Uro helps his transformed friend to his feet. "That's right Gwl, just a bad dream. Lets get you out of here."
Korynne nurses a cup of coffee as she finishes scribbling down some notes on some useful scrolls that she's picked up. She winces at a pain behind her eye and pinches the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. I guess celebrating barely surviving by trying to kill myself with alcohol was...in retrospect not a great idea.
As the fish monster bursts into the room, she yelps and accidentally knocks over her coffee, although luckily her scrolls only become damp around the edges. "What?!-- But Jym's banjo soothes her panic, though, and she just gives a pained look at Wil. I guess he had a bigger rager than I did... "Poor fellow," Korynne observes, snatching a napkin and blotting her spilled coffee. "Uro, put him back to bed. I'll come by later to check on his bruises. Once this headache subsides..."
Uro nods to Korynne. "Will do." The orc puts one of Gwls arms over his shoulder and helps him back to his room Weekend at Bernies style. When passing Jym, he says under his breath. "Maybe include something about not disturbing the hung over man in room 4 in your song."
"Okay!"
If Jym's spell is still in effect, he'll add what Uro asked. Either way, he follows Uro to Gwl's room.
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When Uro and Jym get Gwl to his room, Jym expresses his disgust at the chitinous, scabby cocoon lying on Gwl's bed.
"So gross!"
Then Jym breaks the news to Gwl.
"Gwlybwr, you should know that you fell under the influence of my hypnotism. You actually did transform while you slept. Maybe zombie rot? Is that a thing?
"Anyway, we need to get your bed cleaned up, get you into your hooded robe, and the most important thing: keep your revulsion and depression over your hideous visage stamped down deep inside when you're in front of Korynne. She's also under the effects of my spell, and it could be traumatic for her when she sees you again!
"Why are you still holding on to your sloughed off finger? Maybe throw it away, I guess?"
"Ugh. My head feel like an anvil. It pounds like the smith is mad as hell. I thought it was just ... I don't often drink that much. But it's not a hangover. This is... Whatever this is, it's getting worse. Not zombie rot. This started before I even met you. Korynne should know this, you all should."
Once he's tidied up the room, peeling off the rest of his cocoon and stuffing it all in the chamber pot, and covering it with a blanket, he has Jym fetch her.
"I was an orphan, living in Shadowshore. Got sick one day. Scabbed up, just like this morning. Swam out to Parrot Island, to die. Didn't die. Woke up blue. Still sick, then. Took me a long time to find Geshtai's shrine. The priestess promised to help, but the cure cost a lot. Got the gold, enough gold, from that Vanderboren lady, but almost died in those tunnels. When we got back, went straight there. Paid for the cure, and came here. Saw some scabs last night, figured my skin, my skin, was growing back. It didn't. Instead I now have three fingers, claws, shark's teeth, and shark's skin. So, the cure didn't set. Need a better cure. Bet that costs buckets of gold. Maybe a whole pile of it."
"I still want to help find Vanthus, I still owe him for the tunnels. Lady Vanderboren is flush, flush enough to help pay for a better cure, but I can't go out like this, not without a new cloak. A good one, that covers. Korynne, maybe you can help me find something in the journal that will help. My sensei, my friend, the one that was murdered. He was old. Really old. But he was never sick. Maybe that secret is somewhere in there."
"I haven't given up, but I was wrong when I thought this trial was over. It seems it has only just begun."
"Lucky for you," Korynne starts, only mildly freaked out by Gwlybwr's new form, "I have a soft spot for orphans and people who help me escape from certain doom. That journal of yours was a holy text of Zuoken. One of those self-perfection kind of deities - the journal's full of meditation stuff and disciplined fighting techniques, that sort of thing. It's written in Baklunish, and I took some notes, but I couldn't do a full translation before my spell ran out. I can probably get back to the Daventry's estate and snag a language dictionary for you. Guaranteed to be in good condition! I'm pretty sure Lord Daventry owns most of the books in there for decoration, so they're all pretty much pristine.
"I'm with you on finding Vanthus, first, though. We could try asking around the market again, but I'd rather not end up trapped in another hole. Maybe we could ask at the Seekers' Lodge? If the late Vanderborens were in good standing with the Seekers, they might be willing to help us out with some information."
Jym will ask to see the journal and assist Korynne in seeing if they can glean any secrets from it.
