You head back upstairs to the bedroom where Shanaril met his unfortunate demise. All is as it was.
I think I forgot to mention that there is a second door leading out of this room...In the south wall, 20' - 30' section, measured from the west.
You open the other door...in the east wall, after J'Harast listens at it.
This is a walk-in closet, 10' square. In here hang many racks of womens clothes: robes, dresses, gowns, blouses, cloaks, coats etc. Along shelves above the hangers are hats, scarves and gloves. Lined up along the floor are numerous pairs of shoes, slippers, sandals and boots in many styles. All of it appears to be in excellent condition, and their quality is obvious to you all.
Pillar glares at the closet and says "Well I am not going to search through someone elses belongings, even if they are dead. I think that I could cast detect magic though if any person wishes it so... Although I dont think the clothes will have to much to offer".
J'Harast begs to differ.
"I disagree. First, there may be a hidden compartment in this closet where some important documents may be kept. Second, I distinctly remember that our dear departed friend was poking through clothing before he became a she and dead."
"Pillar if you would detect magic I can search through the closet."
Pillar casts his spell, and every article of clothing as well as the footwear and hats light up.
Flintheart searches carefully, but turns up no secret doors, traps, or whatever.
"Wow!" Sasha exclaims with wonder. "*ALL* this clothing is enchanted...surely we can make use of this somehow..."
Illyana's eyes grow wide. "What? Magical clothing? It hasn't attacked you yet has it? If not, I wonder what the magic does. Might be interesting to find out. We ourselves might not be able to figure it out but we probably could find someone who easily can. I'm curious as to why someone would enchant their entire wardrobe."
"I for one, don't think that I want to find out. Shall we proceed?" asks J'Harast.
Sasha carefully gathers up the clothes and shoes and puts them in a large sack, while Flintheart and Athmyr search the closet. They find nothing.
At J'Harasts suggestion, you continue.
Opening the south door after listening, you see the Masters bedroom before you.
A richly decorated suite, it radiates masculinity. A large bed, oak table, chest of drawers, chairs and leather covered couch are in here. A large roll-top desk is in the northwest corner. The dimensions, you find, are odd: from where you stand the wall to your right runs west for 20', south for 30' (window in middle), east for 40' (window in 10' - 20' section), north for 10', west for 10', north for 10' (door), east for 10', north for 10' (door), and west for 10'.
Curled up on the bed is a tabby cat, asleep. As you look in it wakes up and looks at you. With a meow it jumps down and comes trotting over to you, tail straight up in the air, to start rubbing itself against Sasha's legs as it purrs.
"Oh, what a sweet little kitty you are!" Sasha bends down and pets the cat, making silly little cooing noises to it. "You can't belong to any evil person, you sweet thing. I wonder what you are doing here then...you are just sooooo sweet. Here, have a bit of this." Sasha continues as she pulls a bit of sausage from her pocket, giving her leftover breakfast to the kitty.
You search.
In the drawers of the desk you find piles of faded accounting records. In the chest of drawers are many small articles of mens clothing...are you going to rifle through them..?
Otherwise, the room contains nothing of interest.
You open the door to the northeast, and look back out into the hall.
You open the door in the middle of the eastern section. This is another closet, filled with racks of high quality mens clothing: suits, trousers, breeches, leggings, cloaks, coats, hats, gloves, scarves. Underneath are many pairs of shoes and boots.
J'Harast clears the clothes out the closet with his sword and then searches for secret doors. He finds nothing.
I forgot to mention previously that the closet measures 10' square.
"Shall I cast a detect magic here...the room seems odd to me for some reason...and while I don't think this set of clothes is enchanted, we might find somehting else." Sasha looks around and realizes that the others have continued on.
"Ah, there you all are. I was wondering if I should cast a detect magic...the other room seemed odd to me...and well, this room has a lot of stuff too. Maybe I can hold the spell long enough to cover both these rooms...should I?" Sasha asks.
Before anyone answers, Sasha muses, "I'm not up on the latest fashions - are these garments recent - or are they leftover from the moneylenders family...they don't look like his style...perhaps we are looking at the garments of a recent occupant?" Sasha finishes with a puzzled frown.
The style of the clothes in both this and the other closet where the wood elf met his end were in fashion some 20 - 25 years past. All the same they seem to be perfectly preserved...in like-new condition, as a matter of fact.
Sasha casts detect magic, and finds that all of the clothes in the drawers and closet radiate such.
You return to the hall and open the door at the south end, after J'Harast does not hear anything at it. Beyond is another bedroom, 20' X 30' (20' south, 20' east, window in south wall, east corner, door in east wall, south corner.
This place has been trashed thoroughly already. Clustered and crawling over the other door in the place are almost a score of large, many-legged insects. Through the door you hear someone crying and whimpering.
Athmyr, Pillar and Illyana move to attack the centipedes. J'Harast hesitates, pondering as to whether it would be safer to climb the walls...but then notes that the monsters are adept at wall-climbing too, and so decides against it. Sasha follows him, staff at the ready.
"Hello...we are coming to help you...don't be afraid, we will be right there!" Sasha calls out.
"We must first deal with these creatures though...are you all right?"
"Help!" cries out the muffled voice.
Flintheart stays back by the doorway and throws darts.
The weapons swing, and Illyana and J'Harast kill a pair of centipedes. Sasha gets bitten but suffers no damage from it. Another centipede is killed by one of the gnomes darts.
Next round, Sasha dispatches with a centipede, as does J'Harast.
Illyana swats a second bug, as do Sasha and J'Harast. Flintheart continues to miss with his darts.
Pillar finally mashes the centipede that he has been attacking, while J'Harast kills another. Pillar gets bitten by another one, but suffers no damage.
Flintheart stops throwing darts, in case he strikes one of his companions.
Pillar, getting warmed up, now, kills his second centipede as Illyana dispatches another, as does Sasha. J'Harast, with no insects attacking him, helps out the others by killing one on Athmyr.
Another centipede on Athmyr manages to give him a bite, but the elf suffers no damage. J'Harast kills the insect.
Athmyr mashes yet another centipede, as do J'Harast and Sasha.
Athmyr finally kills the last centipede.
As you stand there catching your breath, the door opens, revealing an empty closet. Standing there, clad only in an oversized mens bathrobe is a young man with a slender, almost girlish build, and a pretty, finely featured face.
"Oh, thankyou for saving me!" he exclaims, throwing his arms around J'Harast. "I owe you my life!"
He looks into J'Harast's eyes.
"You saved my life. I am yours to command."
Not being one to pass up a line like that, J'Harast sweeps into a very deep and elegant bow, and kisses the the young lads hand "My dear lady, I am the noble J'Harast, adventurer and rescuer of damsels in distress." Petunia blushes with pleasure.
"I wish I still were a lady, my hero...or perhaps you can see beyond this body I am now cursed with..?"
Illyana says, "Well, at least now we know what the clothing does. I'm glad none of us were stupid enough to try some on. Then again, after the 'incident' I don't believe any of us will look at clothing the same way again. Think we should take her (him?) to the temple to see if they can reverse the curse? Maybe simply taking off the robe will do the trick, although I doubt it. There were some *weird* people living in this house."
