Hildigrim regards the mark. "Spiritroot. At least, that was the explanation proffered." The halfling scowls, still looking at the mark. "He kept trying to shake your hand." He looks up. "He shook my hand." He looks at Jorin. "At the tavern. Did Rooster shake your hand?"
[Insert Jorin saying Rooster helped him up.]
"Well, that mystery is at least solved," Hildigrim says. "But why was he trying to shake your hand?" he asks Regis. "Of course, the mark attracts spirits. We've been dealing with more than our fair share this eve. Would he have a reason, besides your brush off, to want to curse you, so to speak? Do you have any kind of history with the bard?"
OOC2: Did we ever ask Drusk what was in Rooster's bag?
“What if Rooster didn’t know? What if someone shook his hand before we became involved?” Quillary is trying to puzzle this all out, turning the small wooden urn-watering can back and forth in her hands.
"Spiritroot? Stay away from that stuff. They say that once you use it, you’re changed. Marked. Some mage-friends of mine – we go way back – harvested some once, said they couldn’t shake the ghosts and other undead for weeks."
Regis had not dealt with Rooster before that day.
(Hildigrim is correct about Rooster shaking hands with him, and helping Jorin up. Rooster also tried to shake hands with Quillary in post 2271, but she kept her distance.)
After leaving Regis' shop, Hildigrim asks Drusk and Quillary out loud what they saw in Rooster's bag. (This is a copy of the "spoiler" in post 2277, but everyone can read it.)
Most of Rooster's bag had clothes, musical instrument maintenance tools, and personal items. But there was also a disguise kit, and a pouch of rations that smelled like fragrant, perfumed mushrooms.
It would not be unusual for play performers to have disguise makeup, or for them to relax during the night with "special" mushrooms. But you would have thought different of Rooster, a dignified minstrel.
In any case, while this is an oddity, bards and performers can be an odd lot anyways. If Quillary never sees Rooster again, it won't matter.
As Quillary put it, Rooster might not be a criminal, but merely a creepy sleaze bag. (She used polite language, but that is the subtext that Drusk heard.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Ah, he did grasp hands with me, Hildi, he did. A tricky skald, that one. He was trying to get Regis to touch him as well, he must have been doing it on purpose. But why try to attract spirits here?"
Quillary paid for and kept her new little watering can, stowing it in her pack. “I’ve been puzzling over this for a while, Hildi, did you not expel a spirit from Rooster by kicking him in the shin? While the rest of us have had to club these hapless souls into unconsciousness to get them free?”
”I do not know if it means anything, but it seems odd.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Quillary paid for and kept her new little watering can, stowing it in her pack.
(You can add it to your inventory and handle the money transaction... Pascal has the option of buying or putting back the brush.
Is there more to do with Regis? If not, and the party is going to discuss the case more, it would make sense to do it outside, either in a spot on the street away from listeners, or while walking to another location.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
I'm going to pretend Quillary asked Hildigrim the question.
"In fact, a spirit did appear to leave Rooster. But, perhaps, he is attempting to spread the wealth, so to speak, to reduce the number of spirits harassing him. I wish I had ... you know what?" Hildigrim walks back to Regis's door and knocks. If the dwarf comes back, Hildigrim asks, "Do you know what spiritroom smells like?"
Hildigrim wants to know if spiritroom smells like "fragrant, perfumed mushrooms".
Regis says he does not know what spiritroot is like. Only heard his buddies talk about it. (Or at least, that is what he claims...)
(Marigold or Bitter-Blossom would have more first-hand experience.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
House of Gentle Necromancy. Were you thinking about getting a family pet animated, or getting some more hands to help around the farm
I work to show people the positive qualities of necromancy. When I resurrect beloved family pets and place preservation spells on them, the children do not have to be parted from their trusted friends and protectors.
I don't talk about my other customers to complete strangers
(About Rooster): "Oh yes, I know him. He stopped by today so that we could discuss my sponsorship of his next tour.
