
"Can you tell us more about your ancestor? Having met the ghost of Otari... yes, really... we need to find any particular items or gear that they used. Do you have anything that was Aesephna's? This is actually important for the safety of your town."
"Lackey? I wouldn't say that. What we are is curious, and also concerned. We've found dangers nearby that are a threat to the lives and livelihoods of everyone in Otari. Perhaps you've got something that will help protect us?"
Elena will purchase a dagger from Carmen.
"Stories about the Roseguard, even if they're flights of fancy, wouldn't go amiss. Right Bibi?"
]Mayor Oseph Menhemes is more than happy to help. "I do. I do. Do you think this could be the broach you think holds power?" He takes you to a locked shadowbox in the music room of Menhemes Manor. It only takes a moment to realize it's magical in its own right. "Yes, take it. If it helps Otari, take it."
Carmen Rajani warms up a bit, especially after the purchase. "Maybe I was harsh. I just think we need some new voices running this place. That's all. Hey, I know you've been willing to stick your neck out. If any of you can swing a hammer, I've got work for you. I've also got some extra forge space if you ever need it. I'd rather have you well armed if you're going to go into that place each morning."
Vandy Danderdash smiles a bit but it's weak. She's definitely upset about something she doesn't want to admit.
"Interesting. It's definitely magical. Let me see now..."
"I can tell something's wrong, Vandy. What is it? We're more than willing to help if something's on your mind."
Elena unlocks the specifics of the brooch's dweomer
"Can you tell us more about your ancestor? Having met the ghost of Otari... yes, really... we need to find any particular items or gear that they used. Do you have anything that was Aesephna's? This is actually important for the safety of your town."
Wait...you're an ancestor of Aesephna??? GET OUT!!! I didn't realize...Oh, I'm a BIG fan!! Bibi is willing to continue gushing, but is astute enough to read the room and stop before she becomes a pain. But her willingness to hear Roseguard stories is sincere and evident.
"Stories about the Roseguard, even if they're flights of fancy, wouldn't go amiss. Right Bibi?"
Oh, quite right! I never get tired of those, even when I've heard them before!!
<--I've got some spare hero points...
in a low voice...Vandy, what fashes thee?
Elena unlocks the specifics of the brooch's dweomer
Bibi's eyes sparkle at the bit of history. She touches it reverently. Wow. That's REALLY neat!!
"Someone broke in not long before you got here. They.... They stole an ancient sword that's been here since before my time."
"Someone broke in not long before you got here. They.... They stole an ancient sword that's been here since before my time."
Well, why didn't you SAY so?? Elena, maybe you can help Vandy recall any details, while I look around for clues. Vandy, we'd love to help you...where was this sword, and do you mind if we take a look around?
"No need to look around, and no need to ask. It was Carman Rajani! Someone started a fire in the book restoration room. We ran into the room and quickly put it out. when I came back in I saw him run off with the sword!"
"Why do you think Rajani would take the sword?" Elena asks, somewhat perplexed. "Has he shown interest in it before?"
"I have no idea! He can just make his own!"
"Got it. We'll look into this for you."
Elena proposes that the group visit Rajani and ask if he knows anything about the sword.
Stomachs sink when the party arrives at Blades for Glades to see a sign that says "closed."
Noroc tries the door, frowning. Locked, he says.
Although, I'm sure we could find a way inside... His voice trails off as he steals a glance at Bibi.
A "closed" sign with a locked door is only a suggestion, doesn't everyone know that???
She looks about to see whether anyone is observing, takes out a couple tools, gives the Snea-Key a twist, and deftly works on the door.
Give me a hot minute inside before anyone follows, I just want to see if the coast is clear. I'll give you one whistle to follow.
Bibi gets in easily, but even a thorough search provides no clues. Maybe asking around town?
Yes...let's ask about Rajani's whereabouts and current attitudes/actions, but not mention the sword yet, shall we?
Nearly everyone suggests you go to the Crook’s Nook. Bibi hears about a place called the Smuggler’s Refuge from townsfolk and they mention that Carman spent time there in his youth (as did many people in Otari).
"Which do you think, Bibi? Crook's Nook or Smugglers Refuge? I'm inclined to check out the latter first, just because it's not what everyone is suggesting."
”Either way, I think we should check out both places, but I am inclined to agree with Elena and Bibi. Let’s start with the Smuggler’s Refuge. I feel Lady Luck is with us.”
Sure.... Where's the Smuggler's Refuge?
Don't suppose you know where this "Smuggler's Refuge" is...?
Noroc asks around but it's not until he gets to the Nook that he gets an answer.
It's a cave is only about an hour outside of town, just about 10 minutes (by foot) north north of your fishery-turned-base. Though it’s too far inland for transporting heavy cargo, this cave once saw a lot of use from smugglers moving lighter goods - hence its name.
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Noroc reports back.
I just met this older fellow — seems incredibly lucid, all things considered — and I think I know where this "Smuggler's Refuge" is located.
Doesn't sound dangerous at all.
I was going to suggest splitting up...but with the Refuge so far off the beaten path, that's probably a bad idea. Let's go check it out.