"No, I tried taking off the robe and nothing happened, so I put it on hoping that that would change me again, but no. And, I have no money to purchase spells. Until I can save some up I guess that I am stuck the way I am," he sighs, and gazes into J'Harasts eyes again. "For saving my life, my hero, I vow to serve you in whatever way you deem fit, for a period of a year."
He bows his head submissively.
Sasha grins at the budding romance developing between the two. "May you both be happy and fruitful...umm...well, once we have taken care of your situation, that is."
"Well then, I think that the first order of busines is to get you some equipment and try to figure out how to make you whole." says J'Harast.
"Well, then - what is the next step?" asks Sasha. "Shall we try a few more doors - or do we need to get Petunia back to the Inn? Do you not have any adventuring costumes then...oh, I suppose they do not fit your new figure...well then, I guess we must get you back or re-outfitted then."
"I have some armour and equipment already," Petunia answers brightly. "Just a sec."
He runs off to the other bedroom, and a moment later returns with an armful of items, including a longsword, dagger, backpack, shield, and an infamous chainmail bikini.
"I guess this won't be of much use to me anymore," he says, holding up the latter. He turns to Sasha. "Here, you can have it...no, wait...your figure is much too mature to suit it. Would you like it?" he asks Illyana.
Sasha turns to ready herself, but then suddenly turns back to Petunia, with and indescernable look in her eyes.
"Petunia, how did you gain entry to this house? Did you not meet with any creatures - other than these...and did you arrive in the dark?"
"I walked in through the front door just after dark last night, came upstairs and just went room to room until I found a comfortable place to sleep. I met no other creatures except for this adorable kitty - oh! I see you met him, too! No other creatures until these creepy crawlies came after me," he pauses. "I did hear some noises, though, from downstairs very early this morning while it was still dark. Voices...and then a door slamming.
"I don't think I want to spend another night here."
Athmyr speaks:
"What kind of robe was it a mans or womens? If it was a mans we could have you try on some womens or vice versa.
"It is entirely up to you but it may work. If all the outfits are with that type of magic on them.
"If you do and it works I would suggest continueing on but if you would prefer to go back to town we could do that."
"I'd say it was a man's robe," Petunia replies, "It's not cut to highlight my shapely curves - er - the ones I used to have, anyway. Have you found some womens clothes in this place? Could I try them on? I'd give anything to be a girl again."
He casts a significant look at J'Harast.
Pillar seems to be dubious about the whole thing.
"Well well, what an interesting developement. I havn't seen anything like this before... I would usually bve a trusting soul but somehow I dont believe you girl.. um er Boy. Perhaps I have been in this house too long but I dont think we can trust him completely yet."
Pillar shrugs and looks at the boy intently.
Sasha gives Pillar a sharp look, and cuts in. "You must excuse him - he is still recovering from serious injuries that he received here in this house." Sasha walks to Petunia and gently puts an arm around her, leading her away from the group.
While Sasha is trying to lead Petunia away, she waves her hand (behind Petunia's back) urging the others to put some distance between themselves and Petunia.
"You must understand our great concern, Petunia. We have come to serious grief in this house - two of our companions have perished here. So, could you tell me how you came to be here - did not all the evil creatures come to attack you?"
"I - I understand your concerns and fears," he replies, glancing over his shoulder back at the dead centipedes. "If I had known they were in here then I would have found somewhere else to sleep. But no, nothing else came after me," he pauses. "I get the feeling that you don't care much for me...are you J'Harasts girlfriend?"
Sasha laughs lightly, "No, dear, I am not his girlfriend. Let's just say that we are suspicious of all things in this house..." Sasha catches his/her eye, and gives him a penetrating look.
"Oh, good," Petunia breaks into a smile and giggles. "He's awfully cute."
"We just find it difficult to believe that you are what you say you are...your offer of a years service for being rescued...just doesn't seem normal. What are you really?"
"What I said I was...a mercenary. I was training to be a paladin, but they said I lacked the leadership abilities...and the wisdom. But I still have a strong sense of duty, and feel an obligation to you for saving my life...and especially to that sweet elf..."
He giggles again.
Sasha smiles, "Well, I guess we will have to go with that for now. But is it a custom in your area to promise yourself to servitude for one year as repayment...or is that just your way of advancing your affections for J'Harast?"
"It is the custom to reward the persons who perform a feat such as you and J'Harast did. I am poor, but feel obligated...what else have I to offer..?" he says solemnly, before brightening up again. "Besides, it certainly won't hurt my chances with him, will it?"
He giggles again and squeezes your arm.
"Now, where are these pretty clothes that the other elf mentioned..?"
"OKay, lets join the others then - but be warned, Pillar will likely still be a little suspicious of you...and I am sorry to say this - but I shall be keeping an eye on you also. This still does not feel right to me - but then, we have all been through a lot in this house."
Sasha turns back towards the others, escorting Petunia.
When she sees the others, she shrugs and says, "I have explained our feelings to Petunia...I mean, I am still not sure she...umm...he is what he says he is...but we will just have to wait and see."
"Can I try on those clothes, now..?" he asks, looking shyly at J'Harast.
Illyana says, "The women's clothing we found? The magical ones? Thats a risky attempt at best. Considering what happened the last time someone put some of those clothing on, perhaps you should see if the temple of Tyr in town can help you before trying them on. I'd rather you would try the safer way first, I've seen too many people die for no good reason."
"But they'll want money, and I don't have money," he answers, then giggles. "I feel lucky today," he says, with another look at J'Harast.
Sasha opens her bag and Petunia reaches in and pulls out a silk skirt. Upon touching it a strange look comes across his face. Dropping the robe from his shoulders, he pulls on the skirt, and suddenly he metamorphoses...into a young woman.
She looks at J'Harast, smiling.
"See? I told you I feel lucky."
"Petunia, I think you should change your name to Lucky. The gods have smiled on you this day, and I think that we should celebrate. However, we have work to do.
"Shall we saddle up and continue to search this area?"
Petunia suddenly realizes that she is standing there topless, and ducks back into her closet with a squeak.
Several moments later she steps out again, this time wearing her armour with a long cloak over it.
You continue you exploration, as she stays close by J'Harast.
The next door you open is in the east wall, 10' - 20' section as measured from the south. This is another bedroom, 20' X 30' (10' south, 30' east, window in east wall, door in south wall, east corner). There is a large bed against the middle of the north wall, a table, some chairs, and a chest of drawers. Searching, you find nothing...not even any more clothes ;^).
You open the door to the south, revealing a 10' square closet.
Somebody hid their skeleton in this closet, and now it jumps out at you in all its hideous glory. (Are you starting to get the impression that this adventure is just one bad cliche after another? :^))
Athmyr greets it with his bear-claw morning star and smashes it to smithereens before it can even raise its sword.
Searching the closet, you find nothing of interest.
You have searched this entire floor, I believe.
Sasha takes a moment to update her maps. She begins making some notations, shakes her head and walks out of the room, pacing and checking her notations. She counts doors in the main hallway, looks at her map again, and shakes her head again.
"Look you all - I can't make this come out right. I have been updating this regularly...but doors that I thought were in one section, now seem to be in another. I have closets just hanging out nowhere...and a closet smack in the middle of the hallway. I may not be an expert mapper...but something is wrong here...Oh well...I guess it is not important - we have checked for secret doors, and it seems we went through all the doors here. I'll try to keep better notes next time."
