Wed night online

Milla went exploring. First she called back at Umburto's and found Sarathien had 'come through'. Together they went to the last location shown on the map, which turned out to be a gnomish sage. For a small fee she told them that Zog was an official at Zhentil Keep, and a dangerous man to cross. She warned them not to use his name carelessly as the Zhents had spies 'everywhere'.
Jakob joined them and they crossed the square to visit Mendor's Library. This had tens of thousands of books and scrolls but was too chaoticaly laid out to allow them to find anything in particular.
They then went exploring further, wandering into the Kuto's Well district. A group of ruffians claiming to be 'welcomers' accosted them and tried to 'mug' them. A brief skirmish broke out in which Sarathien was scratched, drawing blood in return. Jakob tried to convert them. Two of the rogues were disarmed and they all broke off and ran, leaving two nice shortswords behind. Sarathien claimed one of the swords.

300 xps to Milla, Sarathien
250xps to Jakob.

(and Milla picked up the other one)

As they made their way back to the Laughin Goblin to meet up with Garacaius Milla gave voice to her thoughts:

"You know Jakob, maybe you are right about those thugs being more than they seemed. On the other hand maybe they have a wizard among them that can turn one of them invisible when they "hunt". We could turn to the local militia and ask them if they know anything about these characters. What do you think?"

"Even if it was a wizard," Jakob replied, "it's very rare in my experience for a bunch of hungry thugs to have a wizard powerful enough to turn people invisible. Another thing that bothers me is that they ran away very easily - we didn't even hurt them, and yet they abandoned two swords which must be worth a fair bit. My guess is that they wanted to draw us into a fight to test us, see how we handled ourselves, so that they'd have the advantage when they struck again. As to your suggestion about the milita, I have my doubts. If my theory is correct, then they're from a powerful group that wish us harm. They no doubt have tendrils everywhere, and control over the milita, be it through bribery or more subtle means. Maybe they're just careful. Any way, I don't think the militia will help us with this."

"Perhaps they didn't want to die... Not all thugs are suicidal you know, and they might show up around the corner to get their swords back. What is our next move, anything new on the scroll?"

Wed night online:

The party retired to their rented room to decide what to do next. Sarathien went back through the mirror to see if all was well, it was. The others retired early, having determined the bracers reduced the chance of being struck and the potions were poison antidote and darkvision. Sarathien returned the next morning with Iztar. Each trip through the mirror got a little easier.
Hayden led the group to the nearby Shrine of Tempus where they met Brommel and learned:
There was a feud between the worshippers of Tempus and Sunne.
He knew no more about Zog or the Netheril Scroll, however if Lothron the Sage couldn't help them perhaps Evaine of the Quivering forest might. To reach her they would have to journey to East Phlan and through the Valhingen Graveyard. Even then, they would only find her if she wished it.

50xp to Sarathien
100xp to Hayden, Jakob and Garacaius

Garacaius walks hand-in-hand with Iztar to the Mage Ward, interested in the more magical trade. As he sees the shopkeeper, he coughs to make himself noted.
"Good day to you, may I ask what wares you possess in the magical arts? I'm looking for healing as well, if you might have that in stock. And.. er.. yes, the scale of a red dragon would serve my interest as well."
He looks interested at the shopkeeper, waiting for reply.

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited January 10, 2002).]

Sitting in the mirror room Jakob tries to plan his purchases. No mean feat since he has to root through his disorganised gear to find out what he actually needs, and then try to remember in which pockets and pouches he left all his money so that he can count it. Eventually he comes to a decision, and announces to anyone who cares to listen, "I've got some provisions to buy, but after yesterday, I'm not too sure about travelling alone. If some of us are going the same way, it might be better for us to stick together. I'm thinking about buying a cold weather outfit, some leather armour, a couple of quivers of bolts and - ooh, say five silvered bolts. So I'd need to go to the Tanned Hide, probably the textile district, and a fletcher's. Of course, I might be able to get one or more of these things at some sort of general provisions store. How about the rest of you?"

