The blue robed and bearded man looks back at Wulfhart, his eyes steady, then raises one eye-brow. "Most unusual," he states.
"What?!" says Castellan with alarm. "What does it look like? How did you discover it? We must find it."
The commander looks at his robed advisor. "Metzner - question those guards, then send them to me. Figure out a way to tell the false from true person."
"Thank you for informing us," Castellan says to Wulfhart. "This could be a new attempt to sow Chaos and weaken the Keep."
"Commander, if I may, it was I who was attacked by this evil shapechanger. It took the exact form and appearance of a most trusted companion of mine, another priest, and once my back was turned it attacked me in my own quarters. My companions chased it, but no sooner was it out of their immediate sight, than it again changed form and hid among the innocent.
"I urge you to question everyone, even your most trusted and closest, for this creature will take the form of one closest to you if there is but a moment that they leave your sight.
"I suggest you question each person about something that happened a few days ago, or longer, my hope is that it mimics but the persons appearance and cannot steal their memories as well."
Before retiring for the night, Albertus, tells the party some information that he feels should not be kept to himself.
OOC...I will just cut and paste the conversation that took place. Grognardsw, already agreed with it...
Hamlin, in his own words...
"You could do one thing for me, but it's a tall order. Expose Castellan as the villain he is. He is in league with the dark sorcerer of the Caves. The very man who is suppose to be protecting these Borderlands is betraying us! Castellan is profiting by the humanoids' evil activities! After I discovered this secret I was forced to flee for my life."
This news is disturbing to you. Castellan is not unliked, and though you've heard he may be brutal at times. He has "managed" to prevent major infestations of evil in the Borderlands with his Keep and the efforts of militia and adventurers. Or has he? Strong proof would be needed to confront him.
Hamlin hesitates, almost sorry he brought Castellan up. "I should not involve you in this, lest your fate match mine, or worse."
"It was 20 years ago. I was a rogue adventurer making my way through the lands. I was set upon by bandits, almost killed, but saved by a priest and brought back to the Keep. Reformed my ways, I did. Helped the priest out at his small church in the Keep. Got to know the place. Got some god in me too, you could say. Started running errands into the Keep fortress where Castellan be. One day I got a shock - I saw one of the bandit men who almost killed me. He was an officer in Castellan's command. I told my priest. He believed me."
"We started to watch him. He came and went, often bringing covered wagons into the Keep. The priest had an acolyte inside the Keep who was a fine counter. Kept track of grains, supplies, that sort of thing. Told us the numbers didn't add up."
"Well then I started following this bandit. Used some of my old skills. Out near the old watchtower I spied him exchange sacks with a hobgoblin! I followed the creature to the those caves, they call 'em the Caves of Chaos these days."
"I returned to the priest. He counseled caution. I tried, but back then it wasn't my strong suit. I got the counter to show me the papers, and let me into the fortress Did some lurking. Found those wagons that go in and out. Hid under one of 'em when it left, loaded with weapons and food. Went to the caves, saw it exchanged for gold. A wizard-type (and I know what them types look like, I tangled with some before) gave the driver a scroll in a black case with a snake sigil."
"Back at the Keep I told the priest and counter. The next day the counter told us he saw that scroll case in the fortress. I didn't what to do. But then the counter just disappeared. No one knew where. The priest and I got scared. That night officers invaded the church. Captured the priest. Only with my old skills did I escape out of the Keep. Evaded their hunters. Found this weird old tree, I think it was fey made."
"I don't know how to prove Castellan's treachery. Need stronger swords and minds then I had. Rooting out and killing the evil in the Caves would break his plots."
ooc...Also please tell me how much $$$ Albertus gathered...needs more items before heading to the caves.
After telling his tale to the rest of the party and buying his needed supplies, Albertus heads over to the church. Before bedding down for the night he gives the head priest 3 gold and the promise to do more in freeing these lands of evil...starting tomorrow.
Barring his door and window Albertus heads of to sleep...
The news of Castellan's alleged treachery stirs no one. Apathy is the glove in which evil slips its hand, Albertus recalls Hamlin saying. The adventurers provision that morning (please update sheets accordingly), in order to leave after lunch. The journey to the Caves of Chaos will take a day-and-a-half.