Sasha keeps her journal handy, and looks up. "Well, should we go up or down. Based on my possibly faulty notes of this floor - the entire house is at least 80 ft wide and possibly 100 feet deep...let's see, the living roon was 40 feet (east/west) and right next to the living room was the room with the money in the mattress - which was 20 ft square, and next to that room was the nursery, also 20 square.
"As you can see, I have done something wrong. But in any event, I am sure that the house is 80 across and maybe 100 deep. So, this makes me wonder if we have covered everything on the top floor."
"Two of the storerooms were 60 ft wide...and one was 40 - but the stairs/landing would account for that. So, unless the upper floor is smaller, there may be a room we missed up there."
Sasha shuts her journal with a snap and continues. "Or there is the ground floor - we didn't check much of that. There were a lot of doors there, and I think we only checked the formal dining and living rooms, and of course the foyer. So...."
You head downstairs to the ground floor of the house.
As described some time ago, the stairs come down from the north, ending at a hallway running east - west. Directly across from you is the doorway leading into the entrance foyer and the front door. To the right (west) the hallway immediately turns north...there is a door in the west wall at this point. To your left (east) the hall also turns north.
There is another door in the south wall, to the left (east) of the door into the foyer.
While Illyana keeps watch, J'Harast inspects the south door. He finds nothing suspicious about it.
Looking north up the east branch of the passage, you see that it runs for 60' from the back wall, ending at a door. Additional doors are in the east wall, 10' - 20' section, 30' - 40' section and 40' - 50' section. Another door is in the second last 10' section of the west wall.
Looking up the west branch, you see that immediately turns west again. Looking around this corner, you see that it runs for 30' from the back wall, turning north again after 20'. There is a door facing you in the west wall.
You return to the door in the south wall and open it.
Before you is the formal dining room that you saw through the window from the verandah, weeks ago. It measures 20' X 40' (20' south, 30' east, door in north wall east corner, two windows in south wall). A long oak table with 12 matching chairs runs down the length of the room. More small tables and cabinets are along the walls. A large, ornate shield along with two crossed swords hang from the west wall. Various paintings of people hang from the other walls.
You search, but find nothing of interest, though the table and chairs look to be of some value...if you could get them out of here.
You return to the hall.
J'Harast heads up the east branch of the hall, Petunia close behind him, listening and checking each door in turn, then blocking them off.
Hearing nothing at any of them, he returns and you open the first door in the east wall.
Beyond is a 20' square room (10' south, 20' east, door in east wall north corner). This was once clearly a childs playroom. The place is littered with toys...wagons, dolls, blocks, books, a rocking horse, a jack-in-the-box (closed). A large toy chest is in the southwest corner, surrounded by 10 toy soldiers seemingly guarding it mutely.
Sasha ducks, remembering the last incident with toys, then grins ruefully. "Well...last time...you know..."
She approaches the toy chest cautiously. "Shall I cast my last detect magic? I would venture to guess the chest is trapped...or I'm just getting paranoid." She says with a grin.
Illyana peeks her head inside the room from outside and says, "After the clothing inside this house, I don't want to leave anything to chance. If the clothing changes someone's gender, maybe the toys change will change your age." She then pulls her head out and keeps watch on the hallway.
J'Harast doesn't think so.
"Are we suspicious or what? I don't like the look of this, but if there is something in that chest, other than toy's I'll be shocked. Don't waste any spells, yet. I'll go check the chest."
"Petunia, watch that jack in the box."
"I'd rather watch you," she replies with a giggle.
J'Harast will approach the chest, and starts to clear the soldiers away with a flick of the sword. However, they suddenly animate. Drawing small but pointy swords, they move to attack him, Petunia, and Sasha, nearby.
Sasha swings her staff like a golf club...
"Fore!" cries Petunia as she draws her sword.
...and six of them go flying across the room, to hit various walls, smashing them to splinters.
Both J'Harast and Petunia miss with their weapons, as Illyana moves in to help.
The two soldiers attacking J'Harast and Petunia miss as well.
J'Harast gets pierced by a tiny sword for 2 hit points of damage before he hits the soldier and smashes it. Petunia again misses, as does the toy attacking her. Sasha smashes another before it has a chance to strike her. Illyana and her foe both miss.
Petunia finally deals with the one on her, as Sasha smashes the one on Illyana.
All of them are broken.
J'Harast checks the chest, and opens it, revealing a grisly sight: the decomposed corpse of a young boy, his body pierced by many small sword wounds.
There is nothing else in the chest.
"Achhhh!" Sasha cries out, startled by the sight. "So many bodies...I guess it was generations of the moneylender's family...how awful..." She kneels down by the chest and quietly murmers a prayer, then sprinkles a few drops of holy water over the corpse.
When she rises, her face is pale, her eyes troubled. She straightens her shoulders, and turns to the rest of the party. "Shall we go on then?" she asks in a quiet voice.
Athmyr looks solemn.
" I knew that humans were wont for regard of life but this is almost umberable. To think with such a short life span as is that they would use magic in this way to kill a boy."
"I agree...this is so...deplorable...and evil...and what we have heard of Melnar...I guess..." says Sasha.
" I think that this house is far more than it looks from the outside...
"J'Harast if you would watch my back the way this house has been treating us and its prior guest I don't really want to leave anything that could surprise us.
" Shoud I open the jack n the box or smash it?"
"I recommend that we open it. We must discover all we can...much though it may disturb us. There is evil in this house...and we must put an end to it. I have always felt that evil will perpetuate itself if not erradicated..." Sasha stands ready, staff held high.
"Athmyr, let me check the box for traps first, and then I'll open it. I would recommend that everyone else stand back from me, in case there is a trap that migth do area damage. Those with bows might want to have them ready."
J'Harast will then examine the jack-in-the-box and open it, once all traps and the like have been detected and disarmed.
He turns the crank in the side, and music comes out of it. At the end of the song the lid pops open and out jumps the Jack...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" it cries as it tries to grab the elf around the neck.
Sasha, Illyana and Petunia attack as the Jack tries to grab J'Harast.
Unfortunately, everyone misses...and misses again.
Finally, Illyana whomps the box with her sword, damaging it but not finishing the Jack off. Petunia follows up with a hit of her own. Torn and battered, the Jack still lunges.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
More misses follow on both sides, before Sasha finally mashes it on the noggin and it collapses.
"Oh, are you alright, J'Harast?" Petunia asks of the unharmed elf, using this as a good excuse to throw her arms around him...
"Well," says Sasha, trying to catch her breath. "I think we have seen what we came to see here. Shall we try the next room?"
You open the next door in the east wall up the passage. This opens into another 20' square room (10' south, 20' east). This is a sewing room, with a loom, tables, balls of rotted wool and cotton, and many other odds and ends intended for dressmaking, knitting, crocheting and sewing.
You search the place thoroughly but turn up nothing, for once.
You continue on to the next door on the east side. This opens into a sunroom (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' east, row of boarded up windows along north wall). A large, airy room, there are few furnishings in here: a few tables, chairs, and a chaise lounge. You search but again turn up nothing.
