Candlekeep Mysteries Group 2

"Altus did you say?" one of them perks up.

Orvok looks over to Emporious with pity, then his eyes harden as he looks at the Avowed.

’Hire does suggest remuneration. We’ve spent a long time here now, failing to find information about the primal fire elemental in Gauntlgrym, failing to find information about Altus’s curse - even with that buffoon Matreous’s so-called assistance… I’m beginning to suspect Candlekeep’s store of knowledge is overrated.’ he pauses to let that sink in.

’So if we’re to go gallivanting around at your behest, we’d need some form of recognition for our efforts…’

(Deception: 6 the idea of a haunted platinum mine is rather interesting, if there are no owners Gauntlgrym could establish an outreach operation…)

Mav waves off the insistence of his compatriots for sexual and monetary compensation as he steps forward to the Avowed.

"A mystery you say? Platinum mines?  Why surely even the dullest of Dwarves can see the potential for wealth to be found at this Vermellion.  Let me see this book in question." and he'll reach out his hand for the book.

Isa pipes in "I would be most willing to help out, especially if you have any additional information about the curse on Altus and how we can help Emporious here with his hometown." she indicates with a gesture towards Emporious.

"What else can you tell us about Vermeillon?  Might we have the book so that we can read through it ourselves?" she asks

"Yes Altus is my childhood home and it is under a great curse of some kind. Thankfully these fine folk have decided to assist me in my search for a way to dispell it. So if you have more information I would love to hear it." Emporious replies while giving acknowledging and thankful nods to both Isa and Orvok.

Platinum mines are fine, Mav, however this dwarf specializes in irons. Im more than willing to help someone in need. I came to Candlekeep to gain new perspectives in my trade and learn from others in many ways, whether it be from the sweat of my brow or whittling of a quill, though i do prefer working with my hands. Please get the details for what the avowed are asking, and i'll check with the library about Vermillion. Anyone want to go with me?

’Hire does suggest remuneration. We’ve spent a long time here now, failing to find information about the primal fire elemental in Gauntlgrym, failing to find information about Altus’s curse - even with that buffoon Matreous’s so-called assistance… I’m beginning to suspect Candlekeep’s store of knowledge is overrated.’ he pauses to let that sink in.

’So if we’re to go gallivanting around at your behest, we’d need some form of recognition for our efforts…’

"A mystery you say? Platinum mines?  Why surely even the dullest of Dwarves can see the potential for wealth to be found at this Vermellion.  Let me see this book in question." and he'll reach out his hand for the book.
"What else can you tell us about Vermeillon?  Might we have the book so that we can read through it ourselves?" she asks.
"Yes Altus is my childhood home and it is under a great curse of some kind. Thankfully these fine folk have decided to assist me in my search for a way to dispell it. So if you have more information I would love to hear it." 

"Here is the book. A great mystery can never go unsolved. As Avowed, it is almost irresistible. Before you judge Candlekeep's knowledge overrated, consider this, my friends. Read the book. Solve the mystery, and we will research a cure for the curse currently afflicting Altus for free, no questions asked. You have my word."

A Deep and Creeping Darkness tells the tale of a mountain village whose residents went missing over the course of several months. The book presents a series of vignettes allegedly collected from “those who were there”: survivors, traveling merchants, and (in secondhand accounts) residents of nearby settlements. It is unclear whether it is a fictional tale, folklore, or history. The content seems factual, but the language is extravagantly dramatic.

Vermeillon, established after settlers discovered a platinum vein in the mountainside, did a booming business in both the raw ore and the refined metal for around a decade. Due to the rough terrain and the harshness of the climate, the village never grew large. It intermittently hosted a succession of traveling merchants who came to the village for a week or two, sold and traded their wares, then left again. The nearest civilized settlement was three days’ ride on horseback down the mountainside. The inhabitants named in the book include Mayor Lei Duvezin, a kind and talented dwarf smith named Tormun, and his wife, Blenyss.

