Elisha while waiting on Owler and whatever the thing is he is dealing with to finish talking will sit down by John and say in a calm voice : "Look I actually believe you and am trying to help you. Everyone in the village spoke well of you and told us how you where trying to make the town better. I cant say the same for Chris. Hell even his wife left him and I cant blame her or you for anything either of you may have done. The Dwarf innkeeper seems a bit shady too. After our group started poking around he high-tailed it with a cart load of strange stones. What can you tell me about him and the Elfs?"
At the Camp... The leader responds to Genesh, Leader: “In order to be complete in my explanation, let me preface: I'm no sorcerer. What I may tell you comes from experience hunting these creatures, and there creators. I have no practical experience in the art of such dark magics.” He details tracking minor undead to places frequented by the vengeful departed: warzones, plagues, and the like. At each and every occurrence, there is a single necromancer at the root of each undead infestation. He grimly remarks, however, that once an infestation takes hold in an area, it becomes blighted and may never clear. The plague may infect things like Fungai on trees, streams of formerly clean water, producing entire ecosystems of late blooming zombies who simply fall ill and rise days after they've encountered it. It is entirely possible that the very air is somewhat infected, and that any who die may rise. Leader: “That's why we burn bodies now, and have no graveyards.” The others grimly nod, one of them turning over, pulling a blanket close at the mention of the graveyard. The man with the tattoo continues to stare into the sky, his face attempting to maintain the calm he entered the camp with. He fails to maintain calm at the next mention, however, and follows in a similar blanket turning motion, feigning sleep. The leader lowered his voice, and the wind seems to stop with him. The crackle of the fire even seemed to quiet down as if trying to listen to his tale. Leader: “What we fought hours ago in the Southern Forests is a true monstrosity. Something that adamantly rejected its fate and has survived for hundreds of years running around unchallenged by the beasts of the wood. With the humans resettling the old Hollow, I can imagine it simply felt its territory had been challenged, and tonight we established its new limits.”
At the River... The Giant creature holds a hand out, mentioning a warning only once, Mystic: “You know what I'm here for, and such a prize is indeed worth the destiny you now hold. Hand me the staff and you shall see your Arbella.”
John speaks with Elisha in a lowered voice, with abit of a grin on his face,
John: “Well, the Elves here, they're evil. Honest, they extort people just because we can't sleep in freezing whether or pray to mushrooms. They make us live far away so they don't have to “smell our stink.” Do you know what's out there? What's ALWAYS out there? There's a reason the elves left that place, and setup watchers! Thank gods we have dwarves and city elves to help broker setups for things like river guides and canoe docks, otherwise they probably would have left us up there! Anyway, the crystals are a kind of stone that captures light. They can't really do anything special, they're just shiny rocks, but you know how that goes. The elves consider them currency, and the innkeeper is working for them. I was trying to buy the stubborn fool off, but from what you've just told me it sounds as if he already has been.”
Olwer says a silent prayer to Whispering God, aware of the immense risk he now takes, and hands the staff to the mystic. He says ''Let this staff be the payment, then. Our bargain is sealed.''
The catfish grabs a hold of the staff, and breaks it in half. The wood howls and there is a hard push of air against you as it does. Plucking the gem from its cushioned positioned at the top, a bright and shining light erupts forth from the sphere. A rainbow of colors exploded out and the light appears to be being smothered by some dark force pushing the light back inside the gem. All of a sudden, the lights jerk violently, spiking in some directions and shrinking to the surface of the sphere in others. Then, as if it were sand getting funneled through a tornado, the bright shining rainbow of light is drawn into a single spiraling cone, then an arrow. It fires upwards and the mystic opens its jaws consuming it.
Digesting the brilliance, it reopens its mouth to pour forth a foul purple-black ooze as it raises the now empty Peral. The gem stone accepts the tainted energies, now glowing with a lavender shine not at all as sinister as it once appeared. He hands it back to you on the broken staff, now about the length of a dagger handle.
"My apologies for such a violent display, necromancy is the least elegant of the magical arts. With that, our bargain is finished. Should you manage such a legendary endeavor again, though I doubt it, be by the river at dusk."
With that, it jumps back into the river with a splash, and disappears leaving you, John, Elisha, and the Lavender Peral. With the silence of its departure, Olwer hears whispers,
The light purple energies swirled silently as it was pulled tight. The warm energies suffused through to the chest that held it, but even after several long moments it did not respond.
Olwer casts his spell but manages only to whisper into his own ear. "Can you hear me?" ringing quietly
Looking about in the darkness he can see Elisha speaking with John. The Elf town was still locked up for the night, and the Orb offered no considerations to him beyond its warm embrace and single whisper when it was given.
