As you sit in the common room of the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf looking out through the window, you see four people come out of the market crowds, making for this establishment. Two men and two women, middle aged and prosperous-looking, they appear to be merchants. They enter the inn, but do not come directly to the common room. You hear them talking to the innkeeper outside for a moment, but their voices are muffled. At last they come to the entrance to the common room and look in, while the proprieter - a half elf - continues talking.
"...well yes, this is usually a good place to start looking for those types, but it is early and there is next to no one here right now. Have you tried Ray Jay? I know he's away right now but perhaps Ming could help you," the innkeeper loves to talk when given a chance. "See? There is only this maiden here right now," he adds, waving vaguely at you, "Excuse me, miss," he says to you, "But when you arrived last night did you say that you were an adventurer? If you are, then these fine people would like to have a word with you."
While you are composing an answer to the innkeeper's question, another person enters the common room...he is dressed in the robes of a cleric. He looks at you and at the innkeeper and merchants.
Sasha blushes and hesitates briefly before answering the innkeeper.
"Um..yes. I guess I am." She glances at the merchants and gives them a quick smile. "Perhaps you could tell me the nature of your troubles...I will try to do what I can - though I must admit that my experience is limited and I am newly come to this city."
Sasha looks to the cleric standing nearby and nods, inviting him to join them.
"These fine people have need of some adventurers - is that your calling?"
The newcomer says nothing but comes over anyway.
Sasha waves them to her table, and then sits down to listen, her quill and 'notebook' ready.
The merchants seat themselves opposite Sasha, and introduce themselves.
"I am Toobus," says one of the men, a rather portly specimen, "And these are Verona, Lita and Meglar. We represent the Outer New Sandas Residential and Merchants Association."
Sasha introduces herself. The other man maintains his silence.
"We live and work in a rather nice quarter of the City, outside of the Wall and south of the West Gate," says Verona. "Do you know it? No? Of course not, dear, if you just arrived here yesterday."
"We are having a problem with a property in our neighbourhood owned by a - ahh - absentee landlord," continues Lita. "It is an abandoned house, been that way for years."
"It's hurting our property values," adds Meglar. "We want it cleaned up and cleaned out."
"Then parhaps ye should be hiring a contractor or a charwoman," puts in the innkeeper, who is still hanging around.
"We don't mean that literally!" snaps Meglar, "The place has become occupied by all sorts vermin and unsavoury creatures! We need people to go in there and kill them!"
"They come out at night and terrorize the neighbourhood, you see," adds Verona smoothly. "That is simply unacceptable...especially with the party season coming up."
"We have heard rumours that a - a - bugbear! has taken up residence in the old house!" says Lita.
At this point, Sasha does become more interested and concerned. She >leans forward eagerly, "A bugbear! Only one? Or are there more? And what other kinds of creatures?"
"Oh, other, less pleasant things, too. One of my servants claimed to have seen a pack of dogs...only they were skeletons!" Lita continues. "And we seem to be having an infestation of giant bugs, too."
Pillar looks excited at such news, and hmmms thoughtfully.
"Undead eh?... Well this could prove interesting, but also more difficult."
Toobus pulls a face at this point.
"And thieves," adds Meglar. "There have been some robberies in our neighbourhood, and we suspect that a renegade thief or two is operating from the place. This must be stopped!"
"We've tried contacting the owner, but he doesn't reply," says Toobus. "We could complain to the City Watch, but that would mean filling out forms, dealing with bureaucrats and regulations, and paying for bribes. It's better to just find some adventurers to do the job. Are you up to it? Any treasure you find in the place would be your payment, of course."
Sasha looks to Pilar and the others, then turns back to the merchants.
"So, you are asking if we will get rid of the pests in the house, and in exchange whatever we find there will be ours? And if we find naught?"
She pauses, letting the question hang, and resumes before they answer.
"We seem to be dealing with at least one Bugbear - very large and dangerous creatures...Also, you do not actually own the premises - if damage to the residence were to occur - who would be held responsible?
"Well, yes, you are right, dear," replies Verona. She looks at Sasha and Piller, and then at the innkeeper. "Are there any other adventurers who could help these two out? As for responsibility for damaging the premises...I would not worry about that...the place is an eyesore already."
"I would not worry about coming away with naught, either," says Toobus. "There is a story about the place...once it was owned by a rich but ruthless moneylender. He built the house and lived in it until...oh...30 years ago, I think. Then, he loaned money to a powerful evil magic user, who refused to pay him back. Well, the moneylender tried to collect, and he was murdered for his efforts and the mage cursed his family. I remember it well...it was the talk of the town back when I was young. One by one his immediate family died, until no one was left. The house is now supposedly owned by a third cousin of the deceased moneylender, who lives in Strabath...but she refuses to come near Sandas lest the curse fall on her. Anyway, the story has it that the moneylender's stash of cash was never found, and that it is still hidden somewhere in the old house..."
"And as for the dangers of the job, well, yes it is risky," says Verona. "But isn't that what adventuring is all about? To ease your fears, though, we have made arrangements with the Church of Tyr to allow your party one curative spell per day at no charge. That should be a big help, dear."
Pillar grins at this statement and says "Well, how generous, when I am lying in a > pool of my own blood somewhere in the house I will remember that ."
"Well, dear," Verona says to the man, "You'll have to depend on the rest of your party to pull you out before Tyr can heal you. Of course, that could be a problem if there are only the two of you, couldn't it?"
"We've got to get some more adventurers!" says Meglar emphatically. Meglar seems to say everything emphatically.
"Speaking of which, did I just hear someone enter..?" remarks Toobus.
You all turn and look at the entrance to the common room. Standing there looking back at you is a rather attractive young woman - little more than a girl, really. Wearing a green dress, she looks like anything but the adventuring type...but for the two handed sword sheathed at her side.
One of the older ladies motions the newcomer to join them.
"Please be seated, dear," she says, "I am Verona, and these are Meglar, Toobus and Lita. We represent a group of merchants and residents from a *very* nice neighbourhood just outside the West Gate. We are seeking a group to clean out a rather derelict residence in our area which has become infested with - ah - creatures. These two here," she motions to Sasha and Pillar, "Seem to be mildly interested, but there are only two of them."
"Would you be interested in joining them?" askes Meglar. "This threat MUST be delt with."
You talk to Illyana for several moments before you sense another presence in the room. Looking towards the door, you see a gnome standing there: he has light brown hair, a small beard, and a slight smile on his face as he watches you.
The Gnome walks up to the others and with a smile says "Hi I'm Flintheart."
Giving each and everyone of you a broad smile.
