C2 Session 4: The House of Pentheru Part 2 Report
General Summary
10th of Haelynir 1545 HC
The group gets up at 7am to start their second day in the necropolis. Their goal today is to go up to the second floor of the house and clear that. Brin manipulates the shadows to soften their footsteps as they creep upstairs.
This balcony wraps around a twenty-foot-square opening in the floor, overlooking the inner courtyard below and connecting the rooms of the second floor. Above, a square skylight in the ceiling provides natural light to the ground floor and ventilation for the entire building. To the southwest, two small staircases ascend from a landing on the grand staircase between floors. Six different sets of doors lead off of this balcony.
They decide to go clockwise around the rooms, starting with the double doors near the stairs. As Brin peaks into what could have been a nice Master Bedroom before it was destroyed he sees a floating bulls head with 6 horns. Brin closes the door quietly and tells the group what he saw. The group readies themselves to attack when Brin next opens the door.
They catch the head by surprise but after they all attempt to hit it from afar, the head calls for help and disappears from sight. This Doru Div calls to some vagoullies to join the fight. These heads with bat wings fly in to join the first as the Doru Div employs sneaking tactics to attack the group while invisible before disappearing from sight again on it's next turn. However, thanks to Ubek's unique sight, he is able to see the creature at all times. The group bands together to support him to take out the fiend before it escapes when it attempts to flee.
With the threat gone, they start to search this room for possible treasure. Margaret notices the dresser has no draws despite looking like it does. They are clearly false. Also there is old hornet's nest that was concealed in the debris that looks like there is something in it. When they lift the dresser to try and move it they reveal a square chest. They look into the hornet's nest they find a headband. This taut black band is clipped with a black metal skull. The chest is trapped and has a secret key hole on the base. The group keeps in mind to look out for a key.
They start to continue searching the other rooms. Dust blankets this room. The walls, once brightly painted to depict life in ancient Wati, are now faded. A smaller room or alcove takes up the northeast section of the room; it was once closed off by a wooden door that since has rotted away, leaving only its hinges in the doorframe. A strong, cloying odor of decay pervades the room. Buried amid the debris in the room is a large darkwood box that Margaret finds. Opening it Margaret sees white, fragile silk so she closes it to be looked at later. They move on to the next room.
Most of the contents of this next room have fallen apart or otherwise been reduced to dust from the dry desert air. A foul, cloying smell fills the room. The group spend a few minutes searching the room turns up a Small rusted dagger, a handful of marbles, and a small lacquered wooden box. The lacquered box is an ancient board game whose rules have been forgotten over time. Inside the box are several small, carved stone playing pieces. The box functions as the game board. They move on to the next room.
A large lacquered desk, now in poor condition, sits in the centre of this room. Bookcases stand along the eastern and southwestern walls, sagging as if ready to collapse at any moment. Their shelves have fallen out, and the piles of dust at their bases are all that remains of books and scrolls that failed to survive the long years. The lacquered wooden frames of what might once have been divans stretch along the north and south walls, but their upholstery has disintegrated. A single door is the room's only exit. As Margaret goes around checking dust and the desk, she finds a key. Ana finds an old family seal.
Taking the key to the first chest they found, the key seems to fit. The chest contains 20 small gold ingots, each bearing a seal. The seal is different to the seal found. They then went to check the last room. The walls of this final room are decorated with a scenic vista of a river valley running through a desert, resplendent with verdant life and greenery near the shores. Only a few pieces of lacquered furniture remain in the chamber. A faint, musty odor of decomposed wood and fabric lingers in the air. A set of doors stands in the western wall.
Brin finds the body of a human man lies on its back in the small alcove to the east. Unlike most of the remains in the house and its flesh is in a state of advanced decomposition. The head is missing. The body carries no valuables except for a simple gold wedding ring. An inscription in Khinasi inside the band of the ring reads, "To Akar from Panhet, Love Eternal." They realise that the ring is likely not as old as the rest of the house due to the language used.
With this floor cleared the group decides to take the time bury the bodies in the crypt. By the time they're done it's 9:30am. Then they look over the items they found to see what is magical and identify the items. Margaret carefully works around the fragile silk white dress to find the chest also contains several pieces of inexpensive jewelry, and a strand of freshwater pearls. A small sealed tube (the magical item). Finally, a long scroll tube holds a rolled-up papyrus painting portrait of Masesian woman with a Masesian signature.
