Darvin
   Secrets of Roderic’s Cove   

The small town of Roderic’s Cove is no stranger to problems. It’s been about 80 years since its founder, Sir Roderic, broke ground here and the town has persevered through banditry, piracy, and roaming monsters and goblins in the woods. But the people have always pulled through hardship, whether through their own comradery or the heroics of adventurers over the years.

It seems that it may be time again for heroes to aid Roderic’s Cove. There have been reports of abductions by bandits in the woods, skulking goblins and monsters drawing closer to the town, strange shadows gliding through the fog of the cove at night, and a gang of hooligans stirring up trouble in the town itself. But last night, someone took things too far. Six members of the Horned Fangs gang were murdered. Matters are quickly escalating, and Roderic’s Cove will soon need heroes to unravel the threats facing it.

Sometimes those heroes can come from unlikely places. A traveling sellsword looking for work, an exile looking to clear her name, and a local boy waiting for fate to call his name.

 Kenia 
Your protests fell upon deaf ears as the elders of your village, including your own mother, passed their sentence: exile. You are a traitor to your kin, having not only failed in your mission but being implicated in having assisted the outsider in stealing the artifact.

You know little about the “Fire of Thybidos”. The gemstone can empower magic, and is particularly attuned to destructive magic. About 80 years ago, the human Sir Roderic gave it to an elven friend for safekeeping, with the understanding it would be returned once more permanent and secure arrangements could be made for the dangerous artifact. The elders of Elnmel were always uncomfortable holding onto it, but have kept it secret and safe all these years.

After an outsider’s failed attempt to steal it, the decision was made to move it. You and several other youth were to quietly leave with the artifact and transport it secretly to a new location where outsiders could not find it. On the very first evening of your journey, you and all your companions fell unconscious after taking meals. When you regained your senses, the artifact was gone. Traces of a sleep-inducing herb were found in your backpack, and the other youth in your group spoke of how suspicious you were acting. It was enough to condemn you.

If the thief isn’t from Elnmel then the only other place they could have learned of the Fire of Thybidos was from Roderic’s Cove. If you’re to clear yourself with your kin you’ll need to find the thief and return the artifact and you’re certain they must have come from there. The journey wasn’t difficult, but you almost immediately realized how out of your element you are. You know nothing of the ways of humans, and this town is far larger than your small elven village.

As the sun set and you wandered aimlessly through the streets, an elven woman approached you. She called herself Audrahni and offered you a place to stay for the evening. You graciously accepted, and she promised to help you as best she can. You awoke briefly in the night to a knock at the door, and Audrahni excused herself. When dawn came, she had not returned from whatever had summoned her. Not knowing where Audrahni had gone, you made your way to the town circle to look for her.

 Kwella 
Traveling the world as an adventurer and sellsword was an exciting prospect. Your travels have taken you along the coast of Varisia, though to date you haven’t seen much excitement. You’ve mostly been employed as a guard, at most crossing your arms and looking intimidating to scare off the riff-raff. And unfortunately, many of your employers have been unscrupulous or untrustworthy so you’ve moved on rather than taking on any contracts.

Roderic’s Cove seems to be a significant improvement on Riddleport in that regard. The thinly-veiled pirate town was festering with corruption, but Roderic’s Cove by comparison has a much more intimate feel to it, with most of the locals seeming to know each other and no outward signs of corruption. Your contacts proved correct, as Lyndwyn Suvasa of the Cove Armory had the fine dwarven weapons you were seeking. Unfortunately, they were well outside of your budget, but Lyndwyn suggested that you wait in town a few days as she may have a job for you in fair trade for the weapons you seek.

You’ve been lodging at the Creekside Tavern for a few days, carousing with the locals and learning the rumor mill. In particular you’ve frequently crossed paths with a boisterous young man named Gregor who seems to take his drink almost religiously and can hold it with even greater fervor. He’s helped fill you in on the history of the town and who to trust and who to watch out for, in particular warning you about the gang known as the Horned Fangs who often recruit newcomers but are nothing but trouble.

Last night while you slept, you heard a commotion outside. Your window didn’t have a clear view of what was going on, and all you saw was a momentary spark of bright purple light followed by the scampering of footsteps and silence. Since awakening, all you’ve learned is that Captain Fresen came to the inn to take statements in the early hours of the morning, but left after it became clear that nobody here saw anything. You leave the tavern to investigate, emerging into the bustling town circle.

 Gregor Garrelson 
The prodigal first son of the Garrelson family, Gregor stands a head above most other men in the community. Your family have been here since the beginning, with your great grandparents being among the original settlers drawn in by Sir Roderic’s call. While you haven’t done anything noteworthy (yet), your family is well-regarded and you’re well known by almost everyone in the community.

Almost everyone, that is. Over the past few years an eccentric scholar has been buying up property to build a large estate at the north side of town, and have been pestering your aging parents to sell their land. Altogether they have been anything but neighborly. And then there’s the hooligans that call themselves the Horned Fangs. They’re mostly vagrants from out of town, the kinds of people Roderic’s Cove normally welcomes. But this gang has caused nothing but trouble.

These past few days you’ve taken to drinking and talking with a half-orc woman named Kwella at the Creekside Tavern. She doesn’t seem like the kind to join such troublemakers, and you made sure she was aware of just what kind of trouble the Horned Fangs were. She told you that she was waiting on a job from Lyndwyn Suvasa of the Cove Armory, and while you were deep in drink you also offered to help her out with whatever Lyndwyn needs. Well, a promise is a promise.

Late last evening, a knock came at the door. Your younger brother, Jon, works for the town watch and was called for an emergency shift. Jon returned by dawn and collapsed into bed. Whatever happened last night must have been pretty serious to summon extra watchmen, but not quite so serious if they’d been dismissed by dawn. Rather than interrogating an exhausted Jon, you made your way to the town circle to see what the gossip was.

 Everyone 
The Town Circle bristles with trade and socialization even in the early hours of the morning. The weather is good, with bright sunlight and only a few clouds in the sky. A few people look hushed or worried, but most go about their business as if nothing unusual had transpired. It might take some asking around to figure out what happened here.

There are a few things that catch your eye. A young elven woman (Kenia) with a bird perched on her shoulder is standing near the center of the circle. She is looking around like she’s lost and looking for someone or something. Despite this, she has a keen eye and seems to be astutely aware of her surroundings.

Local codger Bimmer “Possum” Coots is at the Circle Market, of course, as he is every week, selling cups of “possum punch” from his wooden cart not far from the old well at the circle’s eastern side. He’s just arrived, and a group of five young men and women have already lined up to get some of his punch and are chatting loudly with each other.

 
 Spoiler: Diplomacy DC 10 

You ask some of the other locals about what happened last night, and apparently there was a murder in the town circle!
 

 
 Spoiler: Diplomacy DC 15 

Asking a few other people, you manage to get details on the murders. Apparently there was not only one murder, but six. All of the killed individuals were members of the Horned Fangs gang.
 

 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 10 

What isn’t here is just as important as what is. None of the town watch are present.
 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Local DC 10 

The five young men and women in line at Coots’ cart are all wearing the sign of the Horned Fangs gang
 

 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 15 

The five young men and women in line at Coots’ cart are chatting rather loudly with each other, and you eavesdrop on their conversation:

“-and after all  that  went down, we split. I met up with Piri this morning, but neither of us have heard from Harry or Nells,”

“Haven’t heard from Don either,”

“Neither of you heard? Whatever spell those ponces cast just up and killed our boys. Dead as a doornail, that creepy elf is digging their graves as we speak,”

“What!? They’re dead!? All of them?”

“Ben and Ginny, too,”

“How!?”

“Whatever spell those ponces cast just struck them dead where they stood. From what I hear, Mo is  furious ,”
 

 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive DC 15 

A group of five shady looking individuals is slowly moving through the town circle. They’re eying Coots’ cart intently, as if they’re planning on doing something.
 
Stelio Kontos
Gregor found himself unusually on edge, what with Jon coming in at whatever ungodly hour it was.  The observant might have noticed a certain tension in the forearms beneath the layer of fatty muscle.  As he arrived at the town square, his eyes narrowed.  There were usually a couple of guards on duty in the circle, not that there was often much trouble.

That half-orc woman Kwella was there; Gregor gave her a friendly wave and a smile before lining up for a morning tickler of the punch to properly lubricate the senses.  The rowdy bunch lined up ahead of him weren't much of his concern ... but someone getting killed?  That, well, it'd explain a lot, he supposed, but it also made for a lot of questions.

  "Oi"   he grunted, tapping the man in front of him not-so-gently on the shoulder, just enough so he'd know who it was soon enough.    "What's this talk 'bout someone gettin' killed?"    It was a simple question, deserving he thought of a simple answer.  He folded his arms in front of him, awaiting a civilized reply, if these hooligans could muster one up.
Darvin
"Oh, and now the  farmboys  are butting in," one of the men turns around, but has to croon his head upwards to meet Gregor in the eye which shuts him up for at least a moment.

One of the women scowls as she puts her hands on her hips and addresses Gregor, "Six of our buddies got snuffed last night. Some pricks had been harassing fangs, and boss was gunna tell them off. A bunch of us came out to back her up, and our buddies got killed for it!"

