After the fall of the skeletal champion and his archers, the spirit of Kassen stirs from its rest. "Please do not be concerned. I am here to thank you for putting an end to the undead threat in my crypt. A week ago, a necromancer and his adventuring companions broke into crypt seeking treasures. The necromancer, however, wanted corpses to raise undead. He betrayed his two companions, capturing Roldare and his sister, the unconscious woman before you, Dmira. He then began raising undead, including the champion. However, Dmira escaped her bonds and killed the necromancer, hoping that his undead minions would collapse upon his death. However, through some unknown negative energies, the champion and the other undead remained alive and captured Dmira. They remained in the crypt and were present when villagers from Otari appeared 2 days ago to set up preparations for the "Test". They were massacred, as you have seen. You have ended the undead threat. As my thanks, please take these items and I wish you success in your future endeavors. Do not forget to take the Eternal Flame. I may now enjoy my eternal rest." With that, the spirit disappears, and you find in his sarcophagus the following treasures:
*Bag of Holding (Type 1)
*Sturdy Shield (Minor),
*+1 Longsword
*3 healing potions (lesser)
*Magic Wand (Magic Missile, 2nd Level)
*+1 Explorer’s Clothing
You also find the body of the necromancer, from which you assume came the wand and clothing.
Dmira is unconscious but stable. It will be your call as to what you do with her and her brother.
Kelri and Marietta tell you that they are glad that they survived, but they're not cut out for this adventuring life so when they return to Otari, they will be heading their separate ways. They also do not partake of the treasures.
Kamau matter-of-factly takes the Sturdy Shield (minor). He offers the Explorer's Clothing to Seren, motioning toward the runes on them and pointing toward her armor, indicating that she can have the runes transferred.
He offers the healing potions to the ones without healing powers, but Kelri declines, so he keeps that one. He then offers her the magic wand as well, which she also declines. He shrugs and puts it into the bag of holding. He also reclaims the two tower shields, since you never know when those will come in handy.
Assuming no one else asks to carry it, he'll just keep the bag of holding. He holds it open for anyone to put any of their supplies into it.
Kamau motions for Marietta to check on Dmira. She does so, using her healing powers and knowledge to make sure the girl is fully healed, and that there appears to be no adverse effect of her contact with the undead.
Once everything has been cleared and secured, and the girl is healed and conscious, Kamau motions toward the door. He is happy to take point, leading the group back toward the room with her brother. He motions for Luc to knock, so that they don't get shot for walking in this time.
As the skeletal champion finally falls, a large single tear erupts from Seren’s left eye, but is unceremoniously and rapidly wiped away.
Nothing! Nobody saw that!
Seren sits, still crouched amongst her now conscious companions as the voice of Kassen fills the chamber. She feels…different somehow…as if…blessed by this experience.
The thin line between life and death takes an odd path…
The elf frowns, unsure where that thought…came…from. She stands, and takes the next necessary steps to finish this quaint little ritual….
Kamau motions for Luc to sheath his dagger, so that when the lantern is lit from the flame, it is only the light of the Eternal Flame that illuminates the moment.
Assuming nothing untoward happens on gathering the rescued siblings up and heading out ...
On the way through the caverns, a bat flies and lands on Kamau's shoulder. He appears to befriend the little beastie, feeding it bits of jerky from his rations, and the occasional bug that he finds.
Once back in town, Kamau will check with a local priest of Erastil (assuming there's one around) on whether they have any interest in or claim on the two tower shields. Assuming he can find no particular religious or cultural significance, he will keep them in the bag of holding for possible future use.
"I agree, Marietta should heal Dmira and we should reunite her with her brother Roldare. Now, I do not know enough about their prior knowledge, if they knew their companion was a necromancer, if they know that he was coming to raise corpses, or if they thought he was just a wizard, and he turned on them. The ghost is gone and I'm not a lawman. I say, we let them leave, while we make our way back to Otari. We still have to deliver this Flame back to the town for the Winter Solstice celebration. I am fine with Kam taking the shield and holding the magical bag. I would like the longsword and a healing potion."
We head upstairs and alert Roldare that his sister is safe and sound, which she can confirm orally. After that, we head back to town, with some evidence of the villagers' demise from the upper level to show the mayor.
Back in the town, Kamau also checks around to see if any of the local dwarves can identify the markings on the clan dagger they discovered in the tomb. Again, assuming the dagger is not claimed by any local family, he will retain it for his use.
