Kerwich meets with the high priests of Larry.   The determine quickly the problem, and even its resolution, a remove curse spell should restore the cleric to his usual state.  But they spend considerable time discussing whether they should do so.  Is it an infringement on the rights of the chest creator to undo what they did.  Personal freedom is paramount to a society.

In the end they do decide that 1000 gold coin, since Kerwich was a cleric of the order after all, would be an acceptable donation for one of the high priests to petition Larry to undo his misfortune.   Though their might be another way, some service could be performed, the retrieval of some minor artifact from a crypt.

Kerwich meets with the others the next morning at the Blue Turnip.

Wist, having waited until morning and after a good breakfast determines that the circlet is indeed magical, as is the zombies mace, though the teapot appears a normal teapot.

The chest of coins remains closed, temptingly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:17, Mon 05 Apr 2021.

After an evening of fine dining and plenty of ale John awoke hung over. His mood was not as overly boisterous as usual and his speech was soft rather than loud.

Rather than sup on ale to break his fast he brewed tea with the copper kettle and listened to Friar Kerwich's tale.

"Ah" he rubbed his brow and spoke in a low voice "ye should hold on to the magical mace friar" he looked to Kadira "and my lady the circlet suits your beauty well" he poured himself more tea "I rather like this kettle myself, good for campaigning" on the talk of adventures he talked of his preference "we are in search for a quest so let the church set us on some righteous task"

Then they had the worry of the coins "let's get this over with. Friar Kerwich can you open the chest again and this time we'll take the coins out. Are we agreed that we'll spend them on a jeweller fashioning some setting for our medallions and we buy another horse for riding, anything remaining we divide?" he proposed "I would like to see the armourer but it will depend on how much is left to whether I can afford plate mail"

The Cleric of Larry gladly opens the chest again when they are back in private.

"If you're all willing to go with me, I need to perform a service for the church of Larry here in town, and they'll remove this curse. I alone might not succeed, but together we have proven hardier than many. As to the rest, I agree to the shopping list."

While in town, would it be possible to have some sort of hood made that covers some of the light from my face?

"A service for the church of Larry surely is a noble deed, and I will join the party again!

I wonder Kerwich, would the church elder remove the curse before we left if we take an oath to do our best to accomplish the task that they have for us?

With your head all glowing, it might attract miscreants to us!"

Turning to the wizard, Wist adds to John's comment, "Kadira do you think you might be able to puzzle out the powers of the circlet? While it is becoming on you, I worry that it might cause you harm if you wear it.

If the statue was of a forgotten goddess, Solis, as John has named her, perhaps the church elders might know something of it?"

---

Let's see how much coin we have and then we can figure out what we can afford on our wish list!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

Kadira doesn't even touch the chest, let alone any of the coins that have come from it.
"I have nothing better to do than assist the church at the moment, presuming they can offer you a cure so we don't need to travel with a bag over your head.

It is very rare to find magical items that someone bothered to make as a detriment, while determining its properties may not be easy I doubt there are two such magical curses in the same location."

The church will remove the curse, before the venture, as Kerwich would be trustworthy to complete the task to the best of his ability as one of the faithful.  And that glowing may make the task more difficult.

Kerwich opens the chest, and again there is a flash, but his face is not brighter than it was before.  Inside are 280 Gold coins, 160 silver coins and 80 copper coins.  Do you close the chest again, or leave it open?

Has anyone tried the circlet on?  No one has posted that they have done anything with it.

"I can take the silver and copper coins in my share as I will spend it easily on a good mount. Then each of us must only carry a purse of gold each. Perhaps we should hire a guide and more fellows to accompany us and look after the horses?" John suggested, expecting that as before they would need to travel then explore without the horses.

The chest opened John filled his purse and went to market. He had slowed the others down on their last quest so sought only to buy what was needed. A riding horse, saddle and saddlebags.

"The cursed enchantment on the chest might have some value to the right person" John suggested to the Companions "some mad wizard might exchange it for something else or pay coin for it."

OOC John will take what he needs to add to his own funds to cover the cost of a horse from the chest. He'll take 61gp, 160sp and 80cp from the chest. More than a quarter share but at least getting rid of silvers and coppers will help with carrying it. He'll take less next time or perhaps as suggested the chest may have some value to bump our funds up.

Clearly uninterested in the gold Kadira accepts the circlet back from Wist once he has confirmed it is magical, and promptly sets it on her head.  The aesthetic value may not have interested her, but clearly magic does.

John would have no trouble finding a horse and riding gear.

When inquired about, there is a wizard in and around Helmsbreach.  His name is Miles Bay, supposedly he lives in a small cottage outside town.  Though like many he is a bit of a recluse and unlike many supposedly only has one arm.

Kadira sets the circlet on her head. It does look fetching on her.

Wist looks at Kadira as she puts the circlet on her head.

"Do you feel anything?

I wonder if the wizard might be able to figure out what it does?"

"What a pretty piece" John cooed as he viewed Kadira with the circlet on her brow. Magic was a mystery to John and whatever magic the circlet held would likely remain a mystery for him. Better that the elf and the sorceress should find some insight into it.

"Let us go see the wizard" John agreed a little cautiously, wizards were dangerous folk.

"I'm ready," adds the cleric.

After setting the circlet on her head Kadira zones out of the conversation for a bit, as if she is focused somewhere else, or pondering some fairly complex puzzle.  When she returns her attention to those near her it doesn't take her long to comment on what they are up to.
"There is no need to visit any wizards on my account, the magic is quite simple, all it does is provide illumination when needed.  Hardly a surprise considering the obvious bias of the location we found it, should be a little bit more versatile than the coins but not better overall."

"Then the only thing we need to dispose of is the accursed chest. We could take it to the priests whilst we petition them for our quest" John suggested so that they might kill two birds with one stone.

"I'll carry it there for us."

"So, if the church buys the chest then is there a need to visit the wizard? After all, Kadira has determined the circlet's power on her own!

It occurred to me that I should visit Master Talx, the smith and purchase some chain armour if he has some that will fit me. On our way back to the inn will do."

---

I don't see anything the prevents an Elf from using heavier armour and still casting spell - DM if I am wrong let me know.

"No need to see the wizard. We can learn of our quest at the church and then get straight to it" John replied to Wist's question about the wizard "glory and honour await!"

ooc: elves have no armor restrictions.

The church agrees to take possession of the chest, if the party wishes to donate it, but does not really have an interest in purchasing.

They will take Kerwich this afternoon, and perform the rituals, he will be good as new in the morning.

Wist, and whomever wishes to accompany him, make their was to the smithy, and find Master Talx in a sour mood.  He does have mail that will fit the elf, but wants 80 gold before he will part with it.