Eventually all of the sleepyheads are awakened and dragged kicking and screaming down into the cellar of the inn.
People get dressed, armoured and armed.
It is just after midnight, June 10, 1372.
Down in the cellar you find yourselves in a small kitchen (20' square, door in the east wall leading into a bedroom, fireplace in the south wall east corner). It appears to be a fairly standard room...until you notice what can only be an open secret door at the back of the fireplace. The ashes and coals in the fireplace have been disturbed...as if people have been walking through them through them.
The innkeeper and his wife are here, as well as a few serving maids.
Then Kadlian and the others step through the opening at the back of the fireplace and join you.
Everyone is present.
"Edelle, what took so long?"
"What do you mean?"
Perhaps twenty minutes have passed since she was sent on her way...including the ten minutes it takes to put on your armour.
"I thought you were just going to bang on people's doors and come right back down...it was getting a bit chilly down here!"
"You wanted your stuff, didn't you?" she replies angrily, throwing his equipment in his face.
Niko looks downcast. "Well, yeah...but I was getting worried about you, too..."
Rage looks around. "So what was the scream about and why are we here? Are we supposed to check that out? I can cast a wizards eye and send it down the way to see what is there. Is this search and rescue or search and destroy?"
To the innkeeper she says, "Coffee, please."
The innkeeper says to one of the wenches, "You heard her."
The wench looks at the fireplace, and then heads upstairs.
Malvis peers into the fireplace, and says, "Uh, I would like a cup of coffee as much as anyone, but might our hesitation give whoever did this a really good head start? I seem to remember a phrase that went something like, 'He who hesitates is lost'."
"Until I know what we are supposed to be doing here, I am going to drink my coffee. If someone has more information, I'd be willing to take the coffee to go," the mage says. "Sometimes it is better to take a few minutes to get ready than rush off to where angels fear to tread.
"So, what is up?" she asks again.
Carburator points to Kadlian and company. The entire party is together it would seem.
Carburator says, "Undead came through the fireplace and snatched a girl. Apparently there is a maze of passages under the city that lead everywhere. We think this may be a way to get to the lich's lair. So, we have decided to head into the passages and do some exploring. Hopefully we will find the undead and put them to their proper rest."
Having bumped his head twice, Dor grabs a torch before entering the fireplace.
"Follow me. I know the way."
Dor steps through the ashes and then through the secret door. The rest of you follow.
The doorway is only about three feet high but beyond is a 10' wide alcove opening up into a passage to the south after 10', with a ceiling which arches to a height of 12'.
In the alcove lies the mutilated corpse of the teenaged girl that Kadlian, Logan and Kailar retrieved.
You go and take a look at the passage.
You see that to the east, it runs for 60' and on (passage running south in the 20' - 30' section; door in the south wall 50' - 60' section and a 10' wide passage running north opposite it).
To the west it runs for 60' and ends. It was at this end that they found the body.
Carburator goes to the west end and searches for a secret door.
He does not find one.
He turns to the party. "Can you all search here too? I probably missed it."
Rage turns to Kailar. "Kailar, can you begin your scouting?"
She then activiates a light spell from her staff and peers into the darkness.
"Sian, Kadlian, can you each bring someone with clerical magic from your followers? The others, I would station here, at this location, to keep it secure and prevent more undead from coming out," the mage says, as she looks around.
Turning to the innkeeper, "Who is the girl?" she asks.
"A scullery slave," he replies through the doorway, "But like a daughter to us."
"And how often have you been losing people?"
"She's the first in months."
"Too bad we did not have a dwarf, he could give us an idea as to the age of this construction," the mage says out loud.
"Many thousands of years old," the innkeeper answers.
Kadlian clears his throat.
"The girl is one of their serving wenches and was taken through the fireplace after it had been sealed by the innkeeper. Apparently, not well enough."
"Sian, have your most experienced cleric take a look at her and see if she can be brought back from the dead safely."
Nuanna checks over the girl.
"Her body has been too mangled for a raise dead," she says, straightening up. "She will have to be resurrected."
"Any chance of any of you being able to do it? Or all of you combined?"
Nuanna chuckles without humour.
"Not for a very long time."
Kadlian looks at the innkeepers. "Sorry, folks. Is there any temple with a powerful enough priest who could bring her back? If so, we could find out how much it will cost and go from there."
"That would be Nick the Healer," says the innkeeper, "But he would be expensive."
"Vastelle, Edelle and Miss Wizbang, please stay here and guard the inn. Sian will leave most of his people behind as well. Sian, please take a couple of clerics as we have none in our regular party. Vastelle, I am putting you in charge."
They nod, not looking too pleased at being left out of the fun.
"Until we can get a secure base, you will have to take turns staying behind. I would feel better if I could take all of you, but circumstances do not permit it."
"Kailar, Logan and I went down the passageway to the end. That is where we found the girl."
That is where Carburator is currently.
Malvis assists Carburator, but with little enthusiasm. He's sure that someone with more skill or racial abilities will find one first.
Niko flexes his muscles and looks for a secret door.
He finds one at the very end of the passage.
"Come on, wasn't it obvious to everyone?"
"Are we ready to enter?"
"Not to me," says Malvis, "But I am ready to go."
"Hold on, Niko, I need to know who Sian is bringing so that we can get a marching order that makes sense."
Nuanna and Melissa will accompany you.
Niko shrugs and goes invisible (ring). "Whenever you're ready, then..."
Niko also draws his cutlass (but doesn't ignite it) and a normal dagger.
Rage speaks up. "If we are exploring for undead, shall I cast the wizards eye, and use that to scout ahead. I have not really used the spell, but it might give us some extra information about what we are facing."
"Rage, please do that. Can you send it through the secret door without us opening it?"
"I do not think so." the mage says. "However, it will let me scout ahead and see in the ultravision region that may help prevent surprise."
"That is good enough, then."
"Otherwise, I'll just go invisible and wait to attack," she adds. "Oh, and who's carrying the light?"
"Nuanna will carry it. The marching order will be:
Front:
Kailar
Kadlian Logan
Niko Windul
Nuanna Rage
Carburator Malvis
Melissa
Dor Sian"
Logan draws his blade as well and then with a twist of his ring, vanishes from sight as well.
"Let's be off," he says and readies himself to look for the killer of the young girl.
Niko, while waiting for the others to get ready, heads back to Edelle. He whispers in her ear, "Forgive my impatience earlier, my Love," and then kisses her on the cheek.
As he turns to head back toward the fireplace, he gooses her lightly.
She rolls her eyes and giggles.
Kadlian draws his swords. "Let us go, then."
"Kailar, listen at the secret door. And then, open it up when you are ready."
Rage casts the wizards eye and turns invisible with her ring. She will then send it through the secret door and begin to scout around, letting everyone know what she sees.
Kadlian finishes his map and rolls it up, tucking it into his belt.
Kailar first checks the secret door for traps.
He finds none.
He next turns into an ooze, and tries to slither under the door. However, the ancients who built this place millenia ago were superb stonemasons, leaving a gap too small for even an ooze to ooze through.
Carburator yawns and pops open the secret door so that the wizard eye can go through it.
The door opens.
Beyond is a chamber (20' X 40': 10' north, 40' west; door in wall immediately to your right). Clearly a crypt, you see rows of coffins along the walls. In the centre of the chamber are several stone slabs, upon which rest immobile, cloth cloaked figures.
Bones and refuse litter the place, and a sickening charnel smell assails your nostrils.
Suddenly there is an evil hiss, and three ghouls jump at you, stepping on the ooze that is Kailar in their rush to get at Kadlian and Windul!
Carburator, off to one side, casts sleep on the ghouls!
Nothing happens!
"Bam!" the mage/fighter barks as a magic missile erupts from his hand, flying at the nearest ghoul and making said mage/fighter visible.
Logan blows a ghoul to pieces, then finds himself under attack by another.
Niko ignites his cutlass and tries to step forward to engage one of the ghouls.
"Oh, save your magic...they're just ghouls!"
"What a rotten time to be at the back," Dor mutters, as he tries to move forward to attack one of the ghouls.
Kadlian attacks a ghoul with his longsword/shortsword combination as it scratches him for 2 hit points. He fans with his longsword, jumps aside as a filthy claw grabs at him, then connects with his flame tongue.
