Togar you launch a chromatic orb at the Ghastly Figure dealing 6points of fire damage. (The spell doesn't seem to do as much as you had hoped to the ghost.)
Erlang you attempt to fear the Ghastly Figure and stop it from moving. WIS DC 13 vs 10. You feel your divine power set in, however, the Ghastly Figure doesn't appear to be fearful of you.
The Ghastly Figure lunges toward Khessa and vanishes from sight as it travels through her. You all watch as Khessa's eyes go dark and dead before she begins to speak "greedy, greedy"Khessa expresses in a disappointed tone. "Your friend paid the ultimate price for attempting to steal from me. Now, bury me properly and allow me to rest."Khessa begins looking at the greatsword in her hands. "Or, I've never used one of these before, but I've always wanted to."
Khessa
While possessed, you can see everything happening, but you cannot control your body, speak, or anything else.
Soon after, Avimm disappears and a shortsword blade suddenly sprouts from the blue-eyed woman's wrist—as if the weapon were somehow fused to her body.
(OOC: Action: she casts Magic Missile, Bonus Action: she makes Dhaekzhil manifest)
(OOC: @DM: From what Khessa posted on her turn (quoted here the relevant part), unless Dhaekzhil refused to do as asked, it should be attached to Khessa's wrist by now... so Khessa could not use the Greatsword at all... That said, the ghost can still threaten using Dhaekzhil, of course - or if Dhaekzhil did as it pleased and refused to attach, then all ok with what you narrated).
Anyway...
If Khessa can still think, she tries to telepathically communicate with Dhaekzhil: 'Avimm... Can you by any chance do something about this nasty possession of Mr Ectoplasm? Like controlling his mind like you tried to do with mine before, then getting it out of me?'
Seeing Khessa change before their eyes, possessed by the ghost, a resigned sigh escapes his lips. Wearily, Erlang says, “Is this really necessary? We were going to bury you anyway.”
Straightening up a bit, he continues, “We’ll do as you say. But do not harm her. And you’ll let her go as soon as we are finished.”
Togar manufactures a faintly glowing shovel, and begins to dig in the ground, frequently looking back over his shoulder, watching the actions of Khessa, and willing to leap into the air at any sign of trouble. He keeps digging, saying “Anyone else want to help? If this sets things aright, so be it.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Kell puts his hands down. "Listen mr, we can't be letting you stay inside our friend here. She's an idjit, but an honest one. Let her go and I swear she'll have learned her lesson."
He looks over at Togar and starts to back up. "Imma go and get our shovel from our cart. Don't die in the meantime, and don't let not-Khessa out of your sight." He quickly starts to make his way back to the cart to grab their banged up shovel.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Seeing the others begin to dig, Dusk also joins, happy with this type of labor. Once the body is buried tough, Dusk simply stands over the grave, no longer willing to give this spirit who chooses violence when it had the chance to be peaceful a ceremony.
Meanwhile, Khessa, unable to do anything else, ponders the epithets she's been receiving tonight: 'Oh, Mr Ectoplasm, so I'm 'greedy'? I, of course... not you, who want to take your necklace to the grave... Do you think perhaps that in this way you will have it with you in the afterlife? Or do you just revel in the thought of how well it will look on your dead neck as it decomposes - like the rest of your body - and is eaten by worms? Of course, Mr Ectoplasm... You're right. After all, even Kell thinks your idea is smart. Or at least, that must be how he thinks, since I, on the other hand, according to him, would be an 'idiot'. You have probably been classmates and the master has clearly explained to you both what an entirely intelligent action it is, to put valuable objects in a grave, together with dead flesh destined to decompose - why let the living put them to good use instead? And anyone who is against such intelligent conduct is certainly an 'idiot'. Ah, Mr Ectoplasm... you two go along so well... perhaps you had better taken control of him instead!'