"Yeah, I was there. We was just having words at 'em, at most throw a few fists to show we mean business, and they went and murdered us over it!"

"Look, farmboy, this ain't your business. We Fangs can look out for our own. Hell knows none of you yokels ever look out for us,"
NalaYoda
Kwella turns towards the beverage cart, her attention drawn by the sound of Gregor's voice, and makes her way towards the beverage cart to catch the reply of those he had addressed.
 "Six murders?"   She moves closer to the group, her interest piqued - maybe this is the adventure she's looking for.   "Something wrong with the guard here?" 
ploptales
 6 gang members murdered last night? Destructive spell-casting? Mo furious? Something major went down last night. I wonder if this is why Audrahni got a knock on her door last night... It would be worthwhile to poke around and learn a bit more. Gangs tend to have a good pulse on the criminal activity of a town and with any luck this might tie to certain little gemstone (Fire of Thybidos). 

Kenia slinks to the end of the line for some punch. Possum punch sounds a bit rabid, but at least she would be closer to the action. When in  Rome  Roderic's Cove right?
Stelio Kontos
  "Look, lads"   was Gregor's reply, as he took a subtle half-step back.  No sense getting into a scrap this early in the morning.

  "I'm not tryin' to make any more trouble than you've already got.  Just, bad things like that happenin' can be a problem for all of us.  Tryin' to figure out what sorta danger's lurkin' about, you know?  Not like anyone from 'round here to start runnin' people through like that, ya know?  Sorry for your friends, really I am.  Possum, give these'uns the good stuff, I think they'll need it."  
Darvin
 
 Originally Posted by NalaYoda 
 Kwella turns towards the beverage cart, her attention drawn by the sound of Gregor's voice, and makes her way towards the beverage cart to catch the reply of those he had addressed.
 "Six murders?"   She moves closer to the group, her interest piqued - maybe this is the adventure she's looking for.   "Something wrong with the guard here?"  
 

"Please, the guard here is a joke. Most of them are farmboys given a spear and a leather cap and told to strut about town like it means something. Freson's got all of like five flunkies who know what they're doing, and they don't care about us fangs anyways," one of the fangs turns to look to Kwella as she chimes in. It is true, compared to the other cities you've been to the guard here in Roderic's Cove seems disorganized, under-trained, and under-equipped.


 
 Originally Posted by Stelio Kontos 
   "Look, lads"   was Gregor's reply, as he took a subtle half-step back.  No sense getting into a scrap this early in the morning.

  "I'm not tryin' to make any more trouble than you've already got.  Just, bad things like that happenin' can be a problem for all of us.  Tryin' to figure out what sorta danger's lurkin' about, you know?  Not like anyone from 'round here to start runnin' people through like that, ya know?  Sorry for your friends, really I am.  Possum, give these'uns the good stuff, I think they'll need it."   
 

"You're right, Garrelson, when you lose a friend you need something with a little more punch," Coots proceeds to draw a flask from under his belt and pours a small splash of liquid from it into the mugs he's preparing for these customers.

"Garrelson, is it?" one of the horned fangs takes a sip of the drink, "we ain't looking for a fight. Never were. But we ain't going to roll over, either. The Horned Fangs look out for their own," he imbibes deeply. There's a moment of silence as the horned fangs look into their mugs of punch. However much this gang has bullied, intimidated, and caused property damage throughout Roderic's Cove over the last year, in this moment they are grieving. This moment of silence is cut short as five men approach the cart. They are muscled, visibly armed, and with a shady look about them. Gregor vaguely recognizes some of them as faces that have been around town before, but they aren't locals.

"Still parading around with those silly costumes?" one of the newcomers taunts the fangs. Each of them give him a murderous gaze but say nothing, so he continues, "word spreads fast, that you all turned tail and ran like cowards last night and left your friends to  die . Give it up, already, you're in over your head. Hang up those threads before you get hurt," he proceeds to poke his finger at a shirt emblazoned with the Horned Fang logo, earning a swift slap and a different finger flashed back at him in retort.

"I admire the spunk, but if you're smart you'll listen up. You're going to end up in a grave if you kids keep playing these games. Leave this kinda work to the  professionals ," the man continues to needle. Everyone standing around Coots' cart falls silent, and a few hands begin to slowly move towards weapons.

 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive DC 10 

This is going to escalate into violence if someone doesn't intervene  now 
 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Local DC 18 

These men seem to be Roadkeepers, a group of bandits who operate out of the Churlwood and charge a "road tax". Their presence in Roderic's Cove is unusual, as they usually give it a wide berth. It's equally strange that they'd care to pick a fight with the Horned Fangs.
 
Stelio Kontos
Gregor let out a loud sigh.    "You lots got a problem with each other?"   he said, raising an eyebrow as he half-turned to eye both the groups.    "Don't suppose you'd be willin' to take it out of town.  Most folk here got no quarrel with ya, just wanna go 'bout our business.  Not supposed to be no fightin' in the Circle."  
NalaYoda
Kwella watches, amused, looking for a chance to join the better side... the winning side?  No, she left that kind of thinking behind.  She's here for coin and to serve the common good of the people.  But what is that?  She needs to learn who these newcomers are and it seems like Gregor may have some insight... ah, but why have someone else do her dirty work?

Kwella swaggers up to the one she perceives is the leader of this group of five, projecting more confidence than she currently feels, and says,  "And who are you when you're not trying to cause trouble?"   Her green hand rests lightly and casually on the end of her longsword sheathed at her waist.  Despite her nerves, she's itching to create a little excitement.
ploptales
Listening to the others, Kenia quickly slurps down her punch.

  Damn that was tasty - the name did not do the punch justice.
2 potential leads... annnnd of course they want to kill each other. Maybe we can reason with these buffoons to not to kill the first thing they see in the morning. 

Taking a firm stance beside Gregor, Kenia nods in agreement.

  "The farmboy's got a point. This is not the right time or place for that. Why make sour grapes around the best punch in town?"  
Darvin
A cloud passes overhead, casting a shadow over the town circle, a chill wind blows between the two groups. Onlookers fall silent, watching and waiting for what happens next. Everyone's hands seem to be ready to draw their weapon, but nobody moves to do so yet.


 
 Originally Posted by Stelio Kontos 
 Gregor let out a loud sigh.    "You lots got a problem with each other?"   he said, raising an eyebrow as he half-turned to eye both the groups.    "Don't suppose you'd be willin' to take it out of town.  Most folk here got no quarrel with ya, just wanna go 'bout our business.  Not supposed to be no fightin' in the Circle."   
 

"Don't you worry, there ain't gunna be a fight. The Horned Fangs are  too chicken****  to do anything. They've been pissing off people inside Roderic's Cove and beyond for too long, and it's time for it to stop. There isn't going to be a fight here, because these  children  are going to go home, take off these ridiculous costumes, and  grow up ," one of the newcomers renews his taunts.


 
 Originally Posted by NalaYoda 
 Kwella swaggers up to the one she perceives is the leader of this group of five, projecting more confidence than she currently feels, and says,  "And who are you when you're not trying to cause trouble?"   Her green hand rests lightly and casually on the end of her longsword sheathed at her waist.  Despite her nerves, she's itching to create a little excitement. 
 

"I'm part of a crew that keeps the Churlwood roads clear of monsters, and Roderic's Cove should be thanking us for our services! In my line of work, you need to trust that your pack is going to be there for you. When you're luring a troll into an ambush, if anyone were to freeze or flee then the snare would fail, and it would rip us all limb from limb. Taking down big game like that takes real guts, and after last night we know these kids are  fangless . Run along now, and tell your boss that us Roadkeepers were here first, and we'll be here last,"


 
 Originally Posted by ploptales 
 Listening to the others, Kenia quickly slurps down her punch.

  Damn that was tasty - the name did not do the punch justice.
2 potential leads... annnnd of course they want to kill each other. Maybe we can reason with these buffoons to not to kill the first thing they see in the morning. 

Taking a firm stance beside Gregor, Kenia nods in agreement.

  "The farmboy's got a point. This is not the right time or place for that. Why make sour grapes around the best punch in town?"   
 

Eyes suddenly turn to the Kenia, and one of the Horned Fangs jumps back, "whoa! Where did you come from? What is  with  elves and sneaking up on folks like that!?" the horned fang exclaims. Kenia's timely interjection seems to have distracted the ruffians for at least a moment.

One of the fangs eventually speaks up, "let's  go home . I don't know any roadkeepers, and don't give a damn about what they have to say," she turns her back and begins to walk away.

"Hey, don't you turn your back on me, you b-" the roadkeeper moves forward and attempts to grab the woman's shoulders. The horned fangs immediately reach for their weapons, and the roadkeepers do the same. There's a hushed gasp among the crowd, and then

   Nooooo!   

The voice is booming, and gurgles with water as if coming from the throat of a drowning man. It reverberates in your heart, shaking your bones, and draws feelings of distilled mortal terror. Each of the roadkeepers and fanged horns looks up in horror, tries to scream but no sound emerges, and they turn and run.

Before you, a hazy shape takes form, faintly glowing and transparent. Drenched from head to toe, clothes tattered, hair wild, eyes gaunt, the visage of a dead man looms before you.

   My Cove! Nooooo!   

People further away scream, panic, and flee. Your heart bids you do the same.

