The next morning you prepare to leave. Rocky has informed you that Ezran and the others have left the mansion together and seem to have made plans to travel north. The fact that the necromancer and the temple are both that direction makes you think you will run into them again and Raina is especially sure of it. You get the opportunity to do any last minute shopping or preparations you need and soon you head out.

Fin, your dreams are worsening and you are beginning to get headaches. Sometimes you feel not quite yourself though at the moment you aren't too worried about losing control. Halek has you watched like a hawk anyway so at the very least if something does happen you won't get too carried away.

Meanwhile, Raknesh and Stefan continue to be plagued by shadows that seem to move and the increasing feeling of being watched. Raina does her best to ease your situation but all of her efforts are short lived. It will be a great relief when this is all over. As for the rest of you, Raina proves to be an amiable and pleasant woman who is remarkably knowledgeable, but of course what would you expect from the daughter of death himself? She guides you to the necromancer easily and after a few days of travel a large black tower comes into view. There is a small village at the base of it, though it looks deserted...

ooc: Roll spot/search/listen, whatever floats your boat!

I was under the impression that the necromancer was only half a day away, but if it'll be a few days.. I'll be traveling on a floating disc performing the Summon Familiar ritual through the first day before offering the second scroll to anyone who can use it to allow me to sleep during the travel on the second day while the newly-summoned Pseudodragon takes to the skies to scout ahead. It will happily dart about, boldly enjoying the benefits of it's new magical link.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Tue 09 Dec 2014.

Tanzy whistled softly at the sight of the black tower. "this looks about as inviting as any other place we have been,"

Search:18
spot:22
listen:27
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Tue 09 Dec 2014.

As they moved, Raknesh used Rocky as a stealthy scout to check the path before them.

Its 'sight' is a bit reduced, so he had to make circles but it was a good and reassuring measure.

Especially as they arrive close to the black tower.

"Be very careful, rocky. We don't know if and how the tower is protected."

09:53, Today: Raknesh Kaltash rolled 23,18 using d20+17,d20+16. spot/listen .

09:55, Today: Raknesh Kaltash rolled 32,18 using d20+17,d20+14. rocky spot/listen.

09:54, Today: Raknesh Kaltash rolled 39,16 using d20+29,d20+14. rocky hide/move silently.

Stefan remained in human form, though as they traveled from the city Kololo the bear had rejoined him.  He muttered something about less strain on his body and mind, but it wasn't clear what he was talking about after a moment, whether it was just a druid thing or if the lack of proper sleep was making the druid a little wacky was debatable.  "I like not the look of this place, we must be cautious." spake the druid, putting a hand on the bears hide.

I...hear...EVERYTHING!!!!!!!  18 spot, 9 search and 37 listen
08:48, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 20 using 1d20. +17 listen.
08:48, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 7 using 1d20. +2 search.
08:48, Today: Stefan Aruello rolled 2 using 1d20. +16 spot.

During the travel, it's plain to anyone that Fin is troubled. More than a few times he can be seen reaching into his bag and retrieving a bottle to help "ease" his suffering

ooc: Oops! Sorry about that Prizzard. I've been dealing with a bit of drama lately so I apologize.
And Stefan, you are awesome ;P

You all search the small village at the base of the tower and between all of your efforts you find the place to be interesting indeed. Prizzard, you don't find much but your familiar relays information to you fortunately. You all discover the buildings are abandoned, probably years ago from the looks of things. It has been heavily looted and what is left is in shambles. There is black ash everywhere though it is not recently made. Inside the buildings you see brown stains spattered on the walls, on the floors, everywhere. What is more disturbing is the strange symbol scratched into the wood. Every building the same, though you have no idea what it means. There is an eerie feeling as you explore and the hair on the back of your neck stands up.

Raina takes Fin aside, looking concerned. Are you certain you are strong enough for this little one? I fear it may be taking too much of you. she puts a kind hand on your shoulder, her beautiful face worried.

Meanwhile Tanzy and Stefan hear something and Prizzard is informed of the same via his Pseudodragon. It sounds like the faintest voice singing. Above you the tower looms ominously and as you approach the base you are able to follow the voice. It appears to be a little girl of about 7, dark of hair and deathly pale. She does not react to you at all, you can't even be sure she sees you but she stands there, looking down and singing a strange sad song you are unfamiliar with.

ooc: If you want you can roll a knowledge arcane check for the symbol

Upon seeing the symbol, Prizzard pulls a large old book from his bag and flips through, finding references. It only takes a few seconds to find everything the book contains on the subject.

rolled 40 using 1d20+21. Arcana+Tome.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Wed 10 Dec 2014.

Stefan looked at the deathly pale girl with misgiving.  "Raina, she wouldn't happen to be one of your brothers people, would it?  If its not I could fly up there..."  He trailed off speculatively not certain that the situation was likely to get better any time soon.

Prizzard, you find that the symbol looks to be incredibly ancient. It is the symbol of an Ancient entity called Gothan, eater of souls. Sacrificing to him was supposed to give great power and long life.

Meanwhile Raina considers Stefan's question. She's not quite dead and not quite alive. She's an abomination. she shudders. The girl disappears inside the tower then, though if she's seen you she gives no indication. This place is cursed. I don't know what that thing was but I-I don't like it. Disturbingly, Raina actually looks afraid.

Loden steps forward then. Well, we need to see this necromancer regardless. Should we go for the...aggressive route?