The last ghoul attacks Logan as Niko and Windul step up to help. Logan is clawed for 2 hit points as Niko chops into the assailant with Dwarf's Envy. The ghoul drops in flames.
While you deal with the last ghoul, Rage sends her wizard eye deep into the chamber.
As Kadlian dodges the claws again he chops with his longsword, and the ghoul drops dead.
There is no respite, though, as two of the recumbent figures lying on the stone slabs sit up, and then climb off the slabs. Mummies!
Niko blasts one of the mummies with Magic Missile and then rushes in to follow up with Dwarf's Envy and his dagger.
Carburator says, "I will take them!"
He casts sleep on the mummies.
"Rage, Kailar, keep Carburator under control. He is wasting spells!"
Rage speaks, "Carburator, the undead are not affected by sleep spells. Hold for now and let the fighters do the talking. Later on, there may be cause to use your spells."
She keeps examining the crypt with her wizards eye .
"Great! Wish someone had told me!" He says. He shakes his head and pulls a photon blaster out from under his robes. He slams a power disk in place, takes aim and tries to blow the nearest mummy's head off!
"Take that you walking bandaid!"
"Crap!" Niko exclaims, knowing what a photon blaster is. He hopes Carburator isn't aiming it at the mummy he's about to attack.
The power disk does not fit in this model of blaster.
The mage inspects the blaster closely.
"Hold Carburator. Save your weapon for later."
Carburator says, "Ok."
He twirls the gun and waits.
"Clerics, try turning them. The rest of you, 'ware their touch. Disease tends to follow a wound from them. And only magic blades hurt them.
"Mages, try magic missiles against them to help out."
Kadlian leads the way behind Niko to take on one of the mummies.
Logan slides the ring off of his finger and then back on, becoming invisible yet again. He then circles around the nearest mummy to hack at it with his enchanted sword.
"I HAVE got to get me some armor," he says, knowing that he is almost defenseless except for his nimble feet.
"Kadlian," the invisible Rage says, "We have another player in the mix. At the back of the chamber there's a richly robed, skeletal figure, who seems to be watching the proceedings with interest."
With that, she'll activate her minor globe from her staff and gets ready to rumble.
"The lich? This quickly? Damn. I was hoping to work up to that. Rage, I could use a suggestion or two on tactics with this fellow."
Dor's eyes light up. "A lich. Where?"
"Sian, if Dor moves from his assigned spot, knock him out. If that is not convenient, kill him."
Niko comments, "Just give me signal, Kadlian, and I'll roast him..."
"Worry about the mummies, first. Rage says he is just watching us at this point."
"No doubt just waiting to see if his mummies can handle us first...I'm sure as soon as he sees us defeat them, he'll start spellcasting."
"Perhaps. Still, would it not make more sense for him to not wait?"
Niko shrugs. "It's your call. I'm just the comic relief."
Malvis draws his wand, and says quietly in the direction of the invisible Rage, "Mistress of mine, I'll follow your lead here. Just tell me what to do against a lich, or whatever that undead is. I doubt my illusions will be of much benefit against him, but this wand should fare much better."
"Let me have a go, too," the mage says from somewhere. "Malvis, be ready with that wand of yours. You know how to use it, right?"
"Uh", says Malvis slowly, "I'm really not sure. You gave it to me just before our descent into hell, and I'm afraid I may have missed the part about how to use it. Like activating words and stuff like that. Perhaps now would be a good time?"
"Rage, are not liches highly magic resistant? If you want an assault on that thing, would not a combination of brawn and magic be best?"
"Yes, they are," Rage says, "But there are tricks."
"Then go for it. But, if make it count, okay? It will be hard to send any fighters to fight that thing while we are engaged with the mummies."
"Windul, help with the mummies."
Windul moves up as well.
While all this talk has been going on Niko, Kadlian, Logan and Windul have been closing on the mummies. Now, fully illuminated by the glow of your companion's weapons, you recoil at the horrid sight of scabrous, leprous, rag-wrapped bodies.
Windul, Dor, Malvis, Logan, Melissa, Nuanna and Carburator stand rooted in horror at the sight of the repulsive undead.
Niko jumps to attack as Rage begins speaking the words of a spell. Speaking a word, he blasts five magic missiles into the mummy approaching him. As he steps under a swinging fist he chops low and hard with Dwarf's Envy, and the mummy collapses into heap of burning rags.
Close by, Kadlian squares off with the remaining mummy as all of you hear a word of Power being spoken from the back of the crypt. Rage suddenly is hurled to floor senseless, her spell ruined. The robed figure, now visible to all in the shadows at the west end of the chamber, speaks a second word and vanishes.
Kadlian focuses on the undead in front of him. He connects with his longsword but does not seem to do much damage. He dodges a blow from the mummy and comes back with his flaming shortsword, faring better this time.
Windul, Dor, Malvis, Logan, Melissa, Nuanna and Carburator start to regain their stomachs as Niko jumps to Kadlian's aid.
The ranger fans with his longsword this time, though, then takes a solid blow in the chops for 11 hit points. Knocked off his stride, he misses with his shortsword. Niko swings with his cutlass but misses as well. Kadlian tries again, and lands another ineffective blow with his longsword and then a more substantive one with his shortsword. Aflame and staggering, the mummy offers little resistance to Niko's second attack, and the undead drops.
The chamber is silent but for the sounds of the flames consuming the mummies. There is no sign of the lich.
Rage regains her senses.
"Aha! Take that you maggot infested pile of rags!" Niko exclaims in exultation as he kicks the flaming pile.
Malvis lends assistance to Rage, who seems still dazed by her experience with the lich.
Kadlian breathes a sigh of relief. "Niko, thank you for the help. Kailar, can you check for the existence of the lich? See if it is still around?
"Logan, please poke around and make sure we do not have any other guests in this room."
"Yes, boss man," Logan says with a grin as he invisibly shakes off the lingering effects of the mummy and searches the room.
Niko pulls out Dwarf's Envy and looks for treasure and secret doors.
Kadlian helps Rage up from the floor. "Rage, are you okay? What did that lich do to you?"
"No comments from the peanut gallery," the mage says, getting up. "It seems I upset the lich. If he is here, then there ain't probably a lot left to look around for. We need to come up with a better plan, since I think he knows some of our strengths now, and he can see the invisible."
"What do you mean, if he is still here there is not a lot to look at? He hit you with something and then disappeared."
Carburator says, "Man, sleep sure didn't help there!"
He searches the tomb for any hidden treasure.
"Carburator, perhaps you should work with Kailar and Rage to come up with a list of spells to memorize. Sleep is rather useless against the undead and frequently not good against opponents more powerful than orcs and their like."
"Really? That is interesting. My master never told me that."
Kadlian clears his throat. "That is just my observation. Rage and Kailar are the experts."
"Also, let Logan check out the room first to make sure there are not more undead around. Then, you can help search for whatever treasures they guarded."
"Ok!"
"Thank you."
You search the tomb.
First off, Niko does not spot any secret doors; however there is a regular door in the east wall north section.
A cursory search does not reveal any treasure. Then, Logan notices that the slabs that the mummies lay upon can be moved.
Shifting the slabs reveals compartments underneath each.
In the first you find three standard spell books, 3000sp, 10,000gp and 22 gems (50gp ea.). In the second you find 2500sp, 1250gp, 4 gems (500gp ea.); 500cp, 125ep, 1 gem (10gp) and a scroll.
Kadlian looks around. "Nice haul. So, shall we try the door, then?
"Kailar, you have the honors."
"Ahem! Not to question your leadership, Kadlian...but shouldn't we make some preparations in case that lich returns? I mean, he wasn't hostile toward us, but one never knows..."
"What sort of preparations should we make? I will gladly take any suggestions."
"Did you say that I can't kill things like mummies and lichs with my good old sword, here?" Dor asks. "Does that mean I need a magic sword?"
"Well, how about we first decide if we have enough firepower to take on this lich...and second we think about sending back some of your followers. Liches are pretty powerful mages and magic resistant. They'll only get hurt..." Niko says.
"I do not know how we can get more firepower, Niko. We have our best people here."
Carburator says, "Maybe we should get some cloves of garlic and make necklaces! Oh, and maybe some silver arrows and knives to fight it with!"
