Osk is a rather eccentric human Wizard, he lives just outside Lotan in his tower, which is situated near the water.

The party approaches Osk's tower, they will see it is not made from stone, but rather from a crystal like material, to the west you can see that the sun passes through parts of the tower like a prism creating rainbows on the ground. Upon pulling the rope for the chime the doors open an older human dressed in colorful robes of green and blue answers.

"Ah adventurers!" the man says with a smile "I am Osk, Grand Wizard, and mage of some acclaim. I presume you are here to collect components for me?"

Gosric, delighted to be taking on such a cushy 'adventure', steps forward eagerly.

"Yes sir, we saw your posting and, being brave adventurers, thought we would come to your aid.  What exactly do you need of us?"  Gosric leans forward, expecting to be invited in, hoping to see what such a fabulous tower looks like from the inside.  As he talks, he tries to peer past Osk and get a glimpse of the interior.

Bruga pauses to, once again, admire the tower and say I've heard Osk is eccentric...I wonder at his wanting help to gather things. Still, it probably will be more interesting than working by the wharves.

At the meeting, he places himself so he can see Osk but shows no further curiosity.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #4):

Clair stands to the side a bit not trying to pry into the towers contents.  She pets Snare while looking at Osk smiling but allowing Gosric to lead this conversation.

  Kree st6ands  near Clair, he  says softly,..one  must be carful when thinking on such things  as these...if the  job was easy..there  would have been no postings...an the locals  would be doing it all....somehow..i do not  thing, we will be gathering Mushrooms.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #6):

Quietly to Kree, true, this will be interesting in what he requires.  I hope something for him below his status but for us right what we need.

  he nods  slowly, his eyes  study the  tower as he keeps his voice soft,..never  trusted mages...the power seeps into thier hearts...and they will risk  anything....anyone..to increase thier  Knowledge or power..."

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #8):

Yes Kree, that sometimes is the difference in mages vs priests but then again one who is wise in any profession is suited better in the long run.   Let's not get caught up in his or anyone's passion to far.  Serve his needs and move on.

We have to just be careful what he asks is within our means.

  He watches  the Wizard and the cleric  as they talk,...it may not be  as easy, for some of us to keep our  wits, as others.....

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #10):

We shall see what is offered for what he needs, I pray Lady Luck helps us to keep our wits in this...

Osk reaches into the air and pulls from it a piece of parchemnt he opens it and looks over it, he takes his wand and draws it over the parchment then hands it to Gosric.

"This is what I need adventurers, some of these things are very easy, some not so much. I included what I shall pay per item, there is a bonus shall you complete the whole list. I shall give you say a month to complete the list." Osk says and hands Gosric a bag "This is a special bag and I expect it returned with the items in it."


The parchment reads as such:

Live Toads (10) 1g
Live Newts (10) 1g
Bat Guano (4 pounds) 1g
Small glass rods (50) 2s
Bones of the Undead (10) 10g
Hair from a dwarven baby (1) 10g
Hair from a halfling childs foot (1) 10g
Porcupine Quills (10) 1g


Complete the list 100g bonus

Khorden hangs back, having no more to say to the grand wizard then he'd had to say to Bruga's master earlier.  Arms crossed over his stocky chest, Khorden grunts and seems impatient with the waiting.

Bruga looks over the list. A couple of question, please. Are the newts and toads to be alive when delivered? If so, will they be able to breathe when in this bag. By the way, might it be a good idea to have smaller bags so we can keep the types of items separate? And about the bones of the undead...any bones will do? And, with your great knowledge, may we have an idea of where to seek undead...skeletons preferably?

Osk smiles "That is a very special bag it will seperate and keep the items separately. Live means live and yes the bag will keep them such for 90 days. Any undead bone will do, skeletons would be a fine choice, you may find them in the swamps..." he pulls another parchment out "Here." he hands Gosric a map "You will bats in the cave I have noted on their as well."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Sun 27 Feb 2011.

In reply to GM (msg #15):

Clair quietly speaks up upon reading the list, sir Osks, may I inquire about the hair, is it all the hair from a dwarven baby? Must it be pulled out or cut/shaven off will do? I shall assume gupls the hair of a halflings childs foot is from below the ankle?
smiles, the size of the glass rods? solid or hollow?  How many porcupine quills?    blinks, sorry my teachers always taught me to ask details now and not later.

