Day 68: Sunday the 25th, Neth, 4707
Savah woke me up early with a request that we go to the Cathedral today. I told her that I would be glad to go with her, so we got up and got dressed. I fixed us up a super quick meal and got dressed in good attire. We quickly let Bailey out to their house and got on my bike. We rode quickly to the Cathedral and we got there in time to see Father Zantus' services.
In all my interactions with Father Zantus, he had seemed to be a decent enough chap. Today's sermon was on the need of all to go out an experience the world, and how those whom you meet might just surprise you with how much they can in turn teach you. I figured that some of that was at least obliquely referring to me, so I would definitely need to thank him at some time for it. When the sermon was over, Savah told me that she wanted to talk to Father Zantus alone, so I told her to go ahead. I decided to talk to Naffer Vosk, about the conditions of the Boneyard.
Naffer seemed to be among the most devoted people I had ever met. He talked to me at great length about the Boneyard and how he has taken every caution he can against burying someone alive, but that he thinks that he has heard scratching once or twice when he is digging a grave for a new unfortunate. I asked him if he ever considered proposing cremation for the people, and he told me that most people do not follow the idea of cremation because of a fear that it will create a wraith that will be vengeful for those who have disrespected their bodies. I thanked Naffer for informing me of that and relayed to him how we took care of cemeteries where I was from.
Naffer thanked me for the insight and excused himself, as he had to go look after the grounds. I thanked him for all his dedication to the boneyard here in town and that I hoped that he knew how much the people of this town really did appreciate him. Naffer smiled and went on his business. When he left, Savah sidled up next to me and noted that she was ready to head out. I asked her where she would like to go, and she noted that she'd like to just take a walk around town. I told her that I would drive the bike back home and come back here to catch up with her, and she recommended that we just drop the bike off at the Barghest, because we could have lunch there.
We got on the bike and drove to the Barghest, as Jonathan was just getting his business up and running for the day, and got lunch. After, we took a walk through Sandpoint, checking in on all of the people that I had not seen in several days, if not weeks. We stopped and visited Brodert Quink, as he had not been at the service. Apparently he was absorbed in a new book that he had gotten shipped in from Magnimar. It was written by an author by the name of Avari and they had put forth that some of the Thassilonian ruins had a type of magic that didn't even detect as such, but could turn steam into rotation, and then rotation into lightning or something similar.
That raised an eyebrow, and I asked him if he knew where such a ruin might be. Brodert told me that the author was actually from a far off place, but that they hinted that there were such ruins in Varisia, but not the locations of any. I told Brodert that if he discerned any hints of the locations that I would be more than glad to work with him on finding such places. Brodert thanked me for offering such, but told me that at this point, he was deeper than the Pit into this book and that he Wished me Well on my journeys and trials. I thanked him and was a bit confused, but we headed on.
Savah noted that Brodert was getting more and more wrapped up in his search for Thassilonian lore. I told her that I hoped that he could find what he was looking for safely. From there we went to Alma's bakery Sandpoint Savories, and we got some snacks. Apparently she was doing well selling doughnuts and was even expanding her offerings. Alma took me aside and told me that she'd like a visit from her daughter, if I could pass that along. I told her that I would of course do so. Savah and I headed out down Sand Street to head into the Curious Goblin.
Chask Haladan was there, and he greeted us like old friends. Chask asked me if I had transferred any other books, and I told him that I had paused at the moment, as I had a large amount of back orders on different items and needed to ensure that I fulfilled my promises to them. I did agree that I would look to make something new, when I had the chance, after he weaseled it out of me. From there we wandered down the alleys to get to Madame Mvashti's house. She was providing a fortune reading for a young Varisian couple, so we wished her well silently and went on. We dropped by the Sandpoint Boutique and visited Hayliss for a little bit, with Savah talking about how her move had went. Hayliss was more than willing for us to visit, as she told us that those who associate with me tend to be ignored by the Scarnettis and she was more than happy for that.
From the Boutique, we made our way down to Hannah's and I waited outside while Savah said that she had to discuss something with her. While I was outside, I decided that I was going to bring something else from my old world here when I saw some kids were playing in the streets. They had been playing tag, so I looked around and found a dandelion. I used my prestidigitation powers to change it into a hempen hacky-sack. I started playing while the kids were doing their own thing.
After a few seconds, I caused it to start glowing and that got their attention further. They started watching and I told them how to play. I took another dandelion and transmuted it to be another hacky sack. I re-upped the transmutation on the first one and let them practice, after telling them that the toys would only last for about an hour. The kids were ignoring me after I had made two of them, so I went back to going through transmutations to practice while I waited for Savah.
