Oshuamp - Episode 8: Disdain of the Diabolist

Recap
The crew consults with Lauren about the history of Corin, his previous service in the Orphanage, and his departure. Since he predates her time at the Orphange, she only knows the information that has been shared to her by the elder members, and recommends that they speak with Freya. Yahlumlo asks about Madeleine’s locket, but Lauren does not know much of it. She recalls that she gained it several years ago, and does not part with it. They collect their payment, choosing to only take half, instead of sapping most of the funds of the Orphanage.

Inside the nursery, they speak with Freya, who tells them that Corin was a very handsome, tall man, and wonderful with the children. She tells them that he is most likely dead, as was his wife, Karolyn, because she became gravely ill from the Well Poisoning about 12 years ago. She believes he left to quarantine her himself and attempt to care for her. The only lead she has is a particular ale that he cared for in Slums West, from the Growlers Tavern.

After collecting the crate to return to Clark, they leave through Slums North and see the heads of some of the executed criminals, affixed to pikes in front of the Gallows. They speak with Clark and return the crate to him, and he continues to take interest in Ritora’s appearance. They ask him about Corin, and he tells them that he considers him a great man, and a helpful doctor. He shows them a withered section of his chest that looks partially decomposed, and tells them that he suffered from the Rot as well, but was saved by Corin. He has not seen him for over a decade, and asks that they thank him if they do find him.

They return to Katie and collect their payment, and she tells them the location of the Growlers tavern, and recommends that they use her name when they approach the owner, Luna. They safely pass through the streets and arrive at Growlers, and hurry inside, ordering ales, and meeting a large, clay colored Goliath man named Buck.

He speaks quite shortly and secretively about his past, only giving minor details of his hunts and expeditions. The barmaid, Luna, aggressively greets them, and they willingly overpay her to gain her favor. She refuses to give genuine information about Corin, instead offering sporadic and inconsistent information. Ritora requests a meal, and Luna disappears into the kitchen behind her.

Nesgrim speaks with a patron, a beautiful elf woman, who introduces herself as Naivara, the local gemcutter and jeweler, and owner of the Cursed Eye. She smooth talks him for a moment and asks that he visit her later to “browse her wares.”

As Luna is inside the kitchen, a woman slides up to them, introducing herself as Lyn, a tradeswoman of sorts, who brokers information and deals. She offers information on Corin, for a price, that escalates as they take too long deliberating. Eventually, Yahlumlo extends the coin, and she tells them “one hour”, and begins to leave. Nesgrim follows her, and is told to beware the man in white, and she hurries to her next sale.

The crew waits for an additional hour, and then a trio of heavy knocks resonate from the front door. Luna loudly kicks everyone out of the tavern, claiming she needs to set up for the evening. As they depart, they split up to gain better vantage points of the entrance to the tavern.

Outside, a pack mule is being held by a figure extending into an adjacent alley. Yahlumlo passes the alley, and speaks telepathically to the figure, a hulking, broad shouldered man with a great white robe.

The man says he no longer uses the name Corin, but he can offer them healing if they do require it. He leads them further into the alley, and lowers his hood, revealing a handsome, chiseled face, with black eyes, black hair, black beard, and pale, cracked, white skin, and very calloused hands.

They follow him to a doorway at the back of the alley, attached to the corner of Growlers. Ritora wild shapes into a rat to stay hidden, but the man stomps the rat, calling it a vile creature, a spreader of disease, and accuses her of being part of a Cult. She nervously denies it, and he touches her face, and then puts her down.

Nesgrim uses Divine Sense, and detects an Undead presence emanating from the man. However, he does not inform the group, and they follow him willingly down the stairs, underground, into a hidden room. Inside the room, adorning the walls, are scribbles of engraved Infernal words, etched into the stone. The ground is the decrepit earth that they dread, and a casket lies in the corner.

Corin kneels down to the decrepit earth, and blossoms a flower, that withers in his hand. Ritora kneels and does the same, and he parts the earth to reveal the spreading white roots and vines the crawl below.

He tells her it is called Widow’s Wail, and it marks locations where many people have died, like this one.