The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Alton nods, "Sounds good. I'm just going to grab a few things from here and we can take off. Do we want to go to Felderwin or back to Bladegarden?" He starts gathering up the map and notes from the desk; along with what books look like they would be useful.

I vote Bladegarden, hand him over to the Brand, see what they can make of the situation. We need to tell Fray about the giants anyway, yeah? 

Balassar just nods "Bladesgarden it is then." he just begins to walk the captured elf out to the horses. Once out he will begin to do a search of the elf removing anything but bare essential clothing.

OOC:
Essentially frisking him and removing anything that could potentially be a weapon, arcane focus, or component pouch.

Balassar, you do find an amulet in the shape of a burning tree hanging around his neck; it seems to be made of silver, decent quality of crafting.  It might serve as an arcane focus, though you have little knowledge of such things.

As you continue to search, you notice something that you didn't before; the half-elf is cold, with no body warmth that you can detect.  It's quite unsettling.  You continue your search, and find writing implements and some papers tucked into a jacket pocket; most of the papers are blank, though one has a list of tools on it.  You find no weapon or component pouch.

Balassar just removes the items from him and tosses them behind him on the ground as he places the half-elf horizontally over the back of the horse and begins to secure him "He had some extra things on him, there right there. I'll get him secured now, but he definitely could use a blanket."

Balassar, as you finish tying him on the horse, you see his form shimmer as a magical spell disguising his appearance seems to fade.  What is revealed beneath was perhaps a half-elf in the past, but is now a thing of scarred, decayed and dead flesh.  His eyes now burn with the same bright red glow as you previously saw on the giants.

(But with red eyes...)

Balassar just backs away from the horse drawing his blade again and holding it up “Silent…Alton…he’s a corpse!” He yells back to them

Silent whirls around and draws his own blade. He'll rush towards Balassar and get close to the wizard, standing at the ready but not doing anything. He says to Balassar, Seekers of Shadow gotta be related to this, I'll bet all the gold in my pocket on it. When's the last time any of us ran into undead? Can't be a coincidence, right?

He takes another look at the wizard, brow furrowed. Gonna be a hell of time riding back to Bladegarden with him looking like this. Maybe we can cover him up. 

Provided the corpse isn't making any moves, Silent will sheathe his blade, remove his traveling cloak and try to cover up the body while it's secured to the horse (using his rope if needed). 

Alton looks up from gathering up the books, notes and map; and moves to look outside, "I think they might just kill it on site at this point; but if you guys want to bring it back there..." 

Silent, you are able to wrap up your prisoner reasonably well; he does not struggle or move much as you do so.

Alton, you think you could carry all the books if you make full use of the two horses and get your companions to pitch in.  Are you doing this, or will you try to select the more important books (if so, make an INT check).

Balassar just looks at Alton and shrugs "Groups call, to be honest he might be more valuable alive."

Alton will try to see if he can pick out the more important books first.

INT Check: 20 

Alton, you pick a total of ten books which you are confident represent the best, most interesting and rarest of the books, and you set the remaining books in a box which you close and leave in the basement for safekeeping in case you return or you ask the authorities to send someone here.

Please add to your equipment '10 interesting books taken from an undead warlock's tower' or something along those lines.  This will be a project for you to read through and attempt to connect what you read with what you know of your grandfather's items and history.  It will be possible for you to read and make a little progress on your travels, but it will more likely be a downtime activity for when you have several days or a week to dedicate to it - or if you want to subcontract the work out to someone you trust.

You have your prisoner and the books you have found.  No other signs of wealth or treasure that you can see.  What's the plan?  If you're headed back to Bladegarden with your prisoner, please confirm and we'll get the journey underway.

Silent is ready to head back to Bladegarden.

Balassar is ready as well.

After packing up the books, Alton is ready to go.

 You set off, your horse unhappy at the close presence of the creature on its back.  Your wolf is also keeping his distance, eyeing the unmoving figure and occasionally growling in its direction.  

Whoever is controlling the horse with the undead creature, give me an Animal Handling check please.  And are you riding or just leading the horse?

Someone else, please give me a Perception check as you keep watch during the first part of your journey, back to the road that leads to Bladegarden.

OOC:

animal handling check: 17

Perception: 9