Yes, indeed! Those spirits are just looking for a little home to escape to. With the Doomguides gone – you know, the clerics of Kelemvore – they’re just so lost. I help where I can, but I can’t catch them all.
Well, there are more zombies lurking around but the city guard have eliminated most of them. Zombies just need some guidance, they’re only as evil and misguided as their creators. I feel especially bad for the ones that fell into the Dessarin River and can’t get out – they’ll probably be there forever at this rate.
zombies are only as evil and misguided as their creators
Important members of the community should never be raised in shabby armor!
Some say that the spirit of Amphail lurks near his monument, and bemoans the state of his beloved town. He only comes out at night, and only a few people have seen him. He has not been aggressive. Or at least, not until tonight. And he has never shown up as a zombie before.
As for that zombie, it certainly sounds like there is an enchantment upon him. Why him specifically, I cannot say – but that is not normal behavior for one of the shambling dead. Whomever animated the poor server’s remains should have at least had the decency to let him be properly defeated. That must be frustrating for everyone.
Have you been in exotic woodlands recently? Touching the herb often leaves an indelible mark upon your flesh, like the one you have there.
Spiritroot is exceptionally potent herb, and can tether your lifeforce to the spirit world for a time. It leaves an indelible mark upon your flesh, which you can see first hand. This mark acts as a beacon for the restless dead.
(about spiritroot) Bitter-Blossom asked for some, and I sometimes find little bits of it here and there.
(note by the DM) So that mark appeared sometime later than noon
Rooster came to this shop by himself. He did mention that he had other shops to visit this morning. Was Bitter-Blossom's one of them?
Bitter-Blossom is a curious druid, indeed. She’s not been quite as bubbly since her sister disappeared but she’s good people anyhow. I raised a rabbit companion of hers once.
No arrangement was made. This was an introduction meeting, to give me time to consider whether I want to sponsor a singing bard.
Regis is an adorable dwarf, and he’ll be quick to tell you that he’s not that Regis. But he’s an opportunist, for sure, and he deals in objects that have questionable histories. More often than not the previous owners aren’t available, but he does not source any of his goods from Amphail so we tend to leave him to his own devices.
She gave us a scroll of protection.
let me know if you wind up luring the undead out of Amphail. Wild roaming undead can cause mischief, so I'd like to assume control of them if possible.
Bitter-Blossom:
Has a giant blink dog
you didn't have the door open long enough for any spirits to come in my shop. But they are out there. I hear them at night. They scratch at the walls and sometimes even wander the streets. I don’t go out at night, though, especially when they’re out there. That’s a bad idea. I used to have a shambler out back on a chain, but it got away I think. Or someone let it loose. I don’t know, but it’s gone now and that’s okay.
I think that until Kelemvor comes for us, we are just splinters of a single spirit. One creature with many faces
Amphail was such a sweetheart. A gentle soul, for a warlord, y'know? Whoever made him a zombie like him should be ashamed.
Rooster Cinderelm came here earlier, yes. Wanted some spiritroot. ... I didn’t have any, though. I don’t deal with that kind of product. He made an off-hand comment about how fun it would be if Amphail were a ghost town.
(about the mark) The bard came in with the same thing.
Spiritroot is amazing, friends! It’s not cheap and only grows in some pretty terrible places like graveyards and under witch cauldrons and inside the skulls of dead dragons. It’s pretty awesome, really. Tastes a bit like dwarf stone and slimy acid, but... wow. It lets you talk to your dead friends. And sometimes enemies. ... Totally worth the cost if you can find it. I’ve only been carrying it a couple days.