After about thirty seconds, I heard Savah clear her throat behind me. I turned around and she was smiling, telling me that she had watched the last minute of me teaching the kids before going through the transmutations. I told her that I thought I would give the kids a new game, since it was something that they could do without getting in to too much trouble. Savah smiled while shaking her head a little. She asked if I was ready to eat, and I told her that I was. We headed out from Hannah's and headed up to the Barghest.
Jonathan welcomed us as we came in, taking us to a nice booth. He sat down with us for a bit and told us that the new bards were working out just fine as dual managers. They were bringing in even more people than he ever could with their performances, and the wait staff seemed to be enjoying it as well, getting in on the performances whenever they could. I told him that I was glad that he had gotten two quality managers with the bards. Jonathan asked us what we were having and Savah told him that he didn't need to take time away from his business to just deal with us. Jonathan laughed and shook his head, noting that Shayliss was more than capable of dealing with the business, and that Cytheria was another set of eyes for the kitchen.
Jonathan took our orders and headed off to get them made. Savah and I sat there and we talked about how much the town had changed since the day of the Sandpoint Festival. How she now had a store where she was safe from another fire, how Jonathan had moved in to her old storefront and had made the place a tavern where the whole town was starting to enjoy it, and how we had even brought new things to the town like the new recipes at all the different places. I told her that I hoped that I had not made many bad changes to the town. Savah said that she thought that I had made some good changes with a wink.
Jonathan brought our food back and sat down with us with his own plate. We talked a bit with him and he asked if everything was ready for the twenty-ninth. I looked to Savah and said that everything should be good to go. Jonathan asked if there was any possibility of getting the band together a day or two before the twenty-ninth, as there was something he was hearing from some of the farmers that had come in that should be addressed by us. I looked to Savah and she looked concerned. I thought about it for a second and realized that if Jonathan was bringing this up to us, then it had to be a big deal. I asked him to tell us what the issue was.
Jonathan quieted his voice before continuing. He told us that the local farmers were dealing with a dragon attacking their flocks. Apparently it was in lairing in the Tors and going out periodically to take their sheep. I looked to Savah and said that we had just visited the Tors yesterday, and that Oren and Arika were in the Farmlands the day before and no one had mentioned anything like that. Jonathan told us that the Farmers were keeping this to themselves, because everyone was focused around the ghouls and they were not certain that it wasn't ghouls, but a few of them heard what they thought were heavy wings flapping away and they thought that they smelled acid from time to time.
Jonathan continued with telling us that the farmers were planning on addressing this with the town council the next time the council was in session, after the ghouls were taken care of, of course. I shook my head and looked at Savah. She looked a little scared but like she knew what would happen. I told Jonathan that as soon as we got home, I would place the call to Dame Rebekah and Faunra to see when they could be ready. Jonathan thanked me, and noted that it would be a good thing that we were taking care of the farmers in this way as well. Jonathan told me that he had a guide who could show us the way if we take up this quest.
We all finished our meal and made our goodbyes. Savah and I rode back to the house and went back inside when we got there. I looked to Savah and she said that she understood that we needed to do this for the town, but that she worried for our safety. I told her that between Dame Rebekah, Jonathan, and the healing potions that we had acquired, that we should be fine. I added that from what I heard about dragons, they only got bigger and more dangerous if they were left to continue to harass the population. Savah nodded and said that she had heard about that. I asked her if I had her blessing in trying to go deal with this menace. Savah said that I did, and I went into the workshop to transmit the information to Faunra and Dame Rebekah. I got a response back from Dame Rebekah almost immediately, and I told her that I would tell her more information when Faunra was also listening.
Dame Rebekah acknowledged that it made sense, and I paged Faunra again. After about a minute, Faunra responded back that she was now available to talk. I checked that Dame Rebekah was still there, and I relayed to the both of them what Jonathan had told me about the dragon. Almost immediately, Dame Rebekah said that she would be willing to participate as soon as possible. Faunra asked if I knew anything more about the dragon, and I remembered Jonathan's comments about the acid smell. Faunra noted that it was likely a black dragon after that and said that she could be ready as soon as tomorrow morning.
Dame Rebekah agreed and said that she would meet up at my house tomorrow at first light. Faunra said that she could make it here by that time as well. I told them that I would inform Jonathan and that we would head out tomorrow morning. I turned to go find Savah and she was already there. Before I could speak, she rushed up and hugged me. I was confused but accepted and hugged her back. After a few moments she told me that she was worried about tomorrow. I told her that the gang and I had faced all kinds of dangers and that I was certain that we could stay safe through this. Savah told me that dragons were the most dangerous things that one can face, so I should be really careful.
I stopped for a second and realized a bit of the gravity that I was facing. This was a dragon, the kind of thing from legends where I was from. Vitriol dripping from its lips (apparently dragons spit something other than fire here?) and massive wings. It had armored scales and claws that could rip a man to pieces. I had promised to do this, but was getting worried now. A dragon is not something to screw with.