(Everyone must attempt a DC 19 Will save. If you fail, you are Panicked for 2d4 rounds. A Panicking creature drops anything in their hands and flees as quickly as possible)

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Local DC 10 

Though his features are muddied by death, there's not mistaking it. This is the ghost of Sir Roderic!
 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Religion DC 19 

While the word "Ghost" is often used to describe any sort of departed spirit lingering the worlds of mortals, most such spirits are mere echoes. But this is a true ghost, Roderic himself unable to move on to the afterlife. Until his unfinished business in this world is complete, he is chained to it.
 
Stelio Kontos
  Hey now, don't --   Gregor began to interject, as his hands began to ball into fists.

Then ... well, he'd never seen anything like  that  before.  It was kinda scary ... but ... was that  Roderic ?  That  Roderic?  The sheer strangeness of the event outweighed any fear.  Surely Roderic wouldn't hurt the people that came to live here after him, would he?

  "What's wrong?"   he asked, looking straight at the thing.  "  Don't mind them, they're leavin'.  The cove is fine sir, we're takin' good care of it."  

He took down the rest of his punch before setting down the cup.
NalaYoda
Still shaking, but grounded with her hand on her trusty sword, Kwella steps closer to Gregor.  She didn't get a chance to grab some of that punch so she knows what she sees is not induced.  Turning to face the stalwart young man, Kwella whispers   "What... who is that?  Are we safe?" 
Darvin
Horned Fang, Roadkeeper, and ordinary townsfolk alike flee from the square. Coots cart is knocked over in the furor, but the old man himself has already scrambled away. Some clamp their hands on their ears to try to block out the wail of the tormented ghost as they flee. Kenia's eyes widen in shock and horror. She drops her cup with the last drops of Possum Punch and flees with the others. The only ones who don't run are Gregor and Kwella, who manage to maintain their composure against this frightful presence. The ghostly figure takes notice of them, but he is already fading and his voice slowly trails off.

  "My cove... my cove is not safe.   Many dangers threaten it, but  this one  is my fault.   I brought it here, put everyone at risk, kept it secret.   Took it to my grave.   My cove needs heroes who will finish what I didn't " 

The ghost trails off and fades from view. The town circle is quiet and empty aside from the two brave souls who managed to converse with it. After about thirty seconds, Kenia regains her composure and cautiously makes her way back. There's the sound of footsteps as a number of watchmen come to investigate what happened, but they are too late to see anything. They approach Gregor, hoping to get a straight answer. The scene is almost surreal, the toppled cart, mugs and cups strewn about, and puddles of punch on the ground, but no sign of what caused the situation to tranpsire.

"Gregor? What happened here?" one of the watchmen asks him in bewilderment.

"I can answer that question," an elven woman with long flowing black hair answers, having seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Kenia and Gregor recognize this as Audrahni. Gregor knows her as the newcomer in town who has taken up residence at the local temple a few years ago, and Kenia as the woman who gave her shelter last night. Audrahni approaches the location where the ghost manifested, then speaks, "that was the ghost of Sir Roderic. It's been many years since he last appeared, and he always seems to know when particularly bad trouble is coming,"

"Six people dead and now ghosts haunting the town circle in broad daylight? Captain Freson is not going to want to hear that," one of the watchmen shakes his head.

"It is the truth, and right now what the people need is reassurance that the cove is safe and protected," Audrahni points towards the growing crowd of worried and frightened townsfolk who are staying out of the circle, "right now, they need to be told that everything is safe and under control, even if it isn't," the watchmen frown, but with nothing else to do proceed to follow Audrahni's advice.

"I was walking to the circle when it happened, I saw it from over there. I saw you two hold your composure when faced with the anguish of Roderic's tormented spirit. That takes a very strong will. I'd like to discuss something with you, perhaps over bread and water?" she points towards the tavern a few paces away, then eyes Kenia who has returned to the scene. She gives a welcoming smile to her fellow elf and then invites her, "you should join us, too,"

Taking the three of you into the the Creekside Tavern, Audrahni selects a secluded table in the corner and orders bread and water as she promised. Her dark eyes drift from one of you to the next, sizing you up. At last she speaks, "I saw the confrontation that preceded Roderic's appearance, and how you tried to intervene and deescalate it. The cove needs people like you. It needs heroes who will try to put things right. The last time Roderic's ghost manifested, it was when a crime syndicate from Riddleport was on the verge of wresting control of the cove. His seemingly random hauntings served to uncover the schemes of Port-Governor Gildersleeves,"

 
 Spoiler: Gregor only 
Gregor vaguely remembers the debacle. He was a child when it happened, but the people of Roderic's Cove practically rioted and forced the Port-Governor Jess Gilversleeves and her family to flee. The Gildersleeves were never heard from again, though presumably they still live in Riddleport. Larenza Thort took over as Port-Governor of Roderic's Cove shortly afterwards, and has held the position ever since.
 


"Roderic cares deeply for the cove, and is perhaps more aware of the happenings here than any living man or woman. If he is stirred to action, it means he has good reason to fear for its safety. Ever since I heard the story of Roderic's ghost, I've tried to find a way to ease him and allow him to let go and pass from this world. It's what I do, aid those who are grieving to let go and move on. But I never managed to find whatever it is that weighs so heavily upon him that he defies natural law and refuses his rest. I think you three are the right people to do this. Help Sir Roderic find peace, and it will help the whole cove,"
ploptales
  Wow... just how strong was that punch?  

The Possum Punch was apparently more potent than she thought. Almost immediately after consuming it, she had strong visions of a howling dead man! Kenia's body took over and she instantly fled the scene.

After running for a bit, Kenia realized she was likely hallucinating and headed back to the cart. But something didn't add up -  why were other people also running and screaming?  

Audrahni quickly put those questions to rest:
1) The punch didn't cause a hallucination
2) The ghost was real - Sir Roderic himself
3) The bread in Creakside's Tavern was quite tasty. Kenia would need to try the local bakery at some point.

Munching on bread, Kenia gathered her thoughts.  Sir Roderic had to have known something about the Fire of Thybidos. If I want to find that gemstone I need to uncover the secrets of this cove and Sir Roderic   is   the heart of the cove. 

After being called as a traitor by her kin, a part of Kenia also itched to be a hero. Audrahni had a lot of insight and was very kind, so Kenia was glad to return the favour.

   "Thank you for the bread and hospitality. You can count me in Audrahni. Could you give us more insight on Sir Roderic? It sounds like his spirit is harboured by a secret."  
Stelio Kontos
 
 Originally Posted by NalaYoda 
 Still shaking, but grounded with her hand on her trusty sword, Kwella steps closer to Gregor.  She didn't get a chance to grab some of that punch so she knows what she sees is not induced.  Turning to face the stalwart young man, Kwella whispers   "What... who is that?  Are we safe?"  
 

Gregor looked down at her.    "I ... I reckon that was Roderic..."  

As Audrathi spoke, he shook his head.     "I don't think it was any big thing"   he said quietly.    "If it was Roderic's spirit, don't see any reason he'd have to hurt me.  Like you said, he's always took good care of this place.  

Accepting the invitation to the tavern with alacrity, he slid into one of the sturdier looking chairs, stuffing down a half loaf of bread in his mouth and practically swallowing it whole.  He pondered her words.    "I don't know nuthin' about bein' any kind of hero. But if you think the cove's in some kinda danger... you really think I can help?"  
Darvin
 
 Originally Posted by ploptales 
    "Thank you for the bread and hospitality. You can count me in Audrahni. Could you give us more insight on Sir Roderic? It sounds like his spirit is harboured by a secret."   
 

"That is a strong possibility. Ghosts are often trapped by the habits they lead in life. If he kept a closely-guarded secret, he would find it difficult if not impossible to tell anyone about it now," Audrahni explains, "I do know much of Sir Roderic, as he died many years before I came to Roderic's Cove. He perished not far out over the water, defending the cove form a pirate raid. His home on the outskirts of town was abandoned, and over the years has slowly decayed to the point at which the locals now know it as Roderic's Wreck. I have been there several times, though I've never seen any sign of Roderic's haunting with my own eyes before today,"


 
 Originally Posted by Stelio Kontos 
  He pondered her words.    "I don't know nuthin' about bein' any kind of hero. But if you think the cove's in some kinda danger... you really think I can help?"   
 

"Better than I can. I am... no longer able to confront tormented spirits like Roderic. I can guide and advise you, but this is something that must be undertaken by someone else. I respect Port-Governor Thort and Captain Freson, but they are better equipped to handle worldly matters and are outside of their experience and capabilities in handling the supernatural. Father Marphan and I do not see eye to eye on this matter. He is dogmatic in his faith. He means well, but he sees a restless spirit like Roderic more as a fugitive evading final judgement. He might be able to put Roderic to rest, yes, but he would do so by exorcising him by force," Audrahni extends her hand and briefly touches yours, "there is a better way. Follow the trail of haunts and sightings, find what Roderic is trying to point our attention towards, and set things right. It is the more difficult path than the one Father Marphan would take, but when you do so you will not only allow Roderic to have his final peace, but also save Roderic's Cove from the dangers that threaten it and its people,"
NalaYoda
Kwella ponders the elf's words, happily dancing in her head.  Here is what she was looking for: adventure, a new purpose, and all for the good of the many.