DM
The blonde arcane warrior, having time, also takes the opportunity to clarify with Avimm: 'If it is true that you weren't trying to control my mind, but only to separate yourself from me, then I apologize Avimm'she would laugh ironically, if she could - since she can't, she imagines at least laughing.'You know, if you'd only told me what you intended to do, I wouldn't have resisted and would have let you do it. I was so angry with you... I really didn't understand - and I still don't understand, for that matter - why you were willing to stand by my side in possibly dangerous and painful things, like fighting... and not in simple and riskless things, like digging a grave. But as you're making me understand, we are very different creatures, you and me'.
'You said 'I don't want you to talk'... I think I understand what that, you know? In the place where we found you... There was a completely alien creature... It looked like a gigantic floating eye, which was capable of controlling a kind of huge tentacle that came out of the ground at its command... And that creature, when we escaped it, it spoke. A single word. And with just that single word, it caused great pain to both me and all my companions. I don't think I will forget that word easily! That's probably your language - and if so, you're right, it's not made for people like me and others - just hearing it harms us'.
'Thinking about it... we might as well use it as a weapon! Under certain circumstances, I could cover my ears with my hands and ask you to speak your language on the battlefield... You wouldn't harm me - since I wouldn't hear - but the enemies would... We really must try this once!'
'As long as you still want to stay with me, of course... Because I want to tell you one thing, Avimm: I can have many flaws. Am I greedy, as Mr Ectoplasm claims? I don't think so, but maybe. Am I an idiot, as Kell claims? I don't think so, but maybe. But one thing I am not and never will be: a slaver. If you don't want to be with me, tell me and try again what you did before, to unattune - and I won't resist, I'll let you do it. As far as I'm concerned, you're free, Avimm: if you want to stay, I'll try to behave well with you - and possibly to understand you better, but if you prefer to be separated from me, I won't be the one to hold you back'.
You all spend the time to dig a hole for this body. The whole time different Khessa looms over, watching. Eventually you fully bury the body and all of its belongings--afterwards Khessa goes limp and falls to the ground. You feel a breeze of air blow by that feels strangely refreshing and gracious, as Khessa comes to, waking, and prone.
Khessa
There is a quick interruption as you telepathically speak with Dhaekzhil about trying to speak on the battlefield. "You will feel my words. Whether you're deaf or not--you feel them." There is silence in your head as you continue to speak. Not even the ghastly figure currently controlling your body is sharing any sense of thought. "That was old master. I escaped it by making you my vessel. I cannot leave-I require a vessel to travel your world."
Combat is currently suspended, combat stats are included any who.
(OOC: It appears the last thing about the scattering of goblinoid bodies was RP between players and continuing to travel down the road. Are we ready to move on to the arrival of Wolfwater? Or would you all like to continue your interactions on any of the week 5 events?)
'So be it Avimm!' Khessa thinks, enthusiastically 'I wanted to tell you, because it was you who first attempted to unattune... But if you want to stay with me, well, we'll get to know each other better. If one day you want us to separate, just tell me, right?'
Then: 'Oh, too bad those words are heard even with closed ears. But I can always make you say them in the midst of enemies, away from us... then make you disappear to come back to me. Within what radius do your words take effect? 10'? 100'? 1000'? And one more thing: is there a limitation in using them? I wonder why your 'master' only used one...he could have used more. Why not 10 or 12 for example? He would have hurt us more... And your 'master'... Apparently he couldn't leave the Veiled Forest - he didn't, anyway! As soon as we left the Veiled Forest, he gave up chasing us, as if he didn't care anymore. You on the other hand, with me, went out without problems. Do you know why your 'master' seems forced to stay there?'
Finally: 'Hey! What's happened now!? I'm... to the ground? And... AND I'M FREE AGAIN! Just give me that rotten f4cking ectoplasmic bast4rd for another handfull of seconds...'
Khessa, engaged as she was in private telepathic conversations, hadn't even noticed that she was falling; suddenly finding herself on the ground - but above all free to act - she jumps up, alert, looking around her. But Mr Ectoplasm is nowhere to be seen...
