Tests and Trials Game Thread

Ernos nods to Jaq, "Been better, but could be worse.  The ghost lady's scream caused the worst of it, so I'm hoping facing normal ghosts would be less problematic otherwise.  Certainly didn't take much to kill one of them."  Clearing his throat, he continues, "You're good people, to face danger for your passed friend.  I hope to stand alongside you, at least until we can get back at the undead's leader."

Becoming suspicious of Ernos, Cladmir separated himself from Kroshav (with some reluctance) to track down Ernos and ask some questions.  Timing wise he would be walking in just as Jaq and Ernos were having their conversation.

Trying to get a sense if Ernos may know anything about this Gethren character Cladmir chimed in,  "So, Ernos, are you at all familiar with the undead or what we may be facing here?"

Ernos shakes his head, turning to Cladmir, "Only what can be guessed by common knowledge."

Jaq, continuing  with the ghost talk when a pause ensues after Cladmir joins, "Yeah, that one ghost nearly took me down with one attack, the same thing nearly knocked you out too, I saw..  I really don't know how to stop that from happening again.   It's probable Gethren would have the same types of allies the next time we come across him."  He frowns as he thinks about this.

As to Cladmir's question on knowledge, "I'm planning on searching in the library for some undead fighting tactics and buff up on my overall bits about ghosts and such.  And maybe Librarian knows exactly what Gethren has become since he died."

((Anything else for this evening? The Librarian will set guard if you'd like to try and rest.))

Jaq is gonna sleep.   He’ll ask about undead Info books in the morning. 

Kroshav would check in with Charlie and Lurn after giving the bone fragment to the Librarian and asking if she can do anything with it... or worryingly, if Gethren might be able to do anything with it.

If she cannot, he'll suggest burning it.

Ernos very much needs a rest, if not physically thanks to the Librarian's healing, but still mentally.

Cladmir, thinking that Ernos' response is both an answer and really not an answer is just going to keep silent.  He's also just going to head to bed to get some much needed rest once he is satisfied that the guards are in place.

Ah, yes, Ernos will need to have a word with the party once they're gathered for rest.

Once everyone is gathered, Ernos sits, cross-legged, and faces them, "I initially planned to only stay as long as needed.  Now, there is cause to do otherwise.  If I am to accompany you and seek to reclaim my honour against the undead, then you deserve my trust.  I am not human, as I appear."

Kroshav peers at him suspiciously.

Jaq stays quiet for a bit and after waiting getting a dramatic pause he nods and says, “And…..” hoping the man continues with his explanation. 

With the group having patience, Ernos continues, "I am a tiefling.  Easier to travel with a human appearance, draws less attention.  But after today, a mistake of not maintaining my illusions may seem like a devil suddenly appearing.  I want no such misunderstandings."  Pressing his hands together, the man lets out a breath, then through a shimmer as if shrouded in heat haze, his skin turns red, and a pair of horns, swept back close to his head, reveal themselves.

Kroshav stands, hand gripping the pommel of his sword as he extends his divine senses once again.

As before, Ernos smells a bit off, but not bad. Like the smell a gust of warm air has maybe?

Certainly not the snout wrinkling stink that comes with fiends.

Kroshav gives a sniff, but sits, hand still on Sword, but not primed to draw.

Nodding he says, “I’ve known a few thieflings from my early training days. He was called Thimes, and he was very gifted at persuasion.  A very good talker. I wonder what he’s up to?   Some day soon I might have to travel back to my home city.”

Cladmir's eyes went wide.  He did not know what to do but taking cue from Kroshav he also slowly reached his hand toward his mace.  Although he did not make any motion to get up or advance.

Giving a deep sigh, followed by an unsteady cough, Ernos shakes his head after glancing between Kroshav and Cladmir, "I'm used to suspicion.  Would've been worse if the reveal was unplanned."  Turning his attention to Jaq, he gives a slight nod, "Good to hear of kin getting a chance.  Only ever had basic labour and gambling to myself, until my patron came along."

"Psssh, I don't care if you're a tiefling or a halfling, or a... a... yeti. Well, if you were a yeti, I'd have killed you already. Anyway, what I don't like is the pretending to be something you're not. First time we ran into Gethren, he pretended to be countryman to Lurn, before he tried to kill us. I'd rather you'd walked in the front door a tiefling than hide that from us, cause it's got me wondering if there's other stuff you are hiding that make the rest of us less safe.", Kroshav glowers.

"But... I suppose I get the reason.", he concedes. "There's times it'd be easier to not be a dragonborn, and from some of what Dama said, there's some places tieflings get it a lot worse."

"If you'd be willing, in the morning I have a spell I can cast that'd put lots of things in clearer light. You want my trust, that's how you get it."