He then listens closely at what is said. When they have finished he comments "With all those tenents the Landlord must be getting rich"
"Very good!" says Verona. "Now, would you like to come with us and see the house? It's only a short walk from here."
"Now that is a good idea - I was thinking much the same thing."
Sasha glances at the others, "Are we all agreed then? Looking it over can't hurt and will give us a better idea of what may be required - though I still say we should just burn the eyesore down ."
"Towards the house then!"
You leave the inn, with the four merchants leading.
As you are heading out, the innkeeper stops Sasha and says a few words to her before hurrying off.
Outside, it is midmorning. The main square is crowded, but you are led off to the west down the Old Dwarven Road through the Merchant's Quarter, where the crowds thin.
You note that the four merchants seem to be well known in Sandas. Many people nod and bow to them as they pass...almost reverently...
Through the Mage's Quarter you go, before coming to the West Gate of the city. There, you wait to present yourself to the Guard, for you must sign out.
There seems to be a bit of a delay, here. Two people - a half-elf accompanied by a large canine, and an elf - are having an altarcation with the guard. It appears that the canine - a wolf, actually - has just relieved itself against the guard's leg, disturbing that man somewhat...
Verona leads you up to the guard.
"Is there a problem, here?" she asks when the guard pauses in his tirade against the half elf to catch his breath.
"Errr, no, Madam," the guard replies, obviously recognising her. "It's just that his damn dog - "
"Please! If you cannot speak without using profanities, then do not speak at all."
The guard falls silent.
The half-elven person standing closest to the wolf introduces himself to you. "My name is Jaramir. We were about to enter the city, but I think our plans have changed, as I'd rather avoid subjecting myself to this guards prisons. If my guess is correct, I'd say the four of you are escorting these merchants? Perhaps we could accompany you for a ways. I am always pleased to protect others from bandits."
"Your offer is most kind, dear, but these people are not escorting us. Rather, it is the other way around. Would you like to accompany us and see why? Oh yes, I am Verona, and my companions are Meglar, Toobis and Lita. These other young people are Sasha, Pillar, Illyana and Flintheart," she adds, motioning to the red haired woman, the dark clothed man, the young girl with the two-handed sword and the gnome, respectively.
"Most interesting." With that Jaramir glances at the elf next to him, silently asking his opinion.
"If my brother has no objections, I am willing. Why don't you tell us as we travel where we are heading. I personally am not one who likes surprises. Life gives too many of them for comfort to add more."
The lanky elf speaks. He doffs his cap and with a flourish bows low.
"Hello ladies and gentlemen. I am known as J'Harast. I am at your service, to aid and protect. My brother here, " nods to the half-elf, "and I have been travelig for a while. We would be pleased to sit and share stories."
Sasha grins, a little distractedly and replies, "Well, we are on our way to look at a most interesting property. These ah, merchants here would like us to rid the property of its evil denizens and make that area safe for party goers once more. Come walk with us and we can answer your questions."
Verona leads you all out into the Outer City, past the Guard. The wolf seems to leer at him as you pass. As you walk, she tells the newcomers of her and her accomplice's problems. She leads you blithely through a very poor merchant and trading district, seemingly oblivious to the teeming crowds of street people, beggars, lepers and prostitutes thronging the streets. The stench of unwashed bodies and feces assails your wilting nostrils. Soon you leave the Old Dwarven Road and turn south, and the slums grow even more noisome. Still, you note that the crowds seem to part before these merchants, and give you plenty of room.
After a time the nature of the neighbourhood begins to change into that of an industrial area. You pass many small workshops...smithies, tinkerers, potters forges. You notice that the quality of the area is becoming better, too. Finally, you enter a middle class residential neighbourhood. You keep walking.
By the time you halt you are in an upper middle class area, composed of substantial brick and stone homes, most surrounded by walls. Several other buildings you see, including a rather large church nearby.
Before you is a derelict house. The grounds are surrounded by a 10' high brick wall, topped with rusted iron spikes. There is an iron gate in the wall...it swings back and forth in the slight breeze, creaking loudly. The house itself is a large, substantial structure, at least two storeys, with a long verandah across the front. Also on the grounds are a stable and several other, smaller outbuildings. A gravel drive leads from the gate to the front of the house, the stable, and around the back.
You note that next door to the grounds of this house, separated from them by the brick wall, is a graveyard.
"Well, there it is," says Verona brightly, though the sun seems dimmed and the wind blows with a chill to it, you think, as you survey the surroundings.
"You MUST clear this area!" says - you guessed it - Meglar in his usual imperative fashion.
"I just remembered that I am late for an appointment," says Toobus.
"Uh...me too," says Lita, eying the sun.
"I have a lunch to attend, dears," adds Verona.
"See you later!" concludes Meglar.
They hurry away, leaving you there before the creaking gate.
There is some debate amongst you as to what to do next.
Jaramir seems disappointed that this is simply a house, but perks up when he hears that thieves might be resident.
Sasha eyes the house, "And next to a graveyard too - and they were worried about party goers? Anyway - I just wanted to tell you what the Innkeeper told me - that these merchants aren't what they seem - though he said they aren't evil. But I would guess that there is a lot more going on > here than the merchants wanted us to know. Which is bad in a way...a regular problem I could walk away from...but this promises to be *very* interesting."
"I'm sure our good merchants probably have any number of small plots up their sleeves. But I'll let others worry about that. How shall we start? The front gate seems a bit too open for my tastes."
"So, I suggest we put our heads together and plan our little foray into this wonderful old house - and keep in mind a way for us get to their clerics of Tyr if we need it. We have several hours of daylight left - I want to be through looking before it gets dark..." she shudders a little.
"Yes, any thieves are likely to leave at dark, so we must catch them while they are here."
Sasha frowns in puzzlement, but does not comment.
"So, the front door does seem too inviting...but maybe they expect us to think that...and so would have extra traps on other entrances...though they would know that we would guess that and so..." Sasha stops, puzzled for a minute. "Ummm...how about we just peek into the window and enter that way if the coast looks clear? And we should plan to stay together...and perhaps form a certain order - perhaps more experienced folks up front." Sasha walks around scooping up small and large rocks and debris from the ground.
She holds up a rock, "And we could toss these ahead of us...it may help us avoid a trap."
Illyana looks at the old house. "Umm, I seem to have forgotten something, can I go back and get it? I do have some armor and if we are going in _there_ then I want to make sure I'm wearing it."
