"Clear it out? How?" Dargys is brave by nature, but that was insane.
Erik once again feels out of his element dealing with fancy folk. He just takes some of the refreshments and sits with a reflective look on his face.
"Klaus, you had the book last. Did you put it in your pack or leave it on the table?" Alistair asks the wizard. "As to clearing it out, I think we need different tools. Perhaps we could bring this to the town council and get them to provide some magical resources or a couple barrels of holy water."
Running a hand through his hair, Antero’s eyes narrow on Dargys; “That is for you to figure out! You gave you word to finish the task… but what should I expect from a pit fighter…” Straightening his shirt he turns from Dargys; “When I hire someone for a task, it is unto completion. You will see to it that this is finished.” You can easily tell that the anger in his tone is pushed more by fear of what is below than Antero being a successful merchant that doesn’t accept failure.
He lets out a chuckle to Alistair’s comment; “Barrels? Why don’t you head on over to the Lawgiver’s Hall and see what Vuokko has available. I doubt you’ll find “barrels” of Holy Water.”
The merchant picks up a slice of meat and cheese.
Dargys bristles at that and stands up and for a moment and gets in Antero's way, "I don't care how rich you are, you don't LIE and tell me I swore an Oath or promised when I did not. I am asking EARNESTLY if anyone has ideas on how to beat those things, and if you just don't know, SAY SO..." His eyes smolder, "And I put my body on the line when I choose. Your gold is yours, true, and I'll try to earn it, but you do not own me, OR my allies!" He towers over the merchant
Then he takes a breath to calm himself, "You have no idea. FINE. We'll learn what we can on the history and how to best it. There was a vision. I will try to remember details. Maybe there was a clue in there."
Rasmus thanks the youth and gratefully sinks down into a chair.
”I don’t rightly know what was down there, but I think I have an inklin’ as to what it might be. I hope to Kalron’s Grindstone that I’m wrong. All ye need know is that spirits were bound down there, by a wizard practicin’ necromancy I would bet, and they attacked us when we disturbed their rest.”
He turns to the others and continues, in a sotto voice,
”We need help, lads, and there’s no mistakin’ that. Klaus, can ye talk to yer masters at the wizardin’ school and see if they’ll help us, maybe lend ye a scroll or two? Deshe, can ye talk to the deacon, see if they’ll find some way to exorcise this place or somethin’ such?”
He thinks for a moment, and begins fidgeting with his sword. Eventually he looks down at it and begins muttering to himself and thinking.
”Ancestral steel, me Grandfather’s sword, and yet it still cannot touch those beyond the veil.”
On the best of days, Grandfather’s Study radiated a sort of dread, but at night, it whispered things into the mind that burrowed into the soul and writhed like a feasting worm. Rasmus hesitated a minute longer, and then steeled himself and creaked open the door. He was expecting something grand, something impressive, or grandiose in some way. What he saw was disappointing. It was a small room, and if the hallway outside was dusty, this was choked with dust to the extreme. Inside, there was simply a table with implements, gleaming in the scarce moonlight, their purpose sometimes mysterious, and sometimes grimly evident, a cloth-covered metal chair in the center of the room, and a large banner over a case. Two portraits hung near the banner, one with a regally imperious-looking man in garnet red robes, his salt grey beard tapered to a sharp point, and the other with a beautiful looking woman wearing clothes from a fashion decades old. The names on both were weathered and faded, but one could barely make out the letters “—nd-ll -in—d” and “Y—t- Wi—l-” The chair held something in it, a large shape or mass, but Rasmus did not have the courage to lift the white shroud and gaze at it. He did move towards the case, his eyes straying to the sharp, scarlet symbol on the banner. It seemed to writhe under his gaze, and he quickly looked away to open the elegant glass case. Inside was a beautiful, elegant sword, set with a green emerald in its pommel, and a carved scabbard, stained with some strange substance. Next to it sat a yellowed tome, with a cracked leather cover proudly bearing the title “The Records of Crandall Winbald.” Rasmus opened it, carefully turning its wafer-thin pages, and read a small bit, that of which shocked him.
