In Lankhmar, a barbarian and a rogue dice the night away in a poorly run inn under the watchful eyes of sanctioned thieves. Outside, in the dark, the Slayers guard the rich from predation, while acting as predators themselves.

In the northern wastes, the snow witches craft their petty schemes to keep their men in line, while in the east, middling sorcerers craft terrible spells of great magnitude.

Beast cults grow in power throughout Nehwon as the spirits of once live wolves roam the fringes of reality and recondite ghouls eat their prey, dead or alive.

Behemoths rage through swamps swallowing victims in one large gulp, cold women move unseen across the frozen wastes, only to strike in ambush the unwary.

And ever inscrutable, Ningauble of the Seven Eyes and his rival, Sheelba of the Eyeless Face proclaim dark and vague prophecy while seeking to out duel the other.

Into the famed city comes a new rogue, doughty companions in tow. What will become of these new wishful heros? Will they find riches and wealth beyond imagination? Will they obtain one (or more!) of the True Blood Rubies of Death, who will one day die himself? Or will they fall victim to the allure of the legend of Lankhmar, forgetting the many traps and skeins that have cost more than one young adventurer their life.

It starts now...

Kalmus sought out a tavern on the edge of town. He didn't want to head into a classy place where someone might take exception to his companion yet he didn't want to die of cheap beer either. Picking out the right sort of disreputable, he ambled in and asked for ale as he sought a corner table at which he and his companions could begin their planning.

Kalmus looked about the room, hoping to spot a thief or perhaps one of the Slayers with just enough ale in him to run his mouth. His plan was to find a reasonably safe crypt to loot or perhaps some forgotten keep with something of value he could bring to the fences for coin.

Being Lankhmar, it was possible that there was such beneath his feet. Caution was the watchword here, risking enough but not everything, that was the key. Excited at the prospect of finding adventure, he forced himself to become calm and simply listen to the conversations around him, hoping for a clue to his first adventure here.

Pious draws a round of laughter when he asks for a 'good' wine. A massively obese man with the hilt of a greatsword peering over his shoulder, wearing nothing but leather pants tucked into well-worn boots, said, "Good wine? More like pig swill, sweetheart. Why don' you come sit next to me and we'll discuss some finer pleasures."

He winks at the priest, then burps loudly.

For his part, Pious shakes his head and orders an ale, then makes his way back to the table with Kalmus and Agrax.

"Told yun, priest, this place no cater to finer things. Jus' shy of a dive," Agrax said. The quick dart of her tongue as she lapped at her beer was disconcerting to onlookers but Kalmus and even the prim Pious were used to it.

"Where we gon, boss?" Agrax asked through a burp.

Their discussion was cut short as the huge man stood from his table. He was a bit wobbly, but his eyes were keen as he made his way to the table. Looking the group over, he determined Kalmus the leader. In a much softer voice he said, "Yer unsanctioned. The guilders here don't like independents. Have a care, the master's no joke, will slit you throat to gullet as soon look at ya. Fair warnin."

So saying, he walked out of the tavern, into the night.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:21, Fri 25 Oct 2019.

Kalmus thought hard about what just happened. He said, "Agrax, I think we're going to go see about joining the Slayers guild. Could be a path to fun and adventure but it also might keep our heads off pikes if we don't join. What do you think?"

"I've heard stories," said Pious. "It has to be safer than the thieves guild,doesn't it?"

ooc - fyi: the Slayers are for-hire bodyguards. Their organization is run by high level assassins. If you join, you'll be fine as long as you pay your dues. Deep rumors whisper that the thieves guild secretly runs the Slayers organization. It could be true, the Slayers are less organized and have fewer members, despite pockets nearly as deep as the thieves.

The thieves guild, on the other hand, is ostensibly the most powerful organization in Lankhmar, possibly even the entirety of Nehwon, and often use slayers for 'work.' The guild master rules with an iron fist and has spies that work for him in every part of the city. You'd likely get more support at an earlier age, but you wouldn't live to enjoy your riches - the master of the thieves guild would see to that. There's irony in there somewhere...

"Indeed. Seems to me that signing up for some rough work is probably better than signing my death sentence if we're successful. What the hells? I think it will work out, we'll talk to them in the morning unless Agrax has other thoughts. Seems a safe bet until we find that fortune."

Agrax's tongue flashes as she licks foam and ale off her lips. With a shrug, she said, "Makes no difference to me long as there's some battle and some loot. Where you go, I follow."

ooc: you aren't really sure why the bitch has attached herself to you. Upon first meeting her, she mentioned being outcast from her pack for some reason. A small hint of intuition made you think that getting kicked out of a gnoll pack was a difficult thing, especially for a female, but upon asking, Agrax showed teeth and growled.

"You're my new pack," was all she said.

--------------------------------

Pious I (as in Pious one because I'm clever like that) is bit more transparent. A Lankhmarian, he did his initiate on the Street of the Gods, in service to the stern lord, Cuthbert. After a row in a bawdy house that he had no business frequenting, the High Priest sent him out into the streets to do missionary work. He's been doing so for the better part of six month, teaching the word of Cuthbert in every dive and whorehouse in the city. Surprisingly, the whores and barkeeps of the city have tithed fairly generously; seeing the amounts Pious brought in, his masters named him "Disciple of Cuthbert' and sent him back on the streets. Needless to say, they were happy, and he most certainly was happy. When he ran across Kalmus in once such establishment, he found a kindred spirit and decided to tag along with him for the time being.

ooc: Oh, thought you'd gone all Papal on me...

"Well then, it's settled. On the morrow, we look up the guild and see what we need to do to join up. We still gotta find that adventure. Pious, you know the underbelly of this place better'n even me. Where should we go to find our next adventure? Some forgotten keep? Cavern with weird noises? Ancient crypt crying out for relief of its booty?"

Kalmus has determined that the best thing is to join up with the Slayers but that still leaves them in need of adventure.

ooc: How are the NPC's equipped? Should I be buying them armor and the like?

Pious gives the question some thought.

"Well," he said. "There are a few opportunities to look at. The first is an old smuggler's cave that the Thieves guild made use of until a cave in made it inaccessible. 'Tis said the warrens down there are labyrinthine, however, and secret entrances and escape routes exist for the sharp explorer. It is a two day journey.

"Second is the old manor outside of the city. Its abandoned now for twenty years, and the upper layers have been picked clean, or so I'm told. But rumors persist that there's still treasure to be found in there somewhere. That's but a half day ride from Lankhmar.

"The third and potentially most profitable - and the most perilous - is the gravesite of Clovis, Lord Baroque. The Grandiose Rest sits but an hour away from the center of the city, but it is well guarded as it's the resting place of the wealthy. Old Clovis died but a month back - since then, there's been three attempts to plunder the tomb. All three have ended with thief's neck being stretched. It would be a daring raid, but most difficult."

ooc: Gotta say I'm leaning towards the old manor and if that doesn't pan, the cave. The grave appeals in a very real and reckless way but I need to get into Kalmus' head a bit, still some blanks in his personality I need to fill....

BIC: "Then maybe we should look at his manor house? I'm good at winkling out secrets, maybe we'll find something overlooked? If that's a dry well, we'll check the caves, maybe there's something there worth looking over.

"We'll need supplies, food, waterskins, bit o' wine. Pious, while we go to the guild tomorrow, would you get our supplies? Let me know how much gold you'll need."

FYI: check your character sheet - you have a good bit on there that's already provided. Also a potion of healing for each of the characters to start.

The Manor should be fun.

A couple of House rules: first level is max hp. since you're a multiclass th/mage/ftr, you take the max of all three, add them, then divide by three. In this case 4+6+10 = 20/3 = 6.67. In this case, I round up for HP, so your starting HP are 7 + constitution bonus.

Future HPs are per class and divided by three: so if you're a mage and you roll a four, you get 2 HP. Constitution bonus applies every time you level up!

Your characters level up each class as your achieve enough XP for the next level. You don't have to wait for all three levels to go up at the same time.

Your starting scores:
17 15 14 13 12 11

You can swap totals on a 1:2 basis. In other words, you want to bump 17 to 18, you have to give up 2 points somewhere else.

I should have put this in OOC thread...sorry!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:42, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

ooc: no worries, we'll get it sorted. It's a solo game after all...

Pious said, "Well, we've not a lot of gold, about 50 coin at my last accounting. Of course, sleeping in the wilds has provided little time to shop, but since we're here...

"And I've got a bit of change in my purse as well, so...tell me what you think we'd need, and I'll see if I can get it."

"Food, waterskins, tent, probably need an extra tinderbox, anything you can think of that might make a stay in the woods a bit more bearable. Thanks for this, I'll get going on the Guild first thing in the morning."

"We have food, water, Kalmus," Pious said. Somewhere behind him, Agrax was laughing, the sound a series of yips that were a bit disconcerting. "Don't you look in your pack from time to time?"

<See: Character Sheet>

ooc: here's how I figure it: you didn't just appear out of nowhere, naked and without any gear. I figure your kin sent you out to explore and see the world with some food, water and basic supplies. You're companions have similar kits - Pious has Holy Water and symbol to go along with that and Agrax has some tricks up her sleeve as well.


What Pious is really going for are eclectic items. We'll see what he can dig up.

Kalmus entered the Slayer's Brotherhood and looked around. A sleepy desk clerk with his feet propped on the desk took a look at him and Agrax and asked in a desultory tone, "Kin I hep you?"

When Kalmus asks how much dues cost, the man replied, "5 gold and 5 silver bits per person, per month."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Pious returns to the same inn they frequented the night before, a sack full of goodies carefully tied to the rope that secured his vestments. The inn reeked of stale ale and worse things. In the back came the clang of pots and pans - apparently someone was putting together the noontide meal.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:57, Fri 25 Oct 2019.

Kalmus said, "Very well, Kalmus the Grey, joining up so that I am licensed to operate here. Here's your money."

OOC: The food was for an extended stay, he thinks maybe if they strike out at the Manor just go straight to the cave and skip a trip back to town...

After paying off the bureaucrat, Kalmus and Agrax make their way back to the Two Clucks Inn. It's daylight and the sign is barely legible, but after a long squint they're able to make it out. As they enter, they see one tired whore sitting at the bar. Sizing her up is Pious, at a table across the way.

As Kalmus and Agrax enter, he waves them over.

