Ola bowed her head respectfully "Greetings, Doomguide. We hoped that we are the one who can help after we heard your call for slayers of the Undead. If by your judgement we are up for the task, we would look into the problem - whatever it is."
Sylyra stands at the door of the chapel, arms crossed over his narrow chest, his lips only slightly curled at the sight of the holy man performing his menial task. The druid pushes a lock of blond hair behind an ear and turns to gaze out at the grounds once again as Ola clearly has this under control. Though he can never actually remember visiting any of the burial grounds of Waterdeep, he's fairly certain all of them would be in better condition than this backwater graveyard. Spying the river only a short ways away, Sylyra exhales a single, quiet laugh at his inadvertent little joke. He turns toward the chapel's interior again, looking at the backs of his three companions. Uragum's shoulders are more slumped than usual. Rightly so! How could he get caught cheating? Doesn't he realize that reputation is everything? He's already a goliath wizard. That alone is enough to garner notoriety. Cheating has its place, of course, but you can never get caught. Sylyra knows he's going to have to avoid being seen with the goliath around Phlan until the gossip stops. He likes Uragum, but his work to rebuild his own positive reputation is more important. Wait, what was the cleric saying?
The Doomguide bows, smiling a bit uncharacteristically. "I would be pleased to have your help in this. I am still grateful for the hard work that you did a tenday ago, and fortunately this time I can provide some payment," he says.
He brushes his hands on his robes and looks into the distance as he explains, "Valhingen Graveyard was not always the statuesque place of rest that you see before you today. It was once overrun with undead creatures. We Kelemvorites have worked hard over the last one hundred years to prevent that from becoming the case once more, and it is work that we do with pride. To the people of Phlan, the idyllic beauty of Valhingen is their reward for the trials they have faced during their hard life when it is over. What better comfort can one have than to know that their body will be well taken care of in a place so tended when they pass? But I digress..."
"A Kelemvorite disappeared about a month ago, a novice in our order. Initially, I was unconcerned; the life of a Kelemvorite is difficult, and there are many who cannot accommodate it and simply leave. However, my suspicions were aroused when Brother Rasoran, another Kelemvorite, vanished. It is simply not possible that he would leave in such a manner; he has been dedicated to the faith and to the people of Phlan for nearly ten years."
"Then, Sister Bethel disappeared, and was subsequently located twelve days ago, while you all were traveling the Iron Route. She was...her body was partially eaten. I believe that undead are active once more within Valhingen," he concludes.
Uragum listened and then responded, "And you wish for someone to enter the catacombs, lay to rest any undead and if there is a source cause of it end it and provide a report?"
Ola looked at Uragum with a slight surprise - she did not caught mentioning of any catacombs in Doomguid's speech. Though the man was probably right - last time the group encountered undead on this very graveyard it was in a sort of catacomb. Speaking of which... "That would not be our first encounter with undead in Valhingen Graveyard. A couple months ago Brother Keefe - one of kelemvorite I believe - asked our group to inspect the crypt of Xandria Welltran. The crypt was indeed full of undead creatures and had a teleportation circle. We cleaned up the place from the obvious threat but never learned if anything else came out of it. Can the matters be related?"
Yovir responds to Uragum with a nod. "Precisely. I, with a few other Kelemvorites, investigated the oldest section of our known catacombs and we found no undead. We sealed access to anywhere further within to prevent them from spreading inside, but that is not a permanent solution," he says.
He answers Ola and Sylyra next, saying, "Sister Bethel was found in the catacombs. She was likely fulfilling her duties there as caretaker when they found her. I do not believe that this is a related incident to Brother Keefe's, though I am not ruling out the possibility. From what we learned of Xandria, the creatures there were protective in nature. They did not range out of the crypt and kill."
"Thats pretty straight forward. Anything you want done with the undead? For example, can they be burnt with a spell and left on the ground and us to continue or you want them cremated right there? I assume keep damage to bare minimum."
"I care only that the undead are removed permanently. The method is not important to me, but I ask that you do not disturb the resting dead within the catacombs. Leave their possessions be. We Kelemvorites are entrusted with safekeeping of the dead and their final possessions. Theft from the dead will not be tolerated," Doomguide Glandon says, responding to Uragum.
When Sylyra mentions payment, Yovir offers, "I can pay you one hundred gold pieces in total, as well as a special set of goggles that I have procured that allow one to see clearly even in the darkest hours of night."
"The catacombs are extensive, so fast that they have never been fully mapped. I can offer you the services of a guide as well if you would desire one," he says.
