RC: Jalpiar - Pirate Treasure

Remove all ads!

After dividing up the proceeds from the sale of their excess equipment, several of the party members decided to upgrade some of their equipment. Aust was able to procure a wand of Color Spray that had only 25 charges remaining from Sortiarius’ Shop of Wonders. Since they didn’t want to disappoint High Minister Jorgen, they took up temporary residence at the Purple Worm.

During the first night, Syanne and Elstarius were awakened by the sounds of a brawl just outside their door. When Syanne cracked the door to see what was going on, she was able to witness the final throws of battle. There were two humans rolling around on the floor, each trying to stab the other with a dagger. Each of them managed to succeed. As the two bodies settled, Syanne noticed that one was barely alive. Acting quickly, she cast a Cure Light Wounds on the rough looking human who was grateful that she saved his life. He introduced himself as Black Bellamy. The other thug was trying to take by force an item he found. Since he couldn’t repay her for saving his life, he gave Syanne the item, a map case. He indicated that the map inside showed the location of an old pirate hideaway, one belonging to a long dead pirate by the name of Calico Jack.

In the morning, Syanne and Elstarius were relating the tale to the others when they were approached by an old sea farer named Iron Pete. He has overheard the name of Calico Jack being mentioned and it peaked his curiosity. It seems that following his retirement from sea travel, Iron Pete had become somewhat of a pirate historian. He explained briefly about the legend of Calico Jack. Reportedly he amassed quite a bit of wealth and hid it in a cave that he trapped against intruders. He then murdered his entire crew. Calico Jack disappeared over 100 years ago.

During the dinner with High Minister Jorgen, they inquired if he could arrange passage for them on a ship. He assured them he could and told them just to let him know where. He again thanked them for a job well done.

 

"Get us passage on a trip way away from our actual destination. We will probably be followed anyways, but there's no harm in trying to deceive any would-be followers. I really don't trust this situation." Robidolian sighs. "People don't just suddenly find pirate treasures of the caliber of Calico Jack. I'm all for going for the treasure, but we definately must try to watch our backs the whole way."

 

After spending the day upgrading some equipment, the party ventured off, following the newly acquired map. Elstarius recognized the area they needed to travel to as a marshy area north west of the city. With patrols from the city guard wandering along the road, the journey to the marsh was uneventful. Following the map, the party entered the marsh and began to follow a winding path into the bog. On each side, deep channels of water cut through the marsh. Heading north at the first split in the path, led the group to an area littered with bones. Khaira scouted ahead and found a hydra eating the remains of what looked like a buffalo. The party decided to persue the path westward instead.

When the trail had wound around again, leading them north, the trail again split, this time heading west and east. They headed west, and soon found themselves at a dead end. As they were turning around to head back east, a nearby bush sprang to life, the Stunted Shambler moved in and attacked. After a few rounds of swapping blows, the Shambler decided that the party was too much for it and retreated to the safety of a nearby channel, the party did not follow.

Each party member receives 300 experience.

Moving east, they followed the path as it wound around north and again west until they came to a rocky crag that jutted up out of the march like the top of a mountain. Three caves led into the rock, two of which could only be reached by boat. Entering the through the east, the party traveled down a narrow passage until they came to a door. With no signs of trouble, Thrimmel easily opened the door into an oblong cavern chamber with two capstans set into the floor. After searching the cavern several times, they discovered a few things. A secret door lay on the western wall of the cavern. Somehow it was connected to the capstans. There were spouts located about 8 feet up on the walls of the cavern, these too were connected to the capstans. In order to open the secret door, the capstans would have to be turned to their third positions. Robidolian, having had no luck opening the secret door using other means, and Khaira, who had a bad feeling about the cavern, exited while Thrimmel began turning the capstans. As expected, water began to issue forth from the spouts as soon as Thrimmel succeeded in turning one of the capstans. At the same time, the door the party entered through slammed shut and locked into place. After successfully turning each of the two capstans three times, the water stopped flowing. Eighteen inches of water had accumulated in the cavern. As Syanne turned to investigate the status of the secret door, Thrimmel noticed two crocodiles approaching from the southern end of the cavern. During the ensuing battle, Thrimmel took one massive bite from a crocodile, any of the others would have surely died. After a lengthy battle, the crocodiles were killed. Robidolian and Khaira were able to force the entry door open, just as the last crocodile was killed.

