Malphurious swung his head around for traps or another summoning of shadow-beasts and scoffed at the insolence of the Shar cultists.  They had easily fallen before the might of Bahamut's blessed warriors.

"The Servants of Darkness don't deserve mercy, but we'll keep them under guard.  Perhaps they will divulge some of Bairwin's plans.  It doesn't look like he'll make it," he said, knelt over the dying Bairwin.

OOC: Failed to stabilize Bairwin.  20 on the perception.

20:36, Today: Malphurious rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  perception.
20:35, Today: Malphurious rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  heal.

[Bairwin’s Grand Shoppe - below.]

Vynthear Klayde rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Perception.

"Those books will be a fine addition to Valthrun's library, I am sure."
"That note, however, means we need to act fast. We probably ought to head for the Keep as soon as possible."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Wed 06 Sept 2017.

One of the books, appear out of place.
The glyph and runes hint of a magical nature, if latent.
Those capable of it would estimate it to be ritualistic in nature, allowing for those with the right abilities to learn from it.

^{OOC:
Free casting of Comprehend language assuming the reader has the feat 'Ritual Casting'.
See here: http://dnd4.wikia.com/wiki/Comprehend_Language
Ignore casting cost/component cost but same for all else.}

The origin and need for it leaves some doubt, but a handy tool non the less.

[Bairwin’s Grand Shoppe - below.]

"Hmm, hmm, very interesting. I do know that ritual, but it this will make the ritual a lot easier. If no one objects, I would like to keep this tome."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Wed 06 Sept 2017.

"Seconded," says Stahl. "After you've learned what you can from it, you can hand it over to the town."

"In the meantime, I'm going to find the keep mentioned in the note and have words with this 'Kalarel.'" Stahl's tone of voice and the way he hefts his bow indicates that by 'have words with' he means something more like 'shoot arrows into the throat of.' "If they're an Orcus-lover, this ritual of theirs isn't going to do anyone around here any good. And we've got days before it's complete, if that."

[Bairwin’s Grand Shoppe - below.]

Vynthear nodded with a grave expression.
"Yes, let's go to the Keep and set things right."
"What do we need ?"
He looked at the draconians, the half-orc and the gnome.
"You have obviously messed up this Kalarel's plans already, and you have also been out in the wilderness before returning here. I take it you have already purchased all the Equipment we may find helpful ? If not, I don't think anybody would object to us taking what we need from the store above."
"Of course, we need to tell Lord Padraig about the true nature of Bairwin and this secret cult first before we set out. Indeed, the sapce here is larger than the number we have fought, so there still might be cultists inside the town. But I think we can leave it to Captain Kelfem to take care of those. I don't expect any further serious resistance from them."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Wed 06 Sept 2017.

"Alright. Let's be quick about that then. I don't want to be sitting at a council meeting when we could be stopping this ritual."

If the Lord is dubious about what we are saying, he just needs to come down here and all will be perfectly clear" said Warfryn.  "And, yes, I think we should head for this keep with all dispatch

He thought for a moment.  "Perhaps some rations and maybe even a healing potion or two could be useful but otherwise I am ready to go as soon as we decide."

If the Lord is dubious about what we are saying, he just needs to come down here and all will be perfectly clear" said Warfryn.  "And, yes, I think we should head for this keep with all dispatch

He thought for a moment.  "Perhaps some rations and maybe even a healing potion or two could be useful but otherwise I am ready to go as soon as we decide."

Saskan nodded in agreement, "Well if there's nothing else of value here, let's get going."

He keeps his spear out and leads the way out of the area headed straight for the keep.

Malphurious spent most of his time inspecting the normal goods on the main floor of shoppe. "I wonder if he was peddling Shar-cursed goods to the townsfolk?"

OOC: anything we can appropriate up here?

