RC Jalpiar - Mystery of the Missing Constable

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After arriving in the city of Sibor Alga again, the party wanted to find out about this “glass-like” sword that they found in the old dwarven stronghold. They first went to “The Smithy”, the only weapons shop in the city. There they met Rurik Tolm, a distant relative of Kheldigan Tolm, the weapon smith that made the weapon they were trying to find out about. The only thing he could tell them for sure is that it was indeed magical, and that the substance was as strong as any steel he had ever worked with. Rurik suggested they visit a small shop called the Reality Wrinkle, a magic shop run by a gnome named Rannos Russale. When they arrived at the shop, Rannos was busy with another customer, so they waited. Unfortunately for them, he had just used his last identify scroll with his previous customer, but that same customer, he suggested, could possibly help them.

Nyora approached the elf, Raiwen, and inquired if she could possibly help them. As it would happen, Raiwen had a Wand of Identify that she had recently acquired, but she could not as of yet use it. Rannos agreed to use the wand to identify the sword and gemstone the party was curious about. The properties of the sword, named First Strike, were quickly discovered, but the gemstone seemed to resist identification. Verna stowed the gemstone back in her pack.

Raiwen noticed that Nyora was a cleric of the god Alvernus, and being particularly interested in archery, began a conversation. Through the conversation, it was discovered by the party that Raiwen had recently been traveling in the mountains west of the city, when her companions were killed, and she narrowly escaped death herself. Having lost several of their companions to other pursuits, the party asked her to join them, she accepted.

The group then made their way back to the constables office. The secretary was there, but she seemed distressed. It seems that the constable had left to investigate some minor dispute and had not returned when expected. In fact, he was missing for almost a whole day. She further complained that Barron Gunther Jeweleye IV had gone insane. It seems that for the first time in history, a non-dwarf was allowed to sit on the Barron’s council, A wizard by the name of Ghaerleth Axom. Needing to report the Orog activity to someone of authority, the secretary directed the party to the Captain of the Guard. His office was located in the barracks.

Arriving at the barracks, the party informed a guard that they needed to speak with the Captain. Merdick Forrun, the Captain of the Guard, met the party outside, and quickly brought them into his office. There they discussed the recent Orog activity to the north, and the Werewolf sighting to the east. The constable had indeed left and traveled with a small contingent of soldiers. He was investigating a series of disappearances, one of which was a wealthy land owner and councilman by the name of Ollum Hammersong. Having his hands full with the local troubles, others were missing also, he asked the party if they would venture out to see what might have happened to the constable. He wasn’t sure if there was any need to worry, but he was curious because the Barron had replaced Ollum on the council with a Wizard, and not a dwarf. Merdick further gave Nyora a medallion to identify the party as working for the captain and instructed them to speak only with him on this matter. He was not sure who to trust in this matter.

The party decided to begin at the Estate of Ollum Hammersong, the location where the constable was last headed. It was located about 5 miles north of the city. They first returned to the Inn to rest up for the night and set out first thing in the morning. Immediately upon exiting through the north gate, the party noticed some movement in the bushes off to their right. While they were distracted by a small rodent moving about, they were attacked from the other side. Nyora and Raiwen managed to notice the attack, and were ready. Three Wererats in hybrid form lunged at the party. The Wererats initial attack was vicious, damaging both Nyora and Raiwen. The return attacks proved to be futile. The damage caused by Raiwen healed as fast as it was caused. As the rest of the party joined in the defense, they could hear the guards closing the gates to the city. Olanth was teeming with glee at the prospect of using his new sword, and with one swipe, cut one of the Wererats in two. Nyora was again hit, and decided to retreat, allowing Olanth to take point. Naffin tripped the Wererat attacking Raiwen. Olanth continued his killing ways, cutting down another while the last one was finished off by Verna. Nyora gave some silver arrows to Raiwen just in case more lycanthropes were near.

Each party member receives 400 experience points.

 

During the walk to the Hammersong Estate Nyora spoke of a couple coincidences that she had noticed.

"I'm not certain if anyone else here has noticed or not, but, I was reading through this "brochure" here and it mentions this Barron Gunther Jeweleye IV as the mayor...., I suppose you can call it that. It also mentions that the primary export of Sibor Alga are gems from the Jeweleye Mines.

