Marak Quan |
Marak assists in the grisly task of interring the many victims into the earth, attempting to at least make a count of the number of unfortunates (by counting skulls, if nothing else), and offering up a brief multi-denominational service in the Varisian tongue, mentioning his own patron only briefly, as well as Desna, Pharasma, Cayden and Calistria, whom he recalls as being some of the more popular regional powers.
Take 10 for a 16 on the knowledge-religion check to say something appropriate and generically inoffensive.
He watches the buildings burn, regretting that the structure could not be redeemed to more productive use, but acknowledging that the horrors that occured here would undoubtedly leave behind a spiritual stain, as the echoes of pain and fear give rise to haunts and restless presences. Best to let fire cleanse all trace, and leave behind only fertile soil, in which perhaps new and wholesome life will take root.
Esteriande d'Litran |
"When ze ogres in Rannick see this, zey will know zat justice is coming," Esteriande murmurs, looking up at the pall of smoke. "Let zem. We will no go zere unknowing and unprepared."
Esteriande marks the graves for a later monument, and begins the walk back to where the horses and our guide were left.
Alisebett |
While Esteriande and Marak gather the body parts, Aliwolf and Lunas put their four legs each to good use digging the shallow grave.
Before Ali allows anyone to light a fire she flows back to Gnone and prepares copious amounts of water, making sure to throughly soak everything around to ensure that the huge fire cannot spread. Only when satisfied of the safety of the surrounding forest does she grudgingly allow the two structures be set alight.
Once the buildings are on fire, she stubbornly waits until they are burned to ash and uses large amounts of water to make sure the fire is completely out. Finally once done with that, she invites as many four leg and two wings friends as she can, and her two leg friends as well if they want, to fill the area and now nutrient rich soil with planted seeds. She plans no order to the planting, wanting and allowing it to be as random as the forest itself.
Finally, covered in soot from head to toe, does she smile and say "Ok! Ali happy now! We can go, yes yes?"
Esteriande d'Litran |
Esteriande notes Alli's activities and looks at her curiously.
"Alli, mon amis, it 'as been rainign for days, ze forest will not catch fire from ze 'ouse and barn burning, and zey will take days to burn out. Leave zem, and we will pass zis way soon to ensure zat ze task is completed wizzout 'arming ze forest or fields, and zat all is done well."
Alisebett |
Didn't realize the raining bit, but still...
Ali looks up from her activities of watering and planting, a blissfully happy grin on her dirty face. Standing up she thinks for a moment, wanting to get her words right as she tries to explain "Is not just for stop fire. Here be many many yucky things, and pain, and dying." she waves an arm towards the still smoldering house and barn, her Gnome heritage allowing her mercurial emotions to be instantly just as sad as she was happy a moment ago. And, an instant later, she is happy again as she looks at the work she has begun "Here Ali and animal friends help bring Life, and Beauty, and Land back here again! Ali think this more than anything make memory and feeling of yucky wolf-killers be gone forever." bending back down to her work, she says over her shoulder "It ok, you go. Ali fly and catch up easy easy and quick quick!"
She tells Lunas to go with the group but of course he doesn't listen, instead sitting on his haunches, keeping guard and watching as all his den-sister's little friends help her plant seeds.
With Lunas' 50' speed and endurance, he shouldn't have much trouble keeping up with a flying Alihawk and catching up with the rest of the gang either. Ali won't be moving until a significant portion of the planting is done and/or she feels sure the animals can finish in her absence.
EDIT:Oh, also, don't know that it will take days to burn out, but Ali is fine to stay until it does. She has no need to go back to the town and she's a Wild Druid, she couldn't be happier, and safer, out here in the wild. I know we don't split the party very often (but it happens all the time in a few other games I'm in), as a player, I'm fine with that and letting Ali play this bit out. You guys can pick her up on the way back if need be, if Wellard decides it will take that long.
Romon |
All this watering and planting looks boring and way too much like work. Romon is happy to leave the druid to it. "We'll see you in a couple days."
Works for me. Fits Ali perfectly. Romon peeled off in Magnimar too.
Esteriande d'Litran |
"As you will, Alli, but beware: not all of ze brutes may be accounted for, and ze ogres may come looking for what ze smoke portends," Esteriande cautions reluctantly. For the life of her she cannot understand why the druid has to stand around for a day and watch the buildings smoulder, but allows her that grace.