Sasha, still holding the rock, repies," Illyana - while the armor is a good idea...do you remember the way we came? I am sure I can't find the way back...though I wouldn't mind retrieving some of my other things as well. Perhaps we could just look into the windows, and then - if you are all confident that we can find the way back, we will go. We did only say we are going to look at this time anyway...and by the time we got back to the inn, got our stuff and returned...chances are it would be too close to being dark"
Illyana smiles. "I grew up in a nearby castle, I've been in this city on quite a number of occasions. I think I can find my way around. Does anyone else have any further equipment they wish to get? For the most part I don't like to wear armor but in this case I will gladly make an exception. If anyone wishes me to lead them around, I will gladly do it."
Sasha sighs, clearly eager to go take a look inside. "I'll just take a look into the window - okay?"
"I think that the front door is a fine place to begin."
With that, J'Harast will go to the verandah with Sasha, to see if the door is unlocked and open it.
The quiet man who had accompynied you throughout the voyage to the house becomes active oncs more, you notice for the first time he is a very muscular human with heavyset eyes. Peering at him you dont glean much from his expression his face holding an impassive mask until he speaks.
With a sigh and a grin Pillar looks around, seeing everyone milling about wondering what to do next. He peers at the house patting his trusty flail, "I say we go in and do some house cleaning... I already have my equipment with me so lets go in and party."
With that Pillar looks expectantly at the other members of the party, and walks up to the house.
"Maybe we should get back get our equipment and then plan our moves somewhere else." says the gnome.
"I don't like gravestones listening in our conversation besides I think one nights sleep would put all of this in a new light.Don't you agree Sasha."
While the discussion continues, Jaramir's wolf suddenly and without explanation runs away, and disappears around a corner of the street.
Sasha, J'Harast and Pillar head for the house. Jaramir, Flintheart and Illyana watch anxiously from the gateway.
Through the gate the three go, and walk up the driveway. It is gravel, and overgrown. All of the grounds are overgrown. A number of old trees grow here and there. Most of them are leafless, or nearly so.
They reach the verandah and ascend the steps leading up to it. The porch is 20' wide and 110' long...running most of the length of the house. The second floor overhangs the verandah at the west end. There is a single door leading into the house off of the porch. There are also four windows...all shuttered.
With Sasha leading, they move slowly across the porch. The wood is rotted, but fortunately the cleric is testing the wood before she steps there, for at one point her staff penetrates the boards completely. They step around that place.
At last the three are by the door. While J'Harast tries the door, Sasha pulls back the shutter of the window to the right of it, and looks through the dirty glass.
The door opens easily, revealing an entrance foyer, 20' square (20' north, 10' west, if you are mapping). Ther is a door directly across from you in the north wall, as well as another door in the west wall, south corner. ONce this place was richly furnished, but now everything seems to dirty and broken. You see several chairs, a couch, a small mahoghany table, and several vases and portaits on the walls. The latter is has been slashed and is discoloured with age, but you can still tell that it depicts a middle aged man with a serious expression on his face.
Meanwhile, Sasha has pulled open the shutters on the window to the right of the door and is peering in. She sees a large room, whose full dimensions are lost in the shadows. It appears to be a formal dining room, with a long table surrounded by matching chairs. She glimpses a few cabinets along the walls.
All seems to be quiet and deserted.
The three of you enter the foyer. As soon as you are all inside, the door slams shut behind you with a BANG, seemingly of its own accord.
As Sasha turns to face the now closed door, you hear a footfall on the porch outside, followed by the sound of splintering wood, concluding with a loud crash.
Then, you hear the sounds of footsteps on a creaking floor above you, on the second floor...
As Sasha shouts her warning, you hear more footsteps outside, as well as what sounds like a fight. Then, you get the door open.
Looking outside, you see Illyana and Flintheart standing on the porch. Near the door is a large hole in the rotted wood floor. Lying on the ground bythe bottom of the steps rubbing his eyes furiously is Jaramir.
The air stinks of skunk-musk...especially around the half-elf.
Jaramir's wolf stands on the porch. If a canine could have facial expressions, you could almost swear that this one was laughing...
As Jaramir - obviously blinded - struggles to his feet expecting another attack, his brother calls out from within the foyer.
There is no reply...and Jaramir awaits the next attack in vain.
You hear something shuffling about under the porch, but it does not come out to attack.
There are four windows looking out onto the verandah, and Illyana looks into each one in turn. The two to the east look into the same room: a formal dining chamber: she sees a long table surrounded by matching chairs, but little else, as it is dark in there. This is the room that Sasha looked into a few minutes ago.
The two western windows both look into the same room as well...though a different one this time. This one appears to be some sort of formal living room. Again, the lack of lighting makes it hard to make out the details, but there seems to be a lot of furniture in there, though all of it is covered by dirty sheets.
Sasha, before she was called back outside, noted that the furnishings in the foyer were all quite dusty, and had not been disturbed in quite a while.
Illyana, Flinheart, Jaramir and Sasha leave the grounds, then, while Piller and J'Harast remain in the area to watch.
As the poor half elf staggers away, eyes still streaming despite Sasha's minstrations, the leather and cloth portions of his clothes and equipment begin to disintegrate due to the effects of the caustic musk. The straps holding his chainmail together part, his leather backpack splits along a seam and its contents tumble out on the ground, and his belt separates, causing his now sheathed longsword to drop to the ground. A pouch at his belt disintegrates as well, and his boots fall to pieces.
You head off through the neighbourhood, leaving J'Harast and Piller. You have gathered up Jaramir's belongings, though now he is cloaked in Sasha's robe over his chain mail. His wolf ignores his command and stays upwind of his master.
You make your way back to the West Gate. Once again the crowds give you plenty of space, though for a different reason this time. Reaching the trading area near the West Gate you spot a used clothing shop, and Sasha goes in while the rest of you wait outside. She returns shortly with a shirt, pants and a plain cape, and 8gp change. You continue.
Just outside the Gate some vendors are selling fruits and vegetables. The quality is poor - it has been a very poor growing season - but a gold piece buys you a bushel of tomatoes.
You go through the Gate. This time Jaramir and his wolf have no trouble - it is a different guard this time, who seems to be more interested in winking at Sasha and leering at Illyana. It costs you 1cp each to pass into the Inner City.
It is approaching midafternoon when you reach the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf, where some of you are staying, and where you apparently left your equipment. The market is quieter in the square, but the inn looks to be much busier. You enter, but the innkeeper takes one whiff of Jaramir and bars him from the common room.
"Errr, if you're seeking a room for the night, I have a small one...out near the stable...a gold piece a night," he offers Jaramir, while holding his nose.
"I'll not need its use for a whole night. I simply seen a private area to wash. I plan to leave after soaking for a while."
"Well, then. For the rest of the afternoon ye can have it for 10sp...an' I'll even throw in a tub for ye."
"You are a crook, but I'll take your original offer of a room for a gold, with a tub to boot. 10 silver, indeed! Why not 200 coppers?"