"Apparently, Mr Ectoplasm has ceased to be a threat..." the blonde arcane warrior comments "I wouldn't mind a second round, just to let him know how much I enjoyed his company..." She keeps looking around for a while, ready to strike, but the ghostly enemy no longer manifests itself…
The tall adventuress, while the blade that seemed fused to her arm now somehow gets absorbed by it and disappear, relaxes and approaches Dusk, embracing him, with even more conviction than the first time: "Thank you my friend... You were incredibly brave, trying to free me with a spell while I was under the control of Mr Ectoplasm... You risked having him force me to attack you! I don't know how good he would have been - because his mind would have been directing my blows - so his experience, not mine - but you still took a big risk for me! I won't forget it, my dear".
Finally, realizing that the sword has also been buried, Khessa consults with her companions: "Guys... As I had time to tell you before getting 'intimate' with Mr Ectoplasm, the sword is magical... and therefore it could be incredibly useful against the 'devil' we are looking for ... The ghost mustn't be in great shape, after the welcome shots we'd given him... Would you like to dig it back up? I think we can dispatch Mr Ectoplasm for good, if he dares to show himself again. Or would you rather not take the risk?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As they were digging, as always, Dusk continues to refresh the temp hp everyone has, bumping it up to 8.
After the body is burried, and Khessa comes up to it, Dusk says, "I am happy to protect everyone in our group. I can only assume that losing your own volition to act was not enjoyable. Though I am sorry that my energies were less effective than I would have hoped..."
Dusk then adds, "If the ghost comes back, I will not again be able to dim the light protecting us from fear. And we now know that I am unable to expel the spirit... that said, I must admit, I did not enjoy feeling hostage to its demands..."Eye-stones dimming a bit in what appears to be a bit of anger and disappointment towards the spirit.
"The ghost has been put to rest," After finishing burying the body, Erlang says with a yawn. "I'd rather go back and rest. Plus, I'm not a fan of robbing from the dead."
With a hand on his glaive, Erlang looks around the forest, trying to determine if the ghost is truly gone or if it's still nearby. ((Can we still see the ghost?))
"Well, 'robbing from the dead' is a contradiction in terms..." Khessa feels compelled to point out "because you can't steal from someone who doesn't own - and the dead no longer own anything. The heirs who appropriate the possessions of a deceased relative are not robbing him - because the dead relative has no more properties. They are only putting that propeties to good use. A man who marries another woman after his wife has died is not unfaithful to her, because the dead woman has no more husband. He is only looking for another chance at love. So, in our case, I see it more as a question of risk, rather than of moral. Having said that, I already have a magical weapon... so whatever you decide, it will be fine for me too. Just know that I too, like Dusk, have not been particularly pleased with the conduct of this undead - so if you would like to attempt to recover the sword or other of those things which, buried there, would hardly be of benefit to anyone, I will gladly help you. But, well, I'm also fine with finally going to sleep if you so prefer".
Kell gives Khessa a look of incredulity. "Let me get this straight, you want to dig up the body that we just laid to rest, steal its things that it just got its knickers in a twist about you touching and beat it up if it resists? Perhaps you would also like to cut out his tongue and keep it as a souvenir, since it obviously doesn't belong to anyone anymore. Ancestors help me."
He walks over, pulling out his deck of red cards, handing one over to Khessa. "This is yours. Do what you want with it. Throw it away, tear it up, bury it or keep it and give it away when it feels right, I don't care. It's your debt, pay it as you see fit."
Khessa:
The card is as detailed as the previous ones, decorated in swirling red ink. It depicts a twisting, tangled tunnel of thorns.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
"This concept of death is new to me, though I know that it is important with your kinds,"Dusk says looking around. "I do agree that the dead have no need for any objects. If I were to become deactivated, I could not use any of the things I have collected. I have read however, that most mortal beings such as yourselves seem to have a connection with ensuring that their husk of a body is afforded the same respect that the being that used to inhabit that flesh was given. I can't quite understand why exactly..."