  "Whatever I can do to help, count me in."    Turning towards Gregor and Kenia, Kwella adds   "I'm really excited to be working with you two!"  

Kwella rises from her seat and, facing Audrahni, says   "Thanks for the bread."    Turning to the others, she adds,   "Should we get started?  I think we should get going and not lose any more time.  We should check out this old home of Roderic's.  There might be some answers there."  
Stelio Kontos
Gregor turned a bit pale at the thought of heading out to the Wreck.    "I, um... yeah, I suppose we could do that"   he eventually replied.    "'Fore we go I oughta tell Ma 'n Pa what happened, I think."  
  "I'm Gregor, by the way"   he said to the two elves, extending a hand large enough to engulf theirs in a hearty handshake.    "Haven't seen most of you around town much before."  
ploptales
   "The names Kenia and this is Aivela."     Kenia says gesturing towards her thrush. Aivela cheerfully flys in a circle to greet the others before returning to Kenia's shoulder.

   "That sounds good to me. Audrahni are you able to join us? I think you could provide some valuable insight since you've been there before. I'm curious if things have changed after his last appearance."    
NalaYoda
Kwella nods at Kenia's words and looks towards Audrahni, hopeful that the elf will join them, at least to travel towards the Wreck. It almost seems like she may know more than what she has said.  What does she mean she is "no longer able to confront spirits"?  There was a noteable pause in her words...

She glances over to Gregor and Kenia, seeing if they picked up on the hesitation.

  "Yes, will you come with us?  At least as far as you're able."   
Darvin
Audrahni pauses, as if carefully choosing her words, then responds, "no, I will not accompany you. I would only be a hindrance. But I can provide you some material assistance. If you would accompany me back to the temple, I can provision you with useful tools,"

She nods towards Gregor, "go and speak with your family, you can meet us at the Lady's Chapel,"

Audrahni pays for the meal, and the four of you depart the tavern. Halfway down the road, Gregor waves a farewell as he turns to head towards the Garrelson homestead while the rest of you follow Audrahni back to the chapel.

------------------

 Gregor 

You return home to see laundry hung out to dry and the door left ajar. Aside from your little sister Geraldine who is playing with the family dog, none of your siblings are about right now. You see your father carefully examining a gold coin in his hand, furrowing his brow as he looks closely at it. As you walk in the door he looks up and puts the coin aside.

"Gregor, my boy, you were up earlier than usual this morning. That's good, those late nights at the tavern need to end. You're an adult so I won't tell you what you can and can't do, but you should listen to your old dad's advice: don't be out after dark. Nasty things are afoot, and my bones are telling me that you're going to run into them if you go stumbling home by starlight," your father warns, clearly having heard about what happened last night.

------------------

 Kwella and Kenia 

Audrahni leads you along the main road to the chapel. Kenia remembers this well, as the small detached unit around the back of the building is where Audrahni lives, and where you were offered lodging last night. Today, however, she leads you through the main entrance of the chapel. It is a plain building with simple benches to serve as the pews. A carving of a stylized spiral is prominently displayed at the back of the room. Near the altar, six stretcher are laid out with white cloth obscuring motionless bodies. Audrahni gives a nod and a silent prayer as she passes the deceased, then moves aside a curtain to enter an alcove at the back.

"These are supplies I inherited from the previous caretaker, and they may well be useful to you," she proceeds to open a small drawer and withdraws a silk pouch. There's a slight clinking from inside as she retrieves it. She pulls the drawstring open and within are six small vials, "Holy water, it can be used to perform a blessing but can also be used in self-defense against the undead,"

She pulls out a footstool and climbs to reach something off the top shelf. She moves aside some dusty tomes and withdraws an ornately carved wooden wand. She examines it carefully, then nods, "it's mostly drained, but it could still save your life. If you're injured, this wand can help you,"

 
 Spoiler: Equipment 

Audrahni gives the part 6 vials of holy water, and a Wand of Cure Light Wounds with 13 charges remaining

Holy Water can be used to perform blessings, and can also be used as a grenade-like weapon against undead creatures.

Cure Light wounds heals the a target you touch for 1d8+1 damage. It can also be cast offensively to damage undead creatures, with a saving throw for half damage (the wand's DC is 11, your own spellcasting DC is not used for wands). Kwella and Gregor are both able to use this wand automatically, as the Cure Light Wounds spell appears on the Hunter and Warpriest spell lists. You do not need to know the spell in order to cast it from a wand.

Kenia can use the Use Magic Device skill in order to activate the wand even though the spell is not one she would normally be capable of casting. She must succeed on a DC 20 check in order to activate the wand. She can retry this check if she fails, but if she ever rolls a 1 then she cannot attempt again for 24 hours. She cannot take 10 or take 20 on a Use Magic Device check.
 
Stelio Kontos
  "That's a pretty name for a birdie"   Gregor smiled, reaching out to try to pet the bird as it fluttered about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~at home~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gregor bowed his head to his father.    "I know Pa."  
  "Somethin's happened in the Circle this morning.  I seen the ghost of Roderic.  And I know what you're thinkin' but it wasn't just me, it was a bunch of folks.  Most of 'em run away from it.  But I think somethin's serious goin' on, and ... I think I need to be part of it.  I think maybe I can figure out what's ailin' his spirit.  So, I might be goin' away for a day or two."  

He eyed the coin his father had played with and put away.    "Everything okay?  Is it money troubles?  If we -- I mean, I've got some saved up, if it's needed."  
Darvin
"Roderic? Drowned man speaking in cryptic warnings? I caught a glimpse of him when you were a wee lad, during the whole Gildersleeves troubles," your father scratches his beard, "no good can come from it if he's showed up again. Keep your head on your shoulders, and if things look bad then know when to run. Bravery and foolishness are favorite bedfellows,"

At the mention of the coin, your father looks at it and snorts, "nothing of that sort. If anything we have too many hogs this season and I sold one to Kelstrop this morning," He pulls two more gold coins out of his pocket, putting the three on the table. Gregor has taken hogs to the butcher before, and three gold pieces would be the normal price. All three are Korvosan sails, the most common denomination used by traders along the Varisian coast, and difficult to counterfeit since locals know them quite well.  His father grimaces, "she paid me up front and I went on my way, but as I jangled them in my pocket on the way back  this one  didn't sit right. It's the right size, shape, weight, and looks just like the others, but something feels off about it and I'm not sure what. My sight, my touch, even my taste tells me it's gold and to stop worrying. But something feels  off  about it,"
Stelio Kontos
Gregor held his hand out.    "Can I take a look?"    He pulled out one of his own gold coins and handed it out.    "We'll trade.  If there's somethin' wrong with it, I can talk to Kelstrop, maybe see who brung it in."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perception?  [roll] 1d20+7[/roll]

(I will not humiliate myself with an Appraise roll)
 
Darvin
Gregor's father hands him the coin, and as he touches it the surface feels like it's covered with some sort of powder or film. As he rubs it between his fingers the gold sheen smudges off and the coin now appears silver. Someone has cast a very convincing illusion over this coin.

"Do you see what's the matter with it?" the senior Garrelson asks, clearly still fooled by the illusion even as Gregor sees through it. Gregor is unfamiliar with the specifics of how such illusion magic works, but the scam is fairly obvious: to pass off a less valuable coin as a more valuable one. As far as he knows, Ladia Kelstrop has no magical training and couldn't be responsible for this, which means someone else must have paid her with the glamored coin which she in turn used to pay the Garrelsons.
NalaYoda
Kwella reaches out to take the offered holy water and ties it to her sword belt for safe keeping, leaving Kenia to take the wand.  The holy water can be equally divided between the three party members once they are all back together and headed towards their destination.  Something that can protect against the undead may be extremely useful on this quest.  However, her thoughts immediately travel back to the spiral in the other room; she's facinated with the design of it and wants to take a closer look.

  "Auhdrahni, can you tell me more about the chapel and the previous caretakers?  What does the spiral at the head of the chapel mean?"   
Stelio Kontos
  "It's not gold"   Gregor replied.    "Some kinda magic, I think.   Looks  like gold, but it feels like silver."  
  "You stay here Pa, I'll get to the bottom of this.  Don't think Missus Kelstrop could do that if'n she wanted to.  Someone passin' through's swindlin' the town.  They best hope I don't get my hands on 'em before the guard does."  

Gregor stood, fake coin in hand, and set off to the chapel.  There would be a matter of business to attend to before they left, if he had anything to say about it.
Darvin
"I never met the previous caretaker. He passed away three years before I arrived in Roderic's Cove, and Father Marphan immediately offered me the position when I arrived in town. I'm surprised he remembers me at all, we only met briefly years ago when he was visiting Magnimar, but I suppose I left an impression," Audrahni answers Kwella's first question. The second question seems to puzzle her, but then a smile creeps onto her face. She removes her scarf and flourishes it in the air as she begins a dance and song:

"Oh child, know the vastness of the world. Far more than can be fathomed in a single lifetime; more places to see, more people to meet, more things to learn, more deeds than you can ever complete. But when your time ends, when you take your final rest, there is one task we must all undertake, one being to which we must all attest. One last pilgrimage, one last journey, to the place where all rivers conspire, to the final spire in the boneyard where the dead retire. At the center of creation all shall pass, time stands still and moves like glass. Every life recounted, every soul weighed, every knight and every knave, for this is the court of Pharasma, the lady of the grave. A mother of souls, a witness to all truths, ancient beyond measure, before her all of us are but youths. There one journey ends, and a new one begins. To her, past, present, and future are all innate, for she knows the span of creation, she is the  Spiral of Fate ,"

Audrahni pauses, then ends her song, "this chapel is consecrated to Pharasma, the judge of the dead, and the spiral of fate is her symbol. Father Marphan is an ordained cleric of Pharasma, and for the time being I humbly serve under him as a caretaker of this chapel,"
NalaYoda
A smile spreads across Kwella's face, her tusks becoming more prominant, as Audrahni finishes her song.  Like a child, Kwella claps her hands with glee a the creative expression and explanation, wanting to know more.  This Pharasma sounds like a deity that might actually be worth looking into  further and perhaps following.