You open the door across the hall in the west. This is a den (20' X 30': 10' north, 30' west, window in north, door in west wall south portion), furnished and decorated with dark wood. Ther are a number of large, comfy leather chairs scattered about, a large fireplace against the north wall, tables, bookshelves (bare), and a desk. Sasha makes a beeline for the desk and upon opening the drawers pulls out piles of bills, IOUs and still more accounting records. That is all you find in here.
You return to the hall and open the door at the north end. You find that you are looking outside. Immediately to your left is a 10' long wall running north with a door in it...it turns west thereafter. To your right the outside wall runs east for 50' before rounding a corner to the south. 10' out from this corner is another building, measuring 10' X 20' (oriented east - west, door in west wall) that looks like a garden shed.
Sasha examines the items on the sewing table and will pocket any needles, scissors, knitting needles, bits/bolts of fabric or string and thread that at least look serviceable.
None of them are. The materials and yarns are rotted, the needles rusted, etc.
Later, after you open the door...
Sasha looks around, "Shall we try the north wall with the door in it? And after that, I wouldn't mind checking out the garden shed."
Athmyr agrees.
"Why don't we check the shed now and get it over with. We don't want to be surprised by something coming up from behind us."
J'Harast listens at the door to the west and outside, then you open it. Revealed is the outhouse (10' square). Several holes in the floor with wooden seats over them serve as the facilities. You search the place but find nothing...though it looks as if something fairly heavy was recently dragged out of one of the holes, going by the scuff marks on the floor.
You go over to the out building and open that door, too.
As expected, this is a garden shed (10' X 20'). It is of stone construction, with some very small windows through which only a little light shines. In here are many gardening implements: shovels, spades, rakes, shears, stakes, a wheel barrow and the like.
You go through it all but find nothing of interest.
"I would propose that we return to the passageway that Pillar and I found leading to the "basement" and work from there." says J'Harast, after you finish exploring the outhouse and the garden shed.
"I agree we should head back to the basement," says Athmyr.
You leave the balance of the ground floor of the house for another time and return to the carpenters shop and smithy. Sliding the anvil aside, you drop down the shaft and into the chamber where you fought the slime creatures and animal skeletons. Only a few bones remain.
You head down the passage to the north, through the empty chamber, and down the passage to the east. Going through the door at the end, you find yourself back in the store room. You pass through here as well and enter the 20' long passage which runs south. To your left is the door which opens into the room where you fled from the scorpions. Before you to the south is a flight of stairs heading upwards. You have not yet seen where they go. To your right is another door...leading into the wine cellar where you discovered the entombed family. You remember that there is more to explore in that direction, as well.
"Let's first check out these stairs, and see where they lead. It might be an important emergency way out." J'Harast will go and examine the stairs.
You head upstairs.
At the top of the stairs is a door. You open it after listening, to find yourself looking into a hallway. To your left it runs east for 10', ending at a door. There is a second door in the north wall to your left, beside you. To your right the wall runs for 10', at which point it turns south. Looking down that way, you see that the passage runs for 40' from the back wall and ends at a door. There are additional doors in the west wall, 20' - 30' section and the last 10' section of the east wall.
Going by the architecture and construction of the passage, you surmise that you are back in the house itself.
J'Harast leads you back downstairs, and you return to the wine cellar.
As you recall, the west wall of this room was false, as there was actually a further 10' to the room, containing a number of barrels. One of these hid a door, which opened into a passage running west.
When you left this room some weeks ago, you are sure that you left this door open, but now it is closed...
"Ah. I think that this may be the way to excitment and a good time. Shall we open it?"
J'Harast will examine the door to see if it has been tampered with in any manner.
While J'Harast inspects, Sasha keeps watch. The elf detects no sign of tampering or other funny stuff, so you open it. Beyond is a 10' X 20' long room (oriented east-west, door at far end). You have been here already. In here are two pallets, a crude table, and a pair of stools.
While the furnishings are of low quality, they do not look too old.
You search.
Under the covers of one pallet you find some clothes, but nothing else of interest.
You open the west door after making sure that it is safe to do so.
This leads into a 20' X 30' common room (10' north, 10' south, 20' west, door in east wall, north corner, door in north wall, east corner). You have not been here before. In here is a large trestle table with benches, several rusted iron braziers, three boxes and a barrel.
You search. The boxes are empty but for some food scraps. The barrel contains charcoal.
"Oh, don't know how I missed that. Anybody else want some charcoal?" Sasha asks, helping herself to a big bunch of it. She pockets some in her robe and puts a fairly good sized pile of it in her pack - she does while still holding her staff in one hand, though.
You note that the door to the north is locked.
Sasha raises her brow upon hearing that the door is locked. "Can you unlock it somehow, J'Harast?" Sasha seems excited now, and paces briefly before the door, holding her staff ready.
J'Harast checks the locked door for traps but finds none. He pulls out a selection of strange looking tools, and commences to work at the lock with them. After some ten minutes he gives up in disgust, being unable to get it open.
Flintheart then has a try at the lock, but with fruitless results as well.
Sasha, frustrated by not being to get into the room, raises her staff as if to beat the door down. She pulls the swing though and turns to the others.
"Hey...how about using that axe you found here? I'm dy...errr, that is, I just have to know what is in the room - the curiousity is unbearable! Just smash it down ...please?"
"Ok everyone, I think that it's time for a little brute force."
J'Harast will pull out his axe and take aim at the lock.
Illyana steps forward. "Did we hear anything behind the door? I suppose it doesn't matter now, whoever is back there has heard us by now. I'll stand by the door and hit anything that comes through assuming someone else wants to open it. If not, then I'll try at opening it."
The elf swings the gleaming blade of the axe and strikes the lock with a solid blow. The lock shatters.
You push the door open.
Beyond is a 20' square room (10' west, 20' north, door in north wall, east corner). This place is quite bare. You enter and search, but all you find is a rusted, broken longsword lying on the floor in the southwest corner .
Sasha eyes the longsword with disappointment. She picks it up and holds it up - obviously not familar with handling such weapons. "This is it? *sigh* I thought for sure we would find something interesting here."
"I guess it is not usable for anything..."
J'Harast is looking for secret doors, but after awhile gives up, having found nothing.
Sasha ponders the sword.
"But I think I will keep it - as a momento. Perhaps there is some history attached...or maybe it can be repaired." Sasha grins as she stuffs it in her pack.
"I guess I am just a scavenger at heart - if any of you would rather have it..."
"Well, perhaps there is something through that door there, in the north wall." Sasha walks up to it, but steps aside to let J'Harast listen and open it. Standing ready with her staff.
J'Harast listens at the door but hears nothing.
Opening it, you see a rough stone passage running of to the northeast. The right hand wall runs for 30', the left for 40'. At this point the passage turns east.
You move foreward.
Looking east, the passage continues for 60' and beyond the range of your lights.
You move foreward again.
The passage runs east for another 40', then turns southeast. However, at the point where you are standing is an opening into a small cave in the north wall. It measures roughly 10' X 20', oriented west-southwest - east northeast.
Glancing into it, you are startled by a sudden movement, as an enormous snake comes slithering at you...
