The wreckage where the stables had once been still emits a faint light grey smoke, and glows red with embers. As you approach it you notice it still gives off a fair amount of warmth, enough to know that touching the smoldering wreckage would only lead to severe burns on your hands. It's possible the fire may smolder for several more hours yet, possibly even all day. Theres even a chance the fire could reignite on it's own. There is a well not far from you, and it should be easy enough to find buckets If you wished to try your hand at firefighting. Regardless though, theres so much debris that it will take some time to dig through it in search of the weapons you seek. Zacks strength will surely be helpful as will Nadias keen eyes, they could certainly cut down on the time needed. As you think on your options your interrupted by Zacks screaming. You try your best to help however you can but, it's unlike anything you've ever seen before and thus your aid doesn't help sooth the soldiers pain. When Nadia finally comes to you head to the gate. The drawbridge is still raised and appears secure enough. You inspect the mechanism to open in, one large crank in either of the two towers adjacent to it. While it appears it can be opened by one person, it would require some strength behind it. It very likely that with two people it should be easy to open whenever you decide to leave. For now however it's secure and no one can get in without scaling the walls or attempting the broken bridge from the keep, both of which are protected by the moat surrounding the town.
Zack didn't have the strength to stand for several minutes after Nadaar and potentially Nadia had left. Something felt off about his body..... yet it felt familiar, as if it had been thee for a long, long time... Finally gathering his strength... Zack rolled over... Looking at the ground as he shook the dizziness away. Taking his weapon off, and setting it into his lap, blade facing away. As he looked it over, the memory of what happened to him... and.... Tears began to well up in the soldiers eyes, remembering the sacrifice that was made.... while he was useless near the desert on the south end of the continent.... He gripped the swords handle and blade like they were fragile, temporary things and held them close. This was the last memento given to him after .... and just before... And he cried, for as logn as his tears would hold out. Not caring what the other two might think of him after the display.... He held the sword close to him.... like hugging an old friend for the next hour, pouring his soul into it, by intention or not... one of his arms began to glow in the same spot... Blue energy pouring from him without him even noticing, enveloping the weapon like a shroud... until it settled into the weapon itself. For now, unbeknownst to him... he had bonded with the sword that had always been precious to him, but with some of his memories back..... was ever more so now.
(since I don't know where nadia is I'll end my post there.)
Nadia was shaken awake by the sound of Zack's screaming. "What!? What!!!?" The elf shouted back, almost losing her balance as she scrambled up to ready her bow and shoot at whoever or whatever was attacking them, but there was nothing. However... the fighter was glowing blue? A spell maybe? (Arcana: 3) Regardless, she kneels beside him, dark brown eyes scanning over his body to make sure there was nothing harming him in some way as he calms down. She looks up to Nadaar just before he departs to check on the gates, opting to stay beside Zack just in case something else happens. "Keep your eyes peeled, and yell if you need me, okay? I'll run over as fast as I can." She realized how much of a mother she sounded when she says that, knowing damn well that Nadaar was a grown ass dragonborn and could handle himself. But... Even despite that she had to admit she was just scared of possibly losing him.
She keeps watch of Nadaar until Zack begins to stir and move, the ranger staying silent as she observed what he was doing, but her eyes advert to her hands at her lap when he begins to cry. Nadia wanted to hug him and bring him comfort, but... was it even her place to do so? Would he let her? She chewed at her bottom lip in uncertainty until she saw the blue light emit from him again while he held his sword tight, her eyes returning back on him. When the lights dim down and when it seems that the soldier was okay, she moves herself to sit beside him. She clears her throat to make it known she was going to start a conversation, but her mind is jumbled with loads of questions and her mouth just isn't wanting to form the words. Start with something simple, chica, it ain't like he's gonna eat you alive... Maybe.
"So... are, uh... you... you doin' okay? That sure was some light show! Haha... Mm..."
The last several hours had torn Zack so hard, and in so many ways, he seemed exhausted, and drained of life as Nadia fretted. Between several near death experiences within a few short hours.... almost failing the people he was with after all his bravado, failing to protect Gran... who was now the desire of every carrion insect in the vicinity whom he hadn't failed to notice had failed to rise with everyone else.... The sudden flood of physical, and mental pain, combined with the sudden influx of four years worth of memories.. it had been too much to process, and handle all at once. His body ached from now closed wounds, even if he felt whole, his body protested. He still bore a slight tremor that was fading, albeit slowly.
Over time his grip on the sword loosened until it was settled back into his lap, where he studied it for just another minute. How could I have forgotten that? Everything we both went through.... he whispered, ending with a sigh, just as Nadia began to scootch herself closer, Drawing his ever-glowing eyes directly to hers. The bags under his eyes red from spent emotion, as he carefully places the weapon on his back once more, but didn't stand or shift away from her. He was still shaking just a little when he offered her a smile, with closed eyes, the glow wasn't seen through this time. but his vision shifted back over to Gran. I'm .. fine, now, atleast... he responded, ignoring the other half not out of anger or any such negative thing. A lot of things from my past suddenly hit me all at once.. things I shouldn't have forgotten, but did. Something is wrong with my memories... I never noticed before.. but there are gaps... that I can't explain. Didn't mean to worry you. His eyes lingered on on Gran for another few moments before they shifted back to Nadia's. With no hesitation, he pulls her into a hug, insomuch a fashion she could escape if she desired, where he would be a head above her, holding it for a single, lengthy, but overall brief moment. In that moment he said Sorry I couldn't save your friend... Xolkin was on him before I could react... and with how pissed he was at me... I thought he'd... letting the hug go if it hadn't already been ended. If you wanna hate me, or hurt me... let me get you guys out of this place first. I... know how painful it is to lose someone close to you....
Despite his words, he didn't sound self pitying. Rather, accepting of any wrath the ranger may have towards him. With a grunt and a few pops from his knee and back as he stood to full height, he offered his hand down to help her stand if she wished. So.. where's Nadaar? I was.. a bit occupied when he left so, I didn't see where he went....
Nadia had sucked in a breath when she was listening to Zack answer her then go on to explain what happened to him just a few minutes before. Does that mean he remembers...? No, stop being selfish.When he first finishes, she scoffs a bit, her eyes looking at the ground and not him as she just couldn’t bring herself to look at the fighter. “W-well of course I’m gonna worry abo—!!” Then she was cut off by his sudden hug, the ranger tensing up at his touch, but she soon melted into the warmth of his body. It was... nice. After everything they had gone through, the boys managing to dodge death more than a few times, Nadia having lost Gran, the memories still freshly burned into her mind... she needed this more than she realized she did. Thankfully though she was able to hold the flood gates when tears threatened to fall down her already puffed cheeks.
The elf looked up to him when he released her from the embrace and again she scoffs a bit. “I can’t hate you, Zack.” She turns her head a bit to look at Gran’s decomposing body, feeling terrible at how she couldn’t bring herself to start digging a grave of some sort last night. She was just so tired. “He... He knew that coming back was going to lead to... A-and he probably... probably wouldn’t have made it on his own anyways... I just...” If he were to look at her, he could tell she was trying to hold back her tears, her eyes now even more glossy the more she spoke. “I-I wish I could gotten to him first b-before he met them. None of this would have happened.”
