Welcome to the booming city of Sanobe. Sanobe is a regional capital and fortress of the Empire of Roadan. It is a large city of approx 25,000 people. The economy is based on supply. It supplies food to the mining area north of town. In return it is a major supplier of gold for the country. It lies on the road between Roadan (the city) and Blue Lake City, the capital of the nearby Kingdom of the Patriarchs.
Your group is sitting in the Screaming Monkey Inn, eating your evening meal and drinking, trying to forget your miserable day of job hunting. The front door opens and a well-dressed gentleman enters. He definitely looks out of place here. He looks around a heads for your table.
“Are you the group of Adventurers who are looking for employment? If so, my employer would be interested in offering you as much.”
Depends on the type of work your employer is offering. May I ask your employer's name and the nature of his offer?
Diplomacy:
The pretty brunette in the leather armor looks on with interest at the newcomer. The job market had seemed pretty slow in the last few days, so she paid keen attention to the offer. "I am always interested in an interesting proposition. Might lead to me being able to afford better food than this dreck," she says, letting the gruel-of-the-day slip from her spoon.
The pretty brunette in the leather armor looks on with interest at the newcomer. The job market had seemed pretty slow in the last few days, so she paid keen attention to the offer. "I am always interested in an interesting proposition. Might lead to me being able to afford better food than this dreck," she says, letting the gruel-of-the-day slip from her spoon.
Don't let the manager hear you, or more importantly, his wife, the cook. She prides herself in serving some of the best dreck in the area. If there were Italians here, she would be one. Her dreck is plenty spicy and wholesome.
Depends on the type of work your employer is offering. May I ask your employer's name and the nature of his offer?
Diplomacy: 1d20+6;next set
"I would rather allow my employer answer your questions. I am merely an messenger.
Ammian raises his eyes slowly from his chair in the corner, where he eats by himself. He seems interested in the offer, but waits and watches the reactions of his groupmates. As both the warrior and the woman engage in their idle chitchat, he returns to his simple food and tries to finish it before something more exciting happens.
Although he doesn't show it, Ammian needs the money badly, as he gambled too much lately and lost all of his money and more. Even worse, he had to take a few loans from a few acquaintances of his, but he has to pay them back, soon. This job proposal seems like a miracle for him, as the other options, working as a thug or as a bodyguard for some small underworld boss wouldn't be able to cover his debts in reasonable time.
"And who might your employer be, sir?" the bard asks, wondering about the lackey's seeming evasiveness concerning his boss.
A lean, dark-haired man in leather armor mulls over a mug of the Inn's finest watered-downed ale when the messenger enters. While he shows apathetic interest with Darius' pronuncement, Elena's warm introduction catches his attention.
Looking around at his current situation - which isn't much in terms of job prospects and hoping to avoiding imperial authorities, he shrugs. He steps off the bar and raises his hand to get the man's attention.
Doing so brings about notice of his unusually blue eyes and slightly pointed ears as well.
"I could use some coin myself, neighbor, so I'll tag along for a spell...see if it's worth my time."
My employer is a local and wealthy business man who is need of your kind of help. It is somewhat of a personal nature. He would just as soon not have it become widely known at this time. He will let you know all that is required before he expects your cooperation.
"Wealthy? My favorite kind of businessman," Elena states with a smile. "How do we meet up with this secretive chap?"
You may follow me to his temporary lodgings.
With that, he turns his back and leads the way out of the inn.
It is a somewhat mild February evening, well above freezing. The recent snow has pretty much all melted except in a few places on the north side of buildings.
He leads you toward one of the better parts of the town and into a large building that you have only heard about. It is called the Shinto-Tagora, a very exclusive club, dining establishment or whatever you need. He takes you in a side door and leaves you in an empty room as he exits by the door on the other side of the room.
"Now this is more like it everyone," Elena exclaims during the journey, looking at the exclusive establishment. "Much nicer than the Monkey House, or whatever. I wonder if our mystery benefactor might be able to put us up here."