  "Thank you for that wonderful lesson,"  Kwella says.    "If I wanted to learn more about Pharasma, where should I start?  Well, after we do what we have to do."  
Darvin
"You are welcome to come to the chapel and study the scripture if you wish, though you do not strike me as the kind to spend hours reading through dry tomes. Nor are there regular services; as much as death is a unifying inevitability for all of us, people prefer more comforting faiths than the cold truths of Pharasma. It is why the Temple of Stars and Roads on the other side of town is the one most people choose to frequent, only entering this hall to attend funerary services," Audrahni turns her head towards the six bodies draped in white cloth, "there will be such a service tomorrow evening, though I suspect only Horned Fangs shall attend. None of the dead had any family in Roderic's Cove,"

At this moment, the doors open and Gregor strides through, returning from his trip home to rejoin the group.
Stelio Kontos
Gregor approached, not wanting to disturb whatever might be going on.  The furrowed brow hadn't left his face on the entire walk over as he thought about who might have been passing around phonies.  It wasn't something any of the locals would do, he didn't think.

He fiddled with the coin in his pocket, trying to capture the feel of it, in case there were other such coins about.

Satisfied that he wasn't interrupting anything, he ducked his head slightly out of habit to pass through the chapel doorway.    "I miss anything?"  
ploptales
Kenia:
Audrahni had the most knowledge of them all, so it made no sense to Kenia why she didn't want to join. Kenia shrugs it off and takes the wand from Kwella. Maybe she has a reason.

  "If the bakeries on the way I might grab something but other than that I'm good to go."  

Aivela:
Aivela recognises Gregor from the tavern and cheerfully chirps a greeting.
Darvin
After reconvening and a brief discussion, the three youth set out from the chapel. Audrahni wishes you well, but does not follow you beyond the edge of town. Gregor knows the way to Roderic's Wreck, though he hasn't been there in many years. As you round a bend, the two-story structure along the water's edge comes into view. It must have been a majestic building long ago, but today it is nothing more than a wreck. The house slumps visibly towards the water, one corner edging dangerously into the river. The entire house is slanted now, and rests uneasily. It looks like it should have collapsed into the river years ago. The construction itself is barely holding on, as well. Boards in the house's walls have warped and popped free from their nails, peeling back like bark from an old tree. Moss grows over the roof and clings in patches to its walls. A light haze of black mold and thin bubbles of moisture creep across both sides of the house's windows, obscuring anything that might reside within. The front door hangs slightly ajar. The sounds of buzzing insects, creaking tree branches, and the reiver flowing by hangs in the moist air.

There are two enrances to the house, a front entrance on the west side, and a back enrance towards the east. The Wreck isn't in great shape and you could attempt to bash a hole in the wall or break a window, though given its shape you might bring the building down on top of you. The back entrance seems rather perilous; it has pulled partially free of the house has come to rest in a very steep angle. Boards are missing or mouldering in places, and the river laps hungrily underneath. You will need to make an Acrobatics check to move across it to the doorway entrance.

 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 26 
You notice two tiny creatures roosting near the main entrance. They're well-hidden and barely move.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Arcana DC 10 

This is a Stirge, a flying blood-sucking menace. At first glance they appear to be a mosquito the size of a small dog, but their wings are more bat-like and their body is fleshy and maneuverable without the characteristic insectoid exoskeleton. They are a strange creature, likely the escaped creation of some deranged wizard in eons past that has since become endemic to the region.
 

 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Geography DC 15 

The river has naturally moved over the years, and its current position must be a recent development. When the rainy season comes, there is no question the house will be washed away.
 
NalaYoda
Kwella eyes the dilapidated structure in front of them warily.  This is definitely not what she expected to see, especially so close to a place as put together as Roderic's Cove.  Getting into this place will be tricky, and actually looking around will be more difficult.  She crosses her fingers that the structure won't come crashing down once they get closer and turns towards her companions.

  "What do you all think?"   Kwella begins, pointing towards the wreck.    "Do we go in the front or sneak in the back?  Should we go in at all?"    She looks up at her Roc, circling the wreck above, and has an idea.
  "Either of you opposed to Roccie getting a closer look before we decide?"  
Stelio Kontos
  "By Cayden's stein"   Gregor muttered, looking at the decrepit state of the structure.

Scratching at his beard, he replied to Kwella without looking at her.    "Front door, I reckon.  Back doesn't look like it'd hold me too well.  And, if'n you think it'll be safe, I've no objection."  
  "Am I gonna have'ta buy a bird to keep up with you lot?"   he said with a rueful smile.
ploptales
  "Back looks a bit too slanted for my liking. I will go by the front door as well."  

Aivella hops to Gregory's shoulder for the walk over, returning back to Kenia as they near the house.
Darvin
Gregor strides towards the door, eyes peeled for trouble. The boards creek and groan under his weight as he approaches. The instant his foot steps down on the last step, he feels a rustle of air behind his neck. Neither he nor his compatriots have any time to react as the two tiny creatures swoop down onto Gregor. One clamps down on his arm, while the other goes for his neck, and moments later a searing pain as they puncture deep and begin to draw blood.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Arcana DC 10 
This is a Stirge, a flying blood-sucking menace. At first glance they appear to be a mosquito the size of a small dog, but their wings are more bat-like and their body is fleshy and maneuverable without the characteristic insectoid exoskeleton. They are a strange creature, likely the escaped creation of some deranged wizard in eons past that has since become endemic to the region.
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The creatures have taken you by surprise. Gregor takes 2 points of Constitution damage as these nasty flying beasts suck his blood
 
Stelio Kontos
Gregor flinched as the bugs pierced his thick skin.  He eyed them carefully for a moment, assessing the threat, before bringing his left arm into the air to deliver a crushing swat at the one lodged on his arm.  Bugs were nothing new to him, but these were ... a little more inconvenient than normal, he had to admit.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action: martial flexibility -- Dedicated Adversary (these icky bugs that are eating me)
Standard: unarmed strike  (1d20+8)[ 9 ]  attack,  (1d6+7)[ 11 ] damage
 
NalaYoda
Kwella begins to move swiftly towards Gregor, starting to draw her sword at the first sign of danger but quickly rethinks.  Probably not the best idea to swing at these creatures on Gregor when she is more than likely to take his arm off.  Halting in her tracks, she calls out to Gregor,
  "What can we do to assist?  Roccie might be hungry."    Ensuring her sword is fully sheathed, Kwella approaches Gregor a little more cautiously, hands raised to swat at the creature on Gregor's arm if requested.
Stelio Kontos
  "Just get 'em offa me!"   Gregor shouted.    "I'll be still enough, just take your shot."  
NalaYoda
Kwella stops in her tracks and grabs her crossbow.  She loads a bolt and lets it fly at the ugly thing on Gregor's arm while Roccie attacks the creature on his neck.
Darvin
Kwella's crossbow bolt narrowly grazes the creature, but moments later Roccie swoops in. Its crushing beak comes in around the creature, and it tumbles off Gregor to the ground. Kenia follows up from behind, and with a quick incantation and glowing blue bolt arcs unerringly towards the second creature. It strikes with a satisfying burst of energy, and the creature loosens its grip and falls off Gregor. Blood streams down from the puncture wounds, but he is no longer in danger from the creatures. The two of them twitch on the ground, no longer able to fly but still alive.
ploptales
Aivella scans around for similar creatures, but these seem to be the only two.

Kenia looks at the creatures twitching on the ground   "Sheesh what were those.. Gregor, you wanna have at 'em?"  
Stelio Kontos
  "Dunno, but they had quite a sting!"   Gregor replied, rubbing the welt on his arm.    "I dunno 'bout finishin' them, it looks like they've had enough to me.  Anyway, we may as well keep on goin'."  
ploptales
 
 Originally Posted by Stelio Kontos 
   "I dunno 'bout finishin' them, it looks like they've had enough to me.  Anyway, we may as well keep on goin'."   
 