With this Jaramir will pass the coin, and head for the room, toting his bag of tomatoes.
The innkeeper scowls and tosses the coin back.
"I'll not be called a crook by the likes of you! I don't know where you're from, but here in Nlad 20 silvers equal 1 gold! I just offered you that room for half price...a pretty good deal considerin' it'll have to be aired for a day after ye've finished usin' it! Now be off! P'raps The Sailor's Rest'll be more t'your likin'!"
Sasha looks stricken and immediatley apologises to the innkeeper for Jaramir's outburst.
"Please excuse him - he is much overwrought about the condition he is in and this has made him very ...umm...impulsive. May I pay you for the room instead? I suspect once he is washed and rid of the awful odor that must be constantly assailing him, he will feel much better."
Sasha rummages through one of her pouchs and pulls forth a very small collection of coins. She manages to count out nearly 1 gp worth of coppers and silvers and offers it to the innkeep.
The innkeeper, hardened half-elf though he is, is no match for the charms of the cleric. The money doesn't hurt, either.
"Very well," he says, taking the coins, "He can have the room...and the tub."
You hear a thump from behind you. Turning, you see that the still blinded Jaramir has walked into a door.
Sasha hurries over to him, and leads him to his room where a nice bath in mashed tomatoes awaits him. Illyana heads for her room upstairs, while Flintheart goes for a walk.
An hour or so later you all gather in the common room of the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. It is about 4pm, and the place is crowded. Jaramir is still sightless, though he reports that he can see light and dark again, so perhaps that is an improvement. He now stinks of tomatoes, though the skunky odour is diminished. Nevertheless, the other patrons of the tavern give him a wide birth, and some wag makes a comment about his resemblance to a half orc, at least scent-wise.
J'Harast and Piller have not returned.
The Inn is busy, now. There are a few farmer and merchant types sipping ales, but most of the patrons appear to be of a more adventurous sort.
The common room itself is rectangular shaped, with the door into it at one end and a large fireplace at the other. Along one long wall are a row of windows looking out into the square. Along the other wall is the bar and some booths, separated by a door leading deeper into the Inn. Tables are before the windows, and another row runs down the centre of the room.
You see a number of people in here besides yourselves. There are several tables of what you suspect are mercenaries...rather scruffy-looking men clad in leathers knocking back the beers as if there was no tomorrow. At another table, a dwarf in leathers eyes the comings and goings of the patrons, his ale before him untouched. On a stool by the fireplace, a half-elven bard sings something about some long-forgotten war, while playing something tuneless on her mandolin. What looks to be a party of adventurers has just been seated near you...going by their soiled garb they have just arrived in the City. Their party appears to consist of a human cleric, a half-elf druid, a human fighter, a human magic user, and a human monk. In a booth sits a half-elf magic user, chatting up a buxom half elf clad as a ranger. Another elf - of noble bearing if you ever saw it - sits with them, his eyes casually sweeping the room as well. Sitting by themselves in another booth are a man and a woman, both dressed as fighters.
As well, the innkeeper and his barmen and women move from table to table taking and bringing orders of food and drink. In addition, several other people of various races and sexes are moving from table to table offering services of a different sort...
"Anyone here need a haircut, tooth pulled, limbs amputated?" asks one of these latter types, a gnome with a large black bag, coming over to your table.
"Seeking some relaxation?" asks a half-elf dressed as a lady but not sounding like one, of Jaramir. "You look like you've had a rough day..."
"No thank you, but I'd much rather be alone. As you say, it has been a rough day."
"Flintheart? How would you rate the ale in this place?" Sasha asks suddenly, interrupting whatever conversation was going on at the moment.
Sasha glances around the room once more, and her eyes suddenly light up when she sees the occupants of one of the booths. She rises from the table in excitement and hurries over to the group of people with a big smile on her face.
"Well Bless this day, I had never thought to see you here! And high time too - things are afoot here. Votishal protect us!" Sasha speaks quietly but with excitement. She scoots into the vacant place at the booth with the half-elf MU, female ranger, and elf noble as if she were an expected guest.
They look at you with various expressions on their faces..the half elf magic user in surprise, though his expression quickly turns to one that you have seen often in males; the ranger to one of irked displeasure; the Elf regarding you curiously.
"I do not believe that I have had the pleasure," says the half-elf male. "Tara, is she a friend of yours?"
The ranger shakes her head.
"Perhaps you mistake us for another party, Miss..?" says the Elf.
While this is going on, another elf enters the common room. A rugged specimen, he is distinguished by the large insignia of a bear claw on his breast.
"Call me Sasha." Sasha says blithely. "Surely I am not mistaken, Verona seemed quite clear on the matter...oh, but maybe that is the one I am to meet. Well, it was very nice meeting you all, Tara, and ummm...I can't remember your name..." Sasha finishes, a little helplessly.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sasha," the magic user replies warmly, much to the chagrin of Tara. "I am Ming. So, you are to meet Verona? You must be an adventurer, then. I know that she was seeking some, for she came to us first for advice. She is a good person, and if you take her up on her offer you will be aiding the cause of Good, as well as lining your pockets, as well."
Looking a little uncomfortable with Mings manner, Sasha replies, "Yes, we have sort of agreed to at least look the place over - I guess I was just wondering why we had heard odd things about Verona...that she is not what she seems...and being a newcomer to this area hoped to find out more...she did say she sought advice...I just thought it odd that people here wouldn't take on such a project...Can you give me any more details? Verona gave us the overview, but then left in a hurry as we arrived at the house. We did go in - but then had to return as one of our party got skunked."
Ming hesitates.
"Odd things about her? How strange. From who? I am sure that she would not try to intentionally mislead you. As for local people not taking on the project...perhaps you just happened to be the first person she asked." he glances over at the rest of your group, "Are none of your party from Sandas? Of course they are," he says, answering his own question while looking appreciatively at Illyana. "That young girl lives in Castle Yuri.
"As for providing you with more details, I only know what she told me...that she was representing a neighbourhood group who wished to have an abandoned house in their area cleansed of evil and undead. Is that what she told you? Now wait," he pauses and scratches his head. "There was something else. She confided in me that she feared that there was more to the problem than meets the eye, but she would not say what." Ming sighs, and sips his mead. "I wish Master were here."
"Indeed," agrees the Elf.
"Master? Who is that? She not say anything about a Master..."
"Not Verona's master...my Master," Ming replies with a chuckle. "The Arch Mage Ray Jay. He is very good at dealing with matters such as these."
Sasha blushes and replies, "Oh, of course. Anyway, thank you for speaking frankly with me - and I apologise for intruding on your evening in the manner I did...I should be getting back to my companions now. Thank you, and bless you."