I assume we walk back to where we left the horses, and either meet up with the freed prisoners there or else follow them back to Turtleback Ferry?
Muchorak "Windstriker" |
"I will keep her safe." The shoanti says as he absently pets Ursus, "My people have dealt with these creatures before, from an early age we are trained to be aware of their markings." Muchorak lets Wolfspirit continue about her task and takes up an overwatch position as the others leave.
Muchorak wouldn't leave her alone either, and being more native than city born would gladly stay out in the woods.
DM Wellard |
Those off you who walk back to the Horses
You make your way back to the clearing to find the following
1)Your Captive is now deceased and his head is mounted on a pole.
2)Kaven and Vale are standing near the body and some distance away Jakandros and Shalelu seem to be engaged in an animated discussion
Ali and Muchorak
Please keep responses in spoilers
Esteriande d'Litran |
"We will return tomorrow, if we can," Esteriande tells them both. "Seek us at ze in at Turtleback Ferry if you are done earlier."
"We kill our foes because we must," she murmurs. "We do not glorify zeir deaths." She turns to Kaven and Vale. "My friends, we must return to Turtleback Ferry. It is clear zat ze matter at ze Fort must be planned for carefully, and in any event you will need 'ealing magic from Father Shreed, a good meal to be well enough to participate in re-taking ze Fort, and fresh weapons too, if zat is your wish."
Approaching Jakandros and Shalelu she proffers the bow that was discovered.
"Mon amis, we found zis in ze Graul 'ouse, is it yours?"
Marak Quan |
"Did another ogre come through here, to treat the dead in their traditional manner, by desecrating corpses and eating flesh? Or has your time among them left you as degraded and savage as they are?" he asks, sarcastically.
After a layer of dirt covers the grisly trophy, he adds, "And on a practical note, acts like this create undead. Surely you do not wish to create some wraith or haunt to menace the local communities?"
Alisebett |
Ali is very grateful to have Big and Little Bears staying with her, but she merely smiles up at her protector and pack leader, knowing that he knows full well the depth of her appreciation and affection.
Arms akimbo, Ali, very unfamiliar with the results of a burning house, stares at the remains of the house and barn, a moue of frustration on her face that things have not turned out the same was as the aftermath of a forest fire. Stamping her foot she thinks some more and then says aloud "Fine! Ali do this the hard way! For now," she adds with a sneaky smile "Tomorrow she ask Land for help!"
Then, taking off her top, completely unconcerned and unaware of her nudity, she heads over to the barn and uses the garment to scoop up ash and then proceeds to spread the ash over the ground. She'll continue doing this, and ask all her animal friends to help her, dragging leaves on anything else they can find to ply Ash on, until a fine layer of ash covers most of the clearing.
She can speak to any animals who can hear her, plus, she can summon tiny and diminutive animals at will, so I don't see this being a problem. I kind of see it like the scene from Cinderella where the birds and animals help her make a dress. ; ) But if you'd like me to RP it out, cast the spells and such, no worries. If the rest of their day and night is uneventful, I'll give you her spell selection for the next day. How big is the clearing by the way Wellard?
Romon |
Romon looks over the corpse and hisses. Spike, Spike, we hardly knew ye.
"He wasn't pretty but wow. This didn't help. Your taste is excrable." The rogue slides behind Randi's left shoulder and puts a hand on his best knife.
DM Wellard |
Ali
Back to Towners..
Jakandros turns at the sound of Esteriandes voice "Yes that is my bow..." he states holding out his hand for it..when you give it to him he nods his thanks and then waits..pointedly wanting you out off earshot off him and Shalelu..
Sense Motive anyone
Romon |
Romon looks at the elf and ranger.
Sense motive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
"I'm guessing you dressed Spike up, Jako, 'cause Shalelu wouldn't be so gaucho." He glances over at Randi to see if he used gauche correctly.
Alisebett |
Humming??
If nothing happens further this day, I'm ready to take it to the next day whenever you are. Ali's got something Special planned.
Unless Muchorak wants to go hunting tonight or something? Perhaps a little Ogre on the menu?