When he got up, Nadia quickly wiped her face and followed. “Yeah... he, uh, went to the gates.” She pointed in the direction Nadaar had gone off to. “You can go after him if you want. I need to... figure out what I’m going to do with...” She trails off but her eyes go to Gran. “I need to find a shovel...”
Nadaar lingers at the gate for perhaps longer than was actually needed, but lingered he did all the same. Before he became took sucked into staring off into the horizon however, he blinks away all fleeting thought to the past. "Not now, Nadaar. There's still much work to do..."
Sometime later, Zack and Nadia can see Nadaar coming down the road. It appears during the brief journey some haphazard attempt at repairing his clothing and armor. Or at least, adjusting what was there so that the rents were less noticeable at a glance. He hald also taken to wearing some green and gold speckled headband to cover up the missing scale. Although any can see the occasional pained look crosses his features whenever a breeze brushes past him. Nadaar squints at the pair upon getting within easy conversation range, then gives a questioning brow raise before snorting and shrugging off some thought.
"Gates clear, by the way. Looks like whatever that blonde one over there did wasn't enough to convince'm to open it for'em before they ran off." He says, casually glancing over to the corpse. Although his gaze lingers for a moment or two, he shakes his head, still uncertain of what to think of Gran in the end. "If... you two need a bit more time here to... settle things, I would recommend taking it now. We may not have time later should more goblins decide to come poking around. Which isn't the worst thing, all things considered! As far as I can recall and see, we seemed to have wiped out the Zhent presence here. So, it'll probably be a tenday before any friends of there start worrying over matters this way."He grimaces.
"Much as apart of me would love to redeem myself for having failed so spectacular to be much aid, a rematch with any of their members is... something I'd put off." Nadaar chuckling stops abruptly as he looks in the rough direction of the winged cat house. "Mn... anyhow, I will leave you two to it. I... have some other business I would like to look into. But after, hmm... after perhaps we check out the keep out the keep. The least we can do to be thorough about finding any survivors, and make keeping this town out of Zhents out a little more worthwhile."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Nadia, you remember there being two graveyards in town, one behind the temple and one near the inn. Both were close to one another. If you're looking for a shovel you figure that's probably the best place to start.
Nadaar, assuming neither of your companions have anything further to say to you at this moment, you wall off and let them take care of Gran. You head over to the south west section of town where a majority of the townsfolk seemed to live. You stop outside the house you last saw the winged cat. The door is open and it looks like most of the roof collapsed after being damaged from a boulder. Without having to go inside you can make out what looks like the corpses of an elderly human male and female, their bodies partially buried under debris.
Her response to his initial statements drew some confusion during the embrace, but he brushed it off as likely having to do with worrying about losing more than just Gran.. maybe? He did hiss once in response to a pain-pulse from one of his two side stabs, but aside from that just holds it. The part that caught him most off-guard, was when it ended, and she locked her eyes to his.. more or less, and said that she couldn't hate him..What? he looked at her confused for a moment before vocalizing it What do you mean you couldn't hate me? I dragged you into all this danger.... I mean sure.. we didn't know the danger was here at first... he humorlessly chuckled before continuing, his head tilting ever so much to the side, his eyes following hers, flowing the same color as the sky likely was above them. ..but I also didn't heed yours and Nadaars warnings... If not for me being so naieve... but the way you said that.... Have... I met you before? at this point, his eyes begin studying her face in a way he had never scrutinized before, glancing at a few other places that might have some telltale sign .. such as a birthmark or scar that might trigger some recollection. But in the end, his mind registered blank. I mean... you're cute as hell, so I don't think I'd forget your face but ..
I just can't seem to recall... he seemed to deflate a bit when she began lamenting being able to save her friend.. it reminded him of how ineffective he had been... when his friend had needed him the most. Looking at Gran again he would say to Nadia There's no point in worrying about things you can't change... you can only control what you can control... But it's fine to grieve. If you ever need a shoulder... he says, slapping one of his own, which then forces another hiss of pain from him, and a small I should have expected that smile. Nah.. I'll help you with your friend.... I had to bury mine myself.. and I know how much it hurts when the time comes to start throwing the earth back on them...
Nadaar managed to walk up around this point, Zack responding in kind, wondering if Nadaar had seen the hug or not Well that's good atleast... uh and we're uh... Fine... And Nadaar.. don't be so hard on yourself... if not for your help.... I'd be dead right now. And I mean it. Take some pride. As Nadaar makes his pullaway statements, he looks back to Nadia and says I'll carry him. You lead the way.. there were a couple graveyards on the way around this area.... so we should atleast bury him in an actual grave. Zack set down his sword, Hiding it in the debris, as its weight plus that of another person... would even stretch him a bit. Leaning down, and picking up Grans Crossbow, attaching it to his belt, before leaning down and lifting Grans body in his arms. He would follow Nadia to the nearest graveyard they were aware of, if that's what she chose to do.
Nadia's fingers began to fumble with the hem of her tunic as Zack spoke, the elf only stopping when he asked if they had met before. Just as he began studying her face, she did the same to his, but she already knew the answer to that question. How could she forget the face of the soldier who saved her life when she was a kid? That day was burned into her memory, his face was burned into her memory, and she swore to herself as she was growing up she would return the favor to him one day, even if she had to search around the world to do it. The first time she saw him, she didn't believe it, she was convinced her mind was playing tricks on her, but the more they traveled together the more she was sure it was him.
She wasn't offended that he didn't remember her since she assumed he dealt with a lot of people in his past, and a newly orphaned child wasn't exactly going to stick out to him particularly. His memories were just dumped on him, and the last thing Nadia would want to do was make him feel bad for not remembering her, so, in response, she only smiled and shrugged. Her cheeks did flush a light pink though when he complimented her face. She laughed lightly, then said to him, "Well you're not too bad on the eyes yourself, hermoso."
"And... Thank you."
"Like I said before, Nadaar, just yell if you need us, okay?" Nadia reminds the dragonborn before he sets off to do what else he needed to get done. She watches him go, then turns to Zack who had been hiding his sword in the debris. "Hey, if you're gonna carry, him... I'll carry your sword for you if you want? Unless you think you can shoot the crossbow just fine." He didn't peg her as the type to be too into ranged fighting as she was, but she needed to remember he was a soldier too, so she was sure he had some training in range at least. "I'm a strong girl I can take it." She flexes one of her arms for emphasis. If he denies her, she understands and doesn't push the matter any further. If he agrees, she tries with all her might to carry the comically large sword. She may struggle with it, but she looks cute at least!
"I think the temple graveyard would be a good place to bury him..." Nadia mentions. When the fighter signifies that he is ready to go, she leads the way.
Nadaar scoffs. "In dragonborn society, you acknowledge your failings in their completeness. There is no try, no excuses, and little acceptance of having done enough; only do or do not. So, when I committed to fighting Krul, and that of these other ruffians, it was with the expectations of one of three outcomes."He then looks past them to the wreckage of a barn for a moment or two before turning to Zack and Nadia again. "That is not to say that I am not grateful for whatever was done to keep me alive. For that, you both have my most sincerest thanks. If... I could but promise to return the favor someday." He smiles ruefully. "Alas, a dragonborn word is there bond. And there's no telling what the future may hold for us."
