"Mine has malt beer and ripe meat off the bone. My favorite as well."
Darren looks at the message. Hm. Does Kaer Maga offer the condemned their choice for their last meal?"
"I would like to think that I have not done anything to provoke such a final censure; I have not even been inside the city yet..."
Morthos remarks dryly.
"If we are to have a meeting at Midnight, perhaps after we visit the Supplies Office, we could have a quick tour of the city (specifically, the merchants' district), and then grab some sleep? I would want to be fresh and ready for such an engagement... Although I am looking forward to some nice cavern-brewed Dwarven Stout, and a meal of roast-pork with a mushroom sauce."
Yes, some rest before we venture into this tomb might be nice.
Yes, some rest before we venture into this tomb might be nice.
"Then if everyone is in agreement, let's hit the Supply Office. Then we'll go through Downmarket. Make sure to secure your purse, there are plenty who would like a few free coins."
Solomon secures his coin purse.
Yeah...mine says steak and Elven Gold. Sounds delicious!
Filios turns to Petvar. I am all for picking up the reward before anything else. Supplies would definitely be in order, as well. This mini-tour of the city that will lead us through locales where a firm hand on one's purse is necessary sounds like my part of town. I would be interested to see if some of the citizens of your fine town are adept at games of chance. Maybe I can find something that peeks my interest where we decide to rest? Let's be off, and may luck guide our way!
The clerk in the supply office looks up as you all enter with a wince, clearly not enthused with his job. In turn, he hands each person a clipboard with a "simple" military form that needs to be filled out and signed before the reward can be released. It is only a single sheet requiring a mere two signatures on it at various points, and only two copies on top of that. Once the papers are signed, he releases to each individual a potion of cure light wounds, 50 gp worth of alchemical items, and 60 gp. All this with a well practiced bureaucraticly appropriate bored face before going back to the nap you disrupted him from. Judging from the reward, the confiscated goods and the unconscious smuggler must have been worth a fair bit. After that, Petvar shows the travelers around town, helping them acquire the various supplies required.
[ooc]GM: Filios would like to obtain a climber's kit, but the cost is 80GP. I would gladly convert the 30gp balance from my reward to obtain. Is that possible?[ooc]
[ooc]GM: Filios would like to obtain a climber's kit, but the cost is 80GP. I would gladly convert the 30gp balance from my reward to obtain. Is that possible?[ooc]
Sure
Solomon will use the 50gp in alchemical items to purchse a pair of flasks of Acid. Using the rest of the gold, and some of his own, he purchases 2 scrolls of Bless Water, a Scroll of Cure Light Wounds, a scroll case, and 6 empty flasks.
"if we are going into this place, we might as well be prepared, right?"
As the group nears the completion of their shopping trip, Solomon aska, "There wouldn' happen to be a church o' Torag somewhere round here, would there? I'm thinkin I might want to stop by to pray for awhile before we head to our meeting tonight."
Knowledge Local:
He is in Kaer Maga, where most children engage in petty crime at some point in their life, so thieving rumors are as thick as the walls that enclose the city.
The ones that you pick up that is slightly interesting if not particularly verifible is the question of just how big is the Godsmouth Ossuary and what actually goes on in there. They have been stuffing bodies in there for over a century now, and are still adding them on a regular basis. On top of that, only the clergy of Pharasma are allowed into the actual ossuary. Mourners can mourn at a chapel set aside for the purpose right by the entrance, but cannot actually go in. This leads to all sorts of rumors, conspiracy theories, and just plain wild conjecture of what happens to the bodies after they are taken inside. Of course most of the talk is pure hogwash, but you have to wonder what bits of it are actually true, because this is the Undercity being talked about, and strange things happen down there that even the Duskwardens can't explain or deal with.
Petvar picks out two flasks of Holy Water. "These should come in handy if we are going to be in the Ossuary."
"I think we'll head to Downmarket first. We should be able to get some extra items there." I would like to purchase a compass, some paper, ink and an inkpen if I can find them. And a map case. Since the Duskwarden's have never been to the Ossuary, maybe I can make an extra gold or two if I map the area. I also need to grab a couple new weapons.
"If everyone has there stuff from the Supply Office, we should probably head to Downmarket. I was thinking maybe stopping in the Cavalcade district afterward for Morthos. We could even stop by The Rubdown for a quick bath if anyone is interested." Petvar smiles at this last thought and begins to lead the way to Downmarket.
I would like to purchase a compass, some paper, ink and an inkpen if I can find them. And a map case. Since the Duskwarden's have never been to the Ossuary, maybe I can make an extra gold or two if I map the area. I also need to grab a couple new weapons.