"Got some good deals on stuff," Pious said before Kalmus could speak. "Bought an extra ten days of rations for each of us. Got you both a whetstone to keep things sharp. Got five candles in case you need some divine services, and a small bell in case we need a cheap alarm system. Oh, and a pint of fine wine for me and a small barrel of ale for the two of you.

"To add to that, I got 100' of linen twine, five sheets of parchment, three pieces of vellum for your arcane work, a bar of scented soap and a skillet with a sealed tun of lard if we wish and extravagant breaking of our fast."

"And last, but not least: A spyglass. Now, before you get too excited, I bought it on discount as their's a crack in the lens. But you can still see most of the surrounds, from the eye piece. You just don't want to look through it too long as it'll give you a massive headache."

"Before you ask, I could not afford a horse and cart. Did I forget anything?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Fri 25 Oct 2019.

Day One:

It is an early morning that wakes you. Eager, the three of you quickly break your fast before setting out. You distribute the supplies in fair fashion, your packs a bit heavier than before, with Pious taking quick hold of the wine skin, and soon regaling Kalmus and Agrax with tales of the Cudgel, from his strong arm to stern, dry wit.

For her part, the taciturn gnoll says little, but she looks like a force of nature, using her halberd as a walking stick and her recurved bow stowed with the quiver on her back. The only thought she shares: "Ugh, I should have bought a few silvered arrows." Other than that, she listens to Pious with half an ear, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounds with keen intensity.

An hour after setting out, she said, "I will scout." Jogging a fast pace she disappears from view in short order. Every thirty minutes, she returns to make a brief report, "Nothing," before heading out again. Once she comes back and says, "Garbed pilgrims of Death traveling north, away from us."

A half day's journey by mount is a full day's journey by foot; still it is not terribly arduous as you are young and hale, and filled with anticipation of your first big 'job.'

As the sun starts to fall, you approach the entry to the manor where you find both gates leaning awkwardly from their posts, corrosion patiently turning to rust as time does its thing. You can see the manor, about 100 yards from where you stand. All is quiet; even the crows seem reserved as the sun nears its nadir. Actions?


This message was last edited by the GM at 11:20, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

"Let's find a good spot to set up camp, hidden as well as possible. I want to have a look around the manor before we get some sleep." Unloading what's not needed, Kalmus set off stealthily toward the manor, senses keen for any movement or sound.

ooc: Not going to go charging into a ghoul's nest or anything, just a quick look around.

There is plenty of scrub and brush, along with some towering oaks and elms and you find a place to stash your stuff. Places to lay low are plentiful, and you leave excess gear and head toward the mansion which is now but 50 yards away.

Your first impression is that the place must have been impressive when the original owner built it. Gables and spires and other such adornments catch the eye - it doesn't take much to imagine what social engagements must have been like in the place's heyday.

But...

It's old and decrepit now, the stained glass in the windows long since shattered, paint chipped or gone altogether, shingles falling from loosened nails and laying forgotten on the ground.

As you draw near, you see a wide staircase leading up to the landing before the front door. From your vantage at the bottom of the stairs, you can see one of the doors is open, while the other seems to have been torn off its hinges, as evidenced by the deep grooves that likely were made by a crowbar.

What would you like to do?

Pausing a minute to listen, Kalmus cautiously approached the door. It wouldn't hurt anything to have a quick look around. Just because some moron with a crowbar had violated the place didn't mean they'd found everything. With a bit of luck, some was hidden and Kalmus would be able to find the hiding places.

Cautiously, he moved into the structure and looked around carefully.

As dusk slowly gathers, Kalmus leads the way up the stairs and into the entryway of the mansion. A great square antechamber greets you, perhaps 50'x 50'; fallen in the middle of the floor is a huge chandelier, broken glass in evidence throughout the surrounds.

The walls are bare except for old implements for hanging pictures and tapestries - though none are in evidence. Papers are strewn about the chamber, leftovers perhaps from squatters. Of certain such poor souls have stayed here though you wonder where they might be; it isn't cold, per se, but a break from the wind would be welcomed by folks in need.

The most notable thing you note are twin staircases, one leading up and left, the other leading opposite to the right.

Approaching them, you find the carpet, once rich, now in tatters.

What do you wish to do?

Kalmus thought a minute and decided up and right, checking for any booby traps as he went...

With Pious and Agrax waiting at the bottom of the stairs, Kalmus does a careful search of the stairways, slowly moving up each step in a back and forth march. It takes a good 10 minutes for him to complete the short meander, but he seems to find nothing.

Go ahead and roll to find/remove traps 1x.

01:38, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 57 using 1d100 ((57)).

er.... uhmmm....

And...nothing happens. Either you didn't find the trap, or one doesn't exist on the stairs. Reaching the top of the stairs, a broad hallway stretches before you, 20' wide and about 100' long. Through the windows, you can see that dusk in in full bloom. Agrax can see fine, you start to get that in between feeling as your eyes adjust to the dark, but Pious breaks out a torch.

"Don't wanna stub my toe," he said a bit sheepishly. "Ya mind if I light one o' these?"

"Sure. Fire it up, might help." Kalmus looked about in the light of the torch. A hall had to got somewhere for some purpose, so he followed it cautiously, hoping to find something, anything, secret passage, hidden compartment, magical trick... it's an adventure after all!

After twenty feet, you notice a door to both the left and right, facing one another. The door is wood framed, with basic patterns that might indicate that the former owner was not as lavish inside as he was without. Still, it is intact, though the wood of both seem dry to your eye. Glancing further, you can see the recesses of two more doors some 20' from the first set, in the same configuration. The torchlight fails beyond that.

You could try one or both the doors, or continue down the corridor.

Kalmus decided to try both, checking for traps and locks...

Will be out of town Starting Sunday, probably won't post on my games tomorrow. Won't be back active until at least Monday week. Winter

The door on your left opens to your touch so that you don't need to check for locks or traps.

The door to the right seems locked. Roll for traps.

ooc: House rule - I require one role for finding and removing traps, not two separate rolls.

23:22, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 88 using 1d100.  Locks/traps.

ooc: die roller still hates me...

You have four choices - try to open the locked the door using force, go to the door that opened to your touch, continue down the hallway or retreat back to your impromtu camp.

Head for the easily opened door, worth a look. If it looks completely plundered, we'll head down the hallway.

You enter a spacious guest chamber, with a canopied bed against the far wall. Alas, the canopy is fallen, the curtains gone to ruin, but you get the gist that this was a well appointed room for important guests.

On the left side of the room is a wardrobe. On the right and escritoire tight against the wall. A porcelain bedpan sits overturned in the far right corner, a large piece chipped out of it.

In the middle of the room sits a divan, facing a wide hearth long gone cold. A brief glance notes paper sitting in the hearth.

Agrax watches outside the room as Pious awaits you nearby.

What would you like to do?

Kalmus checked over the room for traps then moved over to check the paper...

There is nothing of value in the escritoire, nor does there appear to be anything else of note beyond the scorched writings that sit cold in the hearth. No traps, that you can find.

The paper is parchment, common stock, thick and heavy grade. It is  scorched, burnt along the edges, but the thickness seems to have prevented it from being fully burnt. You note hasty scribblings on the top layers. They seem to made with a fine quill - the paper has small tears, as if the writer was pressing too hard in his haste to finish the composition. Why he threw his composition into the fire is a mystery.

The top sheet reads as thus:

Lord Krevar is mad. For a third time he has stormed into my room raving about enemies outside his doors. Better he should look within his doors at the transparent fiend he calls friend. Amazing how closely the two words compare! HA! I shudder, recalling the sight of bones and vessels pumping clear liquid through its body. We have yet to find where Lady Quarfors has gotten to. I will leave come the morning, find her or not...at least, if I still live.

Regis, Lord Quarfors

The remainder of the writings are burnt crisps that disintegrate at your touch. Suddenly, you hear the faint sound of footsteps from down the hall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:21, Thu 14 Nov 2019.

ooc: uh-oh

Moving quickly and quietly towards the door, Kalmus looked towards the sound to see if it was a threat. After reading the note or journal entry, he was a bit rattled. He stuffed the note into his pouch for later reference, maybe there were more documents that would illuminate who Lord Quarfors was.

"Boss, sumptin's comin," Agrax said from her post outside the door. "A shuffling humanish type thing, cloaked and bent over like a broke stick. Talkin' to itself, cussin' an' fussin'. Whatschoo want me to do?"

"Stand by, I have an idea." Kalmus moved forward and neared the figure. He said, "Lady Quarfors?"

The figure peered out from beneath the cowl of his cloak and said, "Lady? You must be blind. I'm no lady." The voice was cultured.

Sure enough he lifted the cowl to reveal a man's face, though terribly disfigured. It was apparent that he was old now, and seemed to have sufffered some cruel scars, perhaps fireborn, or acid. One lid, the right, seemed sealed shut, the skin over it sunken into the socket as if the eye itself was no longer there. He had to turn his head to see all three of the party with his good eye (Pious exited the room with Kalmus).

"Who are you," he asked.

Kalmus regarded the walking ruin before him and thought Well, 50/50, guessing this is the Lord of the place. Answering the man or whatever it was, he said, "I"m a wanderer, I did not know anyone lived here. Forgive the intrusion, who, praytell, are you?"

"I am called Reggie," the man said, an element of disgust in his voice. "I am the the manservant of the keep, such as it is. Who, pray, are you, and what right do you have to be here?"

The man appears a bit mad.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:14, Fri 15 Nov 2019.

"What? You do not know me? Kalmus the ah, Baron of Greyhelm! Where is  your master?

"Baron of Greyhelm?" the man shouts. "Where the hell is Greyhelm? There is no Greyhelm in the registry! Who are you!"

The man is obviously overwrought.

Make an idea roll, per the new house rules.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:32, Sat 16 Nov 2019.

Pious stands uncertain, unsure what to do in the face of this raving man. Agrax grips her halberd tightly, ready to defend Kalmus if the man grows more belligerent.

Both missed their idea rolls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:34, Sat 16 Nov 2019.

03:15, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 62 using 1d100 ((62)).

&@##@%Q$#$%#!!!

"You have a copy of the Registry? We're not in it? How OLD is that Registry?"

Nonplussed by Kalmus' screams, Reggie cringes. Suddenly, the manservant turned to look behind him. It takes Kalmus a moment to discern what the man was staring at - it was apparent that he was disturbed by something.

Then that something became vaguely apparent. From the darkness an ethereal figure approached.