I resolved to spend the rest of the day getting as prepared as I could, and told her that I would do as such. Savah told me that if anyone could do this it would be me, and that she believed in me. I was touched by her confidence in me and resolved to go talk to every person I could to figure out what I needed to surpass this new greatest foe. I told Savah that I would be heading back out into town to talk to everyone I could to get more information. Savah wished me well, and asked if I wanted her to go with me. I told her that I would be more than happy for her to go with me, but it was her day off. Savah shrugged and said that she was okay with it.
We headed back out and Savah recommended that we head out to The Rusty Dragon first. We rode down the Lost Coast bypass road to get to the Southern Bridge to get to there. Savah said that she would go in to ask so that we could keep up the pretense. After a minute, Savah came back out and said that Ameiko claimed that she was too busy, but that we should go to the Feathered Serpent, as Vorvashali Voon was well travelled as well as she was. I shrugged and we wheeled the bike back around to the Feathered Serpent.
Vorvashali was working his counter as usual when we came in, and Savah went up to talk to him. Vorvashali listened to what she had to say and thought about it for a few minutes before noting that it sounded light a Black Dragon, one the size of a donkey maybe, so probably a juvenile. Then a customer came in and Vorvashali wished us well. Savah and I left the store and didn't know where to go next. I asked her if she thought that it would be a good idea to go talk to Madame Mvashti. Savah said that we could try there again.
We made our way to Madame Mvashti's house and she welcomed us in immediately. It was almost like she knew that we would be back. Madame Mvashti set us both down at the table with tea already in front of us, and before we could speak started pulling out her cards. She ran a fortune for me first, indicating that we will need an eternal light powered by faith to be able to surpass this next foe, but that we already have the means within our possession. Madame Mvashti also told me that there are unquiet ghosts in the area that need to be helped to pass on. She told me that we have been by the current haunt of one, Biston Pond, and that it would be wise to bring one of the Green Faith with us to help that one pass on. Madame Mvashti told us next that Chopper's Isle has an unquiet dead that needs help as well. Then she told me that my fortune was done, and that I should leave the house for the moment.
I thanked her and headed out quickly. She had the power to liquefy dirt in a massive area. She is not one to trifle with. I waited outside again and the same kids from before showed up to tell me that their toys had disappeared. I told them that I could make them again, but that they would only last for another hour. They asked me to do it, so I picked up some more dandelions and made them some more hacky sacks. I also made another one for myself to practice with. The kids were all better than me at it with only some short practice, but that was the way it always was for me. Savah came out a few minutes after I started practicing again. I tossed my hacky sack over to the kids and got on the bike.
Savah smiled and noted that I was giving away a lot of those toys. I smiled and told her that I was just transmuting the toys from my powers and that they only lasted an hour before changing back to what they were made from, so the toys didn't even get turned into waste when they were no longer in use. Savah smiled and nodded before asking where we should be checking next. I shrugged and said that we were not that far away from Cyrdak's Theater, and he might know something. Savah agreed and we headed that way.
When we got to the theater, I could hear Cyrdak giving direction to his new troupe before heading outside. He saw me and smiled despite himself before he remembered the game we play. Savah took the hint and walked up to him to ask him what he knew about Juvenile Black Dragons. Cyrdak thought for a minute and told her that Black Dragons of all ages were natives to swampy areas and had unparalleled maneuverability there. Savah asked if he knew anything else, but a cast member came out and interrupted Savah and Cyrdak's conversation with questions about the new show.
The cast member then noticed that I was on the bike a few feet away, and Cyrdak cottoned on to that and told Savah that he didn't care who asked for me, that I wouldn't be invited back to perform until I learned a bit of humility. Savah played up the act and noted that I had no reason to be humble, and that I could bring a performance anywhere. Cyrdak turned to walk back into the theater and the cast member went in before him. Cyrdak turned to face u and winked before heading fully in. Savah shrugged and came back to the bike. She relayed to me what Cyrdak said and asked if there was anyone else who I thought that we should ask.
I thought about it for a minute and realized that we had not checked in with Ilsoari and Vaeren recently, maybe they might know something. We headed back down through the market square and then over to the Academy. The kids were out front of the Academy, playing with their hacky sacks. I smiled and we both walked in. Ilsoari and Vaeren were talking when we came in and Ilsoari noticed us first. Ilsoari welcomed us and Vaeren turned around to greet us as well.
After some small talk, Ilsoari asked us what brought us by this day. Savah told Ilsoari of how the farmers had told Jonathan about the thing that was taking their goats and killing their sheep. That all they knew was that the creature came from above, flew off with the smaller prey, and left an acrid smell in their wake. I added that we had already talked to a few people, and the consensus was that it was likely a Black Dragon, probably a juvenile, and that they can travel really well in swamps and such. Ilsoari nodded and said that the assessment seemed accurate, and that along with travelling really well in swamps, they can speak with the animals there and even breath underwater.