“11th of _____, Trial 42, Aetherial Passage Attemped Through the Veil of Moil, Use of Modified Rite of Ashvar. Symbol drawn at midday, 4 liters needed. Source expired after 2, seek new source tomorrow. Sprinkling of ground silver and teeth, coated with quicksilver applied to cardinal points seems to mollify the Rite—”
A slight current of air brushed his neck, interrupting his reading. Rasmus flinched and turned, but the door was still open, a rat was scurrying along the floor and quickly disappearing up into the shrouded shape on the chair, squeaking madly. Rasmus shivered, but gratefully, as it was nothing more supernatural than a rat. He turned back to the weathered tome and continued reading, his brow furrowed and his eyes widening as he read on.
“—black onyx needed. Imitation attempted, but unadvised. No other stone or gem works, though emerald invoked a slight presence, nothing powerful. I need to find a source of black onyx. The family treasury has grudgingly produced half a palmswidth of the gem, but more is needed. I’m on to the last few pieces in my possession. I’ll attempt the rite tomorrow, and review my chants for now.”
As Rasmus continued to read on in horrified fascination, a faint creak from the door jerked him around again, but the door stood open just the same as before, if perhaps slightly moved towards the doorframe, as if to close. “Old place, settling,” Rasmus muttered to himself, and he turned and continued his reading.
“12th of _____, Trial 43, Continuation of Aetherial Passage through Veil of Moil, Use of Modified Rite of Ashvar. New source obtained last night through the help of Grigori. Reminder: Take gravekeeper off shift tonight at common graveyard between evening and midnight. Grigori demands another payment for his services. All these bribes to remove the gravekeepers are getting expensive. But, results cannot be argued with. This source put up a minimum of resistance after Grigori’s venom did its work, and it was held motionless as I prepared the circle again. Epiphany: Apply 4 quarts as instructed in the Rite, but additionally add the calcified silver mixture. Double strength is possibly attainable. I shall begin the chants around evening, and culmination should occur around midnight. Yvette, you have passed beyond the veil, but you are not out of reach yet!”
Rasmus shut the book quickly and took a sharp intake of breath…and even more quickly held his next, for there was a slight sound on the edge of hearing, as if it were coming from through the door and down the hall. A scraping sound, accompanied by rhythmic clacking, as if from sharp boots hitting the floor repeatedly. Rasmus picked up the sword and, on second thought, shoved the book into his bundle as well, and crept over to the door and peered around the frame. In the hallway, silhouetted by the dimming moonlight, was a hunched figure in an elegant uniform, somewhat weathered, and covered mainly by a cape. A large, broad-brimmed black hat sat upon its head, pulled low. The scraping sound was explained by a bundle about the size of a long roll of cloth, but considerably wider and, though the white sheet obscured the fine details of its features, a hideously humanoid appearance. Rasmus slightly sucked in another breath in surprise, and the thing turned suddenly, focusing a pair of gleaming red eyes on Rasmus.
At that moment, a cloud drifted over the moon, and the hall was left in pitch blackness. The eyes continued to glare at Rasmus for a moment through the darkness, and then winked out. Rasmus backed into his grandfather’s study and almost tripped over the shrouded form in the chair. He could have sword it twitched, but he had little time for that. A skittering sound began to echo through the wing, and Rasmus began to spin frantically, looking every which way for the thing he saw, a gleam of red eyes, or something to alert him to a sinister presence. As he looked, something brushed his face, and he reached his hand up, feeling a soft, silky material in his hands. He looked up directly into the red eyes of the thing, and felt cold, clammy hands encircle his neck. He lashed out with the sword, but the thing swatted it away easily. A low, gutteral growl began in the thing’s throat as it pulled him upwards.
Rasmus struggled, and the book dropped from its place in his bundle and fell on the floor with a heavy thud. Suddenly, Rasmus was released, falling unceremoniously on the floor, and the thing began making keening noises in its throat and crawling away hurriedly, at least to judge by the noises Rasmus heard. The cloud that covered the moon lazily drifted away, returning the wing to a dim light. Rasmus grabbed the book, put it back in his bundle, and peered around the corner again. The thing was gone, along with its horrible cargo, and Rasmus breathed a sigh of relief. He ran through the hall, though it seemed to be longer than when he first traveled its length, to the door back to the central keep. As his hand hovered over the latch, a faint noise, like a slow chuckle, played on the edge of his hearing. He ignored it and threw open the door, making his way towards the stables afterwards, where he saddled up a horse and rode out into the marshes, the shame for his family weighing heavily on his shoulders. He shivered in the chilly air and rode faster.
