Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (IC): Thread 2

[Lycar]

Girgor, human cleric

Glancing over the chests and experimentally trying one lid, only to find it locked, Grigor mutters "We should check if they have the keys on them before we start breaking stuff." and turns back to go up to the prisoners and search them thoroughly.

[Skjaldbakka]

Tell: Grigor comes up the stairs to see Tell glaring at Redithidoor, holding the unconscious body of the imposter Jaroo in his hands. "This... thing kept a young druidic apprentice as an undead corpse in his basement. The only reason he is still alive is so he can answer my questions when he wakes up."

He pauses for a moment as his glance falls on Grigor. "Actually... Grigor! Are you able to speak with the dead?"

Megiddo: Megiddo will wait in the basement for Grigor to return, in case something is hiding there and tries to make its escape.

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Seeing the mental state Tell is in, Grigor decides to calm him down a bit.

"This 'thing' is still a human being. An evil human being but still. And as much as he deserves death as a punishemnt, I do say we let the militia and the local magistrate deal with this. Because Jaroo was the druid of this place and the people here need to get a chance to mourn him. And having a chance to try, convict and execute his murderers helps."

"As for you other question: No, I can not speak with the dead. Or rather, I can but they can't hear me and even if they could, they are dead. So they can't answer me."

Grigor makes another pause, then adds with a smile.

"Now if you would ask me if, provided I would ask Olidamarra for the favour, he might provide me with the divine spell needed to reach beyond the veil to contact the soul of a recently departed, the answer would be a definite 'possibly'. I will just have to pray tomorrow and hope he grants my request. But usually Olidamarra is pretty lenient when it comes to this sort of thing."

"Also, there are some locked chests down there. Maybe we should search these guys for keys before we start the breaking and bashing. Besides, the people of the village might take objection to us looting their druid's place. So taking a look, yes, just cleaning the place out like a kobold hoard, no."

[Shhalahr Windrider]

(( Sorry for the delay. Had an out-of-town interview crop up pretty quickly. ))

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

The revelation leaves Redithidoor speechless.

Results of search:

• Spellcaster
  
  • Breastplate
  • Dagger
  • Magic ring
  • Several non-magic rings
  • Magic cloak pin
  • Key
  • Necklase with black upside-down terraced pyramid, matching the one found on the Trogolodyte in the Moathouse
  • Money pouch (20 gp, 30 sp, 25 cp)
• Swordsman
  
  • Chain shirt
  • Longsword
  • Metal vial with a common healing rune on it
  • Metal vial with a sword inscribed on it
  • Unmarked metal vial
  • Envelope containing a reflective yellow dust
  • Money Pouch (12 gp. 10sp. 20 cp)
  • Small Key
• “Jaroo”
  
  • Bone-studded leather armor
  • Dagger
  • Hand crossbow in belt
  • 5 crossbow bolts
  • Unmarked vial
  • Small key
  • Money pouch (8 gp, 10 sp, 3 cp)

The Swordsman’s and Spellcaster’s keys open the chests in the cellar. The Swordsman’s chest contains a set of halfplate, a shield, a composite longbow, 14 arrows, and a few extra changes of clothes.

The Spellcaster’s chest includes clothes, a bedroll, a black robe, and a few more rings (nonmagical if you check).

[Skjaldbakka]

"Actually, there is a high probability that it is not a human being. I suspect it may be some sort of shapeshifting creature, perhaps a doppleganger," Megiddo chimes in as he walks up from the hidden room.

"It would be less complicated if we just killed them, but I will leave that up to you and Tell. It is worth considering that if this creature is able to change shape, the likelihood of it remaining imprisoned is slim to none at best."

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor checks out the contents of the chests but doesn't seem to pay the whole issue too much mind. There is something else bothering him...

"People, we should get the prisoners to the town. They have a prison where they can put them for the time being. Although the caster probably needs constant supervision to prevent his escape. But the people lost their druid and I'm certain they would like to get their hands on his murderers."

Grigor proceeds to grab one of the prisoners, ready to drag him all the way if necessary.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

Redithidoor nervously speaks up: “Maybe it is best if we get the militia down here, instead. Would be less likely to attract an unnecesary stir.”

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

"Fine," says Grigor, "who wants to do the honours? or should I?"

[Skjaldbakka]

"I'll go. Red, come with me." Tell says, walking towards town without waiting to see if he follows.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

Redithidoor gives the room a nervous look over before quietly agreeing, “Alright…” and following Tell out the door.