Rooster didn't leave empty-handed ... if you want a little nibble of spiritroot so you can see your granny one more time, I can do that, too. Rooster bought the last of it earlier, so I’m clean out right now.
spiritroot is contraband in Amphail. I would never do that, ever... Okay, maybe I thought of getting some a long while ago, sold a little, but not anymore... Sure, yeah, maaaaaaaybe I used to have some spiritroot. Possibly. I remember trying some, once. I think – no, I’m pretty sure – that I got it from Marigold. She’s pretty sketchy. She came to me, was pretty pushy about spiritroot. Brought me some, said she’d teach me how to grow it if I only tried this little bit. So I did. It was pretty amazing. Tasted bad, but powerful for sure. "I saw Bitter-Root and we talked for a little bit." (serious, melancholy) "I know now that it wasn’t really her, at least I hope it wasn’t, because she talked about demons and possession and it was pretty scary. (back to dazed and confused) "... anyways, don’t listen to Marigold’s lies. She’s creepy and hiding something, I know it. Stay clear if you want to live."
(DM note) you feel like BB isn't trying to deceive you. In her current state, she isn't exactly sure what the truth is, and sometimes just says what she wants to believe
(About Marigold) She’s witchy ... Don’t let her fool you with her honeyed words.
You know... this jerky just reminds me of adventuring with my sister. Regis too. We were buddies. Pals. We go way back, years and... I can’t look him in the eye anymore. We lost her. My sister, Bitter-Root. Our parents weren’t very creative but we loved little Bitter-Root anyways. She’s been gone awhile and I can’t find her. I think Regis tries to help, but it hurts too much to talk to him. I don’t think I’ll be able to trust anyone from the Lords’ Alliance ever again.
Regis:
I deal with items, not things that don’t understand how to stay dead.
That snooty bard came sniffing around for a magical harp earlier today. Said he heard I acquired one from a Waterdhavian noble awhile back, some specific piece made from maple and platinum. Asked too many questions and didn’t seem right, so I told him to hit the road. Said he was creating some interactive masterpiece here in Amphail. Kept trying to shake my hand;
Fancy harp for rich folks. What did it do? It made music, when someone plays it... Unless you had a specific harp you wanted to buy.
As for those other two... I wouldn't trust what Marigold has to say. Anyone that is that chipper has something to hide. Or something to sell. Either way, I’d steer clear of her. The locals say that she’s into ‘gentle necromancy’ and that she’s trying to promote the restless dead as a positive thing... y’ask me, she’s about as nutty as a walnut tree. For Bitter-Blossom, you should leave her alone. She is troubled enough as it is.
(about BB) We worked together once, long ago, on a project that was... let’s just say ‘delicate’. Her sister disappeared not long after that and she went from a happy-go-lucky earthy druid-type to seeking answers in a bottle or poultice. She’s talented, but has walled herself up. Gotta accept the past, y’know?
Regis smells strongly of old, wet tobacco leaves
he is missing a finger on his left hand
He is wearing a large pin on his shirt, the symbol of the Zhentarim faction
Remember my policy: fewer questions, more solutions
we worked together for some Lords’ Alliance stuff way back when. Me, ‘Blossom, her sister ‘Root, and some kooky elf mage by the name of Fulton Stormweather. Our patron, this really intense Shou woman, wanted discretion but this was a couple years back... We were to infiltrate a Zhentarim trade caravan headed east to Hulburg. Along the way we were supposed to grab an amulet and a spellbook and leave some fakes in their place, but the job went sideways. Turns out that the caravan was moving some Red Wizard of Thay and his entourage. Bitter-Root snagged the necklace before taking a nasty spell to the face. She disappeared with a pop and we didn’t see her again after that. ‘Blossom searched for her for awhile but never found her, so she returned here and has just been playing at being alive ever since.
Never was a Lords' Alliance. They were the ones hiring free-lancers for some tasks to be done. ... Walking away from those bozos seemed the right thing to do. Zhents know what they are doing around here. Didn't help that LA laddies kept talking like I was that other Regis. That’s my great-uncle, six times removed on my mother’s side. He ran around with that dark elf for awhile and really has his own legacy. If anyone believes that I’m related to a halfling, I have a summer home in Thay to sell you.
The goofy bard had a similar mark on his hand earlier today.
