The Odd Three start where we left off, in the quarters of Abott Mouseman of the Rat Temple. They have defeated the doppelganger imposters, and with Brother Mortimer are searching the bodies and the room. They find that the Doppelganger cleric was wearing the Mouseman’s magic robe and ring, which Mortimer retrieves. They find the dead cleric also wearing a leather belt pouch containing a gem. They don’t touch the gem or even really look at it, but take the pouch.
The search the room. Debi finds a key hidden under a drawer in the Abott’s desk. She also find vials of purple and yellow “potions” in the desk. They begin looking for hidden keyholes, and Mick finds one. They all stand 10’ back from the door as Debi use Mage Hand to turn the key. They hear the lock click, but nothing else. Mick used Mage Hand to push the door open, and the room is filled by a fiery explosion – Explorive Runes. The Odd Three and Mortimer all save for half damage.
Beyond the secret door they find a 20’ corridor leading to a cell containing Abbot Mouseman, High Priest of the Rat Temple. He looks pale, emaciated, and heavily drugged. Mick picks the lock, and Mortimer helps the Abbot back out.
Simon casts Minor Restoration on the Abbot and he immediately looks better and his mind clears. He thanks them for saving him, confirms that the purple drug is the one he has been given to keep him addicted and his mind too fuzzy to cast spells. The can now go about restoring the health of his drugged priests.
Three weeks pass, during which the Odd Three are made “Friends of the Rat” and each are given silver rings – the Ring of the Rat – identifying them as allies of the sect. They heal Council member Lana Setch of her addiction as well. Due to their actions, the friendship between the Akhi and Rat temples is made stronger, and the reputation of the Akhi temple rises in town. The Odd Three find their reputations growing.
One evening as Debi is performing at the Eye of the Beholder while Simon and Mick sit and enjoy the evening, the group is approached by Lugosi the Sage, who they met weeks early at a party given by Luella Partha. He tells them he is impressed by what he’s hearing about them, and invites them to his home to discuss something important.
At Lugosi’s house, he gives them a tour. They see a home devoted to study and experimentation. Astronomical instruments, books and scrolls, drawing, and all manner of mysterious machines. On the roof she shows them a telescope, and explains that he is a master of astronomy. He tells them that in a week, the stars will align in the ether, and miles outside the walls of Langwon the Tower of Phargus will materialize.
Simon has heard of it before. Lugosi goes on to tell them that Phargus was an ancient sage who created a device called the Planar Shift Codex, with which he was able to move his entire tower home (and the land for a mile around it) through other planes of existence. He apparently did this, but every 200 years the tower reappears for 12 hours. No explorers have ever returned from it, but Lugosi is sure the Odd Three can explore it, retrieve knowledge and artifacts, and return to tell the tale. Lugosi wishes to employ them to do just that!
They accept the proposal, and begin preparations for this expedition!
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