Drasven answer to the chants is pretty obvious for those who have known the dwarf for a short time.
"Yea Yea Yea Blah Blah Blah. Even in undeath you boneheads talk too much. You all need to rest in pieces...Come! My axe will greet ye all."
Not that it matters much with that roll, but Cassandra's Initiative modifier is +3.
It seems we're waiting for Zavar to start this party?
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Zavar excitedly misfires a force bolt at a skeleton and it hits a tombstone instead. He hustles 30 feet north out before the pair of zombies closes toward Cassandra and Drasven.
Zombie 1 steps toward Drasven and stumbles on loose rock while swinging his right arm badly missing the dwarf. His partner (zombie 2) doesn't have an right arm, so he headbutts Cassandra which nearly knocks her off her feet.
Can you put numbers on the zombies and skeletons for us to reference? I do not currently see any.
Thanks.
Cassandra Channeled Positive Energy to harm undead. She then five foot stepped to flank with NDevere, drawing her morningstar in the process.
Drasven swings his axe towards the zombie. The blades singing a sharp song as it cuts through air and into undead flesh.
Cassandra Channels Positive Energy to Harm again, takes a five foot step, and draws her scimitar, letting her morningstar fall to the ground.
Drasven uses the backswing to impact on the zombie once more. His breathing even and calm even as he contemplates the action of those around him.
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Cassandra's positive energy destroys a zombie that was previously wounded by Drasven and the last skeleton. Both instantly turn into ash and blow away in the wind.
Zavar does not see well in the darkness and needs a light source to improve his aim of the arcane bolts.
Drasven cleaves through the neck of remaining zombie. It falls to the muddy ground with a soft thump.
No more threats or significant evidence found in the area after the party scans The Restlands for more undead. You head back to Lorrimor's to rest, heal and eat a hardy breakfast. The servants clean up the zombie guts and the stench of rotten eggs is gone after several applications of bleach and scalding hot water.
The doctor, an old male priest of Pharasma, is fetched and finds Kendra stares into the crackling fireplace wrapped in a quilt. She is in a catatonic state as Windom feeds her hot burbon tea and bread.
He retrieves a medical kit and begins examining her vitals while talking to Windom. "My name is Father Grayson. I recognize your face but cannot place your name young man. What happened to the poor girl? He asks in a raspy voice.
Windom acknowledges the doctor with his eyes as he enters the room.
I am a fellow Pharasmite, Windom; I will confess I remember your face but cannot place you. Kendra is her name, she is the daughter of the late professor Lorrimor. Last night this house was besieged by restless dead, and more attacked the caretaker in the rest lands. The shock she recieved was from seeing her father as one of the reanimated come here to attack the house. Before we could identify him he was destroyed in a most brutal but efficient way as she watched. I at one time have been victim to this blank stare she has now, and as novice as my attempt has been it comes from experience. Blessed be the goddess that you are here for guidance, anything you need will be provided. We have moved everyone here to this room for the night in the event more foul callers arrived, it would be safer to protect. If you wish her to be in her bed it most certainly can be arranged after we search the house. I have a dread feeling she was the target of a necromancer of black arts. The professor made many enemies of evil and wicked things and whatever it is stalks Ravengro. I am your servant please address me with it is that you require.
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After a thorough examination of her vitals and symptoms, he shakes his head and frowns.
"You have done very well by her side, Windom. I've seen this before with many soldiers during wartime. His winks his right eye.
"There is little I can do. She needs constant attention and reaffirming, positive conversation even though she cannot respond. If she cannot sleep, give her this after she eats her evening meal. It is called Milk of the Poppy and is very strong with a foul taste. Mix one tablespoon in honeyed tea. This vial should last an entire month. I will be back then to check on her in another week. Please do not give her more than two doses in one day if necessary. It can become addictive with prolonged use. Father Grimburrow will know my whereabouts if you need me before then. May The Lady's blessings be upon you."
He hands you a clear vial of milky white substance. If you do not have any further questions or assistance, he quietly leaves through the repaired door.
Windom will walk him out and just say thank you for everything, hopefully he understands.
After the doctor leaves Windom will find Cassandra.
Windom will take you aside, he hands you the vial the doctor gave him along with his instructions.
Cass, I know we have not been friends for too long, but you are the person I trust the most. Hide this, hide this from Kendra and from me. After she realizes how good this will make her feel she will take the whole thing, that would be fatal; or she also may know it would be fatal and try to take the whole thing. Either way this poison will fix her and she will never be the same because of it. She may try and trick you, attack you, bribe you, and anything else to get her hands on it. Be clever, and be mean.
