Thomas Rankin

With "The Window" destroyed, the party takes a moment to rest and assess their surroundings.  Having seen the group in action and finally having a quiet moment to speak, the disheveled male that was found hooded and beaten clears his throat...

"Ummm... Thank you.  I think I should start by saying Thank You.  I'm not sure how long I've been down here, and honestly, I was starting to give up hope of ever leaving.  So, Thanks for saving me."  He looks quiet uncomfortable for a moment.  He lowers his head. As he begins speaking, he does not really address anyone in particular. 

"No one has ever really saved me before."  Looking down at the borrowed armor and weapon, "No one has ever trusted me before.  Bouncing from boarding school to boarding school as a child, I never really made much in the way of friends.  Even when I was drafted into the Army, it always seemed like I was kept at arms length.  The distance was my armor, and the solitude my shield.  I've spent most of my enlisted time alone, studying in one library or another all across Taldor.  And that same solitude is part of the reason I am in this mess.  You see, as is customary for my commander, I was told to find something to occupy my time.  There were some grumblings in Oppara of strange tales coming from this area.  Partly from curiosity, partly from boredom, I came north to see what the grumbles were about.  I guess I made an easy target for those bandits.  Ok... so they might not have been 100 giant kobolds... Anyway, what I'm trying to say is Thank You.  I owe you all.  I'm not sure exactly what brought you here or what your mission is... but seeing that I am in your debt, I will aid you so long as you will have me."

"And if along the way you guys could help me find any of my gear that the thieves didn't take, I would appreciate it.  Hopefully we can find my books and my whip.  Oh, and I guess I didn't tell you my name.  I am Thomas Rankin, and I am truly in your debt."

Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey...

After a restless night, (that damn moonlight shined through your windows all night long) you awaken to the smell of eggs and bacon in the air....

I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

As you and your companions come back into town from Tula's Crypt, you all notice that the night is black as pitch, but for the bright glowing white luminescence  of the unusually large full moon....

Auction Flyer

In addition to all the people at the Wise Piper, there are several flyers on the tables.  They read:

Hunclay Estate Auction

Auction to begin at High Noon.

Lots may be examined Two Hours Prior to Auction

Lot #               Name of Lot                                       Opening Bid

1                      Exotic birds                                         50 gp

2                      Kitchen Lot                                         100 gp

3                      Parlor Lot                                            300 gp

4                      Dining Room Lot                                200 gp

5                      Library Lot                                          400 gp

6                      Stuffed Grizzly Bear                          60 gp

7                      Book of Extended Summoning          550 gp

8                      Book Flesh Golem Manual                 2000 gp

9                      Book Manual of War                          1500 gp

10                    Assorted Scrolls                                  255 gp

11                    Dust of Darkness                                600 gp

12                    Bedroom Lot                                      440 gp

13                    Observatory Lot                                  1000 gp

14                    Storage Lot                                         500 gp

15                    Clockwork Lab Lot                            1000 gp

16                    Private Journal on Summoning           1000 gp

17                    Assorted Spellbooks (5)                      4000 gp

NOTE: ALL BIDS MUST BE MADE IN MULTIPLES OF THE OPENING BID.

Tunnel Vision

After having emerged from the dirty tunnel into the overhanging quarry, your party looks worse for wear.  Hot, tired, and dirty (well, Chad looks normal), you stumble back into town looking for a warm bed and a cool ale.  The sun has set as you enter the town square, headed towards the Wise Piper.  The square has almost a festival atmosphere, there are singers on soapboxes, vendors selling food, and traders selling thingamabobs at whatchamacallits.  There is a man putting on a medicine show, and women espousing the teachings of Calistria.  There is a large tent being set up,  full of chairs and a podium.  A sign outside says “Hunclay Estate Auction – Tomorrow after breakfast”.  A look inside the Wise Piper shows that it is packed, wall to wall with visitors.  You see men dressed in traditional Osirion garb, a group of men and women dressing if fine silks, a group of adventures seems to be telling tales of their exploits in the corner, and a man dressed all in white, including headdress sits alone in a chair along the wall.  Several different races, including Half Orcs, and Tengu sit at the bar.

Isn't it funny what tricks your memory plays?

The next morning, after packing up camp, you and the druid head off towards Belhaim.  Approximately 2 hours from the town, Heschen heads slightly east for a few miles, into the heavy woods.  Then, almost as if realizing something surprising, he stops dead in his tracks.  "Under my right foot, my friends,  I believe is the entrance to Nhur Athemon's dark menagerie."  He gets on his hands and knees and starts clearing way leaves and dirt.  After a short time a large stone slab is revealed.  Heschen stands.  "Alright.  Here is the plan.  Go into the menagerie, explore it, and see if there is anything that has to do with any of this dead wizard's book business."  He grins, almost giddy.  "I suspect that the fact that there were two wizards of some power in the same area is not a coincidence.  Maybe what you find will shed some light on things."  He reaches into his pocket.  He opens his hand and pulls out seven rings.  He holds them out in one hand.  In his other he holds a wand.  "It isn't much, but it is what I can offer right now.  The rings are rings of protection.  (+1)  Not sure what is down there, but any bit of an advantage I can give you will help."  He holds up the wand.  "I picked this up before I left Absalom.  It is a wand that will cast a spell called Cure Light Wounds.  It has 50 uses, so use it sparingly, I don't have another."  He hands Wong the wand.  "Now, I will take the books, and head to Belhaim to begin studying them.  I can start with the Dark Tapestry book, that will take a few days.  I will be at the inn.  Up until now, my association with you is not well known.  Perhaps while this auction is going on, that may be best, it may work to our advantage.  Perhaps..whomever this Mr. Barlau is will be there, and perhaps...
we can both deal with him, you as a group, and I individually, to find out what is going on in this town.  Perhaps....we can stop the problem I sensed before it even begins."

An Unexpected Guest

The journey back to Belhaim, for some reason, seems to go much quicker than your trip to the Arenway.  By the time night falls on the second day you would estimate that perhaps only five or six more hours’ travel will get you there.  Almost a full 2 days before the auction.  As you try to decide whether to camp or press on, thunder and lightning fill the sky as rain pours down, quickly making the decision obvious.  You come upon a small clearing by the side of the path, clearly a well-worn campsite.  Enough trees create a canopy that shelters you from the soaking sky.  Eventually, late in the night the rain stops, and you are able to get a nice fire going.  Bugs and frogs make a tender lullaby as you begin discussing watch duties. 

You all sit around the fire, contemplating the past several weeks, looking at each other.  Suddenly you realize you are not alone.  Sitting on the log next to Mal is a small monkey.  He is starting to pick at Mal’s wet hair.

“Soba!  Leave young Mal alone!  After all, we are guests here.”  A voice emanated from the darkness beyond the camp as a halfling dressed in earth tone clothing steps out.  “It’s good to see you all again.  And together!"  Smiling,  he looks to each of your faces, finally resting his gaze upon Kulman. He extends his hand. “I don’t think we have met.  I am Heschen Turngrace”