Esteriande d'Litran |
Returning she catches the exchange between Romon, Marak and the surviving Black Arrows. She looks slightly puzzled at the term 'goucho', linking it to a kind of Qadiran horseman.
"Peace, my friends. It is not what was done, but ze lack of due process. Oui, zis was a monster by 'is deeds, not 'is appearance. I 'ave few doubts he deserved such a death. But we are not judges, jury and executioner all in one. If we forget ourselves and ze laws we 'ave zat distinguish ourselves from zese monsters, only our appearance makes us different, non? I do not want to see evil done breed more evil deeds, we are better zan zat."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Esteriande looks sadly at the corpse.
"I 'oped to bring 'im to the village, where 'e could 'ave given many answers to ze kin of people gone missing in zese woods before 'e was tried for 'is crimes. Is zat an ill thing? You suffered much at 'is 'ands and zose of 'is kin, you 'ad a right to justice, but not to murder. Please remember zat ze next time we 'ave an 'elpless foe."
Romon |
Sorry about forgetting to spoiler last post.
Romon watches Esteriande withdaw and follows more slowly. About 20' from Jako and Shalelu he shrugs off his pack and starts to pull out some of the mundane equipment from the house. Meanwhile he tries to listen in on the elf's and ranger's conversation.
Perception at range 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 4 = 26
DM Wellard |
Back to towners
Romon |
Romon's head snaps up from his pack as he hears the Arrows' response to Randi. He's on his feet and in their face in an instant.
"Listen, bub, she's with me. Nobody talks to Lady Esteriande that way. She's done more to clean up Varisia than your mountain boys club and the Magnimar Watch combined. Listen to her. Do as she says, and speak respectfully, or I will personally hold her cloak while she kicks your ass to Rovagug's hole."
Oh yeah. This will get him in good with the little lady.
Naria Yamyra |
Town folk
Romon |
"I would have offed Spike myself, but Randi wanted to take him prisoner. So we did it. Spike was ours. These jokers down get to string him up just 'cause they've had a lousy few days. They didn't earn the right.
"Where do they get that attitude? Nobody talks to my woman that way. "
Naria Yamyra |
Towm folk
Romon |
Marak Quan |
Townies
Having said his piece, Marak finds the continued discussion an irritant, and just rolls his eyes at the mans insistance that it's okay to desecrate the dead because *devil-worshippers do it, too.*
He concentrates on burying whatever remains need burying, and resolves not to be drawn into further digression.
Esteriande d'Litran |
"Enough!" she steps between Romon and the Black Arrows.
"If you 'ave ze right of justice, then I accede to your authority on zis matter. 'Owever, my point stands: prisoners should not be summarily killed especially if zey are not your prisoners - zough in zese circumstances I accept zat you acted for ze best as you knew it, and I apologise if I sounded eizer arrogant or uncaring of your rights."
She takes a deep breath.
"Now we all 'ave a dangerous job to do if we are to retake Fort Rannick - something I for one am committed to. To do zis we will need to know ze layout of ze Fort as much as we can, as well as any weak points and vulnerabilities. Zat information will be our main advantage, and I 'ope zat you will both join us in planning our assault, even if you do not wish to join us in ze endeavour." She pauses to let that sink in.
"Now, if we are all agreed zat we are on ze same side, let us try and be polite to one anozer at least. Are we allies?" She offers the two Black Arrows her hand.
Muchorak "Windstriker" |
Muchorak watches the scene, but not as focused on it as one might seem; instead he keeps his attention on the outlying area. Aware of any possible threats. The ranger understands all to well how such a large fire can cause others to become curious.
He moves from one position to another, slowing making his way around the clearing but staying within the wooded areas to help remain unseen.
He won't rush Wolfspirit in this task. And Cinderella; yep I was seeing the same thing though I don't recall any nudity in the movie :D
Romon |
Intriguing as Jako and 'Lu are Romon has lost all interest in them for the moment.
Waiting to see what the Arrows do.
Inikai |
I am on vacation with spotty net access. Please DMPC Inikai as needed.
Townies
Esteriande d'Litran |
DM Wellard |
Romon
when you ask him he replies enigmatically that it is a family thing..which is surprising given that Shalelu is a full blooded elf and he is Human..one thing you do know is that the pair are/were not lovers
You may level up now