Zer-wedula
After getting some directions from a friendly person, he heads to the "Turandarok Academy"- School and orphanage. <27>  Upon arrival you find the school closed, but there are still a few children (orphans) around doing chores.  A 10 year old boy (mixed human blood)shyly asks "Did you really punch a goblin in the face?  Bobby says you did.  You must be really powerful."  The children are in awe of you.



Zer-wedula smiled politely at the children and produced Willi from a pocket of his robe.

"To tell the truth, in all the excitement, I kind of lost track of whether I punched the goblin in the face, boxed his ears, or merely tickled his adam's apple."

He paused to place Willi gently on the boy's shoulder.

"As to power, well, I believe in the power of order and planning.  With a sound plan, my spells will win any fight."

He extended an arm to let Willi run up his sleeve.

"Would you show me to the headmaster?  I would enjoy telling him about the delightfully inquisitive children at the school."


The boy seems mesmerized by Willi, but then recognition of your request dawns on him.  "Yes sir" and he leads you to a door marked "Headmaster" and knocks on it.  "Come", "Sir, there is a visitor to see you", "Then show him in Tanrov".  Inside you find a brightly lit(4 continual flame torches) office with a desk.  Over to 1 side are 4 easy chairs near a fireplace.  Against a wall is a bookcase full of books.  The entire room is neat and well ordered.  There seems to be an empty bird roost in 1 corner.  The man behind the desk is writing in a book, finishes, carefully closes the book, sets down the pen and looks at you.  "And how may I be of service to you good sir."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:15, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

"Thank you, Tanrov.  You may run along now,"  Zer-wedula said to the boy.

He entered the room and bowed low.  "I am Zer-wedula," he introduced himself.  "I have come to discuss goblins, magic, and mysteries."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:08, Wed 28 Jan 2009.

You have a stimulating discussion about "goblins, magic, and mysteries".  Headmaster Ilsoari Gandethus has a keen mind and is a student of the arcane with a variety of experience to supplement his book learning.  He figures out you are talking about Father Tobyn (he was there reading the goblins thoughts when the "secret mission" to the graveyard was discussed), but will not discuss this issue with others.  The mutual consensus is that there is too little evidence to support any specific conclusions.  There are just too many possibilities.  Finally, the door opens enough to let a raven fly in and over to the perch "Let me introduce you to my friend, Barry.  Barry, Zer-wedula".  The bird looks at you "Heeelllo  ZZeeer-edduuula" and gives a slight bow, then looks back at his master.  "Well, I have a schedule to keep and the children need consistency.  There are a few fellow scholars here who get together on an informal basis and discuss these sorts of matters.  I am sure they would thrilled to meet someone trained by an elven wizard.  It's nothing so grand as the Cyphermage Guild of Riddleport or the Academy of Korvosa, but we have some stimulating discussions.  Why don't you meet me here tomorrow night at 2 bells past sundown and I'll introduce you?"  Barry gives the Headmaster a report on the childrens activities as he escorts you out.

<If you want to do anything specific before then, tell me what you're doing.  Otherwise, I will just skip forward to the meeting of local scholars and let you run this thread out-of-time with the others.

The appointment with Madame Mvashti and the dinner with Aldern Foxglove will take place in the main 1.2 thread.>
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:38, Wed 28 Jan 2009.

With time to kill Zer-wedula wanders back to return the crossbow to the forgemistress.  He thanks her, but does not linger.  He then makes his way in a leisurely fashion to Voon's shop.

Entering, Zer-wedula does not announce himself, nor try to draw attention to himself.  He recalls that Voon was getting something off the ship from Riddleport, and something Talis said is percolating in his head.  He peruses the wares in what he hopes is a circumspect manner.

While he is not a necromancer, and in fact has given up the school, he looks for what he believes are tokens of such arts - grave dust, skulls, bodily remnants from any sort of creature, dolls made of hair, and the like.

