Project Point: Team Longsword

Anything to bring back to the families as proof? Though, delegation from the temple can sort it out itself.

"Looks like we found all our answers. If that thing upstairs was "The Necromancer", I think our work here is done."

"Agreed," she says before adding, "let us search the room down here and make haste back to the warlord."

Investigate: 6

"Put them in the bag,  we can take them back to town. "

Serandis does not find anything of interest besides the 50 piles of bones in the room.

"We can take all of them back, let the clerics in town sort them out. It's the least we can do."  

Saying a prayer to her ancestors, Serandis starts singing a song she (and every other Aereni elf growing up in her homeland) learned as a child. A song about passage and purpose. Moving from one journey to another. 

"The tress they dance still, 

even though you lie still. 

They move and dance,

the sun still shines through the leaves.

Prepare for the stars,

Sing out your last breath.

You are welcomed, 

into 'morrow's night."

Gathering up the bones, she will place them gingerly inside the extradimensional bag. Singing her prayers to these fallen victims. Softly her voice sings as she glides from pile to pile. 

Having collected all the bones, you leave the outpost and trek back towards Teryk. During the trip back, you can already see the effects of the deathlock's destruction. Plants have begun to grow again, and you can see some small wildlife here and there, racing through the undergrowth. As you arrive back in Teryk, you see much of the tension has left the town. Relieved murmurs are spreading through the streets, and you see smiles on faces, many of them directed your way.

The speed of recovery of the land was impressive, the magical nature of the affliction. Even air felt cleaner - something you never notice until the stiffness is gone. "We probably should stop at the Temple first. To leave the bones there, and the compass too."

Should others agree, she would happily visit the place again. Hopefully, Seeker Riska was there and ready to meet the group. "We think we found the origin of the troubles and dispatched it. But the place has to be cleansed, probably. And here, we brought the bones of those the necromancer used for the rituals. We hoped you would take care of them." She did not mention the note yet, mostly because of her firm belief in "one thing at a time".

You are welcomed into the temple, where Riska greets you in the inner sanctum, listening to your story gravely. "I see, that is concerning. We shall cleanse the bones and the site, our rituals should perform as intended now that there is no longer a necromancer actively combatting our efforts. It will allow the people of Teryk to put their dead to rest as they likely wish to. Thank you for your efforts and for returning our artifact to us."

Citron bows

"May they find the peace in Dolurrh they were denied in life...." and he'll raise his tankard in a toast

Serandis will stray in the outer santcum and speak with Levis if they is available. She has no need to speak with the creature in the next room. 

"We have stopped the blight, Levis. By the hand of the Undying and all that is pure, we stopped it. It wasn't easy, we sacrificed a lot of ourselves to bring peace back to the land," Sera will tell them as she moves into the real reason she is speaking with them, "But with the Blight retreating I am wondering if this is the last we have seen of such effects. I found something, something rather alarming. I don't know if I should share it with you, the Warlord might not approve; but maybe you could help us. Do you know who The Avaestasi is?"

She will show them the note and translate it for them if they can not read the language. 

(Reminder: Levis uses they/them pronouns)

In the chapel: "We shall mourn their loss," Riska rasps simply. "Now, I do not believe you should keep the warlord waiting any longer. He has been inspecting the fields, but I believe he will be back at his home soon."

Serandis:  Levis tilts their head and looks at the note, frowning deeply as Serandis translates it for them. "The Avaestasi," they say thoughtfully, turning the name over in their mouth. "I am not familiar with that name, but it certainly sounds Elvish in origin--though I suppose that could be presumed from the language the note was written in. This note seems to suggest a plot against the crown...I assume you intend to show it to Warlord Karlach?"

Adaliza did not plan to keep the letter a secret from revered Riska. She did not really expect the answer who that Avaestasi was, but people of Bastion (and specifically seekers) had to be warned. So, she did tell and did ask about the letter.

Riska is silent and thoughtful as Adaliza tells her about the letter. "I am afraid I do not know that name. This word of an attack on Bastion is concerning, though it appears you may have thwarted that with your destruction of the necromancer. This business in Korth, however..." She shakes her head. "The warlord will be more suited than I to address this letter's implications."

Looking at them, Serandis answers, "Yes, of course. If this is the start of something worse to come then all hands need to be on deck." She pauses and thinks for a moment before continuing. "The creature we faced in the abandoned fort was strong, it took us by surprise and almost had it's hold on the whole group. If it wasn't for Citron, we might have joined those in the bag of bones."

"But I agree with you, it does sound elvish. I do not know much about royal politics here in Khorvaire but if this is a plot against the royal house then the Warlord will have to send couriers at once."

"Lady Riska, we shall take our leave then and present this information to the Warlord" 

In the chapel: "Yes...one more thing," Riska adds. "Your description of the creature sounds like a deathlock, a being that failed to upload an arcane pact with their patron and was punished with undead servitude in response. Whoever this deathlock served--possibly this "Avaestasi", they will want you very dead now for depriving them of a useful tool."

Serandis: "Yes, a message will have to be sent to Korth immediately," Levis agrees. "And those behind this plan will no doubt be quite angry their plot has been disrupted as much as it is already."

On the way back Adaliza gave a friendly smile to Levis. "We have to visit Warlord now, the news is urgent and dire. Ready to go, Serandis?" As nice as it was to see more relaxing people on the streets, the group could not afford to join them in merry strolling and had to first ruin (or make?) the day for Warlord.

"Indeed, goodbye," She will say to them as she leaves with the group. While walking to the Warlord's house she will speak to the group, "Did you find out any useful information from the... from Riska?"

"I'm afraid she does not know anything on the matter but the type of creature we had to deal with. It is known as "deathlock" - a very valuable servant to whoever made it. Meaning, that "maker" should count us as robbers and its personal enemies," explained Adaliza with half-smile. "Lovely, is not it?"

"Then we shall face that darkness as well," Serandis says as confidently as she can, though inside she is a little shaken. Something mroe powerful than that creature, could they handle it? "It seems like the Warlord will have a lot on his plate." As they arrive to the Warlord's home she looks around to make sure they weren't followed by anyone that looks shady. 

Perception: 21