I blanched and asked if he had any books on Dragons that I could peruse tonight before we head out. Ilsoari shook his head, but noted that Chask probably had something that I could get off of him, especially is he was willing to continue our deal from before, where I return the book I buy and he gives me store credit in blank books. I told Ilsoari that if we did manage to defeat this foe, that I would ensure that we included as much of the accumulated knowledge as we could on this deadly foe so he could include it in the school's libraries. Ilsoari thanked me and wished us well on our way.
Savah and I had left and gotten back to the bike when Vaeren came rushing out. I asked Vaeren what the issue was, and he told me that he wanted to accept my offer of being the manager for my workshop. I thanked him and looked to Savah. Savah asked when he could start, and he told her that he could start on the 29th. Savah told him that he was hired, and we thanked him for getting back to us. I added that I would be increasing the size of the workshops and adding classrooms as soon as I got the funding to do so. I told him that I would go over the current build schedule that I have Veronica on, so he could get familiar with it. Vaeren told us that he would see us on the morning of the 29th, and we headed the short distance to the Curious Goblin.
When we came back in the store, Chask smiled and asked if I had completed one already. I shook my head, noting that something had come up that would prevent me from working on any books for at least two days. Chask asked what the issue was, and Savah told him about what we had so far found out about the terror of the farmlands. Chask noted that he did not have any books about dragons in general, but more specifically he had heard tell that there was an island off the coast called the Dragon's Punchbowl. It was a place where Black Dragons might rear their young. He noted that it was quite likely that the Juvenile had been kicked out by their parent and was looking for a new residence.
Chask cautioned us that even though it was a Juvenile, it was still incredibly dangerous and extremely sneaky. We would need razor sharp vision to keep track of it and it can generate clouds of darkness that make it hard for us humans to see through. I thanked him for his time, and said that we would probably be writing a book about this dragon to pass along all of the information that we collect if we survive this. Chask wished us the best and told us that Veznutt might be the best person to ask, after he suggested Brodert and we told him how enraptured he was in his new book.
Just as we were about to leave, Jabryl Sorn came in and asked everyone how we were doing. Before we could say anything, Chask told her that I was going to slay a dragon tomorrow that was plaguing the farmlands. Jabryl nodded wisely and wished us all the best, and cautioned us that dragons are dangerous. We headed out and got on my bike. We took the streets to head to The Way North, the shop of Veznutt.
Veznutt was very welcoming once we broached the subject of dragons. He talked with us for a good long time, confirming a lot of what the others had said, and informing us that yes, Black Dragons did possess a breath weapon of concentrated acid. Acid that is strong enough to melt through stout wooden doors with nary an issue. I asked if he knew of ways to block or stop it, and he shook his head, noting that there were stronger spells that could help one resist the damage of the acid, and even stronger ones that could block all of the damage, but these were incredibly hard to acquire at a quick notice. I thanked him for his time and told him that if I ran across any maps of the area, that I would bring them to him. Veznutt thanked us and we headed out.
We made our way to the Barghest, and stopped by to talk to Jonathan. Jonathan quickly rushed over to us when he saw us and asked if there was any news. I told him that we would be going to take on the dragon first thing in the morning, and that Faunra and Dame Rebekah would be meeting up at my place. Jonathan said that he had already talked it over with Shayliss and she understood the risks and the dangers. Jonathan added that he would meet up at my place first thing in the morning as well, and he would have a lunch packed for everyone. I smiled and thanked him and said that we needed to be going. Jonathan said that he understood and we went off.
When we got home, we put away the things of the day and Savah recommended that I look through any other books that we had collected to see if there was any useful information in them. There wasn't much more than what we had already found out from the people in town in my books, but a lot of confirmation of what we already knew. For some reason, there was a lot of connotation with the undead with Black Dragons, but no specific reason. I marked it up as something to keep in mind but not an immediate thing to worry about. I decided that I had prepared as long as I could and started writing down the next few months' worth of instructions for Veronica. I informed Veronica that she was to go over this list every day, and to continue to make the items on the list until they were complete.
The trick was, that the list would take years to complete if done correctly. I hoped that this would occupy her while Savah got the note that I left her. It commanded her to take a vial that included some of my blood to an alchemist and have them transfer the control of Veronica over to Savah after my demise. I left that note in a place where only Savah could look. I decided that my best course of action was to spend the rest of the day with her.
I left the workshop with Veronica having her marching orders and headed out to go spend some quality time with Savah. I hope that this isn't the last entry in my journal.