(about spiritroot) They say that once you use it, you’re changed. Marked.
(If I knew you were going to do this, I would have suggested waiting just a little bit longer.) Hildigrim gets DM Inspiration for that huge amount of work.
There is a little more time before dawn, when a report (and an accusation) will be given to Calypso. Drusk suggests there is time to walk back to Marigold's, and ask her for an aromatic description of spiritroot (Bitter-Blossom gave a visual description, but left off the smell). The party can discusses what they know so far during the trek.
Drusk considers himself a bright fellow, but he is having trouble following all the details that Hildigrim has observed this evening. Drusk will still use his wits, but also rely on divine providence and the opinions of his colleagues. (OOC: Since I am DM-ing, I shouldn't have a vote when the time comes, unless there is a misunderstanding in the details.)
The party has been walking for several minutes. Drusk feels a "pull" from his Sentinel Shield towards a nearby alley. (He is still a bit creeped out by the painted eye on the shield given by Hyll.) Now that everyone is paying attention to that alley, you are aware of a "psst" noise coming from there. It had started before you looked at the alley, and continues now.
As you get closer, it gets louder, while still trying to not be too loud. “PSST! PSST! Friends, over here!”
Under the lid of a metal wastebin, a familiar face peeks out. His eyes wide with fear, Rooster Cinderelm beckons for you to join him. (Well, not into the waste bin, but close enough to talk.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Jorin is about to grab Rooster before he can get away again when Quillary's warning stops him. Instead, he draws a handaxe and points at the bard saying, "Do not try to flee again, or my axe will find your back!"
Quillary comes close to Rooster, playing off of Jorin's intimidation. "If you're concerned about the undead hunting you, you should not have messed with the spiritroot. What did you think would happen? And now, you have infected my friends, too. Why should we not bang on the walls and bring them to you?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Jorin is about to grab Rooster before he can get away again when Quillary's warning stops him. Instead, he draws a handaxe and points at the bard saying, "Do not try to flee again, or my axe will find your back!"
Intimidation: 19
Rooster is inside a metal trash bin, holding up the lid with one hand. He would have to climb out to leave that spot, which would make him easy to stop. (Don't forget that Rooster was completely hidden, and called out to the group.)
He was adequately frightened before Jorin applied Intimidation. "I didn't mean to flee earlier. I panicked when that talk of ghosts reminded me of how helpless I was with the possession. I only took a few steps away, and then I saw that sobbing ghost near the statue. I ran away from it. I looked for refuge, running from empty house to empty house, but I kept seeing ghosts and that huge violent zombie. Every place, there was the moaning of the disembodied dead. After hours without a place to rest, I took refuge in this metal wastebin. I only opened the lid when I heard your group nearby.
"Did you find out who is responsible for this nightmare? There were some things I saw, as I ran around in terror, that might help you."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
(OOC: I will summarize, instead of trying to write hysterical rambling.)
While running, he passed Marigold’s shop. There were some strange flowers growing out back that he had never seen before. (These match the description of spiritroot flowers as given by Bitter- Blossom).
He only got a quick glance, because the zombie appeared again, so he ran before it could get close to him. (This was a few minutes before your group departed Marigold's place, and got into the fight.)
Rooster doesn't understand why these undead are haunting him, but he has a theory... He is convinced that his new harp is cursed. All these troubles happened after he got it, and it would account for the weird charm song that happened at the Stag-Horned Tavern.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Before Rooster can give a reply, he gives a gasp and points (with his hand that is not holding the garbage bin lid up) behind the party. A wet shuffling sound comes from the end of the alley as the massive zombie (the greater zombie dressed up as a parody of Amphail) comes into view and roars. It seems fleshier and moister (for a zombie) than the previous fights. It is joined by a well armed and armored gentleman, who does not seem to mind the zombie.
Start of combat!
Post your actions and roll initiative each round. The zombie and the adventurer-type are 20' away from the party and Rooster-in-a-can.