From the sway of her hips, she was female and exotically alluring, her every step catlike in its grace. A bit taller than a normal human female, she wore a rapier at her hip, leather armor warded her chest, and twin bandeliers of daggers crossed between her breasts.

What truly disturbed Kalmus, however, was the transparent nature of the approaching doxy. Within the framework of the body, the skeletal structure could be seen, invisible blood flowing through veins and arteries like some mad doctor's living anatomy model, a skull with eyes that stared at you with...hunger.

"Reggie, dear, why didn't you tell me we had guests?" she asked in a sultry voice.

Behind Kalmus, Pious whispered "Gods and Demons!"

The crazed man fell to the floor, and pleaded, "I did not know they were here, Mistress."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:35, Sun 17 Nov 2019.

OOC: I'm going to assume that Kalmus has heard tales of the otherworldly 'ghouls' that have colonized the shadow areas in and around Lanhkmar. Based upon what you see, and descriptions you may have heard, including their fondness for human flesh, you guess this is indeed one such creature.

Take note, however, they are not ghouls in the traditional sense. They are living entities.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:26, Sun 17 Nov 2019.

"Dear, helpless Reggie," she murmured. "Don't cower like a craven before our guests. Go and find a bottle of wine, the finest mind you, and bring it to the dining room. Hurry along now, else I should be wroth, even more so than I am now."

As the man scurried quickly away, she said to Kalmus, "Your holy friend seems out of sorts. Have no fear, I've but recently had dinner, so you are safe for the nonce. I would hear news of the outside world if you're willing. In return, I offer you safe passage from this doomed place without interference."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:37, Sun 17 Nov 2019.

Oh, crap... yeah, I remember them now!

"Agreed. We've recently arrived in the area and were told that this was a ruin and no one lived here. I would be more than happy to tell you of what we've seen." Kalmus gave the ghoul a slight bow, "Kalmus the Gray at your service."

"Polite, I like that," she murmured. "Come, follow me."

She leads the way along the corridor to the end, passing multiple doors equidistant from each other to where a narrow staircase leads down. The stairs are wooden, and creak loudly, but seem sturdy enough.

At the bottom, you find yourself in a pantry that opens into a large kitchen. Following her through the kitchen you scent a faint miasma of decay, though you're unsure which part of the kitchen it comes from. Rather than ask questions, you follow silently until at last you make your way to an intimate dining parlor with a circlular table and high backed chairs, and a fire already lit in the hearth.

"This is my favorite room in this forsaken place," she said. "Please, take a seat, Reggie will be here shortly, I'm certain."

Her voice is cultured, but the accent is unlike anything you've ever heard before, alien and obscure.

Sure enough, Reggie arrived post-haste with several bottles in his hands.

"Leave now," she said to the man servant; he did so without word.

With languourous precision, she opened a fine red and poured for each of you. Then she sat and sipped her own and asked, "What brings you to this place?"

Kalmus lifted his glass in salute then sipped the vintage, savoring its flavor. He set his glass carefully on the table, composed his thoughts then answered, "This wine is excellent! May I say that your hospitality is as gracious as our manners were shoddy in this incident. Truth, we had heard that this place was abandoned and held adventure, mystery and wealth. Since we had little else to do and a slight run in with the underside of polite society recently, we decided to come here and see if there were any silver goblets or loose coins lying about. We did not know it was your home or we would have knocked. Seems our sources have lied to us and we owe you an apology. I am deeply sorry we disturbed you even though it's led to the broaching of this fine vintage."

Her grin is disturbing.

"I almost think you're trying to seduce me, Kalmus," she said with mocking laughter. Then, in an instant, her demeanor changed and she said, "I could snuff you out like a candle, if I so chose. I see an opportunity, however, for me and for you. Behind the mansion is a small, how do you say, obelisk?" She says the word softly, as if tasting it, before continuing. "Yes, obelisk, an honorarium beneath which the former lord of the manor is laid to rest. A venal man, his will and testament indicated nothing for his three children. Rumor has it that a secret entrance opens into the chests and coffers of his wealth...if one could but find it."

She sighs, sips her wine, the red a titian glow as it descends her esophagus into her gullet.

"I have spent two years trying to find the entrance to no avail. Two of the three children are dead. I ate them - they were quite tasty. The third, seeing my corruption, fled wisely and has not returned. A shame, really. She was quite a lovely girl. I was hoping she could lead me to the secret entrance so that I might recover said wealth."

"My deal with you is this: find the treasure and I will offer an equal split. Keep in mind, however, should you betray me, I will devour you slowly as you watch."

With a macabre grin she asks, "What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:25, Sat 23 Nov 2019.

"I say that you've made me the best offer I'll get tonight. I would be happy to find the treasure and split it with you. I had not imagined that I would find someone to partner with on a potentially lucrative venture. Tell me, why would the man be buried with the loot? What possible use would he have if he's dead? Was he such a bastard that he decided to take it with him? I think if you decide to eat me, I'd like my friends to have my stuff, sell most of it, get really good and drunk as a wake and keep the rest. What would I possibly want when I'm cold in the ground or maybe warm in your belly?" Kalmus shrugged. He didn't really much care about the woman's origins or appetites, he DID care about the information she could provide and the potential power an alliance with her could bring. Sure, it was a risky thing but Kalmus didn't get into the life to play it safe. Maybe she would eat him or maybe make him rich. Kalmus smiled and waited for her reply.

ooc: After she responds, Kalmus will go check the monument and see if there is any clue to where the entry might be or why the man would want his treasure buried with him.

"Polite, and a pragmatist," she said. "And why, indeed. Apparently the man was obsessed with his wealth. You'll find the obelisk in the back, sitting atop a small rise, about a quarter of mile away. You can see it clearly in daylight. At this point, you'll need a lantern to see much of anything outside. Happy Hunting, Kalmus. I am counting on you."

True to her word, night had fallen. Also true, the lantern did lead the way in the dark. Soon enough you reached the obelisk, plain with only the surname 'Krevar' engraved on the face.

Kalmus noted everything he could. Based on the previous post, the area seems to be a small hillock, Kalmus is going to assume that the mound is artificial for the moment and check out the obelisk. He notes the shape of the base, height of the monument and the orientation, the nearest structures and anything natural that is close. If there is nothing near that suggested an opening or the remnants of construction, he will assume that the entry is either buried or at some distance from the obelisk.

Turning to Agrax, he said, "How high do you recon this mound is? What sort of grade does this look like? The Clear Lady said that there is an entry, so I'm guessing we don't need to dig, just figure out where the builders sealed the tomb off. I'm looking for anything that might indicate a tunnel or maybe some other access. What do your Gnollish eyes see?"

Agrax hands the halbard off to Kalmus and gets down on all fours and begins to sniff the ground. She starts in the area around the obelisk, then expands the search in concentric circles until she's almost to the mansion again.

Suddenly, she stands and jogs back to where Kalmus and Pious wait.

"I found a depression," she said. "It's barely noticeable, little more than a divot that runs a couple yards one way, and a yard the other in rectangular fashion, almost in the shape of a coffin. It doesn't seem to be a natural formation, rather it seems to me that someone dug a hole, then did not fill it in completely so that eventually it sank a bit."

As she takes her halbard back, she leads Kalmus toward the spot, with Pious coming behind. As you stand in the darkness, you observe a few things: Attached to the house is a decrepit wooden tool shed, the left door hanging loosely from one hinge. Tools are scattered outside the shed, as if someone rifled through to find implements of digging and such. It appears that once their lack of usefulness was apparent, whoever was searching the shed left the implements were they lay.

Turning your attention back to the task at hand, you focus your full attention on the depression, shining the lantern's light along the ground. You don't really see what Agrax is talking about until she gets on four legs again and walks the depression's perimiter. It is so vague as to be invisibile, but by angling the lantern in just such a way, you barely make it out.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:00, Sun 24 Nov 2019.

Checking the shed for digging implements, Kalmus and crew begin the excavation of the depression. Once they get some dirt out, he'll evaluate: empty grave or hidden entry?

Kalmus grabs a shovel, Pious a pick and Agrax a spade and the three of you dig along the bounds of the depression.

How long will you dig for?

Kalmus intends to go down at least four to six feet though if anything interesting or impenetrable is encountered, he will reconsider.

It is heavy work. Soon the three adventurers are sweating. You dig for about an hour, and are about to give up when Pious hits something that sounds suspiciously like wood. Spurred on, each of you work harder; another hour passes before you find what appears to be a coffin. Strangely enough, the box appears to be padlocked, the lock itself heavily rusted.

Agrax grins. "You're up, boss." she said.

Kalmus broke out the tools and a little oil to use on the lock to loosen it a bit. He then went to work and quickly opened the lock...
23:08, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 19 using 1d100 ((19)).

Kalmus' tools are up to the task; after dousing the lock with oil, he finds is snaps open without a lot of fuss, despite the rust.

Below, the wooden panel awaits.

"Just a point of curiosity before you open the box, Kalmus," Pious said. "Why would there be a padlock on top?"

"Either to keep us out or keep something in. Better keep that holy symbol handy." Kalmus drew a dagger and eased the panel open...

Kalmus eases the panal open. His dagger at the ready, he takes a close look before leaping - a good thing, too, as two tiny figures look up from the ruined frills of their shared casket and smile in glee. Their skin is parchment thin, their eyes glow a cold cerulean, and their voices are the soft cooing of toddlers, which is what both appear to be - or, at least, what both appear to have once been. It is a macabre and frightful scene.

Suddenly, they leap toward you with a quickness born from undeath, their hands outstretched, their fingers clawed.

No surprise, please roll initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:43, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

19:59, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 4 using 2d4+1 with rolls of 1,2.  Dagger damage and strength bonus.

19:59, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 21 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,8.  Dagger attacks.

19:58, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 3 using 1d6.  init.

My bad, damages should be 2 and 3, didn't check something.

As the two ghouls prepare to attack, Pious whips out his holy symbol and calls down the wrath of his deity. Unfortunately, the line is busy, but he does just enough to distract one of the critters against him and away from Kalmus. The little bastard is quick - but not quick enough as Agrax steps before the priest and impales the undead child upon her halbard. The little beastie shrieks as it squirms on the end of the blade, and with a wicked flick of her wrist, Agrax sends the remnants of the soul of the second ghoulish child back to the abyss.

Kalmus, meanwhile, has his hands full with the first deader child. As he attacks with his daggers, he scores one hit for 3 points of damage. At the same time, the undead attacks with two claws and bite, and scores one hit for 5 points of damage.