  "You are more merciful than I, but I agree we should get a move on."  
Darvin
As you collect yourselves after the brief battle, you notice that some of the boards in the front porch have warped and bent and given way, possibly as Gregor was busily swatting away the blood-sucking monstrosities. A slight glimmer of silver catches your eyes from underneath the porch, a small locket that seems to have fallen underneath the porch.
NalaYoda
Kwella watches Kenia reach under the porch and pull out a shiny locket.
  "That's a shiny, pretty thing.  Seems an odd place to hide it."  
Darvin
The locket is made of silver, and after brushing off dirt and grime appears to be in surprisingly good condition. Inside the locket is the portrait of a young woman that none of you recognize, though Gregor cannot help but feel he's seen this woman somewhere before.
Stelio Kontos
Gregor eyed the locket -- and the drawing -- with a furrowed brow, finally shaking his head.    "Aaaaaach.  Dunno.  It'll come to me."  
  "You hang on'ta that careful till we get back, now"   he admonished Kenia.    "Let's poke our heads in, then?"    And with that he made his way to the door, preparing to shove it open., and assuming the others would fall in behind.
NalaYoda
Kwella draws her sword, gesturing to Kenia to precede her into the crumbling building, and takes up the rear with one last glance behind her.
ploptales
  " Somehow I doubt this is Roderics. Let's keep a our eyes sharp. "  

Kenia tucks the locket away in a secure location and readies herself in front of Kwella.
Darvin
Gregor moves towards the door and shoves it open. Its rusted joints groan loudly, but it otherwise yields easily. A dank smell pervades the hallway before you. A set of stairs rises to the next floor, and the hallway turns sharply to the north past the staircase. The doorway to a closet underneath the staircase has fallen off its hinges, revealing collapsed shelves and soiled, rotting linens. Four other doors line this hallway, each one closed.

Counter-clockwise around the hallway, starting with the door nearest the entrance:

Door 1:
 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 19 

You hear a faint scratching sound coming from beneath the floorboards in this direction. Some critter, or possibly multiple critters, have taken up residence here.
 


Door 2:
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Nature DC 13 

You see evidence of unusual spider webs around this door, indicating a spider swarm likely has taken residence in that room. You'd best be prepared to deal with thousands of swarming arachnids if you enter.
 


Door 3:
 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 12 

A sickly sweet smell emanates from this door
 


Door 4:
 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 18 

You hear the faint giggling of children from behind this door. Something seems off, and you'd best approach with caution, if at all.
 
Stelio Kontos
Gregor paused for a moment, sniffing at the air as his chest expanded.    "Somethin' in there smells nice"   he said, looking at it with suspicion.  Then his head wheeled around, and he pointed at the far door.

  "There's  kids  in here.  Or at least, somethin' soundin' like 'em.  We oughta start there, I think.  You want me t'open it?"  
NalaYoda
  "I smell that too,"   Kwella comments but turns her attention towards the second door to her left.    "This door hides something that will be an adventure"  , she continues.    "I think we should leave this room until last unless we want to get tangled up in an elaborate web"  .  Warily, she eyes the door again and moves to stand with Gregor.
  "Kids?  How would they have gotten in here without triggering those things we got hit with?"  
ploptales
Kenia tries to detect for magic but doesn't pick up anytrhing. So she walks over to the closet and kicks aside the linen uncovering..... a rat.

Of the four doors:
Door 1: Aivella heard some critters scraping the baseboard. Might be more rats.
Door 2: Kwella said this one is an adventure with  an elaborate web. Best to leave this for later.
Door 3: All of us can pick up a sweet scent.
Door 4: Gregor said he heard kids in there.


  "I think there's more rodents in the first room.. didnt pick up much else. If there's kids we should check that out asap. Last door sounds like the play. Go for it Gregor."  
Stelio Kontos
 "Right"  Gregor replied, striding toward the door.  As he reached for it, he paused for a moment at Kwella's words.    "'Tis odd there'd be kids in there, hm?  Possible somethin' else?  Best be careful.  Cayden, watch over us will ya?  One of us ought be careful, and t'aint us."  
 
 Spoiler 
Cast Bless, just in case, then open the door.
 
Darvin
Gregor opens the far door, revealing what was once a beautiful sitting room. A moldering sofa sits along the south wall of this room, and once-comfortable chairs sit in front of mold-covered windows. The cloudy glass allows some light into the room, faded paintings of boats and the coastline decorate the walls. Stepping inside, all of you hear the laughter of children once more, but it doesn't seem to come from anywhere. A chillness falls upon you, the air grows still. The door slams behind you, and as you turn around the room seems to reorient. It's no longer ruined, tilted and dilapidated, but splendid and pristine. A young family sits in the room. Two children lie upon the rug on the floor, giggling, and third sits on her father's knee. Roderic sits there, appearing alive and hale, with a book in hand that he softly reads to his family. His wife sits in a nearby chair doing needlework.

 "Cunning Caroline curiously crept into the room, her nose offended by the odious odor of ogre. Hurriedly our heroine hid herself away, just in time to hear the thud of titanic toes trudging towards her,"  Roderic animatedly reads the book to his children, slamming his feet against the floor for dramatic effect. Roderic pauses, then looks up, his eyes meeting yours. Instantly the hale of youth leaves him, the children fall silent and they all turn to you. The lighting in the room dims, as if nightfall had come in an instant. The flesh sloughs away in wisps of shadow revealing skeletal faces. They all get up, they all eye you, and Roderick shouts loudly:

   "GET OUT"   

(Everyone must succeed a DC 15 Will save or be Frightened for 1d4 rounds)
ploptales
Kenia brace's herself. This was her second time seeing Roderic. Surely she could handle it... NOPE. Instead fear strikes her and she makes a rush towards the exit.
Stelio Kontos
  "It's all right, folks"   Gregor said, the brief wave of fear washing over him.   "It's Roderic, he wouldn't hurt us.  Oughtn't be afraid."  

Despite his reassurances, the big man did take a half-step back, preparing for trouble just in case.
NalaYoda
Incoherent muttering flows from Kwella's mouth as she continues to fumble with the door, trying to get out.  She barely notices when Kenia joins her at the exit trying to leave as well.
Darvin
Kenia and Kwella run for the exit, oblivious to each other until they practically collide as they both scramble to turn the doorknob. Kwella slams it open with her shoulder and Kenia rushes behind her. Gregor is left alone to stand before Roderic. His angry moan echoes through the room but begins to deteriorate into a mournful sob. The skeletal apparitions of Roderic's family seem to melt into mist and disappear, and with them the room twists and turns back into its decrepit state, but the chill gloom and foreboding aura continue to hang over the room. Water begins to seep through the floorboards, first a little and then more. In an eerie mockery of gravity it drains upwards and coalesces into the shape of Roderic's ghost. He is no longer skeletal, and appears as he did in the town circle earlier today. Drenched, haggard, tattered clothes, and dead eyes.

Roderic's bloated ghost points to Gregor and speaks in a hollow voice,   "The cove. The stone house in the wood. The gauntlet. Save them. My map. The key,"  

Roderic trails off,   "My map. The key. The gauntlet. The cove. Save them. The stone house in the wood,"  

Roderic turns away and looks out the window,   "The gauntlet. The stone house in the wood. My map. The key. The cove. Save them,"  

He rises towards the ceiling, passing through tiny cracks and holes in the dilapidated house, his voice echoing in the room,   "The stone house in the wood. My map. The key. The gauntlet. The cove. Save them,"  

The lighting returns to normal, and at least for the moment the room returns to its ruined state.
Stelio Kontos
Gregor stood frozen, staring at the ghost -- again -- with more than a bit of trepidation.  But if nothing else, he prided himself on trying to be a decent listener... and this seemed important.  He nodded at nobody with each iteration of what the ghost was saying.

  "Okay... right"   he whispered.    "We can do that."  

He wasn't quite sure what *that* would entail.

Making sure that no other spirits were about to inhabit the room, he took a moment to look out the window, in generally the direction that the ghost had stared off to.  It seemed an odd gesture for someone that was otherwise tied so closely to this place.
Darvin
The mold-covered window is impossible to see through, but it seems to be roughly in the direction of the road back to Roderic's Cove. Exactly what the ghost was staring towards is unclear, and trying to clean the window would be an exercise in futility.
NalaYoda
Kwella comes to her senses as she reaches the front door and stops, glancing towards Kenia.  That was something.... different.  With a sheepish grin, she turns around and heads back to Gregor who doesn't appear to be phased.

  "So... what did we miss, Gregor?"   she says, slapping an open hand on Gregor's shoulder in friendly gesture, her pride a little more dented than before.
ploptales
After catching up with Gregor. Kenia mentally jots Roderic's words in her head "The cove. The stone house in the wood. The gauntlet. Save them. My map. The key". This seemed important.

  "Maybe Audrahni has an idea of the stone house and gauntlet. I think we should continue looking around here for the map and key. What do you guys think? "  
Stelio Kontos
Gregor recounted the words from Roderic's ghost, before nodding.    "On with it then?"   he said, leading the way to the door nearby.  It had been a long walk after all, getting here to the wreck, and it seemed like there might be a little something to eat...
Darvin
After everyone had collected their wits, Gregor moved to open the next door. He moves to turn the handle, but finds the latch mechanism is broken and the door opens with little more than a slight push. You are met by a sickeningly sweet scent that hangs in the room's otherwise stale air. Mold and fungus grow up the side of the northern walls, and what was once a table lies decayed and slumped to the floor at an angle. A stone hearth occupies the west wall of the room, the oven's door slightly ajar.

