Jasmine takes a seat on an empty pew near the back of the crowd. She eyes the chaplain from the dark shadow of her hood. She answers, "You are right, I am here seeking Guidance." Knowing that the One-Source is not good that is readily accepted by all, Jasmine does not reveal her faith. Instead she just says, "I am not of your order but our goals are the same; I've come here seeking to cleanse the contamination as well. I fear the curse of Drakkenheim might spread if it is left unchecked. I have no desire to stand by and let the eldritch threat spread further. If you have any knowledge on how one might go about cleansing the city and restoring it back to a place livable by mortals and what dangers lurk within, I would be most grateful."
Ophelia nods slowly, sensing Jasmine’s sincerity. “We do not turn away those who seek to do what is right. The Sacred Flame calls us to act when others will not. If your heart is true, then perhaps you can aid us. We do not ask for oaths lightly, but we do expect loyalty in deeds.”
She steps closer, her tone growing more serious. “Know this: Drakkenheim is not only tainted by corruption, but also by division. There are many factions, each pursue their own ends. Yet only by uniting those who can be trusted will we have any hope of cleansing the city.”
Ophelia pauses, searching Jasmine’s eyes. “If you wish to help us, we welcome your aid. But trust must be earned. Prove your commitment by helping us reclaim Saint Vitruvio’s Scepter from the corrupted Cathedral. The Silver Order cannot do this alone.”
Ophelia nods slowly, sensing Jasmine’s sincerity. “We do not turn away those who seek to do what is right. The Sacred Flame calls us to act when others will not. If your heart is true, then perhaps you can aid us. We do not ask for oaths lightly, but we do expect loyalty in deeds.”
She steps closer, her tone growing more serious. “Know this: Drakkenheim is not only tainted by corruption, but also by division. There are many factions, each pursue their own ends. Yet only by uniting those who can be trusted will we have any hope of cleansing the city.”
Ophelia pauses, searching Jasmine’s eyes. “If you wish to help us, we welcome your aid. But trust must be earned. Prove your commitment by helping us reclaim Saint Vitruvio’s Scepter from the corrupted Cathedral. The Silver Order cannot do this alone.”
Jasmine speaks frankly, "My goal is to get to the bottom of this corruption and remove it; that includes venturing into the heart of the corruption to seek answers and a cure with or without the help of one or more factions. While I do not quite pledge my full loyalty to your order, I believe if our goals are the same then we are on the same side. I will look for the scepter within the Cathedral and bring it back here should I find it, or news of its state should I fail to find it."
She responds, "I must confess, you have me curious, Nathaniel. What happens when Delerium is sanctified? And what of the chosen? What becomes of them and what must they do after they gain immunity to the haze?"
Nathaniel pauses for a moment, his expression both reverent and intense. “Our Saint, Lucretia Mathias, has been blessed with visions... prophecies of what is to come. She teaches that there will be a reckoning, a day when all is swept away by divine fire and shadow. From the deepest darkness will come the brightest light. She calls it Divine Apotheosis.”
He steps closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a sacred truth. “Lucretia has foreseen the end of the world. The falling star that brought delerium to Drakkenheim is not just a curse, it is both our judgment and our salvation. When the next falling star comes, it will lay waste to the world, purging all that is impure. But… those who hold the sanctified crystals will be saved.”
Nathaniel’s eyes gleam with conviction. “The crystals are the key. Those who have already been sanctified will survive the coming apocalypse, their souls shielded by the divine power imbued in the crystals. For those who have not been sanctified, there will still be a chance, they must ascend by holding one of the sanctified crystals during the reckoning. Only then can they pass through the fire and emerge as something greater.”
Nathaniel pauses for a moment, his expression both reverent and intense. “Our Saint, Lucretia Mathias, has been blessed with visions... prophecies of what is to come. She teaches that there will be a reckoning, a day when all is swept away by divine fire and shadow. From the deepest darkness will come the brightest light. She calls it Divine Apotheosis.”
He steps closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a sacred truth. “Lucretia has foreseen the end of the world. The falling star that brought delerium to Drakkenheim is not just a curse, it is both our judgment and our salvation. When the next falling star comes, it will lay waste to the world, purging all that is impure. But… those who hold the sanctified crystals will be saved.”
Nathaniel’s eyes gleam with conviction. “The crystals are the key. Those who have already been sanctified will survive the coming apocalypse, their souls shielded by the divine power imbued in the crystals. For those who have not been sanctified, there will still be a chance, they must ascend by holding one of the sanctified crystals during the reckoning. Only then can they pass through the fire and emerge as something greater.”
It seemed like she was dealing with a doomsday cult of some kind that reveres these falling crystals. She wonders just what beliefs the members are being fed by those at the top. She asks, "Is Saint Lucretia near Drakkenheim right now? I would be quite interested in hearing one of her sermons... assuming your order does not object to a curious newcomer attending a sermon, of course."
"Ahh, removing the contamination. I've heard of such a process. Archwizard Eldrick Runeweaver heads up the Amethyst Academy operations in Drakkenheim and serves as the faction leader. He runs experiments to harness the unbridaled energies from the crystals. I've seen him convert a crystal into powerful magical items, leaving the crystal completely harmless and innert. Eldrick's theory is that the imense stored arcane energy, contianed in these crystals, are why they are so dangerous. This energy just needs to be harnessed and channeled into something safe, something useful, something profitable."