"Elisha, it looks to me as if the town is locked up. I think we should try talking the night watch into admitting us. Failing that, we ought to find someplace dry and make a fire."
The bard looks at John, and says,
"Cooperate with us I'll see that you arrive safely before a magistrate, and indeed, put in a good word for you with the court. Admit your fault in the tavern- fire and plead that it was an accident caused by your own stupidity and wild passions--that is my advice. Play to Elvish prejudices. You understand? The important thing is that you present this as what it was: a fight among humans. Keep the story simple. It will go better for you that way."
When the leader finished His Tale, the wind resumed and the fire began to crackle once more. He waved his hand about the air, trying to make the talk less serious. Those who had feigned sleep stirred back to wakefulness and some more positive stories were told. They spoke of the first captain of this watch and how he came across a rare gemstone in the river that lead to him leaving in search of some pyramids. One of them spoke of fighting a bear one on one and the druid protested that he was drunk and it was an unfair fight. The larger of that pair began to laugh, talking about how he once drank a tarven's whole inventory of ale without charge because it impressed the owner. The man with the tattoo joined into the laughter but stayed distant. He remained cautiously silent when it came his turn for stories, mentioning a woman who once had shaved his beard. It was an amicable choice and he actually believed he looked better for it, but maintains facial hair now for the intimidation. The group kind of chuckles but the disappointment at such a dull story was clear.
Then it comes round and the curious eyes turn to you,
"How about you two, how'd you end up here?"The man with the tattoo says trying to pull attention from himself.
At the River...
The three of you enter the water and wade across. From the banks of the river on this side, you can see two guards standing at the gate, their lights extinguished. In the dark of the moon, you have doubts you could walk up to them without them seeing you, and may be somewhat apprehensive about approaching unknown guards in the middle of the night.
Ireniana turns to the man, eyeing the tattoo for a moment before responding. "I'm here on business. My companion and I are with some others trying to solve a murder."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
The three of you enter the water and wade across. From the banks of the river on this side, you can see two guards standing at the gate, their lights extinguished. In the dark of the moon, you have doubts you could walk up to them without them seeing you, and may be somewhat apprehensive about approaching unknown guards in the middle of the night.
Olwer calls out in Elven.
"Ho there, guards! Two travellers approach the gate on a mission of justice, with a single human prisoner. "
Should the guards show no overt hostility, Olwer will get closer and attempt to talk them into admitting him along with Elisha and John.
The men seem confused, they ponder what this could mean. The leader explains that this is becoming a problem.
"In the last few days, we've seen more and more antagonistic human actions from the settlement. There are people of great influence that will want to know of such actions..."
He trails off for a moment, with the larger of the original Druid pairing you saw earlier picking up the trail. She speaks in a flat tone, not overly confident in her words,
"A Killer. Of Animals, Land, and now other People."
She looks to the thinner of the two, a young man with a dark goatee and bald head. The scrawny bear man nods in acceptance.
The man with the tattoo stays silent until the exchange completes. He speaks up,
"I'm going to be leaving tomorrow morning. I wish to hunt the creature in its own habitat."
The leader and druid-ranger duo seem confused. He wasn't exactly a hunter, yet they left his choice verbally unchallenged. A salutary drink was again passed between the five, and they wished him good luck. The fifth muttered under their breath, "Come and go...Don't die." having only slightly removed armor enough to drink, eat, and return to sleep.
The leader nods,
"I think it would be best if we return to the camp then and deliver this report. You two are welcome to come with us."
The leader motions to Genesh and Irenia, and the other members of the now band of four agree. The Tattooed man solemnly nodded as well, expressing that you seemed like stalwart individuals...
…In fact, he expressed that you seemed so stalwart, he wondered if either of you would like to duel before going your separate ways. Surely you could not have watched a deer die, reanimate, then die again with such a straight face and not being champions of good martial practice!
The tattooed man flings to his feet in a comically overexaggerated boxing pose, trying to lighten the mood. The leader joins in on his attempt and bets a single gold against the man with a tattoo.
At the River...
The three of you approach the guards who immediately light their torches. From the treeline several arrow drawn arches walk slowly forward. As you speak, however, the guards signal a return to post, and they slowly lower their weapons. Climbing into the trees, you are aware that you are watched by at least four different angles from about 100 yards, well within these trained elven longbowmen's range. The standing guards don't even draw their swords but the further of the too lowers his hand from his. They both stand around 6ft, with blonde and brown hair each running to their shoulders in long lines. Their armor is that of some kind of wood and looks extremely durable but stiff. Their "swords" don't appear to have a blade upon closer inspection. They are simply sword shaped wooden clubs attached by a belt.