(list says 10 porcupine quills)

Osk will reply "Get the hair from the dwarf however you like and yes a halfings foot is below their ankle. The apothecary will know the size of rod I need, no more then 3 inches in length and 1/4 inch thick."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:08, Wed 02 Mar 2011.

In reply to GM (msg #17):


Ah just one hair then from each, well that is "safer". and the glass rods, good.  looks to the rest, then back to Osk, I shall say in less then 30 days would suffice for us. looks to the group, well, shall we get started?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Wed 02 Mar 2011.

"Soooo, a good night's sleep before we head out to find these components?"

 Kree looksover the list,  If  any wish to  take some rest>..then those  of us whoare more able to keep going should see what items  may be had here...30 days   may not be enough  for some of these...

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #20):

OK the harder items we should go for first and leave the "easier" stuff for on our way back (the glass rods and porcupine quills).  We could head out to the swamp now and camp before we get there then fish for the toads, Newts and maybe snatch an undead things bones.

Then head to the cave for bat guano.

I think we can get a hair of a halfling child from my neck of the woods, just go to a barber for that.

Khorden, what about a hair of a Dwarven baby?

Live Toads (10) 1g
Live Newts (10) 1g
Bat Guano (4 pounds) 1g
Small glass rods (50) 2s
Bones of the Undead (10) 10g
Hair from a dwarven baby (1) 10g
Hair from a halfling childs foot (1) 10g
Porcupine Quills (10) 1g
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Sat 05 Mar 2011.

How are we fixed for campin gear? I only have my cloak; maybe we need some waterproof canvases at least.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #22):

Well i have my normal traveling gear but I guess a water proof canvas though we have the bag to put our stuff in for the mage.   maybe a small net to catch the Porcupine, newts and toads and a small shovel to dig with for the bat goop.  So we can spend some time in town on the way through buying some stuff we need.  We can also be on the look out for anymore signs or slavers/Astar just in case.

"I gots me cloak an' me blanket o' course."  Khorden was looking forward to getting a move on, but wasn't all that interested in a shopping spree before hand.  Still, he couldn't argue the logic.

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #24):

Lets go then and get some of the stuff, anything else like a pouch or two to help catch this stuff with?

   I have  things to  make  a fire  with, perhaps a water skin  is  all i need to buy.  Looking  about  as he waits for the others, he  was mostcertain, they would not have the time  for all of this,

Osk looks at the dwarf "Trust me, the bag I gave you will be more then you need." he smiles "I will see you back here within 30 days."

In reply to GM (msg #27):

OK then sir Osk, we shall be off.  Lady luck will be on our side says a brief prayer

Well, I suppse a lantern would help, if we're gonna be traipsing around a dirty old swamp."

and a brand new pair of clothesGosric grimaced thinking of the mess to come.
Gosric will buy a lantern and retire to the inn.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Tue 08 Mar 2011.

In reply to Gosric the Full (msg #29):

Clair will buy a few small nets for catching the toads and newts, a small shovel for digging up "things" and a small pail or bucket to help with the bat gew.

Um, er we still have some daylight left, we may want to put some distance toward the swamp and cave so we can get this over.

  Kree  looks to Clair  as he asks,..what do you thing the  chances of  The Lady's  Temple  giving you some  Holywater? We might need it  if we are going to  be walking about with undead?

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #31):

Clair smiles at Kree, I just so happen to have 2 flasks of the stuff and Gosric has 2 also.  chuckles, Remember silly we all got 1 flask of holy water from that chest of Astars and we clerics got the extras. still smiles, good thought though, glad you asked for I am sure I could get a few more if we needed it.

  Kree  shifts his  pack  and  looks though it,well...i hope it  will be enough..."

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #33):

Clair smiles, Kree we can make a trip to my church and get a few more flasks, and along the way I'll get a few small nets, shovels and pails (OOC and go to the beach and make sand castles) just in case.

  Kree nods,  I will need to check on silver headed  arrows  as well...it  will depend  on the coin they wish for them though.