With that said, he parts from the others, absently patting down his person until realizing both a dagger and pan flute were safe on his person. Before he became too invested debating between summoning a servant or taking pleasure in cleaning them later, he arrived at his destination. Nadaar steps past the threshold cautiously, leery of any surprise attacks from any the rafters. Looking to the bodies once more, and then reflexively around for any other dragonborn presence nearby, he chuckles, mentally kicking himself for the glance as a hand is over the chest. "May Hlal's laughter fill your souls, so that the rest of your journey to the final rest be swift and full of joy."
Following a moment of silence, Nadaar starts to look around the place properly, and after a few rhythmic snaps of his fingers in one hand, the other pulls out a glowworm as he starts humming. A tune he keeps playing as he approaches the debris, summoning through his the melody the glowing, draconic figure once more to help light up the place darker areas. That way by the time he got over to the bodies, he hoped he need not fear a surprise as he started removing debris from the bodies, and at least move them outside to be buried later.
The light provided makes it easy to see in the building, though the place isn't mess with lots of debris scattered around. As you approach the bodies a feline figure that was hiding among the debris jumps up leaps in front of the two corpses. It stares at you and gives a low growl, a clear warning against getting closer. It unfurles its wings to make itself appear bigger, the creature has a 3ft wing span, its wings a mix of fur and feathers. Its fur is orange with touches of gold, making it look a bit like fire, dotted with black spots across its body, a Bengal cat. You recognize the creature as a Tressym, and know that even though they lack the ability to speak they are about as intelligent as a normal human and therefore can understand common.
Nadia and Zack. When you make your way over to the graveyard you easily find a couple of shovels and a place to bury Gran.
Nadaar is not intimidated in the least, but he backs away all the same. It takes him a second or two to reign in the instinct to answer the challenge with one of his own. Although even then, he still glares at it for a second or two more before his face finally relaxes to one of sympathy. "Hey there friend. Are those... were those your friends?"He gestures over to the couple. After waiting a breathe to see if it might nod, he nods back in understanding. "I am sorry for your loss. If you would but allow it, I would see them properly buried, rather than rot out in the open. You've probably seen us last night, right? Fighting those other people?"
Another pause for understanding. "Don't misunderstand then. They were not good people, and would've seen your friends... your family, perhaps better yet, simply discarded. Whereas I mean to only pay respects." He bows his head and looks askcance. "That, and see if there are any other survivors in town... as well as scavange." Nadaar turns back quickly, raising his hands up in placating gesture. "Again. Do not misunderstand. If we are to find the others, and bring them home, we will need supplies for the journey. If this does not suit you, I will leave them and you be."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
The Tressym nods in the affirmative to both your questions. It stares at you a few moments longer before, evidently, deciding you are being truthful. Is furles its wings and walks off to the side so it's no longer in your way. The feline just sits stares sullenly at the two bodies as it waits for you to remove them.
Zack didn't know what to make of Nadia's actions, she was behaving so timidly compared to the night.. or day before.. however you wanted to see it as. Fidgeting, fumbling , averting her gaze and so forth... Ah.. she must just be happy we didn't die, even if she did lose her friend... I suppose that's reasonable. Perhaps when we get out of this place... I'll... he let the thought trail off. Heh, didn't think you'd fall for me just cause I saved you once though. emphasizing it with a wink and his usual smile, even if it did look a bit awkward from the slowly fading red from his eyes. And you're gonna have to teach me that language of yours someday, cause I have no idea what a hermoso is! it seemed some of his usual pep was coming back as he fully began to carry Gran, swatting away the flies, less for his own annoyances sake, and more for to keep them from defiling it any more than they already had.
Oh, I mean sure. I don't mind. I just figured you'd want to have your hands free or something. And I can still hit pretty hard with a punch, But yeah, you can get if if you want to. I didn't put it near anything hot, But I suppose after you get it, it .... he cut off his words there. Now wasn't the time for that. She had just lost her friend.... And almost her own life, so he held back from being flirty. And no need to thank me.. Lets.. just get him where he won't be exposed in an unmarked grave. he intentionally didn't respond about the crossbow. He had other plans, assuming Nadia didn't want it herself. As she made her attempts to carry it, even though it was relatively light, the weight distribution would make it awkward for anyone who wasn't used to carrying it, or otherwise exceedingly strong. Forcing him to smirk, and hold back snickers watching it flail behind her like a tail no matter how she carried it. Haha.. you look so awkward with that... he commented as they finally made it to a more sober location.
Zack respectfully sets Grans body down against a wall, so it at-least looked like he was sitting as he went for one of the shovels. Leave my sword near him.. might make anyone spying on us think he's alive. And after letting Nadia choose the plot, he'd begin to dig.... and dig.... and dig...
"I'd just... feel more comfortable bringing the sword along." Nadia laughs a bit sheepishly as she tries not to drag the sword behind her. "We don't know what or who is left here, you know? I don't want someone to steal it." The way he held the sword in his arms before felt like it meant a lot to him, she was sure that it kept him alive through what he had gone through in the past, and for it to be stolen would break her heart. She knew that if someone had taken her bow, she'd be distraught as it held sentimental value for her. She does as instructed when they reach the temple, and puts the sword next to Gran's body, a frown crossing her face again. He's in a better place now, she had to remind herself.
Nadia spent about 15 minutes choosing a good place to lay Gran to rest, and she points it out to Zack for him to begin the digging. She takes one of the shovels and begins to help him out, feeling bad if she just sat idly by while he worked up a sweat. "So... You said you, um, had to do this before, right?" She asks. "What... happened? I-if you don't mind me asking."
Nadaar gives a quick nod to the Tressym, then sets to work on the debris. If after the first minute of working on freeing up the bodies little progress is made, or after the deed is done, he frown at the sight. "So unfortunate. I pray their end came swift. Wonder, I could use a hand." He said as he pulled out what looked like a humanoid effigy wrapped in black string and held it out. The dust and looser debris before him parts as if something just lightly landed atop it. Whatever it is, Nadaar doesn't see, but appeared to have expected the result. The Tressym on the otherhand sees a young adult female Tabaxi garbed in traveler's clothing and looking mildly annoyed up at the Dragonborn. With the aid of the Wonder the each wind up with one of the couple in their arms.
As he starts to make for the graveyard after, he pauses, and looks to the Tressym. "Can you...Might these two have progeny out int he world? Perhaps having disappeared after the rocks rain? And if so, do you perhaps wish to accompany me and mines? After these two are seen to, of course."He asked, and once he had one answer or another, accepted it without a word more before continuing on to the graves.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zack chuckled at her reasoning, not because he found it silly or anything of the sort, but her behavior was starkly different than it had been even just a few hours ago. getting upset at his comment to Either Kella or Xolkin, about jealousy.. he couldn't remember which but it was ultimately irrrelevant as he had been using it as part of his ruse to lure them away fro mthe rest of their group and make the coming fight.. a bit.. easier. He smiled nonetheless, not that she could see it unless she happened to look back. But she was right.. that sword meant almost as much to him as his own life... maybe more? He shook the thought from his head as she had frowned.. He understood, even if it wasn't exactly the same reasoning.
