Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 3: Shelter From The Storm

[Bannock]

Bannock wears a confused expression for a moment as Lars and Arnir discuss this Merryweather person, but then his eyes glint as he realizes something Lars said.

"Green Dragon egg? We need to get it! Imagine hatching a dragon. I'd raise it up m'self so I could ride it. Maybe I'd name it something scary, like 'Darkwing', or 'Flametongue'!"

But suddenly he runs out of steam and becomes more subdued. He sighs.

"But maybe the cleric first."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr scratches his beard for a few minutes and the proposes something:

"Why don't Lars and Arnir take care of selling the loot? Bannock and I go find some Clerics and find out if we can get him healed and how much it will cost us. Kirio and Alric why don't you bring the Decanter to the Lyceum? We pool our money and split it up accordingly, setting aside some money to heal Bannock.

Then we can figure out a plan for getting that Dragon egg back. Sound like a plan?"

 

[Adjuntive]

"Aye, we will return here post delivery of the decanter."

Alric looks upon his grime, blood and gore strewn armor on the floor by his bunk for a moment with a look of consternation. He spends a moment running a wet cloth over most of it and, despite its far from pristine condition, he wears it anyways.

Looking to Kirio, "We'll leave when you're ready."

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio's eyes bulge a little in surprise as he hears Hrimr's plan... "hugh... wardlikarighem (Elven expletive)! Well, never say never I suppose..., wisdom from a dwarf. Well spoken Hrimr..., I think that is a excellent plan."

Looking to Kirio, "We'll leave when you're ready."

Kirio gently packs up the decanter and heads over to Alric. Looking him up and down he shakes his head at his condition, Alric's efforts having been less than entirely successful "Allow me Alric, I've a budding reputation to uphold, won't do to be seen in town looking so... how do you say..." he shrugs unable to find words. He takes out his flute, and plays a quick little tune, Alric's armor glows briefly and is now shinny and clean "Better, can't do anything about the dents and what not, but it has been well used, should look the part." He then whistles to clean his cape, which turns a bright lively green from a forest green, with a vermilion border. He nods in satisfaction and makes for the door "Let's get a bite to eat on the way, and I think I will stop in at our old inn tonight, I'm in a mood to perform a little..."

 

[Gregor]

********
Kirio and Alric

After grabbing a bite and warming up by a hearth, you head back out into the drizzle and stride up towards the Lyceum. You're required to wait around for just over an hour as the clerks on duty tell you that Headmaster Simeon is busy with pressing duties.

Eventually you are brought up to a conference room where Simeon is closing out discussions with Magistrate Lorb and other dignitaries. They are huddled over some maps and documents, which are soon rolled up as the conversation ends. As Lorb and the others leave, Simeon invites you to join him at a table.

"Ahhh, my friends from Gate Pass." he says with fatigue in his voice, "Apologies for making you wait, but I was just discussing optimal irrigation, fresh water well siting and sanitation planning with the Magistrate. Speaking of which, I trust you are doing well and making progress on the missions we have entrusted you with? Any progress on the decanter or the lyre?"

********
Hrimr and Bannock

After asking around you learn that the only temples in town are located up at the Lyceum. You head up to the magical academy and are easily pointed to the three available places of worship located on the campus. Your choices include temples to Mystra the God of Magic, Azuth the Lord of Spells and Ohgma the Lord of Knowledge.

The priests at both the temples of Mystra and Azuth, though willing to assist Bannock in healing his condition, are unable to muster the requisite divine power to actually do so. However, you do find someone willing to assist at the temple of Ohgma, which appears to be more of a library than a place of worship.

Standing amidst well organized shelves filled with scrolls, books and stacks of bound paper and parchment, the lesser acolytes summon the head cleric to discuss with you. The man appears ancient when you see him, hobbling over in a long robe. He runs his hand through his long white beard and inspects Bannock for some time after hearing your story and your description of his condition.

"I can return the lost portion of your soul," he speaks through quivering lips, "though the process is neither simple nor without expense." He pauses to catch his breath before continuing. "Given that you are not devotees of the Lord of Knowledge, I must first ask for a donation of twenty pieces of gold that we will use towards the maintenance of our library and archives. The cost of the actual spell, for you require a level of divine intervention beyond mere healing of wounds, will cost two hundred and eighty pieces of gold. Lastly, in order to focus the necessary divine energies, I will require the dust of diamonds worth one hundred gold pieces. This material component can be purchased at the Lyceum but you must be responsible for the cost." He pauses once more, looking exhausted from the conversation. He raises a palsied hand to point at Bannock. "I would also ask that he remain here at the Temple so that we may further study his condition and record treatment. For greater knowledge you understand. The entire process, both study and spell casting will take no longer than one day."

 

[fromage67]

"I think you are right, Arnir. Let's just find local merchants. I probably shouldn't show myself too often at the guild."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr nods at the priest and looks to Bannock.

"I'll go back and tell them others what is required.

I will have the components and donations when I return."

 

[funkmamagoat]

"Ahhh, my friends from Gate Pass." he says with fatigue in his voice, "Apologies for making you wait, but I was just discussing optimal irrigation, fresh water well siting and sanitation planning with the Magistrate. Speaking of which, I trust you are doing well and making progress on the missions we have entrusted you with? Any progress on the decanter or the lyre?"

Kirio bows to Simeon "It is good to see you Sir, you will find we have indeed been busy, and in fact that our timing is, if I may be so bold as to say so, impeccable!" Kirio smiles and finds his way to a chair, places the decanter on the table that so recently contained maps and documents and relays to Simeon their efforts in securing it.

"As you can see, we have secured the decanter, and let me assure you it was no small task. The Druid you hired was attacked by a group of Goblins and killed. He put up a valiant fight judging by the number of dead Goblins and a dead Ogre..., but alas succumbed under the tide. We tracked the vile things into the swamps, where we were forced to battle a specter, who unfortunately managed to do unspeakable harm to our young friend Bannock's soul. We found the Goblin's camp and killed the majority of the vile little things and another Ogre. We then had to enter a Yuan-Ti ruin to find the decanter. It seems the Goblins had taken to worshiping an enormous spider there, and were making sacrifices and offerings to it. You may rest assured that their "deity" has passed from this plane, and will no longer be feasting on the Goblin's leavings. The decanter was thrown to it in offering, we found it in its web, along with the remains of many unfortunates. The decanter is complete and in working order. My young compatriot Arnir can tell you more of its inner workings." Kirio takes a breath and raises an eyebrow "I believe you had mentioned a financial recompense for this item..."

 

[Gregor]

"Slain?" says Simeon with a whisper, "that is most ... unfortunate. We were friends in days gone by. I had hoped we would see each other at least one more time once his work was done on the decanter." He turns sad eyes to the floor. "Please excuse my melancholy, but his death will not go unmourned by myself or the council." He shakes his head and wrings his hands. After a few moments he stares at the magic item now on his table and speaks arcane words. He focuses on the item, and runs his hand along the alabaster surface as if inspecting the jug. After a few minutes of silence he speaks again: "I must thank you Kirio and ... Alric was it? You have accomplished great work in finding this item, seeking vengeance on my friends' death and returning here. This decanter will ensure clean drinking water and sanitation for our growing community."

Simeon summons a clerk who is then told to take the item to his office for safe keeping. He then instructs the clerk to acquire a lock box of gold from the treasury which is earmarked under your names. After 15 minutes of idle and pleasant chat with the Headmaster, the clerk returns hefting a small locked wooden chest which he heaves onto the table. He produces a key and unlocks the box. After depositing the key in your posession he excuses himself.

"As agreed," says Simeon as he opens the lid of the chest, "you are to be paid the sum of two thousand gold pieces for the return of the decanter." The chest is filled with organized stacks of gold coins. "As also discussed, the same amount is yours upon acquisition of the Lyre of Building from Naizelasa, the Green Dragon at the Crystal Delve. Do be careful though, green dragons are not kindly, though they are honourable."

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio's eyes bulge slightly at the sight of the very large sum of gold. He smiles warmly at Simeon "rest assured, we will be careful. Our young friend Lars has already made much headway in getting us the information we need to secure the Lyre of Building from Naizelasa, and I have no desire to fight a full grown dragon, or a young one for that matter. I am sorry to hear the Druid was a friend of yours... you may be interested in knowing that his companion eagle survived the battle. The bird is understandably distraught, but well otherwise. Your friend made them pay a dear price..." Kirio turns to Alric "If you would be so good my strong friend, we should get this back to the house to ensure its safekeeping. I'm confident it will help us see our young Bannock gets the help he needs, no?"

OOC: Kirio will accompany Alric back to the house in case of trouble along the way. If nothing else happens before evening, Kirio will then make his way to the Inn for a performance and a meal...