Both wispy creatures have fled the room, passing intangibly through the ceiling; Daffid and Brand are now alone in the Nathaniel's bedroom.

Brand rushes to Nathaniel's body; he is alive, but he appears to be unconscious and his breathing is shallow.

[[We are now out of combat.]]

"What, what is happening here?" says Daffid, looking down at Brand.

Brand looks up at the man and notices that he looks pale and haggard. 

[[Brand can add 250 XPs, but that is it for me tonight. Ciao.]]

[[ XP Updated from 1275 to 1525 ! ]]

Brand glances up at the ceiling then back to Daffid, "I believe we just saved Master Nathaniel from a most terrible fate."

He looks down at Nathaniel, his brow furrowed, trying to assess his friends state [[ if he in the process of making death saving throws? Can one reliably tell? ]], then the corridor and back to Daffid.

Speaking in a hushed tone, he continues, "You did very well, but I suggest that you speak of this to no-one but Masters at the School; your life -- and Nathaniel's -- may depend on it."

"That magic you did at the start was critical. What was it?"

[[ Waits for answer, and as the conversation continues, he will search the bed, room, cupboards, pillows and bedding for something like a dead animal or runed item. if he has the opportunity: ]]

Brand nods, the glances up at the ceiling, "What is above this room?"

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ XP Updated from 1275 to 1525 ! ]]

Brand glances up at the ceiling then back to Daffid, "I believe we just saved Master Nathaniel from a most terrible fate."

He looks down at Nathaniel, his brow furrowed, trying to assess his friends state [[ if he in the process of making death saving throws? Can one reliably tell? ]], then the corridor and back to Daffid.

[[Nathaniel's body is not in good shape due to his infirm nature, but at least it is no longer showing signs of physical distress or the spasming it was doing before. His breathing is shallow. Make a Medicine check. And, do you apply the Stink of Life?]]

[[We'll do the rest when I find out the answers to the above.]]

Speaking in a hushed tone, he continues, "You did very well, but I suggest that you speak of this to no-one but Masters at the School; your life -- and Nathaniel's -- may depend on it."

"That magic you did at the start was critical. What was it?"

[[ Waits for answer, and as the conversation continues, he will search the bed, room, cupboards, pillows and bedding for something like a dead animal or runed item. if he has the opportunity: ]]

Brand nods, the glances up at the ceiling, "What is above this room?"

Medicine: 13

[[ Am I correct in saying he's not making death rolls? Can Brand know?

Is there a downside to applying stink of life? And does he know if a body heals faster if the spirit is present?

Finally: does he have any sense of Light One may have been Nathaniel?

When is went to Daffid, did it try to touch his head?

Edit2: did the two wisps look similar, or racially different? Eg. Elf vs human vs Goblin etc. Did the light one bear any similarity to Nathaniels astral form?

All else being equal, he's better sleeping or traveling most likely, don't disturb him, so no to sink of life of he is stable. ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Medicine: 20

[[ Am I correct in saying he's not making death rolls? Can Brand know?

[[On that roll, Brand is sure that Nathaniel's body, at least, is not going to die in the immediate future. Brand can tell he is stable and will probably be sleeping for 1d4 hours (according to the rules).]]

Is there a downside to applying stink of life? And does he know if a body heals faster if the spirit is present?

[[Prolonged exposure to Stink of Life is probably not a good thing, and he would know that it doesn't always work. With regard to whether a body heals faster if its spirit is present: even on that roll, he wouldn't have any idea.]]

Finally: does he have any sense of Light One may have been Nathaniel? 

When is went to Daffid, did it try to touch his head?

[[These two things are connected, so I will let you make a single Insight check for Brand and suggest you re-read the description of the fight.]]

All else being equal, he's better sleeping or traveling most likely, don't disturb him, so no to sink of life of he is stable. ]]

[[Stink of Life not applied.]]

In response to Brand's comment about his and Nathaniel's life possibly being in danger, Daffid is silent for a moment and then he asks, "Who are you, and what is going on?"

