The dwarves who still lived, and the aaracocra take a stunned moment as the radiant flash in their eyes fades, shocked at what had happened, but after shaking it off, they hear what Rose had said, or rather her words finally settled in, and reluctantly both parties began their departures (Some sooner than others wanted) but if the evil thing truly was spreading, they didn't want to join in whatever mindlessness it would inevitably lead to.The dwarves moving slowly by land, while the aaracokra moved swiftly through the air. The fight averted as well as likely a massacre since the dwarves had no ranged weapons, if left alone they would have been slaughtered. For those of you that care about such things, you feel a little bit better about the day.

While Rose and Fallan chatter amongst themselves as the party inevitably wends their way back towards Silverymoon, Cadderly looking somber at the loss of Bulwark... both because of the mans discoveries and Cadderly's own curiosities about how he was made and how he would never get the chance to ask now. When suddenly his introspective reverie was broken by Bell... stumbling for a moment, clearly an inexperienced fighter, cadderly at first starts to shake his head 'no' then seemingly reconsiders before stating his inner thoughts I.. I'm sorry about that. I actually have quite a bit of training with all you see on my person..  he says, showing his club, his hand crossbow, and his odd-yoyo-weapon. I'm quite skilled with all of them it's just... There has to be a better way to handle things. Like talking things out... as you all just did with that group there. I.. don't like the thought of killing anyone, or anything, no matter how undeserving of mercy most would say they are.  his head hung lower, knowing that his opinion wasn't widespread in most cases.

I.. had to kill some people on my way to Barjin, and... there was a long pause, a very long pause as he swallowed, his body faintly shaking. I see their faces in everyone I might have to harm. Their faces are in my dreams, accusing me when I sleep... I.. he shivers like a cold wave going from his face to his legs in a single wave. I don't want to hurt anyone, everyone has good in them, and everyone can turn their life around if given the chance. I only killed .. the men I did... because I knew in that moment if I did not.. they would kill me... and I.. just kind of reacted.

However... if we survive what comes next, I'll spar with you a bit, so long as we don't use.. serious weapons.

You all slowly begin to see the walls again, though it's clear that no one is about.

Everyone make a dc 11 Wis Save.

Wis save 26

Wia save: 22

(will dialogue after saves are resolved)

12  WIS Save

Fallan feels disoriented for just a moment, and then nothing seems to happen. However........ Everyone feel free to post.

Fallan nods, but her face belies her disappointment that Rose's answers were not what she was hoping for. "No voices... gut feeling..." and as if in synch with the words, Fallan staggers a bit, and her voice trails off. Once she regains her composure, she continues, though the tone of her voice also carries a bit of embarrassment for her disorientation. "and a matter of faith... Great. I guess. Faith hasn't been my strong suit... other than the faith I have in you and Belle (and Root till he bugged out). I guess I will have to keep my gut full..." she smiles wryly... "and trust what it tells me more. Thanks, Rose. Really..."

Belle nods to Cadderly.  "Death... is a part of this world.  Battle is as well.  Certain people, when they take certain actions, or dabble in certain ways of life, choose to invite death as a common acquaintance.  Like the members of this cult... or like me, taking to the life of an adventurer.  We know what we signed up for when we decided to help, or to terrorize people.  Some folk deny this truth, but I've found a lot of peace in accepting it.  Trusting it, even.  The threat of death, the struggle to survive... I find it beautiful.  It gives me the strength to strive onward when nothing else does."  Bell smiles at Cadderly.  "This way of thinking may seem foreign to you, but death is not to be feared.  Death is a benevolent, watchful friend, who simply comes calling when the time is right.  As far as the sparring goes... I look forward to it. Who knows, maybe you'll even teach me a thing or two as well!"  

Nothing to respond to in regards to Rose/Fallans conversation.

Cadderly doesn't really physically respond as the group continues to walk, and Bell gives what resembles a pep-talk. And as it reaches its conclusion he responds. Aye, I understand. It's just that until all this curse-nonsense, my life had been studying, tinkering, and little else. I've never known my parents, or my true birthplace. Fighting was something I only ever read about, aside from the practice I did... but... practice and true combat aren't the same thing, though I digress... Until a few month ago, I had never met a person that wasn't a human or an elf... I was... quite bluntly, very sheltered from the reality of the world. The library is high on a mountian, and nearly impenetrable if only due to its location.

he said, sighing, before addressing more of the root of Bells point.  I just.. don't enjoy hurting others. And I feel there is always a more peaceful solution, like how we just did with those two groups. Many adventurers would just pick a side, kill the one they didn't choose and go about their merry way.

Regardless, I will try. I know I can't stay this way forever. 

Eventually you come upon the city gates, and Cadderly notes that it's surprising that the group hadn't came across the Bouldershoulders yet, scanning the area yet not seeing them. All the while Fallan experiences what was discussed during each triggering event. You all enter the city, and it's much worse than it was before. All of the merchants, save one, have died in various ways. Some seemed like it had been others who had ended their lives, while others seemed to have done it to themselves. Again more were inexplicable to tell 'how' it happened. 

Cadderly's visage was one of shock, but he wasn't frozen like before. My dear Denier... it's even worse than the Library... he said, swallowing hard. Various inexplicable noises could be heard in the distance, some more pleasant than others. Scanning the crowd, the guard who had been fornicating before had a sword jutting from his gut, in a way that he likely couldn't have done himself.

Bell waves her hand and casts detect poison, just ensure whether or not the air is still currently taited.