Kell looks vaguely apologetic. "I would be happy to discuss it Dusk, but it is a moral quandary that has been argued over by philosophers for as long as people have been dying. For a simple explanation, most cultures, especially on this continent, have a very strict set of unspoken rules and etiquettes that govern their treatment of the dead, usually stemming from religion or superstition. Most people wish that their bodies be undisturbed to avoid the risk of eternal unrest like...what did Khessa call him?... Mr. Ectoplasm here. There is some truth to those superstitions, but I personally believe that it is more of a mental refusal to move on without proper burial because of what they believed in life. Even so, there is a third and more important reason to treat the dead with respect. When one dies, they only live on in this realm in the memories of people that knew them. Those memories, more often than not, are tied to the image of the body of the person. Disturbing the bodies of the dead dishonors what remains of the self."
"If you don't listen to me," Khessa explains to Kell "you will have a hard time understanding me - and replying properly. A dead man does not own things - so the things the undead wanted are not 'its' things - for they don't belong to it. So, I'd be ready to dig them out, yes. And not because I'm eager to sell them, mind you. But because one of such things could help in defeating the killer we are tracking. But, as I already told, if you don't want the risk, fine by me. We'll be content with what we have".
"The tongue, you say?" the blonde arcane warrior ponders "I can't see what use it could be, so I'd leave it where it is. Worms also have to eat, I guess. But let me ask you this: should magic allow to take the tongue of a dead body and transfer it into a living one - one, of course, that has had its own tongue cut out. If you could restore the ability to speak to a person this way, would you not do it? You'd rather to say to the living mutilated man: 'hey, pal, no way! That tongue belongs to the dead body'? Would that be your idea of a right thing? Feel free to discuss the matter with those 'ancestors' of your, of course, if you like".
"And as far as debts are concerned," the tall adventuress throws the card in air and shots it with a fiery ray, thus incinerating it "I don't think I currently owe something to the only person who hasn't lifted a finger to defend me as I was under attack - and that did not come up with anything better that calling me an idiot while I was held hostage. It seems to me that when you was under attack by the giant spider you've got a different kind of help. Anyway, ok, since nobody is interested (or interested enough) to the sword, let's call it a night and get some rest".
Khessa goes back to the wagon and prepares for the night.
Togar stands there looking back and forth, between Khessa and Kell, hearing the back and forth of their arguments, shying away from the card and the fire blasted in the air. “Well.” He makes a hacking sound, like something is in his throat. “Generally speaking, I’m not one for letting magical items go to waste, when they could help us in our task. But this is one case where… . Well, where I think we should just leave it alone, letting what lies beneath to stay, as much as it pains me. Not that I would wield the thing. Couldn’t. But to study such items, to learn from them, to use them in our aid. Seems senseless on the surface to me as well, Khessa. I’m sorry that I had no spell to pull that thing out of you. Dusk, you did wonders in helping her. My only option was to beat the life out of you, Khessa, hope the thing would leave, and then hope that the essence of you could be brought back. We should just be glad that we have you here, with us, alive - - and move on. Right? Khessa, you do feel umm, back to yourself, yes? No residual feeling of that .. thing… inside you? Did you sense anything else that it wanted? Fascinating!”
Togar begins to walk back toward the wagon and climb in, ready to head along their way.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Togar you launch a chromatic orb at the Ghastly Figure dealing 6 points of fire damage. (The spell doesn't seem to do as much as you had hoped to the ghost.)
Khessa you release a set of magic missiles dealing 12 points of force damage.
Dusk you create a dome of dim light, and create a spiritual moon that slams against the Ghastly Figure dealing 7 force damage.
Kell you prepare for the worst and call out to the Ghastly Figure, pleading.