[[ Thanks for pointing out my reading comprehension failure!!

Minor question: what was Daffid attacking with?]]

Brand looks up at Daffid, "I am a friend of Nathaniels, and in your debt. I am Alaric Brand."

"But before we talk more... What's above this room?"

[[ Assuming open air or roof space, Brand continues:]]

"Good. So to answer your questions..."

He stands, shakes out a blanket, making sure nothing is concealed within it, then covers Nathaniel, and starts methodically searching the room, while answering Daffid's question.

[[Conscious others may arrive soon, he begins with the places he could not easily search before: under pillows and mattress, in drawers etc.]]

"I believe someone or something wants Nathaniel dead, and sent that creature -- the darker one -- to kill him."

Brand stacks bedding and items he has searched in a corner.

"If I am right then there MAY be some kind of item in this room that drew or held that creature, and I would very much like to find it."

He keeps searching, and says "It is very important that no-one be allowed into this room until it has been thoroughly searched by trusted people, and not alone."

[[ Can keep going if no-one arrives, but if none has arrived yet, can he hear feet or voices? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Thanks for pointing out my reading comprehension failure!!

Minor question: what was Daffid attacking with?]]

[[Apart from his magic, just his fists. He looks a little beefier than average.]]

Brand looks up at Daffid, "I am a friend of Nathaniels, and in your debt. I am Alaric Brand."

"But before we talk more... What's above this room?"

Daffid looks up and then says, "The roof... There may be an attic, but I don't know."

[[ Assuming open air or roof space, Brand continues:]]

"Good. So to answer your questions..."

He stands, shakes out a blanket, making sure nothing is concealed within it, then covers Nathaniel, and starts methodically searching the room, while answering Daffid's question.

[[Conscious others may arrive soon, he begins with the places he could not easily search before: under pillows and mattress, in drawers etc.]]

"I believe someone or something wants Nathaniel dead, and sent that creature -- the darker one -- to kill him."

Brand stacks bedding and items he has searched in a corner.

"If I am right then there MAY be some kind of item in this room that drew or held that creature, and I would very much like to find it."

He keeps searching, and says "It is very important that no-one be allowed into this room until it has been thoroughly searched by trusted people, and not alone."

[[ Can keep going if no-one arrives, but if none has arrived yet, can he hear feet or voices? ]]

As Daffid tells Brand about the possibility of there being an attic, voices can be heard and the sounds of running feet. This distracts Daffid, who steps to the door and shouts: "In here. Master Nathaniel's bedroom." He then waits at the door for those who are coming.

With their conversation interrupted, Brand has a chance to cover Nathaniel's half-naked body with the clean blanket and take a quick look around the room; there are no signs of any dead animals.

[[I will stop here in case you have any concerns about there possibly being an attic.]]

[[ Dead animals, items with unusual runes etc as well.

Ie things that look out of place in a elderly, scholarly non mages room.]]

"Does anyone live or sleep in the attick, and can we get there easily?"

[[Can Brand hear any sounds from above?]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Dead animals, items with unusual runes etc as well.

Ie things that look out of place in a elderly, scholarly non mages room.]]

[[In the short period of time he has before the rescuers arrive, he sees nothing unusual in the room. Brand has not yet had the chance to do the thorough examination you mentioned earlier; that will involve significant time and an Investigation check.]]

---

 

"Does anyone live or sleep in the attick?"

[[Can Brand hear any sounds from above?]]

[[Nothing that can be heard above the sounds in the room. If you want Brand to be able to make a Perception check, he will have to ask for quiet.]]

The rescuers arrive. They include: the young woman who showed Brand and Daffid upstairs, a youth with the medallion of a student and an older, stockier woman with red hair wearing the gold medallion of a master of the School.

Daffid speaks with the older woman, saying, "Mistress Althea, I am glad you are here. We have just been attacked by some spirits of the restless dead."

"Does anyone live or sleep in the attick?" asks Brand.

The younger woman looks surprised for a moment and then says, "I don't think there is one, is there?"