Rose's heart sinks at the sight of the corpses but she inhales deeply and closes her eyes to shut out the horror. Grabbing the amulet of Selûne around her neck she utters a quick prayer before preparing to summon the sanctuary to protect them. Belle, is the posion still here? I can protect us but only briefly, we must make our visit quick. 

Fallan listens for Belle's response to Rose's question, as her fingers find their way toward the top of her pack. "Some of that bread would be good about now..." she thinks to herself. Then, as if an argument were taking place in her head: "No, no, no! Do you want to be stuffing yourself to death with honeyed bread?" And the reply to herself is "There could be worse things to have happen, no?".

The halfling's head swivels back and forth between her compatriots and Cadderly (who she is still uncertain as to his helpfulness to their group), hoping that some solution or protection can be arrived at before she tears of "just one small piece" of the loaves she is carrying.

Bell senses that the poison-curse is not only highly present, but growing thicker and muskier, allowing her to answer Rose's question with an affirmative. The group ultimately stalling in the middle of it. Cadderly who had already pushed forward, along only slightly north of where the docks would be, turning around to see you all standing still... We cannot linger idly for too long. For the curse is ever persistent, you may resist it momentarily but its claws will sink themselves into your mind the moment  your mind wanders too far in any direction! And Rose.... I'm afraid we cannot have but a quick visit.... we either push forward, or it will slowly but surely overtake the world... Barjin, during his bragging said the poison is ceaseless... though its expansion takes longer the farther it goes, it will not stop spreading.... These conditions are not too far from what we had to deal with the first time.. the brothers continually fell into the madness and I had to talk them out of it, each time getting slightly harder but it can be done. Watch for signs of extreme behavior, and curb it ere it gets worse. We must press on, even if I must press it alone.

He says with clear conviction, even if there was a quiver to his frame.

"Is anything we can actively do to counteract it in ourselves?" Bell asks Cadderly.  "Also if anyone feels themselves slipping, I can still cast Protection from Poison on one person, so let me know!"

Cadderly nods at Bells question. As I said before, while magic helps it immediately... you can convince them to change their focus. Like.... ugh I cannot think of a better way to explain it so please forgive my words as I don't mean them at you all. But like a distracted child, you need to refocus their thoughts. For example... When the curse first began to show its symptoms, and I had just came out of the catacombs, I found the Bouldershoulders fighting with eachother.. and I mean physically. This isn't uncommon for them mind you, but this time they were going seriously at eachother. At this point I was unaware of what was going on, so I asked them what they were fighting over. Neither of them could rmeember, but they were sure it was the others fault. 

It turned out that they had been fighting over who was preparing the food for the preists, a task they took seriously. So I refocused their thoughts, that something wasn't right -though again, At the time I wasn't doing this intentionally- and pointed out that they were fighting over nothing and seriously injuring one another, something they rarely did. Upon realizing they were acting out of sorts, it kept their minds atleast for a little while. 

So I kept their thoughts on the task at hand. But your argument must be convincing, else they will ignore it.

Rose nods to Cadderly and moves to catch up. Do we have a way to determine the source however? Otherwise we are just wandering blindly. Though Inwould guess somewhere central would be a likely bet. One of the temples or libraries maybe. Either way let's head further into the market towards the Grove.

"While moving toward the center of a problem would seem like courting disaster, I'm all for heading toward the market. Maybe find a cheese seller's stall. Something that would go well with some honey bread. Maybe a sharp bleu... or a smoked gouda... or a creamy Havarti... or I hear the elves make a cheese from unicorn milk..." Fallan's chatter continues on, though the volume drops until it seems she is talking ONLY to herself. All the while, she keeps pulling a loaf of bread from her haversack, as if it were a longsword being drawn from a sheath.

17 insight to see if I can tell if anything is wrong with Fallan or if this is just her normal love of food talking.

Cadderly Nods, glad that they were finally going to keep moving, responding as the group moves. Unfortunately, no. In my case, I knew where it was by memories... dreams they seemed at the time but Barjin had apparently rewrote my memories to hide its location, but I had been there and Denier had helped me. In this case, We don't know whom opened the stopper. Nor when. And by now, everyone in the city has been effected, so they likely no longer remember nor notice someone 'acting odd' but it wouldn't surprise me if it was in one of the temples. The reason they chose my library the first time is it was the strongest line of defense in the region, considering our preisthood... and if they took us out first... But it doesn't mean they'll repeat the same thing again.

Moving around the bodies and buildings inside the now-eerie town, you all make your way towards the grove, the patch of tree's within the city itself, which Rose would guess either is, or was filled with druids of Sylvanus. As before, strange noises can be heard from within, including what sounds like rolling and muffled impacts, and grunts. Out of time to post, if no one has posted by the time I get back I will expand.

With a bit of a strange look on her face, Fallan turns toward Cadderly and makes a relatively incensed comment. "Why don't you tell EVERYONE? I mean, most of that doesn't mean much to me, but the others might need to hear it, don't you think?"

She also looks at Rose and with exaggeratedly raised eyebrows she moves her head and silently mouths something at her that may or may not have been "why ask me?"

Rose stops quickly as she hears the sounds in the Grove. Stopping Cadderly and the others she raises a finger to her mouth to shush them as she cautiously attempts to approach the source if the sound before remembering her loud, clanky armor. In a whisper she asks Can you go find out who or whats making that noise Fallan? Don't worry, I got your back.