Niko snorts and says to Kadlian, "Maybe we should leave him with your and Sian's followers."
Carburator frowns and says, "What do you mean? Is that an insult?"
Malvis looks at Carburator, and says gently, "Those things might work against vampires and were-creatures, but are hardly effective against a lich."
Looking towards Rage for some sort of guidance, Malvis then looks toward Kadlian and says, "Perhaps some of us might benefit from staying behind."
Looking back at Rage, he asks, "What is your opinion, mistress?"
Carburator says, "Speak for yourself, Malvis! I am not staying behind. I have never met a lich nor a mummy before today and don't want to miss out."
"And I had never met a demon or devil until I went to hell and died horribly. Sometimes we have to be ready for an experience, Carburator," says Malvis with some feeling.
Carburator says, "Well, look on the bright side. You are here, you were there. You have a tale to tell when you are ready!"
Rage, finally recovered from her last encounter with the lich, speaks.
"Liches are indeed resistant to many forms of magic, as are most undead. If this lich is similar to other liches I have heard about, then he will be testing us, trying to find out strengths and weaknesses.
"My major concern about continuing at this point is that we are not prepared, spell wise, to encounter a lich. We need to make sure we have the right spell load. While the fighters can probably take most of the critters we will discover down here, I was awoke from a deep sleep. We have recovered the body of the young girl who was killed. I can cast a wall spell to seal up the entrance until we are read to explore properly."
Turning to Malvis and Carburator, she continues. "We want to use as few spells on undead as possible. We can save our strength. Illusions will not affect them, nor will sleep-like spells. Kaliar, do you have any suggestions for Malvis in what spells he might use?"
"Malvis, what spells are you capable of casting?"
"The choice is yours Kadlian, whether to go now or later."
"I wouldn't mind learning my spells over."
"I'm not one for planning, but I wouldn't mind being better prepared spell-wise and also knowing more about these passageways."
Logan's eyes light up when he sees spellbooks.
Grabbing them, he says, "I agree with Lady Rage, let us regroup out of here, equip ourselves with the proper weapons, both magical ad physical and then come back and kick some lich ass!!"
Kadlian looks around the room at the party and nods resignedly. "Very well. Let us go back and prepare better."
You turn around and head back into the inn.
Once you leave, Rage slaps Logan's hand.
"Before you go reading spell books, let's make sure they are not cursed. I'd hate to see you turned into a newt or something because of reading a book before we knew if it was safe," the mage says, "Besides, I want to reserve the right to turn you into a newt myself."
"Can't wait. Perhaps you will show me how to properly examine the books so I won't become a newt until you are ready for that," he retorts with a mischievous smile.
The innkeeper takes the body of the scullery slave sadly.
You post some followers to guard the secret door for the rest of the night, and retire.
In the morning you come down to the common room for breakfast. None of you slept well; after the late night action it took awhile to get the adrenaline out of your systems. The exception was Dor, who slept like a dead man regardless.
There is an air of melancholy in the inn this morning. While the food is tasty and plentiful, the servers are quiet and reply to your questions with only nods and monosyllables.
As you are finishing up, the door opens and an officious looking middle aged man in a finely tailored suit enters. He goes over and has a word with the innkeeper, who directs him to your table.
He comes over.
"Good morning," he says, bowing slightly to you. "I am looking for one Kadlian Lun Folard. Is he present?"
Niko casually switches his Ring of Fire Resistance for a Ring of Truth and listens closely.
Dor glances up, then continues to demolish his breakfast.
Kadlian stands up.
"Good morning. Yes, I am Kadlian Lun'Folard. How may I help you?" he says with some interest.
"I am Rorgus Tartaris, Mayor of Tybol," he says, fingering a large medallion which hangs by a gold chain around his neck. "Idanius," he continues, referring to the innkeeper, "Came to me early this morning, and related to me your heroic exploits in attempting to rescue the slave girl. On behalf of myself, the People of Tybol, and the Empire, I wanted to extend my thanks."
"You, and Idanius, are welcome. I wish we could have saved her, but perhaps Nick the Healer can do for her what we could not.
"How long have the undead bothered the people of Tybol?"
"For months. Those and the orcs," he replies, "Since so many of our fit and able went off to fight in the war. In the name of the people of Tybol, I would like to request that you clear those ancient dungeons below us of the vermin that inhabit them. You shall be richly rewarded."
"Now that's what I am talking about," Logan says with a smile. "About time we get some reward for all this work."
He then turns to Rage.
"Can you check out the spellbooks?" he asks, "There might be something in them that could help against our friendly bag of bones."
Dor looks up. "You wouldn't happen to have a really nice magic sword that I could borrow to kill the thing, would you?"
"I am sorry, young man."
"Not as sorry as we are," the mage says.
Kadlian's eyes nearly glow. "Orcs? What orcs?"
"The orcs downstairs."
"There are orcs downstairs? Along with the undead? That is rather unusual. How many orcs? A couple of hundred or so? Something to work up a sweat?"
The mayor smiles and shakes his head.
"If there were that many then the town would have been overrun! There are also several groups of bandits and robbers who have moved in. Also, some townsfolk say that other humanoids are now resident down there. From the descriptions I would think that they are kobolds and goblins."
Kadlian smiles. "This sounds like it might be a good workout for the beginners in our group. Of course, if we get to orcs, I think I might want to step in."
"So, Mayor, what kind of reward are you offering for cleaning up your town? And do you have maps that can show us some of the other entrances into this sewers and tunnels running under your streets?"
"We can offer you 500gp apiece, plus you get to keep whatever treasure you find down there. As for other entrances, we do not have maps but I can show you where they are."
"How many entrances are there?" the mage asks, "Since we could seal them magically, possibly forcing only the entrance we want used to be the only accessible one."
"Perhaps four or five that I am aware of. There are probably more."
Kadlian nods. "Well, after we consult with Nick the Healer, I would like that tour of the town."
"What do you know about the lich?" Niko asks, still using his ring's power.
"He used to be an arch mage who resided here around four hundred years ago," the mayor replies. "Those were dark times. The Emperor was a weakling. As his own death approached he invoked the powers which gave him everlasting unlife, and retreated into the ancient catacombs under our town. So goes the story. Little was heard of him but for old wives tales. With the advent of the civil war, though, he has made his presence felt again."
"Hmmm...I wonder if that's the same arch-mage that we heard about earlier..."
"You lost me. Did we hear about another arch-mage?"
"We will take care of the lich and whatever else is down there. As far as a reward goes, could you use that to pay Nick the Healer?"
Logan shakes his head in a negative fashion in reply to Kadlian's suggestion.
"I am sure the lich has enough treasure to keep you happy, Logan."
"I'm there," the mage says, "And why don't we use the money we recovered for that? Someone, go summon this Nick the Healer, and ask him nicely to come over to the inn."
"Yes, I was thinking the same thing."
Carburator looks on with interest and then says, "Nice of you guys to donate all the wealth to the girl, but some of us have bills to pay...we aren't wealthy lords and ladies yet!"
He pauses and says, "I don't want to sound greedy, but I would like a bit more than just the fun of experiencing what is down there."
He shrugs. "I know, I know...doesn't sound great, but heck, money doesn't grow on trees and I don't have much."
"Thank the gods, someone else with a rational mind!" Logan says with a wink at Carburator.
"Let us find out what the cost will be, first, then we can discuss it."
The mayor thinks for a moment.
"I will talk to him."
"I would appreciate that. We can pay him, although a reduced rate might be nice."
"Rage, may I peruse your spellbooks? I'd like to see if there are spells that might be more useful than the ones in my book against a lich."
"Yes, of course, you can examine my spell books. What order spells can you cast?" the mage asks.
"Fourth order...two of them per day. I've got my own books if you want to swap some spells."
"Best bet for spells are those that we can use in attacks that are not directly on the lich. I was trying to transmute Rock To Mud on the floor under the lich, so that he would be stuck in the mud. Then I was going to stop the spell and hopefully trap him," the mage says. "However, I am wondering if that will work, since I am not 100% sure how liches cast spells. He might be able to teleport out of a situation like that. We also need to make sure we have spells to detect invisible and other things to help us out. I am not sure how useful the wizard's eye was, and it does take a while to cast. I may do it again, since we have the time, and see how well it assists in scouting.