Kalmus roll a saving throw vs paralysis please.

Attack Order: 1-Pious, 2-Kalmus/Ghoul, 3-Agrax.
Ghoul -3 damage
Kalmus -5 damage

ooc: Woohoo!!

22:23, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 18 using 1d20.  Save v Paralysis.

ooc2: Of course, that doesn't mean it won't claw me to death....

Pious stepped forward bravely, but with Kalmus partially shielding the wee one, he was unable to strike with any sort of force or accuracy.

With Kalmus acting as an inadvertant shield, the little ghoul was able to score him twice:
Damage was 1, from the second claw and another 1 from another bite.

Kalmus and the ghoul attack one another simultaneously, so Kalmus can attack, but then must roll for save vs. Paralysis again.

Meanwhile, Agrax brings forth her halbard once again in effort to reap destruction upon the second ghoul: Pending

Attack Order: 1-Pious, 2-Kalmus/Ghoul, 3-Agrax.
Ghoul -3 damage pending Kalmus action.
Kalmus Total -7 damage

01:03, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 15 using 1d20.  Save.

01:02, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 8 using 1d20.  Dagger 2.

01:02, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 8 using 1d20.  Dagger 1.

Luck's holding!

As Kalmus dodges the worst of what the ghoul had to offer, Agrax again steps forth with purpose and shoves the tip of her halbard through the ghoul's sternum. Bone cracks, and a desperate wail carries over the surrounds like a siren as the little monster follows his sister to the abyss. Each of you are panting from fear, exultation and exhaustion, and take a moment to congratulate one another before inspecting the coffing.

Seeing the blood oozing slowly from Kalmus' multiple wounds, Pious offers healing. Kalmus is fully cured, back to full health.

As you study the inside of the coffin, two things stand out: first, there are small, semi-precious stones scattered throughout (1-5gp worth apiece), second, at the long end of the coffin there seems to be another, smaller portal positioned to lead deeper beneath the earth.

"Thank you, Pious, that was not much fun. Their little claws burn!" Kalmus studied the portal carefully and regarded the stones. He said, "I think we'll just pile these aside and cover them somehow, come back for them later. It's time to investigate the entry and fulfill our deal with the Clear Lady."

Kalmus checked for traps around the entry and studied it carefully to see if it slants down or if there are any markings, etc.

ooc: By "portal" I'm reading "opening" so just quick check to make sure we'r on the same page. You said deeper but as we're on a hill is that horizontal, vertical or at a downward angle or is it actually a door and we'll have to see once we're through?

Traps:17:13, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 53 using 1d100.  F/RT 35 +10 (magic) = 45 (low level sucks! The one thing I loved about 2nd ed, you put the points on theif's skills where you wanted 'em!! Ah, well, couple levels will cure that.)

Despite the night, you recall while the sun was still shining the rolling fields that ambled their way about. There's no ridges, per se, though occasionally a stone height will peek through the grass.

As for the 'portal' it seems like the bottom of the coffin has a cutout of sorts that leads deeper below ground.

Hopefully that helps.

OK, I'm reading "hole in the ground leading to certain death"...

Onward!

W

ooc: no, not yet anyway!

Kalmus inspects the coffin fully, shoves the small gems toward where a head would lay in the coffin, then moves toward the 'feet' side of the coffin. Beneath the dirty lace and lining inside the coffin, you find that part of the wood has been cut out. You easily pick away at the lining and discover a 10x10 ledge directly below you, perhaps 5' down.

Kalmus' thin frame provides some advantage - he makes the leap easily - but Pious and Agrax struggle with Chainmail and halbard respectively. With a growl of frustration, the gnoll sets aside the halbard in such close quarters and readies her crossbow, then gives Pious a push through the hole, where he falls the short distance to the ledge. A moment later, Agrax leaps nimbly down, her crossbow in hand.

Below you stretches a dark shaft into darkness, past the range of any infravision. A small draft moans lightly from below, bringing with it the a charnal smell.

Tactics? Actions?

Kalmus softly asked the others to stay back while he let his eyes adapt to the dim tunnel. Once he could see, he carefully checked out the passage first with infravision then with light, looking for traps. Satisfied that there are no immediate threats, Kalmus will drop a torch to see how deep the shaft is. If it still appears not lethal, he will secure a rope if possible and head down to see what might lie below.

The shaft is exactly that, a hole dug like a miner might create, descending straight down into  darkness. With a light source, you can vaguely make out what appears to be a dim ledge below you - or is that just twitching shadow disturbed by the light? There are many places to secure a rope, including rungs nearby where you stand looking down.

Actions?

Secure a rope and drop it down to see if it reaches the ledge. We'll drop a torch as well (thought I'd posted that but it's been a wild couple days!). Does the rope reach? Can we see more with the torch having fallen to the ledge?

ooc: you did - post 79 right above mine. Sorry.

As you light the torch, one thing becomes immediately clear: the ledge you are on and the shaft are stone. The light from the fire is not enough to see further down, so you drop it. It falls and falls and almost goes out, but finally lands in a scattering of embers perhaps 100' down. There it lays, a small point of light in the darkness. 50' of rope won't be enough (Agrax and Pious both have additional rope).

Securely tying another rope onto the first, Kalmus said, "I'll go down first and have a look around, will wiggle the rope if it's clear." Scooting down the rope, Kalmus slowed as got near the bottom and had a good look around. If there was nothing noteworthy, he slipped to the floor and checked his surroundings...

Kalmus descends. It takes him awhile, but he manages to get to a small chamber hewn from the stone, not quite 10x10. A narrow passage opens to his right, about 7' wide. It seems to run straight.

Kalmus tugs at the rope. Agrax descends quickly, Pious slowly, but eventually the three of you are reunited at the bottom of the shaft.

"We're making toward the obelisk," Agrax said. Maybe 50' down that corridor, if it runs true."

"There's bound to be traps if this treasure is present," Kalmus commented. He retrieved the torch he'd dropped and coaxed it back to life. Holding it aloft, he checked the narrow corridor for traps, moving as slowly as was needed to be thorough.

Check 1: 18:54, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 38 using 1d100.  Narrow corridor traps.

Surprisingly, it is just a passage. It ends at stone wall. Above it is flat piece of level hand-carved stone, 8x8 on each side and even with the top of the passage.

Again, Agrax offers her opinion.

"I might be wrong, but I believe thats' the base of the obelisk," she said.

"Why would they dig a tunnel under the obelisk? Makes no sense unless something is hidden within..." Kalmus checked the 8x8 area (feet, right?) to see if it opens or contains more than initially meets the eye. After that, he will check the walls for hidden openings (secret doors, markings, discoloration, odd changes in the grain of the wall, etc).

Roll to find traps, please.

00:07, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 6 using 1d100.  Obelisk traps.

Woohoo!

True to his training and to his brilliance as a young rogue, Kalmus finds and disables a blade trap on the bottom of the hewn stone. There is a waxy substance on it that he's careful to avoid. In addition, he discovers that the trap on the bottom of the obelisk is a decoy; the wall that seemed so harmless a moment ago, cracks open to reveal a secret passage way.

The vague taint of death that has lingered is now fully present and emanating from the passage.

The passage itself is about 5' wide and descends at a slight grade.

ooc: well done! I was playing odds that you would find the trap, but anything over 10% meant you missed the secret door. 6% will do the trick!

ooc: nice!

Kalmus looked down the new passage, unsure what to expect. He looked at his companions and shrugged then turned back and carefully began to check the passage for traps...

Kalmus' search for traps yields nothing.

The passage before you is dark like the grave. The low moan from before now seems to gather strength, and somehow a strong breeze blows through the passage, enough to cause eyes to water. The smell is rancid, like spoiled meat.

As you take your first tentative steps into the passage you note the walls go from roughly hewn to supurbly cut, with frescos painted thereon. The scenes picture the life and times of a manor: Servants happily working in the fields, Carriages carrying folk to fine fetes, a father with his children...all of which belies what you've heard and seen thus far on these unhappy grounds.

Suddenly, a series of low moans attract your attention: three long dead mean wearing the tattered clothing of workmen approach slowly from the gloom, each carrying a tool like a weapon: ax, hammer and knife!

OOC: You recognize zombies before you - initiative is yours.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:33, Sun 08 Dec 2019.

Kalmus will try to hide in shadows while hoping Pious is on the job...

20:54, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 98 using 1d100.  hide in shadows.

ooc: Shadows? Hah! hidin' in the light, plain sight, all right, hind sight, zombie blight!

ooc: LOL.

Kalmus ducks for cover as Pious steps forth with his holy symbol and cries out, "By the light zombie blight!!!"

He offers a shrug to Kalmus for affect: 22:03, Today: Pious I rolled 5 using 1d20 ((5)). Failed to turn undead.

The deaders keep moving forward.

Then Agrax aims, looses a quarrel: it misses and bounces instead off the stone wall. 22:06, Today: Agrax rolled 2 using 1d20 ((2)).

The Zombies take their turn: 22:07, Today: Stormbringer rolled 44 ((19,11,14)).

One swings his ax at Kalmus and hits but it's barely a scrape: 1 HP Dmg

The second swings his hammer at Pious: 3 HP Dmg

The third swings his knife: 3 HP Dmg on Agrax, who barks in rage.

Party's turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:09, Mon 09 Dec 2019.

09:07, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  to hit zombie.

ooc: Zombie??? what zombie, got nuttin' but air here!

Where faith fails, a strong arm conquers...sort of: To hit 14. Damage 1HP

Agrax cocks and looses another bolt, this time nearly a bullseye: To Hit 19 Damage 4.

Her lips pull back in a feral smile as the bolt smashes through the deader's sternum and lodges in the empty cavity where it's heart used to beat. The deader falls dead once again.

The fates must be kind as the next series of attacks by the remaining two deaders are ineffectual.

Kalmus Action?

03:47, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 13 using 1d20+1.

03:47, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 21 using 1d20+1.

Damage: 03:48, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 10 using 1d8+3.

2: 03:48, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 11 using 1d8+3.
I think this is a crit (natural 20) so double die damage or double damage?
so... 16+3 = 19 or 11X 2 = 22...... should nick the critter up a bit.

ooc: Crit = double total damage. When you sneak attack, for instance, you do total damage. Makes it more fun for the player when you roll that 20.

Kalmus absolutely destroys the deader before him.