Ming returns his attentions to the ranger, who seems pleased to see you go. The Elf nods affably to you.
You head back to your companions. The elf in the doorway continues to stand there and look around.
Before she reaches the table, Sasha veers off and goes over to speak to the bear-claw elf in the doorway.
"It seems as if you are searching for someone in particular...are you > looking for Verona or the group she has hired?" she asks quietly.
"That depends on who Verona is and what this group plans on doing." he tells her flatly.
Startled at his tone, Sasha backs up a little, flustered. "Well, ummm...that is ...she hired us sort of to clean up a little problem she was having..."
"I am Athmyr and who might you be?" he asks "Do you work for Verona and are a part of her group?"
"I'm Sasha...and yes...I do...I think... I guess I'll just be going now...sorry to have bothered you and all..." Still a little redfaced, Sasha turns to walk back to the table.
Motion for the bar tender "Get me some mead please"
Head over to Sasha's table "I did not mean to scare you off, I have just arrived in town and thought you were going to try and sell me somthing"
Sasha's face becomes even redder, "Sell you something? What on earth could I be selling...oh...never mind..."
What type of problem are you trying to get rid of, I might be able to help, I am after all a very skilled elf." Athmyr says knowingly.
"Ah...yes...I'm sure you are very skilled. Well, meet my companions then...Flintheart, Jaramir, and Illyana. J'Harast and Pillar are at the house - and we should really be rejoining them soon. Everyone - this is Athmyr - a very skilled elf." Sasha says with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you Athmyr, it is a real novelty to meet a very skilled elf. I'm sure we are in desperate need for one. Flintheart gives a broad smile"
Sasha asks: "Oh, Flintheart - you never said what you thought of the ale here...I was just wondering because that guy over there hasn't touched his...most unusual, wouldn't you say?"
"Well you didn't give me a chance to answer,rushing off like that.Well I find the beer a little watery for my taste but it's by no means bad. I guess our friendly dwarf would agree with me wanting a little more earthy taste in the beer. Or at least he would if he ever tasted the beer. Either he is punshing himself for some hideous crime or he's got something up his sleave. I would presume the latter to be true."
"Oh by the way what did your very good friends have to say?"
Sasha turns beet red and begins mumbling. "Ummm, well...they say Verona is on the up and up."
"Well, we should really be getting back to Pillar and J'Harast - it makes me very uneasy that they are alone at that place. Have we everything we need?" Sasha asks, obviously eager to get going.
Taking the other's silence as an affirmative, you leave the inn and hurry back to the house. It is late afternoon when you arrive.
Looking through the gate, the place seems to be deserted, with no sign of J'Harast or Piller. Then you notice that the doorway into the small outbuilding by the stables is open. There is a body lying across the threshold.
You hurry over.
The body is that of a large humanoid. Jaramir recognises it to be a bugbear. It's head has been smashed as if by a blunt object, and there is a deep sword wound in its belly.
You look inside of the 20' square building. It is a combination smithy and carpentry shop. In here you see Piller and J'Harast, a little bloodied but unhurt. They are standing beside a large anvil, looking down a shaft in the floor.
Jaramir growls angrily at this brother. "What sort of fool are you trying to be, entering the grounds alone. Again! And taking on a beast like this without help. Its lucky you weren't killed. I should send you packing back home now. I was a fool to let you come along with me."
Scowling at Pillar, Jaramir calms down. "I would think a priest would have some sense. Well, what have you found?"
This is a smithy and carpenter's shop. It measures 20' square. In here you see a large anvil in the centre, a fire pit, as well as tongs, tack and harness hanging from the walls. There are also sheets of leather, a barrel, a stack of cut and milled wood, saws, chisels, a box, and a battered chest.
All of the leather items are in poor condition, though possibly they could be restored. The tools are rusted. The barrel contains scummy water. Opening the box, you discover that it contains a collection of bones...mostly those of cats and dogs, but you also recognise a human femur in there as well. The chest when opens reveals an old blanket, a heavy coat (bugbear sized) and a pair of large sandals. These items are alive with fleas. The ashes in the fire pit are warm.
Picking up the human bone, Jaramir tosses it to the wolf. "Here ya go. Something to chew on that is to your tastes."
The wolf catches it in his mouth.
With that Jaramir drains the barrel to see if its dirty water hides anything of value.
The barrel contained only water.
Looking down the shaft, you see a set of rungs along one side.
Jaramir, always impatient, announces that he'll scout the tunnel. "The rest of you come down when I call. Wolf, jump down when I reach the bottom."
The wolf is chewing on the remains of the bugbear.
With that he'll pull his sword, and thrusting it down before him, will climb down, testing each rung before placing his full weight on it.
Flintheart goes to the ladder and starts to climb down.
"The rest of you can light a lantern and come down as quietly as you can when signal for you"
Muttering as he climbs down
"He's making as much noise as a goblin throwing a party and he smells like one too hope there ain't any ..."
J'Harast, not to be outdone by his brother, will climb down the rungs as well. "We'll scout it out. Come on down in 5 minutes, sooner if you hear a scream."
Pillar will also climb down as well. And he will light his torch when he gets to the bottom.
Sasha rolls her eyes in frustration as the two brothers climb down the dark hole. "We don't even have the simplest of plans yet...are we supposed to just go charging in wily nily everywhere..." she mutters quietly in a nonstop invective.
"I won't even be able to see down there...and I don't want to light a candle to advertise our presence...*sigh*... do any of you more seasoned adventurers have any ideas how to salvage this? I admit that I have never done anything like this before..."
Illyana shrugs. "Don't look at me, I won't be able to see either. I also can't carry a lantern and wield my weapon at the same time. We should have devised a plan.. It might have been safer walking through the front door but now I suppose we have no choice. I'll bring up the rear."
The shaft is only about 10' long, after which it opens into a chamber below. From the bottom of the shaft to the floor below is about another 10'.
The air down here is very damp and stagnant. The rungs in the shaft are rusted at the bottom...though still sturdy enough.
Jaramir takes a dagger and drops it to the floor. It clatters on solid stone.
Satisfied that he is not about to drop into a slime pit, he continues on down, until he is dangling in mid air from the bottom rung. Flintheart is directly above him, J'Harast is next, followed by Piller. The rest of you are still at the top awaiting your turn. Jaramir then drops the last five feet or so to the floor, and rolls aside to break his fall.
Instantly two creatures jump him. Those above in the shaft and workshop hear the sounds of a struggle...but that is all.
Jaramir attacks with his sword, as the rest of you scramble down the shaft to his aid.
