Post by hubertbartels on Nov 13, 2022 14:55:01 GMT -5
A Dinner, a Ghost and a Crate of Brandy
We were all supposed to meet at Gellan Primewater’s house at dinner time – Gellan had invited us for a dinner. While Rissa rested and took it easy at the Empty Net, Connor went to the town administration to learn more about the alchemist’s haunted house. He cam away with the knowledge that the house was under the town’s control and anyone wishing to take ownership would be responsible for all the back taxes.
At the right time, we gathered at the Primewater House for dinner. It was easy to find as the house stood in the center of town, directly adjoining the waters of the Kingfisher River. As we enter, we found several other guests already there – including Eliander Fireborn the head of the guard. The young female dwarf was Manistrad Copperlocks, head of the mining company and the young man was Anders Solmor, head of a trading company. This was most of the town council.
Gellan presented a book, “Reflections in Silverwood”, written in Elvish to Revandrous(?). He likes to collect books and thought this would be of interest to the half-elven. Then a female gnome – Gellan’s famous chef, entered the room and announced that dinner was ready. As we entered the large dining room, Rissa could see that the table was set for only nine people. She got through dinner by copying what Revandrous(?) did and ate.
The discussion turned and settled on the alchemist’s haunted house. We learned that the house was abandoned and that several adventurers had attempted to explore the place. It was suggested that we seek out Jeb at the Empty Net as he stumbled out of the house after one such attempt. The dinner was concluded by withdrawing to the drawing room and being served brandy and cigars. The brandy came in a blue serpent-shaped bottle.
The next day, we talked to Jeb at the Empty Net. Jeb was an old man, almost toothless and unwashed. After a beer and a bowl of stew, he told us that he went up to the house in search of the alchemist’s wine cellar. The alchemist came from Greyhawk where he had been involved with the Circle of Eight or something, retired here and continued his research. After he died, the house stood empty. Jeb entered the house, descended into the cellar and ran screaming from the ghost. It had aged him thirty years! We had no idea how to deal with that so we gave up on exploring the house.
Passing the bulletin board, we learned that the priest of Obad-hai was looking for adventurers to venture into the Dreadwood. We decided to look into that as well as information about the bandit, Rodna. In talking to people, we learned that Rodna hit caravans soon after they entered the Dreadwood. While Rodna killed or captured the people accompanying the caravan, we did learn of a survivor. Talking to him, we learned that he focused only on wagons carrying valuables – he left the bulk goods alone.
Therefore, Rebus came up with a plan. We were going to fake up a crate of fine brandy, place it with Ingo the Drover, the person putting together the caravans, and see if we can get Rodna to take the bait. Since we had no fine brandy, we would use bottles of horse piss and rely on Revandrous'(?) prestidigitation spell to make it taste like fine brandy. Rissa went into the market place and acquired the clothes to disguise herself as a wealthy Sueloise merchant. With the crate of brandy in tow, she marched up to Ingo’s house and demanded that her crate be shipped out on the next caravan.
The trap was set, the bait prepared. Now to see what the trap would catch.
We were all supposed to meet at Gellan Primewater’s house at dinner time – Gellan had invited us for a dinner. While Rissa rested and took it easy at the Empty Net, Connor went to the town administration to learn more about the alchemist’s haunted house. He cam away with the knowledge that the house was under the town’s control and anyone wishing to take ownership would be responsible for all the back taxes.
At the right time, we gathered at the Primewater House for dinner. It was easy to find as the house stood in the center of town, directly adjoining the waters of the Kingfisher River. As we enter, we found several other guests already there – including Eliander Fireborn the head of the guard. The young female dwarf was Manistrad Copperlocks, head of the mining company and the young man was Anders Solmor, head of a trading company. This was most of the town council.
Gellan presented a book, “Reflections in Silverwood”, written in Elvish to Revandrous(?). He likes to collect books and thought this would be of interest to the half-elven. Then a female gnome – Gellan’s famous chef, entered the room and announced that dinner was ready. As we entered the large dining room, Rissa could see that the table was set for only nine people. She got through dinner by copying what Revandrous(?) did and ate.
The discussion turned and settled on the alchemist’s haunted house. We learned that the house was abandoned and that several adventurers had attempted to explore the place. It was suggested that we seek out Jeb at the Empty Net as he stumbled out of the house after one such attempt. The dinner was concluded by withdrawing to the drawing room and being served brandy and cigars. The brandy came in a blue serpent-shaped bottle.
The next day, we talked to Jeb at the Empty Net. Jeb was an old man, almost toothless and unwashed. After a beer and a bowl of stew, he told us that he went up to the house in search of the alchemist’s wine cellar. The alchemist came from Greyhawk where he had been involved with the Circle of Eight or something, retired here and continued his research. After he died, the house stood empty. Jeb entered the house, descended into the cellar and ran screaming from the ghost. It had aged him thirty years! We had no idea how to deal with that so we gave up on exploring the house.
Passing the bulletin board, we learned that the priest of Obad-hai was looking for adventurers to venture into the Dreadwood. We decided to look into that as well as information about the bandit, Rodna. In talking to people, we learned that Rodna hit caravans soon after they entered the Dreadwood. While Rodna killed or captured the people accompanying the caravan, we did learn of a survivor. Talking to him, we learned that he focused only on wagons carrying valuables – he left the bulk goods alone.
Therefore, Rebus came up with a plan. We were going to fake up a crate of fine brandy, place it with Ingo the Drover, the person putting together the caravans, and see if we can get Rodna to take the bait. Since we had no fine brandy, we would use bottles of horse piss and rely on Revandrous'(?) prestidigitation spell to make it taste like fine brandy. Rissa went into the market place and acquired the clothes to disguise herself as a wealthy Sueloise merchant. With the crate of brandy in tow, she marched up to Ingo’s house and demanded that her crate be shipped out on the next caravan.
The trap was set, the bait prepared. Now to see what the trap would catch.