Meanwhile, Pious and Agrax tag team the last deader: 5 & 7 to hit respectively...which does not hit, unfortunately.

Afforded another opportunity to do damage, the deader swings and...hits for 4 points of damage against Agrax, who yips in pain, then growls.

One more walking dead to go...

With a grunt and a push, Kal slashed the other deader...

17:54, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 10 using 1d8+3.

17:54, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Zombie attack 3.

Kalmus takes the final deader down with a flourish, offering a smirk to his two companions.

ooc: the passage awaits...

"Everyone OK?"

"Out of healing, Kal," Pious said.

"Shit," Agrax growled.

Kal nodded, "No problem taking time to rest up and heal. I don't think the nice, crystal clear lady will eat us for taking the needed time." Kal stood watch to let the others rest...

DM frantically rolls some dice, mutters to himself, curses the player, mutters some more then says: An hour of prayer on the part of Pious would suffice to get him his spell back.

At this point Agrax is down 4HP. I think everyone else is in pretty good shape (Kalmus down 1HP, iirc).

Once the warrior woman is healed, we move onward, slowly. Kal checked for traps.

22:42, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 93 using 1d100 ((93)).

Ugh... "What is this trap of which  you speak?"

'nope, no trap there, or there or there and there and there...'

You head down the passageway, Agrax is fully healed, Kalmus down 1 point of damage. Y'all feel pretty good about yourselves having killed 'real' ghouls and few zombies. What could possibly be worse than that?

Then you come to the end of the passage and before you opens into a room, perfectly shaped into a circle some 20' in diameter. The craftsmen did their job well; the wall is crafted stone with small recesses that line the wall like points on a compass, each holds a sculpture of some sort or another. One is a naked nymph pouring water into an urn, another is sword set before a shield, the third is a griffon in flight and the last is a young boy looking thoughtfully at his dog. Each sculpture is a master work. Kalmus takes a brief glance, guesses each is worth 500 gold.

Of greater import, however, is the sarcophagus that sits directly in the middle of the chamber. Surrounding the sarcophagus are four chests, two on each side. Each chest has what appears to be a standard lock.

As you study the room from the entry way, a sepulchral voice said, "Who are you to disturb my rest?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:42, Sat 14 Dec 2019.

Kal was initially taken aback by the voice. He regained his composure and said, "I am Kalmus the Grey. I honestly did not mean to disturb your rest but you see, I have this problem. There was this clear woman up there that said we must come down here and see if we could find your tomb or she'd eat us with a side of fava beans and a nice Chianti. She neglected to mention that you'd be down here resting, of course, we thought we were coming down here to retrieve some bauble or the other for her."

"I care not for your troubles," the voice replied. "Go, leave me be to continue my soul's tortured wandererings."

Kalmus frowned, "Wanderings? Then you're not the person buried here?" Kal thought How can his soul wander yet be stuck in this crypt? Something isn't right here besides the fact that I'm talking to a dead man.

"Those without always thought me a miser, only interested in gold. I was more than that, however, a dabbler in the secret arts. My gold was merely a tool that I used to gain the knowledge I needed to learn what the mystics called necromancy. After killing my two older children, I was initiated as an acolyte into the Dark Path. Once my earthly form perished, my soul flew free of the mortal coil, and I went in search of further knowledge. Now I've the ability to roam the netherwastes and other dark demi-planes in search of further knowledge."

ooc: you'll want to remember the name 'Dark Path'. For right now, you recall a vague rumor of a group of ascetic mystics dedicated to the worship of death.

"Now, leave me to my studies."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:43, Sun 15 Dec 2019.

Kal said politely, "At the risk of further irritation, may I ask to what end  you've continued learning after death itself? What could you want now that you're a spirit?" And would you mind sharing some of that knowledge? he thought wryly. Kal began to look about, to gauge how aware the spirit as of his mortal possessions. Perhaps he wouldn't mind losing a bauble or three...

"As I stated, I am free of all mortal coils. I can travel almost anywhere, though the higher planes would not welcome me, and the lower planes would seek to enslave me. Why such curiousity - most come here for the chests surrounding my sarcophogus."

"What are petty baubles against the knowledge of the ages? Would you share some of that knowledge with me?" Depending on what the spirit said, Kal might either attempt to loot or listen with rapt attention...

"I will share, but first you must send your henchmen out. They can not be privy to such secrets, for they do not share the basic knowledge that you possess of mage craft. That training you received offers an opportunity. In this, I will be your guide."

Once Pious and Agrax retreat down the tunnel, the voice said, "There is a hamlet in the white lands to the far north called Winter's Home, where witches cast fell sorceries to manipulate others to do their will. Few who go there escape. None who go there escape unscathed.

"In the very center of Winter's Home a great pine tree rises toward the sky, the tallest in all the surrounds. In a bole in the tree sits a book of blackened leather. It has a hasp that locks, with magical wards that will explode and destroy the book if anyone is foolish enough to try to open it. It was put in the bole by a former colleague, Brevin Gard, who, so the tales tell, was hung from the highest bough upside down and left to rot. Winter being what it is in the region, it seems more likely than not that the doomed fellow froze to death.

"All that to say this: find the book and bring it back to me and I shall reward you with two spells that should appeal to your inquisitive nature.

"Fail, and don't bother coming back."

"It will be so. Thank you, it was very kind of you to treat with me and I look forward to learning." Kalmus led the others back up to the surface where he returned to the ghoul.

Approaching politely, he said, "Dear lady, we have made progress! I'll need an object to proceed. It may take some time but we will return once we have secured it and are ready to take the next step. Please do not think we have given up on the treasure you described, it is all we think on."

ooc: There is nothing to prevent Kalmus from getting the book, learning the spells and fulfilling his bargain with the ghoul... (evil chuckle).

When you say a level of magecraft, do you mean Kal advanced to the next level of MU?

Thanks!
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

ooc: That's exactly what I mean, you're one level higher. I am a most beneficent ruler of my little kingdom. But you don't really think it's that easy, do you?

The ghoul looks at the three of you with a hungry eye. "What is this 'object' of which you speak. Quickly now, my hunger wakes!"

Kal shrugged. He said, "Some sort of book. Seems we need it for access."

"What you speak of smacks of magic," she replied. "How did you learn of it, and how long will it take to acquire?"

ooc: note - during the conversation with the Ghoul, she tells Kalmus that she ate two of the former resident's children. Later, during the conversation with the spirit of the former owner of the manor, he says he killed his two older children. In truth, the spirit has it right - part of the rite of passage was to kill those nearest to him - his youngest child, a young woman now, fled from the manor. She hasn't been heard from since.

"It's absolutely magic! Pious has a nose for such and has divined with chicken guts or something equally absurd that this thing is needful. As to how long, I have no idea, days at a minimum. I have no intent on going back on our deal when we're this close if you can restrain your appetites for the moment and allow us to deal with the puzzle."

ooc: She said she ate them, so one surmises she dined on their corpses with a nice red from the cellars. While half the above is pure fiction, Kal hopes to placate the ghoul and allow the party to slip away and grab the book, bring it back and gain the reward before telling the ghoul the way is open...

Maybe two powerful undead can neutralize one another?

My thoughts are that we use guile which seems to be the best weapon at the moment and perhaps later find a way to leave with life, limb and sanity intact along with some serious treasure.

Who know? Maybe Kal seduces her and, after a rousing session, if he remains unconsumed, he lulls her and slips away with the whole thing. We'll need porters and block and tackle but Kal is willing to give it a shot.

ooc: Nehwon Ghouls aren't really ghouls, nor are they undead. They are living beings purported to have come from an alien civilization. One thing's for certain, cannabalism runs deep in there genes.

After Kalmus discussed his plans, she said, "When you get back, I want to see this tome. It might have information that would prove useful to me. Should you prove true, I've rewards that I can offer that you would find enticing. Play me false, and I'll enjoy roasting you over a spit."

"As you wish," he said simply with a tight smile.

ooc: I recalled that they were not undead and were, in fact, living beings. I seem to recall that they were more human than not when pushed despite their dietary requirements. If I've misplayed it, I'm sure she will enjoy eating Kal.

ooc: Just wanted to clarify that.

Kalmus nods in seeming acquiescence, then retreats from the manor with companions in tow, heading up the stairs from the private dining room to the hallway. Heading toward the the stairs leading down to the manor's entry, they find Reggie crouched and softly humming to himself at the bottom of the stairs. He looks up as you approach and whispers, "Run, run and don't come back to this cursed place."

Suddenly, he rushes up the stairs with an awkward gait, is if nursing some wound or injury.

Kal said, "Anyone know this place, Winter's Home? Do we have a map available to get there?" He didn't seem upset by Reggie or the ghoul just eager to get on with the acquiring of spells...

The priest looks disturbed for a moment as Reggie flees. "Do you think Reggie might be Regis, Lord Quarfors from the burned papers?" he asks. Shaking his head sadly, he added, "I'm afraid the Lady Quarfors will prove difficult to find."

That said, he attends to Kalmus, offers, "It is a three week trek on horseback to the Winterlands, slower dependent upon the weather. The further north we go, the more hazardous it will be, as avalanches and mysterious creatures native to the frozen tundra become quite common. Then, once we get to Winters Home, we'll have to contend with the local authority; rulership is matriarchical, with each settlement having their own coven. These are no hedge-witches, either. There is the heirarchy, and the strongest among them is usually a master level practitioner of the arts."

"I hope that helps, Boss." Pious added as an afterthought.

Info dump: It is currently late summer, early autumn. Lankhmar is a temperate setting. The further north you go, the more hostile the environment becomes. Depending on the weather, you have a 25% chance of hitting heavy frost and/or snow. For each week of travel after the third, that percentage goes up 10%. Less than 10% on the dice = a blizzard. Autumn Northeasters are not unheard of.

I will roll percentage die for each week of travel to determine the climate.

Depending upon the status of your funds, you might find canvas wraps w/ woven rope belts for about 5 cp apiece, fleece leggings and gambasons for 8sp apiece and fox, martin or similar fur for 8 gp apiece in Lankhmar. Agrax has her own insulation, but keep in mind gnolls are typically desert raiders, so she can certainly freeze to death as well. Let me know if you have any questions - I'll be closing this thread and starting a new one once you indicate you've finished any last minute details and are ready to move on.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Fri 20 Dec 2019.

OOC: out of town next couple days in case you missed it.

