After making some enquiries you are directed to the Office of the City Engineer. It is a large place, filled with clerks working on ledgers and official documents while seated at tall desks.
After waitng at the counter for a few moments, one of these sets aside his quill and comes over to you.
"Yes? May I be of service to you?"
Sasha smiles, "Why yes, thank you. This may sound a bit odd...but you see, my companions and I are sort of redoing a house...and we came upon some sewer tunnels below the house...now, I really don't want them there...there are awful creatures and such...so I wondered if there was a map or something that would tell us if it is safe to block off...or where they go...I mean...just anyone could come up into the house through the sewers...you see my dilema?"
"Well, it's against regulations to go sealing off a sewer line, you know. It ain't sanitary. You could mount an iron grating across the entrance, though.
"As for where the sewers run, they all eventually empty into the Grande River."
"Yes...but I would sleep better at night knowing that thieves weren't entering through the grate...I just want to know if all the tunnels under there go directly to the river or if they lead to all the worst houses in the district." Sasha, looking a little distraught now, leans forward, and grasps the mans hand.
"Surely you can understand my fears in this matter...could I not see a map and assure myself...surely you want not want to put me in danger...you look like a kind, strong man..."
Actually he's a bald and toothless old coot with nose hair...but his heart melts with Sasha's gentle caress.
"Very well," he says, obviously reluctant to move away. "We have a map of the city sewers. While it's highly unusual to let just anyone look at it...I suppose it will be alright just this once..."
He excuses himself and goes into another room. You wait.
After what seems to be an eternity, he returns...empty handed. After speaking to a number of his coworkers in a low voice, he comes back over to you.
"I am sorry," he says, and seems to mean it, "But the map is missing. I can't figure it...I was looking at it myself only six years ago or so...and I distinctly remember putting it back in the filing cabinet...and now it's gone. No one else here has touched it since, they say, either. How could it just vanish?
"What a mystery..."
"Oh dear! This is terrible...I bet those thieves did take it...see, I was concerned for a reason...oh dear...this is terrible..."
"Thieves? You think someone broke in here and *stole* it? Whatever would they do a thing like that for? I'd better talk to my supervisor."
Sasha rubs her eyes and the bridge of her nose. "But thank you for looking...it is indeed a mystery...oh dear...will you suffer any consequences for the theft?" She asks the man, with concern in her voice.
"No...I followed the regulations to the letter. In fact, I had better fill out a missing map form in triplicate right away...if you will excuse me..."
You exit, and find yourself back on the street.
"Well...that was for naught...but he did say it became missing within the last six years..." Sasha says in a distracted kind of way.
She perks up and asks, "Well, where shall we go next? I need to do some shopping - there are several things I want to get before we go and spy on the house...anyone else want to go with me?"
Rane tells you he will meet whowever at the house. He wants to see if he can find a new entrance.
"Okay - sounds good - how will I find you? Shall we exchange some whistles or something?"
"I won't be entering the house, and thus should be visible, but whistling like a cray bird would suit." Rane demonstrates.
"Okay, sounds good - I'll see you all later then!" Sasha waves, eager to do her shopping."
Sasha and Rane announce plans for the rest of the day...the rest of you elect to do other things.
All of you return to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. Then, Rane and Sasha continue on their way.
You continue on towards the West Gate. The walk is uneventful, though the streets are crowded.
Passing through the Gate, Sasha heads off to do her shopping, while Rane continues on to the house.
Several hours pass...
Laden with purchases, Sasha heads for the house.
Approaching it, you see Rane standing out on the sidewalk by the street, apparently lost in thought...or concentration.
It is early afternoon.
"Rane?" Sasha calls out quietly when she nears him.
"Did you discover anything? I am sorry to report that I did not...there is more to this 'investigating' business than I knew...*sigh* I talked to shopkeepers and such...and planted the idea that I and fellow clerics will be using this house...and nothing..." Sasha shrugs and looks at Rane.