Boddin doesn't know what to make of Brother Albertus's warning. He seemed like such an upstanding fellow! Still, scouring evil from the Caves of Chaos must be a worthwhile effort regardless of whether Castellan is in cahoots with forces of badness.
Before leaving his quarters, Boddin retrieves pen and paper and calculates how to divide the reward for rescued captives. "200, divided by—how many of us are there now, nine? About 22 gold, 2 silver, and 2 copper each, then, with a couple of copper left over for, er, accounting fees." He'll distribute the shares of the bounty when the party regroups.
Zhym wrote:Boddin doesn't know what to make of Brother Albertus's warning. He seemed like such an upstanding fellow! Still, scouring evil from the Caves of Chaos must be a worthwhile effort regardless of whether Castellan is in cahoots with forces of badness.
Before leaving his quarters, Boddin retrieves pen and paper and calculates how to divide the reward for rescued captives. "200, divided by—how many of us are there now, nine? About 22 gold, 2 silver, and 2 copper each, then, with a couple of copper left over for, er, accounting fees." He'll distribute the shares of the bounty when the party regroups.
On the 200 gp, Foracor forgoes his as he got the elven shield from the dead elf. Recent recruits Wulfhart and Eli wouldn't be included. So six total, for 34 gp each rounding up.
Brother Bayard puts his share of gold toward a lantern, mirror, some oil, a backpack, provisions, and similar sundries.
He takes three gold to the Chapel of St. Cuthbert as a donation. While there he asks Father Caeric about the healing tools that he used to heal Fingal, and how he could obtain some for himself.
Fingal study's his provisions, going over the equipment in his bag. Evidently it occurs to him that he is well set, and doesn't require many other supplies. He inquire his friends, Are there any costly things we are all splitting for our journey?
Brother Bayard puts his share of gold toward a lantern, mirror, some oil, a backpack, provisions, and similar sundries.
He takes three gold to the Chapel of St. Cuthbert as a donation. While there he asks Father Caeric about the healing tools that he used to heal Fingal, and how he could obtain some for himself.
Old Father Caeric replies to Brother Bayard: "Ah yes, my healing tools. Just small things picked up or made over the years: a thin razor called a "scalpel" by some; two-pronged pincers given me by an old gnome, he called them "tweezers" ; clamps to hold torn flesh; fine fishing twine to sew wound. I suppose a metalsmith could fashion them if instructed how."
FreebirdFootbagging wrote:Fingal study's his provisions, going over the equipment in his bag. Evidently it occurs to him that he is well set, and doesn't require many other supplies. He inquire his friends, Are there any costly things we are all splitting for our journey?
Foracor the elf comments to Fingal: "I think we're set. Horses would make the trip faster, but are expensive and chancy to leave alone while we explore caves."
The adventurers agree that battling evil will serve in foiling Castellan's corruption. Later that morning the group gathers together to leave the Keep.
Old Father Caeric replies to Brother Bayard: "Ah yes, my healing tools. Just small things picked up or made over the years: a thin razor called a "scalpel" by some; two-pronged pincers given me by an old gnome, he called them "tweezers" ; clamps to hold torn flesh; fine fishing twine to sew wound. I suppose a metalsmith could fashion them if instructed how."
Brother Bayard
"Thank you, Father. Upon our return I may ask that you accompany me to the smith to show him the tools so he might make some for me. They would be most useful given the nature of our tasks before us."
Watching his companions arrive at the gates Albertus' face brightens up with a wide smile. "Morning folks. Looks like the gods favor our departure."Pointing east, Albertus shows the others the beautiful sunrise that is just breaking over the distant forest. "That is the way we go. The caves wait for us." Lighting up a smoke and waving his good byes to the guards, he steps forward down the beaten path. "It is time for us to go."
"Well, if I'm going to go adventuring, I should get better equipped for it," Boddin says to himself. He stops by the provision store and trades in his padded armor for studded leather, extra small (I'm assuming trade-in at half value).
The adventurers set forth. The journey to the Caves of Chaos should take a few days, proceeding east along the road as it winds north. Then cutting west through woods to the caves.
Proceeding east along the road, the first day's journey is thankfully uneventful. On the morning of the second day you turn west, cutting through dark woods in the direction of the Caves of Chaos. With a sudden crash of branches, it roars out you...