"Bakluni, eh? You know, Gwlybwr, I think I was wrong about getting you into a hooded robe. If we're trying to disguise your appearance, a robe covering all your features is like trying to hide by screaming, 'Nobody look at me!' I think a better alternative is to get you into something better suited for all the grappling and punching and swimming you do, and then have you wear some sort of mask or scarf that other cultures use to cover their face. Get people to actually look at you, but when they see you, they see something exotic instead of... what you're trying to hide."
Jym's maybe on to something. In ancient times, when what used to be the Baklunish and Suel empires got hit with the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire, respectively, once-fertile areas were scorched to desert. People in those areas today often wear face-scarves to screen out the dust, turbans to keep the sun off their heads, etc.
Jym also seems to recall that the demi-god Zuoken was imprisoned for a time by some mad arch-mage, but that's probably not relevant to Gwl's plight and might even make him feel worse.
"I'm with you on finding Vanthus, first, though. We could try asking around the market again, but I'd rather not end up trapped in another hole. Maybe we could ask at the Seekers' Lodge? If the late Vanderborens were in good standing with the Seekers, they might be willing to help us out with some information."
"Why don't I take Gwlybwr out to the market to see what sort of clothing we can find, and we'll ask around while we're out and about. In the meantime (or nicetime), why don't you and Uro head to the Seekers' Lodge?
"I'm with you on finding Vanthus, first, though. We could try asking around the market again, but I'd rather not end up trapped in another hole. Maybe we could ask at the Seekers' Lodge? If the late Vanderborens were in good standing with the Seekers, they might be willing to help us out with some information.""Why don't I take Gwlybwr out to the market to see what sort of clothing we can find, and we'll ask around while we're out and about. In the meantime (or nicetime), why don't you and Uro head to the Seekers' Lodge?
"Yes, the mask is a good plan. Also gloves and shoes for the claws. We must also visit the shrine of Geshtai. I must ask the priestess where to find a better cure. We will ask of Vanthus, and meet you back here."
Whether the rest of you have grown accustomed to his accent or some physical change in his vocal organs occurred during his transformation, Gwl's susurruses in speech are now only slightly noticeable.
It's raining, which is not unusual for Sasserine. The good news is that Gwlybwr can dress up without appearing out of place, and most people on the streets are too busy getting indoors to gawk at passers-by. The bad news is that everyone is wet and miserable when they get to their destinations, unless you have a keep dry cantrip handy.
Jym and Gwl can buy whatever stuff he's looking for. The trip to the shrine of Geshtai can be glossed over ("that went pretty much as expected") or played out if you guys are asking/doing anything unusual. The priestess of Geshtai has no idea who Vanthus is.
Meanwhile, Uro and Korynne follow Jym's directions to the Seeker's Lodge.
"Kory, let's bring Lavinia with us. Not everyone is happy to have a giant orc call on them. Normally I would use that to my advantage, but I don't think it would work well here."
It's raining, which is not unusual for Sasserine. The good news is that Gwlybwr can dress up without appearing out of place, and most people on the streets are too busy getting indoors to gawk at passers-by. The bad news is that everyone is wet and miserable when they get to their destinations, unless you have a keep dry cantrip handy.
Jym and Gwl can buy whatever stuff he's looking for. The trip to the shrine of Geshtai can be glossed over ("that went pretty much as expected") or played out if you guys are asking/doing anything unusual. The priestess of Geshtai has no idea who Vanthus is.
Nothing to be played out for Jym, but he asks around at the market that they met Shefton at for any leads to Vanthus.
Looks like a big 'nope' to me.
"Sounds like a plan. Jym, Wil, we'll meet you back at the inn. Uro, good call on bringing Lady Vanderboren. All we really have is our word that we have any connection there, and since Jym is most of our words, having Lavinia will make up for the quantity we lack with... heritage," Korynne says, finding the right word.
"I wouldn't worry too much about being out of place with the Seekers, Uro. I hear that they're kind of weirdos anyway."
Lavinia Vanderboren summons a carriage for you, making the trip to the Lodge a lot drier and more pleasant. She is suitably aghast at your close call under Parrot Island (assuming you tell her everything), and is as eager as you are to track down Vanthus -- albeit for different reasons.