"We want to avoid area affect spells, like fireball. Well, there is one case where it will be useful, but that is a special case," the mage says, rubbing her forehead. "I've done it before, and it did work. Using the power of the minor globe I have, we can use those type of spells, when I can block the effects."
"Heh. Try casting Transmute Rock to Mud on the ceiling, the effects are more interesting..."
"I've got Detect Invis...and Detect Evil would probably come in just as handy...I can cast Minor Globe, too."
Dor turns to Niko. "I once saw a miner glow, too. But that was 'cause the coal was on fire. What's the big deal and how is that gonna lick a lich?"
After a a moment of enlightenment, Dor exclaims, "Hey. That's kinda of funny. Get it. Lick a lich. And I wasn't even trying. Ha."
He sits there with a big grin on his face, amused at his inadvertent pun.
Niko shakes his head. "Hey, Kad. Maybe we should leave Dor up here in charge of your followers."
"You're dreaming, sailor boy," Dor laughs.
Niko smirks and holds up some sand in his hand. "Keep it up and you will be."
"I was thinking of using him as bait for the lich. Gagged, of course."
"Yeah, otherwise he might scare the lich off..."
"I had not considered that angle. I was more worried about my sanity."
After the mayor leaves, Carburator says, "I understand your good intentions, but perhaps next time we should see what the reward is and then the cost instead of vice versa. We should probably also not make it known that we are pretty much going to go down there no matter what. That way we don't give up any negotiation leverage we could have. As it is, the mayor knows we are going to go down there, especially now that he sees you are rabid about orcs and all we want to do is have some scullery maid resurrected as our fee. Either he must think you had a fling with the girl, we are idiots or saints. So, no matter what he gets it cleared cheap and maybe free because the healer might have been willing to raise an innocent for free. Just some advice."
He shrugs and goes back to his breakfast. "Guess it is good relations, though, especially for you more famous and legendary types."
"Carburator, with or without the reward, we were going to clear the dungeon. After what we found last night, do you doubt that there is more than enough money to go around? And, other than lodging, food and spell components, what costs do you have? You get trained for free after all."
Carburator says, "I don't doubt it at all. As for free training, that is good, but I have debt that I must pay back. Not that it is relevant."
He sighs and says, "As for clearing the dungeon...I know we are going to clear it, however, he didn't before approaching us. He came to us with a business offer. You clear the dungeon and you will be richly rewarded. Simple."
He smiles. "I guess I really don't care that much since I want to experience what is down there, but I do hate coming across as a mark. I guess I also didn't realize the extent of your leadership over this group and that it included financial control. No objection, but I didn't know."
"No, I was out of line about that. I will finance the girl's resurrection out of my own pocket. I do not have a right to any share of the take other than my own. What I was hoping, however, was that the mayor could talk Nick the Healer into doing the resurrection for free."
Carburator blushes and says, "I didn't mean to contest your decision. I think it is fine. It is a good thing to do, if not the most financially prudent."
He smiles and says, "Let's just see how it plays out. At this point, I think it is moot. So don't worry about it."
"Kailar, can you please see to the treasure we recovered and split it up amongst those that went down? Remember that Sian's and my followers do not get a direct cut."
He pauses and says, "You know...hmm, an idea. Perhaps Rage and I could discuss at a later time."
"I need to train," says Melissa suddenly.
"Me too!" says Carburator as a light bulb goes off in his head.
"Melissa, I guess Nuanna will have to train you. We do not have anyone else who can help. Carburator, you have a wide variety of more powerful mages who can train you."
"No can do," says Nuanna. "I worship Forseti while Melissa worships Freya."
Kadlian sighs. "Any chance that there is a priest that worships Freya in town?"
"Hey," Dor pipes up. "I think I could use a little extra training too. Maybe I won't faint next time at the smell of those stinky mummies."
"Kadlian, when you get a minute I think I need to talk with you," says Kailar.
"We can do it now, if you would like."
Kadlian goes with Kailar to talk privately.
For some reason, Rage goes too.
After a few minutes they return.
Rage bangs her fist on the table and looks at Logan and Carburator first, then everyone else in the group.
"Listen up, this one time, so I don't have to repeat myself," the woman says, anger in her voice, "First, in this group Kadlian is the boss, the chief. If you don't like it, the door is over there, leave, and leave now!
"We do not have time for people who will not take orders or listen to the group leader," she says, looking particularly at Logan now. "We we go down in that dungeon, and we are in the midst of a bunch of undead and other critters, I sure don't want to be worrying about what you shoobies
are going to try to do and how you may ruin plans by going off half-cocked.
"As to the rewards of being a member of this group, there is always more money to be found. What we get, we try to split, however, it has always\ been the policy of this group that we take care of our own first, and resurrect and heal them before anyone gets a split of the gold. This woman who was killed is not just some kitchen slave, or anything like that. The attitude that some of you express sickens me. If you are more concerned about money to pay off your debts, Carburator, I suggest you get another job. The door is over there. Here you have access to training, to spells, to materials that you do not have to pay for. What is money compared to life?" the woman says. "What is it? Is it all that you want, then here, you can have mine." the woman says in anger, tossing a couple of valuable gems on the table, "And when you need to be transported somewhere, like the magic pools or the like, I expect I'll be charging ferry fees."
The woman turns her ire to Logan. "You, Logan Obi-Wan, are the basest, greediest individual I have ever had the displeasure to know. Everything is me, me, me. What you want, now... And the hell with consequences. One does not get old in this business by rushing rashly and opening everything you see because you think it can 'help' you out now. You have access to my spell books, and yes, while we did find them, we need to make sure they are not trapped. You want armor, go buy some and stop bitching about it." she adds tossing some more gems onto
the table, "There I will even stake you for the purchase."
Looking around again, Rage continues to rage. "Now, get this, and get it loud and clear. You tykes want, want, want, without any thought about what it takes to get there. Everyone of those who have been in this group for a long time know the truth, that we take care of our own. With us you will not want for food, training, access to magic, and the like. If you're going to start penny pinching now, leave. Get out and don't grace my presence again, lest I do something you will regret. Angry I am, and frustrated with you all."
Turning to Kadlian, Rage says, "Perhaps we just leave these tykes to fend for themselves and you, Kaliar and I go down and do the Mayor the favor of cleaning out this underground. I would hate to put out these kids who are more concerned about money than about doing what is right."
Kadlian doesn't respond, but instead looks around the room awaiting responses from everyone before making his own choice.
Niko shrugs and tries to change his Ring of Truth for the Ring of Fire Resistance.
The ring of truth will not come off.
Niko shrugs. "Hmmm...perhaps I should pay Nick the Healer a visit as well."
Carburator says, "That is the rudest thing I have ever heard. I didn't realize this group was about being a mindless follower. While your rules are clear to you, I am new to this group and didn't realize that it was your way or the highway. My apologies for rocking the boat, but sadly, I will never be mindless and have been brought up to question everything."
He gets up, bows to all and says, "Good luck to you all. Kadlian, I am sorry for the offense. Rage, I hope you find what you need to ease your pain."
Malvis watches Carburator walk out with an air of sadness. The two had joined this group at approximately the same time, so he felt some kinship to a brother arcane spell-caster. But Malvis had never felt the need to question a leader's decision in so confrontational a manner. And, when faced with such a powerful enemy as a lich, he instinctively understood the value of following orders.
Before Carburator departs, Malvis says, "Hold for a moment, Carburator. I have followed Rage, our mistress, to Hell and back, and am not about to abandon her or the rest of the group now. Besides, we are just coming into our powers. Let us test our mettle against these undead, and see how you feel afterwards."
Carburator says, "Malvis, I thank you for your words, but I should go. I will miss you most of all since we seemed to have the most potential as friends, however, this only puts a lapse in that friendship. This is the best thing all the way around on several levels. Good for the party because it shouldn't have people who question or don't allow blatant insults to their character and honor. Good for me because it is a good lesson. Besides, on the way back to Sandas, I can stop at that village off the bridge where we caused those deaths and somehow make amends. It is a good thing."
Kadlian raises an eyebrow and that is his only movement. His face is rather wooden as he says, "Carburator, would you please explain that? The part about your leaving being good for the party? I do not really understand the part about not allowing people to question it or the part about blatant insults."
