After a short rest and a thorough search of the caves, the party, now accompanied by Kathel's caravan, completes the journey to Westbank. Kathel pays her final thanks to the group, then heads off to tend to the burial of Garrith.

The rest of the caravan unloads their modest cart of leather goods and sees about rooms, some at Polly's and others at the Trollip and Troll. There is still some daylight left as this takes place, but evening is closing in (about 4:00pm by the time final farewells are made with Kathel and the caravan).

The first of the townsfolk to approach the weary adventurers upon their return is Tyus, the young guard tasked with the investigation into the murder of Morlough Merris. He smiles broadly as he approaches. "I think I've found the murder weapon," he explains. "A rapier, still bloodied, hidden in the pines to the south of Polly's hotel. And one of the deceased's rings. A quite ornate thing. Ugly, if you ask me. The killer must've dropped it when he was burying the weapon."

He continues to smile at them hopefully. "The mayor says that casts even less suspicion on you, even though he still doesn't fully trust the halfling (no offense). But we still don't have any idea, if it's none of you, who actually did it."


OOC: Westbank is now open for exploration. You can assist Tyus with the investigation, learn more about the magic items you've acquired (although your arcana rolls did you pretty well), find someone to translate the parchment, head back to the cave by the bridge, interrogate Malik for more answers, look for more of Morlough's jewelry in the pines, get your various gems and jewelry appraised, see what Mattis has cooking at the Trollip and Troll, steal armor from the blacksmith (wait, you already did that), look for entirely new hooks, or just turn in for the night.

You have already developed a long list of contacts here (Tyus, the Mayor, Enoch, Brother Walword, Hyacinth and Kevril Moonstone, Samuel the bartender, Zelgor, Malik, Renny and Piers, Mrawk (wherever he is), Allis and Nordal Livingston (whom you saved from the orcs on the journey north), and Tovar, to name a few). Feel free to hit them up for info, favors, as needed.

It has been less than 24 hours since Sister Gwendelon departed, so the time until her return is still multiple days (you figure at least 5). Beyond that, there is nothing pressing, so if you want to take even a few days to plot out your next moves, so be it. The main map is now the one for Westbank, so use that, as needed.

You also have a little bit of treasure to spend, so feel free to do that. All prices in Westbank will follow the guidelines in the Players Handbook.

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

"Tytus, let me see that ring. Hmm. It's interesting. Not unattractive. A bit gaudy. I like it." Lazaret inspects the ring closely then puts it on.

09:44, Today: Lazaret rolled 11 using 1d20.  Arcana/History/Religion on Ring.

"Now. We have this bit of writing. Show him, Therarak. Do you recognize it? Is there someone around who could read this? I do hope it isn't of Drow origin. Nasty creatures the Drow. They look just like a frostbit Celador. Creepy."

Lazaret pockets Merris' ring.

Lazaret isn't kidding when he classifies the gem-studded ring of Morlough Merris as gaudy. To say it was less than that would be an understatement. The craftsmanship is fair and the gems sparkle all along the band in an attention getting way. Recalling the incidents of his first night in Westbank, Lazaret recalls that Merris wore several such rings.

He pockets the ring as Tyus examines the parchment handed to him.
00:30, Today: DM rolled 6 using 1d20.  Tyus DC15 Perception roll to see Lazaret pocketing the ring.

"No idea what these markings are," Tyus admits. "But I bet Bobbin at the library could do it. He's as smart as they come."

OOC: The library is a modest addition to the All Faiths Church (added to the game map).

In reply to DM (msg # 3):

"Nobbin! Got it." Lazaret grabs the parchment and sprints over to the library.

He examines Merris' ring along the way.

18:42, Today: Lazaret rolled 10 using 1d20.  Arcana (Merris' ring).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:42, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

OOC: Thorfire please make a perception roll. There's something you might notice here that nobody else would recognize.

With gem-studded ring pocketed, Lazaret snatches the parchment from Tyus's hands and scampers toward the All Faiths Church. Shortly after he disappears, Tyus pats himself down frantically, looking pointlessly back and forth as if it might just be floating in the air in front of him. "What happened to that ring? That's part of the investigation. If the Mayor finds out I lost it... oh crap."


On his way to the church, Lazaret removes the ring from his pocket and inspects it more closely. As he noted earlier, the it is a bit gaudy for most, but probably fit in well with Merris's look-at-me style. The gems are small in size, but there are several of them, with one central ruby acting as the centerpiece. The band itself is scratched and the gems are fairly dull. There is no hint of an arcane connection. Lazaret suspects it is nothing more than a gaudy ring, one of several that he saw the merchant wear both the night they first met and again when he made amends last night.

It is a short walk to the library, a small building added to the church. Lazaret enters through the front doorway and finds himself in a fairly small (20' x 20') room stacked floor to ceiling with books shelved in several narrow rows. The room is dimly lit by a single window on the southwest wall (adjescent to the door he just entered). All other walls are lined with shelves. The setting sun through the window alights motes of dust which float in the air like silent watchers. The room smells faintly of vanilla.

Next to the entryway is a short table with a single chair behind it. Upon the table sits a short stack of books, a dull stone about the size of Lazaret's fist, and next to that a small mound (about a tablespoon) of dirt.

The room is silent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:35, Mon 20 Nov 2017.