"While I am a bit unsure of the long-term safety of magic items crafted using these crystals, I am no expert and the Archwizard would know better I suppose. Though I am more concerned with the ever-pervasive nature of the haze within the city walls. Would it be possible to store mass amounts of the energy in some kind of container so that it may be used later to craft items? At least then one might be able to purify the city quickly and then use that energy in the safety of a lab or a tower to craft items at their own pace. I imagine it is very dangerous to run such a magic item operation within the walls of the city itself."
River leans forward, her voice calm yet purposeful. “Eldrick has been working on an arcane battery. It's a large vessel designed to focus and store the immense power he can extract from the crystals. I wouldn’t call the experiments a failure, but… he’s far from perfecting the process.”
She pauses, glancing at Jasmine for a moment, searching for any sign of trust. “If you join me as an associate, I can personally guarantee that every crystal you procure will be handled with the utmost care and respect. We’re not reckless. We don’t experiment on animals or...” she hesitates, lowering her voice slightly, “...children. Our research is focused on understanding and transmuting the crystals to, hopefully... find… a cure?”
River watches Jasmine carefully, gauging her reaction before continuing. “When we’re done with the crystals, they become inert. Sometimes they even crumble to dust. And our labs are state-of-the-art: lead-lined containers, heavy leather gloves, thick glass vessels. We spare no expense in minimizing exposure. In fact, it’s been years since we’ve had any incidents of contamination. And those who were hurt? They made full recoveries and are still part of our research team after rehabilitation.”
Her tone softens slightly, becoming more earnest. “We are so careful. Delicate work like this demands it. With your help, we could take this research even further, safely. And who knows? Maybe there really is a... cure?... if there is a cure, we will find it, not like those zelots who don't even try to understand it. We believe that reasearch is the best way to eliminate the contamination. It's definately the most profitable.”
River leans forward, her voice calm yet purposeful. “Eldrick has been working on an arcane battery. It's a large vessel designed to focus and store the immense power he can extract from the crystals. I wouldn’t call the experiments a failure, but… he’s far from perfecting the process.”
She pauses, glancing at Jasmine for a moment, searching for any sign of trust. “If you join me as an associate, I can personally guarantee that every crystal you procure will be handled with the utmost care and respect. We’re not reckless. We don’t experiment on animals or...” she hesitates, lowering her voice slightly, “...children. Our research is focused on understanding and transmuting the crystals to, hopefully... find… a cure?”
River watches Jasmine carefully, gauging her reaction before continuing. “When we’re done with the crystals, they become inert. Sometimes they even crumble to dust. And our labs are state-of-the-art: lead-lined containers, heavy leather gloves, thick glass vessels. We spare no expense in minimizing exposure. In fact, it’s been years since we’ve had any incidents of contamination. And those who were hurt? They made full recoveries and are still part of our research team after rehabilitation.”
Her tone softens slightly, becoming more earnest. “We are so careful. Delicate work like this demands it. With your help, we could take this research even further, safely. And who knows? Maybe there really is a... cure?... if there is a cure, we will find it, not like those zelots who don't even try to understand it. We believe that reasearch is the best way to eliminate the contamination. It's definately the most profitable.”
Jasmine narrows her eyes. She is not quite sure how trustworthy this all is. Is she even telling the truth or is she telling half-truths and exaggerations to appear safer and cleaner than they truly are.
Insight: 22
Jasmine counters, "I believe some of those 'zealots' might have the right idea. Something as dangerous as this should be removed and destroyed. Eldritch power such as this... being sold to the highest bidder can have dire consequences for all involved. That is not even considering long term ramifications of such a power source." She sighs and seem to ease up a bit though. She then says, "But over all, I have seen the kind of monsters people turn into due to this contamination. If a cure can be found then that would be great. Furthermore, while I still have my reservations about using such magic power, the fact that your order seems to have been able to drain the power from the crystals and render them inert is quite promising already. I will try to help so long as it takes steps towards cleansing the city and making it habitable once more."
Ophelia nods slowly, sensing Jasmine’s sincerity. “We do not turn away those who seek to do what is right. The Sacred Flame calls us to act when others will not. If your heart is true, then perhaps you can aid us. We do not ask for oaths lightly, but we do expect loyalty in deeds.”
She steps closer, her tone growing more serious. “Know this: Drakkenheim is not only tainted by corruption, but also by division. There are many factions, each pursue their own ends. Yet only by uniting those who can be trusted will we have any hope of cleansing the city.”
Ophelia pauses, searching Jasmine’s eyes. “If you wish to help us, we welcome your aid. But trust must be earned. Prove your commitment by helping us reclaim Saint Vitruvio’s Scepter from the corrupted Cathedral. The Silver Order cannot do this alone.”
Jasmine speaks frankly, "My goal is to get to the bottom of this corruption and remove it; that includes venturing into the heart of the corruption to seek answers and a cure with or without the help of one or more factions. While I do not quite pledge my full loyalty to your order, I believe if our goals are the same then we are on the same side. I will look for the scepter within the Cathedral and bring it back here should I find it, or news of its state should I fail to find it."
Ophelia smiles and salutes Jasmine, facing her with her arm and hand over her heart, "The Knights of the Silver Order thanks you for your assistance."