At the Seekers Lodge, she knocks on the big hardwood door and receives no reply. If Uro steps up and knocks very loudly, someone comes to the door, opens a little spy panel, and calls out, "Password?"
Lavinia sighs in exasperation, announces herself, and demands to be let in; eventually the door is opened and a middle-aged guy with a salt-and-pepper mustache introduces himself as "District High Venture Trek Executor Barnabas." When he attempts a secret handshake and it fails (because Lavinia doesn't know it), he instead offers you paper cups of beer. He and a few other people are drinking from big, ridiculous-looking tankards; the walls are covered with exotic souvenirs and a collection of wooden paddles.
"So, Vinny, it's nice of you to come by! We sure miss your folks."
Looking around the hall as she sips her beer, Korynne nods appreciatively. "Honestly, I thought it would be a bit more stuffy in here. But these folks are a regular bunch of revelers with some organization," Korynne mutters to Uro, obviously impressed.
"District High Venture Trek Executor Barnabas - may I call you Barnabas? - my name is Korynne and I, along with my colleague Uro here, are retainers of Lady Vanderboren's. We were hoping you could help us out, given our Lady's parents' connection to the Seekers. We're in search of the family's other child, Vanthus. You see, he has absconded with our Lady's inheritance. On a lesser note, he has also attempted to murder my colleagues and me. Could you offer us any aid?"
Barnabas is quite genial, and is obviously happy to be of help as long as it doesn't involve any inconvenience to himself or his associates, or repercussions to his lodge. Korynne is quite genial, and is obviously happy to be served beer and talked with nicely. Neither has changed the other's initial opinion.
"Ah. Vanthus." Barnabas says slowly. He puts down his mug and frowns. "He came here and demanded admission on the legacy basis. We of course are happy to admit anyone who shares our goals and outlook, and is willing to adide by our by-laws and traditions. He did not, and was not. We asked him to leave. I believe he threatened to burn down the Lodge?"
An older woman pauses between sips of beer and says, "Well, not directly. He implied the Lotus Dragons would do it for him. I am Drisella, by the way."
"Hm. Quite troubling..." Korynne muses. She seems lost in thought for a moment, but quickly snaps back to the conversation. "My apologies. A pleasure to meet you, Drisella. Are you worried he'll carry through on his threat? These Lotus Dragons sound like bad news. And if Vanthus has any real pull with them, that makes him an even greater threat. Have the Seekers had any interaction with the Lotus Dragons before?"
Barnabas says, "I quite doubt it! Upstart gangs are all the time trying to hit us up for 'donations' -- we usually manage to discourage them."
"Well I'm glad to hear you don't have much trouble," Korynne says politely, trying to hide her frustration that this conversation isn't getting them any closer to finding Vanthus.
"That said, we could still use your help. Can't you offer Lady Vanderboren anything, at least, as a favor to her parents' memory?" Hit by a thought, Korynne turns to her employer with a quizzical look. "Actually, Lady Vanderboren, may I ask why you haven't joined the Seekers yourself? They seem like all right sorts, and it sounds like you've got a legacy invitation."
Lavinia says, coldly, "The Seekers are not someone's creepy relative; they have a clear minimum age, which I have just reached, if you must know. Since then, I've been a bit busy trying to salvage my estate, which I believe is what you were hired to help with?"
Korynne replies, "Yes, that is precisely why you've hired us on. Vanthus has eluded us so far, but it sounds like he's got a nasty thieves guild at his back. If your lady were to beseech the Seekers for help, I think it might level the playing field, so to speak. Your brother is a dangerous man, and we want to find him - and your rightful inheritance - before he can cause anymore trouble. Would you be willing to ask for their aid?
"Uro, help me out here. Does this sound like a good idea?"
Uro is a bit puzzled why Lavinia would take offense to Korynnes question, but then shrugs it off. Maybe it was a noble thing.. or a human thing? This was pretty new to him.
"I wouldn't think it would hurt to ask for help, but I guess wouldn't know about these things. If the lady prefers that we do this the hard way," Uro eyes his axe meaningfully. I guess that's what we'll do."
Lavinia turns to your hosts. "I am uncertain what help you can give me. If you have any leads as to Vanthus' whereabouts, please let me know; I should not consider involving you beyond that in what amounts to a family squabble."
