If it was indeed a night hag then you will have haunted dreams, nightmares of the Hag supping on your energy, no long rest and injuries from the nightmare. When I was a young adventurer one of our band died from the Haunting. We couldn't get him to a stronger cleric in time. Now if we find she succeeded in her curse I can act against it breaking the ethereal link. As mayhap Lorelei can do. Once we get to the chapel I'll try to break the link for you, or do you want to try normal sleeping first? She could have failed to connect to you.
As she walked with the group a man and his wife passed humming a tune. They were headed for the Tavern and the Harvest Festival, they had their children with them.
Gregori she called, can you send the Blacksmith and Elder Elsa to the chapel for me? We have some business to attend to before the celebrations.
He nods and his daughter squealed with delight as her parents swing her between them. They took up their humming again.
Crisaryn eventually turns her attention back to Lorelei. "Say? Who cares what that vile creature said? Something about selling more pies. And sleep well or something like that." She still seems aggravated but less likely to burn down the child's parents' house now.
"It might not have been a haunting curse but I would rest much better myself tonight if I knew any curse on you had been lifted by Betta. Let's visit the chapel before we join the festivities okay?" The young priestess with the blonde braided hair says with a pleading look, her hand tugging gently at Crisaryn's arm to have her follow. "You were quite brave to stand up for that young boy Crisaryn."She adds with a warm admiring smile.
"Agreed. Lets all, including you young one, go to the chapel." If anyplace is safe it would be a church.
What an interesting start to a new day. New friends, and a child saved! No unicorns though. Maybe that man was lying? No.... he looked so honest in his fancy colored clothes.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Illmirth continues to walk with the child, talking to him softly. "These are my friends. Lorelei has the yellow hair. Crisaryn sent the hag running with her magic. Vaelar is quiet and vigilant. And our tall, blue friend is Alerya. My name is Illmirth." The next few words he sang to the child. "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be allright."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
The young priestess with the blonde braided hair merely meets Crisaryn's stare with a warm smile. "Thanks, I will buy you a drink later to cheer you up." She says softly staying silent for a moment before continuing. "Your reaction towards the negligent parents, it was quite understandable, but I had the feeling you were particularly vexed over their poor parenting..." She says in a slightly concerned but well-meaning way, her eyes full of insightful wisdom, for her age at least.
While they agree to take the young boy to the blacksmith and Crisaryn to the church, Vaelar keeps his grey eyes alert for the disappearing hag. She is like enough to return out of thin air. His hands remain ready to draw his blades, though he tries not to show his concern to the young boy while Illmirth chats warmly with him.
The woman gives Lorelei a skeptical look. "Well, I will not refuse a free drink. Though I presume with the celebration they will be providing drink." She starts to follow the cleric and the others through town. Crisaryn eventually continues. "The parents basically sold off their child as a slave! Of course I was concerned," she says in a rather short tone. "But I suppose I should thank you for the kindness and free drink." She then goes along in silence.
She ushered Illmirth and the young boy into her office. Nipping into the spare room she snags one of the honeycakes and gives it to Lucian. He ate it like he'd not had a meal this day. She noticed that he avoided sitting back into the backrest, his eyes momentarily showing pain. So that was the way it was. She has to get Elder Elsa to witness this. The boy couldn't be allowed back into the Jarov household.
She soon heard the footsteps of Elriq the Burgomeister and Blacksmith, and at his side Elder Elsa. In here she calls.
Elriqs muscular frame blocked the doorway, Elsa pushes him inside and looks at young Lucian. What happened? She asks.
Apparently the Dream Pie seller takes young children in place of gold. His family sold him for 6 dream pies. The woman was a night hag, she tied him up and imprisoned him in her cart. Illmirth and Crisaryn convinced her to let him go. She thinks that she will get him on the next visit. she says, Lucian take off your shirt please.
As Lucian removes his embroidered shirt Elriq asks Did you drive the hag off? I've long had suspicions about the pie seller, but I've never caught her in the act. She is called Aunty Morgantha. Lives in old Bonecrusher the windmill near Vallaki with her two sisters. That would make them a coven.
Betta sighs in shock as she sees the scars of old whip lashes criss crossing Lucians back. The raw red thick stripes of a recent belt lashing.
Elsa turns the boy and searches for anything broken, her skilled fingers soft and gentle in their probing, he appears to have one broken rib.
Betta turns to Elriq We need to get him out and away from the Jarov family, this is abuse. The three of us stand as witnesses to the boys bruises and injuries. He wanted to know if you'd take him as an apprentice, a bellows pumper. Do you have room in your house for one more?
