The heroes begin their investigations to find whomever is responsible for the Kaer's problems
Score: 325 | 5/20/18 |
20th Strassa 1517
The group readies their weapons to attack the approaching ghoul. Boris Hillmens lands a devastating blow across its chest. The undead responds by slashing her claws across Boris's chest, poison seeping into his blood. But Boris's Troll toughness fights off the poison's effect. Valteri Tomser flutters up and swings defensively, missing due to the darkness and the care he took not to be hit. Vyktor Wyvernjack supports from behind by casting mage armor, and the ethereal glow spreads to cover Boris. Meanwhile, Sean Shamshara flanks the ghoul and begins to feather it. Soon enough, an arrow enters the ghoul's mouth and pierces through the top of its skull, felling it.
The ghoul dead, the group continues on to Ghehennis Jakreen's house, a small, cozy stone cottage on the edge of the graveyard. Terse and no-nonsense, Ghehennis answers the group's questions and promises to research the maggoty corpse. When they mention the ghoul, he asks them to show him. Upon investigating the dead woman, he shows the group little marks on her face and returns to look at the corpse the Stalwart Stones brought him. Calling the four heroes back to his cottage, Ghehennis shows them the claws on the end of its appendages, which easily match the marks on the ghoul's face.
Returning to report back to Sheyloon at the Hall of Elders, Veran the Kaer guard escorts them back to the upstairs room. While the three elders, Elder Terrox, Elder Vashram, and Elder Meshra, are all still there, only Sheyloon and Ygdrask remain of the Stalwart Stones, Sheyloon having sent them off throughout the Kaer to aid in its defense and search for any more Horror constructs. Sheyloon requests the four to head to Magnik's lab to check on the Kaer's wards, as there are crystals set in his wall monitoring them, and to check the Ungada Liferock since it powers the wards. As well, she mentions that they may wish to speak with Omaron the merchant, who is being held prisoner in the dungeons under suspicion that he was behind the noxious lizards.
Omaron, excited to see some potential allies, quickly asks about his pet lizard, Lizzy, and for the group's help in getting him free. However, he quickly rescinds the request on finding out that there are monsters roaming Kaer Ungada's streets. He tries to be helpful and tells two things he remembers that he thinks is useful. First is that someone once asked him about his lizard, expressing interest in lizards in general. Second, someone a year ago helped him fix his warehouse's refrigeration enchantment. He couldn't remember the dwarf's name at first, but Valteri guessed that it was Magnik based on the dwarf's reputation for skill with alchemy and enchantments.
The heroes then head out to speak with Magnik and get his help. Magnik is not happy to see the group, expressing how the light quartz should have still worked for another month, that everything would be better if Kergnon Hurlgak had fixed the litter and Magnik had simply been allowed to head up and fix the quartz himself. As well, he points out that everyone should just leave the Kaer, but Elder Meshra is standing in the way of it. All of this is delivered in his typical vitriolic style.
Urging the four heroes to check on the Pool of Shemara, he hands over a blue crystal that will enhance Astral Sight when used to look at the Pool. He will check on the Ungada Liferock himself instead, pointing out that the only entrance and exit is the Pool. Holding to the order given by Sheyloon to check on the liferock themselves, the group insists that they go to the liferock. Angrily, Magnik hands over a pink crystal attuned to help view it. He then kicks them out of the lab.
Outside, the group discusses their distrust of Magnik. Valteri attempts Thread sight with Thread Smithing on the crystals, failing to glean anything about the pink crystal. However, the blue on the crystals, failing to glean anything about the pink crystal. However, the blue one gives him the sense of clarity and purity and help with seeing. They then head to the liferock.
A 30-foot tall, misshapen stone, the Ungada Liferock exudes power, and its alcove is warmer than the rest of the Kaer. A stream crosses the small cave, pooling under the liferock before exiting the other side. Here, Vyktor casts Astral Sense and attempts to view the liferock while holding the pink crystal. A moment of disorientation both before and after, he finds nothing wrong with it. He does it again, but without the crystal, and is unable to ascertain anything. However, the group speaks with the guards and find out that about a month ago they started getting dizzy when on shift, but chalked it up to the sickness spreading through the Kaer.
Legend Points Awards:
- Ghoul slaying - 100
- Questioning Ghehennis, Omaron, and Magnik - 100
- Total: 200