Erlang you attempt to fear the Ghastly Figure and stop it from moving. WIS DC 13 vs 10. You feel your divine power set in, however, the Ghastly Figure doesn't appear to be fearful of you.
The Ghastly Figure lunges toward Khessa and vanishes from sight as it travels through her. You all watch as Khessa's eyes go dark and dead before she begins to speak "greedy, greedy" Khessa expresses in a disappointed tone. "Your friend paid the ultimate price for attempting to steal from me. Now, bury me properly and allow me to rest." Khessa begins looking at the greatsword in her hands. "Or, I've never used one of these before, but I've always wanted to."
Khessa
While possessed, you can see everything happening, but you cannot control your body, speak, or anything else.
Combat Stats
21 Khessa (29/29)
17 Kell (27/27)
16 Dusk (27/27)
11 Togar (23/23)
4 Erlang (31/31)
4 Ghastly Figure (25/??)
Kell, Dusk, Togar, and Erlang you're all up. What would you like to do? The Ghastly Figure has disappeared and Khessa is--different.
(OOC: @DM: From what Khessa posted on her turn (quoted here the relevant part), unless Dhaekzhil refused to do as asked, it should be attached to Khessa's wrist by now... so Khessa could not use the Greatsword at all... That said, the ghost can still threaten using Dhaekzhil, of course - or if Dhaekzhil did as it pleased and refused to attach, then all ok with what you narrated).
Anyway...
If Khessa can still think, she tries to telepathically communicate with Dhaekzhil: 'Avimm... Can you by any chance do something about this nasty possession of Mr Ectoplasm? Like controlling his mind like you tried to do with mine before, then getting it out of me?'
“You do not belong inside my friend,” Dusk says, reaching out a hand to touch Khessa, protecting her, and hoping to expel the spirit.
edit: update temp hp: 5.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Seeing Khessa change before their eyes, possessed by the ghost, a resigned sigh escapes his lips. Wearily, Erlang says, “Is this really necessary? We were going to bury you anyway.”
Straightening up a bit, he continues, “We’ll do as you say. But do not harm her. And you’ll let her go as soon as we are finished.”
Togar manufactures a faintly glowing shovel, and begins to dig in the ground, frequently looking back over his shoulder, watching the actions of Khessa, and willing to leap into the air at any sign of trouble. He keeps digging, saying “Anyone else want to help? If this sets things aright, so be it.”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Kell puts his hands down. "Listen mr, we can't be letting you stay inside our friend here. She's an idjit, but an honest one. Let her go and I swear she'll have learned her lesson."
He looks over at Togar and starts to back up. "Imma go and get our shovel from our cart. Don't die in the meantime, and don't let not-Khessa out of your sight." He quickly starts to make his way back to the cart to grab their banged up shovel.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Seeing the others begin to dig, Dusk also joins, happy with this type of labor. Once the body is buried tough, Dusk simply stands over the grave, no longer willing to give this spirit who chooses violence when it had the chance to be peaceful a ceremony.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Meanwhile, Khessa, unable to do anything else, ponders the epithets she's been receiving tonight: 'Oh, Mr Ectoplasm, so I'm 'greedy'? I, of course... not you, who want to take your necklace to the grave... Do you think perhaps that in this way you will have it with you in the afterlife? Or do you just revel in the thought of how well it will look on your dead neck as it decomposes - like the rest of your body - and is eaten by worms? Of course, Mr Ectoplasm... You're right. After all, even Kell thinks your idea is smart. Or at least, that must be how he thinks, since I, on the other hand, according to him, would be an 'idiot'. You have probably been classmates and the master has clearly explained to you both what an entirely intelligent action it is, to put valuable objects in a grave, together with dead flesh destined to decompose - why let the living put them to good use instead? And anyone who is against such intelligent conduct is certainly an 'idiot'. Ah, Mr Ectoplasm... you two go along so well... perhaps you had better taken control of him instead!'