The map materials you can grab at the duskwarden guildhouse, though the captain sees you and advices you that making a completely detailed map may not be wise, just in case the Pharisiman clergy find out, but a map with the general outline, entrances, and exits, and general description of what you find there would probably be discretely rewarded, and even if the Pharisman clergy find out about it, they likely wouldn't come down hard on you, they would just make sure that the map was treated with great care by the Duskwarden leadership. Sharing it with anyone other than the Duskwardens would be very, very bad though, no matter how simple you make it. Letting the Duskwardens have a more complete picture of the area they work to defend is something that even the Pharismans can't really argue against too strenuously as long as the Duskwardens don't interfere with the operations of the ossuary, but that argument won't hold water for anybody else.
"If everyone has there stuff from the Supply Office, we should probably head to Downmarket. I was thinking maybe stopping in the Cavalcade district afterward for Morthos. We could even stop by The Rubdown for a quick bath if anyone is interested."
"I would certainly appreciate that," Morthos says with a smile. "There are also a few items that I would not mind picking up."
Whilst browsing the markets, Morthos makes a point of finding a good leather worker, and goes over his stock to find a high-quality backpack.
He also travels around the armorers and weaponsmiths, and although he is not especially impressed with the quality of the majority of the weapons, eventually reluctantly settles on a heavy pick and a warhammer to add to his collection.
Not exactly Dwarven make, but I guess that they will have to do...
The armorers are another story, however. whilst in one shop, owned by a Qadiran merchant, his eye is caught by a crude, albeit functional, war kilt.
Fascinating. I have not seen this design before. So light, and un-restricting, yet it provides some protection. I will have to give the basic model a try.
He then hunts through the street markets for a few small bargains...
He is then perfectly happy to retire somewhere quiet that Petvar or Darren recommends for a few hours of shut-eye before the midnight meeting...
While in Downmarket, Petvar finds a couple of merchants he has done business with before. He picks up a morningstar and three light hammers. He also looks for some new shops he hasn't looked for before, trying to find map making materials. Eventually he comes across a gnome with maps galore. Petvar finds out what he needs to make a good map and begins purchasing the right tools.
After everyone is finished with purchases in the Downmarket, Petvar leads the group to the Cavalcade district to show Morthos the many forges that make up the district.
"I'll come with you all to the market, but then I'm going to have to meet you at the Cathedral or at another meeting spot tonight."
Darren follows Petvar's lead at the office and grabs two flasks of holy water, though the sunrods look useful, as well. At the market, Darren is torn between a heavy mace or a morningstar. He finally decides on the heavy mace, figuring the heft is greater, and wondering if the spikes on the morningstar might get caught in the bones of a skeleton, if that's what they face. In the market, an alchemist vendor catches his eye, and he sees that sunrods are relatively cheap, among all the other tricks the vendor has to offer, so Darren picks up a couple sunrods for the crypt. At his last stop before leaving the group, he buys a belt pouch.
Before heading home to get some sleep, he heads by the school to see Lenore. Lenore is what they'd call a "classic Ulfen beauty". Blond, tall, and voluptuous. Her father made his wealth through trade based in Kaer Maga at an early age, so Lenore has never known poverty and has rarely visited her homeland. Though Ulfen aren't uncommon in Kaer Maga, there are relatively few in the school. Darren suspects that what originally attracted her to him is that he was one of the only men there who was bigger than her. Though she has a wild streak, his expulsion seems to have settled her down, just as it did to him.
Darren tells her about the encounter at the gate, but he doesn't tell her about the potential job in the Ossuary. But he asks her to keep the belt pouch with 50gp in it for him, claiming that the campus is more secure than the new place he moved into. The real reason is that he knows that she'll get it to his family if he doesn't come back. He then excuses himself, apologizing that the encounter that morning wore him out. He goes home to rest, but he can't sleep. He keeps wondering what the night holds in store for the party.
Solomon also purchses a belt pouch, realizing carrying all these flasks could be tricky.
As Darren leaves the group..."Get some sleep, you'll need it where we're going. See you in a few hours."
Petvar than takes the rest of the group through the many wonders of the Cavalcade district. Forges and mills being run by water and wind power. "Many of the channels that drain from the lake end up running through the Cavalcade district. Some even use magic to move the water to higher levels. There are multiple wind turbines located on the cliff face. They catch the updraft and use the power for operating mills and forges." Petvar continues to show the new "strangers" the different parts of the district and even stops at The Rubdown if anyone is interested. Afterwards..."I think we should probably get some sleep before we tackle tonight's problems. You can bunk at my place, or if you want I can find you a decent room in one of the many inns."
@ Petvar: Would you be so kind to direct me to an inn where cards and dice would be commonplace? I would not want to impose, but I do thank you for your hospitality and for taking the time to show us around a bit. I look forward to tonight!