Seventy years ago, an explosion rocked the platinum mine, collapsing the tunnels and burying workers under tons of rubble. Sixty miners were underground that day. Over thirty of them died in the initial collapse, and the instability of the tunnels made rescue of the others slow and dangerous. The miners who survived the collapse were trapped for days or weeks before they were rescued—or perished in the deep, alone and terrified. Sixteen came out alive. Eleven were never found.

In the wake of the catastrophe, another horror plagued the village as people began to disappear, starting with the survivors—not all at once, however. One or two would vanish in a single night, then a tenday might pass before the next disappearance. These unexplained disappearances terrified the remaining miners. After all the survivors either disappeared or fled, other villagers began to vanish. The villagers tried to protect themselves by sleeping with weapons and taking shifts on watch, but nothing changed. Traveling in groups didn’t help, since a companion might vanish while even briefly out of sight.

With no one willing to keep the mine open and the disappearances leading to fears that Vermeillon might be cursed, merchants and other travelers stopped visiting the village. The end of the patchwork story claims that the village is still there, though whether anyone inhabits it is a mystery. The volume’s writer muses over the decline of the village, speculating about the fate of its inhabitants. They wonder whether it would be worth hiring adventurers to see if anything remains of the village—particularly the platinum ore.

Sketched on the back of the last page is a rough map of the village’s location, with directions from the closest mountain town, called Maerin.

Looking to Emporious "You hear that, if we help solve this mystery, they will help in finding a cure for the curse on Altus... I'm willing to help in any way I can." she encourages him.

"Excellent! I accept your offer and the challenge!", says Emporious exhuberantly.

"Standfast Barbär it appears we will be traveling outside the keep for this one." he says before turning his attention back to the avowed to ask. "I don't suppose you have access to a portal that would get us close to this "Vermeillon""? 

Orvok pats Emporious on the shoulder, ‘That sounds hopeful…’ he looks to the Avowed, ‘How far is Maerin? I’d rather the loan of some ponies, rather than a portal…’

Agreed. I dabble in some arcane, but i like my feet on the ground. I do look forward to seeing dwarven architecture again.

(would Barbär have ever heard of Vermillion existing? Or is it just one of those dwarven cities? History? 12 )

Some of it sounds familiar, but no, not really.

"No portal, but it's only about a few hours by foot, less by horse!"

"Well let's gear up and be on our way. I will grab my pack and meet you all back here in a bit." Emporious heads off to replenish some spell compinents as well as get his traveling pack from his newly aquired room. He is back and ready to go as soon as Orvok gives the word.

"Same with me, I just need to go grab my stuff and we can be off."  Isa takes off towards her room, grabs her gear and meets back with the group in the courtyard.  "Are we ready?  Oh, did someone ask about horses/ponies?"

seems like its the fastest route, and id prefer it. What do you lot say?

After listening to the story, Hino coughs to stop herself from laughing out loud.  After finally calming and collecting herself, she whispers to Mav "...so, you believe this mumbo-jumbo cockamamie story?  Sounds more like a ghost story they tell their youngins to keep 'em up at night.  And it sounds like a bait 'n switch with the old 'do the job first, and don't worry, we'll pay you with free service after you return'.  Yeah, I've be suckered into that before with clients....they never end up payin'!"

Sighing, she finally announces out loud "Fine.  If you gullibles want to go check out this place, I volunteer my blade to protect you.  Only, don't go walking off randomly again, Master Emporious!"

"I suppose since the much more efficient portal travel seems unavailable I'll avail myself of the services of one the insufferable beasts." laments Emporious.

Orvok looks around to make sure everyone is ready and then, patting his loaner mule, mounts up.

‘Let’s be going then, shall we?’

"Why Hino, it is almost as if you actually enjoy our non-paying company.  Don't worry your secret is safe with me...." Mav will slyly say to Hino before adding louder "Indeed Master Orvok, lead the way!" 

Having never ridden a beast of burden before (ha!), Hino yeets herself up onto the mule and attempts to coax it to walk.

Animal Handling: 16