 
 Spoiler: Perception DC 15 

Among the mold and detritus, you see the signs of a some sort of ooze that seems to be slowly digesting the pile of filth.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Dungeoneering DC 12 

This is a Garden Ooze, a protoplasmic collection of goop that ordinarily decomposes organic matter. They have no true intelligence, and gravitate towards places with ample decay. They react defensively to any approaching creature, and will attempt to subdue and devour them. However they are not too quick nor are they actively predatory so if you stay out of their lunging distance and leave them alone they will likewise ignore you. The ooze has an attractive smell that can lure small animals into its waiting grasp, but if injured the ooze releases a cloud of noxious vapors as an instinctive defensive mechanism.
 

 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge Engineering DC 10 

There is something very unusual about the construction of this hearth, and it doesn't seem to have a conventional chimney. However, you'd need to climb up into it in order to investigate further.
 
NalaYoda
Kwella glances around the room and sees the broken chaos, wrinkling her nose in distaste.  Hesitant to proceed to far into the room, she hesitates at the door taking a look at the hearth. Kwella ***** her head to the side and squints at it; something isn't quite right here and she points to draw her companions' attention to it's odd construction.
  "There's something up with the hearth.  It looks a little wonky.  I want to get a closer look at that."    She glances at Gregor and Kenia, wary of another experience like that with the ghosts.    "Gregor, Kenia, do you think it's safe?"    She takes another two steps into the room without waiting for an answer and then pauses to hear what they have to say.
Stelio Kontos
Gregor looked about the room... and grabbed Kwella by the scruff of her collar to stop her.    "Dunno 'bout that"   he said, pointing at ... whatever that was on the floor.    "I think I saw ... I think I saw some of the jam move."  
  "Which probably means tisn't jam, I s'pose."  
NalaYoda
Stepping back, thanks to the tug on her collar, Kwella looks down at the "jam" in question.  Jam?  On the floor?  She looks again at the hearth in the distance but decides the "jam" which Gregor saw moving is a little more important.
  "How does jam move on it's own?"   she asks to no one in particular as she stares at the substance more intently.
Her hand drifts to her sword again.  What would happen if she stabbed the point of it into the jam?
NalaYoda
Giving into the impulse - what is life without a little bit of chaos? - Kwella draws her sword, gives a cheeky grin to her companions as she grips the hilt in both hands, and stabs down into the jam with all the force she can muster.
Darvin
Kwella wastes no time in stepping close, lining up her sword, and bringing it down on the jelly. As her blade cuts in, a vile gas erupts from the oozing jelly. It gurgles, and then suddenly a tendril of goop, covered in rotting material, lashes out. Kwella ducks back and avoids the attack as it slams into a nearby wall. There's a sizzle as the ooze retracts, revealing a blackened stain of acid burns.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Kwella must succeed a DC 13 Fortitude save or be Sickened for 1 minute. Anyone who moves adjacent to the ooze must make a similar save.

Kenia and Gregor can each take their turn to attack this ooze.
 
Darvin
Kenia launches a Magic Missile at the ooze, which seems to deflate slightly at the blast. Gregor steps up to bring his blade down over it, but gags at the stench and his blow veers wide. The goop once again flings a tendril at Kwella, who ducks just in time to avoid it slamming into her head. A few hairs burn in the acid. Pustules boil up from the deep cut inflicted by Kwella; the ooze's outer membrane is on the verge of failure. One good hit will finish it for good.
Darvin
Gregor swoops in with a swift downward kick, slamming into the ooze and sending it splattering into several globs. It ceases its flailing and instead simply leaks a foul-smelling liquid over the ground. After a few moments the sizzling of acid stops, leaving only a pile of sludge and detritus.
Darvin
 Recap of our Live Session 
Kenia, Kwella, and Gregor continued their systematic search of Roderic's wreck, clearing the lower floor of swarming and giant vermin. After securing some valuables, they ascended to the upper level. Kenia discovered several a small fiendish creature sleeping in the master bedroom. It was startled by Kenia's approach, and fled out the window. Investigating the room they found someone had ripped up the floorboards to reveal a wooden box emblazoned with the name "Barakat". They took the box with them, though they did not know what it meant.

The group discovered a tormented Attic Whisperer who haunted one of the rooms. It was seeking "Katie", which matched the name of one of Roderic's children lost at sea. The creature reacted with hostility and the party fled. In the bottom of a toy chest, they found a small box containing a stuffed toy dog, which they threw at the Attic Whisperer before continuing their search. Finding Roderic's map room, they were once again brought face to face with Roderic's ghost. He seemed more lucid this time, and extolled them to find the Stone House in the woods and recover the Gauntlets. In the search, the party found a stash of gold that must have been Roderic's life savings, and took it for themselves. They fled a poltergeist that haunted an upstairs study.

Battered by their endeavor, the party returned to town and spoke with Audrahni who gave some suggestions on how to perhaps placate the Attic Whisperer without having to resort to violence. They also had a meeting with Port Governor Larenza Thort and Captain Julit Freson. When confronted with the name Barakat, Larenza became afraid and revealed what she knew.

Long ago in a time lost to myth and legend, an empire once stood in the lands of Varisia. The Thassilonians were both powerful and cruel, and were ruled by seven wizard kings known as the Runelords. Each of these kings had a powerful magic weapon that they would gift to their greatest champion, both to empower them and as a means of exercising control. Barakat was one of those weapons, the Sword of Pride created by the Runelord Xanderghul. Thassilon was destroyed during the Earthfall, a cataclysmic disaster that wiped out nearly all life upon the world. But the Runelords were too powerful. They sealed themselves away to sleep for an age, and return to rule this world.

All of this was thought to be myth and legend, until one of the Runelords returned ten years ago and plunged Varisia into chaos. Only by the combined might of the greatest heroes of our age was he defeated. Barakat represents a threat not just to the small town of Roderic's Cove, but the world, for whoever now holds it might well seek to wake another Runelrord.

The Port Governor assisted the party by providing some of the maps recovered from Roderic's home after his death, and one of them had a strange rune inscribed on it in the place where the Stone House supposedly stands. The seven-starred rune had a different number inscribed into each of the star points, though it's unclear what this means.

After their difficult trials at Roderic's Wreck, the party decided to rest and recuperate before the next day...

 On the way to the Inn 
As the group makes their way to the inn, a shrill wolf whistle rings out. It doesn't appear to come from anyone on the streets, and after a moment a second wolf whistle rings out.

"Heeeeey ladies," a slimy, hoarse voice rings out, "up here, come say hi to Mr Retch,"

Gregor recognizes the voice of the disgusting creature called Mr Retch. A foul-mouthed, irritable, spiteful, thieving, and downright unhygienic gremlin. Looking up to a nearby rooftop the three see what could at first glance be mistaken for a fat rat, but he stands on two legs and has a balding head that looks like it belongs on a middle-aged man. As you turn to face him, Retch proceeds to laugh and snort and then retch up a glob of phlegm that he spits out to the ground.

"Wow, you girls are nothing like the boring and plain girls in this town. You're setting entirely new standards of  butt ugly  that these backwater farm girls just can't compete with! I once dated a thrice-inbred goblin who made me want to puke every time I gazed into her deformed face, and I never thought I'd find an elf whose face made me  reeeetch  even harder," the gremlin proceeds to heave his chest and then spit out a disgusting globule that barely misses Kenia. His vicious eyes then turn to Kwella, "Nice sword you got there, tusks. Must be just for show, because you look like you'd never be able to get it into your sheath. Bet every sword you've ever grasped just goes floppy and limp in your clammy hands and won't fit in,"

Retch then eyes Gregor, "but hey, at least she  has  a sword, unlike  some  people. Am I right?"
NalaYoda
Kwella tips her head to the side, her eyes flashing with anger at the insult to her companions (she doesn't care what people say about her), and then slowly smiles up at the repulsive rat-man.
  "Any swords I handle require both hands and are the hardest of steel which makes them easy to drive home, unlike the one you allude to having.  I'm sure  that  could be handled with less than the first joint of a human's pinky finger; although, even that might be giving it too much credit.  I can also have any sheath of my choosing whereas you wouldn't even know what to do with one.  Scurry back to your hole, Rat, and contact a healer.  By the look of that foul projectile, it looks like you've just spat out the last of your brains." 
Turning her back on the vile creature, Kwella faces her companions and smiles happily.    "Tusks.  I like that.  Feel free to use it." 
Darvin
"I believe it, any sword that you were manhandling in those clumsy mittens you call hands would want to go home before spending another minute with you. I got more skill in the first joint of my pinky than you've got in your entire body. Here, give it a pull and find out," Mr Retch extends out his pinky; of course, the gremlin doesn't descend from the roof and instead proceeds to grab it with his other finger, gives it a tug, and a thunderous sound can be heard from the rooftops, "much better, I could smell the lot of you from up here and that's a big improvement. Were you raised by goats or something?"
Stelio Kontos
Gregor narrowed his eyes at the filthy distraction.    "Move it along, Retch, before I move ya along"   he said, rolling up a sleeve.    "Unless you wanna come down here and say it nice and loud to our faces?"  
Darvin
"Hah, a noodle boy like you couldn't even get a dog to move along by offering him a steak dinner. Speaking of which, here's a sample of tonight's cut at the Creekside," Retch proceeds snort and retch and then unleashes a stream of vomit directly into Gregor's face [Gregor must succeed a DC 11 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1d4 rounds]

"You humans think you're so smart, but you're all dumb and clumsy. Ain't nobody in this town who can stop Rim Retchlock from taking what he pleases, eating what he pleases, drinking what he pleases, and  reeetching  on who he pleases. Go on, scurry back into your little human holes,"
Stelio Kontos
Gregor took an unfortunate moment to think of a snappy retort -- and by the time he did, he opened his mouth at just the wrong time.  That was a new level of unpleasantness he had to say he hadn't experienced before.