He watched her, as he kept an eye around the corners, just in case, since the group was still not sure if the town was truly safe and clear or not (per: 8) and would sigh, letting out some pent up emotion, the last drops from his earlier issues, finally relaxing, even if he still wasn't one hundred percent.
Once she found a spot, he would nod, picking up the shovel, and heading to the spot, digging as deep as he could with every rake of metal as it made soft metallic scratches each time, and sloughed the excess to the side in a 'neat' pile.. 'for dirt.'
His mouth had been open just before she asked her question, at which point, while his arms and legs continued their motions, his lips closed suddenly as he stared at the dirt while he worked it. It took him several, very long moments before he spoke again. Though he didn't seem upset either - Yeah... I don't remember all the details.... I was .. effectively a vegetable... I could hear, and .. kinda see... but I could barely move, all my thoughts were.... like trying to run through chest high water.. muddled, swampy. We had been running, from something... We had made it near one of the southern deserts... just before it became nothing but sand where the ground looks like your throat feels when you haven't drank in a full day... this prompts him to stop digging for a moment as he fumbles for his waterskin, taking a long swig, but only draining it by half. ..*pah..* Speaking of.. heh. Anyways... he must have realized there was a trap ahead.. or something.. and well.. he set me down in a hidden spot, and I couldn't have moved if my life depended on it. He took them all on.. by himself.. and while he managed to finish them all off.... he let the insinuation linger in the air, not for intentional dramatic effect but he expected he didn't have to finish that statement for it to be understood.
Of course.. after the fight.. whatever haze had been ******* me over finally lifted... when it was too late to be useful... he deflated just a bit as he said it, his shoulders slacking slightly... before grunting, and regaining himself I managed to make it to him, just before he died.... so I suppose I should be happy I atleast got to say farewell huh? But.. he gave me this sword... Told me... that.. all his pride, and all his dreams he was passing them onto me... and to never give up on.. my own.. or forget my pride... he took a deep breath, before finishing the hole.. making sure it wasn't some disrespectfully shallow grave
There was some crazy mage... I don't remember how we got there.. or why we were there... but he experimented on us for years... so maybe we had escaped somehow? Maybe that's what we were running from? I dunno... but .. he put these jewels inside of both of us... as if in response to his thoughts.... both of the spheres inside his arms glowed through his skin, though no other effects were apparent. Fading after a few moments as if triggered by his thoughts, until they passed. But I buried him there, over a cliff but the dirt wasn't too high above the rock.. so... I only got so far... I wasn't able to bury him fully, and digging with a sword.. is.. difficult. Wasn't quite enough to cover him entirely, and there weren't any rocks to compensate... so atleast I made sure he could breathe easy.. huh? Everything after that... is a blur. I have too many gaps in my memory, I remember large chunks of certain things, but all the connecting parts.... aren't there.
But he was my best friend, and .. he gave up his life, and his dreams... just so I could live.
By this point, he had been holding Gran over the grave, not quite willing to put him in yet.. but.. once he realized he had been rambling, he cleared his throat, and jumped carefully into the hole, setting Gran down in repose, and after a moments hesitation Hey man... I'm sorry for what I called you. I might have done the same in your situation... I dunno. But atleast you came back, for better or worse... you died a .... hero. No matter what else you did before that... you came to your senses before it was too late. I hope the afterlife suits you well, and perhaps you can find a nice person in whatever realm you find yourself with. He somberly climbed out of the grave, giving Nadia time to say what she had to say and wished to say... and waiting just a bit longer.. just in case... before finally returning the earth, one shovel at a time. Eventually, between him and Nadia, filling the grave.
At which point, Zack would look to Nadia with a empathetic smile. Pulling out a bolt from his pack, and taking Grans crossbow out... at first... looking at Nadia.. and reconsidering.... then, pulling out his own. And with the bolthead, and some elbow grease, wrote as fast as the wood allowed...
Here lies Gran. Who made the hard choice to give up his life, for Family and Friend.
May he rest in peace.
Then, placing the crossbow in a T shape, burying the butt in the soft overflow, and packing it in until it looked like a makeshift cross.
We should probably look for Nadaar soon.. No telling what trouble he's getting into. He would say after a few minutes there, Handing Nadia, Grans Crossbow if she wished to have it, and letting her say anything else she needed to.
The Tressym looks curiously at the otherwise Invisible helper but shifts its attention back to you as you question it. To your first question in nods in the affirmative, to your second it spends a few moments in silence, likely thinking it over. It stares for a moment to the empty town before turning back to you and nodding in agreement. As you finish clearing the Debris it jumps on top of a desk and paws at one of the drawers.
Zack, you try to keep an eye out for any moment or other signs that you are not alone in town but the only thing you notice are the horses who occasionally move about to find a place to graze. You see no other signs that anyone else is here besides the three of you.
A curious Nadaar hesitates before setting his body back down long enough to take a look at the drawers before finding the Tressym's one. "What do we have here, my friend?" He asked casually, and even throws the Tressym a brief smile before more solemnly taking a look inside the drawer. If it is locked somehow however, he tries to look around the general area for something to wedge and pry it open. If need be, he even tries to do the same using a thus far unseen and unused dagger of his, kept strapped and tucked by his calf. And IF all else fails, he motions for motions for the tressym to flutter on back while he did some experimenting. Nothing too fancy. Just... try to temper his breathe weapon enough so that only enough dribbles out to coat the locking machinism.
No matter what comes about, Nadaar is nothing, if not persistent in getting it open. Any coin or interesting looking vials or lock boxes like his own he puts away to check out later. The same for papers or books as well, though he does at least gloss over a few pages beforehand. But if its something ELSE beyond even his imagining, then it depends...
Regardless of what he finds, if it is small enough to pack away, he generally does so instead of lingering too long, and gives the Tressym a bow in thanks for the find. "If you wish, my friend, you can ride on my shoulder along the way. As enjoyable as flying may know doubt be, it is likely taxing I bet." He smiled toothily. Whether the offer is accepted or not, he gives the place one last once over and silently promises to return for a second look. After it is straight to the graveyard for him, Wonder, Friend-o[Tressym], and the bodies in hand. He hails Zack and Nadia as soon as he sees them.
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Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
The drawer to the desk is unlocked and opens easily. As you open it the Tressym immediately sticks its head in and pulls something out, holding it in its mouth to show you. It appears to be a hand made collar of black dyed wool, with small circular peice of metal with the name "Rillex" written on it. The collar itself is broken but easily fixable. Further search of the drawer yields a pouch of coin which contains 32 gold and 17 silver. You also find several other items that may be of interest to you, namely jars of ink, wax seals, blank scrolls and quill pens as two small ledgers. A quick glance at both reveals the first to be land ownership documents. It lists who owns what property in town and contains copies of relevant paperwork. The second appears to be tax records within the town and every villager by name, occupation, and what they must pay in tax. Between the two of them you essentially have a list of every permanent resident in Nightstone and where they lived.
Once you've taken a look at the loot you head over to the corpses and begin moving them towards the graveyard. Rillex follows amd tries not to get in your way but doesn't fly off too far.
Zack and Nadia, we'll say by time you finish attending to Gran is when you see Nadaar approach the graveyard with two bodies, being followed by a flying cat.
