"I know nothing of magic, other than the enchantments that make my weapons and armor stronger." Ulricha offers with a shrug.
"Who needs to rest? I can begin searching with my cloak of invisibility and if I find anything special, I will come back and get you."
As you finish looking through a good portion of the keep you will find no living creatures or people besides the few soldiers and those around you now. There is no sign of the wizard or the Mistress. They must have teleported away.
"Taking the time to rest and secure this place may be a good idea." Ulricha comments. "And of course we claim spoils."
"Yeah", Xandarian agrees. "I think we kind of won. Maybe we can find ale?"
"If this is what victory feels like, I am beginning to think I may have misjudged its appeal," Vandomir muttered, his tone dry but carrying a hint of weariness. He dismounted stiffly, favoring his left side as he landed on the ground. Rocinian, his loyal hippogriff, let out a low, guttural chirp, its wings drooping as it shifted uneasily.
The ranger gave his mount a cursory examination, frowning at the shallow gashes and the telltale signs of disease in its feathers. He ran a hand along Rocinian’s neck, murmuring something softly in Varisian before turning back to the group. "Roci and I are in no shape to chase down fleeing wizards or their ilk," he admitted, his voice gruff but resolute. "That said, if there is work to be done securing this keep, I can still swing a lance or patch up the wounded. Just point me in the right direction."
He pulled a water skin from his saddlebag and took a long draught, wiping his mouth with the back of his glove. His gaze swept the party, lingering on those who seemed relatively unscathed. "The rest of you who are still spry might want to keep watch while we patch our wounds. No telling if something else might fancy the scent of blood we have been so kind to leave all over the battlefield."
He leaned heavily against Rocinian, the fatigue evident in his posture but not in his resolve. "And for Cayden’s sake," he added with a wry grin toward Xandarian, "if there is ale, someone bloody well better find it."
He leaned heavily against Rocinian, the fatigue evident in his posture but not in his resolve. "And for Cayden’s sake," he added with a wry grin toward Xandarian, "if there is ale, someone bloody well better find it."
The half-azata snaps his finger and points at Vandomir, as to strengthen the ranger's point.
Once he has the Detect Magic spell ready Jorrast starts actively searching, detecting magic and taking his time to search out any auras.
"Can't the clergy of Cayden create ale like other clerics create water?"
Quince works with the others to search things out and secure the area.
"It looks as though we have the keep. But what of the town? We need to know what threats we still face and who among the citizenry will be our allies in establishing law and order. What threats might remain in the town? What is the most pressing in way of relief?"
Once he has the Detect Magic spell ready Jorrast starts actively searching, dete"Can't the clergy of Cayden create ale like other clerics create water?"
Xandarian nods approvingly. "Very astute. I can cast a paladin spell that can change water into ale, but it's not as amazing as when a cleric does it. Caydenite clerics can make the water and ale or wine at once!"
"On your word of safety, I can tell you much." She states and looks at you with uncertainty.
Markus speaks up, "I can vouch for her. If she is not fighting us then we should work with her not against her. She has a good knowledge network and I am sure it spreads all around this town."
She begins to answer any questions and offers a blanket statement of the state of things, "The deamons were possessing most of the living that was left in the keep. Myself and about twenty soldiers remain alive. Most of... no make that all the guards were possessed too. Nasty business with those things practically selling your body for power. But they must think the ends justify their means. All of the other staff either died or got away before the miasma descended. There should be no opposition to you taking claim to the town or keep. They would welcome it to a better ruler. I am sure those in political positions would support you and nominate a mayor among them unless you chose one from your own group."
She nods in agreement and practically dances among your group.
"That wizard would be a fool to return here. He wouldn't last long against one of your number let alone the Lord Commander or Arella." He states as he hefts his black great sword. Letting you figure out what to do next he leaves the throne room and begins to search before the others.
"A pity we couldn't save the baron, but it is what it is.
I'll be sure to keep a reserve open, for a communal protection spell, when we have to go up against them again."
Along the walls you find all sorts of art, sculptures, and nice curtains. There are some display cases about the keep, after determined not to be trapped, . You look for a vault of some kind but fail to find such a place. Then a memory comes to mind and you believe you have already hit the vault which had lots of precious gems, jewelry, and a gold crown. You don't find any more magical items but can find masterwork armor (15), weapons (12), tools (6), and instruments (8) scattered about the keep. Moving slowly around the keep and avoiding the gruesome rooms, it takes six and a half hours to search the place.
After the exhaustive search, Xandarian asks Jorne, "So? Shall we just occupy the castle until some of your troops can releave us?"
He states Seriously, "I do not lead soldiers. If anything shock troops or elites. Such as your group. At the moment I am the sworn protector of the Lord Commander. Saren and the soldiers should be along in less than a week. I could contact them to send an advance force. However, the Lord Commander is more suited with communication devices for such a task. Occupation seems right, we do need to undo the miasma. Who can study the magic circles? We did find other books besides those in the library. Maybe they hold some clues."
He pulls the books from his leather bag on his belt. He also pulls out much of the loot found in the keep.
When the topic of magical studies comes about, Alice raiss an indexfinger.
"I will. It will be a good pass time while we're here."
Spending times at libraries and open seminars may well pay off.
Resting as needed and researching the symbols in the throne room, it will take Alice at least two days to learn all about the symbols and how to adjust them.
To end the miasma you will need to reactivate the portal to the realm of the deamons, entering the portal to collect the focus item of the miasma or destroying it.
There are many spells woven into the stone of the throne room and you could activate three of them when powering up the portal: Bless, Hero's Feast, mage armor, Aspect of the Falcon, Cat's Grace, or invisibility.
Alice eagerly searches for notes to help her decipher the symbols.
"Does someone have a bit of spare time to help looking? Anything that may indicate at portals, magic symbols and such."
"I'll help search, but I've never been as good of a student as I should have been...."
"Yeah, we've gutted this place", Xandarian admits. "Let me help search."
He states Seriously, "I do not lead soldiers. If anything shock troops or elites. Such as your group. At the moment I am the sworn protector of the Lord Commander. Saren and the soldiers should be along in less than a week. I could contact them to send an advance force. However, the Lord Commander is more suited with communication devices for such a task. Occupation seems right, we do need to undo the miasma. Who can study the magic circles? We did find other books besides those in the library. Maybe they hold some clues."
He pulls the books from his leather bag on his belt. He also pulls out much of the loot found in the keep.
Quince takes a moment to get word to Saren whom was organizing and mobilizing a contingent incase an army was needed. He relates the security state of the town and what if any liabilities that need to be addressed. He also orders any food and other relief supplies are sent as well.
He mentions, "We are already on our way bother. I will send for additional supplies, six wagons full of food should help them for a week."
With the notes found it takes you about a day to work out the symbols in the throne room. This also allows the group time to cast spells and restore the entire group.
The day after still nothing has threatened you. You begin to prepare for going through the portal.
In the days to come he has conversations with each of you learning about your past and plans for the future.
He confirms that the Lord Commander is going on this mission as well and then reminds him of his sworn protector abilities.
Seeing Vandomir hurt and suffering Quince speaks a prayer to help him with his condition. "That should help."