[IC1] Pool of Radiance

[Krug]

In the meantime, Oog wanders about town and happens to overhear some of the workers, as they talk about the latest gossip they have picked up. When they spot him, they ask him to come over and tell him a few of their stories.

“Hey, aren't you one of those adventurers? I have heard a few stories from other adventurers. Did you know, that the castle used to have a wonderful rose garden? I’ve heard since that whatever lives there has changed it into some kind of horrible maze with poisonous plants and everything. Yes, really! But that’s not your biggest problem. First you’ve got to get past all the guards that surround the place. I've heard there are dozens of them, if not more.”

“Oh, come on, that castle lies on the other side of the city. Getting there in the first place is more than an adventure already. We should worry much more about the orcs on the eastern river bank. They get cockier every day. I'm just waiting for the day, that they swim here and cause even more trouble than they already do.”

“Swim here... yeah, right!”

"Let them try it! They'd probably forget to take off their armor!" says Oog. "And how wonderful are these... roses? Would someone pay a good price for them?"

 

[Thanee]

“The roses... Well, not that I have seen them myself, but I'm sure they have been very wonderful. The whole arrangement in the garden must have been a wonder to behold. However, given the rumors I have heard about the maze, I doubt that it still is.”

 

[hafrogman]

Kylest stretches in the early morning light, straightening out muscles tightened by yesterday's exertions. He rests and tends his injuries, taking a small walk around the inn to aid in his recovery. Later in the day he returns to the guard's training hall and seeks out the guardsman who told him the story of the keep when he was around earlier.

"Friend, I found your tale of the fall of the keep most helpful in the end, and I would like to buy you a drink as my thanks. Perhaps your grandfather had some more stories he told of his time in Old Phlan?"

 

[Thanee]

The guard greets Kylest, happy to see him back in one piece. “Ah master dwarf, it's good to see you again! Looks like the training did you well. Coming for more? And yes, indeed, we have discovered some most irritating news recently. The whole evil army is commanded by a villian - a human who’s sold his own race out. We captured one of his guards and forced him to talk. He said the guy was unkillable because he doesn’t have a heart, that it’s hidden in a floating castle miles from here! Can you believe that!?”

 

[Voadam]

Dirtan smiles and then says: “Anyone welcome in these halls is surely trustworthy enough to hear, that I am here to recover an old treasure, that belongs to my people. It is said, that it is hidden inside the old temple, that was built by gnomes a long time ago. The stashes are very well hidden, it's quite likely, that they are still there, despite whatever despoilers the temple's interior has fallen prey to in the meantime. It's orcs currently, as the rumors say.”

* * * * *​

Eldwyn, taking a break from the lenghty identification, visits the local leatherworkers in the hopes of finding one, that can make him a fine sling. While none have actually seen one of the rare halfling slings yet, he sure does find one, that claims to be able to make him one of the finest quality, as long as he can have his sling as a sample during the time.

Afterwards, the halfling cleric visits the temple of Tyr, the best place to find someone willing and able to enchant a weapon for him. As he enters, his eyes spot Kordunn, talking to a gnome in simple robes, with one of the Tyr followers nearby.

Kordunn introduces Eldwynn to the tyrian as well as to the gnome and brings him up to date on the Tyrian enchanting situation.

 

[Krug]

“The roses... Well, not that I have seen them myself, but I'm sure they have been very wonderful. The whole arrangement in the garden must have been a wonder to behold. However, given the rumors I have heard about the maze, I doubt that it still is.”

"Well anything else? An enchanted spade? Magic shrubbery?" asks Oog, only half-interested.

 

[Thanee]

“Hey, why do you even listen, if you don't believe me?” says the man a little huffy, but then continues to discuss important (and very boring) matters with the other workers.

 

[Scotley]

Eldwyn

Kordunn introduces Eldwynn to the tyrian as well as to the gnome and brings him up to date on the Tyrian enchanting situation.

"I guess we should consider making a try for the temple next. Either that or go after the Kobolds, as their gear would at least be my size," he adds with a chuckle. He takes his Warsling to have a masterwork version made and will buy a regular sling--either masterwork or with masterwork ammo if available to serve until the new one is ready. That completed he will see what information he can find on the temple and the kobold activity.

 

[hafrogman]

Kylest listens with an interested ear to the guard's tale. He nods slightly at the dire nature of the news.

"Aye, it is sad when one turns against his own like that. As for the prisoner's story, who can say? He might believe anything he is told, but I'll keep it in mind, just in case I ever find myself facing down the evil general, although I'd heard there were three of them. Odd though, you'd think a floating castle would stick out a little bit."

 

[Thanee]

“Who knows where this marvelous castle lies... he only said, it's miles away,” the guard says, lost in thought.

* * * * *​

Back in the temple, Dirtan now looks at Eldwyn and says: “If the records are true, there might be some 'gear' in the temple, which would suit your size, even though I do not know, whether that will be useful for you. If you would be able to help me, it might be interesting to know, that I'm authorized to offer up a share of the treasure as a reward for whoever aids me in this task. Unfortunately, I can only guess about what it consists of, so it is a small risk for you, since other than that, I'm afraid, I have very little of material worth to offer.”

The priest of Tyr, that still stands nearby, chimes in: “And if you really manage to free the temple, you will have our eternal gratitude, and we would gladly help you out as far as we can without neglecting our other duties here, of course. But I'm certain there are a few things we could do to support you.”