The party ended the day at the Cottage of Takhat. A small B&B attached to the walls of Sic-Met. The party went to sleep with Prescott patrolling the halls that night watching for a possible attack by Hilo. Nothing unusual happened.
The next morning a few items that you had purchased were delivered including a letter from the Thieve’s guild:
Keljor,
It is deeply unfortunate that you have become involved with this “Hilo”. I have spent the time allowed extracting the best information out of every source I have. Here is what I have found:
“Hilo” is a well tanned human with a dark hair often seen wearing a black poncho. He seems to take a new name for each job. He has been known as the Reaping Wind, The Dragon’s Fang, or… Balthazar. He has been in our town before but never for very long. He is patient, and violent and always very well prepared. He is the most accomplished assassin that has been in our parts for a long time… if my sources are correct. There is more than one report of this man offering to settle business without bloodshed.
This “Hilo” is a ghost…
Please find a way to satisfy him without bringing his wrath down on yourself or us! If you choose to fight… may the Gods have mercy on your soul.
– StraightBlade Steve
P.S.
One of my guys was knocked unconscious by some kind of gas after attempting to tail Hilo to the SW side of town. Hilo has never been seen with a partner or accomplice and survivors have said that he employs a poisonous gas, can disappear at a moment’s notice leaving no trail behind and prefers to attack at night. Shadows hide you.
The party discussed their options for the day and decided to run Kerzha’s errand to go visit a “lighthouse” north up the beach. The group spent the morning walking up the beach enjoying the beautiful day. Prescott seemed lost in thought and mentioned that he hadn’t considered his past in a long time. He knows that he used to have a wife but he can’t remember her name… or even what she looked like but somehow she is related to his current… undead condition.
Just as the party came into view of the tower a group of Yuan-Ti came bursting out from the jungle! As the fight turned in our heroes’ favor the snakes turned to run, but Keljor took off at a full run through the jungle and landed a shot between the shoulder blades of the fleeing snake/wizard.
Three young followers of Rythis were rescued from the tower. They had been on a mission to meet and spread goodwill with the aquatic races that live near Sic-Met, they were amazed to hear that Kerzha had already met Salloa (the fish-king) and saved his son from a cult making the ocean safer than it had been for a long time!
The group had almost returned to Sic-Met when a green and silver seagull swooped down and Julianna landed in the sand in front of the group. immediately, eyes flashing angrily, and finger pointed at Keljor she demanded “Keljor! What did you do!?!”
A discussion filled Julianna in on what had happened with Hilo and Julianna informed the group that they were wanted in Sic-Met because an elf who looked just like Keljor had been seen boarding the Tide-Taker. The next morning the nightwatchman and captain Telford were both found dead. Telford’s heart had been torn form his chest. Now certainly the entire docks and nearby areas were filled with guards looking for Keljor and possibly the rest of the group by the end of the day.
Julianna also gave the group two small magical patches that can be used to improve their armor as part of the agreement that she had reached with the group in exchange for the book stolen form Ambrose Pin.
Only minutes later with the walls of Sic-Met finally in full view, each member of the party could hear a voice in their minds:
“Well Keljor, You’ve only killed two people in the city so far. I doubt they’ll allow you or your friends anywhere near the docks. Shall we continue this game, or are you ready to part with the book? I will have no more interest in you or your group the moment that book is in my hands.
I’m offering you an alibi, I’ll even offer you 2,000GP for the book, do you want to make this better or worse for yourself?
Any of you can contact me right now.”
After a brief discussion the group agreed to not get Julianna involved, it was better for her to leave with the book and get far away from here. Loris told a very convincing lie, she told Hilo that a Yuan-Ti caster stole the book from the group. Hilo seemed less confident of his quarry if this were true… He did not push any further at this time.
The group went around outside the city to avoid the guards while Kerzha and Prescott rented a small boat to go upriver in pursuit of Prescott’s quest.
The followers of Rythis were very grateful to Kerzha, Ska-Cha, the leader prayed a brief prayer over Kerzha passing whatever power or blessing he retained onto this “New champion of Rythis”
The party loaded onto the boat and headed upriver.
A few hours later the group began to see a strange shimmering effect on the bank of the river, a moment later it seemed to be in a different place, and a ghostly dock appeared on the bank, with a single ghostly female form standing on the dock, vaguely gesturing to the party.
Where might this ghost lead you? How much time have you bought yourselves before Hilo comes around again? Who is Prescott’s master? What might Julianna find in that book?!?
We’ll have to wait and see…