@ Filios: "Not a problem. Do you have a coin limit? There are many different style of gambling houses to choose from."
@ Petvar: I would say around 30 Gold. I do not want to make myself famous in one night here in your fine city. Calistria's luck has been shining on me as of late. Filios smiles deviously.
"If you have any nicer, more trustworthy establishments in town, I'd like to see about gettin a room to rest for awhile. Thank you for the offer, but I'd rather not impose."
"No problem, if there is nothing else you wish to see or do, I think we'll head to the Hospice district. We'll find a good Inn for you guys to stay at for the rest of the day. And I'm sure we'll find a good gambling hall somewhere in the Red-Light part of the Hospice district."
Petvar leads the crew to the Hospice district, but tries to find an Inn close to the Bottoms district where the Godsmouth Cathedral resides. I figure by now we probably only have a few hours left, so I will get a room too.
After completing your shopping and getting a good's night rest, you all gather and arrive at the impressive edifice known as the Godsmouth Cathedral shortly before midnight. A petite young woman in typical Pharisman clergy robes is waiting at the entrance anxiously as you arrive. As soon as she sees you, her face lights up and she hurries over to greet you, "Pharasma's blessing be upon you for not doubting her words; so many these days disregard her prophetic aspect. As the final food preparations are made, let me give you a quick tour of the cathedral." With those words she leads you around the cathedral, giving you a brief rundown of Pharasma as she goes for those not aware of her tenets.
The main entrances, gravel paths leading up to sets of triple doors coming from the north and the south, both open onto the back of the nave,with the high altar sitting at the western end, overlooked by a great stain glass window of Pharasma in her various aspects. Just to the east of the entrances are a couple of chapels for Sts. Illiska and Frederic flanking a guarded entrance to the eastern wing of the cathedral that houses the sanctuary of fate, where those priests driven mad by prophetic visions are taken care of. To the north of the nave lies the wing dedicated to the midwife aspect; it has an entrance just north of the north main door and the gravel path in front of it has a bed of thornless black roses, a sign of good luck. This wing contains birthing rooms that women can reserve for childbirth under the supervision of Pharasman cleric. The southern wing also has it's own entrance, and the gravel path in front of it has a stand of rowan trees where whippoorwills can nest. These whippoorwills are seen as the guides who lead the souls of the dead to the Boneyard, and the wing is dedicated to the reaper aspect of Pharasma, with embalming rooms where bodies are prepared for the Godsmouth Ossuary. The western ends of both the north and south wings also contains quarters and offices for the high priests, as well as storage of the sacred vessels and garb, records, and access to the upper levels of the wings, where the remainder of the clergy live.
After the tour is completed, she leads upstairs to a small commons room/dining area where everyone's favorite food and drink are laid out as promised on a corner table, and bids you to eat while she talks.
"As you no doubt have guessed by now, I am Valanthe Nerissia, and I work with those deemed "blessed" or "cursed," based on one's point of view, with the sight of divine prophesy. Recently a vision came to one such individual regarding the solution to a problem we currently have. Bodies have been disappearing from the Ossuary, and the vision suggested that you fine adventurers were the ones to seek out to investigate a sealed off lower portion of the ossuary, and find and stop whoever is behind this moral outrage. We are, of course, willing to pay for your silence, and if you choose to not remain silent about your investigation, we can make life very difficult for you. You are also free to keep any valuables you may find down there that are not tied to Pharasma, and we will pay extra if the level is completely cleared of any monsters and threats that may inhabit it. We would expect you to start this investigation as soon as possible, and hopefully you have had enough warning that you are prepared to start immediately once you finish dining."
Thank you for tasking us with this obviously sensitive mission. I cannot help but wonder a little more about the visions that pulled us together and identified us as the group that would investigate the section of the ossuary where the disappearances have taken place. Can you tell us any more about the visions, and were there any clues left regarding the disappearance of the bodies that would aid in our further investigation?
"As for the visions, no one can really say much about them, other than that despite the increasing unpredictability of them since Aroden's fall, they still come from our goddess, and that all of them must surely serve some purpose or clue, even if that purpose is not immediately discernable. In regards to the vision immediately in question, I believe it was Pharasma's way of providing us a solution to a vexing problem. As for clues, we can only guess that you will run into at some point a disgraced acolyte named Svilennius Tripe, who was stripped of his priesthood recently after proposing that we use an alchemical method of creating undead to get around Pharasma's prohibitions. He was of course immediately stripped of his rank, excommunicated, and declared a heretic, but he may well have found an entrance into the lower, unused layers, and be carrying out his heretical plans from there."