"Not one to stand ceremony then, eh?," he utters to the group as the man heads for the door and their appointment. He gives Ammian a little nudge from his meal and mutters,"Let's get to it before our messenger flys away."
Once out the door, he takes a last swig from the tankard and dumps the rest of the miserable ale in the street or nearest gutter. He then slips the old steel thing back into his traveler's sack.
Upon seeing the Shinto-Tagora, he lets out a low whistle of amazement. "Looks like this guy wasn't kidding...these are moneyed accomodations," he comments.
In the empty room, a certain sense of uncertainty creeps into his face and stance. He's all for secrecy, but a feeling of being cornered makes him rest a hand on his sword while they wait.
After about two minutes, a gorgeous young lady enters with a tray of various liquids, water, ale, wine, fruit juice, hot & cold tea and sets the tray on a table and invites you to have a drink. Another woman follows with a tray of cheeses and fresh fruit and sets them on a nearby table. Then they both leave.
Posting for dot.
Lanten eyes the ladies with interest during their brief visit, then proceeds to exam the ale. After a tenative whiff, out comes his steel mug and the thing is filled.
He leans back and takes a deep drink with some satisfaction.
"Ahhh...now that's a good drink...missed it after that junk at the Monkey. Cheers, lass!"
He tips his mug to Elena, and eats some cheese while they wait...a little more at ease but not completely relaxed.
Ammian sighs, then moves out of the Screaming Monkey inn together with the rest of the adventurers who answered the call. Smirking at Lanten spilling his ale outside, he grins and walks next to him.
As they arrive at the Shinto-Tagora, Ammian remembers a business meeting he helped secure a couple of months ago. He also remembers that day as the day in which he'd seen the biggest amount of gold in his life. Cheered up a bit, he follows the others inside, sure that his debts will be paid soon.
Although he turns a bit suspicious when the messenger leaves them all alone in the room, when the serving girls move along and bring the expensive food, he relaxes and takes another mug of ale, trying to hide the fact that he has no idea about most of the other things on the table.
A short young lady sits next to the party nibbling on the local venue. Appearing almost totally oblivious of the goings on. She is dressed in blue robes.
"How much does this pay? I have to keep the young orffan kids fed."
Bluff:
"I am more than happy to offer my limited skills to these fine people. All I ask in return is for you to pay my bill."
Wulfie smiles a big smile as she stands in front of a table full of empty dishes.
"My name is Wulfie. I am what you might call a practitioner of magic."
Jane is enjoying her last decent meal, she's almost out of money and still needs to pay for her boarding here.
Another uneventful day ... Another jobless day ...
She could just go back to her temple, but that would mean defeat ... and she cannot handle that.
Upon seeing the well dressed man enter, she cannot help but overhear his conversation. It seems he's here looking for hired help, he looks like a decent fellow, albeit a bit secretive.
She quickly joins the man at the table.
"Hi, I could not help but overhear your conversation ..."
"If the others here do not object, I would like to hear out your employer."
"Should we take up the job, perhaps you could use a healer?"
After the man starts leaving the Inn, she quickly pays her due and hurries outside.
Upon reaching Shinto-Tagora, Jane doesn't look impressed. She cares nothing about wealth, but does recognize the size and exclusivity of the building.
Jane, having just eaten at the Screaming Monkey Inn, doesn't take any food. But does take a glass of wine and takes a seat.
She looks around the room, and realizes she has no idea who all these people here are. Although she recognizes most of their faces from the Inn.
"Well people, since we're all waiting here ... how about some introductions. My name is Jane, Jane Silverheart. Faithful servant of Sarenrae, may her light bless all of you."
"Hello Jane, I am Elena. Elena Lovain. I'm a bit of a story-teller and a decent archer," the bard introduces herself while pouring herself a glass of wine, and nibbling on a piece of cheese.
"It's a pleasure to meet you ladies and sirs. Name's Lanten, although you can call me "Lant" if you prefer."
The introduction is followed with a tip of his mug and mischiveous grin that seems to make his blue eyes brighter.