"Greetings lady. Care for a nice walk through yonder graveyard?"
Sasha is a bit startled by the request, but nods. "Okay, but let me get this stuff in my pack first." She bends down to shove things in her pack, she quickly fills a pouch at her waist with the salt, and takes two of the canvas strips and tucks them in her belt. She also takes one of the vials and puts it in another pouch at her waist. The balance of the stuff gets shoved in her pack. She quickly hefts the pack onto her back, and grasps her staff.
"Okay, I'm ready...what did you have in mind?"
Suddenly you feel eyes upon you.
Looking up, you see a man, dressed in earth tones, standing within the grounds of the house near the stables, watching you.
The stranger comes over and looks the two of you over.
The lady cleric smiles, "Well Hi! You startled me." She frowns then, looking a little worried. "Umm....am I tresspassing or something, sir?"
"Greetings travelers, do you know who is the owner of this residence?"
Sasha brightens, "Why of course - it belongs to a little old lady that refuses to come here. The house is cursed...or is it that the people of the house are cursed. Well, anyway...they aren't here and hired us to clean it up. And actually, I was thinking of converting this house to a hostel for traveling clerics of Isis. " Sasha smiles.
Rane, the dark skinned elf, interrupts. "Yes, yes. But may I ask why you are here? As my companion has said, we have been hired to clear the place out. That includes strangers with no need to be here."
Sasha turns to Rane, "Hey...you don't need to be so rude. He seems like a very nice man." Sasha frowns, obviously thinking for a moment.
"But you are right in being cautious...with all that has happened here..."
Belisarius says: "I am here because I was outraged at the state of the foliage in this residence. Being of a religious order that has the highest respect for plant life I could not pass by without investigateing. Do you know how this house came to be in this state. You mentioned a curse, was this done by the curse or people who feared the curse? What has happened here?"
Sasha grins, "Okay...I'll give you the condescensed version...A moneylender lived here years ago and loaned a mage some money...when the moneylender wanted to collect...the mage turned on him and cursed his family. We have found the remains of some family members inside...and now - since the remaining family refuses to live here - thieves have taken over the house...the Sandos Town council hired us to remove the thieves and once again make this neighborhood safe for party goers." Sasha grins.
"Nevermind...that was kind of a joke...but they do want the house cleaned up...and we have been trying for quite a while now...some of our party have been killed...and others wounded...it has been very difficult."
Rane, hearing the man's answer, almost laughs. "You are worried about the plants? The people Sasha is with were hired to clear out this building so that it wouldn't be so much of an eye sore. I suppose a gardener would fit right in."
"As for the curse," Rane shrugs. "I don't know. But apparently this house has been abandoned, and the city merchants want it cleaned out and cleaned up. That is why we are here. If you want to help with the plants, I suppose you are welcome."
"It is in the best interest of the plants and the humans in a residence that the plants be taken care of properly. I have a certain knack for foliage and would be happy to help in the restoration of this household but first I must see if anything is amiss in the household. I will try and detect any magic that may be there."
Belisarius turns and starts to make gestures toward the house.
While Belisarius incants, Sasha and Hlarn notice someone approaching them up the street. An elf...
Belisarius casts his spell and turns to Sasha and Rane and says: "I can detect no magic in the house so if there is a curse it is either complex or on the members of the household."
"Hey Athmyr! Come join us. We found another person interested in the house!"
Sasha waits till he is closer, then asks, "So, have you discovered something...or is it time to spy on the house?" She nods toward Belasairous, and makes the introductions.
Sasha suddenly remembers Rane's request and turns to him. "Say, why did you want to walk in the graveyard? Shall we go now, and let Belisarious do his work? Athmyr, do you want to come with us?"
Belisarious says, "I am pleased to meet you all, I am Belisarious Diametrix Julianus de Hautger. I apologize for the name, my family is a bit full of itself and my father had just started learning Latin when I was born. Just call me Bel. The house seems to have nothing wrong with it but I need to examine the plants closer to be sure."