Each party member receives 300 experience.

With the water now receding, the secret door was pivoted open revealing a small chamber with another door on the opposite wall. After Khaira checked the door for traps, Thrimmel forced it open. Beyond the door, the party could see a large chamber. The floor of the large cavern was set stone, forming a mosaic-like pattern with square and circular stones. Hanging from the ceiling were dozens of cages. Four of the cages were on the floor, the skeletal remains of humanoids trapped inside. In the north west section of the cavern, 10 statues could be seen facing each other. Robidolian decided to move into the chamber, stepping only on the round stones. This turned out to be a lucky guess as he was able to determine that the cages on the floor were only over square stones. Following a path of circular stones, the party moved toward the statues. Khaira noticed a secret compartment on the pedestal of the first statue. It was trapped, but she was able to determine that opening the compartment would not set off the trap. Robidolian cast detect magic and determined that each of the statues radiated magic both Necromantic and Transmutation. Khaira opened the compartment and found it to contain two items, a key and the Queen of Hearts.

 

After examining the contents of the secret compartment, Khaira carefully checked each of the statues pedestals to see if there were similar compartments. Each one had a secret cache except for the center statue on each side, these had two such compartments. Having determined that these were also trapped with a similar magical trap, or suspecting it, Khaira opened each compartment. Inside each one, was a single face card and a key. On the west the cards were, from north to south, Queen of Diamonds, King of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Hearts, King of Hearts, and Queen of Hearts. On the East the cards were Queen of Clubs, King of Clubs, Jack of Clubs, Jack of Spades, King of Spades, and finally Queen of Spades. The center statues, having two compartments held the Jacks.

Further inspection of the statues and keys, without removing any of the keys, revealed little in the way of clues. Having nothing to go on, Robidolian removed the key from the compartment containing the Jack of Diamonds. As he did so, the statue on the pedestal underwent a transformation, becoming a huge 12 foot tall Zombie. The party quickly sprang into action, Robidolian was able to easily avoid its attacks, while the others slowly beat it down. Elstarius set off one of the cage traps in her rush to attack, but was able to avoid being trapped inside. After that the others were more careful in their attacks, avoiding the square tiles.

The next key to be removed was the one located with the Jack of Clubs. Robidolian chose this one because Calico Jack made the trap, both Jacks and Calico and Club began with the same letter. His inspiration paid off, they now had a key and didn’t have to battle a Zombie for it. A search of the cavern was performed and Syanne discovered a secret door on the east wall, north of their entry door. The key unlocked the door and, after Khaira checked for traps, the door was opened. Another small interim chamber with another door awaited them. Elstarius forced it open after Robidolian failed.

Each Party member receives 300 experience points.

Beyond the door, the party could see a large cavern, a small pyramid was situated in the northern end. Just to the south were 5 levers, each a different color, from west to east they were red, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Around the chamber, set into the floor were drain grates. Surrounding the Pyramid was a moat filled with water, while the top of the pyramid contained a pool filled with lava. Robidolian entered the cavern, heading for the levers. On the way, he noticed the charred remains of a humanoid, clutching a scroll case, Robidolian removed the scroll case. Thrimmel noted that the drains all headed in the direction of the pyramid. Syanne noticed 5 alcoves set into the upper walls of the cavern, each contained an instrument; A bell to the north, a Whistle to the east, a gong in the south-east, a drum in the south-west, and a horn to the west. Robidolian found a note inside the case which read:

“The secret passage leading to Calico Jacks booty lies beneath the lava pool. To unlock the levers, throw the one that rings the gong. Drain the moat before moving the lava. The blue lever drains the moat and sounds the horn. The red and purple levers do not control the lava. You’ll hear a bell if the lava flows into the moat. The lever that rings the bell is next to the green lever. The lever that rings the gong is at one end of the row. The purple lever does not ring anything. The lever that blows the whistle is next to both the lever that rings the bell and the lever that sounds the horn. The bridge lowers to a drum beat. The yellow and green levers do something to the lava.”

After pondering the note for a while, the party decided on a course of action. The red lever was thrown, sounding the Gong. Next, the blue lever was thrown sounding the horn and draining the moat followed by the yellow lever which rang the bell and released the lava into the moat. They then threw the Purple lever which sounded the drum, lowered a bridge over the moat, and locked all the levers into place.