First we find out that this Constable is missing,.... than we find out that Raiwen's party was killed by an avalanche in an area rich with gems,..... now we know that the constable is missing because he's searching for some missing people including the council member whom Barron replaced with a "wizard" and not a dwarf. Not to mention the fact that the gem we found was supposedly unidentifiable.".....

"Raiwen, this map points to the mines being
in the west. Is that where you said the avalanche ocurred?"




[This message has been edited by Xenecor (edited May 29, 2002).]

 

Raiwen examines the map offered by Nyora. "I do believe the Mountains we were travelling in are indeed to the west on this map."

She hands the map back to her, "And I think your right, all this stuff happening seems a little coincedental doesn't it."

Keeping her pace up with Nyora's she adds, "Maybe we need to investigate in the area my friends were killed."

[This message has been edited by Kitiara (edited June 02, 2002).]

 

Verna skips along with the party. She never cares which way they go, as long as she can brag each time she saves their butts from a monster trap.
"So where are we going now?"

[edit: OoC look my gem is the "lynx eye" tee hee hee hee]

[This message has been edited by Serena Lynx (edited June 03, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Serena Lynx (edited June 03, 2002).]

 

"I think we still need to investigate Hammersong's estate and his whereabouts. I'm certain that wherever this all leads to, we will wind up at the mines at some point. We should collect as much information as we can about it before we go."

 

Following the attack by the Wererats, the party continued along the road until they arrived at the Estate of Ollum Hammersong. After explaining their situation to the guard, they were allowed entrance to the estate and were directed to the servants quarters. They were told to seek out Jorrun, Ollum Hammersong’s aide. From Jorrun, the party found out that Ollum had left the estate three days earlier and had not returned. The constable had arrived a day earlier than the party and also left. Both were headed toward the Jeweleye Mines. Further questioning revealed that the non-dwarf that was appointed to the council was a wizard by the name of Ghaerleth Axom, also known as the Dream Weaver due to his ability to induce a dream-like trance whereby the entranced can remember obscure information or even foresee the future. Apparently Barron Jeweleye has undergone this dream producing trance. After securing directions to the mines, the party returned to the city of Sibor Alga to secure a few supplies.

Upon arriving in the city, they proceeded to The Smithy so they could purchase some silvered arrows and bolts. After their battle with the Wererats, they did not want to take any chances. Verna noticed two rather large Humans following them through the city. When they emerged from their purchasing inside The Smithy, the two ruffians were still waiting. They decided that capturing one of these two thugs would be a good idea, and they lured the two outside the city walls, exiting through the west gate. Verna and Naffin hid in shadows and attacked as soon as the two were past. The others waited further ahead. Verna killed one with an arrow through the neck and Naffin managed to stun the other. The stunned captive managed to transform his shape into his hybrid Rat-Human form, but was finally tied up.

With Olanth standing behind her looking menacing and Verna holding an arrow to his head, Nyora was able to easily coax information out of the Wererat. He informed the party that he was sent to kill them by his master, a Wererat named Squim. The reason was that the party could disrupt the “plan.” The plan was unknown to this Wererat, except that he knew it came to Squim in a dream. He also told the party that the Wererat lair was located inside the Bell Tower at the junctions of the three main roads of the city. Further questioning also garnished the strength of the Wererat clan, 9 Wererats (One with the name of Turvin), 10 dire rats, and 2 gargoyles.

After securing all the information they could from their captive, It was suggested that Olanth kill the Wererat. He was unwilling to do so unless it was released. Instead of letting the creature go, Verna let loose with her notched arrow, sending the shaft of the magical weapon through the Wererats brain (In one ear and out the other).

Each party member receives 400 experience.

 

Naffin, looks silently at the bloodstained, tied up heap of a halfrat laying before him.

Turning to Olanth, "Do you think you can handle it?"

 

The night passed with little to disturb the tired adventureres. In the morning, the city was again beginning to bustle with the day's activities. From the center of the city, the familiar bell could be heard, tolling the start of the day. Only they knew what evil creatures were dwelling inside the tower, but what was their connection to the recent disappearances.

For a map of Bell Tower Square, you can use this link: http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Bell_Tower_Square.GIF

For a visual side view of the tower and a brief description use this link: http://home.attbi.com/%7Ebaldak/Jalpiar/Bell_Tower.JPG


[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited June 18, 2002).]

 

Verna makes her way to the door of the bell tower and when it’s freed of traps and unlocked, she motions for one of the others to open the door. “Anytime now, guys.”