Rasmus comes back to the present, and sighs,
”Yer right Alistair, we need to bring this to the city officials, though we should be cautious. Not all those we talk to will have an altruistic outlook on this.”
Running a hand through his hair, Antero’s eyes narrow on Dargys; “That is for you to figure out! You gave you word to finish the task… but what should I expect from a pit fighter…” Straightening his shirt he turns from Dargys; “When I hire someone for a task, it is unto completion. You will see to it that this is finished.” You can easily tell that the anger in his tone is pushed more by fear of what is below than Antero being a successful merchant that doesn’t accept failure.
Suddenly, Klaus stands with a finger in the air and other hand on his chest. "'I am seeking skilled workers to remove the seal and explore what is beyond. Once the task is completed, workers will be handsomely rewarded.'"
He blinks and looks at Rasmus who is likely still holding onto the envelope with the quest missive.
"Did I get that right? Pretty sure that's a direct quote."
He directs the finger towards Antero. "Kind sir, your spooky haunted basement filled with horrible magic has been explored. Aside from one impassable staircase full of rubble, we explored every passage visible. Stand and deliver unless your promises are not what you claim.
"Klaus, you had the book last. Did you put it in your pack or leave it on the table?" Alistair asks the wizard.
"I've got it here, and since it was under this man's property, it and its magic seal belong to him."
Klaus produces the book from his backpack and places it on a nearby coffee table.
Dargys shoots Klaus a grateful look.
"Well, I'm not done yet. Sir, please have your servants bar entry into the basement for now. We'll get this sorted out. We'll round up the needed resources for this venture and reconvene here. We just needed to know what we were dealing with first. Come on fellas, let's run down some leads." Alistair says getting to his feet.
Belfer reaches for a glass of wine, his hand visibly shaking. He stops just short of picking it up before moving both hands to the glass to steady the normally casual movement. He retreats to the wall, leaning back against it, staring into the crimson liquid.
"Well, I'm not done yet. Sir, please have your servants bar entry into the basement for now. We'll get this sorted out. We'll round up the needed resources for this venture and reconvene here. We just needed to know what we were dealing with first. Come on fellas, let's run down some leads." Alistair says getting to his feet.
"That seems reasonable. We can get a good night's rest, calm ourselves down, and then gather what we might need in the morning," Belfer adds, more to convince himself than anything.
Startled by Dargys action and tone, Antero rounds the table to separate himself from the fighter. He uses the hospitality of filling any glasses with wine that needs it, but he keeps is eye on Dargys.
Hearing everyone’s response of what is down there, Antero nods as Rasmus suggest seeking out help from arcane and divine powers. “If what you say is truly down there.” looking at everyone’s demeanor and emotional state; “I will give you an advance on what was promised as payment.” looking at the 8 of you around the table. “I will give you 400 gp now, and the rest when this is taken care of.”
Stepping away from the tome that Klaus places on the table; “And as long as everything is clear, you can keep everything that you find.” looking from the group to the tome; “I’ll be right back”
Coming back after a few minutes away, he places a purse on the table; “I hope that platinum will be okay.”
He notices the merchant scurry back, and the eyeball he's getting from the man Not so much as an apology. I guess rich men pay in coin, but not manners. Still, fear as much as bluster maybe influencing the ass. And he's not alone in that. I had the shivers too. He takes a gentling breath.
"As Klaus has said, we went down, and we explored, and we returned and reported. And what we reported was horrific, no doubt. You must be terrified by the news and with good reason. I tell you, it was terrifying for us too. More than once, the unnaturalness of it all seeped into our very souls. It's enough to make anyone be not at their best, to be fair to the both of us. Alistair and Rasmus are right, we need to learn more, check other sources. We'll do that. Then , better prepared we'll go back in... or at least I plan to, always did. If I might suggest, if you are of a particular faith, you might want to purchase yourself a holy symbol. Maybe it won't help, but it surely cannot hurt."