Though a little unsure as to the pair’s involvement with the necromancer, Seren agrees with Luc to escort them back to Otari. Once returned, Seren heads to Wrin Sivinxi’s dwelling to relate her adventures and share a bottle of wine. Then, when sufficiently relaxed and rested, Seren will set about finding a way to transfer the magic from the clothing to her armor…
The party light the lantern with the flame. the brother and sister duo stand in stunned silence for a few seconds when they see each other, unsure if it's even real. Afterwards, they dash into a long hug, after which they are ready to leave the crypt. They thank the party and leave the crypt heading south, in a completely different direction than the party.
The journey back to town is uneventful. You relive in your memories the last fight, where it was clear that a few members were close to death. Marietta and Kelri's faces show great concern and worry, as they relive those moments. For others, you are forever changed by the experience. Kamau gained a familiar; Luc decided to pursue further studies of the undead; and Seren decided to focus on healing, given the fact that her actions basically saved the party in the last fight.
A day and a half later, you return to Otari. Kelri and Marietta stay with the team only as long as it is necessary to report into the mayor and confirm the party's tale. Mayor Menhemes is a bit skeptical to hear that the crypt of Lord Kassen had been invaded by a necromancer, that had led to the death of his villagers. However, when faced with incontrovertible evidence of their deaths, he solemnly apologizes to the party for doubting their credibility. He makes plans to relay the news to the villagers' families.
The town's Solstice celebration, however, continues, though a bit muted, once news of the events at the crypt spread throughout town. The party is celebrated for their bravery and tenacity. As you receive applause, the eyes of a certain elven tiefling astrologist and occult specialist named Wrin Sivinxi catch yours, and though she is smiling, there is an air of concern in her demeanor. She approaches the party and hugs each of you, whispering to each of you,"Enjoy the night, but come see me together tomorrow. Things are afoot." She then excuses herself from the celebration and heads back to her shop. The night passes as slow or fast as you wish it to pass.
Luc spends the time necessary at the festival to celebrate the harvest, receive the mayor's gold, and wish the town the best for the future. Wrin's words resonate in his mind. He had never had much contact with the elven occultist before. He wondered why their services were needed. He would soon find out.
After a couple of hours, Luc excuses himself and heads home. He had found his experiences in the crypt, particularly with the undead fascinating. He had to study and learn more. He would stop by the Dawnflower Library and the local bookstore, Odd Stories, the next day and look for some books on the subject. He would also visit someone who could transfer the magical rune from his dagger to his main-gauche, perhaps at the Blades for Glades. He also had to pass by and see Wrin. He had a busy day.
Kamau enjoys what he can of the festivities, taking the time to ask after the found clan dagger among the other dwarves in town, and to check on the tower shields and whether anyone wants to lay claim to them. The tension of the events seems to have helped his communication skills, as even without his hearing aids he seems more able to understand what people are saying by reading their lips than he could before.
He goes to the blacksmith, purchasing a shield boss that he has mounted on his new shield, as well as a set of shield spikes that he has mounted on his old shield, as a backup.
Since everyone wants to shop with weapons, you visit Blades for Glades. The owner of the establishment is a young muscular human Carman Rajani, who you've heard boasts of being descended from one of Otari’s founders, Vol Rajani (). You know that Carman has political aspirations as he has run against the current mayor but has lost the last three mayoral elections in a room, each by a larger margin than the last, despite his pedigree.
The losses have made him a bitter man, but none can doubt that his shop produces the best quality of smithing in the town. He is also the only one in town skilled enough to transfer weapon/armor runes.
He is standing behind the counter when you come in the next day. "Ah, the heroes of the crypt from last night, whose asses were kissed so hard by that fraud of a mayor. Anyway, so you're looking to spend your hard-earned gold? Well, I'll be happy to take some off your hands. Tell me, what are you looking for? Especially you, honey?" Carman is giving Seren the eye, as he arches his eyebrows.
Seren smiles her sweetest, nothing-but-business-this-smile-doth-not-reacheth-mine-eyes smile and gives Carman a wink.
"Aye, Carman. Everyone knows you're the only one around who can manage this. These clothes, this armor. A swap of rune. How much?"
Carman's ego swells, "Well dear, looks like you found some arcane items in the crypt. Nice quality. My normal prices are 10% the price of the rune, but if you promise me a date this weekend, I could lower my prices, to say 5%? How does that sound? I would wine and dine you, honey, show you a good time."