"The tunnel we were in yesterday travels under the graveyard. I wished to see if I can find out where it goes without going back down there."
Rane looks around the yard and picks up a small forked stick. He holds it in both hands, and points the stick towards the ground. You see it jerk a little in his hands. "Yes, this will do."
"Wow..." Sasha breaths, impressed by Rane's skill.
Bel looks asconce at Sasha then says, " I will investigate and watch the house for you if you wish to go off. Good luck."
"I have some small divining magic that should let me follow the tunnel path from the surface. But I'll be distracted, and didn't want to go alone."
The dark skinned elf nods your way. "And my name is Rane Simarune the half-elven. I guess we will be working together if the others do not mind. I guess we should get started. Currently one of our companions is bed ridden with an injury, so we are here today to simply learn what we can and keep an eye on the house."
"Very understandable...what a great skill to have...I'll accompany you - and keep your distractions at bay." She hefts her staff and motions to Rane. "I'm ready."
Rane comments, "The graveyard is in the back of the house, and is part of the property. You may wish to see what the plants are like there. I'm sure the dead mind terribly if their graves are not well tended to."
Sasha looks at Bel in a puzzled way. "Have I offended you in some way...? You may come with us of course, it just seemed that you wanted to tend to the plants here..."
Bel says, "Unless the plants in the graveyard have been treated in a similarly ill manner I believe it is more imperative to look at the house plants." Bel looks at Sasha and says, "I am sorry, it is not for me to judge another." Bel looks at Rane and waits a second for a response.
Rane shrugs. "Do what you like." Rane then sets off toward the graveyard to continue where he left on in following that tunnel. "We'll be back in half an hour or so."
You leave Bel with his plants.
The graveyard lies to the east and adjacent to the house grounds, surrounded by a stone wall. Short of climbing over the wall, the only entrance to it is through a gate a few hundred feet east of you that opens onto the street.
You head down there.
The gate - a rusted iron affair with spikes atop it - is open. Beside it is a gate house: a small, single storey building with an open door facing west (the gate itself opens to the north).
The graveyard itself is a depressing sight. If the condition of the grounds of the house upset Bel then you would not like to think as to how he would react if he saw this place. The whole place is overgrown and decrepid. The land seems to haver subsided in places, and here and there are marshy areas. Most of the trees are dead...amd most of the tomestones are broken, streaked with moss and mould, and askew. A roadway runs from the gate and wends its way through the grounds. Here and there are small buildings...burial vaults you suppose.
Though it is a sunny if cool day, the light seems to be dimmed in here. Sitting in some trees nearby are three large ravens...watching you with mild interest.
You pass through the gate, and immediately a scruffy looking man appears at the doorway of the gatehouse and confronts you. He has a broadsword in a sheath at his side.
"What d'yer want? No one's allowed in the cemetary. No one. Got that? So beat it."
"Oh...well..." Sasha mumbles, "I'm sorry Sir, we were hired to do a job here and wanted to see the grounds to better understand the setup. Are you in the employ of the owner of the house? Or perhaps the Sandos Town Council?"
"Why should I tell you? Get out of here."
Rane scowls. "We're here from the city. This place is due some renovation, and we are here to survey the grounds. Is there any particular reason why we can not do that?"
Sasha elbows Rane in the side and whispers, "*Must* you always be so rude?"
She smiles at the sword wielding man. "I apologise for my companion...he has been working too long I suppose..." she shrugs.
(His sword is still sheathed.)
"I don't care what either of you've been doin', but ye ain't doin' it in here. Now hit the road."
He rests his hand on the pommel of his sword and glares.
>Sasha frowns in puzzlement. "Sir, I don't mean to be disrespectful or >anything...but I don't understand your connection with the house then. >Is this area a part of that house?" Sasha asks, pointing to the house.