   The weaponsmith thanks you for returning her crossbow and offers you 20% off anything in her shop.
   As you open the door you hear a bell ring, but you see no bell.  This cramped and cluttered shop smells of a strange mixture of incense, spice, and dust. The contents are an eclectic collection of strange relics, statues, and monument fragments.  You do spy some necromantic tokens scattered here and there.  There is a cat resting on the counter, you could swear it is watching you as you as you examine the goods.  From the back you hear a voice "coming", shortly Vorvashali Voon comes out smiling.  When he sees you he smiles even more "Zer-wedula it's good to see you again, and Willi.  I would like to introduce you to Snoopy, the cat.  You are a lazy thing aren't you.".  At this point, the cat just gives a disdainful sniff and curls up.  Voon proceeds to talk about yesterdays raid and how frightened his neighbors are and sounds like he could go on all day....
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:20, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

With an occasional "Fascinating," "Tsk," or "Indubitably," Zer-wedula lets Voon go on for somewhere between half an hour to an hour.  He endeavors to strain anything of note from the ramblings.

"You don't happen to sell healing potions, do you?" he interjects at a convenient point.

He also mentions, "I have heard that there is a group of magical artists in the town who meet now and then.  To judge by the nature of your shop and from Snoopy here, are you part of said group?"

What you glean is;
-he has a little of everything, but not everything is for sale.  Some of the display has too much sentimental value.  His store is also a museum.
<adventuring equipment, special materials, maybe an occasional minor magic item, but no alchemy>
-he supplies the local wizards with spell components, and if he doesn't have it, he can (probably and eventually) get it.
-he know every ships captain who regularly runs the Lost Coast.
-he has heard the local Varisians are all talking about a new "Blessed of the Gods" in town.  They believe she has all sorts of miraculous powers.

"Healing potions?  Hannah's are tastier but she won't sell to just anybody.  But still, you shouldn't have much of a problem, being heroes and all.  Father Zantus makes a few for a rainy day, but is usually too busy to make many."


""The Sandpoint Wizards guild" is what I call it, though it hasn't caught on.  We get together and usually end up hearing Broderts latest fantastic claims about the "Old Light"."

With a polite reply that he will see Voon tomorrow, he departs and heads for the wise woman

----> Sandpoint thread

Sandpoint thread ----->

Zer-wedula walked the town, musing.  As he saw it, he had three options before dinner.  First, he could go to the bookstore and seek some written histories.  Second, he could go visit the sage.  Third, he could go explore the old light house ruins.  Given that the ruins could be dangerous for solo sauntering, he crossed that one off.  Having just dealt with the fortune teller he ruled out the sage.  That left the bookstore.

Asking directions from the most educated and well-groomed passers-by, he eventually made his way to the shop and entered.

<area 22> The Curious Goblin, the sign out in front of this shop shows a wide-eyed goblin reading a book nearly as tall as him. The building shows signs of the goblin raid with the scorch marks on 1 corner.  Oddly there is a small square(maybe 1'x1') that looks like an old burned area. Inside, this bookshop is a testament to one man’s obsession with the printed word.  Books piled everywhere, with no apparent rhyme or order.  Off to 1 side are a few chairs.  3 are occupied by 3 old men (2 human, 1 gnome) who are busy arguing.  1 has a book and is using it to make a point.  Near these chairs is a bird roost with a raven on it.  One of the old men waves at you, "Feel free to look around, let me know if I can help you" and then goes back to their discussion.  You're not even sure the man with the book even noticed the interruption.  While you browse you can't help but overhear.  The man with the book is trying to make a point that goblins can turn invisible using a passage from a book about goblins.  The other 2 are disagreeing about his interpretation.  This appears like it could go on awhile.

<While you can't comment on the goblin part (oddly, humanoid information is a know(local) skill), you can think about the invisible part.  Know(arcana) dc 20.  It would be lower if you could look at the source material.>

16:45, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 11 using 1d20+7. know the arcane!.

