Bull Markets and Squid Markets

Bull Market

There is a bustling the air in Yarley. It is the third biweekly night market. All those who wish to sell their goods are out and about. Strange folk from out of town are here to buy goods. Our adventurers make their way to the potion shop.

They make their way through the potions with their animated host. Mostly, it’s the usual - potions of healing.

Charm decides to go busking with the crowds, and leaves the rest of the party to do their shopping.

When finished, the party make their way to the smith. The shop is high-tech, automatically running the bellows. Chimney purchases a new greataxe. Penny purchases a cloak with some magical characteristics. The rest of the party buys some bits of armor.

Chimney leads the party to the enchanter’s tent. When he enters, a small blind man greets him. “How can I help ye?” he asks sullenly. Chimney drop his axe on the table. The man does not flinch.

“This is my axe. I’d like to add some elemental effects to it.”

“I can do that for 30 gold” responds the old man.

“All I’ve got is 25 gold.” says Chimney.

“Tell you what, look into something for me and I’ll cut you a deal.”

“Sure, what do you need me to look into?”

“This night market was started quite suddenly. It brings in all kinds of strange folk. I’ve heard Aster is behind it and I’ve heard rumblings that something dark is behind the change.”

“I can look into it” agrees Chimney.

The little man reaches under his table and flips a switch. The table hums to life and with a bright flash, the axe glows blue with a new lightning imbuement.

Squid Market

As our adventurers leave the night market, Chimney explains to them what the old man said. They decide to stop by Aster’s house. Chimney and Tempest wait outside while the rest of the party sneaks into the house. The front door is locked, but Penny picks the lock and opens it. She sneaks inside, looking around the main floor. Nobody seems to be around. Charm and Mycena decide to join. Before entering the house, Mycena takes the wild shape of a spider and Tempest joins minds with Mycena. She looks upstairs, but nobody is upstairs either. Mycena makes her way carefully to the basement. She sees Aster hunched over some sort of magical object.

Tempest (via Mycena) casts detect thoughts. She sees a Kraken monster and understands the nature of the curse - if Aster tells anyone about it or fails to channel the Kraken, she will transform into a tentacle monster.

The party leaves the house quietly and carefully before going to the Yarley church. They find Deacon their, tending to things. They ask him if he knows if curses can be broken once a cursed item’s curse takes hold.

“I am not aware of any, however, Helga may know of a way.” He fetches her.

The adventurers tell her about what has happened and seek her guidance.

“We have no way to break a curse after it has taken hold of a person.” Helga says. “The only way to break this curse would be to kill the bearer.”

“The person in question is Aster,” Charm says.

“I see. You are best to tell Hyrum before acting on this information then.” Helga responds.

Deacon stops the adventurers on their way out. “Wait a moment, will you?” he asks. “I intend to seek out Kraken energy in this area. I will be leaving for Wet Port in 3 days time. I would appreciate your support on this journey. You need not give me an answer now. Take a couple days and think it over.”

The adventurers thank Helga and leave for the Stubborn Mule. They find Hyrum waiting for them.

“Welcome back, all” he says.

“We wish better news brought us back.” Tempest says. “Instead, we have found that Aster is beholden to a curse. We saw her in her basement in the middle of a ritual. I was able to detect her thoughts and understand the nature of the curse. If we do not break this curse, she will summon a Kraken. We have just returned from Helga, who said that there is no way to break a curse once it has taken to a person save it be through death of the bearer.”

“You mean to say you have been sneaking around Aster’s house?” asks Hyrum. “But if Helga says there is no way to break a curse, then I suppose you must do what you must. I cannot condone this action, but make it swift and painless. I want to hear no more of this except that it is done. I am sad to see Aster go. It is quite late this night, but I have kept your rooms. You will find them where they were last night.”

The group retires up the stairs to their rooms.