The half elf buries his blade deep into the body of one of the creatures attacking him, but it seems to have no effect.
Flintheart drops out of the shaft and rolls aside, ending up behind one of the things on Jaramir.
With his infravision the gnome can see little but for Jaramir, as the monsters seem to be cold blooded; however there must be a very slight temperature difference between them and the surroundings, as he can barely make them out as virtually shapeless, amorphous silhouettes, a little larger than he is.
The one creature seems unaware of the gnome's presence, so Flintheart takes advantage of the situation and attacks with his sword. He is so quick that five attacks he makes before it turns on him, with two sinking home...with no apparent effects. Aware of him at last, the creature slaps him with a slimy pseudopod for 2 hit points of damage.
J'Harast is next into the chamber, and leaps to his brother's aid. Then comes Piller, who pauses and lights a torch.
Revealed is a 20' square chamber. The shaft extends upwards from the centre of the ceiling. There is a 10' wide passage running north out of here, in the north wall, west half. The walls of the chamber glisten with moisture and growths of mold.
The two creatures that you are battling appear to be animated mounds of slime or disgusting plant growths, perhaps goblin-sized. They are attacking with their pseudopods.
Jaramir takes another slimy fist in the face, for 2 hit points of damage. He misses both times with his sword. J'Harast misses with his longsword but his dagger digs deep...but causes no obvious damage.
The gnome scrambles away from the creature facing him, as it misses him. Piller charges in with his flail, having jammed his torch into a crack in the wall. He hits it...but again it takes no damage.
You feel a flutter of displaced air.
Athmyr drops in next, with Sasha ready to do likewise, while Illyana brings up the rear.
Jaramir's wolf comes charging out of the north passage. It stops short in the doorway and surveys the scene.
"Our weapons appear to have no effect. J'Harast, cover me."
With that Jaramir leaps backward out of range of the creature moving so that he can get a quick glimpse of the north passage and have time to cast a spell. The passage runs for at least 20' north, for that is as much as the torch illuminates.
Sasha drops down to the floor and makes for the torch, as Flintheart grabs it. They pause while she lights the end of her staff.
The creatures attack J'Harast and Piller, respectively. The elf is missed, while he in turn plunges both of his weapons into the thing...again with no effect. Piller again mashes his opponent with his flail. It deforms but seems unhurt, and it hits him for 4 hit points of damage.
Suddenly a blue spark of light flies from Jaramir's outstretched finger, and hits the thing attacking J'Harast. A piece of slime is blown out of it, leaving a scorched and smoking wound.
Sasha and Flintheart attack with fire. Both swing wildly and miss.
J'Harast and Piller attack again, for nought. The elf takes a slap for 2 hit points of damage, as does Piller for 3 hit points. He staggers back, almost unconscious.
This time Sasha rams her stave into the thing on J'Harast, engulfing it in flames. It subsides into a flaming ruin, dead. Flintheart does likewise with the one attacking Piller, but only scorches it slightly.
At this time Jaramir hears the sounds of many approaching feet running towards you down the passage. Turning, he sees about a half a dozen skeletons...of giant rats...
All of you but Illyana are in the chamber, now.
"Let those with fire deal with that creature. Others are coming." says Jaramir.
Jaramir pulls out his holy symbol and thrusts it towards the undead rats. "By the grace of the Huntress, turn away!"
His actions have no effect.
He then readies his sword to meet the onslaught.
Sasha grabs her holy symbol from her belt and hold it forth.
In a very loud voice, she calls out,"By the Power of Isis - let the light of Ra destroy the evilness around us!"
Still they charge you.
Illyana climbs down the ladder, drops to the floor, looks around, and says, "What did I miss?"
She hears the steps coming down the hallway and draws her sword. She stands at a somewhat ready position, thinks about it for a second, and shifts her stance slightly.
Meanwhile, the gnome tries again with the flaming torch...and the remaining slime-thing bursts into flames! Seconds later it is dead.
Jaramir and Illyana meet the skeletons. Jaramir hits with his longsword and bones go flying. Illyana in her excitement misses.
The skeletal rats rush into the chamber, their teeth bared malevolently.
Illyana misses again twice, but so does the skeleton. Another one leaps for Jaramir's throat but he strikes it down. Sasha thrusts her burning staff at another, and smashes it into flames. J'Harast and his adversary both miss. Athmyr swings his morningstar and misses, but the skeleton does not, biting his ankle for 1 hit point. Flintheart has one on him, but they both miss.
Piller seems bewildered by the undead, and does nothing. Fortunately, none come after him.
The wolf watches with interest.
Illyana connects with her two-handed sword at last and bones are sprayed across the chamber. Controlling her excitement, she weilds it with surprising ease and grace. J'Harast strikes his foe, but still it attacks. Jaramir jumps into the fray and the skeleton is no more. Athmyr hits his skeleton and it collapses into a heap of bones. Flintheart torches the skeleton attacking him.
A quiet descends into the chamber all of a sudden. The air is smoky from the fires, and the floor is littered with bones and slime.
"Is everyone OK? If you wait here, I'll scout ahead, to see is up ahead."
Before J'Harast can leave his brother Jaramir goes over to him. "May the lady heal your wounds and make you whole." With that he lays his hands upon J'Harast and calls upon the healing powers of the Huntress.
He says nothing once he is done, and quickly turns away to face Pillar.
"Can you call upon your god to heal yourself? You are badly wounded."
Jaramir however does not offer to heal the cleric himself, for he begins to examine the room, looking for anything of value.
"Perhaps I can heal you Pillar, if you are not able at this moment." Sasha offers.
Piller declines her offer, mutters some words and his wounds heal themselves.
J'Harast places the axe back and draws his long sword. He will then move off, quietly in the direction that the rats came from.
Jaramir looks at his brother and stops what he is doing. "Haven't you learned anything about the dangers of wandering off alone? I will go with you."
"Come on Wolf, lets go."
"Hey guys you want to wait a sec. Lets let these people get healed up before rushing off. Well if you guys arn't going to wait... Might as well have me along to help out. " Athmyr follows the brothers.
The rest of you make a quick search of the chamber. As previously described, it measures 20' square, with a passage running out of the north wall, western half. The shaft leading up to the surface is in the centre of the ceiling, and you realize now that you may have some difficulty in reaching it, since the ceiling is 10' overhead. The walls are damp and covered with common mosses and slimes. Apart from the smouldering mounds of the slime-things and the bones of the skeletal rats, the place is barren. A search of the chamber turns up nothing.
You hurry after J'Harast, Jaramir, and Athmyr.