Zer-wedula wasn't sure if goblins could turn invisible, although surely they would have one so during the raid.

At a lull in the conversation he asks, "I don't suppose you have any hsitories on dead gods or cursed elves or a combination thereof?"

One of the old humans gets up and starts rummaging around, really looking at you for the 1st time.  "Say, aren't you that young fellow who punched that goblin yesterday" as he looks at various piles, selecting a book here and a book there.  Apparently he has a filing system, but you can't figure out what it is.  "Names, Chask Haladan.  What do you think, did any of those goblins go invisible.  Brodert there says he saw one disappear around a corner, and when the guard chasing it looked, it wasn't there."  Brodert bursts out "I tell you, there's no other explanation for it.  There wasn't anywhere to hide except for a small wood pile."  Chask just ignores him as he piles the books into your arms "You're more than welcome to have a seat and peruse them before buying.  I'll try to keep the cantankerous old coots outbursts to a minimum."  As you look at the titles you realize he has an amazing collection of books for such a small, out of the way town.

"Well, I tried to punch one, but found that my spells had a greater effect.  I am Zer-wedula, a wizard.  This," he continued, placing Willi on the floor.  "Is Willi.  She won't be any trouble."

"I'm no expert on goblins, but I am told they can hide in extremely small spaces.  And if the guards missed a number of goblins being smuggled into town, who is to say that they wouldn't miss one more.  Perhaps it turned invisible, but isn't the simplest solution the most likely one?"

Zer-wedula flips pages, looking for history of dead gods, Sandpoint and the region, and elves, cursed or not.

Chask Haladan will introduce them, indicating the gnome "Veznutt Parooh and Tick, wizard."  The other man interjects "A wizard at being wrong."  Your host just smiles, "and the cantankerous old coot is Brodert Quink."  You find yourself being drawn into the discussion like you were a long time friend and not like someone they just met.  Eventually Veznutt and
Brodert leave and you can study the books.  Finally, Chask has to close up, but you can come back tomorrow and look at them some more if you like.

<It will take a couple of days to peruse the books, go to 1.2 for the dinner party>
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:36, Tue 03 Feb 2009.

<Continued from 1.2 Sanpoint>


Zer-wedula and Talis
  The night passes quietly and the morning breaks cloudy and wet, like most fall mornings on the Lost Coast.  After breakfast, Zer-wedula is met by a man servant and taken to the Goblin Squash Stables where Aldern buys you both a horse <add a light horse to your equipment>.  The owner, Daviren Hosk, is going to be your guide.  The plan is to Ride up the Turandarock River and cross the Tickwood Ford into the Tickwood.  Daviren chuckles, "Tickwood used ta have gob's inna, used ta." with an evil grin.

   On the trip with Aldern you discover that he is quite knowledgeable about the local situation and leadership. <I will add a post to Sandpoint Info to reflect what you learn, if you want to know about anything or anyone specifically, ask now.  I am going to wait a day for Talis to respond> It only takes 1/2 an hour to get to the ford, where the servants spread out to look for a boar.

  During the trip he tries to get to know the characters, no let me rephrase.  He tries to get to know Talis.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:56, Sat 07 Feb 2009.

Casts Mage Armor before heading out.

Keeps conversation light.  Asks if Magnimar isn't the golem works city.

Aldern thinks for a moment, "Yes, there is a wizard who fashions constructs of various sorts for those with the coin to pay.  I even thought about getting one, but they are a little expensive."

"So exactly what should I know about these boars before I go shooting one?" he asks.

Aldern says, "Wild boars are tough and mean.  Typically, they are hunted with a longspear, braced to receive a charge as they will tend to charge and savage anything that threatens them, meaning anything they see, including us."  He grins excitedly, "Be careful, they are very tough to kill, like a Shoanti barbarians, they can fight while mortally wounded, so keep at it until it stops moving.  Good luck and good hunting."  So each of you, with a man servant holding a long and short spear, spread out.  It's hard to stay in sight with the trees always getting in the way.  Your guide will stay with the horses and keep an eye out for anything unusual.  Zer-wedula is on the far right, 100'+ from Talis who is in turn 100'+ from Aldern.