Kal weighed his options. Was it possible he could return to the tomb and liberate some small bauble to fund the expedition? Even a few hundred gold would make a huge difference. The spirit didn't seem too concerned about wealth so he thought it might be worth the effort to at least try to secure some small valuables for the funds.

To Pious: "I think it very likely you're right, friend. The clear woman seems potent to the point of being very dangerous. I'm going to see if I can secure some funds to pay for equipment for the trip. Be ready, I may come out in need of healing or...worse."

Kalmus heads back beneath the surface to ask for an advance.

"I am dead, Kalmus," the spirit said. "What use have I for gold and baubles? You will find no coin here. You're a smart man; I will leave it to you to figure out a way to acquire some coin."

ooc: as you pass the coffin where the two child ghouls made their restless slumber, you note the stashed semi-precious stones that were stowed in their coffin. There are a lot of them; a brief appraisal shows each gem to be worth 1-5gp each. Also, don't forget the statues in the four recesses in the dead wanderer's crypt. They have some real value that you could make use of when you return from the north.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:41, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

ooc: got it!

Kal bowed, "Forgive my foolish lapse. We will find coin, I had but hoped for a quick solution to the problem. We will return." Gathering his companions, Kal gathered up the statues, the gems and headed back to town to outfit the group for the trip.

When they arrive, he will sell the statues (haggling bitterly!) then check into buying the items they discussed and see if there is enough to purchase horses. If so, can Agrax ride?

You take the statues to a local art dealer, but he wants nothing to do with the them. He does, however, offer some sage advice.

"Have a care, elfling," he said in thick true-nehwonese (TN sounds like a blend of Germanic and Slavic languages). "You'll run afoul of the Thieves if you try to sell those statues to a reputable dealer. In the end they'd merely steal the pieces from me anyway if I bought them; a sunk cost, no? Besides, the pieces are said to be cursed. Better you should sell them elsewhere, in the east, or even the north where such treasures are rare. You'll make more than the 25% the Guild will offer."

When posed the question of a mount, Agrax grins and yips. "Unless you've a warg for me to ride, I will walk. My legs are not suited to a horse. Have no worries, however, I can keep up with your horses, even range ahead as a less noticable scout."

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ooc: Recall the descriptions of the statues: Each is a masterwork.

1- a naked nymph pouring water into an urn; 2- a sword set before a shield; 3- a griffon in flight; 4- a young boy looking thoughtfully at his dog.

If packed carefully, you shouldn't have any issue transporting the statues.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:23, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

"Well, then, we'll take them along and sell them elsewhere. Where might we find the materials to crate these up? Many thanks, good sir. Pious, we are going to the livery," he added after finishing the discussion with the merchant. We'll try to get at least a pack animal if not a couple of nags for us to ride."</blue>

You can get two riding horses and a pack mule for 70 gold. The total gold piece value of the gems from the coffin is 115gp after the money lenders take their cut. If you buy the two mounts and a draft mule, you'll have 45gold left for provisions to the north and the cold weather equipment I spoke about in an earlier post.

As an aside, most mercantile money systems were based upon the silver standard. 45 gold is a lot of money for most low level characters. Add to that whatever you'll gain from pawning the statuettes, and you will likely make out very well.

ooc: Agreed. I took my FTF games off gold and sub'd silver decades ago. I added the brass bit and the iron tik as lesser coins worth .1 copper and .01 copper or .01 sp, .001 sp respectively.

BIC: The group will go buy the cold weather gear prior to packing up the statues for transport and heading out.

ooc: That will give me a chance to review the threads. Today is the day we take down all the decorations and believe me, that's an all day thing!!!

ooc: LOL - taking down the decorations. My wife doesn't let me take 'em down until January 12, which Catholic tradition holds as the day the baby Jesus was baptized. So we are typically the lone holdovers on the block when everyone else has put their stuff away.
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You have three choices of winter gear:

Canvas wraps w/ woven rope belts for about 5 cp apiece (minimal protection in blizzard conditions, fleece leggings and gambasons for 8sp apiece (moderate protection) and fox, martin or similar fur for 8 gp apiece in Lankhmar (best protection).
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:25, Tue 31 Dec 2019.

We'll probably go with the best protection.

Catholics believe Christ was baptized as a baby? Really? Didn't know that. The Bible clearly teaches that he was baptized by John as a grown man. Ah well, guess that's what happens when tradition rules. One of the many problems I had with my old church, that and the bickering and backbiting... yikes. Was horrible and resulted in a literal fist fight in the parking lot. That's when we left.

Fast forward to the next morning:

The three of you each get a set of martin fur with lined legging and cloaks, all well oiled and in good condition, along with riding boots with fleece interiors (extra large for Agrax) to go along with the horses and the trail rations you've already bought.

You also purchase a small coffer for 8 silver, 4 boxes for storing the statues for 3 silver apiece (12sp total). The coffer will carry your remaining wealth and fits neatly into one of your saddle bags. What's left is 400sp (Equivalent to 20 gold).

The merchant offers to convert some of the silver 'for a small fee.' Conversions are typically 10%

Let me know if you want to convert any of the silver.
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Armed with mounts, beast of burden and some new clothes, you make ready to ride.

Now's the time for any last minute considerations. Let me know if you have something on your mind, otherwise we'll move things along.

ooc: go ahead and move things a bit, I want to re-read a couple things. We will probably buy extra food, some oil, etc...

ooc: all prices at standard PHB rates. If you want a wider selection, you can look at OSRICs list of supplies. FYI.

True to her word, Agrax takes off at a loping run. The stench of Lankhmar fades as the old manor comes back into view. Happily, no one is present outside to see them off. Soon they follow a well worn track heading northward. After about two hours of riding, Agrax comes into view standing beneath an old mile marker pointing in many different directions. One of the signs points north, the directional indicating northward is the route to the Northern Wastes. Faded, Northern Wastes looks more like N-rt-an Wast-s'.

"Not much around here. Only saw a few folk, mostly workers, on the road. None saw me."

Pointing, she added, "North is that way."

So saying, she began to lope again to the north. Soon after, the terrain changed from cultivated, to wild, with a gradual shift from plains to intermitant copses of trees to dense thickets, until at last you find yourselves in a thick, primal forest. Shortly after Kalmus leads Pious beneath the eaves, they come upon another marker where Agrax awaits them.

"There's an inn up ahead," she said in her hoarse, gutteral accent. "Maybe a mile. Had to come back to look for you. Thought you got lost" She yips in amusement at her wit.

Dusk is near. The weather's still mild, but there's a brisk taste to the air that speaks of colder climes to come.

Actions?

Agrax leads the way to the in. Called 'The Crossroads', as evidenced by the massive wooden sign atop the roof, the party takes in the site with some measure of appreciation. For a crossroads in, it seems to be doing a brisk business inside, with laughter and curses in equal measure filtering outside. Just as you catch the eye of one of the stable lads, a couple head toward the stairs, briefly acknowledging you with a nod before entering.

Once the lad takes the three animals in hand, the three of you enter within. Sights, sounds and succulent smells fills the place. It is a fine establishment, and nearly filled to the brim, though luckily you and your companions find three barstools in a row at the far end of the bar. A woman approaches. To say she was beautiful doesn't do her justice. It's obvious she has some fey in her, perhaps a bit of dryad as well, with just a slight taint of succubus to add some spice. She shows teeth that are blindingly white as she asks, "What'll you have?"

"What is it that's got the place smelling so good? I think I want some of that! Would you be a dear and bring me an ale to wash down the dust of the road? Agrax? Pious? what will you have?"

ooc: forgive me, been distracted with stuff last week or so, should wrap up this project at work this weekend though I suspect it will be an ongoing PITA for months. Sigh. I really, really don't get paid enough to put up with their crap...

The lass pauses, her smile expectant as the three of you decide on what to eat. This close, you can't find any flaw on her face, though her hands are callused, especially along the tips of her fingers.

As the party decides, she offers, "We've a fresh roast on a spit out back, mutton stew boiled and then covered in Darnut's secret sauce, or duck, chicken and wild turkey on the menu tonight. You canno' go wrong with any."

With a kind smile, she adds, "The mood has taken me, so I'll be playin' tonight as well, after the dinner custom. I'm called Elora, by the by. Holler if I don' get yere drinks fast enough."

Once the orders are taken, she makes her way toward the cutout between the bar and the kitchen and shouts out your orders to the cooks.

The place is a madhouse, the dining area wide open with plenty of tables, all of them full at the height of dinner time. A balcony overlooks the main dining room; above are private dining areas and even rooms on the third level. Quite frankly, it's one of the most ostentatious inns you've ever come across.

A look around the room offers a mixed blend of folk: Humans, elves and dwarves in large measure, but also orcs, half orcs, goblinoids of all flavors and even a group of gnolls having dinner in their typical unrefined way.

OOC: As with all bars and taverns, there could be a lot to learn here, or you could just ignore everyone and follow your own rede.

----------------------------------

I put a pic up that's a rendition of the lass if you like artwork.

Also, no apologies necessary. I get it.

"You play? Beauty AND talent? Rare. Can't wait to hear you. Bring me some of that tur-duck-en please. (Couldn't resist) And, luv? New to these parts, if you get a minute, I'll make it worth your while to tell me a bit about the place and people."

"In brief, we get folk from all points on the compass: sorcerers from the east, barbarians from the north, wizards from the west and south, ghouls from Lahnkmar...if things get out of hand, I've got ten bouncers on this level and each level up - 3 total, so 30 - to handle things. Never had a big problem, truth told, and folks who get thrown out are gone for good. Mind yer manners, enjoy what you came for and leave with smile...or don't come back.

"That said, what'cha want to wet yer whistle?"

She talks almost as fast as she serves; there are a couple other barkeeps behind the long, darkwood bar, but they're running a garden snails pace as compared to her kinetic energy.

Agrax asks for a honey mead, Pious asks for a dry red wine.

"An ale for me. I promise to behave. I didn't want you to think I came here to make trouble! Just passing through and making conversation."

She flashed a bright smile that was simply incandescent, then rushes off to fill you orders. Seems but a moment, but she's back with a runner holding a platter full of dishes, passing out food to each of you in perfect synchonicity. Then comes the drinks without a drop spilled.

"How'd I do?" she asked with a flirtatious wink and grin. Then she's off again as quick as she came, beckoned by another patron.

The three of you settle into your meals, which are simply delicious. As you push the dishes away, one of the barmen comes over and slides three plates toward the three of you. Each is the color of lime, with a soft creme set atop a thin crust. It smells somewhat of citrus, with some other aroma that you can't quite make out.

