The next day dawned with a throbbing migraine, and seeking relief, we approached the innkeeper of Poseidon’s Pearl. She presented herself as an eccentric, older woman, teetering on the edge of insanity. In an attempt to alleviate my pain, I requested the traditional “hair of the dog” remedy. Much to my dismay, she took the phrase quite literally, serving me a concoction that was nothing short of repugnant. Nevertheless, I endured the unpleasant taste, hoping for some respite.
Our investigative endeavors then led us to explore the rumors surrounding the ousted Priest of the Pharon, a figure who had fallen victim to a powerful curse. Employing my spell, “Calm Emotions,” I managed to briefly alleviate his mental distress, allowing for a moment of lucidity. In this state, he unknowingly revealed that his expulsion was a consequence of his attempts to document the activities of the Star and Moon Trading Company, an establishment with clear ties to the rebels plaguing Katia.
The correlation between the Trading Company, the attackers, and the government of Bec became increasingly apparent. Notably, the insurgents were being falsely portrayed as wizards, the very group they sought to challenge. This revelation only served to deepen our suspicions.
Furthermore, it came to our attention that the magistrate, exploiting these attacks, was utilizing them as a means to extract more resources and funding for the city’s defense from the empire. The web of deception began to unravel before my eyes, and I discerned that the magistrate had been feeding us fabricated information in the hope of distracting us with coin and comfort. However, the existence of a conspiracy became undeniable to myself and I refuse to let honeyed words change my mind.
To acknowledge our efforts thus far, the magistrate saw fit to reward us with a payment of 10 platinum pieces each, along with honorary titles as the Heroes of Katia. While the recognition and monetary compensation were appreciated, we remained determined to delve further into this convoluted investigation.
What’s more, I cannot help but feel the magistrate has some connection to the Athenium. Perhaps it is my paranoia bubbling up from my troubled past, but the magistrate had quite the collection of Athenian literature, and the only gods I saw honored at his estate were the goddesses of magic – could he be a viper in the proverbial grass? If so, would we need to inform the empire? How would they trust our word over his?
We plan to resume our investigation at The Rusty Lute,and as we continue our pursuit of the truth, one can only speculate on the discoveries that lie ahead. The murky depths of this conspiracy await our relentless pursuit, and we remain resolute in our quest for justice. Oh, I could really use another drink – though maybe this time I won’t drink too much.