<What do you have out and give me a Survival check and a spot roll>

Zer-wedula loads and cocks his crossbow, proceeding cautiously.  He wonders if a Sleep spell would affect a boar.

14:36, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Spot.
14:35, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 0 using 1d20-1. Survival.

After awhile you realize you can't hear the others, and then you come to a 30' deep bank with a river at the bottom.  You stop and look around and realize, you can't see or hear them.  The manservant says if asked, "I was following you Sir."  As you turn around to start making your way back you see a couple of wild boar, 90' away, come out of the brush.  At first you think they don't seen you, but then 1 raises it's snout, sniffs a couple of times and looks in your general direction.

"Get that long spear ready," Zer-wedula said to the manservant.

[Then he cast Sleep on the boars, DC 14.]

The magic reaches out and takes effect on the 1 that was sniffing.  It collapses on the ground.  The other seems unaffected, and looks around curiously.  It focuses on Zer-wedula and his spear carrier, grunting menacingly.  Zer-wedula does not like the sound of that grunt.

"I hope you can run, or climb," he silently said to his lackey.

Figuring all hell was about to break loose, Zer-wedula fired at the boar, then took off for where he thought Talis might be.

[18:16, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 11 using 1d20. Shootin' at a boar!. ]

Surprise Round
Zer-wedula shoots the boar, but doesn't get a solid hit and the bolt glances off it's thick hide.  This seems to make it angry.

Round 1
Zer-wedula moves through the woods away from the boar.

Servant follows Zer-wedula.

Boar lets out a piercing squeal and charges after the pair intent on doing horrible things to them.  It crashes through some underbrush, which slows it down.

Tactical Situation Round 1
Zer-wedula and the servant are running through the woods being chased by an angry boar, 60' behind them.

                           dam      status
Servant                -
Boar                   -

<Zer-wedula, give me a ref save dc5 every round or move at 1/2 speed, no running (double moves only).

Talis, PM me when you start posting again, your character hears a boar squeal>
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:45, Tue 10 Feb 2009.

"We shall run a little more, my friend, and then I shall bedazzle the beast with a spell," Zer-wedula huffed to the manservant.

[21:32, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 19 using 1d20. Reflex save.  Double move.]

He ran, leaping fallen branches, avoiding mole hills and rabbit holes, hoping that some would see his shameful display as adding to the sport.

Round 1
Zer-wedula keeps moving through the woods, but realizes the boar is gaining.

Servant follows Zer-wedula.

Boar is fast, pushing it's way through the under brush

Tactical Situation Round 2
Zer-wedula and the servant are running through the woods being chased by an angry boar, 40' behind them.

                           dam      status
Servant                -
Boar                   -

<Zer-wedula, give me a ref save dc5 every round or move at 1/2 speed, no running (double moves only).

Talis, PM me when you start posting again, your character hears a boar squeal>

Zer-wedula tripped, nearly sprawling, then regained his footing.

[18:57, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 6 using 1d20. Reflex save. Double move]

"You may want to shout for help," he panted to the manservant.

He knew he had to let the boar get closer to cast Daze.  Dangerously close.  Perhaps that deaf human would hear them crashing about in the brush and do his usual job of distracting the enemy by letting it beat him about the head and neck.

Round 2
Zer-wedula keeps moving through the woods, but realizes the boar is still gaining.

Servant follows Zer-wedula, "We're...<pant>...over...<pant>...here...<pant>...".

Boar is fast, pushing it's way through the under brush

Tactical Situation Round 3
Zer-wedula and the servant are running through the woods being chased by an angry boar, 20' behind them.

                           dam      status
Servant                -
Boar                   -

<Zer-wedula, give me a ref save dc5 every round or move at 1/2 speed, no running (double moves only).

Talis, PM me when you start posting again, your character hears a boar squeal>
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:22, Wed 11 Feb 2009.

"Stand close, spear ready!" Zer-wedula commanded.

He cast Daze upon the boar.  Then he Shouted "Ta-a-a-a-a-lissssssssssssss!" as he moved away from it.

[Private to DM: DC of Daze is 13]

Round 3
Zer-wedula realizing the boar will be on them soon, finds a tree to put between himself and the boar.  For a second, the boar almost gets hungup in the underbrush <rolled exactly 5 on his ref save>, but bulls his way through.  Zer-wedula collects himself and casts daze.  But the spell seems to have no effect and the boar bears down upon them.

Servant takes the other side of the tree and braces the longspear to receive a charge.

Boar comes crashing through the underbrush, and charges at the manservant, who manages to spear the thing through the heart.  With a <crack> the longspear snaps in 2 as the boar ignores it's mortal wound and gores the man who gave it to him.

Tactical Situation Round 4
Zer-wedula is behind a tree (cover with relation to the boar) next to the servant who is on the ground bleeding and being savaged by the mortally wounded wild boar.  The boar has a haft of a longspear sticking out of it's chest, but still keeps attacking.

                           dam      status
Servant                -   8        dying
Boar                   -   28       dying (but still fighting)

<Zer-wedula better buy a lottery ticket, the servant rolls a 20 to hit, and confirms.  Wow.
Boars keep on fighting until -10 hp>

Zer-wedula calmly cocks his crossbow and shoots the boar at point blank range,

"May the steady hand of Abadar guide my bolt," he said.

[18:15, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 3 using 1d20+1. Shooting the boar. ]

"Motherf****r!" he swore.

Round 4
Zer-wedula distracted by the blood from the servant and boar, shoots and misses.

Boar continues to savage the servant, who takes 6 more dam, but takes 2 damage himself.  He doesn't appear to notice Zer-wedula's shot.  The boar is definitely weakening.
<1 from attacking and 1 from bleeding>

Tactical Situation Round 5
Zer-wedula is behind a tree (cover with relation to the boar) next to the servant who is on the ground bleeding and being savaged by the mortally wounded wild boar.  The boar has a haft of a longspear sticking out of it's chest, but still keeps attacking.

                           dam      status
Servant                -   15       dying? or dead?
Boar                   -   30       dying (but still fighting)

<I want you to roll a d20 3 times and post them in your next response, this is to see how far help is.  As is normal, high is better>
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:56, Thu 12 Feb 2009.

[
21:30, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 10 using 1d20. help.
21:30, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 6 using 1d20. help.
21:30, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 10 using 1d20. help!.
]

Zer-wedula was convinced that Foxglove and Talis were deaf if they couldn't hear the ruckus that he, the boar, and the dying manservant were making.

He hefted the short spear and putting all of his weight behind it tried to drive it into the boar.

[21:33, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 6 using 1d20. Short spear attack. ]

"Curse my weak and stick-like ancestors," he hissed.

Round 5
Zer-wedula tries to poke the boar with a spear, but only manages to attract it's attention.

The Boar turns his attention to Zer-wedula, easily shoving aside the spear and catching him in the gut he throws him into the tree for 8 dam.  As Zer-wedula loses consciousness he thinks he hears a voice, yelling something.

Tactical Situation Round 6
Zer-wedula is unconscious.

                           dam      status
Servant                -   16       dying? or dead?
Boar                   -   32       dying (but still fighting)

<Give me some con rolls(1d20+con mod) for stabilization (by my calculations 7 times, or until you get a 19-20), then give me 3 more d20 rolls as others try to use the heal skill to try to stabilize you.>

[17:29, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 21 using 1d20+2. con roll 1.  ]

[17:30, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 18 using 1d20. others try 3.
17:30, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 14 using 1d20. others try 2.
17:30, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 16 using 1d20. others try 1. ]


Zer-wedula drifted in and out of consciousness, hearing his father chide him for leaving the village, turning away from community, nature, and riding on the ebb and flow of the seasons.  Willi's mind was sending concerned thoughts mixed with a hunger for a boar dinner.