"I've a bit of skill with swords, although my main skills extend to acquiring 'hard to reach' items as needed. Hope none of you take offense at that," he adds the last part hastily.
Ammian eyes his new comerades, waiting for a couple of them to introduce themselves. He looks at them, waiting to get some of them to look at him, and says: "I'm Ammian. A Fighter, mercenary, sword-for-hire, sellsword... whatever you wish to call it - My profession is this", as he points at his sword, which is simple, ugly, effective and has obviously been used a lot.
After waiting for about 15 minutes, the well dressed man returns accompanied by another well dressed gentleman. The new person is of average height and weight, in reasonable condition. Apparently, he hasn’t let the good life go to his stomach. He greets you all personally and continues:
"I apologize for making you wait for so long, but I was tied up in an important meeting. I hope the food and drink was sufficient for your wait.
My name is Arcturus Winnington. I am a merchant of some renown and much success. My enemies are few, for what I deal in is not a competitive field. Very few are willing to take the financial chances I do in my trade. You see, I trade in commodities with a land at a great distance, very uncivilized, but I have been able to make inroads into their society and between my relationship with them, the profit for them and the fact that I send very well guarded caravans I have been able to reap very nice profits without making enemies.
But this has nothing to do with what I am asking of you.
What I am in need of is a group of adventurers such as yourselves to make my house livable again. Don’t worry, I’m not looking for carpenters or interior decorators. My problem is that my house is haunted.
I bought the house nearly a year ago, after it had been vacant for over 20 years. It formerly was owned by a wizard who mysteriously disappeared. I had it extensively remodeled, and we moved in two months ago.
About a week ago, I started hearing sounds that should not have been there. Footsteps in empty halls, knocking sounds that were unexplainable, then I saw a face in the mirror that definitely did not belong to me, telling me to get out. We packed up our most precious items and moved into this fine establishment, but I want my home back.
I am willing to pay you 100 gp each if you would be willing to unhaunt my house.”
He then looks at you expectantly for a response.
"Sounds like a job for Miss Silverheart here," he points in Jane's direction as he states this,"...or at least more in her area of expertise."
"I'll tag along as backup for that coinage, if it will help. Besides, I have feeling there's more to these 'ghosts' than rattling chains..." This last part is said with a bit of a sarcastic grin that reflects his suspicion of the situation.
"We just might be the crew to help you out, Chief. The gold sounds fine to me, but I was wondering if you would throw in one of those delicious bottles of wine you allowed us to sample earlier," Elena replies to the merchant.
"My dear sir, if it your house that is haunted we will not rest till it is free of haunts!"
"We just might be the crew to help you out, Chief. The gold sounds fine to me, but I was wondering if you would throw in one of those delicious bottles of wine you allowed us to sample earlier," Elena replies to the merchant.
By all means, I would be willing to spare an entire case.
Ammian hears the promised pay for the job and grins to himself. One hundred gold would be enough for him not only to pay all his debts, but also to have quite a lot money of his own. The ghosts don't frighten him much - for all he knows, he could have made some of them. Looking at Arcturus, he calls "I'm in. Just show us the house and let's get on with it".
"The pay sounds very good, but I think I'd like some more information about the house first."
"And the name of the previous owner ... perhaps it can shed some more light on the situation."
"I know a fair deal about the undead, but I must confess I know nothing about them .. haunting a house .."
Darius carefully considers the merchant's predicament. Undead are not to be trifled with, but the house must be cleansed.
If indeed your house needs to be cleansed of undead, it is a noble mission. I will gladly assist you, provided you send 50% of my earnings to the Church of Iomedae.
Darius bows to his companions:
I am Darius D'Angelus. A humble servant of Iomadae. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, and look forward to working with you all.
Elena listened to the responses from each of the group, knowing the discussion of money revealed much about a person. Some were clearly pious without much concern for coin, and others were more of her own temperment, and wanted a fair recompense for the dangerous task. She did want to make sure the group had time for questions before heading out.