Seren smiles again and takes Carman's hand.
"Car. Dear. I'm flattered... as much as I like to eat, and you know I like wine, I'm not in the market for a beau. But you do a good job, and I'll pay you your 10%, and you also make sure you treat my friends right too. "
She winks again.
"Who knows. Times change. Maybe some night *I'll* invite *you* out for some stargazing..."
Luc glares at Carman for flirting with Seren, but realizing she is just playing him, he calms a little. He clears this throat as Seren takes Carman's hand. "Now that you're done flirting Rajani, I've got similar business. Need the rune from this dagger transferred to this main-gauche. I'll also pay the 10% fee."
Kamau restrains from rolling his eyes at Carman's flirtations, waiting for his turn. He buys the shield boss and shield spikes, a couple of talismans, and also pays to transfer his rune onto his starknife.
He then sells his scale mail and the chain mail from the skeletal champion, giving one gold each to Luc and Seren for their share. He then purchases a breastplate to take the place of the scale mail.
Carman smiles at Seren, "Stargazing with you would be a dream. Take care, honey." He sneers at Luc's comment, as his smile disappears. He looks at the weapon and the rune that he wants transferred and tells Luc, "Yeah, I can do this. Give me a day. Who's next?" When Kamau finishes his order, the smith smiles. "Looks like the big spender of the group. All of this is definitely manageable. I will call some assistants to help me out."
The sale goes through, and you leave the weapons and runes at the store for Carman to transfer. Since you've already had breakfast, you head over to Wrin's shop, per her request.
Wrin's curio shop bears no sign, but locals, such as yourselves, know it as Wrin’s Wonders: a place to marvel at whatever strange new trinkets and offerings its equally strange owner might have come across. The structure consists of a ring of what appear to be standing stones arranged in a 60-foot-diameter circle surrounding a 15-foot-high dome of wooden beams covered with triangular pieces of canvas. Closer inspection of the standing “stones” reveals that they’re also made of wood frames and canvas, cleverly painted to resemble granite. between the central dome and the surrounding circle is a collection of other dome-shaped tents used to store the shop’s wares. When it’s not raining, the fabric of these domes is pulled aside so shoppers can admire what’s for sale in the light of the sun—or the moon, for that matter, as Wrin’s Wonders is always open.
Wrin sits at a table with two others, as she stands to welcome you. Her tiefling ancestry is impossible to miss. Eyes devoid of pupils, small ram horns curling around her elven ears, a thin tail, and fingertips that sparkle with motes of glittering lights leave no doubt that she’s touched by supernatural forces. However, her quick smile and good-natured attitude have made her a town favorite.
"Heroes of the crypt, thank you for coming so early. I see two of your party are missing, but they divulged to me in conversations last night, that their adventuring days were over. Please, come join me at the table. I will let my guests introduce themselves."
"The Heroes of the Crypt? Wrin, you are well connected." The slender human man is of Varisian descent. His dresses in bright colors, but, if one looks closely, they see that the clothes are simply made. He wears a butterfly pin and a head scarf to help keep his dark shoulder length hair under control. Their is a simple staff in easy reach. "Kazzi Kojoc at your pleasure." He bows with a flourish.
Luc frowns. Bowing with a flourish is my schtick! The 6' tall, dark-haired, human warrior, puffs up his chest. "Well met, Kazzi. I've seen you around but never formally introduced myself. Luc Theriot, (), local guard of this town and now famous hero it appears."
"Yes. I can see that the role of hero suits you. Do you have a hero pose yet? Something impressive and inspiring."
Kamau smiles, clearly amused at this exchange.
The other woman at the table scans the party head to toe as Wrin proceeds with the introductions. Her dark, wavy hair flows just below her shoulder blades. The neutral colours of her well-fitted clothes compliment her almond skin tone. She accessorises with leather straps and an ivory scarf. Her right eye is dark brown, and an eyepatch covers her left eye. She flashes a warm, welcoming smile, albeit there is a hint of curious chicanery on her face. As she stands up to introduce herself, you can notice a rag doll tucked into a leather strap on her belt. It seems basic and featureless, but at the same time - very well made.
She does a hint of a curtsy. "Teela Sedichi. Fabric aficionado, acerbic augur, and a pleasing performer." she straightens up with a flourish and a cocky smile. "But most importantly for you, an amateur ruin-delver. Amateur, as in - I'm not being paid for it, but I've been in a few. It's... just one of my many hobbies. Some would probably call it grave robbing, but who cares about those pompous pricks, anyway?" she pauses.