Raknesh pm

"I vote for the casual route, and aggression the moment it's needed."

At that time, all can see Raknesh winces in pain, and not long after his tiny crystal 'familiar' comes back and goes hiding in one of Raknesh's pockets.

"I must agree: the tower is warded, I can't say exactly how. But we should walk cautiously."

"Of course it's cursed," Tanzy muttered sarcastically. "That kid is creepy," she added with a shiver looking to where the little girl had been singing. Her hand rested comfortably on the hilt of her rapier, ready to draw it if needed.

Fin manages a week smile when she addresses him, "I need only endure until we can vanquish this evil from my presence."

Moving along with the rest of the group, "everything since I joined you guys is cursed, the temple, the beast, that gem..... even me." He shrugs indifferently and keeps a look out as he moves to stay near Loden.

Fin: Yes, that is an effect of the dark Goddess's evil bleeding to the surface. She twisted men's souls into means to further her power. She left a taint on everything around her and it still holds much power even centuries later. she shakes her head. When this necromancer business is over, I think it will be time to take care of you. You've been through enough.

Meanwhile the tower looms above you, the wind whistling through the empty village, banging the occasional shudder, which is an unwelcome noise in so tense a situation. There are no sounds of birds or anything living though and as you start for the tower you swear you can see shapes of people in the sides of your vision. For Raknesh and Stefan, this is hardly new but for the rest of you it is disconcerting. As you arrive at the door to the tower you find it unlocked but before you can enter you see a gnarled old man shakily headed towards you. His head is bent and he walks abnormally, shaking and moving his head wildly as though in some tantrum. He is leathery and wrinkled as though in the sun far too long. Get out of here! he snarls, moving towards you with surprising quickness.

"Hold. We are here for answers."

rolled 14 using 1d20+6. Bluff.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Mon 15 Dec 2014.

With the increase of the shadowy figures, Raknesh begins to wonder if coming here was a good idea.  Tense as he is, he has to stop himself from materializing his psychic weapon as the old man hurry toward them.

But drawing weapon might not be the best idea to prove they are not dangerous.
Of course, the fact he literally draws at the speed of thought helps him to make this decision.

holding both his hand in an universal gesture he makes sure to move as to have Halek behind him.

"We mean you no harm. We are here to ask for the help of a skilled necromancer."

The old man still looks crazed at your presence, but you see a desperation on his face that betrays a deeper motive. Help?! From HIM? Are you mad? Do you not see what he's made of this place? Of my people? he starts to cough raggedly from his excitement. Help from him comes with a price far too high to pay. I am here to keep people out! Now off with you, find your help somewhere else! he waves you away, tugging on Raknesh's arm.

Glaring at the old man until he makes eye contact, then speaking with a cold tone of authority: "We are going in." Not acting entirely himself, this seems to be some kind of act to avoid an early fight.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

Tanzy felt a pang of pity for the old man, despite his hostile attitude. This was an evil place and being there had obviously done at least some mental, if not more unseen nefarious damage.

"I'm afraid we don't have much choice..." says Raknesh to the old man.
"You see, we are under a  strong curse, necromantic magic, which slowly weakens our very souls.  We need his knowledge to undo it...  by talks, if possible... by strength if not..."

The old man look startled at Prizzard and takes a few steps back from him, looking far more comfortable with Raknesh though he still has a wildness in his eye. Force? You think you can force him!? Look what he did to my village! He is too powerful and he knows it. The best he'll offer you is a deal of some kind and you would be wise not to take it. Whatever plagues you now is nothing compared with what he will exact from you! At this point Raina steps forward and puts a gentle hand on the man's shoulder. He immediately falls down unconscious and she smiles apologetically. I didn't want to have to do that but I have a feeling he would hurt himself trying to stop us she sighs. As true as his words are likely to be, we have no choice. she strides to the door and knocks. To your surprise it opens by itself, revealing a long and winding staircase going straight up. The floor is made of black shiny marble and rows of lighted candles adorn the walls, illuminating the otherwise dark tower. Halek looks uncertain. Are you sure Raina? Is there no other way? she shakes her head. None. And I know of these things better than most.

Should you decide to follow it takes a few minutes to get to the top of the tower. You hear whispers of gibberish and icy fingers brushing past you but Raina tells you to ignore them. She is remarkably unafraid, but being the daughter of death would likely steel her against such things. Once at the top there is another door bu it is open. You see a man of about forty seated on a cushion, looking at finger bones splayed out on the floor. Behind him the girl you saw before sits quietly, looking at a book, seemingly unaware of you. The man barely looks up. You certainly make for an interesting company he muses, still tending to the bones. Death lurks in two of your shadows, quite literally, another is sporting a specter and the little one holds evil itself within and is doing a very poor job of it. he raises his head to study you then. Unless you are somehow happy with this situation I would say you have a slew of problems you want help with. Unless, this is just a social visit? You notice the room is full of dark relics and other tools of necromancy. In the corner on a table is a corpse, freshly dead from the looks of him.

Pseudodragon perched on his shoulder, still seems to carry no weapon. "I may have something to make us worth your time."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Fri 19 Dec 2014.

Tanzy took in the room with a shudder making sure not to touch anything and staying near the others. The crazy old man's warning echoed in her ears and she wondered what price they were going to have to pay for the necromancer's help. He seemed to know a lot about them from a simple glance.