The passage runs north for 60', before coming to another 20' square chamber (20' north, 10' west, another passage exiting from the north wall, west half). This chamber is dryer, and littered with bones and the remains of small rodents...mice and voles. An iron ladder is bolted to the west wall in the northwest corner. Looking up, you see another shaft in the ceiling here, above the ladder. Another set of rungs runs up the side of the shaft. Holding your torch under the shaft, you see that it is 10' long, and ends at a stone slab.
Searching this chamber, you find nothing of interest.
Looking up the passage to the north, you see that it runs for 20', but turns west after 10'.
The stonework in these halls and passages is quite good.
While J'Harast searches for secret doors, Jaramir heads up the passage and looks around the corner to the west.
The passage runs west for 60' - or 70' from the back wall - and ends. There is a door in the last 10' section of the south wall.
J'Harast finds no secret doors.
You continue your whirlwind tour of the dungeon.
At the door now, J'Harast listens at the door but hears nothing. Flintheart moves up and listens as well, but hears nothing either.
The elves open the door...and are confronted by a wall of books and journals, which completely blocks their view of what lies beyond.
They knock it down. There is a crash as these books collapse across the floor of a 20' X 30' room (20' west, 20' south, door in the south wall, west corner). This place is a storeroom, for it is piled high with boxes, barrels, and heaps of old books, journals, and ledgers. There are also some pieces of smashed and rotting office furniture here, as well...desks, a cabinet, two chairs.
You search.
The books, journals and ledgers are full of accounting and bookkeeping records. The most recent dates in them are from about 30 years past. All of them are old and falling apart, for it is very damp in here. The boxes are full of more of these. The barrels are empty.
Suddenly Sasha cries out in surprise, as something drops to the floor beside her from the ceiling. It is a large (~6" long), slug-like creature, its greyish skin glistening with slime. Almost at once J'Harast utters a curse, as a second of these creatures has dropped down the back of his neck.
He feels something cutting into the flesh of his back, followed by a sucker being inserted...
The thing on J'Harast's neck sucks his blood, for 1 hit point of damage, as Sasha recovers quickly and claps a handful of salt on it. The second creature, meanwhile, has attached itself to her foot, and is rasping a hole through to her flesh.
Illyana chops at it with her sword but misses. Jaramir thrusts at the one on his brothers neck but misses.
J'Harast suffers another hit point of damage, but the salt seems to be having its effect. Sasha tries the same thing with the creature on her, but somehow misses, and suffers a hit point of damage as it begins to feast. Poor Illyana misses it twice, too. Jaramir has more luck, and the thing on J'Harast drops to the floor, dead.
Sasha takes another hit point of damage as Illyana connects, but does not quite kill it. Jaramir, however, is able to deal the death blow to this one as well, with his dagger.
Sasha will attempt to read some of the bookeeping records, hoping to find names of people the guy who owned the house dealt with...actually, she will try to find the name of the past occupant of the house. She will also try to determine if any odd transactions were made - lots of spell components and such.
Most of the books and ledgers are in very poor condition, as it is very damp down here. A few names are visible, though (Jarr, Smith, Melnar, Swordsharp, Aramp, Qall). Most of the transactions in these books date from the 1320's...almost 50 years ago. You see no signs of strange transactions...nor is the owner's name given anywhere.
A further search of this place reveals nothing else of interest or value.
Flintheart listens at the door in the south wall, west corner but hears nothing, so you open it.
before you is a passage running south for 20', after which is a flight of stairs heading up. To either side of you in the first 10' section of the passage is a door...one facing east, the other west.
Pillar yawns "Well I will try just one more door before I go to sleep, well rest anyway". Pillar wanders up the door listens at it, and frowns at what he hears.
Frowns or not, J'Harast opens the east door after listening and inspecting. A 20' X 30' room lies beyond (10' south, 30' east, no visible exits). Once a larder, it is now the home of three large scorpions, who come crawling towards you, stingers bared.
J'Harast closes the door.
You hear a loud banging and thumping from the other side...
"Quicky thinking there. I don't know what we would do if stung by one of those things. I know I don't have a remedy for poison. Help me block off that door further"
With that Jaramir takes what he can and dumps it before the door to seal the scorpions in.
"I have three iron spikes...would that help seal the door?" Sasha asks, digging through her pack.
While J'Harast holds the door, Sasha wedges her spikes. Meanwhile, Jaramir and Pillar are dragging furniture out of the other room to block it off.
It takes you about ten minutes, but at last you make the door secure, though the scorpions are still scratching at it from the other side.
"Oh bravo," Pillar claps his hands belatedly, "When I frown at a door there is generally something bad behind it... So what does someone do, go and open it. And now we spent ten minutes for nothing moving heavy furniture, and using an iron spike." Pillar sighs "oh well since everyone has taken leave of their senses why dont we just open every door?".
Illyana is listening at the west door when Pillar comes over and opens it. The fighter catches a glimpse of what may be a wine cellar beyond, before the cleric bravely slams it shut again.
She did not hear anything.
J'Harast watches Pillar's tantrum and laughs, "Oh bravely done."
Anger then crosses his face and he speaks, in a loud angry voice.
"Listen you. I heard nothing at the door, and based on my experience I would not have expected anything in there. No one else seems to make decisions here, so I am doing the best I can. I don't know any of the details of this place, and would not have expected scorpians behind the door.
I know little of your abilitites, other than that you can wield a mean weapon. I trust my skills, and and based on using them determined there was nothing behind the door. However, when confronted by something, I did a have the good sense to close it."
Jaramir listens at the door which is causing everyone such distress, but hears nothing.
You open it.
Beyond is indeed a wine cellar, 20' square (10' south, 20' west, no visible exits). The far west wall is of brick and mortar, and looks to be of newer construction than the rest of the place, which is of gray stone.
Barrels line the north and south walls of this room, each with a spigot in the end.
You see no sign of anything that might try to eat you...not even on the ceiling.
Sasha grins at the sight and walks over the closest spigot and tries it. If it smells good, she will fill one of her wineskins with the brew and taste it.
The wine is of good quality, and well aged.
She will also lightly tap on a bunch of barrels, to see if they are full or empty.
All sound full, with one exception.
"You know, I have heard of people hiding hiding things in casks like this...though it would take a long time to search all these..." She whispers.
"But, there must be a way to the kitchens from here..." She comments.
"It might be the way we've already passed. But you can never be sure."
Flintheart proceeds to look through the wine cellar for ways to the kitchen espescially through the roof.
You see no other exits from here, not even through the roof. The brickwork of west wall, upon closer inspection, though, is of very poor quality...amateur, almost.
Jaramir smashes open the cask while his wolf watches.
Four rattlesnakes lunge at him, venom dripping from their fangs.
