Session 12: Madness Waits

General Summary

Returning back to Siarhaven, they notice a commotion in the middle of the city, finding Dok and his ramshackle stand at the center of it. The crowd is fussing at him about "healed" citizens not being properly healed, from odd side effects, amputations, and "late healing" zombies. While not angry enough to want him dead, they seem to be furious and wanting refunds, though his friendly little skull, Philip sets about adding a, "No refunds," sign to the board. This goes against Dok's preference to offer partial refunds, returning half the money to the former "customers". He offers them free healing as needed, as well as a free item from his shop. They see if he has any idea how to read the inscription on the amulet, though in all honesty he's not the most literate of men. Instead, they ask to see his book. However, he warns them that the last time someone read his journal, well... Philip lost his body. From the sounds of things, Philip was his former apprentice, who stole the book from him and attempted lichdom. As is obvious, his attempts backfired horribly and spectacularly, leaving him trapped as an immortal, talking skull. 
Emyr goes into town to stock up on arrows; Eldin goes off to water his bow; Lavug goes into town to look for a hooded lantern, some oil for it, and a regular old bag, finding a satchel; Duul hunts down a multicolor box of chalk, a bag of flour, along with a great many other things. Slab obtains an entire keg of alcohol. With their shopping done, they make their way back to the estate proper, uneventfully. 

The Lodun Estate

Once there, they find that the chandelier has been repaired in the main hall, a magic circle drawn beneath it. The students inquire as to why he doesn't use the teleporter, though Duul's only real interest is on meeting up with Lodun Ó Scolaidhe. Dodging around the students trying to get him to take a scribing stone for the teleporter, he takes Lavug with him to meet up with the master of the estate. While everyone else goes off to do their own things, Slab finds himself a quiet corner to drink his mead, sharing it with anyone brave enough to try it. This, sadly, causes three of the students to develop alcoholism. Eldin attempts to fish off a railing, though his luck gives him.... only poor passer-by's clothing, causing a ruckus as he first takes one guy's pants, then a lady's entire uniform. He throws the uniform back down, landing on the poor pants-less man, and a fight ensues as he quietly ducks away. Maybe it would help to fish in an actual body of water.

Lavug's Bargain

Duul gives Lavug a glowing recommendation for partnership, and steps outside to let them speak privately until he is summoned back in. Lavug proposes the notion of supplying the estate with his tinkered weapons while, in doing so, having guaranteed employment and subsequently pay for his works. Lodun, in turn, counter offers that Lavug help teach the students in the ways of an artificer, with the added bonus of having free lodging at the estate in order to do so. They make the agreement, with Lavug welcome to come and go as he pleases to mentor students as he's able, but for now he is very much welcome to continue in helping Duul.

The Chosen

With Lavug done with his arrangement, he departs and lets Duul in to speak with his mentor. Lodun reveals himself to him as being the god of magic, Lodur, the one blamed for the Calamity. In doing this, he specifically requests that Duul take up the mantle as his champion, stating that he knows of no one better suited to the endeavor, though Duul strongly, strongly disagrees. He offers him, for this, the Mask of the Mage. Unsure but accepting as much as he's able to, Duul accepts the position and leaves. In the library, Lavug discovers that Coprix has been assigned the task of librarian, and he directs he and Duul to the section he detects they're searching for, telepathically. The pair make their way to the section in question, hiding out from the student body as they do so.

The Drowning Deep

Emyr meanwhile makes his way to Thimbald, asking him about the gem he'd taken from the Zealot Priest. He is confused by it, and asks if the monk would know anything about it. At first willing, his face drops when he realizes what the item is, informing him that the text is in Deep Speech, though he himself does not know the language. When he takes the gem back, he feels a tug and is given the vision of a blood pool, being told, "Come to me." From Lodun's research, Thimbald is able to indicate that everything properly dealing with the Calamity has been in some way tied to that language and its associates. Thimbald takes him to Lodun for translation and to uncover whatever they can about it, in order to avoid postponing such things any further. Lodun is immediately intrigued by the object, but in the most dreaded of senses, and is amazed that Emyr has held the object for so long and still remained himself. Emyr informs him of the strange concoction the Asylum's doctor had him drink. He informs him that he has no answers at this time, though it is strange that he can understand the voice but not read the text, and informs him that he has already requested that Duul bring the party back to the Asylum. Perhaps it will provide the answers he seeks. He then has Thimbald collect a couple samples of Emyr's blood before leading him back to the party.

Report Date

16 Feb 2021

Primary Location

Siarhaven