Barnabas says something pleasant but noncommittal; he leaves the door open to Lavinia joining the Lodge, "when you have the time." Drisella chews her lip, then says, "I'll make some inquiries -- none that will compromise our order -- and get word back to you. Good luck!"
That seems to be the end of the interview.
In a couple of days, Lavinia gets back to you. "Drisella forwarded this note and asked me to give it to you. Evidently their inquiries were not appreciated?"
You are being watched by the Lotus Dragons. Your questions will bring you misery -- it's best to sit back and let things happen as they will. Further investigation will only bring you tears.
"She also asked if you maybe heard of any of Vanthus' enemies? Surely he's double-crossed enough other people that some of them might be eager to help track him down."
DC 20 Perception:
Gwl has spent the past few days in the bay, as he did after his first transformation. Still disturbed, he has slowly adjusted to his new life. He has some unresolved anger and he has a target to work out his aggression.
Returning to his former haunt in Shadowshore, he begins to seek members of the Lotus Dragons. At night, he stalks the street, looking for violence. If he finds a mugging or assault, he will intervene, intending to question the attackers for any knowledge or affiliation they might have.
Gwl, looking for trouble in Shadowshore is easy! One night you get braced by a trio of bravos in leather armor, each with a sap in one hand a a rapier in the other.
"We've been sent to give you a message," one of them says.
"Well this is surprising. I wasn't expecting a threatening note - I would have thought we would receive this kind of warning in a more... violent way, I suppose?"
Korynne thinks for a moment, before snapping her fingers as an answer comes to her. "You're absolutely right, Lady Vanderboren! He mentioned someone named Penkus, who I believe also had the dubious pleasure of spending time in the bowels of Parrot Island. My Lady, Jym, have either of you heard that name before?"
"Oh, Penkus is a person? I was confusing it with this company that makes sausages. I guess this makes more sense, now. It sounds familiar, actually."
"Spit it out then," Gwl demands of the bravos.
Jym: With a name like "Penkus," you'd almost have to be a pirate. In fact, there are rumors of a guy with that name who gave up his berth to become an early member of the Lotus Dragons, at the time when that group was forming. He was often seen in Vanthus' company, but he's apparently been missing for a few months now.
Korynne: The "clergy" of Olidammara tend to be found in bars and the like. You know a few people who know some people, and they provide much the same information as did Jym. If you mention Parrot Island, they try to sound you out about accepting a percentage if you give them enough intel to allow them to mount a successful expedition to recover the smugglers' loot that's supposedly hidden in the tunnels there.
Gwl: By way of explanation, they roll for initiative:
Jym: With a name like "Penkus," you'd almost have to be a pirate.
"Or a sausage company!"
In fact, there are rumors of a guy with that name who gave up his berth to become an early member of the Lotus Dragons, at the time when that group was forming. He was often seen in Vanthus' company, but he's apparently been missing for a few months now.
"So, if this Penkus was in good standing with the Lotus Dragons, that's something we could use to make Vanthus a common enemy."
The three guys move in quickly, swinging their saps:
You take 9 points nonlethal damage and are free to give them an unpleasant surprise.
Gwl lunges at the thugs in a frenzy of claws and teeth.
Two hits; one thug, taken aback, is heavily wounded. He ignores his sap in favor of his rapier, and also tries some sort of tricky distraction that you probably see right through:
The distraction is irrelevant; he doesn't come anywhere near hitting you.
One of the others attacks with his rapier:
The third steps back and drops his sap, pulling out a hand crossbow instead.
Gwl continues to frenzy on the heavily wounded thug. If he falls, the blood-thirsty fish-man will pounce on other one in melee.
"So, if this Penkus was in good standing with the Lotus Dragons, that's something we could use to make Vanthus a common enemy."
" Hmm, so back to Parrot Island then? Maybe we can find some clues or proof to present to these Lotus Dragons that Vanthus has betrayed them."
Uro hefts his axe over his shoulder. " I also wouldn't mind another crack at those zombies. I think I missed a few with the boulders I rained down on them from the trap door."
The wounded bravo dops almost instantly, and Gwlybwr is on the other one, who shrieks as he's incapacitated by the fish-man's furious assault.
The third fires his hand crossbow, then turns to run.
A few days ago, the quarrel would have injured you, but your new, thicker scales deflect it into the gutter instead -- fortunate, as you note the head of the bolt was coated with some dark liquid.