Under a Full Moon

Part 3 – The Adventure Continues

Comments in Blue have been added after publishing.

Details

Start here for Session 3

• Arathea has been sowing fear and suspicion the last couple days. She chose at random, 4 prominent townsfolk for a simple ritual to Orcus. Anyone examining the sites of their deaths may notice the bloody symbols painted around the bodies. Each victim was held by an undead minion while Arathea said the prayers and plunged the ritual dagger into their bodies.

• On the night that the party stays in town, the full moon will rise about 2-3 hours after sunset and the villagers will be transformed.
• When the full moon rises about 2 hours after sunset, the hapless townsfolk begin their transformation into various undead.
• Even the murdered corpses in the church crypt rise again!
• Sister Arathea begins her final plans – she needs to get the necklaces from the party and bring the horns down to where she has ceremonially placed the goats’ heads receptacle.
• The entire town is alerted to the party’s location with orders to loot them of the necklaces and bring them to the Church.
• She has also directed four of her priests to bring the Mayor downstairs to be the blood sacrifice for the ritual.
• If the party is not clued into the church, they will see the priests in the distance taking the mayor to the crypt

Places

• Desna’s Mound – outdoor standing stones used in the worship to Desna, goddess of nature, outdoors and travelers. There is a hollowed stone where passers-by have left minor donations.
• Starlight Inn – small inn where the party has found lodging for a couple nights. Run by a gregarious, affable human man named Jollin.
• Constabulary – the local constable is a burly man named Weathers who looks like he has enjoyed more time in the taverns than the streets. He is over his head, but is not willing to show it. He is trying to calm the townsfolk down by reassuring them that he has some leads and that they should get back to their lives, In actuality, he is terrified and does not know what to do. He also does not want the outsiders to show him up, so he is dismissive to the point of suspicion.
• The Circus – the bright canopies and flags here are the semi-permanent trappings of one of the outdoor markets. The goods here are mostly crafted items and baked goods. Little Binny frequently visits this area to pinch a sweet roll or gossip about the other townsfolk.
• Temple of Aroden – the well-maintained grounds of the Temple are now turned into a triage area with Sister Arathea and Brother Pelandor tending to the wounded or preparing the dead with reverence and dignity.
• The Nooks – A series of twisting streets and alleys is the bustling hub of craftsmen activities. The only crafting that is not done here belongs to the blacksmith trades in the Wrighter’s quarter.
• Browned Wharf – A fire once raged through this area but has since been rebuilt, although its nickname remains. The local businesses use the warehouses here to receive and stage products for trade along the river. This is also the area where travelers by river embark and disembark. (which by the way is how the cultists arrived months ago). The dockmaster is a harried, grumpy dwarf named Bristletop. If persuaded to talk and with an appropriate bribe, he will recall several groups of ‘hooded weirdos’ arriving in town about a month ago. None left town via river though.
• Blackstone Farm – The Blackstones are one of the most prominent farmers in the area, owning 3 of the large parcels (2 NE & W ). Farmer Blackstone is the person who made the first reports of mutilated livestock – some of his goat flock. He has found a total of 9 decapitated goats over the past three weeks, but none in the last week. The Constable had investigated but attributed it to a large wolf with a taste for goat heads. None of the heads were found and they forgot to look for tracks. Characters may have a chance (DC26 Per) to find old booted tracks at one or more of the scenes of the kills.
• Wrighter’s – This section of town of where the local blacksmiths, armorers and weaponsmiths ploy their craft. There is no organized garrison nearby, but travelers are always looking for a new blade of mace to get along their travels. The smiths make sure they are decorated with meaningless symbols and runes to make them look ‘dangerous’.
• The Troll Bridge – The bridge is the center of the fishing trade and is run by an odd nut named Little Binny. He is probably one of the most intelligent people in town, but people know him as a scamp, rogue, swindler or jester. He does run a fishing shop and employs several fishmongers to sell to the local taverns, inns and passers-through. The name is his idea of a proper joke, but it is old now and only newcomers find it funny. Binny is one of the townsfolk who remembers the arrival or Arathea few months ago, but thinks nothing of it unless asked specifically.
• Noggin Campus – the academics, sages and libraries reside in this area. An elf named Fleura Rinalia has established a local school for children or those wishing to learn. She develops a curriculum specifically suited to the student’s interests as long as they are willing to pay the tuition of 100gp/mo. She can teach history, geography, arcane magic, theology, astronomy, etc.
• Mayor’s Compound – the mayor of Milani’s Hope is a dark, feared figure named Candlewood. It is said that he inherited the title from his father, also known as Mayor Candlewood and it seems that no one is willing to dispute his position. He has a way of staring through any arguments or questions that usually result in the retreat of the transgressors. His compound looks like a stereotypical haunted house. Early this morning he was found making a rare appearance walking home from Desna’s Mound. (where he awoke after his midnight stint)
• Lady Noreen’s Estate – the town’s most elite noble (or at least the one who appears to have a lot of resources) is also one of the most feared and/or distrusted, but that doesn’t stop her from engaging anyone she sees in idle gossip. Lady Noreen is a beautiful Tiefling woman, well dressed and scented with an alluring perfume that turns the heads of anyone in her presence. This morning, she can be found flitting around the town gathering information (the same as the party) but she is much more interested in acquiring info than sharing. Noreen’s home is a perfumed den of pleasures and comfort.
• The Faire – the second marketplace in town is not as colorful as the Circus, but is no less bustling during the daylight hours. Specializing in fine foods and trade goods, the Faire offers more refined or rare products for sale.
• High Hill – the elite and minor retired nobility have small cottages on these posh marbled streets. A small contingent of hired guards known as the Hillsmen keep the undesirables out, which includes anyone not like the residents, strangers, etc. A few of the Hillsmen found themselves in the more disreputable sections of town and quickly returned to their posts. They are not inclined to speak about their lost time or why they were not on their duties. Most believe they were drugged and are concerned about looters. So the party would be high on their list of suspects.

NPCs

• Jollin – proprietor of The Starlight Inn
• Brother Pelandor – human priest of Aroden
• Gerard – human male, owns a destroyed butcher shop
• Lenny – male half-elf, visitor who arrived last week, on way south to Perrin’s Bluff and coast to visit family
• Dalia – female human merchant, works in The Circus, booth now destroyed
• Kep – human boy who runs a bait shop on the Troll Bridge. Currently diving river for missing people and items.
• Orlin – lower caste noble whose curiosity brought him off of High Hill, trying to find answers
• Igan – human blacksmith who is busy repairing things all over city, looks harried and stressed