Zer-wedula regains consciousness in an instant as the healing energy's flow through him. <regain 10hp> He finds himself in his room in the White Deer with Father Zantus, Aldern and Talis.  Talis smiles "You sure had us worried.     I heard you yelling and came running.  I got there just in time to see it toss you up against a tree.  I managed to distract it, but it didn't take more than a few steps before it died.  You did it, you killed a wild boar."  Aldern continues the story "When I saw how bad you were hurt we packed up and came back.  I salute you sir, not only are you a crack shoot, but you speared that pig right through the heart.  Right now Daviren should be bringing it in.  If it's ok with the Father I say we have a party tonight to celebrate your bravery."  Father Zantus says you should take it easy for a couple of days.  No more pig hunts or anything strenuous, but a party would be ok.

"Please tell me that the manservant who was with me is alright?" he whispered.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:09, Fri 13 Feb 2009.

Aldern thinks for a moment "Him, oh he's just some Varisian I hired in Magnimar.  Names, Camlo something or other.  I can't remember his last name.  Why, he was just another lazy Varisian."  In the background Father Zantus just shakes his head at Alderns remarks, and then addresses Zer-wedula "I haven't had a chance to ask if he has family around here to see about a funeral, would you like to pay your respects?"

"Indeed, I would, for it was he who speared the boar.  I was merely a decoy.  In the very least I would like to pay for his rites, Father," Zer-wedula said.

Then, to no one in particular, "Have I missed the meeting of the scholars of Sandpoint?"

Father Zantus starts to say something but Aldern interrupts him "Oh surely you jest, you are obviously a man of quality.  Varisian's are thieves and worse.  I will hear no more about this.  Besides, he died in my employ so I shall take the responsibility.  Anyway, I've got affairs to attend to and will be leaving tomorrow.  If you make it to Magnimar, be sure to visit."  He seems strangly worked up over this.
   After he leaves with Talis, Father Zantus says quietly "Such sentiments are all too common" and that he will let you know about funeral arrangements.  He will also have someone contact the scholars.  He seems to know who you are talking about and seems to find the situation humorous.  You will receive a response that they will have their meeting at the White Deer.
   That evening a curious little gathering is held.  It consists of Veznutt Parooh, Brodert Quink, Ilsoari Gandethus, Chask Haladan  and Vorvashali Voon, all of whom you have previously met.  Off to the side sit 2 ravens and a cat, seemingly having their own little party.  Generally, the meeting has Brodert holding forth on a topic (such as the Old Light being an ancient weapon of fire) and the others picking his view apart.  The other 4 men are spellcasters(3 wizards, 1 bard), while Brodert isn't.  This seems to cause a certain amount of disparagement of his ideas.  It doesn't help that Brodert's theories lack evidence and are proposed in an aggressive manner.  Also in attendance is a woman, Sabyl Sorn.  While she doesn't say much, she is well read and provides a unique prospective on things.
    They discuss the theory behind necromancy and the use of dead bodies.  But again no specific reason is developed.  There are just to many possibilities.  Without more facts, it is not possible to determine motive.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:02, Sat 14 Feb 2009.

Zer-wedula listens politely and admits to being concentrated in Enchantment without identifying schools he has given up.  Other than that he is willing to heal, ride with the tide, and wait until his companions unite for further seeking of trouble.

Zer-wedula finds himself the object of much scrutiny from the young, single and female population of sandpoint.  There is much flashing of eyelids and giggling.  He also finds his reputation among the warriors has also taken a jump.  Whether he killed the boar or not, he did not desert the servant and run way. They respect that.
You get a summons to the Mayors office.
<Go to 1.2 Sandpoint>
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Mon 16 Feb 2009.