I have enough money to buy some Greek fire and torches, but someboldy else will need to carry the items.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #36):

Hey, if we run into the undead stuff, like bones - skeletons your sharp weapons will not be much good.  We need blunt weapons, ha I guess that's why us Cleric types can only use blunt ones.  We should bu some blunted arrows for you.

Uh, I don't know anything about archery. I figure to pick up something I can use as a club, but I'd only use it if I can get behind a skeleton or such.

  The  elf  shrugs Blunt  arrows   may help, but they  would  be of  little  use  for anything else..as far  as using  my blade on them? You hit  them  enough  times, they will fall, or take  away thier  heads,  they cannot  do much, with out  a head.

Khorden hefts his warhammer, "I figure this'll break a few bones if needs be."  The Dwarf didn't have much to purchase, a few extra rations maybe, but that's about it.

Bruga thinks better of trying to find a piece of wood. Instead, he purchases a fireplace poker. (He does not appropriate a cooking pot for a helmet.)

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #41):

OK then off we go, fire poker, now that is good Bruga.  It can be multipurpose.

Particularly if there's a fire.

The party approaches Osk's tower and finds it much as they left it Osk does answer the door.

"Ah welcome back! I trust your journey has gone well thus far?" he says unshering them inside, the inside of this tower is huge, he leads you into a living room type area and waves a hand his bag flies from Gosrics possession and into his.

"You didn't say there'd be dwarves, Osk.  Always with the dwarves."  The unnamed stranger sits on a small stool in one of the darker corners of the living room.  He sighs, though it wouldn't be what one would call an overly disgruntled one.  "The name's Kale.  The mage said that you might be coming here, and that you might not be totally opposed to having another join your little group.  Given the look of that bag, you could use my help."

Khorden gives Kale a long, appraising look.  "Mayhaps we could be using your help, once we know what your good at."

  Kree leans  against the wall, his eyes  study the  fellow  who spoke, and nods  at  his dwarven friend's  comments, But he speaks to the Mage,had a wee bit more  problems then we  like. I will let Clair expound on that...

At lose ends, Gostric attempts to lean casually against a wall, and almost causes a stuffed owl to tip over onto other assorted knick knacks.

Making a juggling catch, he replaces the creature with exaggerated care.

"Oops, hee hee, sorry."

With apologies, he makes his way to a chair, and sits down, watching the others anxiously...

Osk merely chucklles at Kale "Ah, Kale's father was a good friend of mine and a fine horseman and swordsman, so I am sure his son is no different, now please what news have you, I must think your hunting did not go well with so little to show." he does however hand Kree the 2 gold pieces owed.

 Kree takes the  gold and hands it to Clair, In our  Hunt? We  came across a firey Lizard in a  cave, There was a landside, that shut us  out of it. But three of us tried to face it, we were sent packing by its magic, or  we may have had its  head."

  As  we looked for undead, we  found a camp of Gypsies. They...appear..to be  undead. However  , they go about daily lifr, inc;uding paying Music, dnacing and eating..thier camp is surrounded by  magicladen salt circle.

 the servants , of   My Ladies  Tymora and Beshaba, both say we should not mettle in thier fate.

  He motions to Khorden,we were also  attacked by an alligator...we found a balse  in its belly..mayhaps? YOu could tell us  what it does?

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #50):

Clair notes Kale's presence then just nods her head in agreement with Kree's assessment of our situation.  Adds in the she thinks the fire lizard purposely caused the cave in.

Awaits Osk's assessment of the balse and what we found as described by Kree then will pursue further about the group deciding to come back to him before we were done, smiling information sometimes is better then material especially when it is not that old.  plus curiosity on the Gypsie.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Thu 18 Aug 2011.

Seeing Osk's eyes upon him, Bruga keeps his hands in sight.
.
.
.
He places the dagger on a table.

"Ah a salamander it sounds like." says Osk of the Fire Lizard "Some of the rarer ones have been known to have fear effects with their fire abilities." he says

He moves to a table and conjures up a crystal ball only this ball is HUGE measuring around 8 feet in diameter he pulls up the gypsies camp on the ball and gives a interested "hmmm." but comments no further.

He inspects the dagger throughly "Very nice dagger Elven Mithril, Elven inscription upon the blade, have you tested it or has it done anything since you had it?"