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The wreckage where the stables had once been still emits a faint light grey smoke, and glows red with embers. As you approach it you notice it still gives off a fair amount of warmth, enough to know that touching the smoldering wreckage would only lead to severe burns on your hands. It's possible the fire may smolder for several more hours yet, possibly even all day. Theres even a chance the fire could reignite on it's own. There is a well not far from you, and it should be easy enough to find buckets If you wished to try your hand at firefighting. Regardless though, theres so much debris that it will take some time to dig through it in search of the weapons you seek. Zacks strength will surely be helpful as will Nadias keen eyes, they could certainly cut down on the time needed. As you think on your options your interrupted by Zacks screaming. You try your best to help however you can but, it's unlike anything you've ever seen before and thus your aid doesn't help sooth the soldiers pain. When Nadia finally comes to you head to the gate. The drawbridge is still raised and appears secure enough. You inspect the mechanism to open in, one large crank in either of the two towers adjacent to it. While it appears it can be opened by one person, it would require some strength behind it. It very likely that with two people it should be easy to open whenever you decide to leave. For now however it's secure and no one can get in without scaling the walls or attempting the broken bridge from the keep, both of which are protected by the moat surrounding the town.
Zack didn't have the strength to stand for several minutes after Nadaar and potentially Nadia had left. Something felt off about his body..... yet it felt familiar, as if it had been thee for a long, long time... Finally gathering his strength... Zack rolled over... Looking at the ground as he shook the dizziness away. Taking his weapon off, and setting it into his lap, blade facing away. As he looked it over, the memory of what happened to him... and.... Tears began to well up in the soldiers eyes, remembering the sacrifice that was made.... while he was useless near the desert on the south end of the continent.... He gripped the swords handle and blade like they were fragile, temporary things and held them close. This was the last memento given to him after .... and just before... And he cried, for as logn as his tears would hold out. Not caring what the other two might think of him after the display.... He held the sword close to him.... like hugging an old friend for the next hour, pouring his soul into it, by intention or not... one of his arms began to glow in the same spot... Blue energy pouring from him without him even noticing, enveloping the weapon like a shroud... until it settled into the weapon itself. For now, unbeknownst to him... he had bonded with the sword that had always been precious to him, but with some of his memories back..... was ever more so now.
(since I don't know where nadia is I'll end my post there.)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Nadia was shaken awake by the sound of Zack's screaming. "What!? What!!!?" The elf shouted back, almost losing her balance as she scrambled up to ready her bow and shoot at whoever or whatever was attacking them, but there was nothing. However... the fighter was glowing blue? A spell maybe? (Arcana: 3) Regardless, she kneels beside him, dark brown eyes scanning over his body to make sure there was nothing harming him in some way as he calms down. She looks up to Nadaar just before he departs to check on the gates, opting to stay beside Zack just in case something else happens. "Keep your eyes peeled, and yell if you need me, okay? I'll run over as fast as I can." She realized how much of a mother she sounded when she says that, knowing damn well that Nadaar was a grown ass dragonborn and could handle himself. But... Even despite that she had to admit she was just scared of possibly losing him.
She keeps watch of Nadaar until Zack begins to stir and move, the ranger staying silent as she observed what he was doing, but her eyes advert to her hands at her lap when he begins to cry. Nadia wanted to hug him and bring him comfort, but... was it even her place to do so? Would he let her? She chewed at her bottom lip in uncertainty until she saw the blue light emit from him again while he held his sword tight, her eyes returning back on him. When the lights dim down and when it seems that the soldier was okay, she moves herself to sit beside him. She clears her throat to make it known she was going to start a conversation, but her mind is jumbled with loads of questions and her mouth just isn't wanting to form the words. Start with something simple, chica, it ain't like he's gonna eat you alive... Maybe.
"So... are, uh... you... you doin' okay? That sure was some light show! Haha... Mm..."
Nailed it.
The last several hours had torn Zack so hard, and in so many ways, he seemed exhausted, and drained of life as Nadia fretted. Between several near death experiences within a few short hours.... almost failing the people he was with after all his bravado, failing to protect Gran... who was now the desire of every carrion insect in the vicinity whom he hadn't failed to notice had failed to rise with everyone else.... The sudden flood of physical, and mental pain, combined with the sudden influx of four years worth of memories.. it had been too much to process, and handle all at once. His body ached from now closed wounds, even if he felt whole, his body protested. He still bore a slight tremor that was fading, albeit slowly.
Over time his grip on the sword loosened until it was settled back into his lap, where he studied it for just another minute. How could I have forgotten that? Everything we both went through.... he whispered, ending with a sigh, just as Nadia began to scootch herself closer, Drawing his ever-glowing eyes directly to hers. The bags under his eyes red from spent emotion, as he carefully places the weapon on his back once more, but didn't stand or shift away from her. He was still shaking just a little when he offered her a smile, with closed eyes, the glow wasn't seen through this time. but his vision shifted back over to Gran. I'm .. fine, now, atleast... he responded, ignoring the other half not out of anger or any such negative thing. A lot of things from my past suddenly hit me all at once.. things I shouldn't have forgotten, but did. Something is wrong with my memories... I never noticed before.. but there are gaps... that I can't explain. Didn't mean to worry you. His eyes lingered on on Gran for another few moments before they shifted back to Nadia's. With no hesitation, he pulls her into a hug, insomuch a fashion she could escape if she desired, where he would be a head above her, holding it for a single, lengthy, but overall brief moment. In that moment he said Sorry I couldn't save your friend... Xolkin was on him before I could react... and with how pissed he was at me... I thought he'd... letting the hug go if it hadn't already been ended. If you wanna hate me, or hurt me... let me get you guys out of this place first. I... know how painful it is to lose someone close to you....
Despite his words, he didn't sound self pitying. Rather, accepting of any wrath the ranger may have towards him. With a grunt and a few pops from his knee and back as he stood to full height, he offered his hand down to help her stand if she wished. So.. where's Nadaar? I was.. a bit occupied when he left so, I didn't see where he went....
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Nadia had sucked in a breath when she was listening to Zack answer her then go on to explain what happened to him just a few minutes before. Does that mean he remembers...? No, stop being selfish. When he first finishes, she scoffs a bit, her eyes looking at the ground and not him as she just couldn’t bring herself to look at the fighter. “W-well of course I’m gonna worry abo—!!” Then she was cut off by his sudden hug, the ranger tensing up at his touch, but she soon melted into the warmth of his body. It was... nice. After everything they had gone through, the boys managing to dodge death more than a few times, Nadia having lost Gran, the memories still freshly burned into her mind... she needed this more than she realized she did. Thankfully though she was able to hold the flood gates when tears threatened to fall down her already puffed cheeks.
The elf looked up to him when he released her from the embrace and again she scoffs a bit. “I can’t hate you, Zack.” She turns her head a bit to look at Gran’s decomposing body, feeling terrible at how she couldn’t bring herself to start digging a grave of some sort last night. She was just so tired. “He... He knew that coming back was going to lead to... A-and he probably... probably wouldn’t have made it on his own anyways... I just...” If he were to look at her, he could tell she was trying to hold back her tears, her eyes now even more glossy the more she spoke. “I-I wish I could gotten to him first b-before he met them. None of this would have happened.”