Upon arriving at the top of the stairs leading up to the now empty lava pool, the party was met by a small reddish humanoid about 4 feet tall with bat-like wings. The little creature was taken by surprise by the party, and after an ineffectual assault, Syanne used her power to turn Fire Creatures. The Mephit fled to the safety of one of the alcoves, the one with the Gong. At the bottom of the pool the party could see a trap door. Khaira checked it for traps and after finding none, Thrimmel opened it up. Beneath it lay a staircase leading down and to the west.

Each Party member receives 400 experience points.

 

"We're going to have to deal with that thing. It requires magical weapons and you guys wasted my spell on my morningstar. Now what are we supposed to do? Douse it with water?"

 

Next session Sunday Jan 12th

 

The party made their way down the stairs, through the passage and to another set of stairs leading back up. Robidolian, having taken the lead, decided to ascend the stairs and was clubbed in the head by a pendulum trap. Khaira moved up to check out the trap and was able to determine that the first step triggered the trap. She was unable to disarm it so they would have to avoid the stair. Finding no other traps, Khaira opened the trap door at the top of the stairs and cautiously looked around. She could see a large cavern. The cavern was filled with murky water and a walkway lead from the ledge she was standing on to another ledge on the opposite end. The walkway began with paths leading both north and south eventually rejoining into one and continuing on. (see the map here: http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Calico_Jacks.GIF ) Khaira decided to check the walkway for traps, all the while attempting to remain in the shadows. She hadn’t moved south for more than 10 feet when she noticed that this section of the walkway was balanced on a central fulcrum point, and her end was quickly sinking into the water. She tried, unsuccessfully, to jump back, and tumbled into the water. At this point, the others were ascending the stairs and heard Khaira cry out for help. She quickly yelled out for the others to avoid stepping on the walkway and began to make her way toward the ledge. Unfortunately for her, she disturbed the constrictor snake in the southern pool area and it moved in for an attack. She managed to avoid its first attack, but was not so lucky the second time. It wrapped several coils around her and began to squeeze the life out of her. The others, in the meantime, began to fire arrows at the snake with Thrimmel scoring a critical shot which weakened the snake enough for Khaira to escape from the coils. The snake was finished when Thrimmel jumped into the pool and sliced it through with his scimitar as the creature was attempting to flee.

During the discussion of how to move across the tilting walkway, Robidolian made a rather inconsiderate remark about Thrimmel’s intelligence. Thrimmel decided to test out the fulcrum by pushing Robidolian onto the northern end of the walkway to see if it too would sink into the pool, it did. Being somewhat annoyed at Thrimmel, Robidolian decided to move to the other end of the cavern in the water, but ran into a crocodile which attacked. Robidolian managed to hold off the creature for the first round, and the party was able to fire arrows at it during its wide turns in the water. The second pass by the crocodile was not so lucky for Robidolian, but he was able to keep it at bay on the third pass during which the party managed to kill it with a final volley of arrows. Robidolian, still annoyed with Thrimmel, continued toward the far end of the cavern in the water, stopping briefly to take the crocodile’s hide for a pair of boots he would have made.

Since Khaira and Elstarius were about the same weight, they decided to try and move around the walkway, keeping it in balance with their opposing weights. This tactic worked and Khaira found a lever on the northern end which locked the fulcrum into place. The party then proceeded to the other end with ease. Khaira and Thrimmel helped Robidolian out of the pool when they arrived since he was unable to get on his own, being weighted down with his heavy armor. At this end of the cavern, they found a rune encrusted door. Khaira determined that the runes were a trap set to explode when the door was opened. Robidolian, still annoyed with Thrimmel, tried to push him into the door. While the two were wrestling, Khaira tried to quickly disable the runes, but failed and set them off in a loud explosion. The party was blown back with Khaira, Aust, and Robidolian being knocked out, and Robidolian falling back into the pool. Syanne quickly healed Khaira, then jumped into the pool to heal Robidolian. Upon reaching the walkway again, she healed Aust. At this point, with their repertoire of healing spells depleted, except for the wand, they decided it was a good time to rest.

Each party member receives 150 xp.

