The look of confusion on the middle-aged councilman's face deepens for a moment, then fading into a more guarded expression. "I'll not pretend to know of how the arcane works, but such a thing sounds like a great difficulty to maintain. Was this an invasion? Is Evanciea under attack?"
"When you've had a moment to rest, I would like to hear the details of your excursion. But for now, please." He says, gesturing out of the room. "We can get you some food and drink in the meantime."
In passing to Kal, he nods with slow contemplation. "It's possible. Our greatest worry was always those that came at night. If you've found a way to stop them...Then this nightmare just might be over."
Silthras listens to the suggestions of the others, nodding when Velyra mentions Luri, "Big help" he says with a broad smile, and if she is present he bows slightly to her in appreciation.
He has little more to add until Kal makes his suggestion. "Interesting idea. Everyone could get an early rest, and if the clawed ones don't appear by midnight, you could leave straight away. That should be enough time to make it back before dusk tomorrow. We don't know whether what we did will hold them, and if it does, how long it will last. It may only be a short breathing space. We need to use the time we have productively."
He looks at his hands, then glances around the room to assess the state of the townsfolk, "For me though, retreating after a victory does not sit well. We may now have the opportunity to cleanse the entire town tomorrow. The clawed ones would be a lot less troublesome without their small army." His gaze finally settles on Paten, "This is a decision for the town and its leaders -- and I think it's fair to say that we will back any decision. If you choose to flee, we will do our best to escort you. If you choose to stand and fight, we will do what we can to help. Whichever choice you make, we will also continue to investigate. As Velyra says, this is much bigger than a few undead rising up, and I doubt it is over yet. We have won a battle. The war continues."
With that he moves off to hear what Usul has to report from Dib.
Velyra frowns as the councilman mentions his concerns, tilting her head. "An invasion?" The thought hadn't occurred to her. "It's possible I suppose. I'm not quite sure why this location would be picked as the entry point though."
Gladly taking whatever food and drink she can get, Velyra will patiently wait with others to hear what Usul has learned.
Paten shakes his head solemnly, "as much as I would like to personally purge this town, those of us left simply aren't strong enough for such a task."
"If we can just make it to Silverfair, I'm certain we could get word out to someone who would be willing to help - I doubt the baroness would spare her men even now."
The party spends the next hour or so on the first floor of the inn, resting, drinking, and eating while they await darkness. News of what your group told the councilman had spread among the survivors by now and as night fell they braced, waiting for the tell-tale wails of the clawed undead.
As the marked amount of time passes, Usul resummons the tiny owl back to his side, immediately drinking in the familiar's memories over the past hour. The room your group had discovered, hub of a teleportation network, was clouded with dust and fine stone particles after your exit. When the shaking stopped and the sound of falling stone ceased, the familiar began to hear faint sounds of the creatures screaming on the other side of the collapse. They were angry. But no amount of anger could move that much material - though they continued to rave and screech in frustration, the clawed undead made no headway into making it back into the teleportation chamber. Since your departure, no other creature has set foot in the room.
Usul Note:
Unfortunately, your tinkering with the small box turned up nothing this time around. You're certain there's a way into the thing, you just haven't been able to glean the mechanism yet.
Silthras looks around, the townsfolk are likely well rested but he feels exhausted. "Do you have any carts or wagons and -- less likely, I know -- cart animals?"
He also tries to wrack his memory for defensible locations along the road.
As he ponders the possibilities, Silthras seems despondent: there seems no way to get the townsfolk to safety in daylight. But then he jolts upright, and glances around. "Use the enemies tools against them!" He blinks a few times, tired still, but adrenaline is doing its job. "We found a portal that led to Silverfair did we not? Let's return to the mansion tomorrow, check the state of the mines with Dib's aid, then send the villagers through the portal."
“If we have stopped the creatures, even if only temporarily, they should notice back in Silverfair as well.” Usul says, perking up slightly at the idea of being able to use their portals to return. “Perhaps we can get some troops to join us to clear out the cavern if the town is relatively safe…. Though we will need to find the in portal once we get back.”
