Difference between revisions of "Temple of Astarte"

They say that baths are the best form of relaxation. And today, you decide to do just that -- embrace the warm waters of a bath. The tub you sit in is fairly big and filled with perfume smelling water. The servants of the public house come by every so often and offer towels to the patrons.

You sit back and close your eyes letting the steam roll over your body in waves that lift away your daily problems.

But no sooner do you reach for the soap when there is a loud clap of thunder and you are blinded by a flash of light.

"Oh my!" you hear as your eyes adjust.

Slowly you can make out a room with many tables, books, and scrolls lying about. A figure wearing a tan robe stands in front of the tub peering down at you. The old man holds in his hand a small wooden stick that glows unnaturally. Silver hair pours out of the mans head in long strands.

"I seem to have caught you at a bad time," says the man, "but there is no time to waste."

"Excuse me! I was trying to take a bath," you curse the man.

The man rubs his jaw, "Hmmm ... yes, yes, there is certainly no time to waste." He pulls up a chair and sits down. "Let me explain. You are an adventurer, right? A pretty good one?"

You sink down into the water, not confortable with the old man seating so near the tub, "Yes, I am. What about it?"

"I have a job ... if you're interested," he says. "But I forget myself. Let me introduce myself. I am John. Let's just say that I'm a friend of the King.

"No, don't say anything. Just listen." You still haven't said anything, "There is a group called the Sorcerers of the Star. Sort of like the Prophets of Doom. " He laughs loudly. "Prophets indeed. The King tires of their magic, and I have been assigned to deliver to them a message -- a message written with the sword on the robes of dead sorcerers. You are the messenger and shall present this notice at several locations."

Seeing that you are still non-plussed, he continues, "The first place is Castle Ephesus. Several mercenaries for the sorcerers are staying there and need to be taught a lesson. To make your attack swift, you will have to find a teleporter in the complex to take you to the next site.

"Second, the Old Castle, has several liches that provide enhanced magical energies to their group. The liches have agreed to collect mana from the surrounding areas and give it to the Sorcerers of the Star. In return, they make regular sacrifices.

"I know there is a secret exit in the Old Castle. Find that exit and you will find yourself at the Temple of Astarte. This is the heart of the organization. Do as much damage as you can. Oh, how I despise that temple.

"Finally, from the Temple of Astarte there is an underground area where their leader Elymas stays. In order for you to succeed, you must destroy him. Return with his journal notes and I will consider your task complete and I will pay you well.

"What do you say?" He leans over at you.

You splash around the tub a bit. This quest sounds like a fancy assassination along with a couple of massacres. You're good, but are you that good?

Finally you reply, "Will you then send me back to the bath house?"

"Why, of course! I can't have you splashing around all day!

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