The priests of Kelemvor have a difficult lesson to learn this week as the full price of their deal comes to light. Making a deal with the wrong people to follow their misguided beliefs has cost them, well a trinket in their eyes but tonight it is revealed that it is much, much more.
The deal made, the plot hatched and the aftermath is what the priests of Kelemvor have to wait for. Will these misguided warrior priests survive this night, a difficult lesson to learn and more. Well to find out we need to read on.
A Difficult Lesson to Learn
401SaDiLeLe
The priests moved through the city, smiled and blessed any and all who greeted them – ignoring the hot pulsating aura that came from the length of wood and bone tucked under one of their robes. The wizard had promised them the ability to root out the truth behind the ritual that always extended the high priest’s life.
He, a gnomish man who smiled warmly and smelt like warm biscuits, had assured them that with some borrowed power he would be able to pull forth the truth and prevent corruption. A divination ritual he claimed it was – but he was short on a focus. He claimed the ritual he would take would need a powerful focus to be able to draw down from the weave and harness its raw power.
So Brother Kindred had found such a relic in the catacombs and crypts beneath the temple. Guided by his belief and zeal that he was the wrong thing for the right reason he had also convinced those amongst the order that his course of action was alright. Emboldened by their faith in him he had made the deal, stolen the unholy relic – a bone wand that was taken from the still twitching corpse of a necromancer, and we’re now on the way to the wizard.
“Are you sure Brother, Kindred,” Haster asked as they turned down the street to meet the wizard at the Green Fairy – an inn that was famous for its strong gnomish spirits. “This relic, I can feel its unholy power from here. I have my doubts…” he began.
“Easy Haster. The relic isn’t the thing that commits evil, it’s the person. The gnomish wizard is willing to help us root out evil and this foul scheme. That can only be an act of good can it not?” Kindred began smiling and grasping his brother affectionately. “The relic itself is not evil – it is merely power to be controlled and bent. It would not matter if it was something from our temple, something from the street or dug up from a grave. If the wielder is good then the outcome shall be.”
Smiling Haster nodded, “I believe you brother, sorry for my doubt.”
“Do not apologise Brother Haster, to doubt is human but to believe and trust is what entrusts us to the right course of action. Fear not all will be well.” Brother Kindred said as he opened the door and walked into the inn.
The exchange went off without a hitch and soon the brothers of Kelemvor were back at their temple and there they witnessed the determination of Kelemvor themselves.
A few days after Richards death the body was ready to be sealed within the Chamber of Remembrance. The brothers that believed and stood with Kindred had been shocked, like him (but maybe more so) , that the High Priest had been found dead on the day of his three hundredth birthday. But they were happy to see the natural cycle of life and death continue.
Sometime during the day they had noticed a group of outsiders to Oakspire, two in fact, who had been around the church giving thanks, paying respect and trying to learn more about the order. Kindred had caught them on the odd occasion asking questions about the late priest and asking if there were suspicious actions leading up. Kindred had to buy in for his brothers who were still in shock and recovering from the rapid determination after the ritual had been completed.
These outsiders were asking more questions and had even been granted permission to examine the catacombs themselves. They would not be granted admittance to the Chamber of Remembrance as that was Kelemvors will – he was sure, but there was a spark of doubt. They were even down in the Crypt now, well one group was anyway learning about their order and their history.
That’s when Kindred heard the knocking. Alone Kelemvor went to the door to find the gnomish wizard there in dark green robes. “Good evening Brother, I hope I find you well?” the old gnome asked, smiling in a friendly way.
“Yes Master Girten, I am pleased that the natural order has been reestablished and that we are moving forward with what is right.” He answered the gnome’s question. “Can I help you, Girten?” he asked curiously.
“Yes actually, I have trouble lifting something, can you help me lift something that is in a cart just over there.” he said and pointed to a cloth covered cart near a hold tanners building that had closed. “I fear that I am not as strong as I used to be… Not that I was ever strong mind you!” he laughed as he walked slowly over to the cart.
Kindred obliged and walked to the cart, following the old man. When he got there he saw that there were a few dirt covered sacks, some that appeared to be wet and some that were much drier. “These should be light enough. But there are quite a few.” he began as he reached for the first bag, a dirty moist bag. The dirty, dank smell from the tannery was strong next to it and the smell of rot and the unclean mingled with the contents of the bags which made him nearly retch.
“What is in these might I ask?” Kindred asked the old gnome as he hefted out the firth one, the bags were heavy and his hands were getting damp and tacky with moving them. A faint pink-red moisture was sticking to his fingers.
“Oh just some reagents for the finalisation of the ritual I promised you. Herbs and hard to come by components that’s all.” Girten replied from nearby. Kindred continued to unload the bags into the old tannery before moving to the cart – the tacky substance on his hand disturbed him and the smell was nearly unbearable.
“These reagents are repugnant are they not?” he asked with a laugh as he turned to look at them. “I don’t know how you can work with them,” he added.
“Oh you get used to them.” Girten replied as he stepped up to the halfling priest. “Oh I have one more request if you have some time to spare…” Girten asked, his hand on the shoulder of the halfling.
Kindred was looking from the bags to his hands, something was not right. He looked at the bag as his mind registered the question. “Sure I can – what is it? Also…” he looked harder at one of the wetter, dirtier bags. “Girten, is that a hand?”
Girten sighed. “Yes it is and that’s where I need your help. I need you to die Kindred,” the old wizard replied before untold pain caused its way through Kindred’s body. He tasted blood in his mouth as he felt Girten’s hand rip through his tunic, into his shoulder and the pain echoed through his chest. The last thing he felt was a blade, a thin slither of metal entered through his neck and slit his throat.
And that wraps up that part of the adventure nicely. This may be used as something that the party are told from a witness or they may see it, partially of fully, themselves. But more on that this weekend as we wrap up this adventure. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the Zine and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 