Carburator says, "Per Rage's tirade, it would seem that this group is only suitable for people who never question and follow orders mindlessly. Of course, I am greatly generalizing mostly because her tirade was extremely demeaning and insulting of intelligence, character and experience. You have since indicated that it is only in battle that your orders should be followed, which I agree with. However, she seems to think that in all things, we should follow only. I am not a mindless follower...can't be, won't be."
"What lesson have you learned, Carburator?"
Carburator seems a bit surprised by the question but then smiles. "Well, I am glad you asked. Two major lessons and a few minor. The first is 'Know the lay of the land'. Clearly I didn't understand the dynamics of this group. My mistake."
"Part of this group has been together for some time now. We have fought with each other and we have died with each other. The other part of this group is new. The two parts struggle with each other. There is a lack of trust on both sides."
"The second is 'Never assume people know you'. Again, I was taken totally aback by how my character was surmised despite previous empirical data. I would never have guessed that I would be considered a greedy loose cannon who only cares about one or two things. Of course, there are some other minor things, but those are the two big ones. Good lessons really and I can see the value. I think I can see how I can change perception in the future. Really, it boils down to questioning and marketing."
He chuckles.
"I am also curious about what you think the dynamics of this party are," Kadlian says.
Carburator thinks for a moment and says, "Overall good. However, as Kailar points out, there isn't much trust. There is the us/we syndrome going on and I don't think under those conditions a good team could form. Maybe after everyone catches up to you and Rage in power, but not under the current conditions."
"I don't consider you a loose cannon."
Kailar glances at Dor for a second.
Dor seems oblivious, not surprisingly.
"I appreciate that, Kailar," Carburator says.
"I think your fatal flaw is that you do not know when and how to question authority. You speak up immediately and publicly. Your ideas do not always seem to be well thought out and you resist the concept that you may be wrong."
Carburator says, "Hmm, I appreciate the feedback. I had no idea my ideas didn't seem well thought out."
"As for greedy, life is by far the most valuable reward. You may be too new to this line of work to understand this. You will become sick of seeing people die. It is sad to see friends die, but in some ways the death of an innocent is much worse."
Kailar's face turns stony for a second.
"I would gladly give everything I own and more, to restore the life of one girl. And I don't even know her name."
Carburator smiles sadly. "Oh no, I know that lesson as well. I expect\ all of us have histories that set us apart and is why we are apart from society as it is. Perhaps that is why we have been so offended because our experience, no matter how harsh, has been belittled while from our perspectives it isn't. We just don't wear it on our sleeves."
He claps Kailar on the shoulder and says, "You are a good gnome, Kailar. One day when I am an arch-mage, I will help you find that girl and restore her life, although that will only increase your pain." He shakes your head. "You will have lived a long life by then and won't be able to go home again."
"I don't think you understand. The girl is no one I know, she was sacrificed in the Black Keep and I could not save her. I must find some way to free her soul."
Kailar pets Sir and mumbles, "Perhaps the Raven goddess plays poker..."
Carburator says, "Oh, then it won't be so hard. Even so, I will be glad to help you."
He shrugs.
"I thought you were leaving?" Kailar says.
"I am, but I hope this is not the last time I see you all."
Carburator turns and shakes Malvis's hand and says, "Look me up when you are in Sandas. I will be at Occa's home or adventuring."
"Permission to speak freely?" Logan asks, his cheeks reddening under the verbal assault.
"Why ask now, you never have in the past," the mage says, looking at the fellow with an odd glint in her eye.
"Fine!" he says, looking at the mage. "Don't presume because you 'older' folk are more skilled that we are not individuals or not capable. While you, Kailar, and Boss Man were off romping elsewhere, I led - "
Suddenly Logan's voice rises to a high pitched squeak.
" - our group through the way towards here. Using all of my people, I was able to be a successful leader. Turning this group into a dictatorship will turn those with brains into resentful automatons that will eventually leave!" he retorts.
"We are more disciplined, Logan. That is the crux of the problem. This group has acted as a military unit, and it has been successful. It no longer acts a military unit and I, for one, am worried about how we will continue."
"I have never disobeyed orders in battle, I know I am not a strategist, but I still maintain my cool and head while fighting," he replies.
Again his voice rises to a squeak.
"You have disobeyed battle orders. Do you remember when it was your duty to guard the rear, but there was not enough action in it for you. You would often forsake your duty. But you have improved."
"By the way, I fought and died in Hell, I don't characterize it as romping around."
Rage looks at Logan. "Down there, when we are in danger, you need to follow orders. If you don't like them, fine, when the danger is over, discuss it with us. Not in the middle of the action."
"I am and I am getting the third degree for expressing my opinion. I have never, that I can recall, disobeyed an order during battle. I might use a spell here or there instead of my blade, but I have
not once disobeyed an order!" he replies.
"And if you don't like the order, don't do something on your own. Kadlian has a method to his orders, born from years of experience in dealing with difficult situations. Yes, you took the group on a wilderness jaunt, but we are in more danger now than you can imagine. A lich is not something to be scoffed at. He is at least as powerful as Occa, without the inhibitions. Young Gun antics will not cut it down there," the woman says, pointing to the secret entrance.
"Logan did well downstairs, Dor and Carburator acted impetuously, but at least there was no repercussions to their actions. Where Logan did present problems was when we were attacked by that town on our way here. However, Hlarn was the main instigator of that fiasco.
"Fact of the matter is, in most situations where it involves more than just us, I would prefer it if everyone would look to me, first, before taking matters into their own hands. After all, when I say I am the leader of the group, most people will look to me to talk and make the decisions. We appear chaotic otherwise and perhaps not so impressive. Still, that does not allow the rest of you to prevent me from making a mistake and I know that I am not infallible. Perhaps we should come up with a code phrase that everyone can use to signal to me that a discussion by the party is needed."
"I don't mind taking orders," Dor answers. "In fact, I like it. It's just that sometimes I get a little eager. That's kind of why they said I could leave the Baron's service. But I'll try to do better next time."
"When we are safe, such as here, you can present ideas, new plans and the like, but down there... Down there, you need to take orders. Or else, there is no place for you here." Rage looks around.
"That is true. I do not want to carry any of your deaths on my conscience."
"Yeah, I know..."
"If you want me to leave, tell me, otherwise, I am here to help, protect, and yes, look after everyone here, as well as myself."
"If I behaved as you do and you were leading the group, how would you deal with me? If I did what I wanted, instead of what people are counting on me to do, how would you handle the situation? Would you turn into a 'Dictator' or would you just let me run around doing what I wanted and endangering the people that you are leading."
"I have never done so or said so, you are twisting my words," he replies.
"What about the tomes today Logan? We have run across many cursed items, Rage told you to wait until they were checked and you told her that you could not wait. Again in your favor, you later asked Rage to check the tomes."
"I am not altruistic like you."
Rage laughs at this. "I am the least altruistic one you will ever meet. You need to learn to judge actions better, Logan Obi-wan. I have seen more death and destruction, been a part of more death and destruction than you can imagine. That young girl, cut down because she was defenseless, well, I too would give what I could to see her breath again. To live, and be productive. The greatest gift there is is life, and a penny here now to save this young girl is nothing when you can get all you need with your sword and your mind.
"Would it be better for those here, in this group to charge for training? You know how expensive it is? You get it here, free. But you call me altruistic. Look to our motives. There you will see the real answer, even if you do not\ wish to admit it," Rage says, her eyes piercing Logan.
"You are mixing things, so I won't bother to comment," he says.
"I am not saying I wouldn't clear this dungeon if we weren't paid, but I agree with Carburator that I don't enjoy looking like a tool and Boss Man's interaction with the Mayor makes us look like schmucks."
"Excuse me? How did you look like a schmuck? I guess I missed that part of the exchange," the woman says, puzzled.
"We look like saps, I am not saying we should charge the town, but for word to spread of our deeds and who is this Nick the Healer?" Logan asks, "We should check him out before offering whatever he wants to bring the girl back!
"Yes, I seek to better myself, in ability, power, as well as name. As being a former slave, I want to better myself, and NEVER want to be where I once was!"