[ January 13, 2003, 16:15: Message edited by: Baldak Oakfist ]

 

"Aust, in the future, If you really want to get yourself killed... by all means be successful next time. I do not wish to use the charges on this wand if I don't have to"

After she healed Aust, Syanne got up to look around for a spot to sit.

"Rouse me when it's my turn to take watch."

After finding a place to rest, Syanne began to pray.

 

"OK, Thrimmel, you and I are getting into too many scraps. Throwing me to the crocs and laughing about it was a little too mean, but I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. You leave me alone and I'll leave you alone. Agreed?"

 

Following their near death experience with the exploding runes and having rested for a good eight hours, the party continued onward toward their goal. Thus far Calico Jack had devised quite a few traps for any would be treasure hunters and who knows else would lie ahead. Khaira checked the small chamber for traps and inspected the next door, paying attention to see if any more exploding runes were present. Finding no traps, she attempted to open the door. Even though it was not locked, it would not open. Several more party members tried to no avail until finally when Thrimmel and Khaira combined their efforts, Thrimmel on the handle and Khaira using a pry bar, the door was forced open.

It quickly became apparent as to why the door would not open easily. Covering the opening of the door was a grayish white substance that seemed like a combination of spider silk and mucus. Thrimmel sliced through the substance with ease revealing a large chamber. Through holes in the ceiling of the large chamber, light shone down casting an eerie light throughout the cavern. They could see and hear water along with the ghostly silhouette of a ship. Closer at hand, this portion of the cavern had veils of the sticky-gooey stuff that covered the door throughout it and there were three mounds near the center covered with the stuff. Khaira quickly moved into the shadows and began to investigate the area. Upon closer inspection, the “stuff” had an odor similar to salt water. She searched the area for a stick to prod the mounds with, and discovered a branch that upon closer inspection could be nothing less than a wand of some sort. One end was carved into the likeness of a skull and drops of reddish resin dripped down the handle giving the appearance of still wet blood. Having found nothing else, she returned to the party and gave them an update. Elstarius correctly determined that the mounds were some sort of egg sac/nest. Thrimmel decided to test out her theory and sliced into one of the mounds. Twenty small Aqua colored spider-like creatures, each about the size of a large crab, scurried out from the mound and immediately headed toward the water. Thrimmel killed one of the creatures as did Syanne. When the rest of the creatures reached the water, the party headed toward the bridge where Khaira was attempting to disarm a trap she had found midway across. From the bridge, they could see two much larger creatures approach the shore where the small creatures entered. The two larger ones did not leave the water. As the last member of the party passed by the mounds the remaining two mounds broke open and the creatures inside also scampered toward the water.

Having failed in her first attempt, but not having set off the trap, Khaira managed to disarm it on her second try. With that, Thrimmel leapt across the remainder of the bridge. When he reached the other side, he was greeted by three members of Calico Jacks crew, now walking around as the living dead. Two had become zombies and one a ghoul. He immediately attacked the ghoul and called to the others to come to his aid. Khaira was the first to arrive but Thrimmel had already finished off the ghoul so Khaira attacked one of the zombies. As the rest of the party was arriving, three more of Jacks crew came around the corner, again two zombies and one ghoul. Syanne decided to end the conflict for the time by turning the undead, she was very successful. With the undead now at bay in the next cavern, the party could pick them off one at a time. As they neared the next area, they found themselves faced with three ghouls and six zombies. As each one was attacked, it was able to attack in turn. They decided to take out the ghouls first then the zombies. This tactic worked well until Syanne’s Turning ended. By that time, only the zombies remained and they were dispatched in time. During the battle, Khaira, Thrimmel, and Aust were hit with only Aust being badly wounded.

Each party member receives 400 experience. (Each party member should now have a total of 3350 xp)

 

After having searched the barrels in the area, and finding nothing of value, the party decided to use the longboat to row over to the Flying Shark, Calico Jack’s ship. As they approached, they were assaulted by a barrage of arrows fired by 5 skeletons waiting on the ship’s deck. Thrimmel continued to row toward the ship, as the others tried to protect themselves from the missiles. During the first volley, only Thrimmel and Syanne were missed, and on the second, Elstarius and Aust each took another arrow. After Robidolian’s turn attempt failed, Syanne was able to channel enough divine power to turn the skeletons and they moved away from the side of the ship. Thrimmel guided the boat to the rope ladder hanging over the side of the ship and Robidolian began to climb up followed by Thrimmel. Syanne secured the boat to the ship while Khaira followed Thrimmel. Syanne then began her ascent followed by Elstarius and finally Aust.