Hands on knees as he spat out the remnants of *that*, and a bit of breakfast as well, he whispered   "If you could drown me in about five blasts of that water like you did at the wreck, I'd be grateful".  
NalaYoda
Kwella watches Gregor fall to his knees and then angrily glares back up at Retch.
 "You sonofabitch!" 
In a rage, she quickly draws out her crossbow and loads a bolt.   "You come down, or I'm coming up there to take you out, you bastard!"  
Darvin
"Hah, you look like couldn't hit the honch of an obese ogre with that contraption, Tusks. You'd never hit a gremlin like me. Course, you're a big clumsy target that's easy pickings for a clever little bastard like Mr Retch," he proceeds to pop a small rock out of a satchel and hucks it towards Kwella and it proceeds to smack into her forehead. It isn't heavy enough to cause any significant injury, but it hurts like hell [Kwella takes 1 point of non-lethal damage]
NalaYoda
Kwella starts to see red stars with a grunt as the rock makes impact.  Furious now, she lifts her crossbow again, taking aim at the ratman.
  "Oh no!  You cut your tiny little **** off and threw it out the window.  Poor, dickless rat.  You're a waste of space!"    She calmly takes aim as she asks Roccie to take another swipe at the thing.
Darvin
The gremlin ducks as the shot whizzes over his head and he sticks out his tongue at Kwella, "with a shot like that, even a corpulent bulbous whore busy going down on the town drunk ten paces down the alley is safe from you. But enough about your mother-"

Mr Retch is cut off when Roccie swoops in. The gremlin shields his face as the juvenile roc viciously pecks him, "F***! Get the hell off of me you s***stain a**muncher bird. Call off your f***ing bird now, you f***ing b**** of a motherf***ing c*** sucking c***,"
ploptales
"Ugh this guy is something else." Kenia rolls her eyes. He's just so... Scummy. Kenia and Aivella mutually agreed there would be no love lost if he was robbed. With him preoccupied it would be a good opportunity.

Kenia casts an illusion to scare and distract Mr.Retch. Sir Roderic was her scariest encounter to date, so she tried to contour up her memories of him:

Illusion:
A large dark cloud emerges to the side of Mr.Retch and the group. A hazy shape takes form, faintly glowing and transparent. Drenched from head to toe, clothes tattered, hair wild, eyes gaunt, the visage of a dead man looms above. Kenia makes Sir Roderic look at Mr.Retch disapprovingly and menacingly (but far enough that Mr.Retch can't reach out to touch it without moving).

At the same time Aivella approaches from the opposite side hoping to be stealthy. She notices the 3 charms hanging from Mr.Retch neck and makes a break for one. However, she got a little too excited and mightve sprung into action without thinking things through...
Darvin
Mr Retch continues to try and duck away from the Roc pecking at it, looking up in time to see a ghostly visage closely resembling Sir Roderick staring back at him, the Gremin's eyes widen in nervousness, and he proceeds to stammer, "Ooooh, it's you. No hard feelings about the time I had a dance party on your grave? Or the time I Retched on your daughter's grave? Or the lewd carvings I left on your wife's grave? Twice," at this point Aivella brushes against Mr Retch, trying to pilfer one of his charms. The gremlin ducks down and proceeds to tumble over some tiles on the roof, "not another one! F*** this, I'm out, here's what I think about your two birds," Mr Retch proceeds to hold up both hands prominently each with a specific finger outstretched, and scrambles away from the convincing visage of Sir Roderic and down the other side of the roof.

Aivella notices a small satchel that the gremlin has left behind. The thrush dutifully brings it down to Kenia. Inside she finds a mostly-finished bottle of wine and some dried herbs neatly stacked together. The satchel itself has something embroidered on its bottom: "Property of Jana Gold".

[You can pursue Mr Retch if you wish]
Stelio Kontos
Gregor put a gentle (if still slightly enretched) hand on each of his companions shoulders.    "Let 'em go, t'aint worth it"   he said quietly.

  "That's Miss Gold's bag?  She's still in town, I'd reckon.  Spends most of her time 'round Creekside.  I imagine she'd be mighty happy to see that again."  
NalaYoda
Patting gently at Gregor's hand on her shoulder, before hastily pulling it away and wiping it off on her tunic hem, she asks "  Who is Miss Gold?  And why would that  thing  have her bag? "

OOC - edited because I don't know how the heck to proofread clearly; or to add italics for emphasis.
Stelio Kontos
  "She immigrated from Riddleport maybe... five years ago?"   Gregor replied.    "Doesn't have a lotta money, far as I know.  As for why Retch had it ... dunno.  Stole it maybe, or found it after she lost it.  Don't matter really."  
Darvin
Following Gregor's advice, the group heads to the Creekside Inn where Jana Gold frequently spends her evenings. Upon entering and scanning the room, the group sees a small group in a table at the corner. Leaning back in her chair and wearing a distinctive tricorn hat is Jana Gold, and sitting attentively across from her are two young men dressed in a Horned Fang getup. Jana seems rather dismissive as they talk to her. She spies your group approaching her table and she waves her hand, "get lost, I'm in no mood for this **** today,"

The two men get up. They curtly bump shoulders with Gregor as they pass with a scowl on their faces. Jana scans the newcomers to her table, then speaks, "Garrelson, right? I don't think I've met either of your friends, though. The name's Jana, or "Gold" if you prefer. Pleasure to be making your acquaintance," she stretches out her hand to shake anyone who will take it.

 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive DC 16 

The way she's talking, Jana is acting like she's met Gregor before. Which is odd, because Gregor indicated he's heard of but never met Jana
 
NalaYoda
Kwella glares at the Fangs as they walk away before sending a quick look to Gregor, hoping the look conveys "we'll talk about this later", Kwella steps forward and firmly grips Jana's hand in a hearty shake with a smile.
  "The name's Kwella.  Nice hat.  Were those two bothering you?"  
Stelio Kontos
Gregor extended his large paw to the woman.    "Yes ma'am, that's right.  Gregor's the first name.  Sorry to be a bother Miss Gold, but I think we might'a found somethin' belongs to you."  
Darvin
"Thanks, it belonged to my pop," Jana tilts her hat at Kwella's compliment, then shrugs when asked about the fangs, "heh, they're a pain in the ass alright. They're basically lost kids, getting bullied by bigger kids and whining to the nearest adult about it. And sadly, that adult happens to be me. But most of my income comes from selling stuff to fangs so I gotta put up with it," she shrugs.

When Gregor addresses her, Jana corrects him, "Just 'Gold' if you please, none of that miss nonsense," but upon recognizing the bag, her eyes light up, "well hot damn, I figured that oversized rodent had taken off with it after he went and trashed the kitchen. Serves me right for thinking it was safe to stow my stuff in the back,"

She proceeds to open the parcel and look at the contents, "liquor is gone, no surprise there, but I guess the rat-faced scallywag didn't quite know what he had," she carefully examines the dried herbs then puts them back in the sack. She pauses, eying the three of you, then rubs her chin.

"I suppose you lot are looking for a reward? Afraid I'm pretty tight on cash right now. Those fangs you saw earlier owe me money, but they got shaken down by Roadkeepers earlier today. But I'm pretty well connected around these parts, so if you need a favor or some information I can help you out,"
Stelio Kontos
  "Reward?"   Gregor replied quizzically.  The idea hadn't even occurred to him, clearly.    "No... just, thought you oughta have what's yours.  We gotta look out for each other 'round here."  
  "But, now's you mention it... someone's come into town, passing around phony gold pieces with some sort of magic.  I s'pose the kind of folk you might know, might know a thing or two about it... no offense meant.  It'd be a big help for someone to keep their eyes peeled."   
Darvin
"Heh, sorry, I come from Riddleport and I sometimes forget the way of small towns like these," she smiles when Gregor declines the notion of a reward. She furrows her brow when she hears about the coins.

"I've heard about that con, alright. Guess you got stung by it? I've seen quite a few bad coins come my way over the last few weeks, and heard stories of more. Whoever is doing it is  experienced . They know how to mix a few bad coins with good coins and spread it out over  a lot  of transactions with different merchants. And when they slip the coins they're doing it in a way that the merchants can't see through the illusions easily. See illusions are really good at fooling eyes and ears, but not so much touch. They often melt away if you touch them, but if you stack your coins and put the bad ones in the middle, the merchant might never feel up the bad one," Jana explains, "so, whoever is responsible is doing a lot of business with everyone in town, is pretty good with magic, knows how to run a sophisticated scam, and doesn't give a damn about the locals. Pretty obvious, if you ask me. It's gotta be those 'Order of Resplendence' ponces,"

Gregor knows the Order of Resplendence, who bought up many parcels of land near his family's home to build their mansion. They're insular and don't seem to have any source of income, but spend lavishly on food and luxuries.