Silthras nods, "This might make life simpler -- evacuating the other towns, concentrating our efforts on the strange complex. Though, Ithey may well have agents who are not trapped." He lowers his tone and glances around the room, "...perhaps not even undead. The inaction of the baroness is disturbing."
He mulls his thoughts for a moment before turning to Velyria, "Have you had any more thoughts on who might be at the other end of the sending stone? Might it be worth waiting until someone in Silverfair can examine it? Perhaps let them stew, and see what they might send to us..."
"If we work fast enough, perhaps we can get the people from here back to Silverfair, and maybe even the other towns as well. Keeping everyone safe there is clearly going to be easier than spread out undefended!" Usul says, clearly getting excited at the idea. Though knowing that it's a lot of work to do.
Velyra nods, agreeing with the general plan that seemed to be forming. "Given we can figure out which portal leads to Silverfair, this seems like a good idea. It might be difficult to get them to trust the device, it is rather ominous looking...But with them safe, we'd be free to explore that ruin to our heart's content."
She touches the stone in her pocket as Silthras mentions it, checking to make suer it's still there. "If Silverfair has such an expert, I'd be more than happy to let them take a look. I imagine it's just a regular sending stone though. We can either wait, or tell them we found out what become of their companions...And that we have the rest of their belongings. That might stir something up."
Listening in as the group spoke to one another, planning - Paten finally speaks up. "All of our pack animals are long since dead. We could probably scrounge some carts up from around the town, but..." He shrugs, returning to silence as your discussions continue.
He seems somewhat troubled at the prospect of using portals, "you're sure it's safe? I don't want to lead my people into something they can't come out of." He says, lowering his voice to match Silthras.
"As for the baroness, I can't say. Incompetent and self-centered for certain...But to commit treason of this magnitude?" The councilman shudders, disturbed by the thought. "In any case, if you can promise these portals of yours will get these folk to safety, I'll have them ready by morning."
"Getting the townspeople to the mansion might be a bit tricky. Moving that many people could draw quite a hoard..." Kal looks to Usul and his mastiff, "we might need you to create a distraction again."
Looking to the councilman, Usul says, "We may need more time than just the morning... Unless you plan to head back tonight to check?" Looking to the other members of the group.
Silthras shakes his head, and smiles weakly, "The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak." He stifles a yawn and looks around at the room at the townsfolk, the boarded up door. "I need to get some rest. It's been a long day. "
He stands and looks for a place to rest (( did they have a room? )). "But I think we have a plan...back to the manor, check what's happened...and if anyone -- or anything -- has returned."
"We'd better get rest then, and make any preparations."
Since they have a moment of downtime, Kal will find some space and take off his splint armour and prepare the newly acquired plate to be donned in the morning.
"So long as there's plenty of daylight when we start moving." Paten says. If there's nothing else anyone needs to talk with him about, he'll take his leave there. He begins to move through the inn, informing the townsfolk of the tentative - and somewhat wild - plan to make a break to Silverfair via the strange teleportation system you described. Eventually, he disappears up stairs to break the news to the worse injured in the actual rooms.
For the rest of you: there's enough open space in the common area of the first floor to put out a bedroll, but none of the rooms are available for the able-bodied. With the plan revealed, conversation has broken out among the folk on this floor, with some occasionally glancing in your direction with the slightest hint of hope on their faces.
-- If there's anything you want to do before settling down, let me know, otherwise we'll move forward --
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Leaning against Muad under one of the tables, Usul again spends a few minutes tinkering with the puzzlebox he found earlier, before yawning and curling up next to his warm and furry companion ((investigation 24)).
If everyone plans on going their separate ways for the night, Velyra will approach Silthras before he can squirrel away. "Could I see that tome we found in the ruins? I'd like to take another crack at reading again. I don't need tog et as much rest as most others, so I've got time."
Usul runs his fingers along the intricate gold inlays, searching for a seam, crack, or anything that might give as a way into the box. There's something familiar about the patterns the gold inlay traces out. Something about the way they flow across the box strikes a chord within, but he just can't quite place what it is.
The puzzle box does not seem to want to give up its secrets to him just yet however, and after spending some time out without making headway, he stashes it away.
