Kartakass: Interlude in Martira Bay

[ewancummins]

Cornelius carefully makes a shorthand copy of the pertinent passages. He then informs Jacob of his findings-

''This would seem to corroborate the story of the healing hands. It's impossible , at this point, to tell how much of this is true- but further investigations may yield something more... I'm going to tell the others. Do you know where they might be?''

[steveflam]

Weathermay safehouse

Gennifer accepts the tea, smiling. "Well you are somewhat correct in your statement, William. A Lycanthrope is a living breathing being. It's heart beats, pumps blood through its veins. It needs to breath. A Vampire is not a living thing. It doesn't breath is essentially undead.

As for the bite, it is a little more complicated than that. First of all, the Vampire must bite the intended on three consecutive nights. On the third night, it must offer its own blood to its intended. This may prove to be hazardous, even deadly to the Vampire, because if it is inexperienced or isn't careful, the one it wishes to create might kill it by sucking it dry of its own blood supply."


Jacob's residence

"That is interesting, to say the least. I do know that Van and Lucius are with Balfour this morning but I have no idea where he resides in the city. As for Deari or William I know not their whereabouts either. I suspect that if Deari is not with Lucius she may be about in a scenic area of the town, perhaps some park? Sorry I can't be more help to you, Cornelius. Would you like me to contact anyone via magics?"


Balfours residence

When Lucius shows Balfour and Helmut the two pages of the diary, both gasp out loud. They read both pages twice, as if to make sure it is really, something? Turning to Lucius and Van, Balfour asks "Where did you get these pages? This is the handwriting of Rudolph Van Richten himself! I recognise the writing as does Helmut. How did you come by these pages?"

Park

Delsenora sits next to Deari, responding lightly for her ears only No thank you for the apple. I suggest we take a walk. It is such a beautiful day. I rather speak to you in private about these matters. Words pass fast in the underworld hre in Martira Bay, I can assure you.

[ewancummins]

Jacob's house-

''Yes, please contact either William or Deari, if you would. Oh, and perhaps we can swap spells, when we've got time. I'd like to learn any message sending magics that you'd care to share.''

[steveflam]

"Yes I can try to contact either. I can let you copy from my traveling spellbook Locate Creature. I just use message to contact people, relaly. It is easy enough, I am sure you'd agree. I will try Deari first, then William."

Jacob concentrates and casts his cantrip. "Deari, it is I , Jacob. Cornelius is with me and now seeks you and the others. Where are you so he can meet with you?"

[A G Thing]

Park

Placing the apple back, Deari takes the whispered answer and off response with some confusion... Still she then rises and begins to walk with Del as she had suggested. She is confused even more so when a familar voice begins to resound in her head. She almost looks around before she realizes it is only in her thoughts the voice exists. She listens and almost as soon as the voice has stopped she begins thinking her response.

Jacob? I am in the park with Delsenora, who warned me that I am being followed by some unsavory characters, and so we are about to go somewhere more private... Perhaps we might come to your home, unless somewhere else comes to mind?

[steveflam]

Jacob's residence

The dark elf frowns. Being followed, what? he thinks to himself. Then he quickly recovers and responds to Deari Very well. Come to my home, Cornelius will await you here. People interested in you is not a good sign, my dear. I am sure with Del, she will lose your followers and get here safely.

Jacob turns to the dwarf. "Cornelius, I have been in touch with Deari. She is with Delsenora and apparently they are under surveillance or being watched. I told her to get to my home as soon as she could. I trust in my daughter to lose their followers. This is not good news for the party I must admit."

[steveflam]

Park

Delsenora gently takes Deari by the arm. "Follow me, and quickly!" she hisses to the half elf. Soon, Deari is being led through this street or that, quickly and with no purpose. Within twenty minuntes, Delsenora seems pleased and she whispers to Deari "We are alone and close to my father's home, Deari. Follow me, quickly."

The young dark elf moves off into the street , cowl pulled around her head as she moves towards the chique area of Martira Bay. Within five minutes she is in front of a beautiful mansion. As soon as Deari catches her, she pulls the rope to ring the bell to the home. The door opens to reveal Jacob in his human form. Nodding, he lets both women pass, before closing the door behind him.

Rizzen, keep alert atop the home now. I fear our friends have attracted the interest of some ne'er do wells, friend.

Yes, Master, I shall go immediately. The tiny dragon exits the massive home and alits on the roof, wandering it. He looks around, looking for any signs of trouble.

Jacob leads the two women to the library, where Cornelius is. "Tell us what happened, ladies. Particularly you, Del."

