The Moonstone Mask, P. 2

 An Offer

During dinner, the group (who had been joined by a recovered Aledwyn) was approached by Azirssa, who said she realized that the group were no mere commoners, but seemed to have powers and skills.  She told them that the derelict building to the north of the facility housed some kind of vile creature that preyed on guests who ignored the sisters' warnings to stay away from it.  She said she feared that such a fate had also befallen the dwarf Falthrax that the STU was looking for.  She implored the group to rid the Moonstone Mask of the monster, and promised a hefty reward.  The group said they would consider it.

A Mystery Solved?

The group sent Melori and Micah to talk with Ilmar, the Drow masseur and secret Harper agent, and agreed that he would create a distraction at around 11pm to allow the STU to leave the main building unobserved so they could investigate the tower and the derelict building to the north.  After withdrawing to their respective rooms, at around 10pm, Melori and Micah noticed sounds in the hallway, and upon investigating discovered a Kobold tinkering with the lock of the door across the hall from them.  The terrified Kobold (named Glitter), put at ease by Melori's generous treatment of him and use of Draconic, explained he was fixing the lock, not picking it.  More importantly, he revealed that he was actually a half-elf jeweler from Adelstad, who had been cursed by the three "sisters" who run the Moonstone Mask.  He had agreed to one of their "special treatments" in order to gain height and stature, but when he became suspicious the curse took effect, changing him into a Kobold, held prisoner.  

He explained that the sisters are actually Hags, who somehow use magic paintings to transform clients into whatever the clients wish, but then, after some time, curse them into becoming the opposite of what they wanted.  He added that other victims are also in the tower.  He warned the group that the sisters are much more powerful when they are together.  He also revealed that the Moonstone Mask's previous owner, Sylvarie Silversong, had also entered into a dark bargain with the hags and, when the curse took effect, was transformed into a medusa, who was being kept in the derelict building, which was once a shrine to Sune, the elven goddess of beauty and love.  Saeth and the masked attendants were also somehow in league with the sisters.

Combat Commences

A while after the discussion with Glitter, Ilmar started screaming "Fire!" and smoke began pouring out of his room.  The residents were evacuated through the north exit.  At this point, using the darkness and confusion, the STU - joined by Malgitor and Elodia - headed toward the tower.  Striking first without asking questions, the group attacked Saeth, and -- when she also appeared in the tower doorway on her way to investigate the commotion -- Morganna.  The combined attacks of the group succeeded in killing both Saeth and Morganna before they could react.  In death, Saeth was revealed to be a winged fiendish-type creature and Morganna transformed into a thin, pale creature with long, matted black hair festooned with ornaments made from bones and teeth, and whose blood-red lips were covered in blisters and boils. During the fight, however, a statue above the door to the tower came to life and few up to the top level of the tower, perhaps to a window.

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