The town is in unrest as you arrive upstairs, the sounds of battle echoing up.
Rond runs up with the lord shortly behind.
They both fail to utter a word in the confusion; trying to keep the curious and fearful citizen in check. Like scavengers around a carcass, but yet, still at a distance.
Malph eyed around, but found that his shop contained mostly mining equipment, tools for traders and as luck would have it, a single potion flask with a dark mixture in it.
The lord stepped forward, hoping you had something to share.

Vynthear looked puzzled.
Sounds of Battle ?
"What is going are ? Is the town under attack ?"

Lord Padraig was, however, more interested in hearing news from them rather than the other way round.
"The rumours were true after all. There has been a secret cult of Shar operating in your town, under the leadership of Bairwin. Below his store there is a secret temple where the cultists met and paid homage to the Lady of Darkness. We killed most, but obviously the shrine held more space, meaning: there are or at least were more than those we found. Some cultists might still be around, but I am fairly sure that the imminent threat is removed with Bairwin. Bairwin is still alive, barely so, and we hand him over into your custody. You may be able to retrieve more knowledge, especially as regards members."
"We, however, must make haste to leave the town. It has become clear that some major ritual is to be conducted to awaken an ancient menace to the realm. And all leads indicate the Keep. We must go there and try our best to prevent this ritual. There is no time to lose.", he summed up urgently.

Rond nods and heads downstairs, with a few regulars by his side.
The lord nods.
"Praise Selune for your presence. We had a falling out between the regulars and a few citizen but nothing you should be of concern with. You have a great task and our support in it. Please, make haste and If I can aid, do speak now!"

Vynthear hesitated. Food was out of question, they had heard quite a few rumours about the shortage of provisions in the town. They had a capable ranger among themselves, surely Stein could procure enough food for them.
Warfryn had mentioned healing draughts.
"You do not happen to have any healing potions at your disposal ? We would, of course, pay for them."

Rond nodded.
"I have a few lying around, if you head out, you head right by the supply storage, take a few if you need. Armor and weapons also. A bit of food. Not much, but we have a few things still."
^{OOC: 3 potions in total, all general military and simple weapons/armors can be found here.}

"I'd like to claim one of those potions. I'll put it in a pouch around Prinz's neck, and he can run it over to anyone who might it. They'll have to take it out and use it, though. He's not yet that talented." Prinz barks, though it's unclear if he share's his master's assessment of his abilities.

"Let me take one as well," the aging Dragonborn interjected.  "I'm often on the front lines, and drawing the ire of our foes.  Plus, I need one handy for Ignatz since he is even more prone to taking hits than I am," he said in jest and with a smile.

As they proceeded, Malphuriuos asked their new wizard if he wanted to see the cemetery still.  "You mentioned it before.  Should we evaluate if any dark rituals have been placed on some sort of delayed timer?"

Saskan was glad the others had another means of healing themselves. He deferred to his uncle's sense of direction but was eager to go to the keep and wary of this new magic user that was with them.

Vynthear nodded in agreement.
"Yes, we better should do exactly that."

[Graveyard]

After they had strolled over to the graveyard, Vynthear tried to assess whether the elf Ninaran had truly worked any sort of ritual as decribed in the notice they had found on the elf. Specifically a ritual that clearly involved the murder of several townsmen.

rolled 16 using 1d20+12.  Arcana (Graveyard).
This message was last edited by the player at 08:03, Tue 12 Sept 2017.

Vynthear finds a smaller circle painted in dark animal blood on several gravestones, as a mark rather than a ritual, and it appears this sickening dye could have been part of a ritual, however easily washable and removing it, leaving nothing behind. Ten or so are found, alone on your trip, but it appears they were made in preparation and never used.

Vynthear made sure to completely erase any traces of a potential ritual, fearing that this might well hold some nasty surprises in the future.

Warfryn also had a good look around the graveyard.  It was all very well for Vynthear to check for ritual activity but what did a wizard - especially an Eladrin - know of the Dark Arts!  It was best if he looked as well.

Fortunately, the little warlock was equally convinced that nothing much remained now here of any upcoming ritual.

"So!  Off to the Keep then?"


18:28, Today: Warfryn rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Arcana.