A look at the coin, "As for the payment, I'll take no more than the hundred I was offered at the start, and then I'll get the rest of my share when I do more than exploring and get back. There appears to be some disagreement between us about giving your solemn word, and a job being very different. The latter can be negotiated or renegotiated. The former is never given lightly, or shouldn't be. I'll wait till I'm done with the job before taking more than the 100 for myself or items found so there's no further confusion. If I go in and die on the mission, I'll ask any further coin I was going to get to go to my family."
Dargys hopes this clears up further misunderstanding and on decent terms.
"Thank you, sir," Alistair says picking up the bag and heading for the door. "Gentlemen, let's leave our host to tidy up as we go find Sethiel some accommodations and ourselves some proper weaponry for such arcane or divine enemies." Outside he pauses and looks in the bag. "It looks like its a full half. We can leave Sethiel's with him when we get him to a healer. Everyone else, here's your share." He hands out 5 platinum to each. "We may need to spend a little to better prepare. I was thinking we all might travel as a group to corroborate the others story as we visit the priests and the wizard's guild. Your thoughts?"
Antero agrees with Alistair; “Yes, I will make sure that all of the doors are locked between here and the entry to the cellar below.” mutters a prayer; “I pray the gods will keep at bay what is down there until your return.” Pointing to the tome Klaus placed on the table; “Will you be taking that?”
Antero will stay wide of Dargys, but he will usher the eight of you out of his manor.
As you exit his house you make note of the time of day. It is late afternoon. You aren’t sure how, but this day has slipped away.
With Belfer’s mention of a night’s rest to calm yourselves down, you might think that visiting the Lawgiver’s Hall.
Deshe nods as he takes his coins. "I'll take Sethiel to Lawgiver's Hall, and if you're headed to the priests yourself, you can find me there." Deshe looks around the others to make sure they all heard, and then begins to head to the Lawgiver's Hall.
The party finds themselves on one of the most southern roads of Dulwich, Foundation’s Way, just outside of Antero Kalervo’s home.
Though the journey isn’t long, It does take all of Deshe’s strength to help Sethiel to The Lawgiver’s Hall. The road you take eventually turns into Purho Street just beyond Dulwich Keep. Named after the first priest for the Temple of Conn, you see small shrines to Purho and small stalls selling religious objects and symbols.
The Temple of Conn is one of the first structures built in Dulwich. This tall stone cathedral is under renovation and expansion. You see the bell towner supported with scaffolding as they are replacing the old bell with what looks to be a silver bell. You also see many of the windows reinforced as artist and taking care as they are installing new elaborate stained glass.
You aren’t sure where it came from, but there must have been a very generous donor in the congregation for these upgrades to happen. Some might think money could be best spent elsewhere, while others sees the craftsman being paid for their skills like they never have before.
Workers are all over the place trying to get as much work completed before sundown. As you walk into the Lawgiver’s Hall, you see many of the pews are covered with large cloth blankets collecting dust and debris from the work. A few of the shrines of the lesser gods are covered, while the major ones that more people would visit are exposed but protected by wooden shelters.
Acolytes are moving about at their temple work.
"Are there any Clerics of Dalren about? Our friend Sethiel's in a bad way after a run in with some nasty haunts." Deshe calls out, attempting to be heard over the din of construction.
Alistair waits to see if anyone responds. If they do not, he will approach someone, "Grab a priest of Dalren, if one is not available then snag any priest with authority here. We have a person who was possessed not two hours ago, a haunted basement, and a bunch of armed men whose nerves are on edge. Help me out here?"
Erik follows those who are headed to take Sethiel to a healer. He finds a place to tie up Shep outside. If his mother heard that he'd rode his wolf into a temple, he would never hear the end of it, assuming he ever heard anything again, what with the boxing his ears would undoubtedly receive. He gingerly makes his way inside, looking around with his eyes wide open. He had never had a reason to visit Lawgiver's Hall before, and the sight almost takes his breath away. This is right pretty. Seems like a waste to spend this much on a fancy building, though, when you could worship anywhere, even out in the field like the Mother intended.