"I asked my a couple of my followers about the time when some of us were in Hell. I wanted to know how the party ran in my absence. I got a different picture then the one you have just painted. Of course, since they are my followers, there is likely to be some bias. But, perhaps we should ask some of Sian's followers how they perceived that time, Logan. It is awfully difficult to hear criticism of your work, Logan, I know that all too well.
"I lead this party as if we were a military unit. You are always free to speak when we are alone and not in a combat situation. In a combat situation, I expect you to follow my orders because I am thinking of the big picture, not just your actions.
"When we first started as a group, a few years back, we lost a lot of friends because we were disorganized. We rushed into battle and some of us foolishly died because our mages were not protected or we charged into an ambush. Let us just say those first few weeks were very trying for us. And I was not the leader at that point. Actually, we tried a few different folks, including no one, until somehow the job fell on my shoulders.
"I have been a reluctant leader for most of the past two years. Kailar, Rage, Sian and even Hlarn have chastised me over that time about my leadership. I've changed and learned, and yet still find the mantle uncomfortable."
Kadlian's eyes get a far away look. "The worst of it is your friends dying because of the choices you make for the group. Even if they do something stupid, it is still your fault. Even if they ignore your orders or slip away in the night without you knowing. You get to carry that guilt with you forever.
"I can accept the criticism of being a dictator and I can see where you might believe that, even if I do not believe myself to be one. And I can even see where you might not like what I said to the Mayor. I have spoken to mayors, barons, dukes, king and even a god. I have found it far better to not push for things, but to appear gracious for whatever is offered. This town is not rich, that much was obvious when we passed through it to the inn. But, I do not understand how we look like 'schmucks' for not negotiating with him. After all, our purpose in staying in this town was to take out a lich."
"Kadlian was negotiating with the Mayor. If you expected fantastic riches from a small town such as this, you are delusional. The riches lie beneath in the ruins. And there will be plenty to go around."
"The money is irrelevant, we found a fortune in the first sarcophagus we found, its appearances. Call me superficial, but my name mean something and to me, it seemed we rolled over too easy on that one. But fine, I did not say anything when the Mayor was here, I waited until we were alone."
Logan's voice is squeaking again.
"When I make my opinion known, I get shit for it!" he concludes.
"You do not offer your opinion well. You have an adversarial style and you seem surprised when people become defensive."
"And yet you are still a slave, Logan. A slave to yourself and until you free your mind, you will remain that. You try so hard to escape and think that by following orders you remain a slave. That is where you are wrong. And don't ever try to pull the slave shit on me. It holds no water. None at all."
"Again, you see things in your tunnel vision and don't really listen to what I am saying!" he says with a frustrated sigh.
"Am I hasty? At times, I agree I am not the most level headed, but with this group, how can I be?" he asks with a smile. "I have no desire to leave, but treat me like a person, not property and if you say I haven't earned it, I will come over there and slap you myself, even if you would turn me into a newt. I have bled, sacrificed, and almost died on a few occasions for all present so DO NOT SAY I do not deserve to be treated as an equal!"
"I would appreciate it if you could actually give me an example of treating you like property or not as an equal."
"Logan, you have been with us for a while now. Your transgressions are less excusable. You are not and never have been treated like property. You are treated like a student, because that is the relationship that you sought out with Rage."
"Fine. Rage is right, seems we have come to an impasse," he says with a shake of his head. "Carburator, if you would like some company, I would join you back to Sandas."
Carburator looks shocked. He says, "Uh, I am not going directly to Sandas. I would like to try and help that village if possible. However, not that I don't wish your company, but you might want to reconsider. This is a decent group and you have a long history with them."
He shrugs. "However, if you don't feel comfortable staying, then I don't mind the company."
"We have come to something. Do you both give up so easily? Are you afraid to change?"
"Right you, you continue to act like a spoiled child, Logan Obi-Wan. Nothing more than a spoiled child." she says, sadly.
Turing to Kailar, Kadlian and Sian, Rage says, "Perhaps it is time for us to leave. Let these others fly for themselves, as it seems our ways do not meld well. The three of us can finish the job of taking out the lich, and that frees the others to continue on their own. Niko, if you would be interested, I would like your company as well, you seem a decent fellow."
Niko shrugs. "I signed up with Kadlian. If that's where he goes, that's where I go."
Kadlian sighs. "Perhaps, Rage, that might be better. If I am the source of the problem, then removing myself might be for the best. But, four or five of us will not be enough to take down the lich. We could deal quite a blow to him and his minions, but probably not take him out."
The woman then turns to Malvis, a slight tear in her eye, "Malvis, I free you of any obligation you feel you have to me. Feel free to seek your own path, or follow mine. Do so of your own conscience."
"Mistress, you took me in when I had no where to go, no one to follow. I was an inexperienced illusionist, yet you saw something in me, something you thought you could tease out of me, to create a real adventurer. I fought and died in hell for you, and would gladly follow you anywhere. To whom would I flee now? No, our paths are still intertwined, I fear. So, for better or worse, I am with you yet, and will remain so for some time to come, I think."
Malvis pauses only briefly, then looks around at all the others, and continues, "Besides, I still have much to learn, and adventures to live. My former life, I fear, was very much limited in its experiences. Now, I live a life full of new experiences. I live a life I only read about in my library before. How can I leave?"
"Welcome then, Malvis, and let us continue to blow on the ember of hope to light the fire of passion," Rage says to the illusionist.
Malvis, who thought himself maturing with this group, finds himself blushing as Rage says 'light the fire of passion'. He turns his gaze away from her, and studies the room for a few moments while he collects himself.
"I will examine the spell books tonight when I return from the crypts, and determine if they are safe, and then we can decide what to do with them," the woman says before turning away.
"Kadlian, I am ready to go. Let us see if we can make short work of this so we can follow our original goal to rescue Zanax."
Niko snorts. "Don't be too optimistic. And I hope you're planning to memorize a few summoning spells for help. Cannonfodder is always welcome in these types of fights."
Kadlian nods. "I think we should rest another night since we got very little rest this past one. And then we can go down and disrupt the lich's plans."
Rage nods and turns to Logan again. "Kailar is correct. Logan Obi-Wan, I release you of any obligation you may feel towards me as a student. It is clear you chaff under my guidance, and until you understand yourself, will not prosper. Seek another teacher. If you decide you wish to resume studies under me, you may, under my rules. Until then, my books are closed to you."
Logan waves his left hand over his head and doesn't even turn around when she speaks as he leaves the room.
With that Carburator heads for his room, to collect his gear.
Kailar turns his attention onto Dor.
"You are a soldier, aren't you Dor? What's your excuse, then?"
"Rage, since Logan and Carburator have decided to leave, would you be willing to teleport them back to Sandas? I would feel better knowing they had at least made it to safety. Walking back to Sandas from here will take them a very long time and there are only two of them."
Rage nods. "As you wish," she says to the elf.
Carburator says, "No thanks. I would rather walk and am not going to Sandas directly."
"If that is what you want, Carburator. Stay safe, then."
"Nice offer, Sandas works for me," Logan says with a nod.
He sticks out his hand for Carburator to shake. "Good luck!"
"Thanks!" Carburator shakes Logan's hand and then leaves.
"Thank you, Kadlian, good luck to you and the rest of the crew," Logan says. "Whenever you are ready, Rage!"
"And to you, Logan."
"It will have to wait till I memorize the spell, since I don't have it memorized at the moment," the mage says, "This afternoon, at the earliest, depending on what we are doing with the underground lich."
Kadlian, having made his up mind, says, "You are taking the day off to rest and recuperate. I will be touring the town with the Mayor and a few others of us to find the other entrances and maybe do a little probing of the entrances. I will take a complement of skills, do not worry."
"We also need to deal with Nick the Healer."
"Niko, Kailar, are you full up on your spells?"
The party breaks up.
That afternoon, Rage teleports Logan back to Sandas.
Early in the afternoon, Mayor Rorgus Tartaris returns and requests an audience.
"Nick the Healer's usual fee for a resurrection is 10,500gp plus a magic item," he advises you. "He does not make house calls."
Kadlian sighs, "I see. No discount even coming from you, Mayor?"
"I am afraid not. As a slave, she was probably worth only a few hundred gold pieces. Perhaps you should just buy the innkeeper a new one."
Kadlian looks over at Rage, a quick stare.
