Ironguard: Seeking the Nergal Sanctum (Expedition thread).

[archolewa]

The way he speaks suggests that he brokers in 'specialised inks', which may be a reason he patronises the tavern with landlord Ness running a black market smuggling enterprise. As to his own tattoos, they have the appearance of runes or sigils rather than designs. He points a couple out; treble clef and bass sigils that mark a music augment, a large interlocked § that he suggests is linked to his health, a rune that 'comes from a fraternity of his College days'.

He suggests if you have an interest in procuring such runes and customisations, then you should wait to meet his friend Dadely. "I think he is in the cellars here. Engaged in some research project."

Actions Selina, again you can be as specific or general in your chat and perhaps puck up on any areas of interest. Add a skill check with your post.

"Well, I might just do that. Though I must say, your prices are a fair bit beyond what even I can afford." Selina giggles. "Perhaps when I return from the Downs awash in riches, I will take advantage of your services."

While this man may be useful in the future, it does not seem like he has any connections to the Nergal cult. Selina will give him a cheerful smile, before standing and making her way back through the tavern to her seat at the bar.

Figure I'll go ahead and give both an Int and Charisma rolls like I did when I first entered.

[tristenc]

Yaaay! This is going to be fun!

The young man seems quite focused on his work, sparing hardly a glance for the snapping subject chained down for inspection; aside from the occasional soft murmur of It's going to be alright, don't you worry... or the soothing I know... tell me all about it...

Green streaked raven hair frames a youthful face that seems a bit slender for a healthy human, until the tip of one ear becomes exposed revealing the duality of his Elven heritage. Violet eyes study the symbols on the wrapping intensely as he continues scribbling and checking his notes, nodding and muttering to himself. The jingle of chain accompanies his scrawling mess of handwriting, and the glint of mail can be seen peaking beneath his clothing at the cuffs and collar. A flail is tucked behind his belt on one side, and a painted shield and carved staff are propped on a box nearby; each bearing some iteration of infinitely twisting but concentric or overlapping stars.

The young man tilts his head at the sound of the door opening but doesn't take his eyes from the zombie's wrappings. Ness, this is quite fascinating! Did you know some of these symbols bear a striking resemblance to the... His words cut off as he finally turns, revealing an odd but small symbol tattooed above the center of his brow. Ummmm... Hello... he greets Golgarth & Gunter, eyes jumping between Ness and the pair.




====
Not sure of the difficulty, so went with 4d6, and I figured if we need to add more d6 on top to increase the difficulty it is easier that way
Dadely int (17) on Wraps [4d6]=12

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

Dadely Grimes slowly peels away the swaddling of wrappings, each inked with pictograms and runes in a strange Cuneiformist way. He jots down various designs, scribbling notes in a book and tries to compare them to other ancient tongues that he has more familiarity with.

The living cadaver is not Mummy but a zombie. Restrained by strong chains from breaking loose.

"He was sent back this way as a warning. Norbert worked as a guard on the prison chain-gangs for me. But it seems he uncovered something that he shouldn't have and rather than just kill him, it seems he was returned with a message."

Taken aback at the revelation Gunter's hand goes involuntarily to the hilt of the silvered dagger at his belt as the undead creature is unwrapped.

"Cromm's Bollo..er..Mercy!"

He addresses Ness directly "Who was he and where did he go missing? The prisoners or other guards must have noticed his absence. Was he more than a just a guard and on a job for you or just wrong place, wrong time?"

Turning his attention to Dadely, "So scholar, what's the message?"

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

"Good gods man. Another pet you display?"

He is shocked to see the zombie being examined.

Many did not return as they were. I have one such returnee, downstairs, held in the cellars. He came back not as he once was. He was changed, a corruption of his former self

Certainly he is corrupted. I will look at the young graduate and his 'research'.

"Nasty things. Walking dead. I hear some turn extra Ravenous and run with frenzied speed and bloodlust.

We have fought Wights, my comrade and I. You should be thankful one does not lay his chill touch upon you."

He advises Dadely in case he lacks experience. "These runes and scripts are foreign to me. I must confess my studies excell in brickwork and masonry, the practical not the academic. Do you understand them?" he asks, figuring he must do otherwise the privateer would not engage him so.

[tristenc]

Dadely M Grimes
Hmm? Oh, of course! Well... He looks to Ness for the go-ahead to relate what he has learned, since the contract was with Ness and the info may be considered discrete. He mostly figured it was fine, since Ness would likely not have brought these two down if it were to be secret from them; but caution was seldom ill advised. Once permitted, he will share all he has gathered.