Deadman's Headband
This taut black band, clipped with a black metal skull, can be attached on the outside of a hat or other head slot item or can be worn as a normal headband. The wearer gains a advantage on Intimidation checks and increases the DC of any fear effect he creates by +1. In addition, if this headband is attached to the outside of a hat, the wearer’s hat or headgear cannot be blown off or removed by wind, water, or environmental effects, and the wearer gains advantage on contested rolls to have the hat/headgear removed.
Khol of Uncanny Discernment
The dark cosmetic in this small decorative tube is made from finely ground minerals. Favoured by Masesian men and women alike, nonmagical kohl is applied around the eyes and is used to reduce the glare from the desert sun, and cosmetically to case the whites of the wearer's eyes to stand out distinctly.
When applied to the eyes, kohl of uncanny discernment grants the wearer gets advantage on perception checks and can see twice the distance. They also get a +2 to saves vs gaze attacks, patterns, visual effects, and sight-based attacks. These effects last for 1 hour. Applying the khol is an action, and it must be applied to both eyes to function. An unopened tube contains 5 applications.
Brin goes through and puts down what he thinks what the different items are worth. Brin wants the Bandana and they want to keep the Khol. So they hide it and Jamal will come back for it during the week. When the group approaches the front gate, it still bangs on approach which terrifies Ana. She runs away from the house. Brin ends up catching her and grappling her until the fear fades. The rest of the group follows to catch up with the pair as Ubek pulls the cart.
At 1pm, the group arrives at the gate. Some of the priests look happy to see the group and voice they were concerned when the group didn't get out last night before they closed the gate. Margaret steps up into her Negotiator role and uses her detect thoughts spell to help provide her with insight as they look over the items. She learns the green flail is an Adamantine weapon. After a bit of a back and forth, she gets the price a little higher. They collect their gold chest and head off. Jamal and Ubek heads to the warehouse while everyone else heads back to the inn.
Brin, Ana and Margaret arrive back at the inn for 2pm. They take a moment to have a break and either name or have some food. Margaret and Ana discuss going to the bathhouse later today. Jamal and Ubek return at 3pm. They head upstairs to split some of the gold since there is not enough to do the actual splits. They discuss finances before Margaret opens the chest and finds a note inside on top of the gold. Without question, she hands it off to Jamal. Jamal reveals that they have a buyer for the Mummified Guardian based on the note. He can meet them tomorrow and finally be able to sort shares then.
Brin is very confused about this and presses Jamal for more information. Jamal is confused by Brin confusion and just repeats himself. Margaret casts message to explains to Brin that Jamal has a contact with a Khirdai priest. It turns out Brin's confusion was based on too many chests in their possession and he mistook this chest for one they found.
Jamal gives Ana, Margaret and Ubek an advance on their shares so they can go to the baths. Tomorrow if everything works out the rest can be given. They will also looking into the noble with the perfume business and the mage tower this week. As they wrap up Brin is about to get dinner before training. Jamal is dropping the training. He is now confident that Brin isn't in danger with the underground groups of the city. They will see if they are interested in the box with a trap to try and build friendships.
Afterwards Brin gets dinner while Ana, Margaret and Ubek head to the baths.
Brin chats with Mahga about the chest and they are interested and buying it. She confirms that people can get in about people being able to get in and out of the necropolis like the bandits the group dealt with.
The bath group has a good time and make it back to the inn without issue.
11th of Haelynir 1545
Overnight Margaret dreams. The moon is full over Shoufal. It flickers. In the moments when the light is out Shoufal is covered in a red slight. When it stops there is drops of blood coming off of the moon.
Overnight Ana has a dream and someone wants to hear all about her adventure in the necropolis. Ana shares the whole story and about the horrible undead cats.
Jamal and Brin cross paths early in the hours before Brin heads to bed.
In the morning the girls have breakfast and discuss spells and trading of spells where possible. Jamal returns with having gotten a price to repair some of the damaged silverware. He will take care of that and return for lunch.
In the afternoon the group meets up. After lunch the group heads to the hall of Blessed Rebirth. Brin and Jamal meet with Mistress Everhand and Obadi about the Mummified Guardian. It is sold and Jamal discusses with Brin on selling the masks to the Hall to continue to earn favour. Obadi seems to be a consult and is very knowledgeable about the Hall and the Khirdai temple's business.