DM
The blonde arcane warrior, having time, also takes the opportunity to clarify with Avimm: 'If it is true that you weren't trying to control my mind, but only to separate yourself from me, then I apologize Avimm' she would laugh ironically, if she could - since she can't, she imagines at least laughing. 'You know, if you'd only told me what you intended to do, I wouldn't have resisted and would have let you do it. I was so angry with you... I really didn't understand - and I still don't understand, for that matter - why you were willing to stand by my side in possibly dangerous and painful things, like fighting... and not in simple and riskless things, like digging a grave. But as you're making me understand, we are very different creatures, you and me'.
'You said 'I don't want you to talk'... I think I understand what that, you know? In the place where we found you... There was a completely alien creature... It looked like a gigantic floating eye, which was capable of controlling a kind of huge tentacle that came out of the ground at its command... And that creature, when we escaped it, it spoke. A single word. And with just that single word, it caused great pain to both me and all my companions. I don't think I will forget that word easily! That's probably your language - and if so, you're right, it's not made for people like me and others - just hearing it harms us'.
'Thinking about it... we might as well use it as a weapon! Under certain circumstances, I could cover my ears with my hands and ask you to speak your language on the battlefield... You wouldn't harm me - since I wouldn't hear - but the enemies would... We really must try this once!'
'As long as you still want to stay with me, of course... Because I want to tell you one thing, Avimm: I can have many flaws. Am I greedy, as Mr Ectoplasm claims? I don't think so, but maybe. Am I an idiot, as Kell claims? I don't think so, but maybe. But one thing I am not and never will be: a slaver. If you don't want to be with me, tell me and try again what you did before, to unattune - and I won't resist, I'll let you do it. As far as I'm concerned, you're free, Avimm: if you want to stay, I'll try to behave well with you - and possibly to understand you better, but if you prefer to be separated from me, I won't be the one to hold you back'.
Ghost
You all spend the time to dig a hole for this body. The whole time different Khessa looms over, watching. Eventually you fully bury the body and all of its belongings--afterwards Khessa goes limp and falls to the ground. You feel a breeze of air blow by that feels strangely refreshing and gracious, as Khessa comes to, waking, and prone.
Khessa
There is a quick interruption as you telepathically speak with Dhaekzhil about trying to speak on the battlefield. "You will feel my words. Whether you're deaf or not--you feel them." There is silence in your head as you continue to speak. Not even the ghastly figure currently controlling your body is sharing any sense of thought. "That was old master. I escaped it by making you my vessel. I cannot leave-I require a vessel to travel your world."
Combat is currently suspended, combat stats are included any who.
21 Khessa (29/29)
17 Kell (27/27)
16 Dusk (27/27)
11 Togar (23/23)
4 Erlang (31/31)
4 Ghastly Figure (25/??)
(OOC: It appears the last thing about the scattering of goblinoid bodies was RP between players and continuing to travel down the road. Are we ready to move on to the arrival of Wolfwater? Or would you all like to continue your interactions on any of the week 5 events?)
DM
'So be it Avimm!' Khessa thinks, enthusiastically 'I wanted to tell you, because it was you who first attempted to unattune... But if you want to stay with me, well, we'll get to know each other better. If one day you want us to separate, just tell me, right?'
Then: 'Oh, too bad those words are heard even with closed ears. But I can always make you say them in the midst of enemies, away from us... then make you disappear to come back to me. Within what radius do your words take effect? 10'? 100'? 1000'? And one more thing: is there a limitation in using them? I wonder why your 'master' only used one...he could have used more. Why not 10 or 12 for example? He would have hurt us more... And your 'master'... Apparently he couldn't leave the Veiled Forest - he didn't, anyway! As soon as we left the Veiled Forest, he gave up chasing us, as if he didn't care anymore. You on the other hand, with me, went out without problems. Do you know why your 'master' seems forced to stay there?'