It seemed the matter was settled - everyone agreed to quest and Ola felt safe to say it out loud "We shall do as you request, Doomguide. I can assure you, the true dead and their possession have nothing to fear from us. When would you want us to start?"
Uragum mulls over what has been said in his head. All seems pretty straight forward so he says, "I think that all sounds fair and yes, use of the goggles seems most useful. Though if we find some sort of perpetrator responsible for raising the dead and we neutralize the threat, you would have no qualms about use procuring it's possessions right?"
Yovir mulls over Arnald's request for a few moments before responding, "I believe that can be arranged. You have proven yourselves to me to be trustworthy and sound of character. I do not imagine you would take such a valuable item and flee before the work is finished. I need only fetch the goggles from my office."
He answers Ola, "The sooner the better, I believe. Our Order already has an inaccurate reputation due to our dealings with death, and it would not do for new rumors to spread of disappearing Kelemvorites."
The Doomguide nods to Uragum, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Should the hypothetical possessions have no relation to those buried within the catacombs, then you may do as you please, of course," he says, emphasizing the first part of the answer.
He clasps his hands and addresses the group, "You have not answered whether you would like the services of a guide."
Twenty-five gold? That's it? Sylyra spent three times that amount in the past tenday making three potions. The elf turns his head away from the Doomguide before curling his lip. But the others are lapping it up, so it wouldn't do to complain ... this time. When the cleric asks again about providing a guide, the druid turns back and waves a hand. "I'd prefer to not spend the rest of my days lost underground. Yes, please provide a guide." He gives Ola a sideways glance. "One that isn't going to die on us within the hour, preferably."
Ola frowned a bit to Sylyra's words. Even though the death of the hireling was more of an accident, she still felt it as a failure on her part. The adventure itself, though, even if obviously dangerous seemed more to her liking: clear enemy, and most of the people they were about to deal with are already dead, no need for awkward conversations. She looked at others:
"I did not think we will start right this moment but if we can spear an hour before diving into catacombs, I'd like to grab a couple things in the tavern, then I'll be ready to begin."
"I think that sounds reasonable," Uragun says to Sylyra. "While you are there can you grab my staff? Not my normal choice for weapon but more practical in this case."
"Unless the undead are orders of magnitude greater in number than I expect, I do not believe that will be a problem," Yovir says, missing the point of Sylyra's verbal dagger. "Come to the main chapel when you have prepared. I will have someone ready to fetch me in case I am not there when you arrive."
The sky has grown overcast, and a slight chill is carried on the breeze during your return to The Laughing Goblin. Lunch having recently ended, Imizael and Fat Mar clean glasses and tables, pausing to acknowledge the party's entrance. "Welcome back," Imizael says. Fat Mar points over his shoulder toward you, speaking to the tavern's only current patron, a rather unique and curious individual. "That's them, speak o' the devil," he says. "The ones you were asking about."
As the group returns to the tavern, Hex turns around and looks at them with a lazy smile. "Oh hey. Good timing."She hops off her seat and heads towards them. "Nice to finally meet you guys. You don't know me but I'm a friend of Zelra. Heard you guys were doing odd jobs to earn some cash and with her out of town, I thought I might pop in and offer my services to replace her. We have a similar skill set, though I prefer a bow and arrow to swords."
Hex is a fairly short red skinned tiefling, standing at around 5'3. She has long black hair tied in a high pony tail and wears black leather armor. The first thing you notice about her, however, is her left eye where a large jagged scar crosses over it and her eyebrow. The eye itself has no iris or pupil and is a milky white colour. Her right eye is uninjured but almost as startling as the left with its black sclera and bright red iris.
(And we are back to torturing me - Ola has no sense of humor and can not answer properly. On the other hand, may be it's for the best :) )
The blue elf, who was indeterminately walking towards living quarters, stopped to answer the greeting and listened the whole speech with expression of polite interest. "Any friend of Zelra is our friend," answered she for the group no less politely and without even a flinch at the word "any". "And the time of your appearance here could not be better. However... How much did she tell you about the things we do? If you happen to read that request for aid outside the tavern - the one about fighting undead - that is our current "job", as you call it. We are heading to the catacombs filled with said undead within next hour. Are you sure you would want to join?"
