Elsen Moonkeep blushes. "Er... both, actually. I had time to think when I was stuck in the world of my painting of how I might change it if I ever left."
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Elsen Moonkeep blushes. "Er... both, actually. I had time to think when I was stuck in the world of my painting of how I might change it if I ever left."
Meadow frowns. "So you're saying you went back to your original work and changed it into some sort of special edition or something?"
She ponders this for a moment then shakes her head. "Yeah, I'm not a fan of this. Not at all."
Suddenly her face lights up as an idea strikes her.
"Waitaminute! Is the curse lifted now? What about the ghosts? Are they satisfied? Have they gone into the light or whatever?"
She immediately bolts into Walter's room, closely followed by Silence. Are you still here? Do we need to do anything more?"
Once his bleeding ultimately subsides after a few applications of his healing poultices, the One Who Hungers shifts back to Turiik. He looks abashed as he says, "I'm sorry that I left you. It looks like you've been through a lot in this manor." He casts a glance at the mangled fey remains visible in the other room.
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Timbers creak, windows rattle, and lights seem to flare as the mansion's haunting ends. Voices of the dead spirits being freed echo through the house briefly, recognizable to you as those of the poltergeists and ghosts. Walter appears to Meadow, surrounded by shimmering lights. "Everyone is leaving now. You did well. Don't forget to tell our story..."
And with that he twinkles out of existence.
As the dust settles, Liro smooths her trousers and clears her throat. “I can't thank you enough for what you've done here today,” she says. “You've made this house safe for the public and saved my life. I had no idea it would be quite so dangerous in here, and you've certainly gone above and beyond. I shall see to it that you're rewarded handsomely by the city council.”
Liro smiles down as her daughter joins her. "Honestly, we can't begin to repay you. You've made our lives whole again." As Liro guides the way out of the manor, it finally seems still. No creatures jumping out from dusty corners; no strange effects warping the rooms' walls. It seems the curse really has been lifted—at least, for now.
Tarcog nods in acknowledgement of Elsen’s answer.
He then goes over to talk to Liro.
“It sounds like if you are quick about it, you could have people at the festival talk to the original artist who did this painting!”
Then he starts talking to her about needed to do some things to prevent hauntings. They will need to find out the names of all the workmen — especially the ones who died during construction — and put some sort of memorial up. Check the basement for any buried bodies, and give them a proper burial. Putting up a plaque expressing dismay at the horrible things that the baron did may also help. Check that each mural or other artwork has something giving credit to the artists. Mention how Jayma already did this for one ceiling mural.
He will also suggest she ask Dr. Lazarus if there was something he missed. “He keeps better notes than I do.”
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Dr. Lazarus blinks as the missing people come traipsing out of the Lady of the Harvest. He recognizes his fellow elf, Elsin Moonkeep immediately. In elven, he says, "Mr. Moonkeep, good Sir. It's an honor." Lazarus bows and continues, "I'm Dr. Lazarus, renowned foren ... never mind. I've studied your works. I consider myself an aficionado of ... well, too many things to mention. But your works are extraordinary." He reaches out to shake hands, "This is a great honor. For both of us, I imagine." The Doctor smiles.
When the mutual admiration society adjourns, Dr. Lazarus looks around, "I say ... does anyone require medical assistance? Speak up. Don't be shy." It's only then he realizes he's speaking Common once again. "That was most odd. For a while, I no longer remembered the Common tongue. Fortunately, my unparalleled knowledge of languages allowed me to converse with all of you." He looks pointedly at Turiik, not entirely sure if he was ever talking with Turiik, but happy that the barbarian understood Cyclopsian!
After the wounded are attended to, the Doctor pulls out his notebook and helps Tarcog and Liro organize and prioritize the numerous tasks that await.
Once things settle, Tarcog says “Should we try to get ourselves invited as guests in the festival? We are the ones who solved the mystery of the painting.”
“Food here is likely a lot better than back at the oasis!” Amvolwatt points out.
Liro grins. "Well the festival was planned for after we renovated the manor, but perhaps we can convince Mr. Moonkeep to stay with us for a bit, as Ravengo's artist in residence? I don't see why we can't have a rehearsal dinner tonight for the actual festival!"
The freckled woman with hands covered in flour raises a hand. "Can I bake for it? I don't even know if my bakery still exists, but I was known far and wide for my pie crust!" She turns to you, cleans her hands on her apron, and offers to shake. "I'm Cora, by the way. I used to bake here about a hundred years ago, and was catering when I fell into the painting and met Elsen."
The town rouses to the idea of a mini-festival. They set out outdoor tables, and everyone brings local dishes for a potluck. People show off their local talents. Someone plays a violin, and there's a chance to dance.
Then Liro asks, "Would the famous Jayma like to perform for us? Or would any of you like to perform?"
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The freckled woman with hands covered in flour raises a hand. "Can I bake for it? I don't even know if my bakery still exists, but I was known far and wide for my pie crust!" She turns to you, cleans her hands on her apron, and offers to shake. "I'm Cora, by the way. I used to bake here about a hundred years ago, and was catering when I fell into the painting and met Elsen."
“If you are talking about Four and Twenty Black Birds, they are still here and at least one person at the shop would be interested in your pie crust recipe.”
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Tarcog and Amvolwatt enjoy themselves at the mini-festival, chatting with people and sampling the food.
The next day, they go back to Four and Twenty Black Birds to see if they can’t get at least one pie made by the baker that they rescued. They explain that a friend of theirs likes to try all sorts of food.
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Dr. Lazarus takes the opportunity to hobnob. At first, he clings to Elsen Moonkeep, until the artist tires of the Doctor's personality. "How do you handle all the glowing adoration, that we both know all too well?" Lazarus already has out his writing pad and is taking notes.
When Cora mentions she was known far and wide for her pie crust, Dr. Lazarus shakes her hand. "Ahh dear lady, it's a pleasure to meet another soul renowned for their work. I'm Dr. Lazarus, noted doctor and forensics professor at the University of Osirion." He continues, "Being leaders in our field is a blessing ... and a curse. Am I right?" He smiles knowingly and adds, "In any case, I look forward to your delicious pies. Indeed, we're supposed to bring one back with us."
Dr. Lazarus enthusiastically supports Liro's request for a performance by Jayma. "An inspired idea, dear lady. Jayma is renowned back home ... as I..." He interrupts himself as Jayma approaches. "What do you say, Jay? Care to grace the good folks with your exceptional talents?" For the Doctor's part, he's quite good at tinkering and is happy to put his crafting skills to good use in setting up the stage and whatever props are needed for the performance.
After returning to the oasis and delivering Tess her pies, Tarcog does a little crafting.
Silence perches atop a rooftop in Aspenthar's docks district preening his feathers. He turns to Meadow and hoots softly.
The young woman sighs. and peeks over the edge of the roof. "Yeah I know. Police work is boring. but we promised Zaza we'd help her catch those smugglers. With some of the higher ups in the city guard implicated we're just about the only people in the city she can trust." She shrugs. "Maybe something exciting will happen this time. Besides it's only for a few days. We have to be back in less than a week. Tess says that crazy book has more work for us to do."
"Hmm...That guy over there. He's been back and forth all day. Doesn't that seem suspicious?"
Silence continues to preen his feathers.
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"You think so? Zaza said to just watch and not get involved."
Meadow ponders for a bit more then finally sets her jaw and makes a decision. "You're right though. I bet he can name all the ringleaders. Okay we'll do it. When he rounds the corner we'll grab him and interrogate him. What could go wrong?"
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Jayma gives Thurston a hard look. "'Jay'? Where did that come from?" Ignoring the excess familiarity, she puts on a beaming smile and turns to Liro. "Why not? It'd be a pleasure. I have the perfect soliloquy in mind."
Once back at the camp, she continues her genealogical work.
That's a regular success for a Master at Level 7.
Once they return through the book, Turiik again spends much of his time in isolation or closeted with Vigilant Seal members. He continues to study the plants around the oasis and work on his natural remedies when he is not otherwise occupied.
The rest of the festival goes well. The crusts of Cora's pies are just as flaky and delicious as advertised, the families have reunited with their kids - who are five years younger than they should be - and Ravengro is already talking about renovating Lorres Manor in time for the actual festival.