The girls went shopping for supplies and then check on the marriage records to find out about the second non-haunted ring they found to return the ring if they can. It seems that the husband went missing a year ago. They volunteer to deliver the ring and the news to the widow.
The boys come out of the back area with a chest of gold. The group then heads off to return the ring. Margaret takes the lead with delivering the news the widow. The Lady is sad but grateful. Brin confirms with her that he had been missing a year. She gives them a pouch of 150 gold coins in thanks. Margaret tries to refuse, but the woman is insistent. They even get some fudge as well. Afterwards they head back to the inn.
Brin gets an early dinner up in the room while Jamal sorts out shares.
- Margaret, Ana and Ubket - 1961.11
- Jamal - 35.15
- Brin - 1638.89 owed to guild and 80 owed to Jamal
- Guild - 461.11 Jamal pays back guild 1925.96
- 167.33 From Tomb1 to original crew. Brin owes 1471.56
They have a brief chat about the next few days and their plans.
In the evening Brin takes the trick chest with him to sell. He sells it for 250 gold (This was factored into above shares).
At the inn Margaret copies a spell from Ana, before Ana copies a spell from Margaret.
12th of Haelynir 1545
Brin safely returns to the inn and passes Jamal who is on the way out.
In the morning the girls have breakfast as Jamal returns to the inn. They discuss going to the perfume nobles today. Jamal heads back out when they remind him of the Haunts and telling the Hall of Blessed Rebirth about it.
The girls then head to the markets to do a bit of shopping. Margaret gets a Charlatan's Die. Then they head back to the inn.
At lunch they discuss the plans for the day. Jamal and Margaret will go to the perfume nobles, Brin will get the gems and such looked at, and Ana will stay at the inn and chill. Margaret shares her dream with the group from the other night.
As Brin tries to get the jewels assessed, he has a hard time talking to the Khinasi jewellers. There was a break down of communication between them and he doesn't get anyway. He heads back to the inn, secures the gems and then heads to training.
Threshed Souls Fragrances: One of Shoufal's countless perfume and incense sellers, Threshed Souls Fragrances stands out both for its variety of iris-based scents. The shop is connected to an estate. Two men seem to run the shop. Margaret speaks with the owners and tries to sell the old perfume. The Sunrise Fellows have entered the lottery on behalf of the shop.
An offer is made for the perfumes, but it doesn't go well. The pair leave and discuss options to find the Sunrise Fellows. Jamal mentions someone named Aunty who might be able to help them. To try and cheer Ana up by showing her a new power he has been working on. It's a work in process, but a gift from the morning.
They make an appointment in the midwifery building to see Aunty tomorrow. Then they head back to the inn.
In the evening, Brin checks to see if Mahga has heard of anything weird due to happen on or around 17th. She has nothing for him, but he does continue to improve their connection. The Four Lanterns are there to watch his fight. After badly embarrassing his opponent, he is annoyed when he wouldn't take the apology despite the Dwarf feeling like he was made a mockery during the fight in front of a large crowd of people.
Meanwhile Ana and Margaret go to try and get a look at the tower. However the area is guarded by Khirdai priests and they are often moved along in the area. They do get a general sense of the area before returning the inn. They quietly discuss a water based approach to the tower and Margaret's dream. They decide to try and find a way to divine more. They arrive back at the inn and get some rest.
13th of Haelynir 1545
Brin and Jamal cross paths in the early hours of the morning. Jamal tells him he'll receive a package today. Brin shares the frustrations from the gems. Then Jamal heads off for his walk and Brin heads to bed.
When the girls see Jamal in the morning, he shares that a druid from the Hall of Blessed Rebirth specialises in dreams. Jamal will go with Margaret about this while Ana relaxes at the inn.
Margaret and Jamal meet with Velddratyl the Awesome, the golden dragonborn. They sit down to try and help Margaret work through the dream, but cannot cast divination. There will be change in Shoufal, maybe unseen. There will be a betrayal that will impact Shoufal, even if it seems small. They are told about the other dragonborn that could cast Divination. Rahanntyl, the white dragonborn. They are happy to help, but they don't have the spell prepared for today though.
At lunch Brin shares the lack of knowledge from his end about the full moon. Brin gets his package. Ana makes a joke about her not getting packages, and her cardinal gives her one by pooing in his her. Ana is not amused.
For the afternoon Ana will buy healing potions and Brin will relax for the afternoon. Meanwhile Margaret and Jamal will head to see Aunty.