Ola bowed her head respectfully "Greetings, Doomguide. We hoped that we are the one who can help after we heard your call for slayers of the Undead. If by your judgement we are up for the task, we would look into the problem - whatever it is."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sylyra stands at the door of the chapel, arms crossed over his narrow chest, his lips only slightly curled at the sight of the holy man performing his menial task. The druid pushes a lock of blond hair behind an ear and turns to gaze out at the grounds once again as Ola clearly has this under control. Though he can never actually remember visiting any of the burial grounds of Waterdeep, he's fairly certain all of them would be in better condition than this backwater graveyard. Spying the river only a short ways away, Sylyra exhales a single, quiet laugh at his inadvertent little joke. He turns toward the chapel's interior again, looking at the backs of his three companions. Uragum's shoulders are more slumped than usual. Rightly so! How could he get caught cheating? Doesn't he realize that reputation is everything? He's already a goliath wizard. That alone is enough to garner notoriety. Cheating has its place, of course, but you can never get caught. Sylyra knows he's going to have to avoid being seen with the goliath around Phlan until the gossip stops. He likes Uragum, but his work to rebuild his own positive reputation is more important. Wait, what was the cleric saying?
The Doomguide bows, smiling a bit uncharacteristically. "I would be pleased to have your help in this. I am still grateful for the hard work that you did a tenday ago, and fortunately this time I can provide some payment," he says.
He brushes his hands on his robes and looks into the distance as he explains, "Valhingen Graveyard was not always the statuesque place of rest that you see before you today. It was once overrun with undead creatures. We Kelemvorites have worked hard over the last one hundred years to prevent that from becoming the case once more, and it is work that we do with pride. To the people of Phlan, the idyllic beauty of Valhingen is their reward for the trials they have faced during their hard life when it is over. What better comfort can one have than to know that their body will be well taken care of in a place so tended when they pass? But I digress..."
"A Kelemvorite disappeared about a month ago, a novice in our order. Initially, I was unconcerned; the life of a Kelemvorite is difficult, and there are many who cannot accommodate it and simply leave. However, my suspicions were aroused when Brother Rasoran, another Kelemvorite, vanished. It is simply not possible that he would leave in such a manner; he has been dedicated to the faith and to the people of Phlan for nearly ten years."
"Then, Sister Bethel disappeared, and was subsequently located twelve days ago, while you all were traveling the Iron Route. She was...her body was partially eaten. I believe that undead are active once more within Valhingen," he concludes.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Uragum listened and then responded, "And you wish for someone to enter the catacombs, lay to rest any undead and if there is a source cause of it end it and provide a report?"
Ola looked at Uragum with a slight surprise - she did not caught mentioning of any catacombs in Doomguid's speech. Though the man was probably right - last time the group encountered undead on this very graveyard it was in a sort of catacomb. Speaking of which... "That would not be our first encounter with undead in Valhingen Graveyard. A couple months ago Brother Keefe - one of kelemvorite I believe - asked our group to inspect the crypt of Xandria Welltran. The crypt was indeed full of undead creatures and had a teleportation circle. We cleaned up the place from the obvious threat but never learned if anything else came out of it. Can the matters be related?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Was this sister's body found near the crypt Brother Keefe took us to?" Sylyra asks.
Yovir responds to Uragum with a nod. "Precisely. I, with a few other Kelemvorites, investigated the oldest section of our known catacombs and we found no undead. We sealed access to anywhere further within to prevent them from spreading inside, but that is not a permanent solution," he says.
He answers Ola and Sylyra next, saying, "Sister Bethel was found in the catacombs. She was likely fulfilling her duties there as caretaker when they found her. I do not believe that this is a related incident to Brother Keefe's, though I am not ruling out the possibility. From what we learned of Xandria, the creatures there were protective in nature. They did not range out of the crypt and kill."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Thats pretty straight forward. Anything you want done with the undead? For example, can they be burnt with a spell and left on the ground and us to continue or you want them cremated right there? I assume keep damage to bare minimum."
"What is our compensation for performing this task?" Sylyra asks bluntly.
"I care only that the undead are removed permanently. The method is not important to me, but I ask that you do not disturb the resting dead within the catacombs. Leave their possessions be. We Kelemvorites are entrusted with safekeeping of the dead and their final possessions. Theft from the dead will not be tolerated," Doomguide Glandon says, responding to Uragum.
When Sylyra mentions payment, Yovir offers, "I can pay you one hundred gold pieces in total, as well as a special set of goggles that I have procured that allow one to see clearly even in the darkest hours of night."
"The catacombs are extensive, so fast that they have never been fully mapped. I can offer you the services of a guide as well if you would desire one," he says.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Arnald perks up at the mention of the goggles, immediately thinking of how useful they would be when he's playing sniper.