When Robidolian reached the top, he was met by another volley of arrows. Taking one hit. He leapt to the deck and charged the skeletons. They fired another volley and scored three more hits. Robidolian finally reached the skeletons and crushed one with a blow from his morningstar. With Robidolian at close quarters, the skeletons switched over to rapiers and continued the assault, striking Robidolian two more times. Robidolian was, at this time, close to going unconscious and in a last desperate move made another turning attempt, this time it worked and the skeletons fled to the other end of the ship.

This time Thrimmel would try a different tactic with these skeletons. He was going to try and throw one overboard. Khaira decided to borrow Robidolian’s morningstar and attacked the skeletons. Thrimmel’s attempts were futile while Khaira scored a few hits with the morningstar. Syanne managed to take one out with a burning hands, but Aust proved to be the most effective against the skeletons, pelting them mercilessly with magic missiles until they were all dead. Thrimmel then tossed one of the now disseminated skeletons overboard.

Each party member received 500 experience points.

After destroying the skeletons, the party decided to investigate out the ship beginning with the deck. You can see a map of the ship here: http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/The_Flying_Shark.JPG . Khaira checked out the doors leading to the fore and aft cabins finding that the aft doors were trapped and she could not disable them. Inside the forecastle cabin, they found 7 disassembled ballistae along with three different types of ammunition for them; 60 with spear tips, 20 with grapple hooks & ropes, and 40 with mace heads. Thrimmel decided to assemble one of the siege weapons and used a few of the mace head missiles to batter through the aft cabin doors from a safe distance thus avoiding the ill effects of any traps.

His first shot punched a hole through the wall in-between the two doors, he aimed it there on purpose, and the second shot knocked the starboard side door off its hinges. As the door opened, the cabin inside was bathed in a greenish light that faded away after a few seconds. Thrimmel entered the cabin, scimitar in hand, to investigate the contents. Inside he saw a figure sitting at a desk a bed behind it. The figure, eyes glowing red, stood up and moved toward the door. Thrimmel decided to exit the cabin. The Wight pursued Thrimmel out on to the deck where Syanne again channeled divine power and turned the creature back. It fled into the cabin. Robidolian approached the cabin and also made a turning attempt in an effort to destroy the creature. It again fled, this time through a secret panel and up a circular staircase.

Thrimmel followed the creature up the stairs with Khaira and Syanne behind. As he reached the top, he could see the creature waiting in ambush for anyone coming up the stairs. Thrimmel, having moved up the stairs in the shadows silently, was not noticed by the Wight and he leapt to the attack and scored a hit with his scimitar. Khaira was next up the stairs and lunged at the Wight missing with her rapier. The Wight was able to strike Thrimmel temporarily draining (due to his making a fort save) some of his life force. Weakened by the draining, Thrimmel’s next attack missed. Khaira managed to strike the creature and was about to be attacked when Syanne reached the top of the stairs. Still under the effects of her turning, the Wight turned to flee and was cut down by Khaira’s attack of opportunity. Khaira took a medallion that the Wight was wearing for later investigation.

The secret chamber of Calico Jack contained a chest, a weapons rack, and an armor stand. On the weapons rack were two masterwork mighty composite longbows (one +1 and one +2) and a masterwork dagger while the armor stand held two suits of armor; studded leather and chain mail, both of superior workmanship. Thrimmel remained to check out the armor and weapons while Khaira and Syanne went below to check out the desk. Khaira was able to disarm the two traps on the lower two drawers of the desk and found two scrolls and a pouch of platinum pieces. Syanne meanwhile was busy reading from the Captain’s Journal and found out several interesting pieces of information.

1. A Sea Hag caused the demise of Calico Jack and his crew using a wand that turned them into undead creatures. The Sea Hag did this because Calico Jack stole a medallion from her. The Sea Hag was blinded during a battle she had with a giant sea spider eliminating her death gaze.

2. The medallion grants the wearer superior knowledge of seafaring.

3. Calico Jack also stole a gem called the Blue Star of Simberal which has some powerful magic properties that he can’t access.