You do notice Windom has broken a sweat while he has been talking to you, he seems on edge, and has eyed the vial with hungry eyes. He walks back to quickly Kendra almost as if he is upset with you.
Windom will continue to soothe Kendra and follow out the Doctor's orders to the best of his ability. He will stay by her side all day, but will leave her to the servants after dinner. After he excuses himself from Kendra, Windom will ask nDevere, Zavar, and Drasven to accompany him to get out of the house and some air on the patio. There is a necromancer afoot, and I mean to destroy him. When do we move on the burnt prison? Revenge for the dead will be swift and taken without remorse.
Drasven winces.
"I was too hasty and should have found another way to bring down the professor. I should have at least pushed his body out first before putting it down. Alas my instincts kicked in first and the poor child has suffered because of my thoughtnessless." Drasven laments.
"We should strike while it is day and end this necromancer first. We should at least inform this Father Grimburrow of our suspicions and intentions. At least should something else occur, the temple will be ready to respond. Also I'll feel better if Kendra be shifted into the temple for her own safety." Drasven continues.
The previous night was reminding him of his actions the night before and it haunted him. Healing his friends the previous nights and then calling upon his patron to grant him spells the following day was only to prepare him for when they must strike out evil's lair.
Not your fault, I would of done the same thing. I am glad for your instincts.
First light then? We bring Kendra to the temple then go hunting. What preparations should we make?
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"If anyone is in need of supplies I suggest we seek them out now. Who knows how long we may be down there. I myself have spent weeks delving into the depths at one time or another. Are we lacking anything?"
Zavar takes a stern look around at his new companions.
"We must be prepared for anything."
He cracks a smile.
"After all, we don't want to end up as permanent guests, do we?"
He shoots a wink in nDevere's direction.
I do not know of the rest of you, but I will require some additional rest prior to setting forth in search of this evil. The rest I did get prior to the unwelcome guests was very un-restful.
nDevere, do you require further healing prior to resting?
Healing for all that need it.
Healing for nD
"Now, I must attempt to get a full night's rest, since the first part of the night was so unrestful."
"We should all get some rest and attend this town meeting. At least we'll be able to get something prepared first. Kendra is after all our first priority. First Kendra's interest then we investigate the going ons."
I will stay up and keep watch over the house. I feel quite restless at the moment and walking around should tire me out. Will one of you take over the watch later tonight so I may sleep, I only need a few hours.
Windom stretches and the sound of his spine pops a few times, he had spent the day sitting with Kendra and feels he needs to move around for a bit.
Should we all attend this town meeting? Are we planning to tell of the undead? I may be paranoid but if I was the necromancer I would be in attendance at this meeting. Maybe suggest a false set of plans to the audience, it may put his guard down.
Later that night Windom will patrol the house, and constantly peer out of windows. He will carry the hatchet from the fireplace with him during his watch. He will at times peer into his comrade's rooms to make sure they are safe. Mostly he will stay with Kendra, talking to her, holding her hand, and helping her through her shock. He will with all respect stay by her bedside, with the door open. When he is relieved he will have a few drinks to help him take the edge off and try to get a few hours of sleep.
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You fully rest until noon on your fourth day in Ravengro.
Father Grimburrow agrees to take in Kendra for three days as a guest. He is very distraught on the news you bring and pens several letters after your discussion.
As the magnitude of eerie events in Ravengro grows, the town’s citizens begin growing increasingly nervous and frightened. The town council calls for a meeting at the town hall to discuss the citizens’ fears and address possible solutions, hoping that such a display of authority will calm everyone down and buy some time—perhaps enough for a messenger to reach one of the larger neighboring cities for help.
When the meeting begins at sunset, the town hall is packed to standing room only, with over 60 villagers inside the building’s central meeting room and many more gathered in the hall outside. Everyone demands solutions and shares reports of their own eerie encounters.
A group of five little Varisian girls dressed in shawls and dresses are playing a skipping rope game outside the town hall. Each of the girls takes turns jumping in the rope while singing two lines of a rather disturbing song, then skips out of the rope to let the next girl take up the next two lines. The way in which the girls switch from skipping to passing the ends of the rope to each other to keep the whole thing going is strikingly well timed and well choreographed—and the verse itself, which the girls sing in Varisian. The five repeating verses are as follows:
Ya kan ọbẹ ati ki o lop ori rẹ.
Wo awọn awọn ẹjẹ wa jade ni paipu.
Kikọ sii ti stirge, ki o dara ati ki o pọn.
Silė ti pupa ki sparkly imọlẹ.
Splatters ka rẹ orukọ kan ọtun.
Pẹlu kan ju pa iyawo rẹ.
Bayi o fe lati beere aye re.
