The Seventh Arm, Part 1: Lost in the Tarwood

About the Saga

The Blackrazors thwart an attack on a wealthy merchant and get hired to investigate the circumstances behind the attack.

Timeframe

• Greyhawk Date: Patchwall 28, CY 590
• Real World Date: December 21, 2001
• Read other Blackrazor Guild Sagas

Notable Quotes

“I busted your door in.” -- Luc

“You’re a Blackrazor, aren’t you?” – Goloda Kalier, a member of the Church of Zilchus and the moneylenders guild of Obsidian Bay

The Saga

Patchwall 28, CY 590

From an Unsent letter found on the ale soaked floor of the guildhall, apparently written by Vaser.

Vaser’s very good friend’s Luc, Javvar, Morraim and Kannet came back to the guildhall and related a most interesting experience. While coming home from the blackened stump they witnessed an assault take place at the home of Goloda Kalier, a wealthy merchant and member of the moneylender’s guild. As Vaser’s friends were walking past they noticed a pair of shadows reflected onto the street below dancing back and forth in struggle. As they looked up they glimpsed a lean hooded man grasping at the throat of the robust form of Golada Kalier. In an instant the window exploded in a shower of glittering shards as Kalier fell to the ground below. The hooded figure paused in the window sill as if to jump down and finish off his nefarious deed but spied Vaser’s friends below and rushed back inside.

Morraim went to the moneylender’s aid as Luc smashed in the man’s front door while the rest of the group stood around slack-jawed. Luc went inside and heard the sound of running footsteps and breaking glass. Upstairs in Kalier’s den he found signs of a struggle as well as a dagger and a key. The back window was broken as well as the front leading Luc to surmise that the mysterious assailant had jumped out of it across the alley and onto the roof of the next building. He then proceeded to run back down stairs and attempted to follow along the ground. Kannet attempted to scale the roof and give chase but was unable to shinny up a nearby drainpipe. After all of maybe 12 seconds had passed Luc and Kannet gave up the chase and returned to question Kalier. From their conversation it was determined that the man who assaulted Kalier was a half-elf by the name of Corlag. Corlag had been under the employ of Kalier for the past year or so performing “odd jobs.” As the watch approached Kalier requested the party to meet with him the next morning offering a possible business venture for them regarding Corlag and his last assignment. Luc gave Kalier 200gp to replace his smashed front door and the group left after being questioned and dismissed by the watch they came back to the guildhall.

Hmm this sounds like an adventure Vaser thinks. Surely Vaser’s friend’s had wanted Vaser’s assistance in this matter but for some reason forgot to wake Vaser when they set of to Kalier’s this morning. They had probably not wanted to disturb Vaser wisely knowing it is best to avoid the early morning crankiness of a great and powerful wizard such asVaser. So Vaser decided to head of to Kalier’s himself.

Vaser arrived at the Moneylender’s house only to find out that your friend’s had already left. After showing your guild badge to his butler Vaser was reluctantly let in. Kalier related to Vaser what he had told Vaser’s friend’s an hour before. It had all started about two months ago, Kalier had received a visit from a rich looking swarthy merchant by the name of Odalis Alzota, a self-described dealer in arcane and exotic goods. Oddly enough the man knew of a medallion that had been in the possession of Kalier’s father, and is now in storage in the temple of Zilchus. Odalis told Kalier he wished to purchase the medallion for a customer of his, a wealthy collector living in a distant country, and offered an immediate payment of 500 gold pieces. Kalier hardly even recalling the medallion’s existence was interested in the offer, but being a shrewd bargainer he requested some time to think about the man’s offer and asked him to come back in a fortnight. Kalier retrieved the amulet finding it in a locked wooden coffer along with two sheets of parchment. The first was from his grandfather Brolin Kalier, and was a note stating that the medallion should be kept safe in the vaults of Zilchus until the return of Falerjan, a high ranking priest of Zilchus, and no-one else should be allowed to take possession of it. The second document was written in a language that Kalier didn’t understand but was signed with the personal seal of Falerjan. Even though Kalier was sure that Falerjan was certainly dead from old age by now, the moneylender was bound by his grandfather’s order. Kalier decided not to sell the medallion to Odalis until he better understood its history and value.

When Odalis returned, Kalier asked how he had heard about the medallion. The merchant replied that he had come across it while reading a biography of Falerjan while staying at a temple of Zilchus on a business trip to Greyhawk. Kalier asked for a fortnight to “consult with the temple of Zilchus” before selling the medallion. Odalis was visibly disappointed but agreed to this further delay, adding that his next visit would be his last and raised his bid to 1000 gold pieces. After Odalis departed Kalier summoned Corlag to follow the merchant and gather information about him. Corlag had followed him to Blue and then on to the village of Shapic. From there Odalis set out into the Tarwood. Worried by grisly tales of the forest’s occupants Corlag went no further and reported back to Kalier. After receiving this information the moneylender decided to keep the medallion from Odalis afraid that the young man was somehow connected to the tyrant mage Yenejg Togan.

When Odalis returned to Kalier he faced a neat refusal, without showing disappointment he asked to at least see the medallion. At this point Kalier realized that Odalis was trying to play some sort of magical trick on him and called for his guards and grabbed a sword off the wall from behind his desk. His office was soon filled with an unnatural darkness. He heard Odalis say a few arcane words and when the darkness subsided was nowhere to be seen. Now Alarmed Kalier ordered Corlag to enter the Tarwood and find out whatever was lurking there and report any activity back to him. To ease the half-elf’s fear of the haunted forest he gave him enough money to hire a small group of mercenaries. Last night only Corlag returned seeming confused and angry at Kalier for causing the death of his companions he attacked the merchant and in the struggle Kalier was pushed out of the window at the Blackrazor’s feet. Having employed Corlag for several years without any incident Kalier is concerned for his henchman’s health and welfare and suspects that he may have been magically influenced into attacking his employer.

Kalier had Falerjan’s note translated and revealed it to contain a brief account of the mad despotic mage Yenejg Tojan. (party handout #1)

Kalier hired the Blackrazors to explore the Tarwood and learn the where about of Odalis Alzota. He would also like for them to find out who or what caused his once loyal henchman Corlag to attack him. And finally would like to have them recover his missing henchman and see if he can be rehabilitated or cured of whatever is causing his anger towards the moneylender. Kalier Offered the Blackrazors a 300gp advance and a “substantial reward” depending upon their success. After being dismissed by Kalier Vaser went back to the guildhall only to find that his adventuring companions had already left. Perhaps they are playing another one of their practical jokes on Vaser he mused to himself. They were always playing jokes on each other like when ragnar threw nightfall into a tar pit or when Falgar made Gnarth’s hair stand up with a lightning bolt. While Vaser did not understand the peculiarities of his friends or find most of their jokes particularly amusing they were his best and most loyal friends and Vaser figured he would catch up with them sooner of later as they would have need for Vaser’s Powerful Magic.

Adapted from Tito Leati's adventure the Seventh Arm which appeared in Dungeon magazine issue #88

Experience

Not available.