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The look of confusion on the middle-aged councilman's face deepens for a moment, then fading into a more guarded expression. "I'll not pretend to know of how the arcane works, but such a thing sounds like a great difficulty to maintain. Was this an invasion? Is Evanciea under attack?"
"When you've had a moment to rest, I would like to hear the details of your excursion. But for now, please." He says, gesturing out of the room. "We can get you some food and drink in the meantime."
In passing to Kal, he nods with slow contemplation. "It's possible. Our greatest worry was always those that came at night. If you've found a way to stop them...Then this nightmare just might be over."
Silthras listens to the suggestions of the others, nodding when Velyra mentions Luri, "Big help" he says with a broad smile, and if she is present he bows slightly to her in appreciation.
He has little more to add until Kal makes his suggestion. "Interesting idea. Everyone could get an early rest, and if the clawed ones don't appear by midnight, you could leave straight away. That should be enough time to make it back before dusk tomorrow. We don't know whether what we did will hold them, and if it does, how long it will last. It may only be a short breathing space. We need to use the time we have productively."
He looks at his hands, then glances around the room to assess the state of the townsfolk, "For me though, retreating after a victory does not sit well. We may now have the opportunity to cleanse the entire town tomorrow. The clawed ones would be a lot less troublesome without their small army." His gaze finally settles on Paten, "This is a decision for the town and its leaders -- and I think it's fair to say that we will back any decision. If you choose to flee, we will do our best to escort you. If you choose to stand and fight, we will do what we can to help. Whichever choice you make, we will also continue to investigate. As Velyra says, this is much bigger than a few undead rising up, and I doubt it is over yet. We have won a battle. The war continues."
With that he moves off to hear what Usul has to report from Dib.
Velyra frowns as the councilman mentions his concerns, tilting her head. "An invasion?" The thought hadn't occurred to her. "It's possible I suppose. I'm not quite sure why this location would be picked as the entry point though."
Gladly taking whatever food and drink she can get, Velyra will patiently wait with others to hear what Usul has learned.
Paten shakes his head solemnly, "as much as I would like to personally purge this town, those of us left simply aren't strong enough for such a task."
"If we can just make it to Silverfair, I'm certain we could get word out to someone who would be willing to help - I doubt the baroness would spare her men even now."
The party spends the next hour or so on the first floor of the inn, resting, drinking, and eating while they await darkness. News of what your group told the councilman had spread among the survivors by now and as night fell they braced, waiting for the tell-tale wails of the clawed undead.
As the marked amount of time passes, Usul resummons the tiny owl back to his side, immediately drinking in the familiar's memories over the past hour. The room your group had discovered, hub of a teleportation network, was clouded with dust and fine stone particles after your exit. When the shaking stopped and the sound of falling stone ceased, the familiar began to hear faint sounds of the creatures screaming on the other side of the collapse. They were angry. But no amount of anger could move that much material - though they continued to rave and screech in frustration, the clawed undead made no headway into making it back into the teleportation chamber. Since your departure, no other creature has set foot in the room.
Usul Note:
Unfortunately, your tinkering with the small box turned up nothing this time around. You're certain there's a way into the thing, you just haven't been able to glean the mechanism yet.
Silthras looks around, the townsfolk are likely well rested but he feels exhausted. "Do you have any carts or wagons and -- less likely, I know -- cart animals?"
He also tries to wrack his memory for defensible locations along the road.
As he ponders the possibilities, Silthras seems despondent: there seems no way to get the townsfolk to safety in daylight. But then he jolts upright, and glances around. "Use the enemies tools against them!" He blinks a few times, tired still, but adrenaline is doing its job. "We found a portal that led to Silverfair did we not? Let's return to the mansion tomorrow, check the state of the mines with Dib's aid, then send the villagers through the portal."
“If we have stopped the creatures, even if only temporarily, they should notice back in Silverfair as well.” Usul says, perking up slightly at the idea of being able to use their portals to return. “Perhaps we can get some troops to join us to clear out the cavern if the town is relatively safe…. Though we will need to find the in portal once we get back.”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Silthras nods, "This might make life simpler -- evacuating the other towns, concentrating our efforts on the strange complex. Though, Ithey may well have agents who are not trapped." He lowers his tone and glances around the room, "...perhaps not even undead. The inaction of the baroness is disturbing."