Tricksy baba sọ fún kan luba.
Gbọ tówàlẹgbẹ tabi o yoo kú.
Take a knife and lop her head.
Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe.
Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right.
With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life.
Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die.
Cassandra listens closely to the young girls skipping rope. She ponders the meaning of the words, and the meaning of the dream she had early in her rest (before being so rudely interrupted) just the night before.
Drasven spends the time waiting after his rest to repair any damage to the Kendra's home, reinforcing the windows and doors as much as he could with the meagre equipment he had.
In the evening, he adopts the door as his post, keeping any eye out for trouble. The girls he sees but not knowing what they are singing puts them out of his mind for now.
Windom looks at the girls skipping rope.
I remember when I was a child and the girls skipped rope to tunes of flowers and the names of boys they wanted to kiss, boy how times have changed.
Before we elbow our way into the town meeting, did we want to discuss what we plan to tell the townfolk, if anything. I am more interested in what the town may have to say, and fearful that they may blame the professor someway. We should probably have a general statement prepared before a witch hunt or something of the like erupts.
Maybe the professor had found evidence of a black wizard and his knowledge cost him his life.
"I'm not a good public speaker but it should be made known that we dealt with the earlier trouble with the undead and have the Pharasmite priests verify it. It could give us more credbility as well." Drasven considers their option.
"Of course this could mean they'd want us to deal with it then."
Cassandra will inform those unable to understand Varisian what the "tune" is.
"While I attempted to first sleep after contacting to Professor's spirit, I dreamt of the girls jumping rope and singing that tune.
And no, his death was not an accident."
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A posse of a dozen men approaches the party led by an elderly farmer with a gleam of hate in his eyes. They wield shovels and scythes and appear angry. One of the farmers carries rope with five tied nooses.
Gibbs, you recognize him from the Professor's funeral, steps forwards out of the group barring your way into the town hall. The five girls disperse in opposite directions and their song suddenly stops. The crowd around the town hall begins forming a large circle around you and Gibbs' men.
"YOU are not welcome here! Ever since you newcomers came into our quiet and god fearing town, a great evil has followed in your footsteps. YOU have desecrated our beloved monument with dark magic! YOU have awoken our ancestors from their peaceful rest with dark words and deeds! We didn't want Lorrimor buried in the Restlands and now we all know why! YOU are trying to destroy our town and WE ain't gonna let you!"
Windom pulls out his wooden holy symbol holding it with conviction in his right hand toward the man that now holds his friend's life in his hands.
Who are YOU to know such things? Have YOU left this town ever? The world is much larger then YOU can imagine. I am very embarrassed for YOU; YOU insult the memory of the man that has countlessly warded evil from this small town. He never boasted of bragged about the evil he felled because people like YOU would never understand. Has anyone thought of the big picture, anyone really, or am I to assume one man speaks for the town. Let us think for a minute.
Deep breath in.
We believe the Professor was murdered; yes it looks like it was an accident. Now entertain that thought, for a moment. Everyone you have knit a noose for has hid nothing, we were the first to make the reports to the guard and temple proper after we were attacked by restless dead. My friend by your feet has nearly died in the protection of your restlands and your ancestors. My dwarf friend risked his own life to patrol your streets the night of the attack to make sure no foul dead found prey at any other homes. It is to my knowledge no other homes or people were attacked; so it would be safe to say the Professor's home and his guests as well as his daughter were the focus of the attacks. Yes your families graves have been defiled, and like the masses of this town the other cleric of Sarenrae in this company, and I a devout Phrasimite also look for vengeance for the sacrilege. So what could of raised the dead? Who here has the knowledge and training to identify what raised them? I can tell you in the group you wish to string up most of us have been trained to identify the signs, creatures, and black arts to combat them. We have collaborated, and with our joined expertise we have come to a plausible conclusion; you have a necromancer in your town. This wizard of black arts may be working alone or head a secret cabal; we ascertain this assumption because of the quantity of dead that attacked the other day, it is too much for one man to command. We are in the process of fishing out the weavers of dark arts, and we were going to tell of our concerns at this meeting. One last point, what would we have to gain from the accusations we are accused of? Really, most of us would be thrown out of our various religious orders.
Small pause.
So that brings us to here and now. Either you are going to out man us and kill people that despite the constant insults and threats from this town want to help weed this evil out. Or you will conquer your fears of outsiders, come to peace with the fact people are here to offer assistance and we all work together. Let us all go into this meeting as friends and see if we can identify the possible users of the black magic and bring them to justice. But let us not create a witch hunt, we are already afraid, let us not have murder of an innocent on our hands.
Looks at Gibbs in a lets be friendly way and lowers his holy symbol.