In the Cave

Ezzerkash examined the Grave Talon. It stood and attacked. It had a different rune mark from Solange. It was the same as the one on Neverhold’s staff. Then Oobleck heard chanting from the ledge Solange had leapt from. A hex appeared over his head. It was the Hex of the Bullseye. Neverhold’s ostrich was actually a Grave Talon. It hit Ezzerkash and he went down.

Solange attacked the other Grave Talon. Cham entered the chamber stealthily and scanned for access to the ledge above. Brynjar entered and prepared to jump up to the ledge. Basil drew his crossbow, entered, and loaded it. Slimy climbed the wall and slammed Neverhold, but she was protected by a shield. Oobleck entered to gain line of sight on Neverhold.

Ezzerkash continued bleeding. The Grave Talon shredded Solange. Slimy hit Neverhold. She ran away. Cham shot the Grave Talon with an arrow. Brynjar climbed up and saw that Neverhold had fled. He gave chase. Basil shot at the Grave Talon, but missed. Then advanced toward it. Oobleck cast Magic Stone and loaded his sling. Slimy climbed down and advanced toward the Grave Talon. Then the Catchpoles arrived…

Ezzerkash continued bleeding. The Grave Talon charged across the pool and slashed Cham. She encouraged the Catchpoles to attack it. She shot at it point blank but missed. Brynjar returned from chasing Neverhold. He cast Snowball and hit the Grave Talon. Basil ran toward Ezzerkash. Oobleck moved to get a clear shot and hit the Grave Talon with a Magic Stone To no effect. Slimy attacked as well, but failed to hit. The Catchpoles attacked the Grave Talon to no effect.

Ezzerkash continued bleeding. The Grave Talon closed on Cham and killed her and then killed a Catchpole. Brynjar leapt for the back of the Grave Talon, but landed on the guard. Oobleck ran over and bound Ezzerkash’s wounds. Slimy critically slammed the Grave Talon. The Catchpoles hit the Grave Talon.

Ezzerkash continued bleeding. The Grave Talon attacked Slimy. Brynjar attacked the Grave Talon but missed. Basil cast Cure Light Wounds on Ezzerkash. Oobleck threw a Magic Stone at the Grave Talon, but missed. Slimy missed. One of the Catchpoles hit the Grave Talon well.

Ezzerkash was still unconscious. The Grave Talon killed the Catchpole leader. Brynjar attacked again and missed again. Basil cast Cure Light Wounds on Ezzerkash. He regained consciousness. Slimy attacked and wounded the Grave Talon. Oobleck shot another Magic Stone but missed again. The Catchpole hit the Grave Talon hard.

Ezzerkash stood up. The Grave Talon eviscerated the last Catchpole. Brynjar missed his attack. Basil cured Ezzerkash again. Oobleck cast Magic Stone again. Slimy slammed into the Grave Talon and engulfed it.

Ezzerkash advanced into the fight. The Grave Talon broke free of Slimy. Brynjar advanced. Basil shot at the Grave Talon but missed. Oobleck threw a Magic Stone, but missed. Slimy missed.

Ezzerkash attacked and the Grave Talon went down. Slimy killed it. An explosion of light came from the Grave Talon’s runes, as well as from Solange’s runes, and Basil fell unconscious. Oobleck detected some kind of energy link from the runes to somewhere in the west.

Oobleck used the egg to resurrect Cham. Searching the Grave Talon’s saddle bags, they found several items that detected as magical:

  • Soft-soled, laced leather boots that appeared to be crafted to allow the wearer to move stealthily in a wilderness setting.  Upon close inspection, the rune for “follow” was inscribed on the sole of each boot.
  • An attractive, ornate brass candle-holder, suitable for a desk or dining room, that held up to three normal candles and could be carried in one hand.  Engraved in the center was an icon of an eclipse composed of gears.
  • An ornate glass eye, surrounded by copper or silver filigree with tiny hooks on the back that fastened itself securely to the wearer’s forehead.
  • A small red cord that wrapped around the wearer’s wrist. It seemed harmless and mundane.
  • A simple leather pouch was attached to a belt and hand-tooled with images showing fruits and vegetables. There was a rune centered on the closing flap used in rituals of blessing for food.
  • A headband that, when picked up gave a strong feeling of deja-vu followed by a vivid recollection of the first time the wearer’s father smiled at them with pride – and of the first time he looked at them with disappointment. The band was made of interwoven strands of brass and bronze with several small knobs on the inside.
  • A simple stone bowl that was incredibly intricately carved when one looked close. There were tiny images of creatures, no two the same, running all over the outside.
  • A perfectly matched, utterly classy and tasteful piece of jewelry.
  • A supremely sturdy pair of footwear that looked well worn but serviceable. This set of coverings appeared exceptionally well made, right down to the pair of iron tines running beneath the base.
  • A clay bead too large for a necklace, but fitting perfectly in hand bore odd silver runes embedded into its lumpy, spider-carved surface.

They left Solange with Quinneal to bury properly.

Back in Far Rough

Returning to town the next day, the party was hailed as heroes, even though the villain got away and all the Catchpoles were dead, for killing the murderer (the Grave Talon). The Grimlock finished their business in Far Rough and went on to negotiate elsewhere. The Nightwalker and Rosie were visited by three women and they have not been seen since. Neverhold was seen in town asking about the destination of the Grimlocks and a Crystal Fold.

The Venture Commissar appeared and informed them that the Nightwalker was visited by three hags. The Grave Talon had been hexed three times. It was believed that the Nightwalker was hired by the hags to get the Crystal Fold. The Questor Society tasked the party with stopping her.