Session 161 - The Key

General Summary

7^th Halane (Second Month of Autumn) 722TR

The story so far

Jolanta and her trusty bodyguard Blaine are agents of the mysterious Order of the White Hand, hunting down unscrupulous mages and covering up magical mishaps.

Continuation of the Session 159 - The Ogre and the Rebel.

Part 1 - Who was Cryptan Seaweave?

Jolanta has been researching ancient lore and is interested in the history of the ancient wizard king Cryptan Seaweave and his magical staff, now in her possession. She examines records in the Guildhall of Arcane Lore and finds no reference. Next, she visits the archives at the Temple of Save K'Nor. Unfortunately, information on this obscure historical figure is hard to find. Back at the Guildhall, Jolanta sends a note back to the wizards of the Kingdom of Melderyn requesting information.

While studying possible extra-planar threats, Jolanta learns that many Fey and Demonic creatures resist good honest steel weapons, even those enchanted with magic. Cold forged iron weapons are believed to be more effective against these foes. Obras Kyfa, the weaponsmith at Obras's Smithy, has good quality bog iron and is happy to hammer and sharpen an axe-head for Blaine. As is his practice, he copies the Dwarven designs he is so fond of, although he does agree to put a crude representation of the Coat of Arms of Algelmor onto it. This is similar to the one on his magic sword Orc Bleeder.

Part 2 - The Missing Artificer

Back at the Guildhall of Arcane Lore, Seneschal Jarvis Rancson asks Jolanta for the favor. The Journeyman artificer Aldis Swenborne has disappeared; he has not been seen for five days. He is concerned, and in addition, Aldis owes rent to the guildhall and is in arrears. Asking around, Jolanta learns that Aldis has been excited about a new project, although he has not told anyone about what he was working on.

Jolanta is let into Aldis's workroom and investigates. Examining a small broken clay mold, notes in his journal, and a small collection of metal alloys, he appears to be fabricating and enchanting a Key. Using wax, Jolanta makes an impression of the key's shape from the mold and finds it includes some of the symbols on its surface. Noting a broken wax seal on the floor, she looks for a document but finds nothing, although near a candle is some ash. Using the Ashen Memory ritual spell, she catches a glimpse of the past. Aldis is burning a piece of paper; on it is written only a few words.

" Orgael Woods Midnight - P".

Finding nothing else of interest, Jolanta visits the Locksmith Harain Thestal and commissions a replica copy from the wax impression.