Finally: 'Hey! What's happened now!? I'm... to the ground? And... AND I'M FREE AGAIN! Just give me that rotten f4cking ectoplasmic bast4rd for another handfull of seconds...'
Khessa, engaged as she was in private telepathic conversations, hadn't even noticed that she was falling; suddenly finding herself on the ground - but above all free to act - she jumps up, alert, looking around her. But Mr Ectoplasm is nowhere to be seen...
"Apparently, Mr Ectoplasm has ceased to be a threat..." the blonde arcane warrior comments "I wouldn't mind a second round, just to let him know how much I enjoyed his company..." She keeps looking around for a while, ready to strike, but the ghostly enemy no longer manifests itself…
The tall adventuress, while the blade that seemed fused to her arm now somehow gets absorbed by it and disappear, relaxes and approaches Dusk, embracing him, with even more conviction than the first time: "Thank you my friend... You were incredibly brave, trying to free me with a spell while I was under the control of Mr Ectoplasm... You risked having him force me to attack you! I don't know how good he would have been - because his mind would have been directing my blows - so his experience, not mine - but you still took a big risk for me! I won't forget it, my dear".
Finally, realizing that the sword has also been buried, Khessa consults with her companions: "Guys... As I had time to tell you before getting 'intimate' with Mr Ectoplasm, the sword is magical... and therefore it could be incredibly useful against the 'devil' we are looking for ... The ghost mustn't be in great shape, after the welcome shots we'd given him... Would you like to dig it back up? I think we can dispatch Mr Ectoplasm for good, if he dares to show himself again. Or would you rather not take the risk?"
As they were digging, as always, Dusk continues to refresh the temp hp everyone has, bumping it up to 8.
After the body is burried, and Khessa comes up to it, Dusk says, "I am happy to protect everyone in our group. I can only assume that losing your own volition to act was not enjoyable. Though I am sorry that my energies were less effective than I would have hoped..."
Dusk then adds, "If the ghost comes back, I will not again be able to dim the light protecting us from fear. And we now know that I am unable to expel the spirit... that said, I must admit, I did not enjoy feeling hostage to its demands..." Eye-stones dimming a bit in what appears to be a bit of anger and disappointment towards the spirit.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"The ghost has been put to rest," After finishing burying the body, Erlang says with a yawn. "I'd rather go back and rest. Plus, I'm not a fan of robbing from the dead."
With a hand on his glaive, Erlang looks around the forest, trying to determine if the ghost is truly gone or if it's still nearby. ((Can we still see the ghost?))
"Well, 'robbing from the dead' is a contradiction in terms..." Khessa feels compelled to point out "because you can't steal from someone who doesn't own - and the dead no longer own anything. The heirs who appropriate the possessions of a deceased relative are not robbing him - because the dead relative has no more properties. They are only putting that propeties to good use. A man who marries another woman after his wife has died is not unfaithful to her, because the dead woman has no more husband. He is only looking for another chance at love. So, in our case, I see it more as a question of risk, rather than of moral. Having said that, I already have a magical weapon... so whatever you decide, it will be fine for me too. Just know that I too, like Dusk, have not been particularly pleased with the conduct of this undead - so if you would like to attempt to recover the sword or other of those things which, buried there, would hardly be of benefit to anyone, I will gladly help you. But, well, I'm also fine with finally going to sleep if you so prefer".
Kell gives Khessa a look of incredulity. "Let me get this straight, you want to dig up the body that we just laid to rest, steal its things that it just got its knickers in a twist about you touching and beat it up if it resists? Perhaps you would also like to cut out his tongue and keep it as a souvenir, since it obviously doesn't belong to anyone anymore. Ancestors help me."
He walks over, pulling out his deck of red cards, handing one over to Khessa. "This is yours. Do what you want with it. Throw it away, tear it up, bury it or keep it and give it away when it feels right, I don't care. It's your debt, pay it as you see fit."