Dargys notes that he's being given the silent treatment despite his efforts to have things on decent terms.
And he too goes to help drop Sethiel off with the others. He is concerned for the poor elf who was an ally to them.
As the group of you burst into the Lawgiver’s Hall shouting for help from a cleric, you draw the attention of a tall muscular woman who sports a breastplate that has the symbol of Conn on the chest (two hands clasped in a handshake). She has a long flowing cloak draped from her shoulders and a light mace at her side.
Her eyes dart between Deshe and Alistair with words of haunts and haunted basement. “Deshe, what have you been up to?” She approaches and puts an arm around Sethiel and grabs his belt as she drapes his arm over her shoulder. She partly lifts him as they continue down the long seating hall of the cathedral. Shouting to one of the acolytes, “Clear the way to one of the private guest rooms, then find priestess Vuokko.”
The woman in front of you is Maja Vartia, she oversees the cathedral guard. The fact that she is here would let you know that priestess Vuokko Laiten and priest Mikael Tuntia are here. Vuokko is the lead.
Erik’s eyes continue to stay wide as he sees the highly figured hand carved statues that adorn the shrines along the walls. The gold trim work that accents the paintings of the wall is more gold than he could think about spending in his lifetime, or the generations that come after him.
Dargys’ mind is on Antero’s lack of manors, but then he notices among the acolytes and workers over a dozen men and woman patrolling the inside of the cathedral. His mind catches that he might have seen a couple outside also. They have similar garb as the woman aiding Sethiel, just less ornate. Temple guard, and with what Dargys knows of the city they are probably needed with the value of everything within.
Being led down a side hallway that leads to rooms, the woman sits Sethiel on the edge of the bed. The room is not small, but it won’t allow everyone to be in at the same time. “Haunts?” she looks over Sethiel’s current state and steps out of the way as Vuokko Laiten, the high priestess of Conn enters the room.
All of you would know that less than a year ago the beloved and respected high priest Taisro Rintala died unexpectedly. Vuokko Laiten was appointed unexpectedly becoming the new high priestess and the first one so young. Only in her twenties.
The young priestess helps Sethiel to lay down and she begins examining him, starting with the basic vitals and moving on from there. As she is doing this; “I was told about haunts and haunted basements. What exactly has happened here?” as she continues to examine the cleric of Darlen.
Rasmus carefully observes the bustling activity in the Lawgiver's Hall, his sharp eyes catching the intricate details of the room, from the finely carved statues to the opulent gold trimmings. As Vuokko Laiten examines Sethiel, Rasmus maintains a calm demeanor, blending into the background while keeping his senses alert.
His thoughts race as he pieces together the troubling clues. The temple's recent renovations, funded by a mysterious benefactor, and the possible resurgence of the cult of Braal can't be mere coincidences. He needs to approach this delicately.
When Vuokko asks about the haunts, Rasmus steps forward, his voice gruff yet steady.
"High Priestess, we encountered somethin' unusual in the basement. There were... disturbances that seemed beyond the ordinary. I believe it warrants a closer look."
He glances around the room, noting the presence of the temple guards. He must tread carefully.
"If I may,"
he continues,
"it might be wise to investigate the source of these disturbances further. With yer permission, I can assist in securing the area and making sure there are no lingerin' threats."
Rasmus turns to his companions, making brief eye contact with each of them.
"Deshe, Alistair, Erik, Dargys—maybe ye can help gather information from the townsfolk. Any clues about unusual activities or suspicious individuals could be invaluable."
Returning his attention to Vuokko, he adds,
"High Priestess, yer guidance and support would be crucial in this endeavor. We want to ensure the safety of the temple and its congregation."
He subtly indicates the opulent decorations and recent changes in the temple.
"It's clear that significant resources have been invested here. Understandin' the motivations behind such generosity might shed light on the disturbances we've encountered."
To Erik when the halfling shows such awe at the decorations, "Impressive isn't it. If we're lucky we can find a ruin like this that hasn't been swept clean already and strip that puppy down. Inactive of course, or at least dedicated to one of those evil deities."