Elriq nods then says, From tomorrow I'll have the old Burgomeisters house, there are many rooms there, as an apprentice it would be up to me to provide room and board. Terri my old apprentice is ready to go into business for himself he heads for Vallaki at the next full moon. My mother and sister would approve I think. I'll find some easy work for him at the forge until he gains enough muscle to learn the way of the hammer. Here boy put your shirt back on, and stay with me at the Elders table at the celebration.
Illmirth listens as Bella and the village leaders discussed and examined Lucian. The next time they encountered the boy's family Illmirth would not prevent anyone from dragging them into the street and beating them mercilessly. It didn't happen often, but Illmirth was angry. Children deserved better. As a young drow, he had deserved better. This was now very personal to the normally cheery bard.
When the exam was over he approached the child. He offered another reassuring smile and said, "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but Illmirth's words will heal you." The words came out in a very specific cadence, tickling the weave with the sound and rhythm. The boy felt a warm sensation in the areas of his injuries, and notices a faint blue glow as the pain leaves his small frame.
***OoC: healing word 8 HP to Lucian***
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
"Nothing to thank me for, really, it would be my pleasure." The young priestess with the blonde braided hair says with a warm smile. "And yes, you are right, but I had the impression you were more than concerned about the parenting. What about your parents Crisaryn?" She asks a bit tentatively.
She would watch in horror, even near to tears, as the young boy shows his scarred back. "We should perhaps visit this coven and convince them to be nicer." She says in a quite grim tone as she has collected herself again. She would be ready to heal the young boy further, giving him a reassuring smile and a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You are very brave young man, we will see to it that you won't see that hag again."
Illmirth nods to Vaelar in agreement. Should the hags have a well running commercial bakery aided by young helpers he will pause to reconsider, but he gave that scenario very low odds. More likely, should they all agree to investigate Old Bonegrinder, they would find cause to put an end to some hags.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Before arriving back at the temple, Crisaryn had given momentarily given Lorelei a sharp look when she asked about her parents. "My parents have passed, but there is nothing for you to concern yourself with about them." She seemed relieved that they were then heading inside.
Like the others, she saw the damage to the boy's back. With her clenched fists, it seemed like she was perhaps regretting her earlier decision to not take action against the parents. She nods at Vaelar's words. "Yes. We will need to address this issue with these hags. I fear though what might happen here during the time it takes us track them down and deal with them." Unsaid is the fact that the hag earlier had seemed to shrug off her magic and easily slipped away. 'Could we even deal with three of them?'she wonders.
She nods at Illmirth for his healing Lucian, a sad smile on her face. How could a family whip a boy so young? Hopefully Elriq would have a word with them when they surfaced from the dream pies.
So it was likely a hags coven, the adventurers would have to face down. Her eyes darted to her travelling saddlebags, the scrolls would be better given to them than resting here. She'd gift them to Lorelei before they left for Vallaki.
Lorelei can you cast Protection from Evil and Good? It's what you need to stop the Haunting by breaking the hags link from the ethereal plane. If not I'll make time tonight to create a scroll for you.
Crisaryn do you feel any different than normal? The link leaves the victim in an agitated state until they sleep. Then all hell breaks loose. I can protect you from it and break the hags concentration so that she can't use the ethereal link. You'd be totally normal again.
"I'm afraid I can't, not until I have prayed in the morning." The young blonde priestess answers apologetically, giving Crisaryn a worried look. She really hoped Betta could help the dragon sorceress survive the coming night's torments.
Illmirth listened closely as Betta spoke of the hags and their wicked curse. He glanced to Lorelei, and then to Crisaryn. His brown furrowed briefly in contemplation. The sorcerous was not generally warm and cuddly in her dealings with others, but not overtly rude either. Her words to Lorelei since encountering the hag have been sharper than normal. He caught Lorelei's eyes and offered a concerned look. They were fortunate that Barovia's new cleric had some experience with the hags and their Haunting curse.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn considers Betta's question. "I don't think I feel different. Of course I am agitated though! You have seen how this boy was sold and the evidence of what has been done to him. I would have seen the parents properly dealt with had you all not drug me off. Though perhaps I see now that in the midst of those dream pies, whatever they do, might not have been the best time to deal justice to them. I hope they fully appreciate their torment once they regain their senses!"
DM
Betta
If it was indeed a night hag then you will have haunted dreams, nightmares of the Hag supping on your energy, no long rest and injuries from the nightmare. When I was a young adventurer one of our band died from the Haunting. We couldn't get him to a stronger cleric in time. Now if we find she succeeded in her curse I can act against it breaking the ethereal link. As mayhap Lorelei can do. Once we get to the chapel I'll try to break the link for you, or do you want to try normal sleeping first? She could have failed to connect to you.