Yes, there certainly are a wide variety of examples of undead in various sources. Unfortunately, I imagine it is like anything else; that subtle but deadly variations exist in the wild. Of course this likely would force one to work off experience and experimentation with known common effectivities; like silver and priestly magic. he agrees.

Regarding the scripts, Ah, well i have a rudimentary understanding of both Cuneiform and Infernal. There are some really fascinating elements in this writing that seem to follow some of my past studies.

[Spearmint]

Eating now but I will edit here in an hour or so

[Spearmint]

The Last Dance

Cadely is insightful, managing to grasp the meanings and jist of the inscriptions on the burial wraps. The words create a necrotic spell, weaving a bind upon the victim and also a warning that an 'impending doom' comes. The words "touch not my Anointed". It is not a warning, more of a rebuke, suggesting that Ness Costner has dabbled in his fingers in a pie somewhere he shouldn't.

The zombie restrained rasps, uttering gibberish glossolalia.

"Who was he and where did he go missing? The prisoners or other guards must have noticed his absence. Was he more than a just a guard and on a job for you or just wrong place, wrong time?"

"Norbert, of the Citadel Militia police the prisoners who are press-ganged into civic duties. A lot of the ramparts are in ruin, the sewers in distress, they act as grave-diggers, tending the Bestiary kennels."

It is not known where he was last seen alive only that after his duty shift finished he never made it home.

"We could find out more. Ask him directly if such coercions as Speak with the Dead were cast.", the smuggler looks at both clerics, recognising that they will not have attained enough rank or piety in faith to be able to petition their gods for such a spell.

Or if indeed they would ever do so and involve themselves in his affairs. "These cultic affairs cross both our paths. I am sure your own mission can overlap with the troubles that haunt me." he offers.

Norbert continues to jibber-jabber as Dadely strips more fabric from.him, rolling the linens up into blood soaked bandages. You can wonder if the binding, of the inscription spell not the bandages, can be learned and reapplied in some way?

Actions Dadely, Golgarth, Gunter, actions, comments & questions in the cellar.

Meanwhile upstairs in the saloon, Selina and Sidkrake pair up. The mercenary, a former rogue with 'history', nods at those who respond to his cant based social chat.

Sidkrake Selina: vs 25% [1d100]=53 [1d100]=69

Nothing happens inside the tavern and while the others are away, he suggests checking on the stables and the horses. You both go, finding the stable boy diligent in his task and saddle bags and gear in good order. It is worth checking because the shields are painted so to mimic Nergal 'colours' as it were and at the other end of loyalties, Gunter's lance carries the pennons of the Duchy, suggesting he still bears some military commission.

Confident the stable boy doesn't pry beyond his work duties, you return across the yard to re-enter the tavern. At midday and the height of the summer, it is strange then for the Sun to be darkened suddenly. Looking up, you see a flock of birds, a murmuration of large black crows that swirl in a frenzied pattern and look to head towards the tavern location.

Actions please.

[tristenc]

Dadely would like to determine the nature of the necrotic spell on the wraps. Does there seem to be a way to reverse it or 'unbind' the subject, in addition to physicslly unwrapping him of course.

Ness, if you allow me to retain these wraps perhaps I can decipher more; or even a deeper understanding of the markings here. Naturally I would pass the information on to you exclusively; excepting any aid I required via research of course. the scholar proposes.

He looks to the supposedly (based on conversation) senior clerics regarding the 'Speak with dead' topic. If neither seem to personally indicate the ability he might pose the following question both to they and memtally to himself. Any... discrete associates that might manage such a task?

At the mention of 'their own mission', Dadely's eyebrow quirks in curiosity. Oh? I presume it's somewhat related? he prompts; leaving the circumstances to supply context. I admit, these writings have my curiosity piqued... Care to share? he asks.


====
any chance whatsoever Dadely can decipher the spoken babble? 4d6? 6d6 int check?

[archolewa]

Looking up, you see a flock of birds, a murmuration of large black crows that swirl in a frenzied pattern and look to head towards the tavern location.

Selina


Cold fingers of dread close over Selina's heart. She pushes her way into the tavern and makes a beeline into the back where Golgarth and Gunter disappeared, her hand on her sword hilt. She straps her shield (her original shield, not the Nergal shield) to her arm as she goes. She looks around for any sign of her companions, or anyone who might be able to tell her where they went. If she sees someone, she says "I need to speak to the men who came back here a moment ago. Now!"