Eventually, the time comes to go. Dr. Lazarus takes the book out of its special velvet pouch, and you all find yourselves yawning and falling asleep. The bridge takes you back through the starry void until you wake once again in Eando Kline's pavilion. Tess is kneeling over you, her dark red hair falling on either side of her face like a curtain. She flips it back impatiently, and says, "Eando! They're back!"
Tess is delighted by the selection of pies, and offers some of her bounty to you as well. "Oh my! These are delicious! And you brought so many different varieties!"
You're all granted four days leave, and it passes way too swiftly.
When it comes time to return, to no one's surprise, the book is restless once again.
Back at the oasis when Tarcog isn’t busy fixing or crafting items, he seems to be swimming. Amvolwatt is right beside him, coaching and encouraging him. Those two really like the water!
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Tess is delighted by the selection of pies, and offers some of her bounty to you as well. "Oh my! These are delicious! And you brought so many different varieties!"
A worried look crosses Meadow's face. She leans towards Tarcog and whispers, "You're absolutely certain the pies aren't cursed?"
Tess is delighted by the selection of pies, and offers some of her bounty to you as well. "Oh my! These are delicious! And you brought so many different varieties!"A worried look crosses Meadow's face. She leans towards Tarcog and whispers, "You're absolutely certain the pies aren't cursed?"
Tarcog says “I consider it unlikely. It has been a few days since Amvolwatt and I ate the first batch of pies. I can tell you that Tess knows much more about curses than I do.”
Amvolwatt is enjoying a slice of the plum pie beside Tess as the conversation goes on.
Four days later Meadow and Silence burst into Eando Kline's pavillion. "...believe how mad she was. Zaza can yell even louder than Miss Astrid. We were only trying to help. How were we supposed to know that guys was an undercover agent?"
"Screech" Silence flaps his wings.
"I know, right? At least we were able to save him when the smugglers jumped us. We're heroes. Anyway we're gonna hafta figure out some way to make it up to Zaza for ruining her case even though it totally wasn't our fault."
The young archer waves at Tess. "What kind of creepy place are we headed to now? A haunted carnival? A scary cursed forest? Maybe a ghost ship?"
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As the group starts gathering, Dr. Lazarus can be found inside the pavilion, sipping his brandy while skimming a brand new tome. He reluctantly closes the book. "Ahh, my colleagues. Welcome back. Does anyone care for some brandy?" He pours mugs from his seemingly endless Jug of Fond Remembrance.
Once drinks have been served, the Doctor proudly displays his newest purchase, 'Oy Fey! Speaking of Plants...' He explains, "After the unfortunate language barrier during our last encounter, I've been studying up on Sylvan and Aklo, so plants and all manner of fey aren't deprived of an old elf's words of wisdom."
Meadow rolls her eyes but manages to hold her tongue.
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"Well, I'm glad you are all back." Eando Kline rubs his hands together. "It looks like we have a mission for you. The book is getting restless again. Tess can barely contain it."
In one corner, the duskwalker is rocking the book back and forth, singing to it in Requian.
"From what I've skimmed, you'll be travelling to Tian-Xia. In the city-state of Goka, a restaurant boat named the Golden Fortune has exhibited strange behavior. People who visit the restaurant leave and can't remember what happened. Those same people seem robbed of their ambitions and hopes afterward."
"So, are you ready to go?"
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Savoring a final sip of brandy, Dr. Lazarus notes the current page in his new book. After stowing his decanter, he responds to Eando, in Sylvan (partly to practice, partly to show off), and referring to himself in the third person (mostly because he can't help himself from being just a bit pompous), "The Doctor is ready!" In common, he adds, "Let's not keep our wise book waiting." He stands ready.
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"Waitaminute! I was kidding when I said ghost ship."
"That sounds ominous," Turiik says. His things are gathered and packed. "And rather mental. Hopefully, there won't be any violence."
Tarcog and Amvolwatt come rushing up at the last minute. It looks like Tarcog has gotten some new equipment the most obvious of which are a turban and a staff.
After hearing the mission briefing, they both smile broadly.
“If I understand correctly, I’ll have a chance to practice my Tien while cruising on a river boat? Sounds fantastic!”
Amvolwatt nods his enthusiastic agreement.