Sasha backs away slowly, holding her staff in front of her. With her other hand, she reaches into one of her pouches and pulls forth a handful of salt & pepper mix.
J'Harast stands ready to attack the 12' long snake.
Sasha tosses her mixture into the eyes of the monster but her throw is bad and she misses. J'Harast closes with the snake and his weapons flash. He misses with both his dagger and his longsword. The snake lunges at him, but it too misses.
The snake is completely out in the passage, now, so Petunia and Illyana are able to get in on the fun too.
Sasha lights her staff and thrusts it into the snakes face, bruising and scorching it. The snake darts at J'Harast, missing with its bite, but coiling its long body around the elfs torso and squeezing him for 6 hit points of damage. Fortunately for him, his arms remain free and so he is able to continue the fight. One sword thrust gets through, for 8 hit points of damage.
The snake is looking quite hurt by this time, as Illyana dances in with her two-handed sword...and misses. Petunia cries out at the sight of J'Harast entwined by the snake...but also misses.
Sasha moves down the length of the snake raining blows as she goes. Unfortunately they have little effect but to cause the snake to aim a bite in her direction, gashing her arm for 2 hit points of damage. J'Harast, meanwhile, is crunched for 6 more hit points. He in turn misses with both weapons.
Illyana again misses with both of her attacks, as does Petunia.
"Why do I keep missing..?" cries the latter. "It's as if something is working against me!"
Sasha again misses, but so does the snake. Still J'Harast takes 7 more hit points of damage. He misses on all three attacks in turn, though. Illyana does even worse, followed by Petunia.
The snake again lunges at the cleric and misses, but the elf takes two more hit points. It is getting harder to breathe, as he misses again. Sasha misses as well. Finally Petunia beheads the snake with a mighty swing of her sword for 13 hit points of damage.
The snake uncoils and releases J'Harast, who drops to his knees, gasping.
"Oh, you poor baby," says Petunia, gently embracing him and kissing his bruised ribs better.
Pillar and Flintheart inspect the snake-lair, but find nothing of interest or value in it.
Sasha rubs her arm ruefully and looks over to the spectacle of J'Harast and Petunia.
"J'Harast - will you need healing to go on? I have but one cure spell since I preferred the detect magics...Pillar? Perhaps you could lend your assistance?"
Gasping a bit, J'Harast speaks, "Give me a minute to catch my breath. That was some squeeze."
J'Harast does some movements, twisting and twirling his body. After a few minutes he speaks again, "I think that snake took more out of me than I though. I feel pretty run down. If anyone could heal me a bit, I'd appreciate it."
Pillar lays hands on J'Harast for 9 hit points of healing.
Sasha looks around, "I would like to continue if we can - perhaps this snake is guarding something...and I really don't want to run from this house again...not without finding something..."
Athmyr checks the walls and floor of the snake-cave for secret doors, but his search is fruitless.
"J'Harast how are you. Can you continue?"
Feeling somewhat better, J'Harast asks:
"Where to go next? Any suggestions?"
Sasha peers down the corridor beyond the snake cave. "Lets just follow this to the end."
"Ok."
J'Harast takes the lead.
The passage turns southeast about 30' east of the snake lair. From there, it runs southeast for 40' on the right-hand side, before you come to another small side cave to the right. The passage continues southeast from here for a further 20' past this opening, then turns south. However, there is also another passage running off of here to the east 10' before it turns south.
You pause and look into the side cave.
It is roughly circular shaped, about 10' in diameter. At forst glance it seems bare, but after several minutes of searching you discover a cleft in the back wall of the cave, into which are wedged a number of items.
You pull these out and inspect them.
These are a shortsword, a dagger, a set of very peculiar looking instruments, and a packet containing some dried meats, hardtack, chocolate and nuts. None of the items appear to be of exceptional quality.
It is midafternoon.
"Well, this smells okay - shall we have a little snack and continue?" Sasha breaks off a piece of chocolate and eats it - closing her eyes and savoring the morsal.
J'Harast continues snooping around while the others eat, but finds nothing else of interest.
"Let's continue south and on the way back we will catch the east passage..." Sasha once again dons her pack, lights her staff, and is ready to set off.
"Well at least some of you won't feel so bad if we leave anytime soon now," says Athmyr."We have at least found what looks to be magic weapons. I would suggest who ever can use them to do so now. Never know what we will come up against..."
You leave the small cave and continue southeast. At the intersection you pause and look east. The passage runs for 60' along the north wall and ends at a door.
10' past this intersection this passage turns south. You move foreward and look in that direction. The passage runs south for 60' and out of the range of your lights. However, from down in that direction you think you see a faint ruddy glow - not bright enough to illuminate anything - and hear low voices.
Sasha immediately douses her 'torch' and backs up, the way they came.
Very softly, J'Harast whispers, "I'll see what's up ahead. If you hear me yell, come running."
J'Harast will then carefully drop his pack, and move forward, very quietly, while the rest of you retreat back around the corner.
Several minutes pass, as you wait anxiously back around the corner in the passage.
Suddenly you hear a distant yell, then the sounds of several sets of running feet...approaching you.
You hear the sound of Petunia drawing her sword.
You hear J'Harast yelling to you. "Incoming, two bandits and a zombie right behind me."
Sasha hurriedly relights her smouldering staff, while Illyana, Athmyr and Petunia stand ready.
From some point behind the elf you hear several people yelling and cursing...something about "running into a trap".
Finally, when J'Harast comes into view he is alone...no one is pursuing him. Evidently his warning to the rest of you was also a warning to his pursuers.
From some distance behind him down the passage you hear low voices...then silence.
"Sorry, I guess I told the bandits that there were people here. I saw three people, two fighters and one cleric. Additionally, there was a zombie, or something like it in the room there. Shall we go back and attack them or leave the area for now?"
"Come on! After them! It sounds like we have them now...did you recognise what kind of cleric it was? Let's go!" Sasha replies, gathering up her staff and heading down the corridor.
You move back towards the chamber that J'Harast discovered.
The chamber lies 60' south of the bend in the passage...a 20' X 30' area (20' east, 20' south). The passage continues, exiting from the south wall, west portion.
In here are four stools and a brazier...now extinguished and smouldering. A ledge is above the north passage entry...though now no one waits to jump down upon you.
The place is now deserted.
You go and look to the south, and see that the passage continues for 40' and then beyond the range of your lights.
There is the sound of running water coming from this direction.
You move down the south passage.
70' down you come to a cave...irregular shaped, about 40' wide and 30' across with another passage exiting to the south, across from you. There is also a small stream flowing out of the northwest wall, across the cave, and then down the south passage. Out of the south comes the sound of running water as well, in addition ot the odour of sewage.
And...staggering towards you with jerky steps is the zombie that J'Harast saw earlier...arms extended, ready to claw at you, its expression blank.
"Keep an eye out. I'll deal with this beast."
J'Harast moves up, blades drawn, Petunia at his side.
Sasha, holding her staff tightly with white-knuckled fingers, grasps her holy symbol with her free hand and holds it aloft.
"BACK! By the power of Isis, I command you to return from where you came!"
Suddenly the zombie stops dead in its tracks...then it turns around and staggers away.
Into the south passage it goes as you stand and watch. A moment later you hear a splash.
