Searching for the Orb

With Skonn and Baphomet turned to stone, Arnogall quietly slipped out of the tavern heading to the docks to find Smiley and the Hippogriffs.  This left Aubrey, Balderpoor and Sorin in the tavern with the patrons still looking from them to the wanted poster and back.  A few moments later six heavily armed guards entered together with a well dressed merchant.  The merchant accused Aubrey and Skonn of stealing from him.  The lead guard questioned the party and was minded to throw them into a jail cell.  However, on learning they were on Lord's Alliance business he quickly backed down.  The merchant threatened revenge and left.  A paladin watching the whole exchange vouched for the party explaining he too was on Lord's Alliance business.  He introduced himself at Lucan the Awoken and offered to help them retrieve the orb they sought.

The party rented rooms and Aubrey sought out Laura, a Kobold lady of the night he'd previously encountered.  She explained she had probably infected him with Draconic Syphilis and he should probably get it looked at.  Horrified at the situation Lucan suggested he could free Laura from her life of servitude to the disquiet of the barkeep.  He also used his Lay on Hands healing spell to cure Aubrey.

Feeling better Aubrey suggested the party go shopping so he could finally sell the magic pike (not a fish) he'd found in the Wytchwood swamp.  Eventually the party found a gnome selling magical items and traded some of their magic weapons, buying a few others.  Aubrey also bought an elixir that cured petrification, went back to the tavern and returned with a restored Baphomet.

Now kitted out with better gear, The Adventurers went to the Wink and Kiss Inn to purchase the orb from Nareen Dhest, a member of the shadowy group known as the Hand of Yartar.  They found her sitting in a back room with two guards.  Baphomet confirmed he had the money for her and asked for the orb.  Nareen explained it was hidden nearby in a crypt and she would take them there shortly.  As she got up, a crossbow bolt smashed through the window, hitting Dhest in the back.  She slumped over the table.  The guards looked at The Adventurers.  The Adventurers looked at the guards.  Seconds felt like hours.  Lucan said a prayer over Dhest, channelling divine energies, healing her.  She said that a rival must have sold the Orb and they should to hurry to the crypt.  Although she had the only key it was possible for someone to break into the crypt.  The party decided to go with her immediately.

Arriving at the graveyard they saw four people trying to break into the crypt.  One of them was a hooded figure standing 8 feet tall.  There was also a hunchbacked old man tending to one of the graves.  Lucan advised the old man to leave as the others took up positions and made ranged attacks, catching the graver robbers by surprise.  A battle ensued and Balderpoor, in bear form, was knocked unconscious by the tall figure which was recognised as a sahuagin.  Aubrey tried his new wand but it only resulted in turning the creature to an odd shade of blue.  As the sahuagin was dealt with, one of the guards slipped into the crypt, the other was persuaded by Lucan to join the party.  They went into the crypt, abandoning Balderpoor.  In a long dark corridor they could see the guard holding the orb.  They attacked.  Aubrey again tried his wand but only managed to cause grass to sprout under the guard's feet before Sorin put an arrow through him.    

Aubrey picked up the orb, saw a swirling vortex of water inside and felt it pulsating with strong magical energy.  Beside the guard was a box, lined with smouldering coals.  Aubrey placed the orb in the box and closed the lid.  They took the box, looted the guard and returned to the surface to tend to their friend.