"Sounds like a fair payment Doomguide Glandon, sir. Might you be willing to provide the goggles now so as to help us see when we're in the catacombs?"
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
It seemed the matter was settled - everyone agreed to quest and Ola felt safe to say it out loud "We shall do as you request, Doomguide. I can assure you, the true dead and their possession have nothing to fear from us. When would you want us to start?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Uragum mulls over what has been said in his head. All seems pretty straight forward so he says, "I think that all sounds fair and yes, use of the goggles seems most useful. Though if we find some sort of perpetrator responsible for raising the dead and we neutralize the threat, you would have no qualms about use procuring it's possessions right?"
Yovir mulls over Arnald's request for a few moments before responding, "I believe that can be arranged. You have proven yourselves to me to be trustworthy and sound of character. I do not imagine you would take such a valuable item and flee before the work is finished. I need only fetch the goggles from my office."
He answers Ola, "The sooner the better, I believe. Our Order already has an inaccurate reputation due to our dealings with death, and it would not do for new rumors to spread of disappearing Kelemvorites."
The Doomguide nods to Uragum, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Should the hypothetical possessions have no relation to those buried within the catacombs, then you may do as you please, of course," he says, emphasizing the first part of the answer.
He clasps his hands and addresses the group, "You have not answered whether you would like the services of a guide."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Twenty-five gold? That's it? Sylyra spent three times that amount in the past tenday making three potions. The elf turns his head away from the Doomguide before curling his lip. But the others are lapping it up, so it wouldn't do to complain ... this time. When the cleric asks again about providing a guide, the druid turns back and waves a hand. "I'd prefer to not spend the rest of my days lost underground. Yes, please provide a guide." He gives Ola a sideways glance. "One that isn't going to die on us within the hour, preferably."
Ola frowned a bit to Sylyra's words. Even though the death of the hireling was more of an accident, she still felt it as a failure on her part. The adventure itself, though, even if obviously dangerous seemed more to her liking: clear enemy, and most of the people they were about to deal with are already dead, no need for awkward conversations. She looked at others:
"I did not think we will start right this moment but if we can spear an hour before diving into catacombs, I'd like to grab a couple things in the tavern, then I'll be ready to begin."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"I think that sounds reasonable," Uragun says to Sylyra. "While you are there can you grab my staff? Not my normal choice for weapon but more practical in this case."
"Unless the undead are orders of magnitude greater in number than I expect, I do not believe that will be a problem," Yovir says, missing the point of Sylyra's verbal dagger. "Come to the main chapel when you have prepared. I will have someone ready to fetch me in case I am not there when you arrive."
The sky has grown overcast, and a slight chill is carried on the breeze during your return to The Laughing Goblin. Lunch having recently ended, Imizael and Fat Mar clean glasses and tables, pausing to acknowledge the party's entrance. "Welcome back," Imizael says. Fat Mar points over his shoulder toward you, speaking to the tavern's only current patron, a rather unique and curious individual. "That's them, speak o' the devil," he says. "The ones you were asking about."
OOC: Welcome back, potatocrown!
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
(Good to be back!)
As the group returns to the tavern, Hex turns around and looks at them with a lazy smile. "Oh hey. Good timing." She hops off her seat and heads towards them. "Nice to finally meet you guys. You don't know me but I'm a friend of Zelra. Heard you guys were doing odd jobs to earn some cash and with her out of town, I thought I might pop in and offer my services to replace her. We have a similar skill set, though I prefer a bow and arrow to swords."
Hex is a fairly short red skinned tiefling, standing at around 5'3. She has long black hair tied in a high pony tail and wears black leather armor. The first thing you notice about her, however, is her left eye where a large jagged scar crosses over it and her eyebrow. The eye itself has no iris or pupil and is a milky white colour. Her right eye is uninjured but almost as startling as the left with its black sclera and bright red iris.
(And we are back to torturing me - Ola has no sense of humor and can not answer properly. On the other hand, may be it's for the best :) )
The blue elf, who was indeterminately walking towards living quarters, stopped to answer the greeting and listened the whole speech with expression of polite interest. "Any friend of Zelra is our friend," answered she for the group no less politely and without even a flinch at the word "any". "And the time of your appearance here could not be better. However... How much did she tell you about the things we do? If you happen to read that request for aid outside the tavern - the one about fighting undead - that is our current "job", as you call it. We are heading to the catacombs filled with said undead within next hour. Are you sure you would want to join?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice