Brandon takes a good look into the chest “Perhaps the metal box you kept the dagger in would be a safe place to store the vial. Do you still have it Durnham?”
“We should take the remaining items that Urgon recovered as well. They belong to Durnham now, or Pelc I guess, but not to you” he turns to Hulil. “ I also don’t think you should return to Shadycreek. Come with us back to Palebank. You are ill, we will do our best to make you comfortable and you will be easier to help when we find this antidote.”
As Ressys finishes learning what he can from the spell he commits the information to memory. He then tells the others what he has learned. "It is a disease, manufactured not natural. You can only catch it by having contact with the spores." he looks over to Raegrin, "So Raegrin, you can safely care for Hulil. You will not catch this disease from her." he then continues. "It is called Frigid Woe. The only cure is an antidote."
Ressys is quiet for a few moments pondering in thought. His eyes twitch on occasion as he thinks.
"If these items came from Eiselcross, then the cure must be there also. Unless by some chance Urgon brought other things back and happened to bring the antidote with him also."
Looking at Qidira "None of the items have the spores on them, though the chest does."
Looking around at everyone "Simply put, do not touch or inhale the spores and you cannot catch the disease. We must keep the vial we have wrapped up and secured so as to not risk any further exposure to anyone."
Durnham looks about the room and notes the magical auras. He responds to Brandon’s question. “Yes I kept the chest in my pack and was going to suggest that as a safe place for it. There’s nothing magical except the lock on the chest and the arrows.”
He will then take out the small metal box and open it then conjur the spectral hand to carry the wrapped vial and place it in the box before closing it up and returning it to his pack.
Raegrin seems relieved at the news that he can care for Hulil without risk of infection; he had clearly been prepared to stay by her side regardless of the danger.
As Durnham uses his Mage Hand to move the wrapped vial into the metal box, Hulil answers Qidira's request to join you back to Palebank: "I don't think so, this is where I am safest. Raegrin and Old Croaker will protect me until a cure can be found, and I'm guessing that the fact my troops didn't warn you of my arrival means that you have...neutralised them"
The diseased dwarf looks saddened but not overly concerned at this realisation, as if being told that a distant acquaintance has had some bad news whilst she herself is in the middle of a crisis.
"I still intend to travel to Shadycreek Run, I am sure that my contacts there will be able to source a cure if I can trade the contents of that chest"
Qidira, "I am sorry about your associates. We attempted to alert them that we were here from Tulgi, but I was fired upon by one, " gesturing to the bloodstained hole in her pantleg, "and engaged by another with the third moving at me with a scimitar. They didn't seem interested in talking."
“How much did you sell that vial for?” Durnham asks, “We may need to give that money back to the merchant in order to reclaim that vial.”
He then turns towards his colleagues “We have more information now. We know what caused the disease and even what it’s called... but we have no idea about a cure. Any suggestions? I can only think to go to the priests in Palebank and ask if they are familiar with this Frigid Woe.”
"I would presume that the antidote is where the vials came from, somewhere in Eiselcross. Someone, perhaps us, may need to travel there to find out where the vials come from and if the antidote can be found."
Ressys again ponders for a moment, then turns to Hulil.
"You will benefit from this. Are you able to provide anything of value or funds to help underwrite this expedition? Supplies will need to be gathered to make that trek."
"One hundred. One hundred gold pieces he gave me for it. You can take it from the chest if you need to. The arrows might be handy too, but the rest is just tat"
"Fair enough." Ressys responds. He'll then count out the 100 gold pieces in front of Hulil. He also takes the arrows and places then in his bag. He has noted that no one in the group carries a bow, but they could simply be sold.
"When we find the cure we will return to Palebank Village. If you travel all the way to Shadycreek Run we may not reach you in time with the antidote. I would recommend staying here so we can find you easily." He says to Hulil.
Turning to the others., "I am unsure what else we can learn here. Let us return to the village. We were to meet Elro at the Jolly Dwarf so we can find Irven Liel as well."
Durnham nods to Ressys and adds “Elro may have suggestions on what we should do next. I’m not sure a trek to Eiselcross is the answer. That sounds incredibly dangerous. The priests might be able to help now that we can tell them what this illness is called.”
”If we have to go to Eisselcross... I don’t even know where to begin. Unless someone traveled with my Uncle and can show us the way... how do we even know where to go?”
(The six arrows are all enchanted with a power to give them +1 to attack and damage rolls. Once each arrow hits the target it ceases to be magical)
Hulil watches you count out the coins, then shrugs at Ressys's comment "I will weigh up whether to take that advice once you're on your way. Your man over there is right - Eiselcross would surely be death to you - and by extension, me, if I sit here and wait for you"
She suddenly seems weary and slumps slightly. Raegrin rushes to steady her and lay her down gently in her bed. "I think you should be on your way, and I suggest you hurry. If Irven has let his kids near that vial then more could be infected"
He looks over at Hulil, already slumbering, her face now a peaceful half-smile that belies the defiance and fire of her attitude just a moment ago. The tatooed elf looks up again from her to you and says "The Uttolots will not be pleased with how things have transpired with our mission here, and there will no doubt be a price for us to pay. But as long as she survives, I cannot consider myself to have failed"
He says nothing else, and appears to have already dismissed you from his thoughts as he returns his attention to his...mentor?
Kotar was not surprised when he heard Hulil speak noticing the absence of any men of hers. What surprised him was the fact that both the woman and the elf seemed to care little for what happened. The goliath expected she would start a battle or at least try to evade them and bring word to her crime lords about what happened. They would, in turn, put a target on each of their backs. Instead she was reasonable, cooperative even. Survival instinct, the fighter thought unimpressed.
Another surprise came when Ressys spoke. Casting his own ritual, the druid had identified the illness not only by name, but nature and origin. Eiselcross. The word echoed in his mind. Home. Or as close of home as he wanted to be. It was not that long since he had left, and he was still so, so far away from his dream.
“Guide us, Ressys.”Kotar asked, waiting for the firbolg to take the lead and once again speak with Old Croaker. “And considering that your uncle would have to take a boat to Eiselcross I would guess Elro could find any record about, at least, the start of his route.”
Maybe Aldataur knew even more. The identity of a guide, the route Urgon took. Chances were slim, but far better than the idea of guessing where in the islands they could find the cure for Frigid Woe. Either way, one thing was certain: the next leg of their journey awaited in the Jolly Dwarf.
Qidira speaks up then to Raegrin, "Thank you for all she and you were able to share, we should take our leave and allow her to rest. We will seek a cure swiftly and share what we find with you to hopefully help Hulil."
She looks to the others and heading out of the room, "I did leave that short bow back near the entrance should anyone wish it. We should hurry back to town before the others return."
Brandon is a little taken back that they are letting Hulil return to the Uttolots in Shadycreek Run with her ill-gotten gains; they were stolen from Pelc after all and should be returned. But he had voiced his thoughts, and he wasn’t going to force the issue, the importance of tracking down the second vial and finding a cure were bigger priorities.
“Perhaps Urgon shared with Pelc more information about where he found the items, we should speak with her as well. But I agree, our next steps should be back to Palebank, to speak with Erlo, perhaps Pelc, and find this merchant and the last vial. After that we can discuss how to find a cure.”
He only hoped there would be no trouble from the five gang members still somewhere between Palebank and the caves.
Seeing that the party seemed in agreement that things were wrapped up here Ressys will prepare to lead the group back to the water. Before they leave he asks one last question of Raergrin. "What do you feed Old Croaker? I would like to give him some food."
If he offers food he can give Old Croaker he'll take it and give it to the giant frog when they reach the water again. He then calls out to Old Croaker requesting rides back across the water. He also croaks a quick explanation "We are removing the illness and you are safe from its harm. Thank you for your help across the water."
Qidira pauses at the exit waiting for the others, and curious to hear the answer to Ressys' question glancing about in the direction of Old Croaker for any evidence of the answer within the cavern.
“Bats” says Raegrin to Ressys’s question “The frogs love the bats in here, so we catch a load and feed them to ‘em. They seem to remember long enough to be kind of trained. If you talked the big guy into bringing you here then he’ll no doubt take you back, but don’t expect him to remember you if you ever come back”
You all turn to leave and cross in small groups on the back of Old Croaker. The big frog makes no physical response to the firbolg’s words, but croaks a simple “Thank you”.
You head out of the cave the way you came in, gentle croaking noises rolling after you. Once outside you head back towards Palebank through the snow.
You are close to town, approaching from the north, when Mila the elf Glassblade you met earlier comes running up to you. She is out of breath but manages to shout inbetween breaths “Elro!
As they left the cave, Kotar half expected Hulil to change her mind and launch an attack against them. Maybe in the moment they were trying to cross the pond, enticing Old Croaker to drop them easier targets by drop the group in the murky waters. Yet, to his relief, no such thing came to pass.
Unharmed and in peace, they left the thief’s den. Their bags a little bit heavier with weapons and, specially, the spore vial that housed Frigid Woe. An artificial sickness, a biological weapon. The goliath could imagine the Uttolots find a use or two for that.
“So, I’m thinking about telling Elro about the cave’s state.” He said so everyone could hear and, should they wish, oppose his words. “The layout, the frogs, the number of criminals.”
Kotar imagined Elro would be happy to know there would be only two enemies waiting in the hideout. By this point the goliath assumed the Glassblades would have the five bandits in the village subdued, one way or another. A wishful thought that disappeared when the elf who guarded the cabin Durnham inherited from his uncle arrived breathless.
In four words the woman painted quite the clear picture of what was happening. It seems Elro got the stronger five, the fighter concluded drawing his blade. This time he didn’t expect they could escape battle.
“Ressys, Durnham, show the way!”He shouts visibly hurried and a little bit frustrated by the fact he didn’t know the way to Pelc’s store.
Brandon takes a good look into the chest “Perhaps the metal box you kept the dagger in would be a safe place to store the vial. Do you still have it Durnham?”
“We should take the remaining items that Urgon recovered as well. They belong to Durnham now, or Pelc I guess, but not to you” he turns to Hulil. “ I also don’t think you should return to Shadycreek. Come with us back to Palebank. You are ill, we will do our best to make you comfortable and you will be easier to help when we find this antidote.”
As Ressys finishes learning what he can from the spell he commits the information to memory. He then tells the others what he has learned. "It is a disease, manufactured not natural. You can only catch it by having contact with the spores." he looks over to Raegrin, "So Raegrin, you can safely care for Hulil. You will not catch this disease from her." he then continues. "It is called Frigid Woe. The only cure is an antidote."
Ressys is quiet for a few moments pondering in thought. His eyes twitch on occasion as he thinks.
"If these items came from Eiselcross, then the cure must be there also. Unless by some chance Urgon brought other things back and happened to bring the antidote with him also."
Looking at Qidira "None of the items have the spores on them, though the chest does."
Looking around at everyone "Simply put, do not touch or inhale the spores and you cannot catch the disease. We must keep the vial we have wrapped up and secured so as to not risk any further exposure to anyone."
Durnham looks about the room and notes the magical auras. He responds to Brandon’s question. “Yes I kept the chest in my pack and was going to suggest that as a safe place for it. There’s nothing magical except the lock on the chest and the arrows.”
He will then take out the small metal box and open it then conjur the spectral hand to carry the wrapped vial and place it in the box before closing it up and returning it to his pack.
Noob
Qidira looks to Hulil, "I would be good for you to join us back. If a cure is found, it will be much easier to get to you there. What do you say?"
Raegrin seems relieved at the news that he can care for Hulil without risk of infection; he had clearly been prepared to stay by her side regardless of the danger.
As Durnham uses his Mage Hand to move the wrapped vial into the metal box, Hulil answers Qidira's request to join you back to Palebank: "I don't think so, this is where I am safest. Raegrin and Old Croaker will protect me until a cure can be found, and I'm guessing that the fact my troops didn't warn you of my arrival means that you have...neutralised them"
The diseased dwarf looks saddened but not overly concerned at this realisation, as if being told that a distant acquaintance has had some bad news whilst she herself is in the middle of a crisis.