When he got up, Nadia quickly wiped her face and followed. “Yeah... he, uh, went to the gates.” She pointed in the direction Nadaar had gone off to. “You can go after him if you want. I need to... figure out what I’m going to do with...” She trails off but her eyes go to Gran. “I need to find a shovel...”
Nadaar lingers at the gate for perhaps longer than was actually needed, but lingered he did all the same. Before he became took sucked into staring off into the horizon however, he blinks away all fleeting thought to the past. "Not now, Nadaar. There's still much work to do..."
Sometime later, Zack and Nadia can see Nadaar coming down the road. It appears during the brief journey some haphazard attempt at repairing his clothing and armor. Or at least, adjusting what was there so that the rents were less noticeable at a glance. He hald also taken to wearing some green and gold speckled headband to cover up the missing scale. Although any can see the occasional pained look crosses his features whenever a breeze brushes past him. Nadaar squints at the pair upon getting within easy conversation range, then gives a questioning brow raise before snorting and shrugging off some thought.
"Gates clear, by the way. Looks like whatever that blonde one over there did wasn't enough to convince'm to open it for'em before they ran off." He says, casually glancing over to the corpse. Although his gaze lingers for a moment or two, he shakes his head, still uncertain of what to think of Gran in the end. "If... you two need a bit more time here to... settle things, I would recommend taking it now. We may not have time later should more goblins decide to come poking around. Which isn't the worst thing, all things considered! As far as I can recall and see, we seemed to have wiped out the Zhent presence here. So, it'll probably be a tenday before any friends of there start worrying over matters this way." He grimaces.
"Much as apart of me would love to redeem myself for having failed so spectacular to be much aid, a rematch with any of their members is... something I'd put off." Nadaar chuckling stops abruptly as he looks in the rough direction of the winged cat house. "Mn... anyhow, I will leave you two to it. I... have some other business I would like to look into. But after, hmm... after perhaps we check out the keep out the keep. The least we can do to be thorough about finding any survivors, and make keeping this town out of Zhents out a little more worthwhile."
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
Nadia, you remember there being two graveyards in town, one behind the temple and one near the inn. Both were close to one another. If you're looking for a shovel you figure that's probably the best place to start.
Nadaar, assuming neither of your companions have anything further to say to you at this moment, you wall off and let them take care of Gran. You head over to the south west section of town where a majority of the townsfolk seemed to live. You stop outside the house you last saw the winged cat. The door is open and it looks like most of the roof collapsed after being damaged from a boulder. Without having to go inside you can make out what looks like the corpses of an elderly human male and female, their bodies partially buried under debris.
Her response to his initial statements drew some confusion during the embrace, but he brushed it off as likely having to do with worrying about losing more than just Gran.. maybe? He did hiss once in response to a pain-pulse from one of his two side stabs, but aside from that just holds it. The part that caught him most off-guard, was when it ended, and she locked her eyes to his.. more or less, and said that she couldn't hate him..What? he looked at her confused for a moment before vocalizing it What do you mean you couldn't hate me? I dragged you into all this danger.... I mean sure.. we didn't know the danger was here at first... he humorlessly chuckled before continuing, his head tilting ever so much to the side, his eyes following hers, flowing the same color as the sky likely was above them. ..but I also didn't heed yours and Nadaars warnings... If not for me being so naieve... but the way you said that.... Have... I met you before? at this point, his eyes begin studying her face in a way he had never scrutinized before, glancing at a few other places that might have some telltale sign .. such as a birthmark or scar that might trigger some recollection. But in the end, his mind registered blank. I mean... you're cute as hell, so I don't think I'd forget your face but ..
I just can't seem to recall... he seemed to deflate a bit when she began lamenting being able to save her friend.. it reminded him of how ineffective he had been... when his friend had needed him the most. Looking at Gran again he would say to Nadia There's no point in worrying about things you can't change... you can only control what you can control... But it's fine to grieve. If you ever need a shoulder... he says, slapping one of his own, which then forces another hiss of pain from him, and a small I should have expected that smile. Nah.. I'll help you with your friend.... I had to bury mine myself.. and I know how much it hurts when the time comes to start throwing the earth back on them...
Nadaar managed to walk up around this point, Zack responding in kind, wondering if Nadaar had seen the hug or not Well that's good atleast... uh and we're uh... Fine... And Nadaar.. don't be so hard on yourself... if not for your help.... I'd be dead right now. And I mean it. Take some pride. As Nadaar makes his pullaway statements, he looks back to Nadia and says I'll carry him. You lead the way.. there were a couple graveyards on the way around this area.... so we should atleast bury him in an actual grave. Zack set down his sword, Hiding it in the debris, as its weight plus that of another person... would even stretch him a bit. Leaning down, and picking up Grans Crossbow, attaching it to his belt, before leaning down and lifting Grans body in his arms. He would follow Nadia to the nearest graveyard they were aware of, if that's what she chose to do.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Nadia's fingers began to fumble with the hem of her tunic as Zack spoke, the elf only stopping when he asked if they had met before. Just as he began studying her face, she did the same to his, but she already knew the answer to that question. How could she forget the face of the soldier who saved her life when she was a kid? That day was burned into her memory, his face was burned into her memory, and she swore to herself as she was growing up she would return the favor to him one day, even if she had to search around the world to do it. The first time she saw him, she didn't believe it, she was convinced her mind was playing tricks on her, but the more they traveled together the more she was sure it was him.
She wasn't offended that he didn't remember her since she assumed he dealt with a lot of people in his past, and a newly orphaned child wasn't exactly going to stick out to him particularly. His memories were just dumped on him, and the last thing Nadia would want to do was make him feel bad for not remembering her, so, in response, she only smiled and shrugged. Her cheeks did flush a light pink though when he complimented her face. She laughed lightly, then said to him, "Well you're not too bad on the eyes yourself, hermoso."
"And... Thank you."
"Like I said before, Nadaar, just yell if you need us, okay?" Nadia reminds the dragonborn before he sets off to do what else he needed to get done. She watches him go, then turns to Zack who had been hiding his sword in the debris. "Hey, if you're gonna carry, him... I'll carry your sword for you if you want? Unless you think you can shoot the crossbow just fine." He didn't peg her as the type to be too into ranged fighting as she was, but she needed to remember he was a soldier too, so she was sure he had some training in range at least. "I'm a strong girl I can take it." She flexes one of her arms for emphasis. If he denies her, she understands and doesn't push the matter any further. If he agrees, she tries with all her might to carry the comically large sword. She may struggle with it, but she looks cute at least!
"I think the temple graveyard would be a good place to bury him..." Nadia mentions. When the fighter signifies that he is ready to go, she leads the way.
Nadaar scoffs. "In dragonborn society, you acknowledge your failings in their completeness. There is no try, no excuses, and little acceptance of having done enough; only do or do not. So, when I committed to fighting Krul, and that of these other ruffians, it was with the expectations of one of three outcomes." He then looks past them to the wreckage of a barn for a moment or two before turning to Zack and Nadia again. "That is not to say that I am not grateful for whatever was done to keep me alive. For that, you both have my most sincerest thanks. If... I could but promise to return the favor someday." He smiles ruefully. "Alas, a dragonborn word is there bond. And there's no telling what the future may hold for us."