"Your dessert is on the Lady's tab," the man said, sketching a quick bow before retreating back to his duties.

The dessert is fantastic, as you expected - for a wayside inn, the place is of royal quality. Soon enough, you milk your drinks and feel the evening's lassitude take hold as the place slowly clears out. Still, most of the patrons stay, as rumor swirls that the Lady will play.

A sudden quiet falls, and a light shines upon a small stage mid-room. Standing at the center, she begins to sing without accompanyment. Her voice is a rich alto, like a creme-brulet, and the place grows preternaturally quiet as all listen in wonder. Soon, tears are falling among many patrons. Pious is no immune; freely his eyes rain as he stares at the lass in wonder. For once, Agrax has no grand retort, and even you, Kalmus, are not unmoved.

The song comes to a slow stop. A minute passes and then she begins to sing a jaunty, skipping and dancing around the stage. She's like a great gypsy queen, dancing, strutting, kicking her heels...all the while the patrons clapping to her fey beat. Several more songs, she plays, the last a limerick based tune that leaves the crowd filled with scandelous laughter. Her performance done, she steps behind the bar and pours herself a shot of bourbon, hoists the glass to the audience and downs it in one swift gulp. Slamming the glass on the bar, she points to Kalmus and says, "You, come with me."

Kalmus wiped his eyes then wiped the idiot's grin off his face. He stood, smiling and followed the lovely piper, seemed his lot was to be a rat these days, may as well enjoy the trip!

She grabs his wrist with a firm grip to catcalls and whistles from below, and leads him upstairs to an ornate chamber that at once serves as both office and boudoir. The bed is dressed in lace and lavender, and a warm fire burns merrily in a small hearth. A divan sits in the corner of the room, with a padded chair beside the bed. The room speaks to understanted opulance.

Somewhat breathless, she asked, "So, do you like my place?"

Before you can answer, she pushes on. "Been here some two decades," she said. "T'was a strange rede that led me this path, but I love it, love my patrons, love my food, love my freedom. Which is kind of why I pulled you from your reverie. Your lot seems competent, like you can handle yerselves in a scrap and aren't afraid of getting your hands dirty."

She pauses, breaks out a bottle of a mellow red and pours two glasses. Passing one to you, she continues.

"This brings me to my quandry," she said after a small taste. "I've need of a service, one that needs be discreet. The particulars are simple, another sad tale of unwanted attention from a man of ill manner who will not take no for an answer. His latest attempt at flattery found him tossed out on his arse by my guards, whereupon he threatened my home and hearth, and even my life. I would forestall that outcome if I could, but the noteriety of any countermeasures on my part could be devastating to my business. Thus, I would hire you to handle this problem for me in a discreet and permanent manner. Will you consider doing this for me?"

Her smile is winsome, but there is about her eyes a strain that you hadn't noted before.

"It's worth a hundred platinum if you do."

"I do like your place, yes. Very nice. Before we go further, before you think me a fool, I am Kalmus the Grey. May I have your name?" Kal was aroused. This woman was something else and he wanted her, wanted to help her but something just was. not. right.

"I am sorry, Kalmus," she said, abashed by her manner. "My name is Elora Din Dinan. I'm a mixed blood which sometimes leads me in twelve directions at once. I'm a bit of a scatterbrain to boot, a thought flitters then leaves replaced by another. That said, I can control myself with an effort of will when needs be. I can also focus as well. Ask whatever's on your mind and I will answer truthfully. What is it you would know?"

Kal smiled, "Elora Din Danin, it is a rare pleasure to meet you. Tell me of this man who troubles you. We're on a mission but it's not time sensitive, just very lucrative, and frankly, we'll probably be eaten anyway. Tell me what you know and of any weaknesses, peccadilloes, fetishes even. You mentioned he likes you, well, he'd be a fool not to find YOU attractive, so what else? Every man has his weak spot and it's not always his balls."

"I would not like it if you were eaten," she replied with a fey grin. "I'm only just getting to know you!"

She giggles, a silly, high pitched sound that is slightly painful to your ears. Still you can't help laugh under the influence of her charms. When she settles, she looks up as if in deep thought before finally turning back and saying, "He is feyborn of the Shadowold, a knight of the UnSeelie Court, the second son of a second son - not so auspicious when I count myself the fifth daughter of a fifth daughter, especially when I'm good friends with the seventh son of THE seventh son, which is no mean feat!"

"Anyway, he is smitten with me and has proposed mating, but I've no use for him. He is arrogant and uncouth and the scent of elderberry follows him in a foul miasma that I find distasteful. I tried to be nice, then aloof, even haughty but he would not take the hint. I am but prized game to him, a mark, nothing more, and his latest histrionics have left me no choice but to take action."

She speaks like a run-on sentence and her bosom heaves in delightful fashion. You are enamoured: please roll your save vs. magic

13:11, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 13 using 1d20 ((13)).

Kal saved but stood there with a grin trying not to drool anyway. "Fifth of a fifth? Bet there is power there though I am not familiar with the numerology that drives it. I doubt you'd need much luck, you're beautiful and talented, can't say I blame the man for wanting you but I do kinda hate him now. Say on, dear lady, I would hear (and see) more."

"Oh, you are strong," she said, her voice coy. She looks at you a bit more intently, speculative, before saying, "Well, this changes the game a bit, for you, for me and for my would be paramour."

Standing, she makes her way toward a small curio chest and opens it. After tossing a few trinkets on the table upon which the curio resides, she comes back with a brooch and offers it to you. "This is called "FeyShield and it counters fey enchantments, almost guaranteed to protect you against spells of the Seelie and UnSeelie court. It has two latent characteristics: first is protection from said enchantments, which covers pretty much every spell known to fey. The second accelerates your normal bodily functions to match the speed and efficacy of the fey."

Pausing for air, she adds, "You also an active component as it fires three magic missiles at at a time against enemies, three times per day."

Offering a winsome smile she asked, "Will you challenge him? Please?"

Kalmus nodded, "I think I will, Elora. My companions and I need some rest tonight but we'll set out in the morning. Thank you for the protective amulet. I'm sure this will come in handy!" The woman had just tried to ensnare him with magic but he figured, what the hells?

"Any chance we could have a cup of wine, leave the maneuvering behind and you just be Elora and I can just be Kalmus for a while?"

"Oh, Kalmus, you've read my mind." Elora wraps long arms and legs around him as her lips shower him in kisses. Soon enough, clothes are pulled off and tossed to the floor as both pant and moan with desire.

Pausing briefly to light a candle and dim the lamps, she leaps on top of Kalmus with a girlish shriek and thus they begin the serious art of loveplay.

Kalmus gave himself to the night and the woman. He had had dreams far worse than this reality! He made love to Elora and let her do what she wanted then just let her be Elora after, holding her as long as she wanted.

After a night of bliss with a feyborn princess who apparently had a diverse education in physical pleasure, followed by several hours exhausted spooning, Elora wakes up and prods you with an impatient finger.

"Up, up, sleepykins," she said with an all too bright smile. Frankly, with the scent of lavendar in the air and her perfectly coifed hair, it seems like she didn't engage in rigorous coitus at all.

"Time to fulfill your promise!"

Hopping naked from the bed, she shakes her ass a few times with a giggle (a delightful sight that leaves you half-cocked), then says, "More of that when you finish your task. Now, let's get dressed and ready to face your rival! His name is Devlin Shadowbrook and he's a knight of the second order - you may recall me saying as much, second son of a second son, yada, yada...anywho, I have it on good authority that he'll be at court today with his parents to offer his petition for my hand in marriage - blech! - to the Unseelie Queen. While I don't think the old witch will agree to such a match because he's nto quite as august as the fifth of a fifth, I fully think that she's vicious and sneaky enough to match me up with someone of higher rank who is even more obnoxious than Devlin. Got it?"

Roll a save vs magic again, please.

Kal watched Elora spellbound, hanging on her every word, checking out her derriere often...


13:33, Today: Kalmus the Grey rolled 11 using 1d20.  save 2.

OOC: did he just lose his soul or wind up ten years in the fairy hill?

With her ass distracting you in fascinating ways, you barely hear what she as to say. Something about petitions and the unseelie queen. You nod absently as she dresses, then jump to as she said, "What're you waiting for, luv? We've got a court to crash! Let's go!"

She throws your gear toward you, helps (hinders) you get them on, then grabs you by the wrist and leaps through the wide mirror with you in tow. Your eyes close instinctively as you follow in her wake, but it's more like diving into a small lake, though you are still dry once you reach the the surface on the other side.

"Behold, my once and future home," Elora said. "Nice, huh?"

You are surrounded by manicured forests intertwined with suspended vines and other such things as you might find in a primeval forest. Still attached at the hand, she pulls you forth along a sandy path until you both arrive in a wide clearing. There is a crowd there of pixies and nixies, brownies and sylphs, dryads and all sorts of other strange and wondrous beings, myths mostly from where you come from.

In the middle of the clearing is a matron with fine, pale skin and daunting black eyes with no iris. To say she is beautiful is an understatement; rather, you find her haunting.

"She has that affect on mortals," Elora whispered, though not low enough as her eyes immediately turn to find her at the sound.

"Hi, Gran," she said, cutting through the crowd like the proverbial hot knife through butter. "Miss me?" she asked with an impish smile.

Kal lowered his eyes and waited for the older woman to speak, dialed up "respect" to 11. He took in his surrounding, particularly any possible threats while he waited.

"Slumming again, Elora?" she asked, one eyebrow raised in a disapproving manner. "Who is this half-breed you've deigned to bring to my court?"

She studies you like a cat might study a rodent, while around her the other members of court snicker in disdain.

"Highness, I am Kalmus the Grey, no one of particular import. I will let Elora speak on her own. For my part, allow me to say that his gathering is glorious and unexpected. Thank you for not having me killed on sight."

Leanin turned the full force of her black gaze upon Kalmus as a small grin turns into quite the wicked smile. "Who is this charming morsel, Elora?" she asked as if she hadn't heard Kalmus speak. "And where might I get one?"

Suddenly a slight personage exits from the crowd of onlookers, a young man who cried out, "Milady, my petition for your granddaughter's hand." He held forth a rolled parchment, extending it toward the Queen of the Unseelie Court as if in proof.