If Hildigrim and/or Volo is giving help, it can apply to anyone that round, regardless of initiative order. (Too difficult to keep track of, otherwise.)
You may chose to roll an extra d20, in case it is needed. (If you don't, the DM will roll for you as needed.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
OOC: I think sleep is a good choice.
Hildigrim regards the mark. "Spiritroot. At least, that was the explanation proffered." The halfling scowls, still looking at the mark. "He kept trying to shake your hand." He looks up. "He shook my hand." He looks at Jorin. "At the tavern. Did Rooster shake your hand?"
[Insert Jorin saying Rooster helped him up.]
"Well, that mystery is at least solved," Hildigrim says. "But why was he trying to shake your hand?" he asks Regis. "Of course, the mark attracts spirits. We've been dealing with more than our fair share this eve. Would he have a reason, besides your brush off, to want to curse you, so to speak? Do you have any kind of history with the bard?"
OOC2: Did we ever ask Drusk what was in Rooster's bag?
“What if Rooster didn’t know? What if someone shook his hand before we became involved?” Quillary is trying to puzzle this all out, turning the small wooden urn-watering can back and forth in her hands.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Spiritroot? Stay away from that stuff. They say that once you use it, you’re changed. Marked. Some mage-friends of mine – we go way back – harvested some once, said they couldn’t shake the ghosts and other undead for weeks."
Regis had not dealt with Rooster before that day.
(Hildigrim is correct about Rooster shaking hands with him, and helping Jorin up. Rooster also tried to shake hands with Quillary in post 2271, but she kept her distance.)
After leaving Regis' shop, Hildigrim asks Drusk and Quillary out loud what they saw in Rooster's bag. (This is a copy of the "spoiler" in post 2277, but everyone can read it.)
Most of Rooster's bag had clothes, musical instrument maintenance tools, and personal items. But there was also a disguise kit, and a pouch of rations that smelled like fragrant, perfumed mushrooms.
It would not be unusual for play performers to have disguise makeup, or for them to relax during the night with "special" mushrooms. But you would have thought different of Rooster, a dignified minstrel.
In any case, while this is an oddity, bards and performers can be an odd lot anyways. If Quillary never sees Rooster again, it won't matter.
As Quillary put it, Rooster might not be a criminal, but merely a creepy sleaze bag. (She used polite language, but that is the subtext that Drusk heard.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Ah, he did grasp hands with me, Hildi, he did. A tricky skald, that one. He was trying to get Regis to touch him as well, he must have been doing it on purpose. But why try to attract spirits here?"
Quillary paid for and kept her new little watering can, stowing it in her pack. “I’ve been puzzling over this for a while, Hildi, did you not expel a spirit from Rooster by kicking him in the shin? While the rest of us have had to club these hapless souls into unconsciousness to get them free?”
”I do not know if it means anything, but it seems odd.”
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
(You can add it to your inventory and handle the money transaction... Pascal has the option of buying or putting back the brush.
Is there more to do with Regis? If not, and the party is going to discuss the case more, it would make sense to do it outside, either in a spot on the street away from listeners, or while walking to another location.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
I’ll take brush, sure haha.
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
OoC - didn't rooster disappear right after the scuffle? This dude is shady AF
I'm going to pretend Quillary asked Hildigrim the question.
"In fact, a spirit did appear to leave Rooster. But, perhaps, he is attempting to spread the wealth, so to speak, to reduce the number of spirits harassing him. I wish I had ... you know what?" Hildigrim walks back to Regis's door and knocks. If the dwarf comes back, Hildigrim asks, "Do you know what spiritroom smells like?"
Hildigrim wants to know if spiritroom smells like "fragrant, perfumed mushrooms".
Regis says he does not know what spiritroot is like. Only heard his buddies talk about it. (Or at least, that is what he claims...)
(Marigold or Bitter-Blossom would have more first-hand experience.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Marigold Butterleaf:
Bitter-Blossom:
Regis:
(If I knew you were going to do this, I would have suggested waiting just a little bit longer.) Hildigrim gets DM Inspiration for that huge amount of work.