"I still intend to travel to Shadycreek Run, I am sure that my contacts there will be able to source a cure if I can trade the contents of that chest"
Qidira, "I am sorry about your associates. We attempted to alert them that we were here from Tulgi, but I was fired upon by one, " gesturing to the bloodstained hole in her pantleg, "and engaged by another with the third moving at me with a scimitar. They didn't seem interested in talking."
“How much did you sell that vial for?” Durnham asks, “We may need to give that money back to the merchant in order to reclaim that vial.”
He then turns towards his colleagues “We have more information now. We know what caused the disease and even what it’s called... but we have no idea about a cure. Any suggestions? I can only think to go to the priests in Palebank and ask if they are familiar with this Frigid Woe.”
Noob
"I would presume that the antidote is where the vials came from, somewhere in Eiselcross. Someone, perhaps us, may need to travel there to find out where the vials come from and if the antidote can be found."
Ressys again ponders for a moment, then turns to Hulil.
"You will benefit from this. Are you able to provide anything of value or funds to help underwrite this expedition? Supplies will need to be gathered to make that trek."
"One hundred. One hundred gold pieces he gave me for it. You can take it from the chest if you need to. The arrows might be handy too, but the rest is just tat"
"Fair enough." Ressys responds. He'll then count out the 100 gold pieces in front of Hulil. He also takes the arrows and places then in his bag. He has noted that no one in the group carries a bow, but they could simply be sold.
"When we find the cure we will return to Palebank Village. If you travel all the way to Shadycreek Run we may not reach you in time with the antidote. I would recommend staying here so we can find you easily." He says to Hulil.
Turning to the others., "I am unsure what else we can learn here. Let us return to the village. We were to meet Elro at the Jolly Dwarf so we can find Irven Liel as well."
Durnham nods to Ressys and adds “Elro may have suggestions on what we should do next. I’m not sure a trek to Eiselcross is the answer. That sounds incredibly dangerous. The priests might be able to help now that we can tell them what this illness is called.”
”If we have to go to Eisselcross... I don’t even know where to begin. Unless someone traveled with my Uncle and can show us the way... how do we even know where to go?”
Noob
(The six arrows are all enchanted with a power to give them +1 to attack and damage rolls. Once each arrow hits the target it ceases to be magical)
Hulil watches you count out the coins, then shrugs at Ressys's comment "I will weigh up whether to take that advice once you're on your way. Your man over there is right - Eiselcross would surely be death to you - and by extension, me, if I sit here and wait for you"
She suddenly seems weary and slumps slightly. Raegrin rushes to steady her and lay her down gently in her bed. "I think you should be on your way, and I suggest you hurry. If Irven has let his kids near that vial then more could be infected"
He looks over at Hulil, already slumbering, her face now a peaceful half-smile that belies the defiance and fire of her attitude just a moment ago. The tatooed elf looks up again from her to you and says "The Uttolots will not be pleased with how things have transpired with our mission here, and there will no doubt be a price for us to pay. But as long as she survives, I cannot consider myself to have failed"
He says nothing else, and appears to have already dismissed you from his thoughts as he returns his attention to his...mentor?
Kotar was not surprised when he heard Hulil speak noticing the absence of any men of hers. What surprised him was the fact that both the woman and the elf seemed to care little for what happened. The goliath expected she would start a battle or at least try to evade them and bring word to her crime lords about what happened. They would, in turn, put a target on each of their backs. Instead she was reasonable, cooperative even. Survival instinct, the fighter thought unimpressed.
Another surprise came when Ressys spoke. Casting his own ritual, the druid had identified the illness not only by name, but nature and origin. Eiselcross. The word echoed in his mind. Home. Or as close of home as he wanted to be. It was not that long since he had left, and he was still so, so far away from his dream.
“Guide us, Ressys.” Kotar asked, waiting for the firbolg to take the lead and once again speak with Old Croaker. “And considering that your uncle would have to take a boat to Eiselcross I would guess Elro could find any record about, at least, the start of his route.”