"But... but that's not what these missions are for! It's an abuse of--" Eando breaks off, all steam running out of him. He throws his hands in the air. "Whatever. Get her pies. Get her pastries. Get her a full-course banquet! This is ridiculous."
"No one here has heard of sarcasm..." Eando grumps to himself.
"If the food is cursed, you might not want us to bring you anything," Turiik says to Tess and then tosses Eando a furtive thumb's up. The tips of his black hair then frost white and he adds in a more gravely voice, "That doesn't mean I won't eat it. I fear no food."
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Jayma's pie ran out on the first day back from Ustalav and after several days of tasteless camp rations, she was liking the sound of a Gokan feast. "Some Gokan cuisine sounds like a wonderful idea to me right now. Once we take care of this haunted restaurant boat, perhaps we can have the chef whip us up a small feast to bring back here."
Once again, Eando leaves the room while Tess quietly sings to the book, and then lays the book down softly upon a table. The book immediately opens and starts to read to you, and as it does, you all start yawning and falling asleep, waiting to be whisked away on the somnambulist bridge.
Soon you are floating through the dark and starry void, speeding to your riverboat destination.
The Golden Fortune case reported in Goka is one that's caught my eye for some time, though I confess not for the most unbiased of reasons—it's been far too long since I visited my father's hometown, and I'm sure my uncles would appreciate a visit. Nevertheless, our archivists detected signs of a strange anomaly around one of its many restaurant boats: a stuttering phenomena that swallows people and spits them out later, stumbling and disoriented. I leave it to you, my dear future archivists, to unravel the cause and resolve this issue. — K.H.W.
Goka's docks buzz with busy energy as the sun sets. You can smell sweat, damp wood, scented lamp oil, cooking rice, fish, steaming dumplings and many more enticing scents. People put out gorgeous lit paper lanterns in front of their shops and bedeck their ships with them, and soon the rivers reflects dozens of festive lights in every color of the rainbow.
People load and unburden their ships with haste in preparation of trade. You hear tien, common, and a dozen other languages as merchants haggle on the docks of this cosmopolitan town. Some of the merchants hail from other parts of tien, their patois thick and difficult to understand, and they resort to pointing and hand gestures to settle on a price.
Eventually, the anomaly becomes clear. An extravagant restaurant boat, the words Golden Fortune inscribed on its red‑lacquered hull between two carved windows in the shape of peonies, flickers erratically within a strange field of abjuration magic, likely an Archive containment protocol of some kind to ward off passers-by. Though fishers and dockworkers pass by the Golden Fortune, not seeming to even notice the ship, some people are disembarking, clearly unsteady and disoriented as they cross through back onto the dock.
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This time Tarcog does not immediately summon Amvolwatt. Then again, it is a rather crowded area and summoning in a dragon is likely a good way to get people worried.
He goes over to the passengers disembarking from the Golden Fortune and greets them, helping anyone that looks like they may need it.
“Welcome back to Goku! I hope you enjoyed your cruise.”
He admits he is not associated with the ship, then follows up by mentioning he was considering taking a trip aboard it.
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"So many people," Turiik comments as they move through the city. Occasionally, he turns and looks in the direction of one exclamation or another, apparently understanding the language (clearly not Cyclopean).
In front of the Golden Fortune, he cocks his head. "That was wise, but where are the passengers coming from if it is warded to keep people away?" he muses before moving toward the ship.
One old woman accepts Tarcog's hand, looking very confused. "Were we on a cruise?" She blinks, swaying a bit as she stares down at the ramp beneath her feet. "How odd that I don't remember."
"We must have been on a cruise," a man in his forties says in a bewildered, dispirited manner. "We were on a boat, weren't we?"
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Jayma rotates slowly in place several times to take in all the sights and smells of the docks. "Normally I'm not a big devotee of the docks, but this is something else altogether. How charming it all looks." As the Golden Fortune comes into sight, she notes the strange flickering field surrounding it. She tries to determine what kind of magic is at work and whether it will cause them any problems.
Jayma, you feel that the field is a warning magic that keeps most people away from the ship, but it's too subtle to work on everyone, hence the passengers that were present on the ship. It should not interfere with your business, other than keeping some of the bystanders out of your way.