appearance of new characters
A soft almost familiar voice is heard, “Mingo. Mingo.” The sound hurries up the stairs to the room chased by footsteps. A small bejeweled rapier appears in a small hand followed by red scale-covered bracers on the forearm of its wielder, a slightly singed water Halfling wearing Mithral breastplate just as the party was used to seeing on Mingo and Anson. He clutches a small darkwood shield in his off-hand, just as Mingo did. Around his neck is seen an unusual silver holy symbol in an arrangement of seven stars.
As he steps into the room, he is followed closely by a similarly singed human in light yellow flowing robes with an inscribed strip of cloth around his neck, holding a bejeweled bastard sword with skulls on the guards. His arms are covered by blue-scaled bracers, and he wears bejeweled Mithral breastplate. Even at 5’ 9” tall, the dark curly brown haired human towers over the 3’ tall water Halfling. The small gemstone in the center of his forehead makes the human look strangely menacing.
Both men glance around the room quickly, noticing the headless body of Anson. The Halfling continues scaning the room and asks, “Where is Mingo Frasse?”
The human steps forward and salutes Gregory, “Lord Vasa, we’ve finally caught up with you. When Fosco and I realized that we were looking for the same group, we decided to stick together until we found you. We took care of a large barghest lurking outside. I see you had more than one to deal with inside.” He voice trails off as he considers the dead and sheathes his sword. “Oh, my apologies, I am Zurrik Odeil, most recently Senior Deputy Sheriff on the lands of the Eldritch Lairds in the Western Reach. Your group made short work of the undead at the Rest. I was just itching to step in and help, but it didn’t seem all that necessary. You sailed before I thought to ask to join your mission, so I had to track you down. I am on leave and wish to join in your work to dispatch the lich. This one is Fosco Sandybanks, from the Crosscroft Isles. He seems to be either family or close friend to one Mingo Frasse, whom he seeks.” Zurrik’s voice tails off at the end.