Maybe Aldataur knew even more. The identity of a guide, the route Urgon took. Chances were slim, but far better than the idea of guessing where in the islands they could find the cure for Frigid Woe. Either way, one thing was certain: the next leg of their journey awaited in the Jolly Dwarf.
Qidira speaks up then to Raegrin, "Thank you for all she and you were able to share, we should take our leave and allow her to rest. We will seek a cure swiftly and share what we find with you to hopefully help Hulil."
She looks to the others and heading out of the room, "I did leave that short bow back near the entrance should anyone wish it. We should hurry back to town before the others return."
Brandon is a little taken back that they are letting Hulil return to the Uttolots in Shadycreek Run with her ill-gotten gains; they were stolen from Pelc after all and should be returned. But he had voiced his thoughts, and he wasn’t going to force the issue, the importance of tracking down the second vial and finding a cure were bigger priorities.
“Perhaps Urgon shared with Pelc more information about where he found the items, we should speak with her as well. But I agree, our next steps should be back to Palebank, to speak with Erlo, perhaps Pelc, and find this merchant and the last vial. After that we can discuss how to find a cure.”
He only hoped there would be no trouble from the five gang members still somewhere between Palebank and the caves.
Seeing that the party seemed in agreement that things were wrapped up here Ressys will prepare to lead the group back to the water. Before they leave he asks one last question of Raergrin. "What do you feed Old Croaker? I would like to give him some food."
If he offers food he can give Old Croaker he'll take it and give it to the giant frog when they reach the water again. He then calls out to Old Croaker requesting rides back across the water. He also croaks a quick explanation "We are removing the illness and you are safe from its harm. Thank you for your help across the water."
Qidira pauses at the exit waiting for the others, and curious to hear the answer to Ressys' question glancing about in the direction of Old Croaker for any evidence of the answer within the cavern.
“Bats” says Raegrin to Ressys’s question “The frogs love the bats in here, so we catch a load and feed them to ‘em. They seem to remember long enough to be kind of trained. If you talked the big guy into bringing you here then he’ll no doubt take you back, but don’t expect him to remember you if you ever come back”
You all turn to leave and cross in small groups on the back of Old Croaker. The big frog makes no physical response to the firbolg’s words, but croaks a simple “Thank you”.
You head out of the cave the way you came in, gentle croaking noises rolling after you. Once outside you head back towards Palebank through the snow.
You are close to town, approaching from the north, when Mila the elf Glassblade you met earlier comes running up to you. She is out of breath but manages to shout inbetween breaths “Elro!
Pelc’s!
Bandits!
Come now!!”
As they left the cave, Kotar half expected Hulil to change her mind and launch an attack against them. Maybe in the moment they were trying to cross the pond, enticing Old Croaker to drop them easier targets by drop the group in the murky waters. Yet, to his relief, no such thing came to pass.
Unharmed and in peace, they left the thief’s den. Their bags a little bit heavier with weapons and, specially, the spore vial that housed Frigid Woe. An artificial sickness, a biological weapon. The goliath could imagine the Uttolots find a use or two for that.
“So, I’m thinking about telling Elro about the cave’s state.” He said so everyone could hear and, should they wish, oppose his words. “The layout, the frogs, the number of criminals.”
Kotar imagined Elro would be happy to know there would be only two enemies waiting in the hideout. By this point the goliath assumed the Glassblades would have the five bandits in the village subdued, one way or another. A wishful thought that disappeared when the elf who guarded the cabin Durnham inherited from his uncle arrived breathless.
In four words the woman painted quite the clear picture of what was happening. It seems Elro got the stronger five, the fighter concluded drawing his blade. This time he didn’t expect they could escape battle.
“Ressys, Durnham, show the way!” He shouts visibly hurried and a little bit frustrated by the fact he didn’t know the way to Pelc’s store.
Durnham wastes no time with words but immediately starts running towards Pelc’s shop. “This way!”, he calls to the others.
“I was afraid of this,” he thinks to himself, “Elro walked right into their ambush!”
Noob