Nay. The thing tried to eat my dwarven friend. after   i killed it,i gutted it, to see if there might be signs oif anyone lost here..turns out , it ate a mageling..

No, sir. It's nice, but the one who carried it....well...got eaten.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #55):

Clair does one of those dah hand slap forehead things.   We never checked to see if it was even magical did we??

Looks to Osk, can you tell us anything about those Gypsi skeletons?  Are they worth further investigation by us?  For you?

The fire salamander ha you can have it, scary beast.

Khorden is distracted by the huge crystal ball, amazed at it's flawlessness and luster.  He only vaguely notes the conversation and then enters into slower still.  "We checked it was magickal and it grew hot to the touch and glowed when we got near them gypsy bones."

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #57):

Yes Yes, that is correct, oh how i am forgetting things so easily. sighs and sheepishly looks to Osk Osk, any ideas further on that revelation?

Senuviel having sheathed his short bow, watches everything from a short distance, he still keeps his hood on however and slowly he moves his head towards the stranger who's Osk's guest.

OOC: Could we get Kale's description, please? :)

Osk looks at the crystal ball still centered on the gypsy camp and back to the Dagger.

"If I am right then the holder of the dagger and only the holder of the dagger can cross the salt circle into the gypsy camp, more then that I do not know without a month more of research."

Feeling a bit left out, the cleric glances around at the furnishings, and the new guy.

In reply to Gosric the Full (msg #61):

OOC - giving everyone time to post if they like about Osk's info ......


Clair again turns to Kale, smiles, and good sir, what may we call you and it was mentioned you may wish to join in our escapades?

khorden hefts the dagger in his hand, weighing options.  If they were headed back to the swamp, that was one thing but if it would be a special trip taking them leagues aside the path...

"I'm of a mind t' be headin' back to them gypsy bones an' see what lies beyond the ring o' salt."

"Um, Master Osk?" The cleric waves his hand to get the mage's attention.

"Um, Gostric here. Not that I expect that name to mean much..."

before he can get himself started on a ramble, he shakes his head, and tries to focus.

"Um, okay, yes, um..."

Glancing up, he realizes his hand is still in the air. With a blush he brings it down.

"Would there be any chance of magical help, or useful information, or even some pay for this? Um... I am really curious why everyone seems to know about the bone-folk, and why everyone calls them Gypsies. Would you know why?"

Osk smiles Pointing at the wagon and the tattered colorful clothes you can see at the campsite "I didn't know about them until now, but the wagons, music, and clothing would all indicate they were gypsies when they were alive."

"Well why have the local temples also called them gypsies, and why do they say it would be a bad idea to mess with them?"

  In the Maiden's  defense, I called them Gypsies, for the same reason our MAge friend here did. THier dress and thier wagons  are like those that traveled through the woods before. If they are not Gypsies, some one  went through alot of trouble, to make them appear so...

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #67):

What worries me is the dagger and only allowing one who holds it safe passage across the salt line.  Osk, does that mean whoever casted the spell upon the salt line used the dagger as the key for crossing and those poor "gupsiies" are stuck within the salt line?  Smiles, would there be something in it for you also if we looked further into them or do you also think we are over our heads in this?

Does that mean, the  gater could pass, because it ate the dagger?  the  elf  tilts his head.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #69):

Smiles, now that I would think would be a true statement :)

Osk looks to Kree "Looks that way, though I have a feeling whoever the gator ate was the one reponsible for their predictament."

Kree nods,  The sisters  tend  to keep luck balenced..he might have...er...pushed  his luck..

"I wonder if we could go in one at a time, handing the dagger back to the next person?"

I want no part of meddling with these gypsies or whatever they are. Me, I can take advice.

Khorden scowls as the others continue to chat about the dagger and possible ways to get past the salt line.  "We can spend all day here talkin' 'bout it but 'til we head back and hazard th' ideas, we'll never know if they'll work or not."

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #75):

Smiles, well, Osk, we have not finished getting the supplies you asked us to fetch for you and um, well I guess we should do that awhile as we decide how to deal with this Gypsii delema amongst ourselves.


looks to Khorden Khorden, please take your dagger and keep it safe for now.