He mulls his thoughts for a moment before turning to Velyria, "Have you had any more thoughts on who might be at the other end of the sending stone? Might it be worth waiting until someone in Silverfair can examine it? Perhaps let them stew, and see what they might send to us..."
"If we work fast enough, perhaps we can get the people from here back to Silverfair, and maybe even the other towns as well. Keeping everyone safe there is clearly going to be easier than spread out undefended!" Usul says, clearly getting excited at the idea. Though knowing that it's a lot of work to do.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Velyra nods, agreeing with the general plan that seemed to be forming. "Given we can figure out which portal leads to Silverfair, this seems like a good idea. It might be difficult to get them to trust the device, it is rather ominous looking...But with them safe, we'd be free to explore that ruin to our heart's content."
She touches the stone in her pocket as Silthras mentions it, checking to make suer it's still there. "If Silverfair has such an expert, I'd be more than happy to let them take a look. I imagine it's just a regular sending stone though. We can either wait, or tell them we found out what become of their companions...And that we have the rest of their belongings. That might stir something up."
Listening in as the group spoke to one another, planning - Paten finally speaks up. "All of our pack animals are long since dead. We could probably scrounge some carts up from around the town, but..." He shrugs, returning to silence as your discussions continue.
He seems somewhat troubled at the prospect of using portals, "you're sure it's safe? I don't want to lead my people into something they can't come out of." He says, lowering his voice to match Silthras.
"As for the baroness, I can't say. Incompetent and self-centered for certain...But to commit treason of this magnitude?" The councilman shudders, disturbed by the thought. "In any case, if you can promise these portals of yours will get these folk to safety, I'll have them ready by morning."
"Getting the townspeople to the mansion might be a bit tricky. Moving that many people could draw quite a hoard..." Kal looks to Usul and his mastiff, "we might need you to create a distraction again."
Looking to the councilman, Usul says, "We may need more time than just the morning... Unless you plan to head back tonight to check?" Looking to the other members of the group.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Silthras shakes his head, and smiles weakly, "The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak." He stifles a yawn and looks around at the room at the townsfolk, the boarded up door. "I need to get some rest. It's been a long day. "
He stands and looks for a place to rest (( did they have a room? )). "But I think we have a plan...back to the manor, check what's happened...and if anyone -- or anything -- has returned."
Velyra shakes her head as well, "Not tonight."
"We've bought at least a day of reprieve, hopefully more. We'll make the most of it tomorrow."
"We'd better get rest then, and make any preparations."
Since they have a moment of downtime, Kal will find some space and take off his splint armour and prepare the newly acquired plate to be donned in the morning.
"So long as there's plenty of daylight when we start moving." Paten says. If there's nothing else anyone needs to talk with him about, he'll take his leave there. He begins to move through the inn, informing the townsfolk of the tentative - and somewhat wild - plan to make a break to Silverfair via the strange teleportation system you described. Eventually, he disappears up stairs to break the news to the worse injured in the actual rooms.
For the rest of you: there's enough open space in the common area of the first floor to put out a bedroll, but none of the rooms are available for the able-bodied. With the plan revealed, conversation has broken out among the folk on this floor, with some occasionally glancing in your direction with the slightest hint of hope on their faces.
-- If there's anything you want to do before settling down, let me know, otherwise we'll move forward --
Leaning against Muad under one of the tables, Usul again spends a few minutes tinkering with the puzzlebox he found earlier, before yawning and curling up next to his warm and furry companion ((investigation 24)).
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
If everyone plans on going their separate ways for the night, Velyra will approach Silthras before he can squirrel away. "Could I see that tome we found in the ruins? I'd like to take another crack at reading again. I don't need tog et as much rest as most others, so I've got time."
Usul runs his fingers along the intricate gold inlays, searching for a seam, crack, or anything that might give as a way into the box. There's something familiar about the patterns the gold inlay traces out. Something about the way they flow across the box strikes a chord within, but he just can't quite place what it is.
The puzzle box does not seem to want to give up its secrets to him just yet however, and after spending some time out without making headway, he stashes it away.