With that said, he parts from the others, absently patting down his person until realizing both a dagger and pan flute were safe on his person. Before he became too invested debating between summoning a servant or taking pleasure in cleaning them later, he arrived at his destination. Nadaar steps past the threshold cautiously, leery of any surprise attacks from any the rafters. Looking to the bodies once more, and then reflexively around for any other dragonborn presence nearby, he chuckles, mentally kicking himself for the glance as a hand is over the chest. "May Hlal's laughter fill your souls, so that the rest of your journey to the final rest be swift and full of joy."
Following a moment of silence, Nadaar starts to look around the place properly, and after a few rhythmic snaps of his fingers in one hand, the other pulls out a glowworm as he starts humming. A tune he keeps playing as he approaches the debris, summoning through his the melody the glowing, draconic figure once more to help light up the place darker areas. That way by the time he got over to the bodies, he hoped he need not fear a surprise as he started removing debris from the bodies, and at least move them outside to be buried later.
Humming: 23.
(Flavor)
Athletics: 11.
(If needed to move debris)
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
The light provided makes it easy to see in the building, though the place isn't mess with lots of debris scattered around. As you approach the bodies a feline figure that was hiding among the debris jumps up leaps in front of the two corpses. It stares at you and gives a low growl, a clear warning against getting closer. It unfurles its wings to make itself appear bigger, the creature has a 3ft wing span, its wings a mix of fur and feathers. Its fur is orange with touches of gold, making it look a bit like fire, dotted with black spots across its body, a Bengal cat. You recognize the creature as a Tressym, and know that even though they lack the ability to speak they are about as intelligent as a normal human and therefore can understand common.
Nadia and Zack. When you make your way over to the graveyard you easily find a couple of shovels and a place to bury Gran.
Nadaar is not intimidated in the least, but he backs away all the same. It takes him a second or two to reign in the instinct to answer the challenge with one of his own. Although even then, he still glares at it for a second or two more before his face finally relaxes to one of sympathy. "Hey there friend. Are those... were those your friends?" He gestures over to the couple. After waiting a breathe to see if it might nod, he nods back in understanding. "I am sorry for your loss. If you would but allow it, I would see them properly buried, rather than rot out in the open. You've probably seen us last night, right? Fighting those other people?"
Another pause for understanding. "Don't misunderstand then. They were not good people, and would've seen your friends... your family, perhaps better yet, simply discarded. Whereas I mean to only pay respects." He bows his head and looks askcance. "That, and see if there are any other survivors in town... as well as scavange." Nadaar turns back quickly, raising his hands up in placating gesture. "Again. Do not misunderstand. If we are to find the others, and bring them home, we will need supplies for the journey. If this does not suit you, I will leave them and you be."
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
The Tressym nods in the affirmative to both your questions. It stares at you a few moments longer before, evidently, deciding you are being truthful. Is furles its wings and walks off to the side so it's no longer in your way. The feline just sits stares sullenly at the two bodies as it waits for you to remove them.
Zack didn't know what to make of Nadia's actions, she was behaving so timidly compared to the night.. or day before.. however you wanted to see it as. Fidgeting, fumbling , averting her gaze and so forth... Ah.. she must just be happy we didn't die, even if she did lose her friend... I suppose that's reasonable. Perhaps when we get out of this place... I'll... he let the thought trail off. Heh, didn't think you'd fall for me just cause I saved you once though. emphasizing it with a wink and his usual smile, even if it did look a bit awkward from the slowly fading red from his eyes. And you're gonna have to teach me that language of yours someday, cause I have no idea what a hermoso is! it seemed some of his usual pep was coming back as he fully began to carry Gran, swatting away the flies, less for his own annoyances sake, and more for to keep them from defiling it any more than they already had.
Oh, I mean sure. I don't mind. I just figured you'd want to have your hands free or something. And I can still hit pretty hard with a punch, But yeah, you can get if if you want to. I didn't put it near anything hot, But I suppose after you get it, it .... he cut off his words there. Now wasn't the time for that. She had just lost her friend.... And almost her own life, so he held back from being flirty. And no need to thank me.. Lets.. just get him where he won't be exposed in an unmarked grave. he intentionally didn't respond about the crossbow. He had other plans, assuming Nadia didn't want it herself. As she made her attempts to carry it, even though it was relatively light, the weight distribution would make it awkward for anyone who wasn't used to carrying it, or otherwise exceedingly strong. Forcing him to smirk, and hold back snickers watching it flail behind her like a tail no matter how she carried it. Haha.. you look so awkward with that... he commented as they finally made it to a more sober location.
Zack respectfully sets Grans body down against a wall, so it at-least looked like he was sitting as he went for one of the shovels. Leave my sword near him.. might make anyone spying on us think he's alive. And after letting Nadia choose the plot, he'd begin to dig.... and dig.... and dig...
Occassional Dungeon Master.
"I'd just... feel more comfortable bringing the sword along." Nadia laughs a bit sheepishly as she tries not to drag the sword behind her. "We don't know what or who is left here, you know? I don't want someone to steal it." The way he held the sword in his arms before felt like it meant a lot to him, she was sure that it kept him alive through what he had gone through in the past, and for it to be stolen would break her heart. She knew that if someone had taken her bow, she'd be distraught as it held sentimental value for her. She does as instructed when they reach the temple, and puts the sword next to Gran's body, a frown crossing her face again. He's in a better place now, she had to remind herself.
Nadia spent about 15 minutes choosing a good place to lay Gran to rest, and she points it out to Zack for him to begin the digging. She takes one of the shovels and begins to help him out, feeling bad if she just sat idly by while he worked up a sweat. "So... You said you, um, had to do this before, right?" She asks. "What... happened? I-if you don't mind me asking."
Nadaar gives a quick nod to the Tressym, then sets to work on the debris. If after the first minute of working on freeing up the bodies little progress is made, or after the deed is done, he frown at the sight. "So unfortunate. I pray their end came swift. Wonder, I could use a hand." He said as he pulled out what looked like a humanoid effigy wrapped in black string and held it out. The dust and looser debris before him parts as if something just lightly landed atop it. Whatever it is, Nadaar doesn't see, but appeared to have expected the result. The Tressym on the otherhand sees a young adult female Tabaxi garbed in traveler's clothing and looking mildly annoyed up at the Dragonborn. With the aid of the Wonder the each wind up with one of the couple in their arms.
As he starts to make for the graveyard after, he pauses, and looks to the Tressym. "Can you...Might these two have progeny out int he world? Perhaps having disappeared after the rocks rain? And if so, do you perhaps wish to accompany me and mines? After these two are seen to, of course." He asked, and once he had one answer or another, accepted it without a word more before continuing on to the graves.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
Zack chuckled at her reasoning, not because he found it silly or anything of the sort, but her behavior was starkly different than it had been even just a few hours ago. getting upset at his comment to Either Kella or Xolkin, about jealousy.. he couldn't remember which but it was ultimately irrrelevant as he had been using it as part of his ruse to lure them away fro mthe rest of their group and make the coming fight.. a bit.. easier. He smiled nonetheless, not that she could see it unless she happened to look back. But she was right.. that sword meant almost as much to him as his own life... maybe more? He shook the thought from his head as she had frowned.. He understood, even if it wasn't exactly the same reasoning.
