2nd Session – Part 2
The metal fixture was box shaped on one end, tapering to a tube with a rubber stopper. There was an empty flask coated with a silvery substance on the shelf next to it. The party figured out that this might be used with a machine they had seen on the 1st level. They decided to check it out on the way out. They made it to the room with the machines on the first level, after finding out that the orcs had avoided the room with the shelves when an orc had died tasting something.
The metal fixture fit into the slots on the ends of the machine. When they pushed the button, the steamy metallic mist filed the flask, coating it with a thin layer of material. They added a second coat on that flask, and used another empty flask to give it a single coat. The noise attracted a group of dwarves that Isaac had hired to excavate/fortify the area around the moon pool. (A group of orcs following the party also came close but when quickly fled when the party heard them). One of the dwarves fetched Sgt. Fabricio Nino, henchman to Isaac and leader of the mercenary force. The party explained they may have figured out how to get the true water out off the moon pool (Illyrio rolled 11 on the reaction (+1 for CHA making it a 12)), so Fabricio was so elated that he agreed to have some men carry Jace’s body and escort the party back to Muntburg. They only stopped long enough to fill the two flasks with water from the moon pool.
When they got back to town, Tariq tried the true water in the double coated flask and it had an effect! There was a terrible metallic taste, so the party figured that they should’ve have let it set before filling with water. A single coat was not enough. Isaac and the Village People struck a deal; the device for a partnership and a 40% interest in the moon pool operation. They told Isaac to have the local lawyer (Adryen Hernan) have a contract ready by the time they came back from Adamas.
The party left the henchmen and animals in Muntburg, threw the body on a horse, and travelled lightly and quickly to Adamas. Jace was brought back at the temple of Hera in Adamas, only slightly worse for wear, his confidence shaken (-10% XP until next level). A quick sale of 2 of the gaseous form potions resulted in levels for most. While the party waited two weeks for Jace to recover and train, another month passed. A roll for sale of the ring of protection (now 20%) barely failed; however a roll for Dante’s prior parties sale of the Scarab of Death was successful, pushing him (and Isaac) to lvl 4. He celebrated by taking part in a gladiatorial contest. The entire party decided to watch, betting 100 gp at 1.5:1 odds.
Dante entered as a traditional 2 weapon fighter, with 2 short swords and a dagger. He faced a traditional ‘pursuer’ gladiator (18 hp, STR +1, CON +1, combat reflexes) armed with a short sword, shield, dagger, and heavy helmet. Dante easily won initiative, crossing the sand and striking a viscous slash as his opponent blocked one sword with his shield, while the other slashed open his thigh (causing 12 hp damage). Dropping to one knee in pain, he quickly responded by smashing Dante’s ear and cheek with his shield, stunning him sufficiently to allow Dante to be run through, killing him (the gladiator crit, with a natural 20, doing 15 damage). Dante’s body was dragged from the arena and thrown onto the pile of dead for the day.
The party was not only out their hard won gold, they were in a quandary. Dante had always told everyone he didn’t want to be raised from the dead. He was a worshiper of death (having previously donated several thousand gp to the temple in Adamas) and often talked of how death was a gift that ended pain. The player said that he didn’t want to be raised (although weakly). The party decided “Oh, well. Let’s take the body to the temple of Death and let them decide”. Mother Riana of Death (speaking through a male cleric) recognized Dante. She decided to case restore life and limb for free, relying on Death to decide (all on the roll). Dante rolled well enough to be raised, speaking with the God of Death before coming back. He came back marked by death, with a grey pallor and black and red eyes (black sclera, red iris, white pupil) (-2 to reaction, +1 to intimidation).
The party remained in Adamas for the 2 weeks Dante needed to heal. By the time the party returned to Muntburg it was October. During that time the congregation of Hera in Muntburg grew to 38. While the party was gone several people had come to the Temple of Hera:
o Louys Hereint, Curate of Zeus,
o Emilisse Faith, Priestess of Tyche, and
o Some thugs asking for protection money.
Illyrio spoke to Madam Selena about the threats to the church, while Dante watched from the rooftops. She indirectly admitted working with the ‘Dock Boys’, explaining that they wouldn’t dare extort the church (the ‘Don’ would never allow it). Illyrio tried to seduce her w/o success but after some coin, she agreed to have the ‘Boss’ of the crew talk to him next time he was in Muntburg.
Dave the Hermit spoke to Emilisse of Tyche, who welcomed Hera to the church family with a coupon for the casino. She valued the aid in delivering miracles to the people. Louys of Zeus was less gracious, reminding Dave of Hera’s position in the church hierarchy. The party also took care of other business before a final expedition to the dungeon:
o Dante freed Murphy, taking him on as a henchman.
o Eduardo AKA ‘Kaiser Souse’ bought a 40% share (the most allowed by Maycot Felippe) in the Flask and Scroll Tavern for 1000 gp. To seal the deal, he had to agree to take on Maycot’s eldest son as an apprentice adventurer.
o Jace and Tariq built a 2000 gp value library and 2000 gp value laboratory in Tariq’s warehouse.
o Dave the hermit hired a master sculptor and a team of apprentices to build a 1500 gp statute of Hera in front of the temple. He also planned on commissioning a head of Hera to place on the ‘Termax-Hera’ statute in Dwimmermount.
o Illyrio began talks of building an orphanage (read ‘assassin training ground’) with Dave in Muntburg.
o They signed a formal agreement with Stocker Goods re: the moon pool.
o Tariq let Barnubus go, paying him an extra month’s pay and throwing him a 500 gp retirement party (going to his xp bank)
The next day, the village people traveled to Dwimmermount in search of ‘Vareeze’ and the pool of life. The expedition included 9 men, 6 dogs/wolves, a hawk, and a donkey.