As she walked with the group a man and his wife passed humming a tune. They were headed for the Tavern and the Harvest Festival, they had their children with them.
Gregori she called, can you send the Blacksmith and Elder Elsa to the chapel for me? We have some business to attend to before the celebrations.
He nods and his daughter squealed with delight as her parents swing her between them. They took up their humming again.
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn eventually turns her attention back to Lorelei. "Say? Who cares what that vile creature said? Something about selling more pies. And sleep well or something like that." She still seems aggravated but less likely to burn down the child's parents' house now.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Lorelei Dawnwarden
"It might not have been a haunting curse but I would rest much better myself tonight if I knew any curse on you had been lifted by Betta. Let's visit the chapel before we join the festivities okay?" The young priestess with the blonde braided hair says with a pleading look, her hand tugging gently at Crisaryn's arm to have her follow. "You were quite brave to stand up for that young boy Crisaryn." She adds with a warm admiring smile.
Alerya
"Agreed. Lets all, including you young one, go to the chapel." If anyplace is safe it would be a church.
What an interesting start to a new day. New friends, and a child saved! No unicorns though. Maybe that man was lying? No.... he looked so honest in his fancy colored clothes.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn crosses her arms across her chest and stares back at Lorelei a moment. "Fine. I'll go with you."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Illmirth
Illmirth continues to walk with the child, talking to him softly. "These are my friends. Lorelei has the yellow hair. Crisaryn sent the hag running with her magic. Vaelar is quiet and vigilant. And our tall, blue friend is Alerya. My name is Illmirth." The next few words he sang to the child. "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be allright."
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Lorelei Dawnwarden
The young priestess with the blonde braided hair merely meets Crisaryn's stare with a warm smile. "Thanks, I will buy you a drink later to cheer you up." She says softly staying silent for a moment before continuing. "Your reaction towards the negligent parents, it was quite understandable, but I had the feeling you were particularly vexed over their poor parenting..." She says in a slightly concerned but well-meaning way, her eyes full of insightful wisdom, for her age at least.
Vaelar
While they agree to take the young boy to the blacksmith and Crisaryn to the church, Vaelar keeps his grey eyes alert for the disappearing hag. She is like enough to return out of thin air. His hands remain ready to draw his blades, though he tries not to show his concern to the young boy while Illmirth chats warmly with him.
Crisaryn Melkial
The woman gives Lorelei a skeptical look. "Well, I will not refuse a free drink. Though I presume with the celebration they will be providing drink." She starts to follow the cleric and the others through town. Crisaryn eventually continues. "The parents basically sold off their child as a slave! Of course I was concerned," she says in a rather short tone. "But I suppose I should thank you for the kindness and free drink." She then goes along in silence.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
DM
Betta
She ushered Illmirth and the young boy into her office. Nipping into the spare room she snags one of the honeycakes and gives it to Lucian. He ate it like he'd not had a meal this day. She noticed that he avoided sitting back into the backrest, his eyes momentarily showing pain. So that was the way it was. She has to get Elder Elsa to witness this. The boy couldn't be allowed back into the Jarov household.
She soon heard the footsteps of Elriq the Burgomeister and Blacksmith, and at his side Elder Elsa. In here she calls.
Elriqs muscular frame blocked the doorway, Elsa pushes him inside and looks at young Lucian. What happened? She asks.
Apparently the Dream Pie seller takes young children in place of gold. His family sold him for 6 dream pies. The woman was a night hag, she tied him up and imprisoned him in her cart. Illmirth and Crisaryn convinced her to let him go. She thinks that she will get him on the next visit. she says, Lucian take off your shirt please.
As Lucian removes his embroidered shirt Elriq asks Did you drive the hag off? I've long had suspicions about the pie seller, but I've never caught her in the act. She is called Aunty Morgantha. Lives in old Bonecrusher the windmill near Vallaki with her two sisters. That would make them a coven.
Betta sighs in shock as she sees the scars of old whip lashes criss crossing Lucians back. The raw red thick stripes of a recent belt lashing.
Elsa turns the boy and searches for anything broken, her skilled fingers soft and gentle in their probing, he appears to have one broken rib.
Betta turns to Elriq We need to get him out and away from the Jarov family, this is abuse. The three of us stand as witnesses to the boys bruises and injuries. He wanted to know if you'd take him as an apprentice, a bellows pumper. Do you have room in your house for one more?