"On whose authority and for what reason have you arrested this man?" The first states.
"And Nothing from you!"the second states pointing at John
Olwer expertly explains what's going on (Persuasion) and the guards agree with him and are sympathetic. Unfortunately, the Guards inform him that the gates are locked from the inside. Even if everyone of the guards were being attacked, the best they could hope for is someone jumping over the edge until sunrise. Realizing there was still about a half hour left, the second lets out a groan but the first chimes in that he can take you right where you need to go the moment the doors open, without anyone stopping you or acting off.
Presuming this meant that the first was allowing you to stay nearby till sunrise, the second actually cheered up a bit and invites you to roll dice. He pulls out the stump they had hidden along with a cup full of carved bone dice and the first asks that you not bet too aggressively.
The tortle nodded to the leader in response to his invitation for the pair to go with the band. Genesh replied in a solemn voice, "I cannot speak for my companion but I for one am interested in coming along." The tortle looked over at Irenia, "what do you think, will you be joining us?"
Genesh gave a somewhat surprising look at the tattooed man, "I think you for your compliment but I am sorry to disappoint you. I do not gamble or duel so I fear I must politely decline but thank you for your kind offer. I only battle when I must, when there is no other way, no other option... not for sport or entertainment. But do not let me spoil your enjoyment, have at it and I shall see to my pack to prepare for when it is time to leave."
Elisha will pass on the dice rolling. He will sit in silence keeping an eye on John. Trying to figure out all these strange happenings. He actually believes John...although his fight may have knocked over a lamp that would start a fire it would not have caused an explosion that would have destroyed the inn that fast.
He does not want see a person punished for a crime they did not commit. He can see no way to keep it from happening though. All he can do is speak on the man's behalf when they turn him in.
Elisha while waiting on Owler and whatever the thing is he is dealing with to finish talking will sit down by John and say in a calm voice : "Look I actually believe you and am trying to help you. Everyone in the village spoke well of you and told us how you where trying to make the town better. I cant say the same for Chris. Hell even his wife left him and I cant blame her or you for anything either of you may have done. The Dwarf innkeeper seems a bit shady too. After our group started poking around he high-tailed it with a cart load of strange stones. What can you tell me about him and the Elfs?"
Irenia is content to let Genesh speak on her behalf as he continues to question the group of hunters.
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
At the Camp...
The leader responds to Genesh,
Leader: “In order to be complete in my explanation, let me preface: I'm no sorcerer. What I may tell you comes from experience hunting these creatures, and there creators. I have no practical experience in the art of such dark magics.”
He details tracking minor undead to places frequented by the vengeful departed: warzones, plagues, and the like. At each and every occurrence, there is a single necromancer at the root of each undead infestation. He grimly remarks, however, that once an infestation takes hold in an area, it becomes blighted and may never clear. The plague may infect things like Fungai on trees, streams of formerly clean water, producing entire ecosystems of late blooming zombies who simply fall ill and rise days after they've encountered it. It is entirely possible that the very air is somewhat infected, and that any who die may rise.
Leader: “That's why we burn bodies now, and have no graveyards.”
The others grimly nod, one of them turning over, pulling a blanket close at the mention of the graveyard. The man with the tattoo continues to stare into the sky, his face attempting to maintain the calm he entered the camp with.
He fails to maintain calm at the next mention, however, and follows in a similar blanket turning motion, feigning sleep.
The leader lowered his voice, and the wind seems to stop with him. The crackle of the fire even seemed to quiet down as if trying to listen to his tale.
Leader: “What we fought hours ago in the Southern Forests is a true monstrosity. Something that adamantly rejected its fate and has survived for hundreds of years running around unchallenged by the beasts of the wood. With the humans resettling the old Hollow, I can imagine it simply felt its territory had been challenged, and tonight we established its new limits.”
At the River...
The Giant creature holds a hand out, mentioning a warning only once,
Mystic: “You know what I'm here for, and such a prize is indeed worth the destiny you now hold. Hand me the staff and you shall see your Arbella.”
John speaks with Elisha in a lowered voice, with abit of a grin on his face,
John: “Well, the Elves here, they're evil. Honest, they extort people just because we can't sleep in freezing whether or pray to mushrooms. They make us live far away so they don't have to “smell our stink.” Do you know what's out there? What's ALWAYS out there? There's a reason the elves left that place, and setup watchers! Thank gods we have dwarves and city elves to help broker setups for things like river guides and canoe docks, otherwise they probably would have left us up there! Anyway, the crystals are a kind of stone that captures light. They can't really do anything special, they're just shiny rocks, but you know how that goes. The elves consider them currency, and the innkeeper is working for them. I was trying to buy the stubborn fool off, but from what you've just told me it sounds as if he already has been.”
AT THE RIVER
Olwer says a silent prayer to Whispering God, aware of the immense risk he now takes, and hands the staff to the mystic. He says ''Let this staff be the payment, then. Our bargain is sealed.''
The catfish grabs a hold of the staff, and breaks it in half. The wood howls and there is a hard push of air against you as it does. Plucking the gem from its cushioned positioned at the top, a bright and shining light erupts forth from the sphere. A rainbow of colors exploded out and the light appears to be being smothered by some dark force pushing the light back inside the gem. All of a sudden, the lights jerk violently, spiking in some directions and shrinking to the surface of the sphere in others. Then, as if it were sand getting funneled through a tornado, the bright shining rainbow of light is drawn into a single spiraling cone, then an arrow. It fires upwards and the mystic opens its jaws consuming it.
Digesting the brilliance, it reopens its mouth to pour forth a foul purple-black ooze as it raises the now empty Peral. The gem stone accepts the tainted energies, now glowing with a lavender shine not at all as sinister as it once appeared. He hands it back to you on the broken staff, now about the length of a dagger handle.
"My apologies for such a violent display, necromancy is the least elegant of the magical arts. With that, our bargain is finished. Should you manage such a legendary endeavor again, though I doubt it, be by the river at dusk."
With that, it jumps back into the river with a splash, and disappears leaving you, John, Elisha, and the Lavender Peral. With the silence of its departure, Olwer hears whispers,
"Where am I?...What?...How?...I'm scared..."
Olwer, whispering
"Don't be frightened, Arbella. I'm here. It's Olwer. Show yourself to me, please."
While he speaks the bard picks up the lavender pearl mounted on the staff fragment and hugs it close to his chest.
The light purple energies swirled silently as it was pulled tight. The warm energies suffused through to the chest that held it, but even after several long moments it did not respond.
Olwer gazes into the pearl..
He points a finger at it and whispers again
message cantrip
"Can you hear me?"
Olwer casts his spell but manages only to whisper into his own ear. "Can you hear me?" ringing quietly
Looking about in the darkness he can see Elisha speaking with John. The Elf town was still locked up for the night, and the Orb offered no considerations to him beyond its warm embrace and single whisper when it was given.
"Elisha, it looks to me as if the town is locked up. I think we should try talking the night watch into admitting us. Failing that, we ought to find someplace dry and make a fire."
The bard looks at John, and says,
"Cooperate with us I'll see that you arrive safely before a magistrate, and indeed, put in a good word for you with the court. Admit your fault in the tavern- fire and plead that it was an accident caused by your own stupidity and wild passions--that is my advice. Play to Elvish prejudices. You understand? The important thing is that you present this as what it was: a fight among humans. Keep the story simple. It will go better for you that way."
(4 AM)
At the Camp...
When the leader finished His Tale, the wind resumed and the fire began to crackle once more. He waved his hand about the air, trying to make the talk less serious. Those who had feigned sleep stirred back to wakefulness and some more positive stories were told. They spoke of the first captain of this watch and how he came across a rare gemstone in the river that lead to him leaving in search of some pyramids. One of them spoke of fighting a bear one on one and the druid protested that he was drunk and it was an unfair fight. The larger of that pair began to laugh, talking about how he once drank a tarven's whole inventory of ale without charge because it impressed the owner. The man with the tattoo joined into the laughter but stayed distant. He remained cautiously silent when it came his turn for stories, mentioning a woman who once had shaved his beard. It was an amicable choice and he actually believed he looked better for it, but maintains facial hair now for the intimidation. The group kind of chuckles but the disappointment at such a dull story was clear.
Then it comes round and the curious eyes turn to you,
"How about you two, how'd you end up here?" The man with the tattoo says trying to pull attention from himself.
At the River...
The three of you enter the water and wade across. From the banks of the river on this side, you can see two guards standing at the gate, their lights extinguished. In the dark of the moon, you have doubts you could walk up to them without them seeing you, and may be somewhat apprehensive about approaching unknown guards in the middle of the night.
Ireniana turns to the man, eyeing the tattoo for a moment before responding. "I'm here on business. My companion and I are with some others trying to solve a murder."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
The group goes silent, the tattoo man repeating,
"A Murder?"
They look about, and the tattoo man responds after some time,
"Who died?"
Olwer calls out in Elven.