About halfway to the Inn of the Welcome Wench, though, they see Elmo walking down the road in the opposite direction. He gives a them a nod of acknowledgement as he prepares to pass them by.

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor nods and stands vigil over the vanquished foes.

"You do that. If these bastards do anything but lie around unconscious I'll kick their sorry asses right back into oblivion!" he declares with grim determination, almost as if he just waits for an excuse to inflict bodily harm upon them.

[Skjaldbakka]

"Elmo!" Tell exclaims, "Just the person we were looking for."

Assuming Elmo doesn't ignore them, Tell will whisper to once he gets closer "There is a problem with Jaroo, but better not to discuss it openly on the village streets. Is there someplace we can speak privately?"

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor, meanwhile, guards the captives.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Hommlet:: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

Elmo’s lips contort into a noticeable frown, despite obvious effort to maintain a straight face. “Well, I was just on my way to see him. Perhaps we should talk at his lodge?”

[Skjaldbakka]

"The lodge has been secured, we can discuss things there."

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Hommlet: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

“Very well.” Elmo remains silent on the way to the lodge.

[hr]
Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon
“What the hell is this?!” Elmo shouts upon reaching the lodge and seeing the bound and unconscious men in the lodge. He points at Jaroo. “Why is he bound?!”

At that moment, the Spellcaster begins to groan, as if his is regaining consciousness.

[Skjaldbakka]

Megiddo remains somewhat detached, as Elmo reacts to the scene. "That is a fair question. Allow me to explain with another question. Why would a druid keep his apprentice locked up in his basement? Apologies; the animated corpse of his apprentice."

"A better question would be 'how long has this tied up fellow been impersonating a druid, and for what purpose?'"

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

A stunned Elmo can only manage a flat, “What?”

[Skjaldbakka]

Tell will pipe up, a bit more heatedly.

"Some bastard done killed or drove off Jaroo and took his place. That or Jaroo was a bad apple to begin with. We found the body of his apprentice in his basement, desecrated by necromancy. On top of that, ears here says this Jaroo is using shapechanging magic of some kind to alter his form."

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

(( Re: OOC Request for corpse info: The zombie can’t be more than two days old, though his original demise appears to have been rather brutal. ))

“Basement?” Elmo asks, seemingly unaware of the cellar beneath the lodge, though his eyes do quickly find the trapdoor. Ignoring any sense of reasonable caution, he heads right down the stairs. It’s not long before a very loud “Blood of Karaan!”

At this, the bound Spellcaster begins to cough as he regains consciousness.

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

"Look who is coming around juuust in time." comments Grigor, who stands guard over the bound captives, sword drawn. resting it on his shoulder.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

The man starts to struggle against his bonds for a moment or two before opening his eyes. He looks around the room a moment before ceasing his groans and simply whispers, “Well, ain’t this great.” He then closes his eyes, as if doing so would make everyone else disappear.

[Skjaldbakka]

"In the interest of time, if you do not intend to answer any of our questions due to some misplaced loyalty in the people you work for, go ahead and tell us now, and we will be more than happy to speed your way to the afterlife you have chosen for yourself."

Megiddo - (1d20)[11] Intimidate

"Otherwise, you can start by telling us what happened here, and why the zombie of the deceased druid's apprentice was in the basement here."

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

“What was that doing in the cellar, huh?” the bound man replies a might too lighthartedly for his situation. “The creature was down there cause we didn’t want to deal with the stench up here! Hahahaha!”

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor just shakes his head.

"Jut go ahead and execute him. These fanatics are lost to humanity. Just too bad we don't get to se his face when he gets to the other side and faces his 'reward'."

[Skjaldbakka]

Meggido waits to see Elmo's reaction.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

When Elmo returns to the main floor and is brought up to speed on Grigor’s suggestion. “No. Not yet. We are bringing them in.”

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor looks at Elmo for a moment, pondering. Then he nods.

"Okay, I see that the people of the town need closure. But remember that casters are still dangerous when bound. We have to gag them too and make sure we find some quality manacles too. Also I advise to make a speedy trial. Come, let us get those scumbags in."

Grigor prepares to escort the captives and keep a close eye on them.

[Skjaldbakka]

Tell and Megiddo will comply. Both would prefer summary executions, but not enough to get on the bad side of the local guard.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Jaroo’s Lodge: Planting 10, Mid-afternoon

Shortly thereafter, the swordsman and the imposter Jaroo wake up.

((Wanna try and question them before Elmo has them locked up? ))