Now Osk about your friend? College? apprentice? over yonder, points.  Kale was it?  How may we be of service to him? looks to Kale in the corner all huddled up underneath his cloak, chuckles again or shall I say to you, sir, again can you put words to your face for us, smiles especially if you wish to throw your lot in with us chuckles louder such a fine band of friends and adventurers we are at that. grinning,

Clearly please to see someone as capable as Brandywhine taking the lead, the Full One leans back in his chair, trusting to her clever mind and quick wit to resolve all the issues at hand.

Osk looks to the party "Look for me to finish the research to tell you exactly what the dagger is and what it does would take months and likely you can't afford my fees." he chuckles "Whatever or whoever did that to these people must have had a reason, if your dieties tell you to avoid it you may, but what's the fun in that?"

In reply to GM (msg #78):

Thanks, yea, right now we will just keep the dagger as is and try to finish up collecting your stuff.  Maybe along the way we can find more clues or answers.

SO, turning to Kale, again, please explain who you are and what you need/want with our group???

Khorden turns from the mute Kale and looks to Bruga.  "I guess we needs be findin' settlements of me folk and yours."

Having grown up in the human village, Khorden doesn't know much about the settlements of his people.

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #80):

You know, I do not recall any or many children as of late but we got to try at least.

I don't know of any halfling babies, but maybe somebody's pregnant. Anyway, we've other things to get.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #82):

Yes Bruga we do.  So let's be off.  I think the wooded section for a porcupine is a good start.

Unaware that porcupines even had a wooden section, Gostric eagerly rose to his feet, and moved to hold the door open for the others.

"This I gotta see..."

In reply to Gosric the Full (msg #84):

Clair wishs Osk well, Nods to Kale, another time then heads out, gets Snare and gives him a good scratch.   I guess back out a hunting stuff.   Any one need anything more before we start out again?

Rolling his eyes, and patting Tum Tum, Gostric mutters that he's always got room for more... When this doesn't elicit a laugh, he shakes his head sadly.

So serious...

  Kree  heads for the door, ready to get out and hunt  once more....

Osk returns the bag to the party sans the newts and frogs giving it to Kree.

 he takes the  bag  with a nod  and Tucks it into  his pack on the right  side, so he can reach it  when called upon.

Senuviel leaves the shadowy place where he's been leaning upon, he gives a silent look at Osk and then follows the group as they leave the wizard's tower. So, here we go again on our errand, hunting for hair, nails and fish scales. As I understand nobody figures what the gypsies are and apparently everyone wants to ignore them, am I right? Says the elf bitterly.

Khorden shrugs.  "I don't know what magick is behind them gypsies but I think it's a bad thing and wouldn't mind getting rid o' it, if we can figure out how.  Besides, there's no fame nor fortune to be had herding frogs and snatching the hair from babies."

 The  elf  shakes his head,My first thought is just to break the salt line..it may free them..if they are Undead,  we kill them, or  let them wnader the  swamp..if it is some other type of magic, they may be normal, just trapped in that area...

 However, Both My ladies' people say to leave them be...if the sisters agree? It should be warning  enough...

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #92):

Not to worry Senuviel, we have forgotten them.  I feel right now we may not be "at the right time" to push our luck on them though I am still thinking on ways.  Yes, the two gods we have patronized say to avoid the area but hhmm that was at night when we asked.  for now let's get what we can of Osk's list.

"Given that we have the dagger, I think we should consider breaking the salt a possible response for futher down the line, after someone has stepped inside to gain some intelligence. Besides, I would like to test the idea that the first person in can hand it back to the next person."

He sighs, deeply, his normally ruddy cheeks looking a bit pale, and flaccid.

"Of course it would make leaving in a hurry a bit problematic, but if it works, it would allow us to explore in strength."

In reply to Gosric the Full (msg #94):

True, though not sure if the dagger also protects one while inside the salt ring so losing it will be bad?

Scratching his beard, Gostric tries to remember the mage's words...

"Oooh, I had a different understanding, I though it protected us from the salt-ring magic. I thought we only needed it to cross the salt. We shall have to be very careful in trying to use this thing."

Uh, there's the warehouses along the docks. Think maybe some bats have issued from there.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #97):

Ha, good thought Bruga, we can check there first since we are still in town, plus whispers we may find more info on the slave trade.