The Bloodstone Hunters Are Rebuffed By The Council Of The Nine
The wheelboat rolls up to Klus, or at least, the base of the mountain atop which the fabled city resides. Solevei and his Bogatyr crewmen agree to watch the boat while everyone else climbs the stairs up to town.
As they head up the stairs to Klus, they encounter a pair of guards dressed in the uniform of the Agathersi. They introduce themselves and the older of the two introduces himself as Meshtayl Manole. They explain that they are seeking an audience with Zombur Fotfrumous. Manole goes and grabs another guy named Grudianu who greets them all with a cadre of soldiers. They escort them into town and set them up in an inn. Arben requests an audience with Zombur at his convenience, and Grudianu ups the ante by saying they shall be granted an audience with the entire Council of The Nine. Cyril seems especially excited; their faith and strength being a big inspiration to them.
They soon meet with the council. They all look quite depressed and worn out. Arben asks Cyril to translate. Arben starts by giving them the old line about knowing someone who can destroy the Bloodstone, but he can tell they aren't buying it. He comes clean and tells them that he actually is being threatened by a thousand year old evil wizard and said wizard probably wants to use the Bloodstone to raise an army of the undead, but if they team up, they can probably take this wizard and dig through his extensively researched library to find some info on how to destroy it. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. Zombur believes them to be fools or servants of evil, in any case, they don't have the time or manpower to go around on a wild goose chase. The council ends leaving the party with their dicks in their hands.
On the way out, Arben grabs Manole to try to talk to him. Manole doesn't seem to think Arben is so bad. Arben figures they probably need to garner some good will by heading into the Taramul Kalalalt clearing some monsters out. Maybe they'll even find some leads on the Bloodstone. Manole doesn't recommend doing that, but if they are going to go, they should track down a gypsy guide. They head out to the gypsy encampment outside of town and do just that, hiring a gentleman named Mihy. Arben's gypsy blood will hopefully be enough to convince them to not rip them off.
They travel through the day and camp out in a Secure Shelter for the night just outside the mists of the dreaded Taramul Kalalalt.