"That dump? I ain't got no connection wi' that place. This is a cemetary, that's C-E-M-E-T-A-R-Y. Unnerstand?"
> >"If it is, then we are supposed to be here - with the blessing of the >absentee owner and leading citizens of the town..." Sasha suddenly looks >at the man...and something like understanding dawns on her...
> >"Oh....I see...you are one of the thieves that has taken over the house, >aren't you..." Sasha says as she steps back and holds her staff higher...
"Are you touched, lady? I'm the gatekeeper fer this cemetary. My job is to keep low-lifes like you from disturbin' the rest o'th' dead wi' yer carryin' ons with yer friends...if that's what he is," he adds with a surly glance at Rane. Seeing Sasha raise her staff, he pulls out his sword. "Now don't go threatening me, you. Scram, or I'll summon the city watch."
>Sasha quickly lowers her staff, blushing deeply. "Oh dear...I am >sooooooo sorry...I mistook your anger and brusqness for...oh dear...I am >really sorry sir. I thought this was part of the house...and it *is* an >eyesore...which is why we are here...to do something about that. Please >accept my sincerest apologies...but mightent we simply walk through >here...there are some tunnels under the house that seem to lead this >way...which may be important for you to know about...others are using the >tunnels and could disturb things here..."
"Tunnels shmunnels. No one's allowed in here. Now git yourself gone, woman, and take your men-friends wi'ye."
He does not put his sword away.
"But...Sir...aren't you concerned about the possiblity of tunnels beneath your cemetary? What if...well...things are disturbed...or caved in...surely you would be concerned about that...I can tell that you take your job very seriously...we could tell you were they are...and if they pose a danger to you or the...ah...residents here...won't you let us find them? I would be happy to pay a fee - that way you will have funds to improve the area also..."
"I don't take bribes. Keep yer money."
To the man, Rane then says, "Please excuse us. We will be on our way." Rane whispers to Sasha, "And you said I was rude. I at least got to the point without slandering the man. You outright called the man a thief."
Sasha blushes deeply. "Well...he was being so mean...I thought only a thief would act that way...I'm sorry. But at least I slandered him politely." She finishes, in a huff.
As we head back, Rane comments, "We will simply return later, perhaps after dark when the man has gone home. But I have realized something. The tunnel runs from the house and through the cemetary. I'm sure from there it eventually then runs out of the cemetary and eventually enters the sewer, which lies under the street. Unfortunately, the tunnel seems to descend out of range of my abilities to detect it, so I guess we just have to enter and figure it out."
You return to the gate leading into the grounds of the house five minutes after you left them. Looking in, you see Bel, about to open the door leading into the carpentry shop, by the stable.
"Hey Bel! Wait up - it is dangerous to go anywhere here by oneself..." Sasha calls out.
Bel looks up, then stands up and walks toward Sasha. He asks, "What kind of dangers have you encountered in this house? It seems harmless enough."
You return to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf, where the others await you.
Sasha clucks like a mother hen at the sight. "What on earth have you all been up to. Shame Pillar! Petunia! I hope you are not also drunk, J'Harast."
Sasha turns to Illyana, "Illyana...what is going on here? Are you all finding clues to our mystery at the bottom of an ale pot!?"
Sasha motions for a serving person, "Please bring us some food - lots of it." she says with a grin, indicating her drunken companions.
She turns to Bel, "Well...these are the rest of our companions...they really aren't like this all the time. Illyana in fact is pretty good with that oversized sword, and baldie over there," nodding in the direction of the drunk cleric, " He can swing a pretty good mace. Petunia, the little number clinging to our friend J'Harast...well, we found her in the house....and she is deeply in love with our recently incapcitated elf friend." Sasha smiles and waves everyone to sit down and get some food in them.
Bel steps forward and introduces himself to the group, "Good day worthy ones, I am Belisarious, a lowly religious order devotee. I am honored to meet you all and wish you well. If it is not to forward to ask, how have the two injured members come to this state?"