"Ho there, guards! Two travellers approach the gate on a mission of justice, with a single human prisoner. "
Should the guards show no overt hostility, Olwer will get closer and attempt to talk them into admitting him along with Elisha and John.
persuasion, if necessary
13
At the Camp...
The men seem confused, they ponder what this could mean. The leader explains that this is becoming a problem.
"In the last few days, we've seen more and more antagonistic human actions from the settlement. There are people of great influence that will want to know of such actions..."
He trails off for a moment, with the larger of the original Druid pairing you saw earlier picking up the trail. She speaks in a flat tone, not overly confident in her words,
"A Killer. Of Animals, Land, and now other People."
She looks to the thinner of the two, a young man with a dark goatee and bald head. The scrawny bear man nods in acceptance.
The man with the tattoo stays silent until the exchange completes. He speaks up,
"I'm going to be leaving tomorrow morning. I wish to hunt the creature in its own habitat."
The leader and druid-ranger duo seem confused. He wasn't exactly a hunter, yet they left his choice verbally unchallenged. A salutary drink was again passed between the five, and they wished him good luck. The fifth muttered under their breath, "Come and go...Don't die." having only slightly removed armor enough to drink, eat, and return to sleep.
The leader nods,
"I think it would be best if we return to the camp then and deliver this report. You two are welcome to come with us."
The leader motions to Genesh and Irenia, and the other members of the now band of four agree. The Tattooed man solemnly nodded as well, expressing that you seemed like stalwart individuals...
…In fact, he expressed that you seemed so stalwart, he wondered if either of you would like to duel before going your separate ways. Surely you could not have watched a deer die, reanimate, then die again with such a straight face and not being champions of good martial practice!
The tattooed man flings to his feet in a comically overexaggerated boxing pose, trying to lighten the mood. The leader joins in on his attempt and bets a single gold against the man with a tattoo.
At the River...
The three of you approach the guards who immediately light their torches. From the treeline several arrow drawn arches walk slowly forward. As you speak, however, the guards signal a return to post, and they slowly lower their weapons. Climbing into the trees, you are aware that you are watched by at least four different angles from about 100 yards, well within these trained elven longbowmen's range. The standing guards don't even draw their swords but the further of the too lowers his hand from his. They both stand around 6ft, with blonde and brown hair each running to their shoulders in long lines. Their armor is that of some kind of wood and looks extremely durable but stiff. Their "swords" don't appear to have a blade upon closer inspection. They are simply sword shaped wooden clubs attached by a belt.
"On whose authority and for what reason have you arrested this man?" The first states.
"And Nothing from you!" the second states pointing at John
Olwer expertly explains what's going on (Persuasion) and the guards agree with him and are sympathetic. Unfortunately, the Guards inform him that the gates are locked from the inside. Even if everyone of the guards were being attacked, the best they could hope for is someone jumping over the edge until sunrise. Realizing there was still about a half hour left, the second lets out a groan but the first chimes in that he can take you right where you need to go the moment the doors open, without anyone stopping you or acting off.
Presuming this meant that the first was allowing you to stay nearby till sunrise, the second actually cheered up a bit and invites you to roll dice. He pulls out the stump they had hidden along with a cup full of carved bone dice and the first asks that you not bet too aggressively.
The tortle nodded to the leader in response to his invitation for the pair to go with the band. Genesh replied in a solemn voice, "I cannot speak for my companion but I for one am interested in coming along." The tortle looked over at Irenia, "what do you think, will you be joining us?"
Genesh gave a somewhat surprising look at the tattooed man, "I think you for your compliment but I am sorry to disappoint you. I do not gamble or duel so I fear I must politely decline but thank you for your kind offer. I only battle when I must, when there is no other way, no other option... not for sport or entertainment. But do not let me spoil your enjoyment, have at it and I shall see to my pack to prepare for when it is time to leave."
AT THE GATES
Olwer agrees to throw dice.
He does not bet aggressively, but just plays for a small wager, for fun.
But first he digs into his pack and places a spare cloak over John's shoulders to keep the man at least somewhat warm.
Irenia nodded. "I'll come along. I'm always up for an adventure."
I have an intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.
Elisha will pass on the dice rolling. He will sit in silence keeping an eye on John. Trying to figure out all these strange happenings. He actually believes John...although his fight may have knocked over a lamp that would start a fire it would not have caused an explosion that would have destroyed the inn that fast.
He does not want see a person punished for a crime they did not commit. He can see no way to keep it from happening though. All he can do is speak on the man's behalf when they turn him in.
Genesh walked up to Irenia and placed his hand on his companion's shoulder, "excellent, it's settled then!"