4. South-West of Thoris is a volcanic island with a city built inside the crater of the now dead volcano. On the island live a cult of monks that are guarding a priceless treasure. (Jack never got to return and steal it)

Khaira found a poisoned needle trap on the chest and tripped it while trying to disarm it. She was able to move her arm at the last moment avoiding the needle. Unfortunately, she did not notice that the chest had two traps, and when she opened the chest, a poisoned gas filled the chamber, dealing damage to all three (14 hp’s and 3 temp. con. points) and knocking them unconscious. Syanne and Khaira regained their consciousness almost immediately, but Thrimmel needed some emergency healing to revive him. With the chest now opened, Khaira peered inside and saw a wealth of gems and gold, along with a potion bottle.

Wanting to further investigate the ship, the three moved back down the stairs. Thrimmel, having noticed another set of stairs used this set instead, followed by Syanne. Upon reaching the closed secret panel, Thrimmel could hear the his other companions and opened up the panel setting off the explosive runes which filled the staircase with magical flames, dealing damage to both Thrimmel and Syanne, Syanne managed to avoid some of the damage.

Each party member received 700 experience points.

 

After completing the search of the captain’s cabin, the party decided to investigate the lower deck before resting for a while, just to make sure they would not be disturbed. Khaira led the way, searching for any more of Calico Jack’s traps, but found none. The crew Quarters were located in the fore section of the lower deck and merely contained 12 triple bunk beds. Robidolian continued toward the aft section while the others were picking out a bunk to sleep in. Making his way down the starboard side hall, he went past a door on the left, and continued to the door at the end of the hall. Upon opening the door Robidolian could only see darkness but heard a voice speaking, that of an old woman. ”What tasty morsel has come my way.” Hearing the voice of what he suspected was the Sea Hag mentioned in the journal, Robidolian began to slam the door shut and flee, he was too late. The sleep spell cast by the hag overpowered him and he fell to the floor with a loud thud. The noise of rob falling along with the sound of the door slamming shut, alerted the others that something was happening. Syanne was the first into the hall followed by Khaira, Elstarius, Aust, and Thrimmel. Syanne was about to the galley door when she saw the door open. Standing in the doorway was the ugliest sight that any of the party had ever held. The mere sight of the hag caused Elstarius to feel weakened. Lucky for the party she lost her eyes in a battle with a giant sea spider. Elstarius and Syanne each struck the hag with an arrow while Khaira moved down the hall to awaken Robidolian. Aust let fly with magic missiles and Thrimmel drew his scimitar and also moved down the hall. The Hag charged Khaira but stumbled over the body of Robidolian, forgetting it was there and missed with both attacks. Two more arrows from Elstarius and Syanne and one thrust from Khaira’s rapier followed again by magic missiles cast by Aust and the Hag was finished. The remainder of the lower deck was searched but there was nothing else to find.

Needing at least eight hours to recover from the energy drain Thrimmel received at the hands of the Wight, the party decided it was now time to finally rest. During the down time, Syanne revealed two pieces of parchment she had found inside of Calico Jack’s journal. One was a map to the Island of Elmardia and the other was a letter from Abbot Olmaren to the High Priest in the Temple of Finasterra.

Map - http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Elmardia.JPG
Letter - http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Letter.JPG

After resting for eight hours, it was decided that they would attempt to sail the ship out of the cavern and return to New Jarla with it. Syanne put on the Medallion of High Seas which gave her the knowledge of sailing. She then gave out directions to the others and the Flying Shark was on her way. It took them about ten hours to reach the city of New Jarla by sea. They arrived at the port just after sunset and were greeted by two warships. The captain of the larger vessel hailed them then directed them toward the military docks. The consequences for failing to follow this direction were obvious. At the docks, they were met by a small guard contingent, 30 archers, and the Minister of the Navy, Alexis Dutra. Syanne met with her on the dock and explained why and under what conditions they were sailing this infamous pirate vessel into the Port of New Jarla. Intrigued by the story, the Minister of the Navy placed the ship under quarantine until she could meet with the High Minister to discuss the situation.