"Had she committed some sort of a crime that she was enslaved for? We all have a rather dim view of slavery and if slavery is practiced simply because of a whim of birth, maybe we had best move on. Some of the members of my company might not be able to restrain themselves otherwise."
"Obviously you are not from around here, being an elf," he replies without rancor. "I do not know the circumstances of her birth. Perhaps Idanius knows. However, the Empire permits slavery. Clarvis has vowed to change that, but such has been our way for millenia and it will not change overnight. First, he has to get himself crowned Emperor."
Kadlian nods. "No, most of us are from far west of here. I am from Aldacan, which is west of Nlad. I am glad to hear that Clarvis wants to see it changed, but I also know the realities of life, that not everything can be changed immediately. Some of our members are former slaves and have been treated badly in their early lives. As you might imagine, they connect with those in similar circumstances and wish them to be free as they are."
"I see. I thought I recognised a former slave in your party."
He glances at Rage.
Rage glares at the man, but bites her tongue.
Kadlian frowns but chooses not to say anything.
Malvis watches the exchange with some interest, since he knows so little of Rage's background. It must be quite complex, he is sure, since she has already exhibited multiple personality disorder, as well as some interesting personal decoration choices.
"The innkeeper and his wife said she was like a daughter. Regardless of her stature in your society, she obviously is loved. Also, I have never understood how one can put any sort of price on anyone's life. They are all priceless."
"And yet you were so eager to kill orcs this morning?" the Mayor asks. "Are not their lives priceless too, then?"
Kadlian smiles ruefully. "Too true. But, I did not put a price on their heads. I, too, have much to learn and forgive."
Kadlian straightens. "Very well, if that is the price, that is the price and we will pay it."
"She goes free, too," Niko says adamantly. "She stays with the innkeeper and his wife only if she chooses...and she's free to leave at any point."
Niko looks emotionlessly at the innkeeper, his wife and the mayor. "Anyone have a problem with that?"
"I have no problem with that," says the innkeeper. "I love her dearly, but whether she stays dead or goes free, I will have to buy another."
"Why couldn't she continue to do the job, but you pay her some wages?"
"How do you know I have not given her money already?" questions the innkeeper, starting to become annoyed by the cross examination.
"Instead of buying one, why not hire a person to do the job?"
"You cannot hire anyone for such a menial task."
"How do you know until you've tried?" inquires Niko.
"I have tried."
"Then if Clarvis gets his way and abolishes slavery, you will all go out of business."
"I know."
The innkeeper does not look too pleased at the prospect.
"Do you have poor people in this town? People that beg for a living and go hungry most of the time? What if you approached one of them and offered them the job? With food and a place to sleep, they might make a good substitute for a slave. And when the change does come, you will survive."
"I will see. With the war there are no poor or homeless in Tybol that I know of."
"Were they forced to join the army or were they killed? If there are no poor then you will, indeed, have a tough time."
"We don't allow them here," drawls the mayor. "Loiterers and lollygaggers? We run 'em, out of town."
"Perhaps you would like to buy her freedom?" suggests the mayor.
"I will need some time to gather the funds. Will you give me a little time? Then we can go to Nick the Healer and from there you can show us where the other entrances are."
"Of course."
"Thank you. If you will give me directions to your office, I will meet you there at a time convenient for you. Or, if you have someone else who can conduct the tour, that would be fine as well. I am sure that you have numerous duties that you have to attend to and I do not wish to take up all your time. You have been generous with it already."
"Whenever you are ready, come around."
He gives you directions to his office.
Right around this time you notice that Birch is not present.
"OK, who was watching Birch? Anyone know where he is?" the mage says. "Kailar, can we scry for him?"
Several of the followers exchange nervous glances at this comment.
"You mean we're being watched?" asks Edelle to Kadlian.
"How trusting," comments Callie dryly.
"Not that I am aware of. Rage can you correct your meaning, please? I doubt you intended what everything thinks, but I do not wish to put words in your mouth."
Rage rolls her eyes.
"It is an expression, nothing more, which I would have used had anyone disappeared without letting someone know. Birch is not here and did not say that he was going anywhere, which he usually does. Add to that we are sitting on top of a crypt with undead creatures who are not afraid to come out and take people. It seems to me that if no one knows where he is, it would be in his best interest to see if we can locate him via scrying. Unless, of course, you'd rather he be killed by our inactions," the mage says.
"A simple 'yes' or 'no' would have sufficed," replies Edelle.
Callie giggles.
Niko moves over to Edelle and puts his arms around her shoulder. Grinning, he says, "I've been watching...and I like what I see!"
"What, me or the bitch?" Edelle answers.
Niko seems confused. "Errr...did I miss something? And that's not very polite either..."
Niko takes his arm off Edelle and goes to look for something to eat instead.
Callie giggles again, and so does Edelle.
"I should have stayed with Logan," the elf says. "At least he had brains."
Dor accompanies him. "Hey Niko, could you help me learn how to use a two-handed sword? I feel like I am ready to try out something new."
"So, did anyone notice when Birch left?"
The followers reply negatively.
"Thank you, Rage, for clarifying. Okay, Kailar, can you try to find Birch for us? Let us make sure he is not in trouble."
Kailar pulls out his crystal ball and searches for Birch.
An image forms...of Birch riding a horse down a road, in the company of Carburator.
"And that... answers that."
"Right. Now, where were we? Oh, we have to decide how we are going to pay for the resurrection of the scullery maid. I will contribute my share of the haul below. Does anyone else wish to do the same?"
"I can also. By the way, How much did Verona charge us?"
"Honestly, I have no recollection. But, I do not think it was this much."
"We should have had Rage ask while she was in Sandas. Maybe bring the body shrunk with her. That reminds me, is there any chance of undead contamination? I mean she was killed by ghouls, right?"
Niko frowns at Dor. "If you want to try something new, how about the cutlass? That two-handed sword is way too slow and unwieldy to be used in close quarter combat."
"I guess," he says hesitantly. "But I just thought it would be kind of terrific to whack the bad guys with a really big sword." Dor shrugs "OK, so how is a cutlass different than a long sword?"
Niko puts his hand up "Whoa, whoa, whoa! First of all, how good are you with your long sword? I mean, have you had extra training in it?"
Dor ponders for a moment. Just before smoke begins to pour forth from his ears, he responds, "Umm, no. Nothing more than the regular training you get in the army."
"Well, then perhaps you should try improving that first before learning another weapon," Niko suggests.
Malvis speaks up, "I really have little use for large amounts of cash, so I'll gladly volunteer my share of the loot, except for any magical items which I might be able to use. As an illusionist, those are so few and far between, I need to hang on to those I might run across. But for coins, jewelry, etc., I freely give my portion."
"Thank you, Malvis."
Niko tosses a small pouch on the table next to Kadlian "Oh, by the way, this should help with the raising of the girl."
"Thank you, Niko. I will do the dividing of the treasure I guess. Also, does anyone have a magical item that they would be willing to part with? A magical dagger or something not terribly useful?"
"I do have a magical dagger, but it's the only magic weapon I have to use with my cutlass. I wonder if he'd accept a stick with continual light or darkness on it..."
"If you need the weapon, keep it. I was only thinking of something that was kind of an extra."
"Sorry Kadlian," Dor responds. "I don't have any magic weapons or armor or anything to add. But you can use my share of the treasure. My reward is eliminating the evil filth that pollutes the world."
"Thank you, Dor."
Kadlian bangs the hilt of his dagger on the table, interrupting the various discussions.
"If I may have your attention please, we have a few matters of business to attend to before we move on. With Hlarn, Logan and Carburator having left, we need a little restructing. Effective immediately, Kailar is my second. I have not yet, decided who will replace Kailar as third, but when I do, I will let you all know."
"Second, the treasure split is nine ways. I realize that Logan and Carburator have left, but they did help with the battle and should be given their share. For now, we will have to hold it for them. Perhaps at a later point, we can find them and give it to them."
"The total treasure was 125 ep, 11,250 gp, 5500 sp, 500 cp, 22 gems (50 gp), 4 gems (500 gp) and 1 gem (10 gp). This works out to 13 ep, 1,251 gp, 626 sp, 62 cp with 2 cp left over. I do not know how you wish to divide the gems. We could sell them and split the proceeds or some of you can exchange the gems for an equivalent amount of gold. We can work that out."