Ophelia smiles and salutes Jasmine, facing her with her arm and hand over her heart, "The Knights of the Silver Order thanks you for your assistance."
Jasmine decides to ask her a bit about the things. "Before I go, I would like to ask... Do you have any concrete idea of how to remove the cursed haze and delirium from the city heart?"
It seemed like she was dealing with a doomsday cult of some kind that reveres these falling crystals. She wonders just what beliefs the members are being fed by those at the top. She asks, "Is Saint Lucretia near Drakkenheim right now? I would be quite interested in hearing one of her sermons... assuming your order does not object to a curious newcomer attending a sermon, of course."
"If you want to meet Lucretia Mathias, the path is difficult since she is deep inside Drakkenheim, at the edge of the crater. Each morning, we send the faithful for the ritual of sanctification, whcih she performs herself. If you want to join our ranks, maybe someday you will be chosen. Otherwise, finding your own way is the only other way I know of that you may meet Saint Lucretia." Nathaniel explains.
"If you want to meet Lucretia Mathias, the path is difficult since she is deep inside Drakkenheim, at the edge of the crater. Each morning, we send the faithful for the ritual of sanctification, whcih she performs herself. If you want to join our ranks, maybe someday you will be chosen. Otherwise, finding your own way is the only other way I know of that you may meet Saint Lucretia." Nathaniel explains.
Jasmine will thank Nathaniel and leave. Before she goes to Drakkenheim proper, there are still a few more people and places around town she might want to visit.
Jasmine narrows her eyes. She is not quite sure how trustworthy this all is. Is she even telling the truth or is she telling half-truths and exaggerations to appear safer and cleaner than they truly are.
Insight: 22
River seems to be telling her version of the truth while it's easy to detect that she does not share your values of danger or that the haze must be eliminated. She is merely motivated by greed and possibly by a deeper desire to learn or harness the arcane. She seems callus to the danger of corruption by the delirium, mostly because she has spent so many years handling it properly without becoming contaminated. In the same way a chemist might be jaded about handling strong acids and seem uncaring when someone becomes burned by acid. River has been nearly transparent in that her desires are to purchase as much delirium as possible because the price she pays may be high, the value and price of the magic items that are produced are considerably higher. A crystal of delirium will earn you 500 gp from River but then she can have an Academy Mage convert it to a Rare Magic Item worth 4,000 gp. A geode can make a magic item worth 40,000 gp. Her profit margins are high and so there may be room for negotiating a price. The truth is that River has never concieved of ending the haze or curing the corruption and so your line of questioning has her thinking about this for the first time and her first impulse is to think, "If the Amethyst Academy can't rid Drakkenheim of the corruption by way of harnessing the arcane power, then no one can." Her answers seem not to be due to deception, rather her answers are due to her own unexamined values.
Jasmine counters, "I believe some of those 'zealots' might have the right idea. Something as dangerous as this should be removed and destroyed. Eldritch power such as this... being sold to the highest bidder can have dire consequences for all involved. That is not even considering long term ramifications of such a power source." She sighs and seem to ease up a bit though. She then says, "But over all, I have seen the kind of monsters people turn into due to this contamination. If a cure can be found then that would be great. Furthermore, while I still have my reservations about using such magic power, the fact that your order seems to have been able to drain the power from the crystals and render them inert is quite promising already. I will try to help so long as it takes steps towards cleansing the city and making it habitable once more."
"Excellent. Consider yourself an Associate of the Ametyst Acadamy. Let us help you find the cure."
Ophelia smiles and salutes Jasmine, facing her with her arm and hand over her heart, "The Knights of the Silver Order thanks you for your assistance."
Jasmine decides to ask her a bit about the things. "Before I go, I would like to ask... Do you have any concrete idea of how to remove the cursed haze and delirium from the city heart?"
"This line of questioning makes me think that you have little faith in your god. Destroy delerium at its source. That means every monster that lurks, we hunt them down and destroy them. Every crystal or shard of delerium, we break it and powder it into dust. If we must, then we will burn Drakkenheim to ashes, and from those ashes may we build it back up. We will seek out those who peddle delerium for coin and stop them. This is how we will end the curse, there is no other way."
River seems to be telling her version of the truth while it's easy to detect that she does not share your values of danger or that the haze must be eliminated. She is merely motivated by greed and possibly by a deeper desire to learn or harness the arcane. She seems callus to the danger of corruption by the delirium, mostly because she has spent so many years handling it properly without becoming contaminated. In the same way a chemist might be jaded about handling strong acids and seem uncaring when someone becomes burned by acid. River has been nearly transparent in that her desires are to purchase as much delirium as possible because the price she pays may be high, the value and price of the magic items that are produced are considerably higher. A crystal of delirium will earn you 500 gp from River but then she can have an Academy Mage convert it to a Rare Magic Item worth 4,000 gp. A geode can make a magic item worth 40,000 gp. Her profit margins are high and so there may be room for negotiating a price. The truth is that River has never concieved of ending the haze or curing the corruption and so your line of questioning has her thinking about this for the first time and her first impulse is to think, "If the Amethyst Academy can't rid Drakkenheim of the corruption by way of harnessing the arcane power, then no one can." Her answers seem not to be due to deception, rather her answers are due to her own unexamined values.
