In the Yawning Wyrm, things are pretty quiet. There's still a few hours until the place really starts to fill. Bravel Adolis, the minstrel is playing his lute and singing a song that goes like this:
"Ambaraun, oh Ambaraun,
Heart of Andara,
and home of the crown,
Ye spires are tall,
ye temples they shine,
ye people are kind,
and ye got the best wine,
Ambaraun, oh Ambaraun,
Heart of Andara,
and home of the crown,
Ye taverns are lively,
ye streets lined with trees,
ye houses are lovely,
my eyes you so please,
Ambaraun, oh Ambaraun
Heart of Andara,
and home of the crown,
where the blue rose blooms,
and the lions they rest,
where there's always room,
and everyday there's a fest,
In Ambaraun, oh Ambaraun
Heart of Andara,
and home of the crown,
where the Silver River,
meets Alamar's Deep,
and the Andaran Lions,
march from Lionmaw Keep,
Ambaraun, oh Ambaraun
Heart of Andara,
and home of the crown,
ye the city of dreams,
my home, my scene,
ye golden and silver,
alabaster and green,
Lambrecht comes and joins your table. "So.. How did your adventure go? Did you find the ruby?"
Aralu lets down her hair and answers Lambrecht as she stares off as she normally does; her hair crashing down her shoulders and back, "Not as planned. The ruby was cursed so we handed it over to the lore keepers of Ka An Narath for safe keeping. Kajala was a pawn in his associates plans for the ruby. Kajala isn't happy, but learning your friend was lying to you and using you would make anyone unsatisfied. I plan on making it up to him, but I am giving him time to think. There is also the necessary approval of the crew; prerequisite."
She turns to look at Lambrecht, "There is also the discussion of a name for our new group we're forming. Poisonous Kiss Crew was mentioned. How does that sound to you? We are open to suggestions as well if you have a suggestion.
"Hmm... How about... The Happenstance Adventuring Group. Or, the Intrepid Six.. No, no.. I've got it.. The Company of the Cursed Ruby!"
When Aralu mentions his proposed name, Rhanviel blows a kiss in Lambrechts' general direction.
Then he orders a large serving of mutton, without potatoes.
"After more consideration I think the cemetery is our best bet. The outlaw camp location isn't truly known, and could have already been picked over. We would also most likely need to secure a cart and a beat of burden. The cemetery only requires what we have, and helping the Ka An Narath will give us a solid potential employer in the future. They will even tell us what must properties this potion and dagger have." Aralu says returning to the discussing with her party, giving no sense of preference for any of Lambrechts suggestions.
"Are you going to the cemetery?" Lambrecht asks. "Yanis has told me the place is locked down, because it is crawling with undead, and that the Vigilants of Abalor won't let anyone in."
"We have contacts that can arrange our entry. Or so I believe. If that is not the case, we have a ruby to collect." Aralu says regarding Lambrecht's question
Barring anything else, tomorrow we will seek out an Rhynveir Telathian of Ka An Narath in the Drunken Merrow in Harbortown.
"The dead are a finnicky lot, but they are much like children, susceptible to certain forms of tricks and sweets... "
Rhanviel speaks to Lambrecht and Aralu together, as he jostles his Andaran lion belt buckle.
"If we can prove to the watch we have hands to lend, they may put some pennies into them."
Rhanviel gurgles as he finishes off a large portion of lamb meats.
If the source of the undead is still around, there may even be treasures beyond coin to be had. Sweet, sweet Aralu, with all the bright ideas. Thank goddess, this 'civil' life has turned out to be much easier than I thought...
"Well, from what I saw in the Brinwood, you sure know how to handle the undead." Lambrecht says and takes a swig from his tankard.
"If you want to gain entry to the Black Oak Cemetery, you should speak with Father Folric at the Cathedral of the Sun. You can't miss it. Its golden spires can be seen from all over the city. Will you be going there today?"
"Oh, if milady wills it. The spires did seem enchanting to gaze upon, however... Perhaps I will stroll alongside them."
"I suppose a visit to the Cathedral is in order then." Aralu says standing. "It is up to the rest of you, but I am headed there now."
"I will accompany you."
After fifteen minutes you reach the plaza in front of the Cathedral of the Sun. The cathedral is huge. It has several tall golden spires, and a wide stairway leads up to its entrance. Several people are ascending and descending the stairs.
The inside of the cathedral seems even larger than the building did from outside, a large hall with countless pillars. The sun shines down through a hole in the dome-shaped roof and in the middle of the sunlight there is a large gilded statue of Abalor, with a blazing sun-disk behind his head and resting both his hands on a two-handed sword.