"Has anything happened in the last few weeks between you and anyone that would cause them to want to put a curse on your home? Perhaps there is a culprit in the real world we might talk into removing the problems? she offers, hoping for an easier resolution, that fighting undead.
"Heh...you've got a good point there. Wizards are nothing to be trifiled with...maybe he left a magical servant behind. If it's not a curse...maybe one of his previous servant or hired hand knows something about the previous owner's habits. Who sold you the house proper? Someone related to this wizard, maybe?"
Lant rubs his chin in further thought on the matter.
The former owner was named Oracain. I kept a painting of him in the house and he doesn't look anything like the face I saw. I don't know much about him other than that he was also a surgeon and rich enough to build this house. His wife lived for only about 2 months after he disappeared. She died of a broken heart.
There were no living relatives so the house eventually reverted to the government, who were pretty slow about putting it up for sale, and no one was interested in a house with bad luck until I purchased it.
As for enemies, I have a few, but they are few and far away and none of them are great enemies and nothing has changed in the recent weeks.
"Sounds like you've got a ghost then, Boss. While it appears we certainly don't mind helping you with this problem, you wouldn't happen to have any contacts with the ability to get some cheap holy water, would you? Heard that is helpful against such monstrosities, and I happen to be all tapped out," she said after getting the run down from her soon-to-be-employer.
Jane listens intently, and tries to discern if the man is holding back any information ...
Still willing to help, she replies to Elena.
"Well, if we take some time to prepare, I can make holy water."
"But it will take me a few days to make a sufficient amount for all of us."
She then turns to Arcturus.
"Sir, is there a great haste, or is it possible we think over your deal and prepare to take on this job ?"
"Living enemies or dead enemies, it does seem like we're going to fight there. I prefer leaving as soon as possible, but if you priest think that water could help then by all means. Lets just not delay this too much, ok?"
I agree with Ammian. These haunts have a way of festering if they are not dealt with quickly.
Darius turns to Arcturus.
But before we head to the house, do you happen to know who owned the property prior to Oracain? The previous owner may not be happy with what has become of the property, and knowing about him or her may help us exterminate your undead pest.
I agree with Ammian. These things have a way of festering if we wait too long.
Darius turns to Arcturus.
Do you happen to know who owned the property before Oracain? It's possible the original owner isn't happy with what's become of the property, and knowing his identity may help us exterminate your undead pest.
I don't know who or if anyone owned the property before Oracain. But it is located about half a mile from the major city graveyard if that means anything. The house is located on the south side of the city, across the river on the first bench, overlooking the city.
I would be willing to provide 6 potions of holy water that my man would be able to deliver to you tomorrow morning.
Sounds good. Jane, is that enough holy water for your purposes?
"Interesting stuff. I'm all for preparing for any evils, if it will help us have a leg-up. Otherwise, I think we've got all we're going know to from our new employer," the last being uttered with a grin. He awaits Jane's final word on the matter, having another drink from the fine ale.
Let me supply you with a rough drawing of my house floorplan.
He has Abner fetch a piece of paper and pencil and sketches a a rough floorplan.
"I do not know if six bottles will suffice, but it's more then I can make before tomorrow."
"With those bottles and this map, I'd say we're good to go somewhere tomorrow."
Lanten takes one last pour of ale into his mug, and salutes his new 'boss',"Thanks for the map, good sir. Hopefully we can clear up your haunting soon."
Upon exiting the place, he'll add to the party,"Unless someone has a more pressing engagement, you'll excuse me as I have few other matters to attend to before the visit to this mansion. Perhaps, let's gather in the morning in front of the Monkey to make the investigation?"
Once the matter is settled, he'll make his way into the city.
For Relayer:
Knowledge(local):
Until the morrow, then.
Darius makes his way to the local Temple of Iomedae (assuming there is one) to inform the local clergy of the undead infestation, and to see if they have heard of anything similar occuring in other areas of the town. Darius will also inform them of their impending good fortune (50% tithe of the fee) once the job is completed.