The older woman speaks directly to Brand, saying, "Yes. There is an attic. But, who are you and why do you ask?"

[[I suggest that now would be a good time to say some of the stuff that didn't get said before.]]

[[ I *think* he knows Althea...apothecary, iirc. Different timeline, not sure. ]]

Brand looks from Daffid to Althea, "I am a friend of Nathaniels, my name is Alaric."

"Nathaniel was attacked by a spirit of some kind, the quick actions of Daffid here managed to force the spirit from Nathaniel's body, and allowed Nathaniel to also free himself from it's grip."

"We both fought against the malignant spirit, and it eventually fled through the roof" he says, pointing to the area it left. "I believe Nathaniel is currently elsewhere -- if you understand me --- and his body should not be disturbed if at all possible."

"There is a great deal more I would say, in more private circumstances, but if my suspicions are correct then there MAY be some kind of item in this room that drew or held that creature, and it would be important to find it. It may even have been in the soiled bed clothes that this young woman removed when she fled. I am not accusing he of anything, it might be something as simple as a dead rat, or some other unusual artefact."

Brand g;lances around the room, and says "It is very important that no-one be allowed into this room until it has been thoroughly searched by trusted people, and noone should be alone."

"And we may want to investigate the attic...or...could I perhaps speak to you privately for just a moment? Just you, or you and and Daffid, would be fine."

"Yes, Alaric Brand, isn't it?" Mistress Althea says and then adds, "I'm sorry I did not recognise you at first, it has been a while."

"You said there was a fight, and that the creature escaped... Is there any threat to the School?"

At this point, Daffid enters the conversation to correct Brand by saying, "No. There were two of them. And both of them escaped by going up through the ceiling. I warded Master Nathaniel against evil and that was what drove them from his body, but they may come back. And, if they do, anyone who can't protect themselves could be at risk."

At this point the young woman and the youth look at each other and then around the room nervously.

Daffid then adds, "If they are the spirits of the restless dead as I suspect, then we may be able to lay them to rest permanently by finding their remains and blessing them in Mithra's name... I think it is best that someone searches the attic in case their remains are, somehow, up there. I am spent, however, so someone else will have to go. Perhaps you mistress, or Master Narim?"

[[ I'm assuming Althea listened to all my dialog...so let me know If not, and what Brand didn't say ... ]]

"Daffid is correct; there are two spirits, but one was, I think, benevolent" he says, trying to catch Althea's eye, and looking down at Nathaniel. "The darker of the two is the threat, I believe. The lighter one was defending Daffid at the end."

"As to the school...it may be at risk still, though I believe that this was an attack on Nathaniel specifically."

Then, speaking directly to Althea, he tries to catch her eye again, and says "I would very much like a very brief opportunity to speak privately, as soon as possible."

[[ I know the 'emergency' is now over, so the special circumstances are now considerably reduced, but does Bran have any option to retry travelling? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ I'm assuming Althea listened to all my dialog...so let me know If not, and what Brand didn't say ... ]]

[[Althea and Daffid didn't say anything until after Brand finished speaking.]]

"Daffid is correct; there are two spirits, but one was, I think, benevolent" he says, trying to catch Althea's eye, and looking down at Nathaniel. "The darker of the two is the threat, I believe. The lighter one was defending Daffid at the end."

"As to the school...it may be at risk still, though I believe that this was an attack on Nathaniel specifically."

Then, speaking directly to Althea, he tries to catch her eye again, and says "I would very much like a very brief opportunity to speak privately, as soon as possible."

[[ I know the 'emergency' is now over, so the special circumstances are now considerably reduced, but does Bran have any option to retry travelling? ]]

[[Not without a change of circumstance and perhaps not while awake.]]

Daffid is looking confused at this point and the younger ones are looking worried.

Althea turns to the younger pair and says, "Go and find Master Narim and bring him here as soon as possible." She then puts up a restraining hand towards Daffid when he tries to say something.

When the other two have left the room, she goes across and closes the door and then turns back to Brand.