Zer-wedula blinks several times until he realizes that her father won't listen, not the rat.

"Of course I will aid you," he says.  "Then we shall see, we shall see.  Why don't you lead me to the basement."
[I assume that Zer-wedula currently has the masterwork ranseur since no one said they were claiming it.]

Shayliss takes Zer-wedula's hand and pulls him along to the store, "Thank you so much, I'm not sure how I can repay you for this."  As she enters the General Store; Proprieter: Ven Vinder, she calls "Father?", but there is no answer.  She leads him to a cellar door and cautiously looks inside, before stepping back and looking at Zer-wedula.  "You're so brave, it gives me goose bumps just thinking about them."  She can hold a torch on the stairs if Zer-wedula wants her too.  She is breathing heavy from the excitement and anticipation.

Caution makes Zer-wedula cast Mage Armor on himself before taking up the ranseur and trying the door.

"Hold the light and be ready to step back.  I can hold the doorway with this weapon easily," he ordered the girl.

After she complied he opened the door, not really sure what to expect.

   The stairs down into the darkness look clean and dust free.  In the light from the lamp Zer-wedula can see crates and stuff sitting around, a typical store storeroom.  As he descends the stairs, she follows him down, holding the lamp. At the bottom of the stairs, she puts the lamp into a holder.  Zer-wedula notices she is breathing faster now.

Give me a listen and initiative rolls
19:01, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
19:00, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 7 using 1d20+6. Listen, with Alertness from Willi.

It was dark and nigh silent.  Zer-wedula held the ranseur ready, should he see a rat, a bat, or a spider.

As Zer-wedula starts to carefully poke around the crates and barrels he hears Shayliss moving something back by the foot of the stairs.  He makes 1 circuit of the room without seeing any dire rats, but when he gets back to the foot of the stairs he finds that Shayliss has been busy.  She's set up a cot by the stairs and as you come into view she is removing her dress, leaving nothing to the imagination.  When she sees you, she throws her arms around your neck and whispers "And now for your reward".

Zer-wedula conquered his momentary confusion and disrobed, carefully placing the silver dagger beneath the cot and the ranseur in arms reach.  It never paid to be too careful.  Then he turned his full attention to Shayliss and gratefully accepted his reward.

   Zer-wedula starts to undressed with Shayliss trying to "help".  This usually simple chore is made more difficult with her "help".  They are both so excited with mutual anticipation that neither hears the door to the basement open or the creak of the stairs.  Zer-wedula is half undressed with Shayliss all over him, when they are both startled by a bellow of rage "What are you doing with my daughter?"  Shayliss pales and says "Father, it's not what you think" as she grabs her dress and covers herself.
   Ok, it is quite obvious.  The cot, the undressed girl and half undressed guy...

"Yes, dear sir, what do you think?" Zer-wedula asks with all the innocence he can muster.  "As anyone could tell, we were looking for my weasel, which appears to have been misplaced."
"Willi!" he shouts.  "Show yourself, you mischievous little furball!"
07:00, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Diplomacy.

Taking his cue, Willi sneaks into her dress.  Ven replies "Looking for your weasel, then why is she undressed?  And why down here?"  He still looks angry, but he unclenches his fists.  Shayliss looks at you incredulously.

I like it, clever.
"Well, the story is as follows.  Knowing of my history saving the town from first the goblin attack and then raiding the glassworks to prevent further risk to the good townspeople, Shayliss asked me here to look into a more common task," Zer-wedula began.

"It seems she is convinced there is a large rat down here, or perhaps several large ones."  He paused dramatically.  "Or maybe even a skin-changer, a man who can become a rat."

