As “TBD” contemplates its leads they decides that it be prudent to remove the cursed crown upon Raul’s head by going to the local Church. They also agreed it would be best to run their errands int he city and keep an ear to the ground in regards to the local jeweler selling more cursed goods. They agreed to meet at the city center near the fountain. Argento agreed to accompany Raul to the church, while Baelon and Marvin would head to the local market for a few things. Bertold the Great would see his former employers the Marvelous Many off one last time and Muk had errands of his own to run.
At the church they met Head Priest Han Grey who introduced his curse specialist Spades, a Vedalkan Cleric in his mid 50s. Spades told Raul and Argento that he had been part of the church for many years and wanted to get out and experience something new. He had heard about the group through rumors and conjecture. Argento mentioned he would not speak for the group but would be happy to introduce him to the rest of TBD. Spades makes them a proposal. He would remove the crown and pay the 50gp donation to the church if they would bring him into their group. Argento acknowledged the cleric and Spades bid his priests and church brethren farewell.
Meanwhile Baelon and Marvin continued into town. Baelon informed Marvin that should the Unicorn listen to the party he would be given biscuits or treats of some kind. Marvin gleefully agreed to this proposition. Visiting the General Store, Baelon picked up a few supplies for himself and the party, Parchment, Ink, Rope, rations, water skins and sugar cubes for Marvin. After he went to the alchemist, Sage an elderly goblin women. She was able to sell Baelon a few supplies such as 4 healing potions and 8 lode stones. However, with his silver tongue he was able to convince the old goblin that he was of a certain clientele and was shown her other goods hidden in the back. Baelon purchased some blank spell scrolls and agreed to keep their arrangement a secrete should she keep his.
As Baelon picked up a few things, Bertold went to the Driftwood Inn to say goodbye to the Marvelous Many, and tell them he got into an Adventuring group to go out in the lands beyond. Though Lema his employer was sad to see him go she was happy he was spreading his proverbial wings. Targon the leader of the Marvelous Many told Bertold that he was always welcome back as the great magician of the Marvelous Many. Bertold gave his farewell and headed out to meet the group at the town fountain.
Lastly, Muk headed to the Lumber Mill, before leaving the city walls he stopped at an inn and took the form of a local gnome bartender and forged some paperwork that resembled Lord Mendes’ handwriting. He went to the Lumbermill and met the foreman Drov, a towering Goliath. He said his name was Steve, and convinced the Goliath that he needed to rush an order for a secret project under Lord Mendes. The rush order was done and Steve took an oxen with a wagon of lumber to town where he scrapped everything for supplies and left the oxen at the tavern where the gnome he impersonated was. Muk took his original form and headed to the meeting spot.
Once everyone met back up at the meeting spot, they met Spade, who showed the party a little of what he could do in clear daylight but no one seemed to care he was casting magic. After showing his skills, the party decided to go to the Belly Up Inn to talk about the new member and to have the crown removed, where prying eyes would notice. Though the Inn was locked up because of the parade, Bertold made quick work of the lock letting the party into the empty inn locking it behind him. TBD decided to get to know this healer a bit more when he removed the crown using a powerful restorative scroll. Impressed by his actions the party nodded to one another and Baelon pushed forward the Adventuring Contract for Spades to Sign. Though it needed to be notarized by Lord Mendas this symbolically acted as the moment of unity.
After the contract twas signed Argento felt it would be a prudent idea to get to know one another a bit more before traveling together. Raul raised a glass of tequila and the Dragonborn explained that he had lost his father at a young age, he was convinced the Wu Tong were behind it, he mentioned as well that his wife disappeared not long ago. He came clean about his frustrations with this “charitable” organization, and that they even attempted to shut him up by stabbing him while drunk at the inn during the festival. Baelon, pouring a glass of wine, explained that he was once a famous adventurers 27 years ago. After spending his adolescent years at the academy for the arcane arts in Magoris, he found that his aptitude for magic would be better served in the field where he could experience life and adventure first hand. So he left the university and headed to the free cities to take up work with a group called The Celtigar Company. He adventured with them for many years before a tragic infection took his hand. A hippogriff claw had poisoned him and amputation was the safest course of action at the time. He took what remaining coin he had earned and retired to boulder to pursue his hobby of wine making and painting. He soon after met Adarra the druid, who helped him start Wisehallow Winery. After the events of parade and seeing that people were in need, Baelon could sit idly no longer and he was ready to get back out. Claimed he was retiring from retiring. He intended to give his remaining years to those in need. Argento explained that he wasn’t actually a volunteer for the military, that he was conscripted. His father and the empire are the only ones that knew this. He made a deal with lord mends that his conscription was fulfilled due to helping with the parade bombing investigation.
Bertold explained that he too was once an adventurer but that he was forced into a life of mundane tricks and street magic, a rather embarrassing ordeal lead to his joining of the Marvelous Many but he was excited to join back up with a true adventuring group.
Before Spades could get a chance to speak, Muk started by smashing a fly and showing the party he could shapeshifter into others…like the Gnome that Baelon had chased in the streets. He explained that was poor and broke, struggling to support his family. The Royals of the area had been screwing him over for years and years but he tried to get revenge on them all on his own but was never successful. One day he met someone that asked him if he wanted to be given the power to get back at the royals that berated him and his family. He agreed and Muk was able to receive this mysterious neckless with a glass jar…Muk explained his desire to infiltrate and gain acceptance by the royals to complete his vengeance. He mentioned he had no issue with Lord Mendas though and that he seems like a good man that any involvement from Mendas was unknown to him.
While seeing Muk transform and confess to having a vendetta agains the Royals like the Gnomes who were secretly working for the secrete organization attempting assassination, Baelon stood from his seat gearing up a spell in his hands he asked Muk, “WHO ARE YOU REALLY?”