(Charisma check in case it's necessary: )

[Bluetongue]

Golgarth

In the cellar. Speaking with the Dead, an abomination surely? He thinks. He wonders in regard to the elder who oversees miniatey to Cromm Cruach devotees in the Citadel, if such were within his realm and he could be coaxed to interrigate the former prison guard, now zombie snd stooge of Costner.

Part of me doesn't want to get too wrapped up in his affairs, we have our own duty after all. But I spot my own weakness and having a knowledge of cultic writings, magics, dabblings with the devil and infernal machinations.

So, if we help Ness Costner, then if this acolyte is 'on his books', maybe he could be seconded to our cause to.

"We need to trust each other. I assume you will know the particular area of your activity that any hands off warning relates to. Tell me about that. We also need to contact the forger to see about certain documents.

We can also check the 'green flame house', maybe something unusual about it."

[Spearmint]

"I need to speak to the men who came back here a moment ago. Now!"

Selina comes bustling back into the tavern. You get to the bar, knocking a patron or two out the way. "Whassup love, got a bee in your bonnet,?" the barman says. The door to the cellar behind him but he stands in the way.

[archolewa]

Selina comes bustling back into the tavern. You get to the bar, knocking a patron or two out the way. "Whassup love, got a bee in your bonnet,?" the barman says. The door to the cellar behind him but he stands in the way.

Selina


Selina takes a deep breath. "I need to speak with the two patrons who went in the back with your boss a moment ago."

[tristenc]

Green Flame?! Dadely blurts out. Clearing his throat, he apologizes. Pardon. I'm not sure what came over me, just now. Dadely follows the conversation intently.



======
Acq-inc for the big win

[Spearmint]

"Green Flame!" an ode to Acquisitions Inc

I think Golgarth got that in first.

[tristenc]

"Green Flame!" an ode to Acquisitions Inc

I think Golgarth got that in first.

He for sure did, which is how I knew I was among my tribe ^_^

Btw, the new Acq-inc Pax-Unplugged live D&D session is out on teh you-tubs as of a couple days ago

[Spearmint]

It was spoken to Ness but you can comment on anything. Do you know of the green flame house, some backstreet apothecary? Have you had dealings with Nergal cults or know in the Collegiate library of any texts, manuscripts, histories of such, especially in Ironguard?

You can know where the GF house is.

Green flame erupted from cellar of a backstreet apothecary, burning the place down and releasing a flock of mischievous Mephits. The proprietors have been taken into custody.

The proprietors taken to the jailhouse on remand for questioning which is connected to the Sheriff's office and city Watch. (the prison for convicted people).

The Collegiate library will have a few manuscripts or ledgers but many contain rumour and speculation rather than authentic truths. So research (vs a skill check / time) is the usual method for finding knowledge and information.

Cadely came into the tavern with a research comrade, Xander who is also a Pictographer and procurer of specialist inks.

[tristenc]

Dadely ponders the line of questioning.

The House of Green Flame? I heard the proprietors were detsined after the... rapid, unscheduled dissassembly of their shop. He adds. I must admit, I've been a bit curious about that myself.

There might be something relevant in the library, but with something like this there will likely be a lot of chaff to sift through to discover something usable.


====
What became of the mephit marauders?

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

The proprietors taken to the jailhouse on remand for questioning which is connected to the Sheriff's office and city Watch. (the prison for convicted people).

"Hmm, I am a Lance Corporal in the Sherriff's Irregular's so he knows Stonefather and I personally. Tomorrow we can visit the Sheriff and see if he'll let us talk to the convicts or at least share what he's learned from them.

Scholar, you and the lass can check the Collegiate library and then we all meet back here for dinner to exchange what we've found. Sid can stay here and see what he picks up and keep an eye on our rooms and horses. He may have more luck with rumors without us around anyway.

Does that work for everyone?"

[tristenc]

Dadely

Oh, uhh Lance Corporal? Nice. he cuts his eyes to Ness, but says Anything else you need from me here?

As Gunter goes on with the plan details Dadely seems confused. The lass?

[Hvalreki]

Gunter

As Gunter goes on with the plan details Dadely seems confused. The lass?

“Ahh, of course, you haven’t met Selina. Swordmaiden, comely, about this tall, but sturdy like a ploughman. She’s upstairs with our man Sidrake, a second-story bloke, stout hearted and handy in a scrape. He goes by Spider Sid.

I’m Gunter but call me Barraclaugh while we’re in public unless I introduce my self otherwise. It’s a long story we can fill you in later. I’m a sworn fighting man of Cromm Cruach and sword and shield of Stonefather Golgarth, priest of Cromm.”