[A G Thing]

"Well I have little idea Jacob... I was told this by Del and have had little chance to ask her more in detail... After our mental contact, I barely spoke of going to your place, and by her lead we made a rather quick dash here." Deari looks rather flustered but still has a focused look about her stance. She walks over to a seat and places the blanket and food bundle down in it yet remains standing pacing a bit.

"I... Del please tell me what you know of this... Surely they are following all of us! Why would anyone be following just me?" She looks at her with a rather firm but kind look, that seems to be strained and unsure with the many thoughts and worries going through her mind. One of which crosses her mind and she lets it show how much it bothers her. "What if the others are in danger? Jacob can you warn them?"

[Ail]

Seeing Jurgen's and Balfour's excitement, Lucius confirms Delsenora's previous story, and becomes a little excited.

"I was given them by Father Dubois... a Souragnien priest of Ezra. He's now here in Martira Bay. So, is this genuine then?"

Then he adds
"Well, I think that if William is studying the obscure matters already, I'll trust him to do a good study and concentrate on other things then. Or I'd be much burdened. I think I'll have to plan a trip to Krezk, eventually."

[VAN]

Lucius is a bit crestfallen as he hears Balfour's words, then he turns to Van and says.

"Never mind, Van... I couldn't pay you either. And I trust Balfour won't mind if I borrow this amulet a little longer.

As it is, there is indeed something else I had to tell you... and it's appropriate that you, Van, are the first to know. I've been feeling a need of change since I Jacob said he would leave us. I've been thinking a lot, and looking at you Van, and Cornelius, always eager to learn new magic, I came to understand I'm not like you. I don't feel the pull anymore, I feel like I'm turning more into a priest. And now that Jacob has left, that it really falls on me to care for you all.

So, I'm going to change. These weeks we have here in Martira Bay, I'll use them to requip myself anew, and to practice fighting hard. This means I'll no longer be a good arcane caster for the group, and as a fighter/priest, I will be a lot more exposed, but I also hope to contribute more to our safety. But to stay alive myself, I'll have to spend a good deal on a good armour and knowledge. I wouldn't be able to pay you now, Van. You are a very close friend, but I can not tax you more that what is fair. I thank you wholeheartedly for all you proposed to do for me, and I hope to be able to pay you back in the future."

Van gets pale for a second as Lucius told him that he will not give him the money immediately. The wizard is always ready to help his companions but also always liked to learn magic and become as better as he could to that field. He had in mind long time now to craft a headband that could enhance his intelligence so his spells will be more powerful. Finally he has gotten the money to do that, but now it seems he has to put his plan on hold since Lucius wouldn't have paid him for the amulet in time.

Van looks at the cleric and then looks down a little embarrassed. He knows that the right thing to do is to help his friend because the amulet would have helped to prevent the transformation and Lucius could have a normal life. But on the other hand he is very eager to craft his headband that can make him better wizard which is the goal of his life.

Sighing he says:

"It's ok. I just hope we can get some money from our new mission."

[Ail]

Lucius is a bit surprised by Van's reaction.

"What is it, Van? Something I said? Yes, I hope we can earn some money soon too, but is there something urgent for you that you need to buy?"

OOC: remember Lucius doesn't know Van's intentions.

[VAN]

Van shakes his head as wanted to dismiss his thoughts.

"No, it isn't that. I was just planning to craft something for myself too after finishing with your amulet. A headband that can enhance my intelligence and make my spells more powerful."

He tries to smile a little as adds:

"Everything is ok, your amulet is more important. Just as I said I hope we get some money from our new mission so I can afford craft my headband too after the amulet. As about the turn of your career I can understand it and I'm sure you will help us very much as cleric. But whenever you want to become better wizard I'll be happy to teach you new spells. "

[ewancummins]

In Jacob's library-

Cornelius listens patiently as Deari and Delsenora tell of their adventure in the park.

[Ail]

Lucius puts his hands squarely on Van's shoulders and says

"Van, I understand. But perhaps you won't have to craft anything for me. If I go to Krezk and find the cure there, then an amulet won't be necessary anymore. Perhaps you can think of your headband just now, and you'll be even more helpful during our mission"

[VAN]

"I know my friend, but go back to Barovia will not be that easy as you very well know. Also as Mr Balfour said I cannot craft anything right now. I feel that I'm not ready, maybe after our next mission I'll be experienced enough to craft one the other item. Depends on how long you can keep your amulet actually..."

His glance goes from Lucius at Balfour and back to Lucius again.

"If you can keep it some more time, then yes when I'll be ready I'll craft my headband first and then we will go to Barovia. I'll feel for sure much better if my spells are more powerful."

Van seems much more relaxed now and a warm smile appears at his face.

"Thank you my friend, this is a very hard dilemma for me. But you know that you can always count on me."