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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 7901295" data-attributes="member: 7015827">With that, the Baron showed the group to their rooms for the night and informed them that breakfast trays would be left for them in the morning. After hanging up their wet gear, the party slept a dreamless sleep, exhausted from the cold, wet journey. The beds in Pahar’s manor were rustic but comfortable. In the morning, the group heard a series of knocks on the doors in the corridor. Outside each of the rooms was a plate of hot, steaming eggs and bacon, along with fresh water. The group got off to a slow start, lingering over their breakfasts and then eventually determining that Aerikoth was not in his room. They caught up with the wizard at the Temple of Helm, where he had gone in advance of the others. (The mage is not lazy, whatever else he may be. --R)At the temple, Carlin clasped arms with Brok-Tul and then welcomed the others, with Rahnee presenting Belle to the High Cleric. Rahnee’s introduction of Belle as being from the Temple of Oghma produced a doubtful look and a query from Carlin, which Belle cleared up by explaining that she was not a cleric, but was a “finder of things” for the temple, which Rahnee mentioned had sent Belle to them.After moving to a side chamber, Carlin asked Belle if she knew what she was getting into. When it was clear she had not been briefed by the others, for example not knowing who Melissa was, Carlin instructed Brok-Tul to provide her with an explanation of what they would be asking her do. Meanwhile, the priest decided to look in on Melissa.Veran began by describing her as a woman who had chosen to side with Ashnakzeroth. The party had previously defeated her, after which she was brought back to life by the power of Helm, channeled by High Cleric Carlin. Rahnee, in response to a question from Belle as to who or what Melissa was, commented that Melissa was a greedy apprentice, one who wished to stand high in the favor of her master;Veran interjected that she was a tool not to be trusted. Brok-Tul then mentioned that Aerikoth was the senior member of their group and had been present when the first ritual of Ashnakzeroth was prevented from occurring.Prompted by Rahnee, Aerikoth provided a summary of Melissa’s story, explaining that she had grown up in the area and had a companionship with an individual named Zagath. She became a criminal and used to waylay travelers in the area until she and her companion fell in with the creature the party was hunting. They both had developed spell casting powers, when previously they had none. The woman had been called DeeDee in her youth and was known as a very fast runner. She and others that served her had assaulted groups Aerikoth had traveled with on more than one occasion; the final time, Melissa paid with her life but was brought to Turnton by the group to be revived. In response to a question from Belle, Aerikoth indicated that Zagath was dead, killed by the group Aerikoth traveled with the first time he came to Turnton.Aerikoth continued his story, explaining that Melissa, as she called herself now, offered a deal to the group before they killed her. a deal that they were not interested in. Glancing at Veran, Aerikoth stated that some people had been quite displeased with her and her undead minions, attacking her shortly after they had rejected her officer. Brok-Tul commented that he thought they should have found out what she wanted to parley with, and use it to go against her plans. Aerikoth finished by stating that Melissa had been returned to life and had information the party could use, but she had only agreed to show them where Ashnakzeroth’s lair was, not just give them the information. Belle commented that they could have saved themselves a lot of problems by just listening the first time, causing Rahnee to choke on a laugh.Aerikoth dryly commented that some did not have the necessary patience the first time, looking over to Veran, whose imperturbable expression never changed. (One should not mistake outward stoicism for a lack of inner fire. --C). Brok-Tul explained that Melissa had wanted Aerikoth’s blood for a ritual or something similar, prompting some worry on his part when they had been unable to locate the wizard that morning. Aerikoth clarified that Melissa had previously said another practitioner of the Art could be used for the ritual, but that his blood was preferable, having already been exposed to the rituals needed to fully return Ashnakzeroth to a corporeal state, even though they were disrupted when Zagath was killed. Brok-Tul also explained that Ashnakzeroth was one of the first liches ever created.</blockquote>

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