Several worshippers are kneeling before the statue, and on each side of it there stands a guard wearing bronze plate mail, bronze winged helm, glaive and a round bronze shields with a sun carved on it. An bald and sun-tanned elderly priest in white robes with the symbol of Abalor on his chest (a Stern orange face in yellow sun) holding a golden staff with a golden sun-disk on top stands in front of the statue, speaking in a loud and powerful voice which echoes across the hall:
"Give praise to he who blesses us with light each day and holds the darkness at bay. Give praise to he who watches over us from his heavenly abode. Give praise to he who is brilliant and just, and sees all and knows all. Give praise to he whom eyes may not behold, because his face is too bright for mortal eyes to gaze on. Give praise to the Judge of All, the Shining One, The All-wise Vigilant, the Lord of the Sun. Praised be thee, Abalor! Forgive us our sins and fill our hearts with your blessed warmth. Let your rays remove the clouds from our minds, so that we can see things clearly. Praise thee Abalor, Supreme Noble One! Praise thee Abalor, Lord of the Day!"
Waiting until the booming sermon is complete, Aralu waits before addressing the old man.
"Folric I presume, father of Lambrecht the Merchant? We stand before you today because we offer our services to solve problems that many could not. We wish to inquire about access into the cemetery. Perhaps it is of value to have the undead cleared from there and an end to the cause of their unholy blight."
Niusha follows her companions to the cathedral and listens to the sermon.
Please allow us to be of some assistance. The Ka An Narath has requested we investigate the undead blight.
"Yes. I am Folric. Hierophant of Abalor. The undead cleared from the cemetery, you say. Ending their unholy blight. The Ka An Narath. Hmm... If you succeed in such an endeavor, I will pay you a handsome reward, but I doubt it is possible. Several paladins and clerics have entered the cemetery, and none have returned. But I will grant you passage. Enter at your own risk."
The old hierophant turns to one of his assistants, who also wears cleric's vestments. "Aedan. Escort these adventurers to the gate to Black Oak Cemetery and have the guards there let them through."
Aedan nods. "Yes father."
The old hierophant then turns back to you. "Do you wish to recieve Abalor's blessing before you leave?"
Where we are heading, it couldn't hurt.
Aralu silently kneels lowering her head in preparation of Abalor's blessing, hair shimmering in the light and cascading over her shoulders, nearly sweeping the floor.
Once the blessing is complete Aralu adds
"We may be in need of holy water and other undead bane tools if there are any for donation or purchase."
Addressing her associates and friends. "I think we should visit the Ka An Narath agent before heading into the cemetery. Are we prepared to go after we finish with him? If we must wait a night before taking on this task, Id rather we have our strength and wits, than optimism and a feeling off urgency."
"Any blessing you can provide will no doubt aid us in cleansing this taint."
Hrusk pauses, considering. "I will take Abalor's blessing, if it will take to me," Hrusk agrees, surprisingly softly for such a large figure...
Folric blesses you (as normal bless but lasts for 4 hours) and gives you four flasks of holy water.
Aedan approaches you: "Do you wish for me to take you to the gate right now, or is there something you need to do first?"
We should visit the agent first, he may have some information that could prove useful. at the very least he can identify our dagger, which may prove to be a boon against the undad.
Aralu nods inn agreement to Niusha
Twenty minutes later you find yourselves in the Drunken Merrow in Harbortown. You easily spot Rhynveir Telathian. As Varathklar described he wears dark blue robes, has a long scar across the left side of his face, long dark hair and shimmering golden eyes.
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Aralu approaches Rhynveir, "Rhynveir Telathian, Varathklar Darathkha sends us to you with word that Ka An Narath is a influential order, and may have lucrative work for our yet unnamed group. Particularly mentioning a willingness to identify our mystical equipment and in regards to the cemetery."
"Varathklar sent you, you say." Rhynveir gives you an appraising look with his shimmering golden eyes. "Come with me," he says and shows to a private booth in the back of the Drunken Merrow.
"The Ka An Narath's chief concern right now is the situation in the Black Oak Cemetery. We fear that the outbreak of undead there is the work of Ivorin Beroth, a high-ranking cleric of the Black Skull church. We want you to find out if our suspicions are right, and try to learn as much as you can about what Ivorin is up to. You'll need to go into the catacombs beneath the cemetery. The catacombs will be full of undead."
"Here, take this," Rhynveir produces a wand from the inside of his robes. "It's a wand of healing." He looks at Aralu. "Now, what did you need identified?"
Aralu takes a moment and hands the wand of cure light wounds to Rhanviel and pass a holy water to Drozak, Hursk, and Niusha. Then she pulls out the dagger looted from Kajala's associate.
"Here, this is the dagger." Aralu says, handing it to Rhynveir. "Why do you suspect the Black Skull Church for the undead presence in the cemetery and the catacombs beneath?"
Rhynveir identifies the dagger. It is a +1 dagger.
"One of our informers has told us that a one-eyed white-skinned bald man in black robes and a group of other black-clad men snuck into the cemetery one night. The description fits Ivorin Beroth."
"I feel the want to inquire more about what it happening, but I want to move to address the cemetery quickly while we have the Lord of the Sun's blessing and Aedan's assistance. Until we meet again, Rhynveir."
