We left the party being escorted by Virianis out of the Sheathe. He suggested they stay at Larossa Baru's since they would no longer be welcome at Lefty's. Arriving at Larossa's they were let into a two story house by a matronly woman looking around 45 years old, also staying in the house was her son Dellis, a towering presence with a pronounced limp. He does not speak but his mother seems able to communicate well enough through hand signals. He was wounded in battle against the Chained God and has not spoken since returning.
Virianis and Larossa answered many questions of the party. But still the mystery of the "Lost Sword of Kas" continues. Larossa indicated that life has not always been so grim in Tor Gorak but it has been this way for longer than she has lived. Virianis stated that he had to leave before nightfall to make it back to the Home since otherwise he would be caught out after curfew. Larossa offered a large spartan room to the party and cooked them a fine evening meal.
In the morning the adventurers were interrupted by Dellis rushing into their room holding out a black dessicated finger. He motioned toward the front of the house. Heading there the party found nothing but a nail on the door. Larossa signed with Dellis and learned that he had found the finger attached to the nail. Asked for more information Larossa indicated that it must be something to do with the party since this had never happened previous to their staying here. She thought that the Loreward Banquo may be able to shed more light. She directed them to the Loreward's house and gave the party clothing to disguise themselves. Melisana and Mara stuffed pillows under their armor to simulate pregnancy and Gofin dressed as a "little girl". Larossa gave the party a pass code to use at the Loreward's door.
Staying on the backstreets and avoiding the Daggers at all costs the party made their way to Banquo's. Using the pass code they were allowed in by the Loreward, an older man with a stooped back, bald head, grey beard and a continual squint. Curtly he asked the party's business, and they presented the finger. Banquo examined it and went to a secret cache of scrolls and books hidden under his floorboards. There he searched for an hour and finally uncovered a scroll that he read. "And there shall be a sign, placed before the victim, before the blood is drawn and the Word is spoken. The sign shall be the finger of a murderer, lost from his left hand, soaked in the blood of a goat for fivescore and three nights." Banquo claimed that the scroll contained more information on the preparation of the sign, but that held little reference now. The party wanted to know more but Banquo found no reference in the scroll. He agreed to search through his other materials but indicated this would take a long time a shooed the party away stating come back tomorrow.
Returning to Larossa'a the party was waiting out the day with Alhellara learning the Cure Disease Ritual and Lythandar learning Comprehend Languages when Virianis arrived looking distraught. He indicated that he needed the party's help in finding a lost resident of the home. On the way to the "Madhouse" Virianis explained that two days ago Dast a veteran of the wars had left the home telling a caretaker that he was going to "speak with his fellow king." Virianis reminded the party how dangerous the city was even for them. Imagine how deadly it can be for one who does not always think clearly. He was worried that if the Daggers found Dast they could use it as an excuse to shut down the home. As the party prepared to leave Virianis gave them a wooden "crown" complete with yellow paint and colored stones and said it was Dast's favorite possession.
The party searched around Castle Xiphos and the Sheathe with no luck. They then headed to the Temple of Penates area and looking down an alley they saw a man matching Virianis description muttering to himself as he walked down the street. Just as the party was going to approach, three Daggers emerged from the shadows and moved toward Dast. Pretis ran up to Dast and hugged him calling him uncle, which of course the Daggers could not understand but caught the gesture. Melisana, having successfully cast Comprehend Languages approached and Diplomatically talked with the Dagger captain about the lost uncle who sometimes gets confused. As Pretis and Melisana tried to lead Dast away he started questioning them as saying he didn't want to return, he was on a mission to see his fellow ruler. The guards stayed Dast and Melisana used a story to cover the situation. Demin and Gofin had climbed to the roof of a local house and Alhellara was remaining out of view. As the guards started moving away Mara inserted herself between Dast and the guards successfully intimidating the guards. Melisana surreptitiously showed Dast the "crown" and he immediately stared babbling nonstop about returning to the "Madhouse" and seeing his friends. When Dast entered the home several residents stood and bowed to him calling him the "King of the Madmen."
The party then returned to Larossa's for another evening meal and overnight stay. Rising early they made their way to the Loreward's who was excited to see them. He said his research had bore some fruit. On of his books mentioned the "Three Words," which must be spoken as part of three separate rituals. The manuscript referred to a Book of Inverted Darkness. in which all three rituals are supposed to be described. Unfortunately, he did not know where the ancient tome could be found. He narrowed to search to two places, the Library of Kas and the Shadowed Room. Banquo points out that the adventurers lives are in great danger as the ritual of the mysterious First Word apparently has something to do with the "blood of an outsider." Banquo said that while the party might be the target of the rite, the rituals themselves have a far-reaching doom for Tovag and the surrounding lands. If the ritual has anything to do with Vecna, its dark goals may know no bounds.
Asked about the Library of Kas, Banquo indicated that it is located behind an antiquated iron door in the base of the towering foundation of Castle Xiphos. Banquo knows of no one who has ever investigated this door and that most of Tor Gorak citizens probably know nothing of it. As for the Shadowed Room, Banquo knew even less, only that it is located somewhere in Citadel Cavitius. Banquo explained that the Book of Inverted Darkness most likely exists in scroll form and the legends say that the tube is stoppered with a red jewel as big as a man's fist. If the party seeks to find the Library of Kas it would probably be best done at night, even breaking curfew.
Of course the party was interested in Vecna, and Banquo said that he is an ancient lich (perhaps even a minor god); he rules Cavitius and seeks the destruction of Tovag and its ruler Kas (who was once his lieutenant); and he has threatened the entire world in the past with his evil schemes, so there is no reason to believe he might not do it again. Banquo has no proof that Vecna is involved, he only suspects him since no one else could control this type of magic. If the party learned the secrets behind the ritual they will not only save themselves but the lives of everyone in Tovag.
With all this information floating around in their heads the party headed out to find and scout the iron door leading to the Library of Kas. Having found it they holed up in a burned out hovel and saw that the Daggers seemed to make their rounds here about every 45 minutes. After dark the party headed toward the door, climbing up an almost overgrown pathway. Demin attempted to pick the lock on the doors but was stifled and Lythadar then used a Knock Ritual which seemed to succeed but the doors seemed to have another locking mechanism which Demin successfully opened. Beyond the door, a narrow passage stretched into the darkness. The smooth stone walls glistened with moisture and slime, and water collects on the floor in small puddles. Except for a distant dripping sound, nothing disturbs the absolute silence.
Scorecard: The party earned 250 XP for successfully completing the Skill Challenge with the Daggers and Dast. They now need 194 XP to reach level 8.
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