Jasmine counters, "I believe some of those 'zealots' might have the right idea. Something as dangerous as this should be removed and destroyed. Eldritch power such as this... being sold to the highest bidder can have dire consequences for all involved. That is not even considering long term ramifications of such a power source." She sighs and seem to ease up a bit though. She then says, "But over all, I have seen the kind of monsters people turn into due to this contamination. If a cure can be found then that would be great. Furthermore, while I still have my reservations about using such magic power, the fact that your order seems to have been able to drain the power from the crystals and render them inert is quite promising already. I will try to help so long as it takes steps towards cleansing the city and making it habitable once more."
"Excellent. Consider yourself an Associate of the Ametyst Acadamy. Let us help you find the cure."
Jasmine signs as she leaves River be. She wonders if she really did get through to the Tiefling. She walks away from this meeting a bit less confident in the Academy's ideas with the haze than she went in.
Since she's in Red Lion Hotel already, she'll try and speak to Reeve Kosta. Perhaps he can give her some more unbiased insight on the situation. Besides, she is mighty curious as to why he is renting out his home to adventurers instead of staying in the home himself.
After exploring the town fully, you have met the five factions, each with an NPC located in Emberwood but also several NPCs that maintain the town and its services. Here are some highlights:
Lodging (Red Lion Hotel) Rooms are 25 gp per night and include meals. Wine and liquors are sold at 100 gold per bottle.
Lodging (Skull & Sword Taphouse) A mug of cheap mead is 5 copper pieces. Brandy, rum, vodka, and gin are 1 silver. There are only two modest rooms and only one may become avaialbe for 1 gp per night. Lodging (Bark and Buzzard) A mug of fine ale costs 2 sp. A meal costs 1 gp. The Alsbergs keep half a dozen one-room cottages in the village that they will rent to travellers. The price is 2 gold per night.
Selling Treasure Most merchants in Emberwood Village will trade or purchase found treasure, salvaged equipment, gems, or art objects at half their listed value.
Magic Item Shop Aldor the Immense buys and sells uncommon and rare magical items
Spellcasting Services (up to 3rd level spells) Flamekeeper Hanna and Old Zoya 25 gp for a 1st-level spell 50 gp for a 2nd-level spell 150 gp for a 3rd-level spell, plus the cost of any expensive material components
Scrolls (Flamekeeper Hanna) 75 gp for a 1st level spell scroll 150 gp for a 2nd-level spell scroll 450 gp for a 3rd-level spell scroll, plus the cost of any expensive material components. a scroll of revivify costs 1,000 gp
Brewing Potions of Healing (Old Zoya) Each week, she brews up 1d6 potions of healing which she sells for 50 gold each If paid in advance, once per day she can create a potion of greater healing for 150 gp.
Trading Delerium River of the Amethyst Academy Aldor the Immense Orson Fairweather
"This line of questioning makes me think that you have little faith in your god. Destroy delerium at its source. That means every monster that lurks, we hunt them down and destroy them. Every crystal or shard of delerium, we break it and powder it into dust. If we must, then we will burn Drakkenheim to ashes, and from those ashes may we build it back up. We will seek out those who peddle delerium for coin and stop them. This is how we will end the curse, there is no other way."
Jasmine narrows her eyes at the comment. She warns, "Faith without discretion can be dangerous. As a woman of faith myself, I will say that having faith in the god's judgement is good. However one must be careful so that their faith may not blind them to potential dangers that may not be obvious to a single-minded paladin. Be wary that in your zealous adherence to your holy mission you do not accidentally do something that cannot be repaired or reversed."
Jasmine stands up and she says, "For now your order and I have the same goal and thus, we are allies. I bare no ill-will or hostility to you or your fellow holy warriors. But I do implore that you take your time to question your methods, not because I doubt their efficacy but because it would do all of us good to find and assess potential consequences that our methods might have. For instance, how do you know that those that have turned cannot be cured? And that shattering or burning the Delirium isn't simply going to spread the curse throughout the world as the powder or smoke is carried by the wind to distant lands? I pray that there are no grave consequences or oversights either one of us are making in our methods to rid the land of this blight; should there be yet unforeseen consequences though, I pray that one or both of us would realize it before it is too late." With her words of warning Jasmine turns to leave the temple.
Persuasion (Not sure if I need it or not though): 25 (NAT20)
Since she's in Red Lion Hotel already, she'll try and speak to Reeve Kosta. Perhaps he can give her some more unbiased insight on the situation. Besides, she is mighty curious as to why he is renting out his home to adventurers instead of staying in the home himself.
Inquiries about the Reeve sends Jasmine to the museum room of the Red Lion Hotel, a room that exudes an air of wealth and sophistication, filled with relics and treasures collected from adventurers brave (or foolish) enough to enter Drakkenheim. Polished wood floors gleam beneath the light of several candelabras, and the walls are adorned with paintings in gilded frames. A glass cabinet displays delicate figurines, golden chalices, and curious artifacts, while marble busts of forgotten nobles line the room’s perimeter.
Standing near a grand mahogany desk, Kosta Stavros, garbed in a rich blue vest and doublet, adjusts his monocle as he examines a recently acquired painting. His sallow face remains expressionless as Jasmine enters, though his eyes flicker with mild curiosity. With a practiced, polite smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, he turns to address her.