Elriq nods then says, From tomorrow I'll have the old Burgomeisters house, there are many rooms there, as an apprentice it would be up to me to provide room and board. Terri my old apprentice is ready to go into business for himself he heads for Vallaki at the next full moon. My mother and sister would approve I think. I'll find some easy work for him at the forge until he gains enough muscle to learn the way of the hammer. Here boy put your shirt back on, and stay with me at the Elders table at the celebration.
Illmirth
Illmirth listens as Bella and the village leaders discussed and examined Lucian. The next time they encountered the boy's family Illmirth would not prevent anyone from dragging them into the street and beating them mercilessly. It didn't happen often, but Illmirth was angry. Children deserved better. As a young drow, he had deserved better. This was now very personal to the normally cheery bard.
When the exam was over he approached the child. He offered another reassuring smile and said, "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but Illmirth's words will heal you." The words came out in a very specific cadence, tickling the weave with the sound and rhythm. The boy felt a warm sensation in the areas of his injuries, and notices a faint blue glow as the pain leaves his small frame.
***OoC: healing word 8 HP to Lucian***
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Lorelei Dawnwarden
"Nothing to thank me for, really, it would be my pleasure." The young priestess with the blonde braided hair says with a warm smile. "And yes, you are right, but I had the impression you were more than concerned about the parenting. What about your parents Crisaryn?" She asks a bit tentatively.
She would watch in horror, even near to tears, as the young boy shows his scarred back. "We should perhaps visit this coven and convince them to be nicer." She says in a quite grim tone as she has collected herself again. She would be ready to heal the young boy further, giving him a reassuring smile and a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You are very brave young man, we will see to it that you won't see that hag again."
Vaelar
"There is no convincing a coven of hags to be nicer," Vaelar says grimly.
"Their evil must be met with the sword."
Illmirth
Illmirth nods to Vaelar in agreement. Should the hags have a well running commercial bakery aided by young helpers he will pause to reconsider, but he gave that scenario very low odds. More likely, should they all agree to investigate Old Bonegrinder, they would find cause to put an end to some hags.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn Melkial
Before arriving back at the temple, Crisaryn had given momentarily given Lorelei a sharp look when she asked about her parents. "My parents have passed, but there is nothing for you to concern yourself with about them." She seemed relieved that they were then heading inside.
Like the others, she saw the damage to the boy's back. With her clenched fists, it seemed like she was perhaps regretting her earlier decision to not take action against the parents. She nods at Vaelar's words. "Yes. We will need to address this issue with these hags. I fear though what might happen here during the time it takes us track them down and deal with them." Unsaid is the fact that the hag earlier had seemed to shrug off her magic and easily slipped away. 'Could we even deal with three of them?' she wonders.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Lorelei Dawnwarden
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you..." The young blonde priestess says, looking down in shame.
She understood the coven would need more than convincing words to change their ways, she just didn't have the cold hearted resolve to say so.
DM
Betta
She nods at Illmirth for his healing Lucian, a sad smile on her face. How could a family whip a boy so young? Hopefully Elriq would have a word with them when they surfaced from the dream pies.
So it was likely a hags coven, the adventurers would have to face down. Her eyes darted to her travelling saddlebags, the scrolls would be better given to them than resting here. She'd gift them to Lorelei before they left for Vallaki.
Lorelei can you cast Protection from Evil and Good? It's what you need to stop the Haunting by breaking the hags link from the ethereal plane. If not I'll make time tonight to create a scroll for you.
Crisaryn do you feel any different than normal? The link leaves the victim in an agitated state until they sleep. Then all hell breaks loose. I can protect you from it and break the hags concentration so that she can't use the ethereal link. You'd be totally normal again.
Lorelei Dawnwarden
"I'm afraid I can't, not until I have prayed in the morning." The young blonde priestess answers apologetically, giving Crisaryn a worried look. She really hoped Betta could help the dragon sorceress survive the coming night's torments.
Illmirth
Illmirth listened closely as Betta spoke of the hags and their wicked curse. He glanced to Lorelei, and then to Crisaryn. His brown furrowed briefly in contemplation. The sorcerous was not generally warm and cuddly in her dealings with others, but not overtly rude either. Her words to Lorelei since encountering the hag have been sharper than normal. He caught Lorelei's eyes and offered a concerned look. They were fortunate that Barovia's new cleric had some experience with the hags and their Haunting curse.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn considers Betta's question. "I don't think I feel different. Of course I am agitated though! You have seen how this boy was sold and the evidence of what has been done to him. I would have seen the parents properly dealt with had you all not drug me off. Though perhaps I see now that in the midst of those dream pies, whatever they do, might not have been the best time to deal justice to them. I hope they fully appreciate their torment once they regain their senses!"
It's clear that the woman is still angered.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer