I picked up the piece of parchment, and looked it over. The handwriting was jerky, uneven. Not the work of a scribe. Half-forgotten memories surfaced, and I realized what it reminded me of: written assignments in middle school. Which actually made it fairly decent, for a world where it wasn’t like there were organized schools where people went to learn proper handwriting. Perhaps that is part of what the ‘Decipher Script’ skill was for?

Adventurers Wanted!

The village of Moonwater has been out of contact with Northport for two months, now, since the last merchants were able to get through the Moonwood to the southeast to them. Since the full moon two months ago, no travelers have returned from the village. The Church of Selune seeks adventurers confident in their skill at arms to travel to Moonwater, and discover the cause of this disturbance.

The Church of Selune offers compensation of 100 platinum coins per person to those willing to undertake this mission. Additional compensation available based on the challenges faced, and the favorable outcome of their actions.. In defense against the most unfortunate outcome, the Church of Selune offers to raise one fallen adventurer from the dead without cost, should they be brought to the Temple of Selune before it is too late.

For more information, seek out Brother Hemmet Hardarm, at the Temple of Selune.

Frostmane looked at me after he had finished reading the note. “Sounds like more than just bandits. Even goblins let some merchants through. After all, if they completely cut off a route, they don’t get prey. If only one in five get taken, then the foolish and brave come, hoping to get gold or glory from doing what others cannot.”

I nodded. “Agreed. There is more to this than simple bandits at work.” Looking back at the smiling twins, I asked, “So, what makes you two wish to help the Church of Selune, and what do you know about the job so far?”

Siora shook her head, and said, “Not much, to be honest. Obviously, we consulted the maps and learned what we could of the town. Moonwater is about a week’s travel by cart from Northport. There are a couple mines in the area, but nothing to spectacular. And there’s supposed to be a ruin in the woods, but we weren’t able to find anything out about it.”

Vestele cleared her throat softly, and said, “As for why we are interested in this job, there’s a couple points. First, there’s no real conflict between Selune and Malcanthet. After all, they govern different portfolios. So it may help them in accepting Malcanthet’s temple in the city if we help prove that there need not be conflict between us.”

“Second, I cast two divinations when we saw this posting. The first was to find out what I could about the job, and the second was to find reliable companions who wouldn’t mind our… peculiarities. The second led us to you, obviously. The first, however, came back with only two words, ‘werewolves’ and ‘Malar’.”

Melinda’s Knowledge (Religion) check: 1d20+3 = 20

I sucked in a breath at that. Malar the Beastlord was the god of bloody savages and, among other things, werewolves. More importantly, he and Auril were often at odds, though she didn’t know the exact reasons why. Probably because Malar was the god of stalkers and blood-crazed idiots, while Auril was a force of nature. This job suddenly got a lot more interesting.

Beside me, Frostmane growled softly. “Werewolves? Filthy maggots get ideas that just because we are wolves, they can try and bend us to their will, like they do those smaller, common mutts. Then get surprised when we rip them to shreds. Best to kill them all while they’re weak, before they get strong enough to try and fight back.”

I nodded as I scratched Frostmane behind the ears. “Very well, we are certainly interested in taking this job. The Lady will be pleased if we foil one of the Beastlord’s plans, and it will help separate both our churches from the more mindlessly wicked types. We’ll need to do some shopping, to get rid of things that could not easily be sold in the north for anything near their true value.”

Vestele smiled, “In that case, why don’t we meet tomorrow after the morning meal, and we’ll show you to the stores that will not only buy your wares, but won’t try to cheat you as much as the other merchants. And there’s a smithy that sells silvered daggers, which will give us a good threat in case our more powerful attacks fail to penetrate an enemy’s defenses. Do you know what you might look to get?”

I shook my head. “Not as yet. I have never been here before, after all, so it would be foolish to try and make plans without knowing how much we might have to spend, and what we might spend it on.”

Vestele smiled at her sister. “Finally, another sensible person.” Turning back to look at me, she grinned. “My sister absolutely adores shopping, almost as much as she adores the pleasures her customers bring to her. She goes out and spends most of what she earns on more pleasures. Not that I disapprove of pleasure, mind you. But it is so much better to have others provide the pleasure, than to go around paying for it.”

Siora smirked as she backhanded her sister’s shoulder. “You bitch! Don’t act so high and mighty with me. I know the only reason you aren’t out shopping alongside me is that you’re learning about those piercings you love so much.”

Vestele sighed dramatically. “My poor sister, so blessed with skill in dealing with other people, but so lacking in vision! Those piercings are a path to power, my dear. There is a class that I saw in a vision, and it is perfect for me. I just need a bit more power, and I’ll be able to take the first step on that path.”

Siora sniffed indignantly and turned up her nose. “I’ll have you know that I just haven’t found a path that interests me yet. Not that there’s anything wrong with simply continuing the path I’ve taken since the Will of the World showed me what I could do. There’s so much that a Beguiler can do, once you reach the proper levels of power, you know.”

I smiled wistfully, watching the two sisters bicker. The nature of siblings, it seemed, never changed, even when you crossed between worlds. Of course, that brought up thoughts of my old life. Something I didn’t like doing.

It wasn’t like the early days, of course. After what had happened to me after the Bastard kidnapped me, I was angry and set on not being a victim again. I didn’t want to think about my old family in those days, because they reminded me of how weak and powerless I was. Now, they were just sad, thinking of people I would never see again.

I shook my head, chasing away the thoughts of another lifetime. There would be time for proper moping and remembrance later. Tonight, we were celebrating a new team being formed, and preparing for the future! With that thought, I called for another round of ale.

The evening got a bit hazy after that point.

The next morning, I woke up to find that I was two silvers poorer, and my head felt like clansmen had been hammering away at it. With their warhammers. Eventually, there stopped being two of Frostmane, who also was looking less than pleased with life, and we went down for the morning meal. The sisters were already waiting for us, and they were disgustingly alert and chipper. No doubt they were far more accomplished drinkers than we were. Still, they paid for breakfast, which went a long ways to reclaiming my good will towards them.

Melinda’s Diplomacy Check: 1d20+13 = 28

Merchant’s Opposed Diplomacy Check: 1d20+10 = 22

Siora led us to several shops, allowing me to unload the enchanted Breastplate and Greataxe that I had won as part of my spoils from the Battle of Nine Towns. I was able to haggle a bit, and get a good deal on the items. The merchant was more willing to deal when I told him that I was also looking to make some purchases, as well.

Melinda’s Diplomacy Check: 1d20+13 = 25

Merchant’s Opposed Diplomacy Check: 1d20+10 = 17

After browsing the merchant’s wares, I found a pair of items I wanted. There was a bit of haggling, but, in the end, I handed over the Breastplate, Greataxe, my Cloak of Resistance, and eight hundred and fifty gold pieces from my own pocket to the merchant. Not an inconsiderable sum, but I was more than pleased with the results of my shopping trip.

Dancer’s Favor

Type

Torso

Weight

5

This outfit was made as a commission for a renowned dancer and courtesan. Unfortunately for the maker, the intended recipient was also a traitor and spy, who was caught and executed before she could take delivery of (or pay for) this item.

+2 Resistance Bonus to all Saves

+5 Competence Bonus to Sense Motive

Shiftweave – Can shift to become one of five outfits on command. Weight does not change. Available outfits: Explorer’s Outfit, Desert Outfit, Entertainer’s Outfit, Cold Weather Outfit, Oilskin Suit

Cloak of Charisma +2

Type

Shoulders

Weight

1

This cloak, made from silk and lined with the fur of an albino fox, has been enchanted to provide a +2 enhancement bonus to the wearer’s Charisma.

Vestele chuckled as we left the store. “I remember that courtesan. She was part of Graz’zt’s faction. Was very fond of using her lovely features to work her way into the hearts of men from the noble faction who should have had more sense, and would have seen her coming, if they hadn’t been thinking with the wrong head. As it stands, however, she was exposed after an anonymous source whispered a few words where the Paladins of Tyr could hear them. Her former patrons turned on her, claiming bewitchment, in order to save face, and delay any investigations to their affairs, and limit the damage. She was arrested, charged, tried, and hung inside a week.”

I grinned as I looked up from the new clothes I was wearing. They were so light, compared to the ones I’d been wearing, but they were just as comfortable, and felt like they’d provide the same protection from the weather. Honestly, an outfit that could turn into different outfits? How cool was that? “No doubt that put a damper on her ability to pay for the outfit. Not that I’m complaining, of course.”

Vestele laughed. “And neither is that merchant, now. A commission like that was probably paid half up front, which would have covered the materials for its making. If so, then that merchant just made a great profit off an item he was sure to never sell, while he got several items that he can move well enough, without costing him any resources to create. It is the best kind of bargain, really. Everyone wins, and in such a way that both sides may seek each other out for future business.”

Silvered Dagger

Type

Simple Weapon

Weight

1

Damage

1d4

Damage Type

Piercing / Slashing

Critical

19-20 / x2

Thrown Range

10 ft

This dagger is an effective weapon in the hands of any wielder proficient in its uses. It is made with alchemical silver, allowing it to overcome the damage reduction of lycanthropes or others weak against silver, but incurs a -1 on damage rolls.

For the next stop, we swung by a local smithy, and the three of us who actually used weapons picked up some simple silvered daggers for the three of us. They weren’t special, or all that finely made, but against werewolves they would provide better protection than a masterwork rapier, for sure. I had never fought werewolves before, but I knew that they were weak against silver, while other weapons didn’t do as much against them. At the very least, it might encourage one of the nasty things to stay back so I could shoot it, instead of trying to eat my face.

We were heading towards the Temple of Selune, to answer the call in the notice, when things suddenly got very ‘interesting’.