"Lovely to meet you. Wrin here tells me you are in the business... Heroes of the crypt?"
She cocks her head to the side, looks at her belt, then chuckles softly. "Oh, for the record, I do not rob graves. Actual digging and similar tiring work is not my thing, really. Not with these delicate hands."
Seren nods to the newcomers, with a firm but delicate smile. Her travelworn leathers, rapier, dagger and healer's kit worn like a bandolier indicate something of her pastimes.
"Serenllys." is all she says. Then, once Kamau has introduced himself, Seren looks to Wrin.
"So, Wrin. What's up?"
Kamau pulls a card out flat pocket along his belt and holds it up for the newcomers to see. The card says, "My name is Kamau. A pleasure to meet you." After a few moments giving you the opportunity to read it, he slips it back into the belt pouch. You notice it seems there is writing on both sides of the card, but who knows what the other side says.
Kazzi reads the card. "Do you not speak or maybe you are so famous that you don't need to?"
Kamau reaches up and touches his earns, and then his mouth, opening it and making no sound. An amulet around his throat glows softly as it says, in a squeaky, high-pitched voice, "I can speak through this ... but don't like to."
The bat, nestling at the base of his ear under his dark locks of hair, bristles in frustration at the sound.
Teela leans in to read the card and raises an eyebrow. "Hmm..." she ponders on the purpose of the card with her finger tapping on her cheek.
Meanwhile, Mr Kojoc asks his question and the amulet lets out a voice-like sound. Her face swiftly reveals a string of expressions. From confusion, understanding, quiet sympathy, amusement, all the way to curiosity.
She reaches for the doll on her belt as she walks to Kamau. She looks at the man as she speaks. "A pleasure to meet you all. Kamau, would you mind joining me in a quick experiment?"
"Three seconds of your time. Not more." she offers a reassuring smile. "I promise."
Seren looks from Wrin with a slight frown to Teela. The elf moves a fraction closer to the dwarf, and a hand, very slightly, inches ever so closer to her belt.
Is this some kind of test?!?
Seren watches closely.
Kamau raises a curious eyebrow, but nods his consent.
Teela's smile widens a bit. She pulls her scarf up to cover her face. From the bridge of her nose all the way down. Then lifts her doll to approximately where her mouth is.
You can see her eyes smiling, though a hint of curiosity shines through.
"Can you hear me? Be honest... No tricks. You can speak back to my mind if you do." she speaks with her mouth covered, but speaks to the doll's ear.
Once that is done, she pulls the scarf down and keeps looking expectantly at the dwarf. Her eyes narrow more and more as she waits for a reaction.
He waits for a few moments to see if something happens, then shakes his head with a faint smile.
He pulls out another card from his pouch and passes it to Teela. It says, "I have been blessed with the gift of silence by the Black Butterfly, the Silence Between the stars of the night sky, and am pledged to her service." The card has a crude drawing of the emblems representing the Black Butterfly, and also the Cosmic Caravan, which you may recognize.
Seren hadn't realised she was holding her breath until she lets it out. She approaches Teela, eyes appraising.
"You some kind of witch or sorceror?" she asks with a wry half-grin.
"Well..." Teela returns an accepting nod to Kamau "Thank you for letting me try anyway. These things can get weird. You never know what sticks to the wall..." she takes the card to look, reads it, smiles, and hands it back. With a grin and a shrug, she points to her eyepatch. "Nobody is perfect."
"I..." turning to Serenllys, Teela seems to be considering her words. "I dabble. A few simple tricks, but useful in a pinch." she pats her doll ever so slightly.
"I know my way around needles. I could probably stitch up a wound if needed. There's always room for improvement, but necessity is the best teacher, I hear." a realisation flashes across her face. She glances back at Kamau. "Bad choice of words? Is that a touchy subject?” she looks around the room for a hint.
