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Message: <blockquote data-quote="H.M.Gimlord" data-source="post: 5843970" data-attributes="member: 79440">[sblock=For dimsdale, Luinnar, and Velmont Only][GM][MENTION=79956]dimsdale[/MENTION]: I will wait, if you want me to, until you can get a wishlist up on your character sheet. Then I'll post your treasure findings. All others: Be sure your wishlists are up to date. Post where your PCs will be searching and I'll work your treasure findings into the location you choose.[/GM]While the party is searching the hideout, a mournful wail pierces the air from down one of the corridors at the far end of the common room. A voice in tearful rage barks words too muffled by the subterranian walls to make out.  Suddenly, the voice is replaced by hurried footsteps that draw quickly closer.From behind a door at the east end of the room a human steps into the common room, eyes red with tears that cover a visage of rage. "Murderers!" he yells, and charges for Draglin. Deftly, the dragonborn steps out of the way just as the assailant's comes down upon him. The rest of the party quickly rush to their friends aid. Whishing no quarter, the small rogue charges into lot of them, flailing his dagger. Not wishing to kill the poor fellow, the party subdues him, gags him, and binds him to a chair for questioning after they have completed their search[sblock=Map]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/TheHideoutAftermathRound2-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][/sblock][MENTION=82251]TwoHeadsBarking[/MENTION] & [MENTION=60965]Iron Sky[/MENTION]: Here is your long-awaited hook![sblock=For Iron Sky and TwoHeadsBarking Ony]The following story began some months ago: Haruka has been spending the last few days renting a room at The Hanged Man. While enjoying the atmosphere of the common room, she meets the young Seraphine, and they strike up a conversation.  While they are speaking, a message-boy appears at Seraphine's side, "Excuse me ma'am," the boy sheepishly interrupts, "Would you be the lady Seraphine of Apoli?" Upon her affermative nod, the boy produces a letter, written on fine vellum emblazoned with the sigil of Apoli. The flowing script glows brilliantly as Seraphine reaches for the docuemnt. Upon the oiled sheet is written:My most trusted servant of the great Apoli. I always knew you were destined for great things. There is yet another task for which you are perfectly suited. You are to book passage to a port city of Rioc Alair, in the newly colonized continent of Avenroc. Few knwo the way, but I've managed to secure the name of a capatain who trades in that area often. His name is Jordan Ertos. You will find that he is in port in Daunton for the next two days. I have already payed your passage with him. You can identify yourself by presenting this letter when you meet him. One of the other passengers on this vessel will be another servant of Apoli-a gentleman named Aaron Handmill. He is a bit rough around the edges, but on the whole, a trustworthy fellow. Once in Rioc Alair, Mr. Handmill will take you to meet Lord Lars Hallmaster, a gentleman who despite having lost his family to time and vile hands, continues to seek the will of Apoli. Lord Hallmaster has discovered a power source that is capable of winning great glory for Apoli. It is an element unlike any other, with the power to control the energy of storms. You are to find the origin of this power source and deliver the location of its source to Lord Hallmaster. Beware. This element is sure to be known to others as well, and thus is likely to be guarded by all manner of man and beast. You may bring help, but for the sake of the delicacy of this mission, please bring no more than one other. I wish you the blessings of Apoli on your quest. May his presence be ever with you. Your fellow servant, Mithaeus Haruka expresses to Seraphine a desire for the privilege of being the one to aid her in her quest, and so the two set out for the docks in Daunton and find it just as Mithaeus had described. On Jason Ertos' ship, the meet Aaron Handmill, who reveals after only a little conversation, that he knows nothing other than that Lord Hallmaster needs one or two brave souls to fulfull a task for him. The voyage takes four months, but the ship and crew are well stocked, and have ports of call along the way where they are able to resupply. As the ship pulls into the port, large, sandstone cliffs loom to either side. The harbor is a series of wharfs on a rocky beach at the base of seaside bluffs. Directly ahead, the main gates to the city open up to reveal long lines of people waiting in line to pass through security. To the east, a sinuous path winds its way through a series of switchbacks to the top of the cliffs where a large, comfortable-looking inn overlooks the harbor. When the trio disembark, Aaron guides Haruka and Seraphine along a little-traveled path leading from the harbor, along the shore. The further they get from the harbor, the more remote their location seems to be.  Just when Seraphine and Haruka begin to think that this fellow is going to get them lost, he turns a corner along the narrow path into the opening of a large cave, out of which a foul stream belches a literal riverfull of fetid water in a 30 foot arc to the ocean below. The septic stream stains the ocean black where it touches the seawater, and the stench of human waist is so unavoidably strong that Haruka nearly gags. When Aaron sees their expressions, he merely shrugs in a sheepish, unspoken apology. A path runs alongside the malodorous river disappearing into the cave, and Aaron sallies forth therein. Following their young concierge, Seraphine and Haruka embrace the fould darkness of the cave. For about a quarter of a mile, the three continue their walk along the sewerside path, unitl, not far in the distance, Haruka is able to make out the faint glow of daylight thorugh another opening in the cavern ahead. As the light at the end of the tunnel draws closer, however, Aaron's confident air begins to wane, "Somehting's wrong." He races forward to a spot about a hundred yards, or so, where a large rock protrudes from the path as if it were purposefully placed there. He gropes around the rock as if looking for something that he expected to be there.  To the right of the path (and now behind Aaron who is facing the river), a corridor branches off of the cave wall. Aaron turns around and stares at the opening, "That passage is supposed to be closed at all times," he explains, his face blanching with fear, "Something is definitely wrong." Cautiously, Aaron produces filnt and tinder from a pouch at his belt. After using this to light a cold torch from a sconce just inside the corridor, he draws a dagger and proceeds into the opening.  Moments later a mournful wail issues from the corridor, "Smoc! No!" The sobbing voice is Aaron's. Haruka and Seraphine charge into the corridor and find Aaron kneeling down, holding the decaying body of a halfling. There are no lights, except for the smoldering torch that now lays on the floor next to the grieving human, "What happened!?" the question is rhetorical, yet filled with grief. He looks up at his companions, "He's dead" Looking around he sees others, and naming them, he kneels beside them in grief as well, "They're all dead!" rage now replaces grief, "Who did this!?" Drawing a dagger once more, he charges off down the dark corridor leaving Haruka and Seraphine to ponder what is happening. A few moments pass, and soon strong voices are heard issuing from the direction in which Aaron had just disappeard. The voices quickly grow to an angry crescendo and soon the sound of metal blows rings down the corridor. Screams are heard, and then all is silent.[sblock=Dungeoneering DC 30]You are likely to be somewhere below the inn you saw on the hill overlooking the harbor.[/sblock][sblock=Tokens][sblock=Haruka]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/Haruka.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Seraphine]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/Seraphine.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][/sblock][sblock=Maps][sblock=The harbor of Rioc Alair]BTW: On this map, North is to the left, East is up, South is Right, and West is down.<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/RiocAlairforHarukaandSeraphine.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=The sewer-river and open corridor]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/TheUlmarforHarukaandSeraphine.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Detail of present location]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/TheUlmarDetail.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][/sblock][/sblock]</blockquote>

Verification