"I can ask around but I don't think this is a new threat. There was a lot of old stuff down there. There were two things we didn't check out before we left, a sealed door and and blocked tunnel. I think both need to be breached." Alistair adds to the conversation. He'll wait for any response from the cleric and then go see if he can learn anything about newcomers to town or particularly the area.
"Danger and daring- Kalron's call, but whatever fell sorcery we faced preyed on the mind with visions of horror and fear. It left all of shaken, Sethiel worst of all. He needs a safe place to recover before we go back to cleanse whatever evil still lurks there." Deshe trusts that Rasmus is handling the details, and so mostly speaks in the broad strokes.
"Speaking of Cleansing, whatever tools you may have that could help in that endeavor would be greatly appreciated." Alistair says with his most charming smile.
Casting Light on a pebble, Priestess Vuokko test Sethiel’s pupil response to the light. “Yes, I would agree something unusual happened that would leave Sethiel like this. I would prefer to keep him here at least a day for observation. Things that prey on the mind can sometimes linger and I would not want him to go home and have another… episode.”
The priestess turns to the tall woman; “Go find brother Kaden, tell him he has a new study. He will need to bring his restraints.” turning back to the group; “I can’t say either way, but I want to be sure something hasn’t left that basement attached to Sethiel.” Looking at Sethiel, he is very lethargic. Thinking back to the moments following the spirit gripping his mind you remember that he hasn’t really be all there since then. It could appear to be exhaustion from what happened to him, but could it be more…
“Please follow me, your friend needs to rest and I’d like us to go somewhere more discreet.” Priestess Vuokko leaves this room and heads down the hall back to the sanctuary where work is being done; “You are correct, we have had some very generous donations that have led us to be able to do these upgrades. Plus, I don’t think Taisro was interested in having the disturbance of the workers or dust.” She continues to lead you down a corridor to a secluded chapel. Significantly smaller than the sanctuary, but a room that would seat around 100 people.
“Please sit,” the priestess says motioning to the front row in the chapel. She takes a breath and takes all of you in. “I don’t know where you found this basement, but if it is within the walls of Dulwich I do find it a personal responsibility to aid when it comes to spiritual matters.” she looks to Rasmus. “The temple does have supplies that could be used in aiding your endeavor, for a donation of course.”
“I am currently investigating my own unusual situation here in the city limits, so my man power resources are tied up in that. But I will aid where I can. If you’d allow me, I would like to examine each of you. Granting you a blessing of Conn.”
Priestess Vuokko waits and sees who will allow her to examine them, or if there are any questions asked.
"Of course. Myself, I could attempt blessing some holy water come my prayers the next morn, but they would not be of avail today, and expensive in terms of silver. And if applied incorrectly would do little. I think perhaps spells to ward fear would be prudent?"
Rasmus smiles and nods at Deshe,
"Aye, that would be a help, to be sure, lad. In particular, can ye call on the power of Kalron to say some benedictions over us, and maybe have Kalron's Gaunlet guide us? We're dealin' with the unholy; ain't nothin' better to fight them with than a good prayer."
Rasmus strolls to the supplies quartermaster and observes his stock.
A crooked smile comes to Erik's face as Alastair suggests ransacking an abandoned temple, but he does not respond audibly.
When the priestess offers to examine the group, Erik looks at her with a suspicious look on his face. "Ah, ma'am, what kind of examination are we talkin' about? Oh, and, uh, since I don't think anybody's told you, the basement we found was at Mr. Kalervo's place."
"Examine away ma'am." Alistair says and waits his turn.
Dargys’ mind is on Antero’s lack of manners, but then he notices among the acolytes and workers over a dozen men and woman patrolling the inside of the cathedral. His mind catches that he might have seen a couple outside also. They have similar garb as the woman aiding Sethiel, just less ornate. Temple guard, and with what Dargys knows of the city they are probably needed with the value of everything within.
Good security. He observes.
"Deshe, Alistair, Erik, Dargys—maybe ye can help gather information from the townsfolk. Any clues about unusual activities or suspicious individuals could be invaluable."
Dargys has his doubts that he'll be much good at gathering information from Townsfolk but will give it a try after this.
“I am currently investigating my own unusual situation here in the city limits, so my man power resources are tied up in that. But I will aid where I can. If you’d allow me, I would like to examine each of you. Granting you a blessing of Conn.”
