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."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.