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Drudsa the dabbler approaches Zahara.

"My lady, those troglodytes will no longer damage your waters. Is there anything we can present to Zoltar as proof that we have assisted you?"

Zahara

The water sprite looks up and smiles, and in that instant all understand the unearthly beauty the faery-kind possess that drives men, elves and even dwarves to madness. "My thanks to you," she responds, "already I feel the stain lifting, the purity returning." She dips her hand under the water and brings up a flat, grey stone the size of a gold coin. "My gift to you. Zoltar will recognize this stone. But do not lose, it, for I have placed an enchantment upon it. If one of you should perish, by spell or by blade, place this stone under the fallen's tongue, and, if done swiftly enough, it shall breathe life back into his broken form. Now go!", she cries, eyes flashing, "lest I change my mind and claim one of you for my mate!"

EDIT:

Thordin the dwarf, as enamoured as he is of her beauty, cannot get out of there fast enough!

"Come! We must away from here before we are fated to a watery grave."

Tratiln, once the party is one its way back, will suggest, "Once we are back a the caves, we should really try to capture some of Elwyn's men, especially anyone that looks higher ranking. Not only might there be an higher reward for them alive, they could help provide critical information on Bargle's and Elwyn's plans. And if there is time, we should perhaps try to lay simple traps for them, even if it's just to confuse them and make us aware of their presense."

Lanny the elf

Lanny is tired and thirsty as the cart arrives at the pond, but he is immediately taken aback by the faerie's transformation.

"A creature of such enchanting beauty... When she fully recovers her health, she will be irresistable. I agree, Thordin, let us leave this place..."

Lanny bows his head to the fey. A few words in elvish, "Farewell, Lady Zahara", is all he can utter.

Once the party departs, Lanny will take the first available opportunity to quench his thirst and refill his empty waterskin once the water downstream is sufficiently clear.

Marodin, the Cleric, says, "Regardless of what we do, let us make haste. This side trip was a good deed done, for sure, but we may find that we've let Elwyn's men slip through our fingers in the process."

thirdkingdom wrote:Zahara

The water sprite looks up and smiles, and in that instant all understand the unearthly beauty the faery-kind possess that drives men, elves and even dwarves to madness. "My thanks to you," she responds, "already I feel the stain lifting, the purity returning." She dips her hand under the water and brings up a flat, grey stone the size of a gold coin. "My gift to you. Zoltar will recognize this stone. But do not lose, it, for I have placed an enchantment upon it. If one of you should perish, by spell or by blade, place this stone under the fallen's tongue, and, if done swiftly enough, it shall breathe life back into his broken form. Now go!", she cries, eyes flashing, "lest I change my mind and claim one of you for my mate!'

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad is happy to see Zahara recovering so quickly, and surreptitiously puts his extra water skin away. The thought of her taking a mate does not have a happily-ever-after feel!

The elf speaks to Drudsa, as he returns to the group, "A wondrous gift indeed you have been given! More valuable than any treasure wrought by dwarves, elves, or men!"

Drudsa the dabbler thanks Zahara as he takes the stone and places it in one of his pouches.

Finglas wrote: Bregalad is happy to see Zahara recovering so quickly, and surreptitiously puts his extra water skin away. The thought of her taking a mate does not have a happily-ever-after feel!

The elf speaks to Drudsa, as he returns to the group, "A wondrous gift indeed you have been given! More valuable than any treasure wrought by dwarves, elves, or men!"

"It is a gift to us all Bregalad, and a mighty gift if it indeed can bring back the recently deceased. I will keep it in this pouch so you can find it in the unfortunate event of having a need for it."

The adventurers bid Zahara goodbye, then begin the tek back to Zoltar's house, reaching it by early evening. The old mage is again puttering about in his garden, raising his head at the sound of their approach, Ruby on his shoulder. "What news, brave ones!", he calls out, "Is the deed done?"

Tratiln nods, "Indeed Zoltar, we were able to get rid of the trogolytes. It seems they were trying to set up a new colony and were in the process of laying what seemed to be eggs. Unforntunately, they didn't seem like the talking type. Those paticular ones shouldn't be bothering the stream ever again. I fear had they gone on too much longer, the whole area would have been infested."

Drudsa the dabbler takes the stone given by Zahara and shows it to Zoltar.

"Zahara gave us this as her personal reward for the assistance we gave her, and also to serve as proof that we have completed the task you have entrusted us with. Can we now count on your support and guidance master Zoltar?"

Zoltar the Blind

"Ah!", he exclaims, taking the proffered stone and rubbing it with gnarled fingers. "Yes, you speak truth! And a powerful magic she gave you, as well! Did she explain what this stone can do?"