16th Eleint, Ohlo's Potions, S29 on map

A wizened old man peered at Garacaius from behind a pair of peeble lensed spectacles. Row upon row of coloured bottles filled every shelf.
"If it's potions yer want, yer've come to the right place young fellah. I got healing potions from 50gp all the way up to 750gp, and I do a nice love potion for 150gp" he winked, slyly. "I got most spell components for 1gp."

Jakob remembered the directions to Tanned Hide Leathers given to him by Sot. M19, edge of the textile district.

"I'll be happy to go shopping with you Jakob. I need to buy much the same things as you, excluding the leather armour of course. I never feel comfortable wearing armour. It is too confining for me."

Milla stands by the door.
"Tanned Hide first, or?"

"That sounds fine by me," replied Jakob, "Perhaps we would be best to wait in case Sarathien or Hayden are going our way as well. I may be over-reacting, but you can't be sure of anything these days. it's the same with the armour actually, I feel the same way you do, and I've never had need of it before, but with all the scrapes we're getting into, I'd feel better with a bit of protection. I just hope it isn't too uncomfortable."

Garacaius snickers at his comment; "No thank you, I need no potions for love. Though I would like a healing potion for 50gp. Do you happen to have the following components, a red dragon scale, an eyelash coated in gum arabic, a feather and powdered rhubarb leaf and an adder's stomach among your spell components?"

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited January 11, 2002).]

"I will not be doing any purchases as far as I know, but I will gladly walk with you whereever you are going. I would not want anything like what happened yesterday to happen again.
Perhaps we could pass by a weaponsmithy though, to get an appraisal on these shortswords the thieves dropped. Perhaps we could even learn something of their history, thus giving us information regarding the would-be robbers."

Sarathien looks to Hayden: "Will you come with us as well?"

Ohlo shrugged his shoulders. "Very well, so that'll be 50gp for the healing potion and 1gp each for the spell components."

Strolling up towards the Textile Ward the others passed 'Matteo's Arms and armour' (P-30) A half elf stood behind the counter, polishing a longsword.

Looking over to Sarathien, Hayden nods. "I do believe I will go. I feel like getting out, and maybe we will see those guys who attacked us. I would like to meet up with them again."

Garacaius hands him the 55 gold pieces, and asks in a lower voice. "Are there any yet unreclaimed artifacts of powerful magic in these areas? Or perhaps magical sites of the elder days?"


[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited January 11, 2002).]

"If it's powerful magic you are interested in you'd best talk to the present owner of Denlor's Tower, calls herself 'Rowena'. But you'd best not waste her time, they say she polymorphed the last time waster into a squirrel."

"Thank you, I will keep that in mind. Where may I find the tower?"

....

Garacaius then departs with Iztar and heads for Segga's room to see if anyone if left there.

The rest of the party entered 'Matteo's Arms and armour' since they were passing by.

Milla approaches the half-elf behind the counter.
"Good morning my good man, I'm interested in purchasing 20 crossbow bolts and 5 silvered bolts. And maybe you could tell me how much I would get for this valuable item?"
Milla shows the short sword that was dropped by Leyla(sp?) observing the half-elf for any reactions as she does so.

"Certainly Ma'am. That'll be 7gp for the bolts. Let me see; good balance, keen edge, as I thought, tiny 'M' on the hilt. This is a Melvaunt blade made by a mastercraftsman. I'll give you 150gp for it."

Jakob's eyes widen as he hears the value of the sword. "It must have been worth about three hundred gold pieces new - more money than I've ever seen together in one place!" he breathes. "There's definetely something odd about these 'thieves'." After Milla has completed all her dealings, he approaches the counter, and addresses the half-elf, "Good morning, I would also like to purchase twenty crossbow bolts, and five silvered bolts. In addition, I would like a suit of leather armour, if you carry such in my size."

