"Oh! Well spotted!"
and
"Eugh. Heads. Still, perhaps the alchemical bottle will provide another avenue of investigation."
"I trust so. Although I would not be so swift to discount the heads themselves as a clue,..." He ponders aloud.
"However, right now I am contemplating the wisdom of my hasty decision to investigate this locale so swiftly after our encounters with both the manticore and oversized luggage set. I confess I was so enthused over our effectiveness as a team that I momentarily lost sight of the fact that we are not invincible." He confesses.
Right on......you guys drag the heavy and unconscious and limp Castiel up the now seemingly endless flight of stairs, up to the burned out ruin of the former Sanctuary grounds.
It is not yet dark.
But the sunset is gorgeous.
Huzzzzrah!!!
Tired heathy is tired. nitey nite.
Alinya speaks softly, as if reciting from memory, "How strange this fear of death, for who could a sunset? And what is death but the setting of a soul?"
Edwin follows Alinya's gaze.
"I do not think it is fear of death, so much." Edwin replies gently, as if reluctant to break the Lady's mood.
"But more specifically, fear of the unknown. Most folk are terrified of what they do not know or cannot easily understand. For all of our priests and dead-speakers, what happens after death is still life's greatest mystery."
Edwin shrugs. "And I do love a good mystery! But while Death holds no particular terror for me, I am in no hurry to embrace it either. There is still far too much I have not done and seen on this world for me to be eager to explore the next one. That mystery has waited for an unknowable centuries to be solved. It can be patient a little longer, until I arrive to resolve the issue!" He smirks.
Huzzah!!!
The clouds are a lovely red.
"Well said! So, to practical matters. Do we continue exploring this place even with our depleted resources, make ourselves a camp here, or straggle back to Lepistadt to rest in safety? I think... I think we need to get Castiel to safety as soon as we possibly can."
huzzzah!!!
Huzzzzzahrr!
Rholf helps searchy searchy...
Perception:
With Rholf's aid,
Edwin finds a strongbox in the ruins.
Opening it,.......there are documents, charred, hard to read......
"Hmmm... These will require some care in handling, but I would wager there's an expert in Lepidstat that could help us with these." So..." Rholf says somewhat cheerily "unless you see something I don't, master Drood, let's be off."
Right on.
Who's carrying poor Castiel?
"I can't carry him, but I'm happy to direct those who can, and keep a look out for trouble."
"I think we can make it easier on ourselves,and mr Castiel, if we construct a litter. That makes it both easier to carry our unconscious companion, and less likely to drop him on his head in case of an emergency. We can use my blankets for the sling, Rholf, would you be so kind as to find two similar lengths of wood, or saplings?"
"I saw a remarkable spell for sale when we were last in Lepistadt. Conjures a horse, complete with bridle and saddle, and it would be absolutely perfect for this situation. Next time, I shall make sure I have a scroll handy!"
So, what's the plan, brave ones?
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"A litter it is, then!"
Rholf says, then goes about helping get materials for the litter together and assembled.
Survival:
"These are made with jagged rocks and mud, right?"
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"And don't forget the brambles and nettles to pad the stretcher."
Larissa rolls her eyes and heads back out to find materials, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"I think this will work better."
Edwin manages to hide his mirth. Mostly. The tug at the corner of his mouth seems unusually spastic.
"And I believe Larissa wins this particular scavenger hunt!" He declares, doing his best to assist with the construction, and hoping it holds till they get back to town.
Larissa's litter is functional.
It even has a little fridge for beer.....
The sun sets as you start trundling back to town.
Wolves howl.
Who's pulling/carrying Castiel's litter?
You guys head toward town, and the sun is setting into an oppressive twilight.
Mist rises off of the moors, collects in copses of trees.......snaking out from the small river that runs to the east of the southbound road through the marsh.
A good step up ahead,......a ginormous wolf lopes up from the riverbed to stand way up the road from your position.
"You may pass, but......leave me your wounded man there. He is made of meat, and is a fair price for the rest of you to pass with your meat left on your bones," says the wolf with a raspy voice.
Also, you guys see from the north, behind you, a big viking dude in chainmail on a horse, with a big axe.
He stops, 100 feet north of your position, and seems to be assessing things.
And from the west,.....there's a little.....hobbit sized guy. He's running towards your position, and behind him are 5 worgs.
Ask me if anybody has any questions.
Aaaaah, fate,.......God's ultimate plot device.
Wish me luck.......
The horseman approaches slowly, his axe held low on his right side, barely visible around the horse's body and saddle. He is a beast of a man, over six feet tall and clad in winter furs overlaying a plate-and-chain vest. A stout iron shield rests on his back over top of a longbow and full quiver and a smaller hatchet hangs from his belt alongside assorted pouches and a wooden holy symbol.
When he nears the group, his attention turns towards the approaching wolfpack and he scowls. "If you mean to defend your wounded, we hold here. It will take more than wolves to end my journey so quickly," His voice is deep and strong, but bears no hint of malice.
The big wolf up the road sees this, hears this; sneers, and in a growling voice speaks
"Thou who would wear the skins of my kinfolk.....thou vulgar and filthy chittering monkey,.........I'll take their wounded man's meat AND thy beast of burden's fleshy thews as a peacegeld!!!"
The Ulfen dismounts, donning his shield before spitting in the direction of the oncoming wolves. "I have slain fiercer beasts than thee, worg. Take the horse for your tithe if you wish. Let these people carry on and perhaps you'll not find yourself serving as a bedroll tonight."
The small creature is a humanoid insect being who is approximately 3ft tall and looks like a strong wind could blow him away. Its shell is mottled dark brown/black, and it reflects light with a reddish sheen. It slows from its jog to a walk as it approaches the group. As it walks, a small dagger that glows like embers appears in each of its hands. Seconds later, each of the flashes in turn like a campfire disturbed.
"Travellers, I petition your aid. I have been tracked by these 5 beasts all day. They seem to believe there is some kind of meat within my chitinous exterior, despite my assertions to the contrary. Should I survive, I will help protect and escort your wounded to someone who can help."
Heh heh......
I'll roll initiative bones some time tomorrow;.....just giving the party time to meet'n'greet the new members.
The wolves chasing poor Liek stop and pace, thinking things over.
The biggun continues bantering.
"There is no creature under the sun and moon fiercer than Ilsa, B#!$$ of War.
I hope you've bred, so when I kill your grandchildren decades from now the familial flavor of their steaming livers reminds me of this day....."