"Dor, Kailar, Malvis and myself have offered our shares to pay for the ressurection. Anyone else? You are not obligated to do so, but it will help me figure out what additional funds we are going to need. Right now, we have 52 ep, 5000 gp, 2504 sp and 250 cp. Which boils down to about 5,230 gp."
"Niko has also generously given 2 gems (100 gp each) and 100 pp which gives us 5,730 gp and 2 gems which may yeild us half of the estimate worth."
"Any questions?"
"Yeah. What's next?" Niko asks.
"Resurrect the girl, go on the tour of the entrances and then come up with a plan to destroy the lich and everything else under this town that is causing a nuisance."
"Oh. In that order?"
"Unless you have a better suggestion. That is the order I suggested to the Mayor."
"Someone remind me to ask Rage if she got a good enough look at the lich to scry for him."
Kadlian looks over at Rage. "Niko, why do you not ask her yourself? She is sitting behind you."
"Well, Rage?"
Rage speaks up, "Sorry for the distraction."
"Please, take my portion as well," the mage says, in reference to the funds.
"Thank you."
"Now, as for the lich, I did get a reasonable view of him via my wizards eye, and suspect that I could scry for him. However, that poses two issues. First, how to locate him and eliminate him quickly. We could try a teleport strike, but that can be risky, if the lich is as powerful as they say, and has traps prepared. Second, we risk alerting him that we are scrying on him, which could be disastrous for us. Also, if it has anti-scrying magics in place, we will not find it.
"That being said, I'm game for giving it a try." the mage says, "but tomorrow when I have two teleports memorized so that I can get us in and out."
"Before we do that, we need to come up with a concrete plan. If we go in, I want to make sure we do not lose anyone. I would rather wait for some of our weaker members to gain some experience rather than have a few of us survive something over most everyone's head."
At this point no one says anything else, so you gather up the innkeeper who gathers up the body of the girl, and all of you head over to Nick the Healer.
It is a hot, humid afternoon in Tybol. Not too many people are out and about at this hour.
Nick the Healer's establishment is a small storefront on the main street. A sign in the shape of a tennis racquet hangs over the door, reading -
NICK THE HEALER
You enter, and find yourselves in a small waiting room / reception area, crowded with patients, mostly children with runny noses and ear infections, escorted by harried looking parents. You present yourself to the receptionist, who makes a note in a ledger and directs you to sit down wherever you can.
Several hours pass, which you while away reading old tomes and scrolls which are kept here for that purpose, and trying to avoid being coughed and snotted on by the other patients.
Eventually a woman in a while gown comes out and leads you into a small examination room. A single pallet is in the middle and there are several stools. Kailar and Sir take the seats; the rest of you stand.
About twenty minutes later Nick The Healer breezes in. He is a man in late middle age but tanned and fit, wearing a white coat over shorts and open necked cotton shirt. A holy symbol not unlike the one that you recall seeing the high priest Salaam from Occa's party wearing hangs around his neck.
"Hi, Idanius!" he says to the innkeeper, "What's up?"
The innkeeper lays the body of his slave on the pallet and unwraps the shroud around her.
"Ah!" Nick says, wrinkling his nose at the rather unpleasant aroma which is starting to rise from the corpse in the heat, as he examines her.
Idanius looks to Kadlian for further guidance.
Kailar sits quietly and waits to hear what Nick the healer has to say.
"We would like to have her ressurected as long as there is no side effect to how she was killed. She was abducted by ghouls and partially eaten."
"Then she must be blessed as well as resurrected," says Nick, straightening up. "Do you want me to perform the procedure now?"
"Yes, what funds do you require?"
"My clerical staff takes care of the billing," he replies easily.
Kadlian chuckles. "You mean you do not demand payment in advance? What a gambling man you are!"
"Not at all," Nick says with a smile, "I know how to find you. Shall we proceed?"
"Please do."
He nods and turns to the body on the pallet.
After crackling his knuckles, he intones, "Oh great Thoth, please bless this poor child and free her of the curse of undeath," as he casts a bless on the body.
Then, he goes over to a cabinet and takes out a rod.
He lightly touches the body with the rod, and it glows.
The body becomes whole before you eyes, breathes in with a shuddering gasp, and the girl opens her eyes.
"EEEEEEEEE!!!!" she screams, eyes wide.
"Now, now," says Nick with an easy smile, "It's alright. You're safe. Iddy, comfort her."
The innkeeper takes the girl in his arms and holds her. Her panic subsides.
Nick turns to you.
"Anything else? Nasty wound you have there," he says to Kadlian.
"Hmmm?" Kadlian inspects the wound. "No, I will be alright. We have some clerics in the group that can handle the healing. I just forgot about it."
Niko nods as he steps forward. "Yeah, any chance you're interested in accompanying us on a little adventure? We could use a holy man of some power..."
"Sorry," Nick replies, "My adventuring days are long gone."
You head out into the reception area, and the lady behind the desk hands Kadlian a bill for 10,595gp plus a magic item, terms net 30.
You depart and return to the inn.
Idanius leaves you for a few moments and then returns with the scullery slave. He hands a piece of parchment to Kadlian.
"That is her certificate of ownership," he says, "I sign her over to you, to do as you wish. Lydia," he says, turning to the wide-eyed slave girl, "This is your new owner. Serve him as well as you have served us."
The girl starts to cry, but obediently moves over to stand by Kadlian. From the doorway to the back area Idanius' wife stifles a sob as well.
Edelle tries to stifle a snicker.
Suddenly the door from the street opens and a man dashes in.
"News just in from Arble!" he cries excitedly, "Atlantia has fallen! The war is over! Clarvis gets crowned Emperor in ten days!"
From outside you hear the sounds of people cheering.
Kadlian folds the paper and hands it to Lydia. "Now, you own yourself. As it should be."
She looks at the paper without comprehension, then at Kadlian.
"You - you don't want me?" she asks.
"I did not say that. What I am trying to tell you is that you now have a choice. If you wish to remain with the Innkeepers, you can. Just negotiate for wages. If you want to come work for me, we can talk about wages as well. Either way, you do not need to be a slave."
"I will be your slave. I owe you my life."
Kadlian shakes his head. "I do not want your life. If you wish to work for me, rather than the innkeepers, that is your choice. But, I want you to take a few days to make that decision. Working for me will usually be boring. It will consist of keeping my equipment and my hippogriff tidy. And, it will extend to the equipment and mounts of my friends. Essentially, you will be a camp follower. It is not much of a life."
She nods.
"As you command, Master."
Kadlian shakes his head again. "Please, call me Kadlian, not Master."
"Yes master."
Kadlian smiles. "Kadlian, Lydia. Kadlian. Try to say it."
"Yes master."
"Edelle, what do I pay you and the others a week for wages?"
"Nothing that I know of...master," replies Edelle.
"Stop it, Edelle. I do not need you picking on me as well. I thought you did that for Niko."
Rage walks over and speaks to Kadlian quietly for a minute.
Niko snorts and shakes his head. "Great, Kad's got another groupie following him around..."
Rage smacks Niko on the head with her staff.
Niko doesn't flinch, but merely replies, "Thanks for wasting my Stoneskin. You really should learn to control that temper of yours."
"And you should really learn to control that tongue of yours before it gets you into more trouble," Rage retorts.
"Hey, I like his tongue!" says Edelle.
Malvis attempts to stifle a giggle over this exchange, but is only partially successful.
Niko snorts. "Whatever. Listen, shorty...why don't you run along and do something useful like teach one of your apprentices a spell or two?"
Niko winks at Malvis. "C'mon, let's go get something to drink."
Kadlian looks around for the clerics. "Could you folks heal me please? And any of the other wounded?"
The only people wounded were Logan and Kadlian. Nuanna casts a cure light wounds on the elf, but without effect.
Kadlian grimaces. "I would presume that means I am diseased by the touch of the mummy. Can one of you please cast a cure disease spell?"
"I will pray for it," says Nuanna.
"Thank you, Nuanna."
Niko goes outside to investigate and find something to drink to help celebrate. He also goes over to Nick's and books an appointment...in two days.
Not much else gets accomplished today. The entire town shuts down for a celebration. Whether you partake of it is your decision.