"Oh, put that away, Devlin," she said. "You are not serious about my daughter. Nor are you worthy, despite the fact your devil-may-care smirk has every young miss in the court fluttering their eyes at you. Second son of a second son is worthy of some small note, but fails beneath the light of my granddaughter's fifth of a fifth. Better you should find someone who will truly dote over you...which I have done. Amilidora, come, meet your new betrothed."

A lovely young sylph stepped forth from the crowd, her diaphanous gown revealing most of her finer attributes, with sequins shimmering in various pastel colors. Her eyes, ice blue, fixed firmly upon him and as she drew near, she knelt before him and crossed her hands behind her back as if waiting for him to bind her. Looking at him with adoring eyes, she said, "Your wish is my command, master."

Suddenly, Devlin's petition went up in a sudden blaze, his effort met with great applause, especially Amilidora's clan who seem especially happy with the match. Leanin offers lusty kisses to both Amilidora and Devlin before dismissing the court to their daily celebration.

"Come with me, both of you," she said in a matter of fact tone, walking away from both with the expectation of being followed. They make their way to an ancient oak with many branches that carry the weight of many abodes. Near the top is a grand flet with shimmering lights that breathe life into the dusky surrounds. Sitting upon a wooden throne, she said, "Who are you, Kalmus the Grey?"

A moment later, several servants arrive with refreshments and food.


ooc: recall you have the brooch that protects you from enchantments.

"I  born of an elven mage, sired by a human warrior. The circumstances
of my birth were such that they shamed the daughter of an important House and
led to scandal. As I up, his mother taught him his letters,
mathematics, history, magic and Elfin Lore but I was restless and matured
far faster than his fellows. Those self-same fellows hated him anyway, so I
spent much time alone. Then a man showed up in the village, a big, strong man who took an interest in a half-blooded boy and showed me how to fight. I later learned that he was my father.

"So, glorious one, I am no one, really, just a man looking for his weird. I would, however, like to help your granddaughter who has been so kind to me."

"I bet she has been kind to you," the queen said with a laugh. For her part, Elora had the grace to blush.

Leanin's grin turned downward, however and she looked far more closely at him in silence as if divining his intent.

"You've the taint of death, Kalmus," she finally said. "I would know more of that."

"We had a brush with a Nehwon ghoul who sent us into a tomb to confront an restless ghost about his treasure. I've been around death a lot recently. We're off to find a tome the ghost wants for whatever reason. I had no idea that ghosts kept learning, I'm afraid I'm still wrestling with the idea." Kal looked her in they eye and told her the truth, sensing that the fey woman was no one to trifle with nor was she one to waste even her vast reservoir of time.

"Ach! They aren't ghouls, no more than I am," Leanin replied. "They are cannibals from another plane, chased from their homeworld by their rivals. Now they are here, in Lankhmar and the surrounds trying to gain a foothold. I would prefer they did not, however. The dark fae and light rarely agree, but in this we have struck an accord. These ghouls must go elsewere. Their magic is unstable, corrupt and threatens all of Nehwon, including the demi-planes of light and darkness. Would that I could find someone with the ingenuity, courage and strength to deliver these planar felons a blow. Surely their reward would be great if they were to succeed."

Her gaze is keen like the edge of a knife as she awaits your thoughts.

"I must admit I was more favorably inclined towards her before she threatened to eat me. Seemed like a shoddy thing to do to someone who simply wanted to... ah, loot an old ruin that happened to be her home. What did you have in mind in this regard?" Kal had a sinking feeling that he was going to find out, at least find what she wanted him to know.

Surprisingly, perhaps, Leanin laughed aloud.

"You are droll, Kalmus," she said. "T'is fitting, I think, that you are here. The fates work in their own way, curse their ragged souls, but in this, I think they got it right: you seem the right man for what needs done."

Suddenly, she stands and claps twice. A thunderbolt crashes down from on high, twisting between the boughs of the tree so that no harm comes to it at all. On the flet appears an eladrin of great beauty, her clothing intemerate, her eyes a dark violet with flecks of platinum interspersed throughout. The affect gives an impression of eternity.

"Stop showing off, Elle," Leanin said. "We've business to attend."

The other, Elle, sticks her tongue out, eliciting a laugh from Leanin. Standing, the dark queen approaches and hugs the other Queen and said, "Welcome back. I think I've found one who might fit our needs. Meet Kalmus the Grey, rogue, warrior and wizard all wrapped up in a neat little bow. Introduce yourself to my sister, half-blood."

Kal offered a bow to the newcomer fae queen and said, "I am Kalmus the Grey, journeyman warrior and novice wizard, born of a hero and an elfin mage. I am deeply honored to meet her grace."

"He has a pretty tongue," Elle said with a glance at her sister. "Yet his name sits between black and white. I wonder, is he trustworthy?"

Pondering this, she moves toward the table and pours wine into a silver chalice. Taking a long sip, she stares at Kalmus before asking, "You call yourself a novice and yet we've need of someone whose acuman cannot be doubted. Has my sister described to you the dangers you will face?"

"No my lady, not in detail but I've met one of them. Vicious beast with foul magic indeed. I suspect I will have to strike hard and fast to survive. I say 'novice' for I've yet to master the greater magics, I know only small magic, useful in my trade."

"Tell me of this 'ghoul' you've run afoul of," Elle said. "Recall every detail that you can."

Kal ordered his thoughts, "Judging from the sway of her hips, she was female and exotically alluring, her every step graceful, that is until I got a better look. A bit taller than a normal human female, she wore a rapier at her hip, leather armor warded her chest, and twin bandeliers of daggers crossed between her breasts. I could see through her flesh, her skeleton, invisible blood flowing through veins and arteries and her skull with eyes that looked hungry.

"I was startled to find that she had a sense of decorum, manners even. We drank wine and talked a bit. She only let us live because she had a use for us, she didn't even try to hide it, rather came right out and told us of her needs.

"As we drank, I could see the wine running down her gullet and into her stomach. It was disconcerting, yet fascinating. I recall thinking that if she were clothed with normal skin, she might be fetching. Her servant, a wretch named Reggie, had been driven mad being around her, constantly on about her organs and whatnot.

"We contracted with her to access a treasure hidden on the grounds of the ruin in which we found her. Turns out the treasure was in a tomb, the tomb had a ghost and the ghost had an agenda, so, we headed out to fulfill the ghost's request to gain access to the tomb so that the see-through lady could have her wish.

"And then, I met Elora. I have to be honest, after hearing her sing, I had all but forgotten the horrors of that ruined estate. Thank you for that, dear lady." Kal stayed on point, remained honest but was still wary, these sort of creatures considered even long lived men such as he to be pawns and playthings at best. Whatever they offered, he knew that the sweet came with a lot of bitter for those not ready for consequences.

Elle looked at her sister, released what seemed an aggravated sigh. Petulant even.

"Minor noble," she said, casting her glare at Kalmus. "You mentioned a manor, so the place she stays in is, mm, large enough to support a full cadre of staff and such if the place were fixed up? I daresay that there's one beneath who outranks her. Greater powers among them enjoy intrigue almost as much as flesh and will often hide behind the curtain, so to speak, while others do their bidding."

Pushing on, she asked, "Tell me more of this Reggie fellow? Who is he, what purpose did he seem to serve? And the spirit in the sepulcher, what did he want from you?"

While she seems a bit intense, she seems genuinely curious about all the topics discussed.

"Reggie seemed a member of the family though I do not know the exact position he held. The manor was very large and could hold quite a few people, it was empty except for those two as far as I could tell. I did get the feeling that Reggie was once very sharp and a wise man, though I don't know why. The ghost asked us to retrieve a tome, we are to go to  Winter's Home, where witches hold sway. In a bole in the tree where a man named Brevin Gard was hanged sits a book of blackened leather. It has a hasp that locks, with magical wards that will explode and destroy the book if anyone is foolish enough to try to open it. The spirit is very interested in it and wants it badly."

Elle approached Leanin and brief whispers were exchanged.

Elle turned back to Kalmus and said, "Okay, your initial plan seems sound, so traveling north suits for the time being. Death is as natural as life, and furthering the deity's aims are in line with our own. Hell's and high fives, succeed and he may even grant you a boon.

Go, get ready to head north. Once you have the tome, bring it here and we'll see about what comes next. Oh, and Elora will accompany you as well. Her knowledge of various Hedge-magics will prove invaluable. Now go get ready and be off.

Elora is quiet on the journey home. Both of you enter her chamber through the liquid glass, and she quietly goes about readying her pack for the journey. She finishes quickly, looks at you and asks ,What are you waiting for?!

She seems cross.

Kal said, "What is it? Your grandmother took care of your would be suitor and we're off on an adventure. Are you angry because you meant to use me and be done?"

Elora grinned. "Silly man, you sound like a spurned woman," she said with a laugh. Crossing the room, she gave him a hug and kissed him deeply. Once you both come up for air, she said, "I'm sorry, luv, I didn't mean to be cross with you, but it'll be weeks until I'm back doing what I love. I've got good people to run the place, but no one does it better'n me."

"That said, Leanin and Elle are aligned in this. My goals goals align with theirs, even if both look at things from an opposite perspective. But, much as they contend with each other, there is real love in our family. They wouldn't send me into danger if they thought the risk too much...but I'm a future heir to my Gran's throne, and not without my own power. I cannot shy away from this task."

"Now, that said, let's go find your companions and make ready to leave. We've mounts for our use; I've even conjured up a great hyena for the gnoll girl - no one lags behind."

Both of you finished preparations and headed down into the main parlor, where Pious and Agrax sat eating. Agrax looked up first, but then Pious noted your presence and said with a grin, "That was quick."

Kal brightened a bit at the explanation. He followed her downstairs, admiring the way her hips swayed as she negotiated the stair. Once he spotted his companions, he nodded with a grimace then said, "Better get packed up. We're moving out as soon as we can. Seems there's a bit more skin in the game than we first thought."

Once they had their things together, Kal lead them out to the stables to get acquainted with their mounts before leaving.

ooc: Hyena? LOL. I'm sure she'll be thrilled.

Agrax exited the inn with the others, but suddenly halted. Sniffing the air, she turned around only to find a dire hyena cordoned off from the other animals.

 "This is mine?she asked. At Elora's nod she rushed over and inspected the beast closely. After some soft yips and a few growls, Agrax nodded her head and said,A good beast. He will do.Sound

ooc: we ready to go?

The curtain closes on chapter one. Well done. I'll post chapter two shortly.