"Ah, a visitor. Welcome to my humble abode, or rather, my little sanctuary of culture amidst the chaos outside."He gestures broadly toward the room, as if expecting her to be impressed by his collection.
"You’ll find nothing quite like it in all of Emberwood Village. Adventurers bring me treasures from the ruins, and I ensure they are given the appreciation they deserve. A civilized pursuit, wouldn’t you agree?" Without waiting for a response, he continues.
"Now, if you’ve come seeking insight into Drakkenheim, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I don’t dabble in dangerous matters myself. Oh, but I do enjoy hearing about others’ exploits, so do let me know if you happen to survive your little excursion. Perhaps you’ll have something of value to trade, or at least a good story to wager on." He chuckles softly, a sound that seems more self-satisfied than amused.
Inquiries about the Reeve sends Jasmine to the museum room of the Red Lion Hotel, a room that exudes an air of wealth and sophistication, filled with relics and treasures collected from adventurers brave (or foolish) enough to enter Drakkenheim. Polished wood floors gleam beneath the light of several candelabras, and the walls are adorned with paintings in gilded frames. A glass cabinet displays delicate figurines, golden chalices, and curious artifacts, while marble busts of forgotten nobles line the room’s perimeter.
Standing near a grand mahogany desk, Kosta Stavros, garbed in a rich blue vest and doublet, adjusts his monocle as he examines a recently acquired painting. His sallow face remains expressionless as Jasmine enters, though his eyes flicker with mild curiosity. With a practiced, polite smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, he turns to address her.
"Ah, a visitor. Welcome to my humble abode, or rather, my little sanctuary of culture amidst the chaos outside."He gestures broadly toward the room, as if expecting her to be impressed by his collection.
"You’ll find nothing quite like it in all of Emberwood Village. Adventurers bring me treasures from the ruins, and I ensure they are given the appreciation they deserve. A civilized pursuit, wouldn’t you agree?" Without waiting for a response, he continues.
"Now, if you’ve come seeking insight into Drakkenheim, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I don’t dabble in dangerous matters myself. Oh, but I do enjoy hearing about others’ exploits, so do let me know if you happen to survive your little excursion. Perhaps you’ll have something of value to trade, or at least a good story to wager on." He chuckles softly, a sound that seems more self-satisfied than amused.
Jasmine clears her throat and maintains her politeness, "I will certainly let you know of what I encounter once I return from Drakkenheim but I must admit, that is not what has me curious or what has brought me to seek you out." She pauses and gestures to the surroundings, "I am told you live at this inn and that you rent your fancy house to adventurers? Perhaps I have misunderstood the person that told me this but I am sure you can quite easily clear that misconception if it is indeed the case. I was wondering why you stay at the Hotel and rent your house to adventurers? Why do you not live in your house yourself? Or is the hotel itself your house that you rent?"
"This line of questioning makes me think that you have little faith in your god. Destroy delerium at its source. That means every monster that lurks, we hunt them down and destroy them. Every crystal or shard of delerium, we break it and powder it into dust. If we must, then we will burn Drakkenheim to ashes, and from those ashes may we build it back up. We will seek out those who peddle delerium for coin and stop them. This is how we will end the curse, there is no other way."
Jasmine narrows her eyes at the comment. She warns, "Faith without discretion can be dangerous. As a woman of faith myself, I will say that having faith in the god's judgement is good. However one must be careful so that their faith may not blind them to potential dangers that may not be obvious to a single-minded paladin. Be wary that in your zealous adherence to your holy mission you do not accidentally do something that cannot be repaired or reversed."
Jasmine stands up and she says, "For now your order and I have the same goal and thus, we are allies. I bare no ill-will or hostility to you or your fellow holy warriors. But I do implore that you take your time to question your methods, not because I doubt their efficacy but because it would do all of us good to find and assess potential consequences that our methods might have. For instance, how do you know that those that have turned cannot be cured? And that shattering or burning the Delirium isn't simply going to spread the curse throughout the world as the powder or smoke is carried by the wind to distant lands? I pray that there are no grave consequences or oversights either one of us are making in our methods to rid the land of this blight; should there be yet unforeseen consequences though, I pray that one or both of us would realize it before it is too late." With her words of warning Jasmine turns to leave the temple.
Persuasion (Not sure if I need it or not though): 25 (NAT20)
Jasmine leaves Ophelia with a stunned look on her face and she bearely hears her whisper as she leaves, "Arrogant Pally"
Jasmine clears her throat and maintains her politeness, "I will certainly let you know of what I encounter once I return from Drakkenheim but I must admit, that is not what has me curious or what has brought me to seek you out." She pauses and gestures to the surroundings, "I am told you live at this inn and that you rent your fancy house to adventurers? Perhaps I have misunderstood the person that told me this but I am sure you can quite easily clear that misconception if it is indeed the case. I was wondering why you stay at the Hotel and rent your house to adventurers? Why do you not live in your house yourself? Or is the hotel itself your house that you rent?"
Kosta’s lips curl into a smug smile as he clasps his hands behind his back. "Judging by your exquisite armor, I can tell you have good taste. The same, sadly, cannot be said of the common folk in Emberwood." He waves a hand dismissively. "Before the flood of pilgrims, I alone possessed any measure of decorum in this backwater village. But then, something changed, a higher class of adventurer arrived."