Aralu will head to get Aedan, if he didn't come with, and then head to the cemetery once everyone is done talking with Rhynveir.
Aedan shows you to the entrance to the Black Oak Cemetery and explains to the guards there that you have been allowed passage by Folric, and the gates are opened. "Good luck," Aedan says. "May Abalor watch over you!"
On the other side of the gate a great cemetery with headstones upon headstones, crypts and lots of black oak trees, awaits. "Arrrr" you hear nearby and see the first five shamblers, on the cemetery path below a large black oak tree.
Aralu's scimitar is already out, since entering the cemetery, she moves up to the the most isolated of the shamblers, defending against being overwhelmed and outflanked, and attacks the shambler throwing the weight of her two hands and entire body into the strike. There is a lethal grace to her movements.
Initiative
"Die!" Hrusk snarls, lunging forward, bloodlust of his Ogren line for once unrestrained... till a puzzled look crosses his face. "Again?" He mutters, confused.
Attack , damage
"Lets do this
Niusha inspires courage for her allies.
Drozak will charge the nearest shambler.
Power attacking charge
Confirm
Initiative Order: Niusha, Rhanviel, Drozak, Aralu, Iruaka, Hrusk.
Niusha's song inspires you all with courage.
Rhanviel begins casting burning hands.
Drozak charges a shambler and decapitates it.
Aralu Aralu's attack against the most isolated of the shamblers, severs its left arm.
The shambler attacks back, lashing its right arm at Aralu.
A third and fourth shambler attacks Drozak.
Iruaka moves in to flank against one of the shamblers attacking Drozak.
Hrusk misses a shambler, and the shambler counters the attack.
Everyone may act.
Aralu brings her scimitar around to finish the armless shambler off before moving onto another with the use of the dagger.
Drozak shifts 5 ft and attacks another shambler, his curved blade singing through the air.
Hrusk HP 23/26
Hrusk roars, and slashes down on the Shambler who's wounded him...
attack , damage
Initiative Order: Niusha, Rhanviel, Drozak, Aralu, Iruaka, Hrusk.
Niusha, still singing, attacks the nearest shambler with her longsword.
Rhanviel casts burning hands on the shambler next to Drozak.
Drozak moves in for the kill.
Aralu finishes the armless shambler by cutting off its head with her scimitar. Blood spurts from the shambler's neck. In one swift movement she has brought her dagger into the neck of another shambler.
Iruaka moves in to flank the shambler engaged in combat with Hrusk.
Two shamblers and two skeletons are approaching. They are 30 feet from you.
Hrusk attacks one of the incoming shamblers, but he misses.
Everyone may act.
With a nod to Iruaka's excellent timing, Aralu moves to engage the next shambler, leaping and springing from headstone to headstone as if she were in some elaborate and violent performance.
"Hrusk, your club! Focus your might on the skeletons!"
Still slightly unbalanced from her previous attack, Niusha keeps up her song and tries again and misses.
Drozak wades forward towards the shamblers charging the closer one.
Power attack
Initiative Order: Niusha, Rhanviel, Drozak, Aralu, Iruaka, Hrusk.
Niusha, still slightly unbalanced from her previous attack, Niusha keeps up her song and tries again and misses.
Rhanviel begins casting burning hands.
Drozak charges a shambler and his elven curved blade cuts the shambler in two.
With a nod to Iruaka's excellent timing, Aralu moves to engage the next shambler, leaping and springing from headstone to headstone as if she were in some elaborate and violent performance, before she attacks with both her scimitar and her dagger, killing zombie 7.
Iruaka attacks a skeleton. He misses.
The two skeletons attack Hrusk.
Hrusk attacks one of the skeletons.
One skeleton remaining.
Everyone may act.
As Rhanviel finishes the ritual to unleash another wave of flames, he decides to hold it between his hands, as an archer would hold a drawn arrow in the knock. He would let his warlings dispatch the straggling lone undead, and unleash the new charge for when they came upon another pack, hoping that there was another yet nearby.
"Fantastic work, friends. At this rate, we could open up a morsel shoppe and feed hounds for profit..."
Aralu skirts up to the last skeleton trying to see if she can harm it with her poor implements. These blades are best for cutting flesh and sinew, not smashing bone. I should have prepared better. You're slipping Aralu.
Niusha ends her song, taking a moment to swap to her shortbow and nocks a blunted arrow.
Niusha's arrow shatters the skull of the remaining skeleton.
The great Black Oak Cemetery is in front of you, and you see several shamblers and skeletons in the distance. The path splits. Will you go right or left, or straight ahead through the headstones?
Flicking the shambler blood from her blades, Aralu hesitates an early celebration, "Keep aware, they fall easily enough, but their numbers can easily overwhelm and unlike us, they never grow tired. Let's keep to the right side so we have the cemetery wall to limit the avenues for enemy approach."
Aralu will perform a search of the bodies as the others gain their bearing and a quick rest.
You find derims and thalen