"Wait here, I'll check it out. If I need help, I'll call."
J'Harast moves into the south passage while the rest of you wait.
Petunia sighs.
"He has such great buns," she says.
You stand watching the south passage anxiously for J'Harast's return.
Suddenly a voice speaks from behind you.
"If I were a monster one of you would probably now be my lunch. You really should watch your backs. I guess thats why I was told to join you."
You spin around, to see a person standing there...an elf apparently, except that he is very tall, and has a black complexion and silver hair. He wears leathers.
He holds a hand up.
"Rane Simarune at your service."
As the dark elf - or whatever - says this you hear a movement from the south tunnel entrance and see the elf J'Harast standing there.
Flintheart looks at Rane.
"Who told you to join us."
"Not the same people who hired you. Rather I was independently contracted to insure that some rogue thieves stop being a nuisance. But I was told to find you and work with you. I must say another scout would do you no harm, and you will surely come to appreciate my skills."
J'Harast, upon returing and seeing the one called Rane, speaks. "Dark elf. A pox on you. We do not need your kind. Go back to the hole that you crawled out from." J'Harast will then advance with sword drawn.
Rane laughs, "Indeed, a pox on all drow! We certainly do not need their kind around here. One can not trust a drow as far as one can see it."
Rane raises his hands. "Kill me not! I have done you no harm. And more to the point, I am not a dark elf as you think. My dark skin and these poor eyes are all I recieved from my father. My mother however raised me in this very city, and I've lived here all my life."
J'Harast stops advancing and drops his sword to en garde. He then speaks, "I am J'Harast. Do you know Guido?"
"I do, but I was sent here by Brando, not Guido."
Sasha speaks quietly, "J'Harast - this one came to us while you were gone - could he be of the ones that fled here...it seems suspicious..."
"I'm sorry, but I am definately not a resident of this house. The very place gives me the creeps. Go back to the Drunken Dwarf and ask the innkeep. He'll recognize me. I met him this morning and asked about you. Sadly you were not present, or I could have made my introductions there."
Rane, satisfied that introductions have now been made on his part, says "Perhaps I could have the pleasure of your own names now..."
Sasha all but interuppts, "Yes, yes, that is fine. Now quickly, we must get after those thieves, lets continue on and try to catch up with them...though caustiously."
You move across the cave and into the south passage. Rane takes his time, feeling the walls and seeming to concentrate.
The passage only runs for 10', then exits into a sewer, running east-west through an ancient tunnel some 30' wide. The stonework is old and overgrown with mosses and slimes, the walls arched overhead to a height of some 20'. A 10' wide walkway runs along the north side (ie. your side), with the sewer - a river of foul smelling water flowing westwards - taking up the rest of the tunnel. The little rivulet at your feet flows through a shallow channel and enters the main flow right in front of you.
Four large, rough logs float barely above the surface of the water in front of you, against the walkway.
Strangely enough, they seem to be unnaffected by the current.
Also strangely, they seem to have eyes, which are watching you.
There is no sign of the three men that you were pursuing...or the zombie.
Sasha stops short, and nods towards the logs. "What are those things?" she whispers as she reaches into her pack.
She takes a strip of cloth from her dwindling supply and once again wraps the top of her staff with it. She will then light it.
"Think they are alligators or something more magical in nature..?" She pauses thoughtfully, and says, "I think I will cast my last detect magic here..." and she proceeds to do so.
They do not radiate magic.
Sasha continues to turn slowly, after her perusal of the 'logs' .....
"Meow." says her cat.
Sasha, startled, looks down and smiles at the cat. "Oh, you came back!" She reaches down to pet the cat.
J'Harast ponders.
"Could those creatures serve as the guards, like watchdogs? I am hesitant to follow the path, if these things will be following us. Shall we search around a bit more first, or do you wish to continue down the path?"
Sasha frowns, "Hmmm...I have what might be a bad idea...but you are right...I do not relish the idea of those things being behind us...what if one of us approached them slowly...just to see what kind of reaction it draws? I don't necessarily want to fight it...but I would like to know what kind of threat it may pose. They could just be normal sewer denizens..."
Sasha walks closer to the logs, watching them closely.
Behind her, Rane carefully probes the walkway, placing a foot on it, and watching the 'logs' for any activity. The walkway is of solid stone, and shows no sign of shifting.
Sasha, meanwhile, is about five feet away from the nearest 'log', when suddenly it launches itself out of the water at her, its massive, fang-filled maw agape and seemingly large enough to swallow her whole. It is a crocodile, and a large one at that.
The cleric jumps back, just dodging the snapping jaw, Rane doing likewise, as the three other crocodiles climb out of the sewer and come at you.
J'Harast, shouts as he pulls is dagger out. "Everyone fall back down the passageway. We don't want to have to fight more of these creatures than necessary. Pillar, You and I will be rear guard. Now move!"
Sasha waves her lit (and now quite charred at one end) staff in the face of the nearest croc. It ducks away but the flames still hold it at bay for long enough for her to get back into the passage.
J'Harast places himself in harms way while the others retreat back down the hall. A crocodile comes at him. The elf attacks, but misses with both weapons. The crocodile claws him for 6 hit points of damage but misses with its mouth.
Rane runs. But once he back at the tunnel entrance, he pulls out his bow and launches two arrows into one of the crocs. Both arrows miss cleanly.
Flintheart also falls back out of reach from the crocs and try to hit them with darts. One pierces the hide of one, for 2 hit points of damage.
You are all back in the tunnel, now, and retreating back to the cave. The crocs do not follow you...but rather withdraw back to the sewer.
Rane launches a few more arrows at the crocodiles, who are now returning to the water. Both miss badly.
"That was interesting, pointless, but interesting. Anyone here have a tracking skill or something?" asks Pillar.
Sasha stamps her foot in frustration. "Oh, I wish there was some way to discover which way they went. Let's head back to the house and see if they are there...though we should be very cautious...as they are aware of our presence now..." Sasha frowns in thought for a moment.
She looks to J'Harast, "Or should we call it an evening...I hate to do that...we are so close now to discovering something...let's go to the house...if you are able..." she adds, again looking to J'Harast.
"I think we should stay round the house for now. That is unless J'Harast wants to call it a day?" says the gnome.
J'Harast remains silent. Petunia looks at him with adoration - or something - in her eyes.
"He's the strong, silent type," she says with a sigh.
Rane comments, "If you do decide to finish here for the night, I suggest taking care of two groups of animals first. There is a large pig like creature upstairs, and two beetles in the stables. Sadly, I'm only fair at bladework, and actually better with an arrow, but you see how good I am with that. Thus I left them alone until I found you."
You head back up the tunnel.
After ten minutes you are back in the basement of the house. You head up the stairs, and find yourselves back on the ground floor of the house.
It is evening. All is silent and dark.
Sasha whispers, "I guess we have chased them away for the evening...I wonder if they will even return tomorrow..."
With a disappointed sigh, Sasha continues, "Well then, let's go back to the inn and make some plans - I am determined to catch those thieves and discover what is going on."
J'Harast will head back to the inn.
"Rane, come with me. I'd like to talk to you a bit."
The rest of you are seated in the common room of the inn eating a late supper while J'Harast and Rane move off to a quiet corner and converse in low tones.