"Certainly, master gnome. That'll be 7gp too. Alas, I only stock metal armour. You'll need to visit 'Tanned Hides' for leathers."

"How much does your banded mail run? That is if you have any?"

Hayden walks through the store looking at the different arms and armor.

Sarathien looks at the sword he got from Erek to see if it holds a similar 'M' mark on the hilt.

Indicating Milla's sword, he asks :
"Peredhil, if I wanted to buy a blade like that in Phlan, where would you advice me to go?"

[This message has been edited by Vanadin (edited January 14, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Vanadin (edited January 14, 2002).]

"Oh I have banded mail alright, made from the finest Thar iron. But it isn't cheap, 250gp and worth every coin.
I stock Melvaunt blades, but not shortswords like this. Now you'd hardly expect me to recommend a competitor would you?"

Sarathien's blade was the twin of Milla's, right down to the tiny M on the hilt.

"250 gold? Well, that is a little more than I have right now. I'll just have to come back later."

"I can see you would not do such a thing, however I am not interested in buying a blade. I merely wish to learn the origins of these two blades."

Sarathien gets a gold coin from his purse.

"I will give you this for the information, now will you please tell me who sells these?"

"Well, they could have been bought in Melvaunt, it's only a couple of days east of here. On the other hand, I hear there's a man name of Jerome in Old Phlan who imports such things. Don't ask me where his shop is, I stay this side of the river."
With that Matteo pocketed the coin. Milla sold a sword for 150gp.

They moved on to Tanned Hides where Jakob invested in leather armour, then on again into the textile district where oilskin cloaks were purchased.
The party then resolved to go through Old Phlan to try and find Evaine. Passing the Town hall they noticed 'missions' posted. Hayden took on a mission to investigate undead in the Valhingen Graveyard and Jakob took one to eliminate giant rats in the River Ward. They crossed the Stojanow Bridge into Old Phlan, heeding the guards warnings.
Walking down the rundown streets between delapidated houses their spirits sank into the chill mist. At a fork in the road they headed north and arrived at the locked iron gates of the Valhingen Graveyard. Garacaius sent Shadowfang aloft.


[This message has been edited by Erran (edited January 17, 2002).]

Sarathien felt the gates, finding them locked. Turning to his companions, he spoke:

"Well, it is time to make a grand entrance I guess. To my limited knowledge of undead they seldom prefer stealth, so I do not think we need to worry about knives in the back anymore."

Sarathien drew his longsword and looked through the fence to get a feel for the layout of the graveyard, taking note of anything that seemed suspicious.

"Well Jakob, I think locks are your department... Or perhaps we could get keys from the undertaker we walked past back there. What say you?"

[This message has been edited by Vanadin (edited January 17, 2002).]

Jakob selected a lockpick from the chain on his belt. "Well, Sarathien," he said, "I'm never one to pass up the opportunity to keep in practice." Glancing quickly over each shoulder he advanced on the gates.

"Lets get in there, I hope we find those defiled creatures.....I want to battle!!"

Hayden knuckles turn white as he grips his axe, and the group notices that all to obvious look in his eye.

The psdlock proved to be no challenge for Jakob's nimble fingers. The gates creaked open and the group entered the graveyard. A chill mist drifted in from the River Stojanow to their left. Ahead of them stretched graves for as far as the eye could see. Some simple, some elaborate. Mausoleums were dotted about. A path wound its way through the dismal scene.

"I really don't like this." Garacaius said with a worried voice. "Hopefully we will not have to stay here for the night."
Garacaius slowly walked inside, ready for anything coming out of the earth.

"I could not agree more, quessir. I say we make our way through as fast as we can and try to make our way to the lady Elaine of the forests beyond.
If we happen upon any restless spirits we take can care of the situation there and then, but let us not go looking for trouble."

Contd under Grave Danger