"Gundar, do you care about this holy symbol's fate? Sold on the market? Other?"
As far as I'm knowin' Calistria is not an ally of Torag, so I have no problem sellin' it. Gundar responds.
After a trip to the market, Verilich is amazed at Caius’s thoroughness in calculating every copper piece and the party’s shopping for better combat gear. Perhaps at a future trip to the market, Verilich can take advantage of the same opportunities. But since his particular weaponry is not common place, he makes mention of future orders on masterwork versions of his monk weapons. ”I don’t yet have the gold my companions have, but I do plan on visiting you once I have means”
Upon returning to the Sleeping Dragon Inn and taking up the party’s regular table, Verilich waits for all food and drink to settle down and reflect upon the day’s events. ”Companions. Putting aside any tension of the day’s turn of events, we need to plan for the next day since we know that these pieces affect their possessor in negative ways. Let’s agree to wait until someone becomes hostile before resorting to violence or increased physical suggestions shall we?”. Verilich looks towards Ghaernan with a wink and a smile with the increased emphasis in his statement.
Verilich lowers his voice even more to keep prying ears from gleaming intel ”Indeed the possessor of this shard gives me the strong indications that there is another shard very close by. In fact I feel its presence out by the pylons of the collapsed bridge but out into the water. While I can get there without special transportation, I would not want to possess a second shard without you present to verbally able to coach me back to the Venture Captain. Which actually also brings up an interesting but important discussion point. Who should pick up the shard? My very inner nature is a non-violent and I am willing to succumb to ill effects. What are your collective thoughts?”
"So we are unable to administer a stone to the next shard without risking its effects? Seems we should be able to get ahead of this!"
"Maybe we vanquish its current bearer and drag the corpse back to the Venture Captain without actually risking picking the thing up? But then again, the one you possess seemed to leap from its host and seek another..."
"Perhaps we can band together to offer encouragement to whoever grasps it as the attempt is made!"
”I do not have any indication that the shard is currently being possessed by another wielder. And as you said, this one seemed to fly from Natalya’s hand like some greater negative force wanted us to pick it up and contend with the effects for its own enjoyment. If it is possessed, then perhaps knocking out and restraining will work to avoid the effects, but we should have a plan before we encounter the next shard.”
"oh. Did I say 'corpse'?"
"I am also willing to pick up a shard. I think it would be interesting and an invigorating experience. Though I will note, I've been told my mental fortitude isn't the strongest. I think that's ridiculous of course, I know of no one with a stronger mental fortitude.
I'm a very good swimmer, though less so in a breastplate. Perhaps we should borrow a boat. I'm sure the fishermen wouldn't mind an unexpected day off. Anyone have skills? I mean, how hard could it be? Right?"
Ghaernan reflects upon the conversation around the table among his companions at the Sleeping Dragon Inn, considering the observations made thus far...
"This is an excellent start on considering the matter of the shards. We still don’t yet understand how the current shard is affecting Verelich at this moment, if at all, but I would offer the following thoughts on the plan for securing the next one. First, assuming that some form of cursed effect will overcome the bearer at first contact, I think whomever that is needs to already be gently but firmly bound and restrained by the rest of the company, to avoid any similar future outcomes. Second, it’s clear that we need to spread-load the shards, from the second one to any others we find. If one of us were to hold all shards that we had, and went down or were otherwise taken from or lost to us, the power to discern the location of other shards would be gone with them - the most foolish risk we could take. Thus, the chosen bearer of the next shard, one among us other than Verelich, should also prove willing to submit to restraint by his companions, until such time as the shard’s curse can be understood and lifted. Just my reflections on some critical planning considerations…”
Caius imperiously proffers the manacles that hang ever ready at his belt...