He watched her, as he kept an eye around the corners, just in case, since the group was still not sure if the town was truly safe and clear or not (per: 8) and would sigh, letting out some pent up emotion, the last drops from his earlier issues, finally relaxing, even if he still wasn't one hundred percent.
Once she found a spot, he would nod, picking up the shovel, and heading to the spot, digging as deep as he could with every rake of metal as it made soft metallic scratches each time, and sloughed the excess to the side in a 'neat' pile.. 'for dirt.'
His mouth had been open just before she asked her question, at which point, while his arms and legs continued their motions, his lips closed suddenly as he stared at the dirt while he worked it. It took him several, very long moments before he spoke again. Though he didn't seem upset either - Yeah... I don't remember all the details.... I was .. effectively a vegetable... I could hear, and .. kinda see... but I could barely move, all my thoughts were.... like trying to run through chest high water.. muddled, swampy. We had been running, from something... We had made it near one of the southern deserts... just before it became nothing but sand where the ground looks like your throat feels when you haven't drank in a full day... this prompts him to stop digging for a moment as he fumbles for his waterskin, taking a long swig, but only draining it by half. ..*pah..* Speaking of.. heh. Anyways... he must have realized there was a trap ahead.. or something.. and well.. he set me down in a hidden spot, and I couldn't have moved if my life depended on it. He took them all on.. by himself.. and while he managed to finish them all off.... he let the insinuation linger in the air, not for intentional dramatic effect but he expected he didn't have to finish that statement for it to be understood.
Of course.. after the fight.. whatever haze had been ******* me over finally lifted... when it was too late to be useful... he deflated just a bit as he said it, his shoulders slacking slightly... before grunting, and regaining himself I managed to make it to him, just before he died.... so I suppose I should be happy I atleast got to say farewell huh? But.. he gave me this sword... Told me... that.. all his pride, and all his dreams he was passing them onto me... and to never give up on.. my own.. or forget my pride... he took a deep breath, before finishing the hole.. making sure it wasn't some disrespectfully shallow grave
There was some crazy mage... I don't remember how we got there.. or why we were there... but he experimented on us for years... so maybe we had escaped somehow? Maybe that's what we were running from? I dunno... but .. he put these jewels inside of both of us... as if in response to his thoughts.... both of the spheres inside his arms glowed through his skin, though no other effects were apparent. Fading after a few moments as if triggered by his thoughts, until they passed. But I buried him there, over a cliff but the dirt wasn't too high above the rock.. so... I only got so far... I wasn't able to bury him fully, and digging with a sword.. is.. difficult. Wasn't quite enough to cover him entirely, and there weren't any rocks to compensate... so atleast I made sure he could breathe easy.. huh? Everything after that... is a blur. I have too many gaps in my memory, I remember large chunks of certain things, but all the connecting parts.... aren't there.
But he was my best friend, and .. he gave up his life, and his dreams... just so I could live.
By this point, he had been holding Gran over the grave, not quite willing to put him in yet.. but.. once he realized he had been rambling, he cleared his throat, and jumped carefully into the hole, setting Gran down in repose, and after a moments hesitation Hey man... I'm sorry for what I called you. I might have done the same in your situation... I dunno. But atleast you came back, for better or worse... you died a .... hero. No matter what else you did before that... you came to your senses before it was too late. I hope the afterlife suits you well, and perhaps you can find a nice person in whatever realm you find yourself with. He somberly climbed out of the grave, giving Nadia time to say what she had to say and wished to say... and waiting just a bit longer.. just in case... before finally returning the earth, one shovel at a time. Eventually, between him and Nadia, filling the grave.
At which point, Zack would look to Nadia with a empathetic smile. Pulling out a bolt from his pack, and taking Grans crossbow out... at first... looking at Nadia.. and reconsidering.... then, pulling out his own. And with the bolthead, and some elbow grease, wrote as fast as the wood allowed...
We should probably look for Nadaar soon.. No telling what trouble he's getting into. He would say after a few minutes there, Handing Nadia, Grans Crossbow if she wished to have it, and letting her say anything else she needed to.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
The Tressym looks curiously at the otherwise Invisible helper but shifts its attention back to you as you question it. To your first question in nods in the affirmative, to your second it spends a few moments in silence, likely thinking it over. It stares for a moment to the empty town before turning back to you and nodding in agreement. As you finish clearing the Debris it jumps on top of a desk and paws at one of the drawers.
Zack, you try to keep an eye out for any moment or other signs that you are not alone in town but the only thing you notice are the horses who occasionally move about to find a place to graze. You see no other signs that anyone else is here besides the three of you.
A curious Nadaar hesitates before setting his body back down long enough to take a look at the drawers before finding the Tressym's one. "What do we have here, my friend?" He asked casually, and even throws the Tressym a brief smile before more solemnly taking a look inside the drawer. If it is locked somehow however, he tries to look around the general area for something to wedge and pry it open. If need be, he even tries to do the same using a thus far unseen and unused dagger of his, kept strapped and tucked by his calf. And IF all else fails, he motions for motions for the tressym to flutter on back while he did some experimenting. Nothing too fancy. Just... try to temper his breathe weapon enough so that only enough dribbles out to coat the locking machinism.
No matter what comes about, Nadaar is nothing, if not persistent in getting it open. Any coin or interesting looking vials or lock boxes like his own he puts away to check out later. The same for papers or books as well, though he does at least gloss over a few pages beforehand. But if its something ELSE beyond even his imagining, then it depends...
Regardless of what he finds, if it is small enough to pack away, he generally does so instead of lingering too long, and gives the Tressym a bow in thanks for the find. "If you wish, my friend, you can ride on my shoulder along the way. As enjoyable as flying may know doubt be, it is likely taxing I bet." He smiled toothily. Whether the offer is accepted or not, he gives the place one last once over and silently promises to return for a second look. After it is straight to the graveyard for him, Wonder, Friend-o[Tressym], and the bodies in hand. He hails Zack and Nadia as soon as he sees them.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
The drawer to the desk is unlocked and opens easily. As you open it the Tressym immediately sticks its head in and pulls something out, holding it in its mouth to show you. It appears to be a hand made collar of black dyed wool, with small circular peice of metal with the name "Rillex" written on it. The collar itself is broken but easily fixable. Further search of the drawer yields a pouch of coin which contains 32 gold and 17 silver. You also find several other items that may be of interest to you, namely jars of ink, wax seals, blank scrolls and quill pens as two small ledgers. A quick glance at both reveals the first to be land ownership documents. It lists who owns what property in town and contains copies of relevant paperwork. The second appears to be tax records within the town and every villager by name, occupation, and what they must pay in tax. Between the two of them you essentially have a list of every permanent resident in Nightstone and where they lived.
Once you've taken a look at the loot you head over to the corpses and begin moving them towards the graveyard. Rillex follows amd tries not to get in your way but doesn't fly off too far.
Zack and Nadia, we'll say by time you finish attending to Gran is when you see Nadaar approach the graveyard with two bodies, being followed by a flying cat.