He steps toward one of the many paintings hanging on the wall, gesturing theatrically toward it. "Once two or more such adventurers made their way here, it only seemed proper to open my doors to the wealthy and noble, those who make the world better by slaying beasts and ridding us of monsters, one gruesome battle at a time."
Kosta chuckles softly, raising a delicate hand to his forehead in a mock gesture of fainting. "Hard work, adventuring, so exhausting, I’m sure." He straightens, his voice light with amusement. "Of course, I stay in the most lavish room of the hotel myself. But alas, some who stay here…"he sighs dramatically,"…do not fully understand what the word lavish truly means."
Kosta’s lips curl into a smug smile as he clasps his hands behind his back. "Judging by your exquisite armor, I can tell you have good taste. The same, sadly, cannot be said of the common folk in Emberwood." He waves a hand dismissively. "Before the flood of pilgrims, I alone possessed any measure of decorum in this backwater village. But then, something changed, a higher class of adventurer arrived."
He steps toward one of the many paintings hanging on the wall, gesturing theatrically toward it. "Once two or more such adventurers made their way here, it only seemed proper to open my doors to the wealthy and noble, those who make the world better by slaying beasts and ridding us of monsters, one gruesome battle at a time."
Kosta chuckles softly, raising a delicate hand to his forehead in a mock gesture of fainting. "Hard work, adventuring, so exhausting, I’m sure." He straightens, his voice light with amusement. "Of course, I stay in the most lavish room of the hotel myself. But alas, some who stay here…"he sighs dramatically,"…do not fully understand what the word lavish truly means."
"Well it was nice to meet you all the same. " Jasmine replies. She seems satisfied with this conversation. She will take her leave. Before that though, she would ask him one last thing. "There is one more thing that has me curious about Everwood. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
There are still a few more locations she'd wish to check before going to Drakkenheim. She'd like to see the seven shrines where the druid lady supposedly resides. Maybe that lady would have some additional insight on the goings on in Drakkenheim and how to combat the corruption .
Ophelia nods slowly, sensing Jasmine’s sincerity. “We do not turn away those who seek to do what is right. The Sacred Flame calls us to act when others will not. If your heart is true, then perhaps you can aid us. We do not ask for oaths lightly, but we do expect loyalty in deeds.”
She steps closer, her tone growing more serious. “Know this: Drakkenheim is not only tainted by corruption, but also by division. There are many factions, each pursue their own ends. Yet only by uniting those who can be trusted will we have any hope of cleansing the city.”
Ophelia pauses, searching Jasmine’s eyes. “If you wish to help us, we welcome your aid. But trust must be earned. Prove your commitment by helping us reclaim Saint Vitruvio’s Scepter from the corrupted Cathedral. The Silver Order cannot do this alone.”
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine speaks frankly, "My goal is to get to the bottom of this corruption and remove it; that includes venturing into the heart of the corruption to seek answers and a cure with or without the help of one or more factions. While I do not quite pledge my full loyalty to your order, I believe if our goals are the same then we are on the same side. I will look for the scepter within the Cathedral and bring it back here should I find it, or news of its state should I fail to find it."
Nathaniel pauses for a moment, his expression both reverent and intense. “Our Saint, Lucretia Mathias, has been blessed with visions... prophecies of what is to come. She teaches that there will be a reckoning, a day when all is swept away by divine fire and shadow. From the deepest darkness will come the brightest light. She calls it Divine Apotheosis.”
He steps closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a sacred truth. “Lucretia has foreseen the end of the world. The falling star that brought delerium to Drakkenheim is not just a curse, it is both our judgment and our salvation. When the next falling star comes, it will lay waste to the world, purging all that is impure. But… those who hold the sanctified crystals will be saved.”
Nathaniel’s eyes gleam with conviction. “The crystals are the key. Those who have already been sanctified will survive the coming apocalypse, their souls shielded by the divine power imbued in the crystals. For those who have not been sanctified, there will still be a chance, they must ascend by holding one of the sanctified crystals during the reckoning. Only then can they pass through the fire and emerge as something greater.”
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
It seemed like she was dealing with a doomsday cult of some kind that reveres these falling crystals. She wonders just what beliefs the members are being fed by those at the top. She asks, "Is Saint Lucretia near Drakkenheim right now? I would be quite interested in hearing one of her sermons... assuming your order does not object to a curious newcomer attending a sermon, of course."
River leans forward, her voice calm yet purposeful. “Eldrick has been working on an arcane battery. It's a large vessel designed to focus and store the immense power he can extract from the crystals. I wouldn’t call the experiments a failure, but… he’s far from perfecting the process.”
She pauses, glancing at Jasmine for a moment, searching for any sign of trust. “If you join me as an associate, I can personally guarantee that every crystal you procure will be handled with the utmost care and respect. We’re not reckless. We don’t experiment on animals or...” she hesitates, lowering her voice slightly, “...children. Our research is focused on understanding and transmuting the crystals to, hopefully... find… a cure?”
River watches Jasmine carefully, gauging her reaction before continuing. “When we’re done with the crystals, they become inert. Sometimes they even crumble to dust. And our labs are state-of-the-art: lead-lined containers, heavy leather gloves, thick glass vessels. We spare no expense in minimizing exposure. In fact, it’s been years since we’ve had any incidents of contamination. And those who were hurt? They made full recoveries and are still part of our research team after rehabilitation.”
Her tone softens slightly, becoming more earnest. “We are so careful. Delicate work like this demands it. With your help, we could take this research even further, safely. And who knows? Maybe there really is a... cure?... if there is a cure, we will find it, not like those zelots who don't even try to understand it. We believe that reasearch is the best way to eliminate the contamination. It's definately the most profitable.”
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine narrows her eyes. She is not quite sure how trustworthy this all is. Is she even telling the truth or is she telling half-truths and exaggerations to appear safer and cleaner than they truly are.
Insight: 22
Jasmine counters, "I believe some of those 'zealots' might have the right idea. Something as dangerous as this should be removed and destroyed. Eldritch power such as this... being sold to the highest bidder can have dire consequences for all involved. That is not even considering long term ramifications of such a power source." She sighs and seem to ease up a bit though. She then says, "But over all, I have seen the kind of monsters people turn into due to this contamination. If a cure can be found then that would be great. Furthermore, while I still have my reservations about using such magic power, the fact that your order seems to have been able to drain the power from the crystals and render them inert is quite promising already. I will try to help so long as it takes steps towards cleansing the city and making it habitable once more."
Ophelia smiles and salutes Jasmine, facing her with her arm and hand over her heart, "The Knights of the Silver Order thanks you for your assistance."
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine decides to ask her a bit about the things. "Before I go, I would like to ask... Do you have any concrete idea of how to remove the cursed haze and delirium from the city heart?"
"If you want to meet Lucretia Mathias, the path is difficult since she is deep inside Drakkenheim, at the edge of the crater. Each morning, we send the faithful for the ritual of sanctification, whcih she performs herself. If you want to join our ranks, maybe someday you will be chosen. Otherwise, finding your own way is the only other way I know of that you may meet Saint Lucretia." Nathaniel explains.
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine will thank Nathaniel and leave. Before she goes to Drakkenheim proper, there are still a few more people and places around town she might want to visit.
River seems to be telling her version of the truth while it's easy to detect that she does not share your values of danger or that the haze must be eliminated. She is merely motivated by greed and possibly by a deeper desire to learn or harness the arcane. She seems callus to the danger of corruption by the delirium, mostly because she has spent so many years handling it properly without becoming contaminated. In the same way a chemist might be jaded about handling strong acids and seem uncaring when someone becomes burned by acid. River has been nearly transparent in that her desires are to purchase as much delirium as possible because the price she pays may be high, the value and price of the magic items that are produced are considerably higher. A crystal of delirium will earn you 500 gp from River but then she can have an Academy Mage convert it to a Rare Magic Item worth 4,000 gp. A geode can make a magic item worth 40,000 gp. Her profit margins are high and so there may be room for negotiating a price. The truth is that River has never concieved of ending the haze or curing the corruption and so your line of questioning has her thinking about this for the first time and her first impulse is to think, "If the Amethyst Academy can't rid Drakkenheim of the corruption by way of harnessing the arcane power, then no one can." Her answers seem not to be due to deception, rather her answers are due to her own unexamined values.
"Excellent. Consider yourself an Associate of the Ametyst Acadamy. Let us help you find the cure."
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
"This line of questioning makes me think that you have little faith in your god. Destroy delerium at its source. That means every monster that lurks, we hunt them down and destroy them. Every crystal or shard of delerium, we break it and powder it into dust. If we must, then we will burn Drakkenheim to ashes, and from those ashes may we build it back up. We will seek out those who peddle delerium for coin and stop them. This is how we will end the curse, there is no other way."
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine signs as she leaves River be. She wonders if she really did get through to the Tiefling. She walks away from this meeting a bit less confident in the Academy's ideas with the haze than she went in.
Since she's in Red Lion Hotel already, she'll try and speak to Reeve Kosta. Perhaps he can give her some more unbiased insight on the situation. Besides, she is mighty curious as to why he is renting out his home to adventurers instead of staying in the home himself.
After exploring the town fully, you have met the five factions, each with an NPC located in Emberwood but also several NPCs that maintain the town and its services. Here are some highlights:
Lodging (Red Lion Hotel)
Rooms are 25 gp per night and include meals.
Wine and liquors are sold at 100 gold per bottle.
Lodging (Skull & Sword Taphouse)
A mug of cheap mead is 5 copper pieces. Brandy, rum, vodka, and gin are 1 silver.
There are only two modest rooms and only one may become avaialbe for 1 gp per night.
Lodging (Bark and Buzzard)
A mug of fine ale costs 2 sp. A meal costs 1 gp.
The Alsbergs keep half a dozen one-room cottages in the village that they will rent to travellers. The price is 2 gold per night.
Selling Treasure
Most merchants in Emberwood Village will trade or purchase found treasure, salvaged equipment, gems, or art objects at half their listed value.