"I'd be honored," He says with a lowered head, and waits his turn.
Priestess Vuokko gives a sympathetic smile to Erik; “I know you have been through a lot. I understand more than you know. You have nothing to fear with me. I want to ease some of your fears so that you can complete what you have started in Mr Kalervo’s basement.”
She looks to the group of you; “We don’t need whatever is happening in that basement to spread. Those houses are connected through their basement network, so it must be cleared quickly.”
Holding her hands out; “Come my son.” She takes Alistair’s head in her hands and brushes his closed eyes with her thumbs while saying a blessing.
You feel a cool sensation wash over you coming from her thumbs. Washes over your head down your back and through your feet. You feel a calming come over you, your no longer have that on edge feeling, but you also realize how tired you are because your nerves were constantly on edge.
You see a few things that you’d expect like Cure Light Wounds, Holy Water, and Silver Weapon Blanch. But a few other things that stand out is four vials of what the acolyte called Holier Water, they are twice as effective as normal holy water . You also see a beautiful two-handed heavy mace that made of silver and looks to be superbly forged, and picking it up it is well balanced. .
Klaus follows everyone to the temple to make sure Sethiel is delivered safely. Once everything seems well in hand, Klaus sighs and stands up.
"I guess I'd better go make a report of my own...though I'd really rather just forget what happened and what we all saw."
The mage gives a small wave and departs to find his mentor.
Erik nods at the priestess. "Yes, ma'am, go ahead, I reckon. Is it urgent enough that we need to go back in today?"
"Thank you, priestess," Alistair and rises, stretching after he does so. "Man, I feel like I could sleep for a week." Then he gets directions if needed to find Rasmus. Looking the stuff over he asks, "There is something in there that is messing with our minds but we can't get at it, just the things it creates. Is there anything you have that would make it solid or nearly solid so we could attack the source? Or, would holy water applied to the right location work?" he asks, thinking of that strange obelisk beneath the trapdoor.
As the group gets Sethiel to the Lawgiver’s Hall and they are led away to a private chamber, Klaus makes his away to see Saini Alanen. After his ten-year apprenticeship, he was directed to continue his studies under Saini, Dulwich’s renowned sage.
Leaving the Lawgiver’s Hall and sets his way West towards Saini Alanen’s home . The roads aren’t busy this time of day and you’re able to make your way there quickly.
You know that Saini receives money from the town by making her large library available to the public. Her stone-towered, three-story house is divided into sections. The first floor is the public library. There is no telling who you’ll find there throughout the day, though there are usual suspects. The second floor is reserved for those who are renting rooms for long-term study. The final floor is reserved for Saini herself. No one is allowed up there, not even those studying under her watch.
Walking into the library, you see a familiar face. Young Taavi Vesivalo. He comes to library daily to “read” up on a wide range of topics, but anyone can tell that he is a boy in love. When Saini isn’t around he is extremely talkative but quickly becomes mute as his nerves take over when she is present.
As Taavi sees you a smile splits his face and he rushes up to you; “Klaus! Klaus! How did it go? Did you find a secret hide out for the Shadow Spiders , or a cave where the gnolls are tunneling their way into the city? Did you fight off cave trolls and take back their treasure?” the boy is very hyper jumping around and even rolled up a large parchment paper to be a sword.
Following the blessing bestowed to Alistair, Dargys and Erik receive their blessing. Cupping each of your heads in her hands one at a time, she brushes your closed eyes while saying a blessing.
You feel a cool sensation wash over you coming from her thumbs. It washes over your head down your back and through your fet. You feel a calming come over you, you no longer have that on edge feeling, but you also realize how tired you are because your nerves were constantly on edge.
Alistair knows exactly where to go. There is a small storage room at the front of the temple, Rasmus is there looking over the supplies. The acolyte present thinks over Alistair’s question; “I don’t believe Holy Water would make things like ghost solid. I have read research that does say you can pour the water over them and it would hurt the ghost like a weapon.” when she says weapon she has a look of, oh yeah come over her face; “I did just remember that you could use an oil blessed by one of the Paladins, making it able to hit things that are not solid.”