Drudsa the dabbler

"Yes, she said it can save the life of a recently murdered if we put it under his tongue quickly enough."

Zoltar the Blind

He nods. "Aye, but for good or for ill, those touched by faery magic are rarely the same afterwards. Now, will you join me for supper? I have done as you asked and examined the items, and I have news to report!"

Lanny the elf

"We would be pleased to stay for supper, Master Zoltar. And, if you don't mind, we would like to camp on your grounds again tonight, before departing early in the morning."

At supper, Lanny will listen carefully to the magical items report given by Zoltar. Later on in the evening, he will approach Zoltar and ask:

"And what of this copper bracelet with the serpent design, Master Zoltar? We found it among the troglodytes... Probably a mere trinket, but it appears elven made, and my people are known for crafting items with magical properties..."

Ruby turns and looks at the bracelet, and for just an instant the mannikin's black, bottomless eyes glow a pale blue. The little creature chitters into Zoltar's ear. "Aye, 'tis Elvish, but not magical. Comes from Alfheim, the great elven kingdom to the north, unless my eyes deceive me." He grins. "Come! Supper is served."

After a modest repast he withdraws, returning with the objects in question and a long-stemmed clay pipe, which he proceeds to stuff with pungent leaves and light. He gestures towards the anklets set with obsidian that had been recovered from the skeletal guardians. "I am no expert on necromancy, but it is clear to me that these are not magical in and off themselves, bit instead served as a focus -- a multiplier, if you will -- for a ritual of some sort. They were designed to bind the subjects to a specific place and enhance their abilities. Other than that I know not."

Smoke curls around his weathered face and Ruby seems to delight in running her twiggy fingers through the blueish plumes. "The arrows are old -- but you know that -- and possessed of a modest dweomer to seek the target and bite deep. The fletching is that of an old Traladaran clan that lived about here. Rather that fight the Thyatian invaders, or adopt their ways, they fled north. Myraal is the Traladaran expert; he would no more if you wishes to learn."

"The dagger is elf-made, by one Gheff One-Ear, of one of the southern tribes. He may still live, I know not. It is a bond-knife, forged to seal a deal between elf and man, long ago. I do not know who it was for, but it is enchanted to strike true and be thrown further than would otherwise be possible. Its name is Hedfan."

"The wand. Now, I would like to hear the story of how you found this wand, for it was made by the wizard Ganch of Pine, a friend of mine. He disappeared some five years ago on an expedition to the west, searching for a 'Lost Valley.' His spellbooks and several puissant items, this wand included, were lost with him. The wielder of this wand can, once per day extend the duration of any spell he casts by twofold, provided it ha a duration to begin with."

Tratin offers his sympathys "I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Ganch of Pine. We discovered the wand on the goblin shaman back up in the caves. He seemed to be one of the leaders of the tribe but was very unhelpful when questioned. However, bearing in mind these goblins were working for Bargle (and seemed to fear him), I wouldn't be suprised if it were Bargle that is responsible for your friend's disappearance. If we ever get to meet this Bargle, I will make sure to find out what I can from him. But, if Bargle is powermad, I don't see him turning an item like the wand over to the goblins, unless for some reason it was needed to 'win' their alligence.

The dagger is interesting. Maybe someday we'll be able to track down Gheff One Ear and find out the story behind the dagger. As mentioned, all of this stuff was discovered on the goblins we had defeated at the caves so either Bargle had a hand in it or the goblins did."

Tratiln will also describe the shaman's tattoos/runes to Zoltar.

Drudsa the dabbler

"As Tratiln just said we have no indication of whether this wand was granted to the shaman by Bargle or not. He refused to tell us anything about the artifact so I am afraid we have no other information that could hint at your friend's fate."

Once the group is done with any talk about the information just provided by the hermit Drudsa will ask the mage:

"Master Zoltar, as to my previous inquiries for guidance, will you take me as your student and is there any material you could provide to assist me in my research?"

Zoltar the Blind

The old mage answers Drudsa, "If you are certain, young man, that this is what you wish, then yes. Though I must warn you that my library is not as extensive as that of the Guild, and I also cannot allow you to remove any of my books from this property. If you wish to study with me then you must study with me!"

Lanny the elf

Lanny thanks Zoltar for his efforts and accepts his allotment of the Traladaran arrows. He also seems somewhat taken with the serpent bracelet of elvish design, smiling as he shows it to Bregalad.

"It's from Alfheim, Bregalad, the ancestral homeland of our people... One day we must journey there, to learn more of our ancient roots..."

Lanny offers Bregalad the bracelet, or else will wear it himself.