Wrin speaks softly but directly, "Sorry to interrupt, but you will have plenty of time to get to know each other. Please join me at the table." She leads the five of you back to her table. Wrin speaks, with a sense of genuine concern. "I believe things are afoot at the Gauntlight, the lighthouse in the ruins in the FogFen to the north. The past couple of nights, I have noticed a sighting of a strange blue glow atop the ruin’s tower. The glow was there last night again. I cannot account for a reason that the lighthouse would be aglow with an eerie light. As you know, the lighthouse has been there since the founding of Otari, even though there are no bodies of water around, so the purpose of the lighthouse defies logic. I know not what inhabits those ruins, although there are rumored sightings of large shadows in the area." Wrin pauses, "What I am asking is most likely dangerous and requires more intelligence than the local guard. No offense, Luc. But I need you five to investigate and try to account for the presence of the glow and if it portends dire consequences for the town. Could you perform this favor for me? I will not be able to rest until I know the reason for this glow." Wrin looks at you, hopeful that she has made the right choice.
Seren nods. "I too...dabble..." The elf looks also to Kamau, then back.
"As for kamau, well, as you say, we're all... different. Best thing to do is just have each other's backs in a fight, and share a glass of wine afterwards..."
"I am ever yours to command, my love." Seren murmurs quietly.
"Yes, yes..." with an apologetic tone, Teela heads over to the table. "Sorry. My curiosity got the better of me."
She sits dow. and listens to Wrin, taking in the details and making notes.
She leans back, cupping her face for a second before speaking.
"So you want us to go into an old lighthouse... which is actually a ruin nobody knows anything about... and isn't on a coast... to find the source of a mysterious glow. And all of that could be potentially dangerous?"
"You need me to sign a waiver or something? Details, woman! My curiosity is getting the better of me, again."
"No hero poses, Kazzi...yet. I'll have to think about it."
"Pleasure, Teela. Ruin delver, just like us..." Luc points at Seren. "This should be fun. And don't mind Kam, you'll get used to him. But there's no one in combat like him, watching your back. He's lovable."
"Strange glow from a lighthouse...that sounds creepy. I'm in, Wrin. I've learned that you tend to be more right than wrong. And we get to explore a ruin....sign me up!"
Wrin smiles, as three of the party members agree. "The Gauntlight is but a 30-minute hike from Otari. I do not know what dangers, if any, may have taken up residence, in the abandoned tower. I know, at the time of the town's founding, some 500 years ago, the Roseguard defeated a haven of evil that had settled in and under the tower." Wrin smiles, as she knowingly recalls her conversations with a young Luc about the famous town heroes. "I am sure that you will be up to the task of any dangers that you may encounter."
Kamau shakes his head to Teela, indicating the subject isn't touchy at all. He looks around at the various people as they speak, nodding in agreement. He holds up his hand, motioning in the direction of the lighthouse, then flips his hand over to show his fingers "walking" in that direction.
Speaking directly at Kamau but towards the others, "I don't mean to express disbelief in him or in what you've said about him, but how do you communicate with him? Writing seems like it would be problematic in a perilous circumstance."
”I suppose we just keep our eyes on him where possible, believe me, there hasn’t been a lot of need for complicated discussion - more “go there” [here Seren points] and “fantastic” or “thanks” [here Seren provides a thumbs-up] Honestly, I don’t really notice it…in the heat of the battle. And after that, I don’t much care. Kamau is solid.” she finishes with a smiling nod to Kamau.
"So... We investigate and report?" Teela leaves the question hanging in the air for a second, before adding "Or cleanse if possible?"
She raises a finger. "And would you happen to know what was the nature of this long-banished evil? In case it did reemerge."
"OK." Kazzi nods at Kamau.
"We'll workshop as we dungeon delve."
What does Kazzi know about them? Ruins Lore/Architecture Lore +5
Unfortunately, at this time, neither Teela nor Kazzi remember any significant details about the Gauntlight or its ruins. Teela does remember something about a nursery rhyme. Wrin ponders Teela's question. "Funny, to think about it, but since the Gauntlight has been there for as long as anyone can remember, we all take it for granted but I have not delved into its history. What I can remember is that the evil that the Roseguard overcame was led by a woman named Belcorra. If you grew up in this town, I'm sure you remember the nursery rhyme that you were taught as a child to scare you into obedience."
When the fog is creeping,
And the moon is low;
When the town is sleeping,
Gauntlight starts to glow!
That’s when she arises
For her midnight lunch.
Naughty kids are prizes
For her teeth to crunch.
But if you obey me,
And obey the rules;
You’re safe from Belcorra;
She just eats the fools!
"I will definitely have to brush up on the subject. Anyway, when do you plan on checking the place out? Please do not delay too long. I have a bad feeling about that glow."