Zer-wedula nodded sagely.  "Whilst I scanned the room with my magics I set my weasel loose to scout about, for she is fearless, fast, and wily; more than a match for any common rat.  Imagine my consternation when she scrambled back here and ran up your daughter's leg.  Never have I seen Willi act in such a manner.  Certainly not when confronted with the horror and death of the glassworks!" Zer-wedula continued, warming to his task.

"Of course your daughter leapt towards me for protection, for have I not punched a goblin in the face?  For her part Willi was winding through our garments like a swarm of angry hornets.  Something is surely amiss down here, good sir.  But to ascertain what it is, I needed to calm Willi.  For that, I needed to catch Willi.  Hence our disarray."

With a certain look of condescending disdain Zer-wedula scooped up Willi and murmured to the weasel.  "Now, if you will leave me to deal with whatever nest of foulness lurks in the basement of yet another building in this town, good sir, I will provide a discrete remedy to the issue."
15:36, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Diplomacy, if needed.

   Ven stands there during your reply, hands flexing into and out of fist form.  When you tell about the potential rat problems, he peers around the basement suspiciously.  When the weasel on cue, pops up out of her dress and shakes his head comically, Ven gives a slight smile and relaxes.  "I haven't seen any such rats," obviously trying to come up with a flaw in your argument.  "But, ok.  Come Shayliss, lets leave this man to his work."
   As her father escorts her upstairs he regains some of his composure "I didn't ask for this so I'll only pay if you find something."  Shayliss' emotions are unreadable as she slips on her dress and goes up the stairs with a long look at Zer-wedula.

[19:05, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Search. ]

Determined to find something, Zer-wedula attired himself.  "Well, Willi," he said.  "The man will only pay if we find something, so a detailed and noisy search is in order."

With that he placed the weasel on the floor and set about cataloging the contents of the basement.  Surely there was something of interest, either to himself or to Willi.

Sorry for the delay, I've been trying to get a female prospective on this situation.  Lets continue in this thread.

You find nothing out of the ordinary, just what you would expect from a general stores basement, a little bit of everything—farm equipment, weapons, tack, tools, furniture and food.  There is also shocking supply of alcohol with names from all over.  There is even some from the orc city of Urglin and a case from Riddleport.  You do find a few ordinary rats and spiders, but nothing dangerous.  As you are deciding what to do you hear the door open and Vinder's voice say impatiently, "Are you through yet?  I have business to attend to and can't wait all day."

Zer-wedula marched up the stairs and gave the shop keep a haughty look.  "I never said you had to wait for me.  As is evident from my involvement in saving Sandpoint twice, I believe you can consider me both honest and thorough."

He swished towards the door ignoring all repartee.  "I have found nothing, for the moment."  He began to say something else, then checked himself and left.

Ven's reponse, before he goes down the stairs is a scowl and "Well, ok then."  Mrs. Vinder offers you a piece of pie as you leave, while Shayliss winks at you from behind her back.  Shayliss looks...disappointed.

That evening, Zer-wedula returns to his his room and finds the door unlocked.  What does he do?

He keeps his silver dagger out as he opens the door, ready to repeatedly stab anyone who thinks to do him harm by ambush and surprise.  He thinks of crushing his enemies, driving them before him, and hearing the lamenting of their women.

Well, the woman part was correct.  Shayliss is in your room, laying in your bed.  Most of her is under the covers, but her shoulders are bare.  With a seductive smile she says "My what a shiny dagger you have, want me to polish it for you?"

Zer-wedula smiles and disrobes, "Let us continue where we were before we were so rudely interrupted."  He joins her.

This time, there is no interruption and Zer-wedula has a good time.  He gets the impression that Shayliss is quite experienced for her age.   Afterwards, she gets dressed in a hurry, blows Zer-wedula a kiss and hurries out.

Zer-wedula muses upon his good fortune, then turns his mind to the forthcoming adventures and making scrolls to prepare.

You can assume you have at least a couple of days to prepare scrolls.

Having copied Enlarge into his spellbook, Zer-wedula scribes a scroll of Mage Armor and one of Bull's Strength.