Unfortunately, all of them miss, and land on the floor, where they then proceed to slither under the barrels lining the walls.
"Well this wall doesn't look too solid" and Pillar gives it a couple of solid bashes with his flail. "I wonder whats behind it?". Pillar grins an evil grin.
As Athmyr turns to leave, Pillar hits the west wall. A large part of it cracks and crumbles, leaving a gaping hole big enough for even a man to step through.
Once the dust clears you shine your torch (you're on your second one, BTW) through the hole to see what lies beyond.
At once it is obvious to you that this entire are was once a larger room that someone bricked a portion off of. To the west of the brick wall the room continues for another 10'. Six large barrels sit in a row against the west wall.
Pillar looks pleased at the sight of his discovery, as does Sasha.
"I wonder how many rattle snakes are in these barrels". With a light step Pillar scoots up to a barrel on one end and smashes it open. Then scoots away as quick as he can.
The front end of the northernmost barrel is crunched, revealing that it is not filled with wine, but with other things...namely a flail, a vial, 4 small jars and a paintbrush, and a scroll.
Sasha grins widely and points to the barrels, "Ah, and this is where they keep the *really* good stuff." She opens the tap to take a taste.
Nothing comes out.
She taps the barrels, then stops.
They all sound hollow and empty.
"Um....guess I shouldn't do that, huh? The last empty one didn't work out the way I had hoped. Wonder why they bricked this off...it must have some clue for us..." She wanders around the room, looking carefully into corners, up at the ceiling, etc
Illyana looks at the barrels. "Why don't we just make a small hole in the top of one and look into it? That way if there are any snakes or other such monsters inside they won't be able to get out. I agree with Sasha, there must be a reason that they sealed this area off." Illyana looks around the room with Sasha for any hidden exits and stuff.
Upon pushing on the southernmost barrel she discovers that it easily swings inwards on hidden hinges, revealing another hidden room beyond to the west.
This one measures 10' X 20', oriented east - west. There is a door at the far end. In here you see two pallets, a crude table, and two stools.
She also carefully walks up to the barrels and puts her ear against each one of them.
Illyana hears nothing from within the barrels.<P> "It seems you are correct, Sasha. Lets open up the rest of these... " However Jaramir pulls out the scroll and looks at it.
With Flintheart looking on, Jaramir sees that the scroll reads: "Protection from all lycanthropes".
Sasha examines the jars and the vial, "Hmmm. I wonder if these are healing ointments..." She opens one jar and looks inside, as Flintheart dashes over to inspect these as well. The jars appear to contain paint. The vial contains a colourless liquid.
"Seems like we have an artist here." says the gnome.
He scrutinices the brush and vials to see what quality they are. If they are of good quality he puts them in his backpack.
They are and he does.
"Maybe I should take up painting again. I Wonder if there is more things in the other barrels?"
Flintheart then proceeds to look at the other barrels and if he finds a way to open them without braking them in pieces he does so. He is very careful if he opens a barrel.
The remaining four barrels are pried open. In each of them is a mummified corpse: a man dressed as a merchant or businessman, a woman in a fine dress, a young boy and a baby girl. Their clothes are in rags, now, and they wear nothing of value.
"Wow...looks like someone has been living here...I wonder where they are now." Sasha quietly steps into the room and looks around for evidence of recent occupation.
The bed is made up with a blanket and a sheet. While of poor quality and dirty, these don't seem to be particularily old. You search around, but there is nothing of value in here.
You leave this area, and return to the chamber where you delt with the slime creatures and skeletons. There, J'Harast stands atop Jaramir and clambers up into the shaft. That done, he drops a rope, and the rest of you follow him up to the carpentry shop, and outside.
It is a dark and moonless night. High clouds have rolled in, blocking out the stars. You still have your torch lit, and so hurry across the grounds to the gate. All is quiet, but as you glance at the house as you exit the property, is that a flicker of light in one of the upstairs windows? If it is, it was extinguished in an instant.
You hurry back into the centre of the city to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf.
The common room is still crowded with patrons, but you are able to find a table, and order dinner.
There, you plan your future actions...
It is late in the evening when you eat in the common room. Most of the other patrons are mercenaries and men-at-arms, for several caravans have arrived in the city today from points south and west. Many of these people are dwarves. Most of the other patrons are quite drunk, though the innkeeper and his staff keep them in line.
There is no sign of any of the patrons who were here this afternoon.
Apart from the mercenary types, only one person of even mild interest is here: a human magic user dressed in the requisite robes adorned with stars and planets, wearing a pointy hat. A battered staff leans against the wall by his seat. He looks to be middle aged, scruffy, and obviously does not pay much attention to his personal appearance. He sits alone, staring into his glass of mead, lost in his thoughts.
"Excuse me for a moment guys, I think I see someone..." With no more than that, Sasha walks over to his table, sits down and begins speaking with the mage.
He looks up at you as you seat yourself. He looks very tired.
"Excuse me sir, would you be the mage Ray Jay?" Sasha asks uncertainly. "No, I guess you wouldn't be...are you familar with the area around here - we are in the midst of exploring a house that has an intriguing history...and well, I could sorely use some information...we found these dead bodies and undead creatures...and Verona and the rest of the Sandas members are acting very strange about it all..."
"No, I am not Ray Jay," the magic user replies. "I am here to seek his council, but it would seem that he is off wandering the multiverse somewhere. So, I must wait for him to return.
"I fear that I would not be able to provide you with much information about anything on Earth, let alone Sandas, for this is my first visit here in 20 years. Have you talked to Ray Jay's assistant, Ming?"
"Wow...20 years! So whatever you have come about must be terribly important! You look as if the very weight of the world was set on your shoulders. Is there anything at all I can do for you - even if just to lend an ear? I am a very good listener and perhaps with the telling of it, things will become clearer or more focused..."
"No...it is not of great importance. I merely seek some friends from whom I became...separated whilst travelling here from Oerth. I know that they were planning on visiting Ray Jay, and I hope that he can direct me to them."
"And yes, as a matter of fact, I did speak with Ming briefly when he supped here earlier - however, I do not know where to find him now. I don't suppose you know..." Sasha replies.
"He was at Ray Jay's tower a few hours ago when I was there...near the Magic User's Guild. Though perhaps you should wait until morning before you go to see him...he had a visitor..."
The magic user gives you a knowing wink, and gives you directions to the tower.
After a few moments Sasha returns to your table.
Once we are back at the Drunken Dwarf, Jaramir smiles, although it looks like a malicious grin, and says, "Well, brother. These people want to hear stories. Why don't you start with your own. After all, you are very good at telling tales."
Jaramir says nothing however about himself at this time.