About an hour later, Alexis returned with the High Minister, Jorgen Von Arnim. Remembering the party as those who accompanied his father on his last birthday hunt, the High Minister cleared the party to take possession of the former pirate vessel. Alexis suggested that they change the name of the ship so as not to cause problems. The papers of Title would be waiting for them at the government offices in the morning should they decide to keep the ship.

Each party member received 200 experience points.

 

After selling some items, Syanne decided to go to the Temple of Kurusu to see what could possibly be done about destroying the Sea Hag's Wand.

ooc: I emailed everyone the amount of gp they received after everything was split.

 

Jaer Astra sat quietly contemplating the days tasks. As the high priest of the temple of Kurusu he had many tasks to perform and needed time each morning to get his mind focused. Fortunately for him there was nothing on his agenda that was of any importance. It was during this time that one of the acolytes approached him.

“Your reverence, an elven priestess dedicated to the god Kurusu is requesting an audience. She is seeking some guidance on the disposal of an 'evil' wand.”

“Very well, Gorin, I will be right out.”

Jaer stood up from his position on the floor and went out into the main temple area, a slight spring in his step. He always looked forward to attending to matters other than those at hand. Diversion was good for the soul, his mentor had always told him.

“Ah, greetings to you fair elf maiden. It is always a pleasure to meet with ones of your race that have found wisdom in the earth. My acolyte informs me that you have a wand you feel needs destroying. Have you discovered exactly what it does? I have found that very few wands are in themselves evil, rather it is in how they are used that make them seem thus. As for destroying it, the normal means are always a possibility, but there is risk involved with those methods. Breaking a magical device can cause all its stored up energy to be released in what would amount to a magical explosion. Perhaps you could simply use up all its charges and direct the energy into something else. There are a number of devices that absorb magical and divine spell power. I’m sure that Sortiarius has any number of items of that sort in his shop, or more likely in his posession. Perhaps he would be willing to allow you to cast the energy into them.”

 

"That is a very good idea. You see.. this wand belonged to a sea hag who used it to turn some pirates into undead. I came to the temple first since it's properties are not something I wish to have been handled by the wrong hands.. and my inexperience makes me incapable of dealing with such an item. Perhaps you can suggest exactly what will need to be done or what I should ask Sortiarius for, so that we won't have to worry about anyone else using it."

[ February 11, 2003, 01:21: Message edited by: Xenecor ]

 

"Well .... Let me see the wand. Perhaps I can determine what it really does and then we can proceed with a proper course of action."

Taking the wand from Syanne, Jaer inspects it then closes his eyes. After a few minutes of reflection and prayer, he opens his eyes.

"I was able to divine what the wand actually does. It can be used to cast one of three spells. Animate Dead, Slay Living, and Create Undead. All of these spells are divine in nature and all we need is an item that can utilize the divine power of these spells. Once drained of its current charges, the wand can then be safely destroyed. I'm Sure that Sortiarius has a Rod of Absorption or something of the sort that can be used to drain the wands powers."

 

"Alright, then. I will go to his shop as soon as I live here. But first, would you mind telling me what it would cost to purchase a mw healer's kit and some holy water?"

 

"We don't normally deal in trade goods, but we do happen to carry those two items you asked about as well as several healing potions and some divine scrolls. We ask a donation of 80 gold pieces for the healing kit and 25 for a flask of holy water. If there is anything else you would care to purchase, Gorin, will be happy to assist you. Have a pleasant day."

Jaer bows then turns and heads back to his private chamber.

 

Syanne bowed as Jaer Astra departed.

Handing Gorin 180gp she said
"I would like to purchase the mw Healer's Kit as well as 4 flasks of Holy Water"

Gorin retreived the items thst Syanne requested. "Many thanks for the donation. We will certainly put the money to good use. I hope you will find a proper solution to your wand problem."

[ February 13, 2003, 04:31: Message edited by: Baldak Oakfist ]

 

Robidolian asked Syanne about her visit to the temple and what the word on the wand was. "If it is divine power in the wand, why don't we transfer the energy into the healing wand? We could find out how much energy is in each wand and transfer all of the energy out of the evil wand and into the healing wand.

"If necessary, we could heal some local people in order to use more charges in the healing wand and then transfer the rest of the energy from the wand of undead.

"I really think it would be a waste to have someone else drain it for us. After we drain all the energy in the undead wand, we could just snap it in half without any danger.

"What do you say, Syanne?"