Suddenly the door to the common room bursts open and a rather tall and - er - unnattractive woman pushing a baby stroller comes in.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" says the baby.
Before any of you can react, she is over by Rane and J'Harast. In a flash she has pulled out a longsword and has pressed it to the elf's neck. The blade does not glow, but a rime of frost is upon the blue steel, and the point feels icy cold where it pricks J'Harast's neck.
"You know what I'm here for, Jaramir," she says to him. "I want to know how you shut my kid up."
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Shaddap."
"Good lady, you seem to have me at a disadvantage. Could you please remove your blade from my neck? My name is J'Harast. The only Jaramir I know is my brother, now a vegetable after being attacked by a demon. I do not appreciate this joke, while I did not like my brother, I do miss his council. I have no idea how to quiet your child."
"Don't try to fool me, Jaramir," she replies, eyes hard. "It won't work. You did it before, so you do know. Now answer my question."
She presses the blade a little harder, and a drop of blood oozes out of J'Harast's neck...and freezes.
"Keep your hands off my boyfriend!" cries Petunia, launching herself at the woman, sword drawn.
With the moves of an experienced fighter the woman spins around and meets Petunia's attack with one of her own, driving her sword into the girl's abdomen before she can bring her own to bear.
Petunia groans and drops to the floor, unconscious and bleeding heavily.
Sasha, who has been watching this spectacle open mouthed, rushes over to Petunia and begins binding her wounds. "We need a healer here...."
J'Harast, meanwhile, launches himself at the woman, attempting to tackle her to the ground. "You bitch. Who the hell do you think that you are coming in here, threatening me, and then attacking my friends."
With surprising speed the woman spins around again as the elf attacks and J'Harast finds himself on the receiving end of her blade...to the tune of 14 hit points of damage.
He clutches his gut, moans, and collapses next to Petunia, as she slowly pulls out the blade, his frozen blood encrusting it.
Rane finishes speaking to J'Harast ". . . or you can just attack her and get skewered. " With that the half-drow moves to the doorway so that he can leave if need be.
Rane backs away from them, and moves to a position offering easy access to the door. He pointedly ignores the woman now lying on the floor.
He then chuckles. "Lady, I think all of us can attest that this fellow is indeed Jaramir's brother, and not the fellow you are looking for. From what I'm told though, the man named Jaramir is not himself of late. But perhaps one of these people could tell you where he currently is. I'd show you myself, but I don't know, having just met J'Harast and his friends this evening."
The woman raises her sword again over the prone elf.
"This person," she says in a tone of voice that you find grating, "Whatever his name is, broke into my business and stole my cash box. Fine. He got peanuts. But somehow, he managed to silence my dear baby - "
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Shaddap. He can keep the money. I'd just like to know how he did it."
Suddenly the air lights up, as four magical missiles slam into the woman.
"Owww!" she cries, slapping at her dress, which has started to smoulder. The rest of the patrons in the inn have hit the deck.
"Now enough of that, Kull!" cries the innkeeper. "Yes, I remember you. And you've forgotten that you're not welcome in my establishment. Get out! Begone! Before I call the watch!"
"Sheeeyat," mutters Kull, lowering her sword and pushing the stroller to the door. Rane hurriedly steps aside.
She pauses there.
"I won't forget this," she says, glancing at the prone body of J'Harast.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Shaddap."
And she leaves.
"Ah yes, I see your friend here has a way with women. They either die for him, or want to kill him."
Rane comments that he'll be back shortly, and steps outside.
A few moments later Rane returns to the common room, to note that Flintheart has disappeared also. Petunia's and J'Harast's wounds have been bound by Sasha, Pillar and the innkeeper, and they are regaining consciousness.
"Boy, the place has sure livened up since you guys arrived," the innkeeper comments, wiping up the latest set of blood stains on his floor. "I'd avoid Kull, though. She's nuts. A few sandwiches short of a picnic, you could say."
Sasha looks at the innkeeper. "Yes, we noticed that! Can you tell us more about her? We certainly did not seek this confrontation...she sought us out...well, Jaramir anyway...is she connected to a guild here?"
"Naw. She used to be an adventurer...a ranger. Knighted and everything. I don't know what happened, but I guess she snapped one day. Blew her rangerhood. Now she owns a brewery down by the river. I wouldn't sell her beer, though...it's piss."
A short time later Illyana returns with a young acolyte in tow from the church of Tyr.
"Hmmm. Well, I will certainly try to stay out of her way. Thank you."
Illyana wholeheartedly agrees with Sasha. "Lets try to avoid her, especially since she may be coming back later."
The cleric kneels and examines the two wounded ones.
"Both are suffering from blood loss and what seems to be frostbite around the wound. Fortunately there appears to be little internal damage. My mistress tells me that you are entitled to one cure light wounds per day gratis. To whom should I give it to?"
J'Harast speaks from his position on the floor, his voice sounds tired and worn. "Whoever she is, she has made an enemy today. Cleric, how is Petunia? Make sure she is healed well. I can mend later."
A dry laugh comes from J'Harasts throat, "Rane, could you hand me a glass of wine, I need to see if there are any holes anywhere?"
Sasha turns back to the others, "Well, shall we get them back to the room and figure out what to do next?"
Illyana ponders.. "Did we ever get a good look at those two men inside the house? We might want to ask around to see if anyone knows them. We could always return there at night but I doubt they'll show up again. If they do though, they'll probably have some help since they probably believe that someone is after them."
Sasha rolls her eyes at J'Harast's request, but grins. "Well, maybe the wine will also lubricate our thought processes...I confess, I am unsure of how to continue. But let's take it to a private room so we can plan tomorrows activity..."
Sasha invites the other party members to her room (after bedding down J'Harast and Petunia - in the same bed? >:-)
"Okay...we need to think about things..." Sasha paces the small length of the room, ticking items off her fingers as she speaks.
"Okay, we were sent to clean-up a house. We know theives use it - and there is some suspicion that a church here in town may also be involved."
"Cleaning up the thieves is only what I was hired to do, but tell me, what is this about a church being involved. I've heard two different stories. My boss told me some clerical types hired a group to clean out the house. But J'Harast told me you were hired by Ming, who works for Ray Jay. Who really hired you?" says Rane.
Sasha looks puzzled, "Why Verona...of the Sandos council...I met Ming when trying to find out some information - right here, in the inn as a matter of fact."
"Second, we are on our own because of this possible involvement - the prominent members of the Sandoz council can't get involved at this point.
"To muddy up what we have been doing - Jarimar gets himself killed - and either he or his brother J'Harast has some dealings with a crazy woman. Now, I think it might behoove us to speak to that woman...if for no other reason than to investigate the intergrity of some of our party members - and who knows...maybe she knows some of the 'undercrust'..."
At this statement, J'Harast tries to stand up, and speaks, his voice low and full of anger.
"I don't like the implication that you are making with this statement. I am the son of a nobleman. My intergrity is intact, and I am insulted by your comment. If you don't trust me, let me know now, so I can make some other plans. I can not deal with people who are not going to trust me.
" Have I not bleed for you all? Have I not put myself in danger for you? What is your point. Some crazy woman enter the bar, calls me by my brothers name and then attacks Petunia, without, as I see it just cause.