Petvar finishes chewing on a piece of auroch steak, and washes it down with a sip from his Storval Whip. "Have you made contact with any of the priests in the Ankar-Te district about the alchemical undead? It would be nice to know if they actually can be made and if so, if they have any abnormal abilities, defenses, or weaknesses that 'normal' undead do not have." Petvar resumes eating his steak, savoring every bite. It has been a long time since I've had a good auroch steak.
Darren eats silently, listening to the priestess. He hopes this won't be his last meal. It's good, but it's not like him mother makes back home.
When Nerissia talks about the excommunicated priest, a piece of the puzzle falls into place for Darren, who's had little exposure to the fine aspects of religious study. Oh! The Pharasmans don't like undead! I guess that makes sense. When Captain Elsbar suggested there'd be undead, I thought he meant because it was Pharasma. But he meant because it was a crypt, and the dead is all that's down there. He slightly and slowly nods his head affirmatively as he mulls over the revelation. He says nothing, though, assuming the others had realized it already.
"I'm not sure what kind of plan Torag has for me here, but in my prayers earlier this evening", as Solomon had been up for nearly an hour before the group gethered to leave for the Ossuary, "I felt as though this is where he wants me to be. What he wants me to do. I'll help you an your goddess."
Listening solemnly, Solomon returns to his meal.
Well, if we do not run into the acolyte gone awry, then I would certainly be interested in tracking him down for you after the investigation. I am confident that luck is on our side, and I beleive that you could not have selected a finer group than you have seated here, visions, or no. I look forward to the opportunity to solve your sensitive problem. You did mention and stipend for our continued silence on this particular matter. Have you yet worked out the details of this fee for silence?
"The reward will be 100 gp a piece, plus a 50 gp bonus for clearing out all of the threats now so that we don't have to deal with them later. In addition, you may split any valuables not attached to Pharasma amongst yourselves. As far was differences that alchemical undead might have vs "normal" undead, that will be part of what you have to investigate, I'm afraid, as we would draw unnecessary attention to ourselves by doing it ourselves."
"Sounds solid. I've never cared much for the undead. I have only attended services here a couple of times when I was younger when my parents brought me for special services. I would be happy to help the Lady of Graves in this endeavor."
Darren's eyes widen at the reward. This is exactly what I was hoping for! If I can keep finding work like this, I can pay back my parents and Lenore in no time! All concerns about the danger have been quelled.
"Ma'am, do you know how large the closed off area is? I'm just wondering so we can get an estimate of how long this would take so we can be sure we're prepared for the duration." He turns to the party. "I've brought a couple sunrods, which the vendor told me would last 6 hours each."
Good question Darren. By the way...I too have some sunrods at my disposal.
"That is a good question indeed, and part of your task to determine. Existing records don't really have any details, and more importantly, they fail to mention just how many other connections it might have to the Undercity. Still, I'm sure the Duskwarden here (nodding at Petvar) has enough knowledge of the Undercity to know what amount of supplies would be needed. We also have prepared some holy water and potions to aid you should you require them."
"If we're listing equipment, I've got a hooded lantern with three extra oils. But I would expect that our dwarven friend here has a better way to light our path if needed." Petvar looks over the group, and begins to estimate supplies in his head.
"My best guess, is that if this Svilennius Tripe was excommunicated and still found a way in, that there is at least one other entrance to the Ossuary that we may find. It also, more than likely, has at least one exit that leads deeper into the Undercity. If it's anything like other parts of the Undercity I've been to before."
Turning to the lady Valanthe Nerissia, Petvar asks, "Are we going to have the ability to go in and out every day, or are we going to have to stay down there until the job is done?"
"I will give you an item to open the sealed door leading to the lower level; once you enter, that will be your only way out that we know of, as we will be sealing the door back up again until we know what is beyond."
"So, this is a 'once we come out, we're done' kind of job? Will the item work multiple times, in case we need to rest?"
"The chime of opening has 5 charges on, but bear in mind you may need to use it on some of the doors below as well as the one to leave. I would suggest planning for not being able to rest."
"By your limited records, how big of an area are we talking about? Are there multiple rooms? Or is it one big coffin?" Petvar smiles at his little joke.
"I suspect the area to be pretty decent sized. Precisely how big is unknown by certainly larger than one room."
"It sounds like we have a couple days worth of light. Do you all think that's enough? I'm eager to get started, but I don't want to go unprepared. Oh! Do we have a way of marking our trail back, in case it's a bit of a maze down there?"
"I've got a spell that will make smaller objects glow as brightly as any torch, and if need be I can cast it many times. I think we ought to be fine on the lighting issues. Personally, I can see just fine without the light, but since this isn't a party full o' dwarves, I figured it might be beneficial if we could all see, instead of just the two of us."