When the Strangers returned to Cillamar they enjoyed a few days rest. Since they were settling into the area and becoming known they decided to look for a more permanent residence in the area. They find a few places in town but one opportunity intrigues the group. There is an old keep outside of town that is available for a very low rent. After some checking they find out that there have been 'accidents' and the Lord who owns the keep is only interested in trying to make some money before something happens to new tenants. The keep has been empty for several years. The group agrees to rent the place and they do a thorough walk through. They find evidence of the adventuring group that occupied the keep several decades earlier. This includes traps set in the kitchen with notes about 'not taking the last snack again', a highly trapped bedroom upstairs and some traps protecting the wine cellar in the basement. Coravel finds and disables most of the traps, fortunately the group quickly recovered when he set off the fireball trap that he had not completely disabled before walking in the area.
n
The group also found portals to other locations located behind secret doors. Two of the portals simply transported within the keep, one of the other portals was a transport into Slumbering Drake Tavern in Cillamar. Another portal went into some ruins that overlooked Cillamar and the final two could not be explored since Coravel and Kaylord were unable to detect the secret doors that they were behind. After finding the one portal to the tavern they did a check with the tavern owner, Lady Chauntess, to let her know about their find. She also knew about the portal and cautioned the group to not let anyone else know and to be careful when going in and out. The Strangers promised to use the portal carefully and were relieved to find a way to bring in loot and bypass the tax collectors at the gates.
n
After settling in the group made themselves at home. Kaylord and Coravel were pleased with the training area for fighting, Aramil took inventory of the fully equipped wizard/alchemist lab that was shielded by 5 foot walls and Quis'Ari cleaned up and setup the shrine for Sarenrae that was on the upper floor. The group also hired additional help, a cook name Nora Tonnell, a half-orc ranger Katana and 5 warriors for Hugin to training for watching the keep. A routine was setup and the keep was cleaned and became a comfortable place to rest and hone their skills. The group did try to check with Lord Ismae who owned the keep but he was too busy to meet with them. His daughter and heir, Sophia, was missing and he was busy trying to locate her.
n
In the meantime, the group connected with people they had met previously. Kaylord shared a pint or maybe it was a keg with Alrux, Coravel checked in with the rogue's guild to try and get more information about the missing magical items, Quis'Ari went to help at the temple of Sarenrae and Aramil checked in with the Companions of Black Osprey also trying to find out more information about the magical thefts. Little information could be found and only one slight clue. A wizard had been found torn apart with all magical items missing. A scrap of paper had been found in his hand with the symbol of a wolf howling on it. The group saw that the symbol matched one that had been found on a note taken from bandits who had tried to kill the Strangers while up at the castle. The Strangers all tried to get more information but whoever was behind the thefts were not found. Some rumors speculated that the watch was hiding something but no one could prove anything.
n
One evening Alrux invited Kaylord to meet him and his monk friend at a tavern in town. Coravel was also invited to the meeting by the rogue's guild, with a message that there was new information about the thefts. Aramil and Quis'Ari were also invited to a meeting a house in town to discuss strategies to protect the magic users and prevent future thefts. The group was wary and traveled together into town. Kaylord and Coravel met Alrux and the others in the tavern while Aramil and Quis'Air listend by magical means outside. However, Kaylord and Coravel were overcome by a spell and were unable to give warning before they succumbed. Hearing that nothing was wrong, Aramail and Quis'Ari continued to their meeting. When they got there they were greeted by a pile of unconscious or dead bodies, a wizard and a monk. They were attacked and quickly defended themselves while trying to take out the wizard and the monk.
n
In the meantime Coravel and Kaylord woke up in a dark room, stripped of all belongings, with no light. As Kaylord searched the room he found stairs leading up to a locked door. As he and Coravel listened they could hear the sounds of battle and thought they heard Aramil and Quis'Ari. Kaylord found some implements that Coravel might be able to use as picks and guided Coravel in picking the lock. After a fumbled attempt the two were able to work together and Coravel unlocked the door. There was a fight and Aramil and Quis'Ari were holding their own against the monk and wizard.
n
Kaylord and Coravel came out into the light and saw their belongings piled up at the other end of the room. As quickly as they could they grabbed up a shield and a weapon and prepared to head into the fray. Aramil had set off a fireball that weakened the wizard and monk but also set the house on fire. When Coravel and Kaylord joined the fray the wizard was struck down. After this happened, the monk went over, touched the wizard and they both disappeared.
n
When it was clear the danger from the foes was gone, the town guard was called to help fight the fire. After the fire was put out and the unconscious people revived a detect magic revealed a large stash of items. When it was found it was realized that it was the stolen items from Cillamar and surrounding areas. Apparently the monk and wizard had been the thieves. While most of the items were returned to their owners the Strangers were allowed to select a magical item as a reward for their part in helping to stop the magical thefts. The Patriarch of Cillamar also gave them a write recognizing them as protectors of the town of Cillamar and giving them the authority to enforce the laws of Cillamar.
n
While freeing up the magical items was a great boon the Strangers were still interested in stronger ownership of the keep and decided to try and find Sophia. After checking around town they found out that she had liked to slip away from her body guards and go around the taverns in low town dressed as a bawdy girl. She had last been seen in the Warrens walking with some man towards one of the taverns/house of ill repute. The group went to check out this tavern and to search the bedrooms to see if Sophia was being kept. They were attacked and took down their attackers in short order. After being attacked and getting more information they decided to check with another tavern in town owned by Jasper.
n
The group went in disguise to the tavern and were able to sneak downstairs to do another search. After some clever maneuvering and some luck they found a necromancer's lair run by Jasper. Sophia was imprisoned and after killing the undead and Jasper they were able to free her and return her to her father. He was very pleased and as a reward agreed to make sure the Strangers were supplied with food and drink at the keep for as long as they wanted to stay. He also asked them to train his daughter now that he realized how willful she had become. The Strangers agreed and also agreed to not take her into danger while they adventured.
n
After all of this activity the Strangers felt ready to go back to Castle Whiterock and investigate the passage they had found. For them it sounded like a restful break to go and slay the more obvious monsters found in caverns and dungeons.
n