"Now, explain yourself young man," she demands. "Why all this need for secrecy. Surely you don't suspect a student or the assistant librarian to be involved in whatever has happened here. We don't teach that sort of magic here in this school."

Brand loks releieved then frowns, "Thank you, I appreciate your forbearance. They looked frightened enough already, and my concern is about what they may or may not know about Nathaniel, and to some extent about myself."

"I do not accuse anyone at the school, least of all the poor woman who seemed so upset by his state. I have others in mind for that -- but that can wait until later; time is of the essence."

"I believe that this was an attempt at murder, and I believe that he is now following the creature that attacked him in the hopes of tracking it to its master, or to its lair. Or to save any other poor wretch it may attack."

"I assume you know what Nathaniel is capable of?" he glances at each of them but continues before they answer. "I am -- a little -- like him, but with much less control and experience. I was hoping that there might be some magical or herbal means by which I could ... escape my body for a time. Do you understand what I am talking about?" he looks at each, hoping for comprehension.

[[ In the past Brand has been totally invisible when astral traveling -- people have not reacted at all. Is the wisp a retcon for balance, or a new feature (which might cause him to doubt his interpretation)? ]]

"I am confused," says Mistress Althea. "You hinted before that Master Nathaniel might have been one of the creatures you saw."

At this Daffid's mouth falls open in surprise.

"But I don't see how that can be," continues Althea. "As far as I know, there has never been any visible manifestation of Nathaniel spirit while he has been out of his body."

She then moves to Nathaniel and bends to inspect him. "He really needs to be taken off this hard floor and put back into bed. And I will need to look to these cuts and abrasions. When Narim arrives, I will go and get my medical bag."

"The paler creature that attacked," queries Daffid, looking confused. "You think it was him. Why would he attack us?"

Brand winces, "Be careful with this room; if there is some kind of focus here, it might be dangerous...or just a valuable clue.

Then he sighs, "I know that this is all supposition, but how common is it for two malevolent creatures to inhabit one body at precisely the same time? I do not understand why he would be visible, unless he somehow was able to choose to be. He is very experienced."

"I think he may have been trying to help me escape my body and fight the creature directly. He knows I have difficulty with this. When the darker one tried to merge with you, the lighter one seemed to move to fight it. When the dark one left, the light one followed."

"If I can escape my body, then I can tell instantly if Nathaniel is elsewhere...and follow him if he is. If he is still here, then I will just return to my body."

Brand turns to Althea again, "Is there something that can be done to help me?"

[[ Just checking: you did see the request for help above? ]]

[[ In the past Brand has been totally invisible when astral traveling -- people have not reacted at all. Is the wisp a retcon for balance, or a new feature (which might cause him to doubt his interpretation)? ]]

[[If you are talking about this, then no I didn't see it, but also no: there has been no retconning—astral creatures are invisible, and they are also not visible to people with mage sight.]]

"Daffid, help me move Master Nathaniel back onto his bed," says Mistress Althea.

As the two move the Nathaniel's unresponsive body, Mistress Althea asks, "How do you normally leave your body?"

"In my sleep, though I have also been practicing meditation, to focus my thoughts and leave, so far with little luck."

[[ For what it's worth the request I was referring to was for assistance leaving his body ]]

"Well then," says Mistress Althea, "I can certainly put you to sleep, if you want to be put to sleep, but after that you are on your own. Nathaniel never needed any of my potions to help him leave his body."

"Perhaps Jartinal Weed?" suggests Daffid.

Mistress Althea looks at Daffid, who suddenly starts to blush with embarrassment. "Daffid, I am surprised. I didn't know you had it in you."

Then she looks at Brand and says, "But he could be right. It is certainly a way of achieving an altered state of mind."

Brand glances between each of them then back to Nathaniel, and nods.

"Then it's settled." he says.

He sighs, with no small trepidation, and turns back to Althea. "I have Stink of Life, should you need to wake either of us." he says putting two bottles on the table.

"I'm sorry to ask one more thing: Do you mind if I search the room in the mean time?"