Khessa:
The card is as detailed as the previous ones, decorated in swirling red ink. It depicts a twisting, tangled tunnel of thorns.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
"This concept of death is new to me, though I know that it is important with your kinds," Dusk says looking around. "I do agree that the dead have no need for any objects. If I were to become deactivated, I could not use any of the things I have collected. I have read however, that most mortal beings such as yourselves seem to have a connection with ensuring that their husk of a body is afforded the same respect that the being that used to inhabit that flesh was given. I can't quite understand why exactly..."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Kell looks vaguely apologetic. "I would be happy to discuss it Dusk, but it is a moral quandary that has been argued over by philosophers for as long as people have been dying. For a simple explanation, most cultures, especially on this continent, have a very strict set of unspoken rules and etiquettes that govern their treatment of the dead, usually stemming from religion or superstition. Most people wish that their bodies be undisturbed to avoid the risk of eternal unrest like...what did Khessa call him?... Mr. Ectoplasm here. There is some truth to those superstitions, but I personally believe that it is more of a mental refusal to move on without proper burial because of what they believed in life. Even so, there is a third and more important reason to treat the dead with respect. When one dies, they only live on in this realm in the memories of people that knew them. Those memories, more often than not, are tied to the image of the body of the person. Disturbing the bodies of the dead dishonors what remains of the self."
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
"If you don't listen to me," Khessa explains to Kell "you will have a hard time understanding me - and replying properly. A dead man does not own things - so the things the undead wanted are not 'its' things - for they don't belong to it. So, I'd be ready to dig them out, yes. And not because I'm eager to sell them, mind you. But because one of such things could help in defeating the killer we are tracking. But, as I already told, if you don't want the risk, fine by me. We'll be content with what we have".
"The tongue, you say?" the blonde arcane warrior ponders "I can't see what use it could be, so I'd leave it where it is. Worms also have to eat, I guess. But let me ask you this: should magic allow to take the tongue of a dead body and transfer it into a living one - one, of course, that has had its own tongue cut out. If you could restore the ability to speak to a person this way, would you not do it? You'd rather to say to the living mutilated man: 'hey, pal, no way! That tongue belongs to the dead body'? Would that be your idea of a right thing? Feel free to discuss the matter with those 'ancestors' of your, of course, if you like".
"And as far as debts are concerned," the tall adventuress throws the card in air and shots it with a fiery ray, thus incinerating it "I don't think I currently owe something to the only person who hasn't lifted a finger to defend me as I was under attack - and that did not come up with anything better that calling me an idiot while I was held hostage. It seems to me that when you was under attack by the giant spider you've got a different kind of help. Anyway, ok, since nobody is interested (or interested enough) to the sword, let's call it a night and get some rest".
Khessa goes back to the wagon and prepares for the night.
Kell speaks quietly as she walks away "There is no power in the world, no piece of magic ever created, that is worth the price of a man's conscience."
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
"...and much less the price of a man's good sense" mutters Khessa.
Togar stands there looking back and forth, between Khessa and Kell, hearing the back and forth of their arguments, shying away from the card and the fire blasted in the air. “Well.” He makes a hacking sound, like something is in his throat. “Generally speaking, I’m not one for letting magical items go to waste, when they could help us in our task. But this is one case where… . Well, where I think we should just leave it alone, letting what lies beneath to stay, as much as it pains me. Not that I would wield the thing. Couldn’t. But to study such items, to learn from them, to use them in our aid. Seems senseless on the surface to me as well, Khessa. I’m sorry that I had no spell to pull that thing out of you. Dusk, you did wonders in helping her. My only option was to beat the life out of you, Khessa, hope the thing would leave, and then hope that the essence of you could be brought back. We should just be glad that we have you here, with us, alive - - and move on. Right? Khessa, you do feel umm, back to yourself, yes? No residual feeling of that .. thing… inside you? Did you sense anything else that it wanted? Fascinating!”
Togar begins to walk back toward the wagon and climb in, ready to head along their way.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.