"Speak to that woman, if you wish, but tell me now, so I can pack my bags and leave you people!"
"I highly advise you to not talk with Kull. I went after her after she took J'Harast out, and found that she is just as likely to kill us all for simply being in the same room. She is not interested in talking. One doesn't mess with paladins and rangers who have fallen. Inevitably they are nothing but trouble." says Rane.
"Hmmm, perhaps you are correct then. I guess we will leave her alone then."
"I realize this seems underhanded...but not knowing...could cost us more trouble of the kind we had tonight. We are now delayed another week. Though we can of course continue without them for the week."
"Trouble! Trouble! I'm the one injured and sidelined for a week. Do you think that I asked for this woman to come to me!
"What is your point Sasha? What are you accusing me of? What are you accusing my family of?"
Sasha is aghast! "J'Harast, you misunderstand my intent! I meant only that we need to find out what Jarimar was into - and you may be a key to that. First there was what happened to him...and then to you...there is something we don't seem to know - and it relates to you and your family members - we *need* to know what else could be involved...you said yourself that Jarimar might be...well...into things he shouldn't me...I do not doubt your bravery, or your commitmant to this group...it is just that an awful lot of things crop up with you both...that is what I meant...we need to know if more of this can be expected...I thought you might be the one to find out more about your sibling..."
Rane smiles silently to himself before speaking. "Lets not insult anyone's honor. I'm sure it was just a big misunderstanding. J'Harast is surely not the sort of man who would blame his own brother he loves so dearly for a crime he committed himself... Yes, Jaramir surely must have committed the crime. Perhaps he even used his own brothers appearance so that he would not be known."
"Sit down, J'Harast. We all trust you here. From what I'm told you have freely given your blood in defense of this group. I'm proud to call you a partner."
"Sasha, I have no idea who that woman was nor why she addressed me as Jarimar. It is my guess that somehow he was connected to her, and using his magic, made himself appear has me. What provoked her actions, I know not. However, I promise that I _will_ discover what is going on here, and what mischef Jarimar has done, I will need to undo. That foul creature of his might also be using his body as a means to wreak havoc in this realm.
"At the present time, this appears to be a matter of honor for me and my family. I ask that you all stay out of it for now. I need to confront whatever is occuring on my own terms. However, if I get out of my league, I hope that I may be able to call upon the aid of you, my friends.
Sasha smiles warmly, "Yes, that is what this is all about. You know well my committment to regain your brother's soul - for whatever that is worth...since I was responsible...in a way...and I understand your need to deal with the honor of your house...I will assist in any way - should you ever need it...And I'm sorry I do not explain myself well sometime...but even so, this has helped everyone understand the strain you are under - which will make it easier for everyone to deal with one another."
"I don't know what is going on. I hope that no more strange things have been done in my brothers name, or in my guise. I hope that I can settle these problems soon, once I am well and once we have solved the problems of this house."
"Yes, I hope we resolve this also...it must be very difficult for you...when you don't even know what to expect...know you nothing then about what your brother may have been involved in...I guess you did not grow up together...there seemed little warmth between you..." Sasha says sadly.
"Sasha, I am sorry for interupting you. Please continue."
"Thank you, J'Harast. I only suggest that we spy out the house while you and Petunia recover. Rane has mentioned a problem I had forgotten...the many entrances to the house..."
"Ah, yes. The entrances. It is my guess that the thieves do not use the main door, nor yet the secret door under the anvil that's in back. The sewer system seems to connect to the house, and we should try to discover if there are any maps of the sewer's. I, for one, would like to learn more about where they go, and how we can use them as a means of traveling to and from the house.
"As for the entrances, I would guess that a stakeout in the AM by Rane and, once better, myself, would prove beneficial. I would bet that there is a concealed or hidden door somewhere on the outer wall of the house that is being used as an entrance by the thieves. Mayhaps there are plans on file for this house somewhere?"
Sasha, looking a little surprised, nods her head. "Yes, that would be worthwhile to pursue. I can check with ghe bureaucrats in town and see if there is any information - on the house, or the sewers...someone should know."
"I would suggest that we consider the following plan. While Petunia and I recover from our wounds, Sasha, Illaria and Piller try to see if there are any sources of information on the sewers or the house on file somewhere. Rane, you might want to keep watch on the house a bit more. Amythr, you strike me as the silent type, perhaps you could also watch with Rane."
Illyana ponders this for a moment.. "Records for the house? There might be some, I'm not sure. Depends on several things, but I'll go check. As for the sewers, do you want all of it or just the places big enough for someone to get inside of?"
Sasha smiles, still a little puzzled, and again nods. "That sounds excellent...I'm sorry...I know I'm looking a little bewildered...but I think this is the most you have spoken since I have known you..." With a grin, Sasha continues, "It seems that poke with the sword did have some benefit!"
She holds up her hands in mock surrender, "I'm kidding...really...only kidding...really..." as she breaks out in a low chuckle.
"I'd not go without the others. Best to wait till our strength is up."says Rane.
"Oh...so what do we do in the meantime then? I don't relish the thought of spending yet another week idling here...this mystery is driving me crazy...I want to find out what is going on...and soon!"
"What we need to do is spy on the house during the evening...I am divided on whether or not to explore during the day. They are aware of us now...and will most likely abandon the house for another safe place...in which case, I don't see how on earth we could track them down. On the other hand...and this is significant...what if they are also searching for something in the house??? We would then be better off finding it before they do..."
"I doubt they will run. The thieves guild in this city is on the warpath for this lot. If they are truly trying to stake out a position, they will fight for what they already have rather than trying to start over."
"Ah, now this was the kind of information I was waiting for. I confess, I know little of such things...your thoughts on the matter sound correct - so we know then that we can expect even tougher opposition then. That is good to know."
"As for a hidden treasure that we are both looking for, I doubt it. If all they wanted was to find something, they could have done it long ago. They live there, and spend far more time than we do in the house. I see no hope in finding anything there before the thieves. Indeed, from what I've been seen, they are not searching the house, but live in only a small section of it, leaving the rest for whatever creatures reside there."
"Yes, I suppose you are right...I guess I just get a little carried away...but there could be something there..." Sasha says with a gleam in her eye.
"So, perhaps tomorrow we can take a small, quiet scouting party there and observe for the evening. See who goes in and out...their schedules and such...we could use that informaiton for when we tackle the house in earnest. Who would like to accompany me?"
"Yes, I'd advise keeping a watch on the house. But from what I've seen it appears that there are exits and entrances through the underground tunnels. Perhaps we can try finding out where those exits actually leave. While looking for you, I found one such entrance to the tunnels in the stables, and followed the tunnels until they went under the graveyard. There I must confess, my nerve left me, and I went no further. But if others of you with to come with me, I could continue where I left off. Perhaps we can find another access point. Perhaps also we could discover what lies beyond the sewer where we were blocked by the crocodiles."
Athmyr nods.
"THe plan with checking the house out sounds good. Rane I can accompany you while we wait."
"As for the Gators I have an Idea as to how to take care of them. It could be a little dangerous to me but If done right it should work really well. I will need to check into it."
Sasha stops pacing, and looks around the room. "Well...what do you all make of it?"