Magic Item Shop
Aldor the Immense buys and sells uncommon and rare magical items
Spellcasting Services (up to 3rd level spells)
Flamekeeper Hanna and Old Zoya
25 gp for a 1st-level spell
50 gp for a 2nd-level spell
150 gp for a 3rd-level spell, plus the cost of any expensive material components
Scrolls (Flamekeeper Hanna)
75 gp for a 1st level spell scroll
150 gp for a 2nd-level spell scroll
450 gp for a 3rd-level spell scroll, plus the cost of any expensive material components.
a scroll of revivify costs 1,000 gp
Brewing Potions of Healing (Old Zoya)
Each week, she brews up 1d6 potions of healing which she sells for 50 gold each
If paid in advance, once per day she can create a potion of greater healing for 150 gp.
Trading Delerium
River of the Amethyst Academy
Aldor the Immense
Orson Fairweather
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine narrows her eyes at the comment. She warns, "Faith without discretion can be dangerous. As a woman of faith myself, I will say that having faith in the god's judgement is good. However one must be careful so that their faith may not blind them to potential dangers that may not be obvious to a single-minded paladin. Be wary that in your zealous adherence to your holy mission you do not accidentally do something that cannot be repaired or reversed."
Jasmine stands up and she says, "For now your order and I have the same goal and thus, we are allies. I bare no ill-will or hostility to you or your fellow holy warriors. But I do implore that you take your time to question your methods, not because I doubt their efficacy but because it would do all of us good to find and assess potential consequences that our methods might have. For instance, how do you know that those that have turned cannot be cured? And that shattering or burning the Delirium isn't simply going to spread the curse throughout the world as the powder or smoke is carried by the wind to distant lands? I pray that there are no grave consequences or oversights either one of us are making in our methods to rid the land of this blight; should there be yet unforeseen consequences though, I pray that one or both of us would realize it before it is too late." With her words of warning Jasmine turns to leave the temple.
Persuasion (Not sure if I need it or not though): 25 (NAT20)
Inquiries about the Reeve sends Jasmine to the museum room of the Red Lion Hotel, a room that exudes an air of wealth and sophistication, filled with relics and treasures collected from adventurers brave (or foolish) enough to enter Drakkenheim. Polished wood floors gleam beneath the light of several candelabras, and the walls are adorned with paintings in gilded frames. A glass cabinet displays delicate figurines, golden chalices, and curious artifacts, while marble busts of forgotten nobles line the room’s perimeter.
Standing near a grand mahogany desk, Kosta Stavros, garbed in a rich blue vest and doublet, adjusts his monocle as he examines a recently acquired painting. His sallow face remains expressionless as Jasmine enters, though his eyes flicker with mild curiosity. With a practiced, polite smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, he turns to address her.
"Ah, a visitor. Welcome to my humble abode, or rather, my little sanctuary of culture amidst the chaos outside." He gestures broadly toward the room, as if expecting her to be impressed by his collection.
"You’ll find nothing quite like it in all of Emberwood Village. Adventurers bring me treasures from the ruins, and I ensure they are given the appreciation they deserve. A civilized pursuit, wouldn’t you agree?" Without waiting for a response, he continues.
"Now, if you’ve come seeking insight into Drakkenheim, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I don’t dabble in dangerous matters myself. Oh, but I do enjoy hearing about others’ exploits, so do let me know if you happen to survive your little excursion. Perhaps you’ll have something of value to trade, or at least a good story to wager on." He chuckles softly, a sound that seems more self-satisfied than amused.
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Jasmine clears her throat and maintains her politeness, "I will certainly let you know of what I encounter once I return from Drakkenheim but I must admit, that is not what has me curious or what has brought me to seek you out." She pauses and gestures to the surroundings, "I am told you live at this inn and that you rent your fancy house to adventurers? Perhaps I have misunderstood the person that told me this but I am sure you can quite easily clear that misconception if it is indeed the case. I was wondering why you stay at the Hotel and rent your house to adventurers? Why do you not live in your house yourself? Or is the hotel itself your house that you rent?"
Jasmine leaves Ophelia with a stunned look on her face and she bearely hears her whisper as she leaves, "Arrogant Pally"
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
Kosta’s lips curl into a smug smile as he clasps his hands behind his back. "Judging by your exquisite armor, I can tell you have good taste. The same, sadly, cannot be said of the common folk in Emberwood." He waves a hand dismissively. "Before the flood of pilgrims, I alone possessed any measure of decorum in this backwater village. But then, something changed, a higher class of adventurer arrived."
He steps toward one of the many paintings hanging on the wall, gesturing theatrically toward it. "Once two or more such adventurers made their way here, it only seemed proper to open my doors to the wealthy and noble, those who make the world better by slaying beasts and ridding us of monsters, one gruesome battle at a time."
Kosta chuckles softly, raising a delicate hand to his forehead in a mock gesture of fainting. "Hard work, adventuring, so exhausting, I’m sure." He straightens, his voice light with amusement. "Of course, I stay in the most lavish room of the hotel myself. But alas, some who stay here…" he sighs dramatically, "…do not fully understand what the word lavish truly means."
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
"Well it was nice to meet you all the same. " Jasmine replies. She seems satisfied with this conversation. She will take her leave. Before that though, she would ask him one last thing. "There is one more thing that has me curious about Everwood. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
There are still a few more locations she'd wish to check before going to Drakkenheim. She'd like to see the seven shrines where the druid lady supposedly resides. Maybe that lady would have some additional insight on the goings on in Drakkenheim and how to combat the corruption .