There is a little more time before dawn, when a report (and an accusation) will be given to Calypso. Drusk suggests there is time to walk back to Marigold's, and ask her for an aromatic description of spiritroot (Bitter-Blossom gave a visual description, but left off the smell). The party can discusses what they know so far during the trek.
Drusk considers himself a bright fellow, but he is having trouble following all the details that Hildigrim has observed this evening. Drusk will still use his wits, but also rely on divine providence and the opinions of his colleagues. (OOC: Since I am DM-ing, I shouldn't have a vote when the time comes, unless there is a misunderstanding in the details.)
The party has been walking for several minutes. Drusk feels a "pull" from his Sentinel Shield towards a nearby alley. (He is still a bit creeped out by the painted eye on the shield given by Hyll.) Now that everyone is paying attention to that alley, you are aware of a "psst" noise coming from there. It had started before you looked at the alley, and continues now.
As you get closer, it gets louder, while still trying to not be too loud. “PSST! PSST! Friends, over here!”
Under the lid of a metal wastebin, a familiar face peeks out. His eyes wide with fear, Rooster Cinderelm beckons for you to join him. (Well, not into the waste bin, but close enough to talk.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
“Don’t touch him,” Quillary reminds everyone.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Jorin is about to grab Rooster before he can get away again when Quillary's warning stops him. Instead, he draws a handaxe and points at the bard saying, "Do not try to flee again, or my axe will find your back!"
Intimidation: 19
Quillary comes close to Rooster, playing off of Jorin's intimidation. "If you're concerned about the undead hunting you, you should not have messed with the spiritroot. What did you think would happen? And now, you have infected my friends, too. Why should we not bang on the walls and bring them to you?"
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Rooster is inside a metal trash bin, holding up the lid with one hand. He would have to climb out to leave that spot, which would make him easy to stop. (Don't forget that Rooster was completely hidden, and called out to the group.)
He was adequately frightened before Jorin applied Intimidation. "I didn't mean to flee earlier. I panicked when that talk of ghosts reminded me of how helpless I was with the possession. I only took a few steps away, and then I saw that sobbing ghost near the statue. I ran away from it. I looked for refuge, running from empty house to empty house, but I kept seeing ghosts and that huge violent zombie. Every place, there was the moaning of the disembodied dead. After hours without a place to rest, I took refuge in this metal wastebin. I only opened the lid when I heard your group nearby.
"Did you find out who is responsible for this nightmare? There were some things I saw, as I ran around in terror, that might help you."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"What things," Quillary says, her spores swirling menacingly. (She's got him right where she wants him.)
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
(OOC: I will summarize, instead of trying to write hysterical rambling.)
While running, he passed Marigold’s shop. There were some strange flowers growing out back that he had never seen before. (These match the description of spiritroot flowers as given by Bitter- Blossom).
He only got a quick glance, because the zombie appeared again, so he ran before it could get close to him. (This was a few minutes before your group departed Marigold's place, and got into the fight.)
Rooster doesn't understand why these undead are haunting him, but he has a theory... He is convinced that his new harp is cursed. All these troubles happened after he got it, and it would account for the weird charm song that happened at the Stag-Horned Tavern.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"And where, pray tell, did you get your harp?" Quillary asks, thinking she might know the answer.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Before Rooster can give a reply, he gives a gasp and points (with his hand that is not holding the garbage bin lid up) behind the party. A wet shuffling sound comes from the end of the alley as the massive zombie (the greater zombie dressed up as a parody of Amphail) comes into view and roars. It seems fleshier and moister (for a zombie) than the previous fights. It is joined by a well armed and armored gentleman, who does not seem to mind the zombie.
Start of combat!
Post your actions and roll initiative each round. The zombie and the adventurer-type are 20' away from the party and Rooster-in-a-can.
Drusk will use Turn Undead on his Initiative: 13
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)